# 38 : Gaabo Dry

"Banana Stem".. As i had mentioned, its the tender portion of the Banana plant's bark!

I have never quiet found this portion of the vegetable sold in the market. I understand that this stem is very nutritious and high on fibre. It is also believed that eating this vegetable is good to clear the intestinal path! :) I know it sounds weird.. But ya.. my mom, aunts..and their generation constantly narrate the goodness of this vegetable. I would not wanna lock horns on this topic for sure! :P

Anyways, getting to the preparation of this dish..

Firstly wash the stem and cut it into circular disks as shown.. and leave it in a bowl of water for a couple of hours. This is done so that the thread like fibre can easily detach itself from the vegetable.. If not, try scrapping the surface with ur finger and as if to knot threads.. pull the fibre..

Once you have removed this thread like substance from the surface of each disk..wash and cut into small square cubes.

Now we are all set to cook it.. :P

Ingredients:

1. Banana stem cubes (Gabbo in Konkani)
2. Turmeric pwdr - 1 tsp
3. Salt - to taste
4. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
5. Dry Red chillies - 3
6. Curry leaves 
7. Besan  (chickpea flour) - 2 tsp dissolved water
8. Curd - 2 cups
9. Oil - 1 Tbsp

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil in a pan.
2. Prepare for seasoning. Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds. Let them split. Only after the mustard seeds split, should you add the dry red chillies (broken into halves) and followed by curry leaves. 
3. Later add the banana stem/gabbo pcs into the pan with seasoning. Stir and leave it for 5 minutes..
4. Now, add the turmeric powder and mix the well. Add the salt as well. Stir and leave it to cook.
5. When the stem appears to look like its softened, then add the bowl of curd. In order to make sure that the curd does not split... add the besan-water mix. and Stir it well and leave it to cook.
6. Add a glass of water in case the mixture appears too thick. Check if the salt is enough..
7. Leave the dish to cook... You'll get a distinct aroma of the seasoning! (The dish ideally will take 20-25 minutes to cook on slow flame.)

Serve hot with white rice.. :)

# 37: Cold Coffee

All these summer cooking adventures makes me feel like "Macaulay Culkin" in " Home Alone" :P


It was annoyingly hot and occassionaly sultry with the random rains! consumed all the fresh fruit tetra packs and had been hell lazy to replenish the stocks! what do i do.. thought will prepare something and have.


I am not very fond of milk.. although i do support those who insist on the importance of drinking milk.. Bt trust me.. i would prefer having it either as a milkshake or may be as cold coffee!


So with tons of milk in my fridge.. and my love for coffee bean.. decided to have Cold coffee.


Ingredients:

1. Milk - 3/4 glass
2. Coffee- 2 tsp
3. Ice cubes 
4. Sugar - 2 Tsp

Preparation:

To the milk, add the coffee, sugar, and ice. Mix all in a mixer.  Ta da! cold coffee is all ready.

Put some ice cubes in a glass and pour in the cold coffee. Sprinkle a little coffee powder!

# 36: Bulls-Eye

Some call it "Sunny Side up"... i have know it as Bulls eye all the while.. And this happens to be the 3rd dish i learnt while i was a kid.. Loved preparing it then only because of the challenge it posed to get the yoke perfectly in place on the pan as well as while transferring it on to my plate :P

I am sure every one know how easy it is to prepare.. just an egg, pinch of salt , and some pepper is all that goes into this yummy breakfast! :)

Just get the knack right to break the egg without hurting the yoke and yet spreading the egg white well... :)

I got it right after ages of practice..and now seem to have mastered the art! ;)