The Big Change (2015) & Happy Mother's Day!

3 months into 2015 and everyday I see myself as a new person.

Every year has taught me a great deal but none like 2015 (so far!)

And when I say, there has been a big change .. I mean it in a holistic way! Not only have I become even more organised  (OCD! as per my husband and friends ;) )and time sensitive but seems like I have finally come to terms with being a home-maker and  a working professional ;)

Its funny indeed! I was living in denial for the first year for sure and am amused at myself now.. However, now that I have come to terms with the new chapters that are unfolding before me, I should share my experiences with food and switching roles from a house-wife to ops professional and vice versa. 

I started sharing my experiences and journey with food a few years back as a dedication to my MUM for her unconditional love and dedication for our family, her never-ending love to cook and serve, and her magical way of introducing me to food and to be her little 'chef and self'! <3

Coming back to share my experiences yet again with a promise to spread her culinary love, I'd like to wish all the MOTHER'S a very happy mother's day and to my mum.

MA, I love you.. and thank you for being MY mom. 

You are the ANGEL of my life :*

Happy mother's day!

Your loving daughter and friend

Appu xx

# 45: Tomato Rice

On a rainy autumn day, it just feels so amazingly lazy that cooking a quick meal and sipping tea is all I wish to do. But as easy as it may sound.. I cannot forget falling in love with the aroma that this dish can fill the house with. It just feels so warm & cozy! ;)

While growing up, I fondly remember that one particular day in Pathakot when mom made this dish. It was the best flavour I ever tasted and my senses refuse to forget it too. I still ask mom to recreate that magic again.. but seems like masterpieces are rare! Nevertheless, my love for it never diminished.. but just got stronger :)

One of my favourite dishes and possibly the most cooked meal throughout college life.. "Tomato Rice"

Ingredients:

1. Ripe Tomatoes - 4 (cut into 4 halves)
2. Green Chilli - 2 (Slit)
3. Onions- 1 (chopped lengthwise)
4. Ginger (chopped finely/ lengthwise)
5. Garlic (Finely chopped)
6. Raisins (soaked in water)
7. Cashews ( slit & roasted)
8. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp (or less)
9. Red Chilli powder- 1/2 tsp (or less)
10. Cumin - 1 tsp (whole)
11. Fresh Peas - 1 cup 
12. Ghee - 1Tbsp
13. Bay leaf- 1
14. Badi Elachi - 1
15. Cloves - 3
16. Pepper - 2
17. Cinnamon stick- a small piece
18. Rice- 1 cup
19. Water- 2 cups
20. Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing
21. Salt to taste

Preparation:

Heat the Ghee in a pan. Add the cumin and let it split. Then add the bay leaf, badi elaichi, cloves, pepper, cinnamon, green chillies, ginger, & garlic. Give a stir. Now add the onions and fry till they are translucent. 

You can add the  turmeric & red chilli powder and mix it. You will see the onions take the beautiful turmeric colour. Now add the tomatoes and let it cook. Should take less than 2 minutes. Add the salt, as it will help in cooking in the tomatoes faster. 

Once the tomatoes are cooked, add the green peas and stir well. Now add the rice and mix well. Let the ric fry with the rest of the ingredients. Just ensure that the grains do not break. Now add the raisins and cashews and mix before adding water.  Leave the rice to cook. It should take approx 10 minutes.

Before serving, garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. 

Trust me it can't get any better!

P.S: Oh! and a tip to make sure that the rice grains do not become sticky- just add a tsp of lime juice. It would ensure your rice is beautifully grainy! ;)

Enjoy! 

# 44: Oreo Pud

Its been really really long and almost 2 years since I started blogging about what my family, friends, & I love eating. Honestly, though in these 2 years, I must have blogged sincerely only for a year.. that doesn't mean I starved myself for the later part of the year.. I rather cooked a lot more, gained a lot more pounds, and experimented a lot more with cuisines, and strangely enough have managed to take a liking for jacket potatoes with cottage cheese, and pineapple, and hell loads of cheese and occasionally baked beans too! ;)


Wow! So good to be back here. and what better way to celebrate my return to food (and just celebrate!) but with a some sweetness: OREO PUD!

The story behind this pudding is endless, and so is the craving to have it more often than I can think of. Its totally my midnight snack! Too happy- too sad- too frustrated- too too and too of any sort of mood swing..this pud just makes life better! :P

Here it goes..

Ingredients:

1. Oreo Biscuits- 4 to 5 packets
2. Brown Bread- 2 to 3 slices
3. Cocoa Powder- 1 Tbsp
4. Cream- 200 ml
5.  Vanilla Ice cream- 250 ml

 Preparation:

Grind the slices of bread and keep aside..

Separate the cream from the biscuits and grind the biscuits and keep aside. While keep some of the biscuits whole..And remember to keep aside some of the plain biscuits for the layering up at the end!

Now grind the whole biscuits, separated cream from the biscuits, cocoa powder, 200 ml of cream, and vanilla ice cream together into a nice smooth consistency.

Now, is the best part..putting them all together..

Start with lining the base of the bowl with the plain biscuits either broken or as is such that it covers the entire bowl properly. Add a layer of the creamy mixture. Then spread the bread crumbs over the cream. Add the oreo biscuit powder over the bread crumbs, then layer a second round of the cream mix and top it up with a final layer of the biscuit powder.

Freeze for 10 mins and later refrigerate!

Tada! Time to dig in.. :)

Njoi!