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Sreelu's Tasty Travels

August 29, 2010
21:32
Go Green -Corriander & Pudina Rice
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Go Green- Coriander & Pudina Rice
Its been a while since I have updated my blog, I truly miss blogging if only there were 48hrs how I wish for that . I seriously had to make a choice and prioritize my tasks and within the parameters I have blogging sure was pushed down. Never the less every opportunity read it as few minutes of spare time I find I get started on blogging.
Had friends over the weekend and truly had a very fun evening. Thank god for we choose our friends and company we keep and I feel blessed to have chosen few very special people in my life.
Schools back on and activities are back on full swing, between chauffeuring kids to school and activities and events over the weekend hardly get time to breathe and take in a minute without an agenda.
I just couldn't resist fresh greens in desi stores spinach, methi, gongura, cilantro. Picked few bunches of all the above. My mom always whipped up quite few varieties of rices with fresh greens and so today's recipe is an inspiration from her.
Ingredients
2 bunches of fresh cilantro
1 cup fresh pudina
1 cup green peas ( I used frozen peas and carrot in today's recipe)
2-3 green chilies
2 tbsp of ginger finely grated
1 1/2 cups of basmati rice
2-3 bay leaves
6-8 cloves
about 10-15 pepper corns
star annise
tbsp of jeera
tbsp of garam masala (optional)
2 tbsp of butter
2-3 tbsp of oil.

Process
1. Chop coriander and pudina finely.

2. Heat about a tbsp of oil in a pan and add chopped cilantro and pudina and allow to fry for about 2-3 minutes.
3. Transfer contents into a blender and pulse into a fine paste.

4. Now add remain oil in the same pan, add ginger,cloves,pepper corns, bay leaves, star annise, jeera and garam masala and saute till you get a nice aroma take about 1-2 minutes.

5. Add peas and carrot and saute for a minute.
6. Add coriander paste and saute for about a minute.
7. To the above add washed basmati rice and mix till rice grains are well coated.
Add salt according to taste and saute for about 1-2 minutes
8. transfer contents into rice cooker and add about 2 1/2 cups of water(check instructions according to rice)

Few minutes into cooking aroma fills the house , be gentle with rice and do not toss too much as it break. I love when rice grains stand out and are dry. Allow to cool and then give it a gentle toss. Serve with raita and enjoy !!
August 16, 2010
22:05
Barbecued Paneer Kebabs
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Barbecued Paneer Kebabs

This summer was relatively mild had very few days where mercury touched 90's. Well , never the less ,enjoyed the sun as much as we can. Few days back one of our good friends had invited us for a summer barbecue in their backyard. Hostess made Paneer kebabs which were barbecued and relished along sides of corn and peaches.

Ingredients

All the below ingredients should be cut into equal sized cubes of about an inch or two

1 lb paneer
1 big red onion
1 large zucchini
2-3 green bell peppers
pineapple

store brought tandoori masala
2 tbsp of ginger garlic paste
chili powder according to taste
3 cups yogurt/curd
salt according to taste

Process
1. Mix all the ingredients in yogurt and whisk till well blended.
2. Add all the vegetables except pineapple and mix well.
3. Place the above mixture in a ziplock bag and allow it to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

Now fire up the grill and let it heat up.
Soak skewers in water for about an hour before barbecuing.

Mix the contents in the ziplock and check for salt and adjust accordingly.
Now skewer marinated vegetables and pineapple alternating making a pattern.

Spray grill with non-stick oil before grilling.
Now place kebabs on the grill and grill for about a minute or two on each side depending on the heat.
Rub yogurt mixture over the vegetables with a brush and allow to barbecue.

For grilling corn take a cup of oil add about 5-6 tbsp of pepper and about tbsp of salt and mix it till everything is well incorporated.

Now brush pepper oil on the corn and grill.

Remove from heat and squeeze lemon juice and serve with chilled beverage.

I hope your summer was as much fun as mine. Will miss the season and cant wait for the next one.
August 04, 2010
21:51
When was the last time you laughed your heart out ? - A Book review
» ‎ Sreelu's Tasty Travels

Seriously when was the last time you had a good laugh reading a book for me its been a while. I am a person who never reads without reading reviews first for me reading a book is synonymous to spending time in a company. The better choice of company the better the time and same goes to books.I have learnt hard that you should never judge a book or for that matter a friend by its cover. I am a serious bookie I can live for the rest of my life in the company of good books ok that's a bit exaggerated but still you get the point I LOVE to read.

So wanted to pick few books to read during my vacation and while picking them up in the library stumbled upon Almost Single by Advaita Kala. Well cover sure looked cheesy and very unlike me wanted to read it for some reason.And I am so glad I picked it up, it was one the best Chiclets I have read in along time.

Without giving too much away its about Aisha a still single entering her 30's girl. A story reflecting changing times, story about friends and relationships, of fights and love of complex relationship with parents especially mom, of living the high life in the city.
Cover of the book reads Indian Bridget Jones meets Sex in the City bollywood style and I could not agree more.

I was laughing out so loud to the point I was embarrassed ,if you are in mood for a light hearted Chiklet Almost Single must be on your must read list.
August 01, 2010
20:54
Moori Mixture- Churmuri - Road Side Eats !!
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Moori Mixture- Churmuri - Road Side Eat !!

How is everyone enjoying their summer ? I can't believe it's August already and four more months we would be bidding farewell to 2010, time flew by so quick and three more weeks kids get back to school. This summer sure seems like a short one.

Today had few friends drop by for tea, unexpected visits are perhaps one of the sweetest ones, no agenda just catching up and having a good time. That said I haven't yet gotten into a grove since my vacation , so many chores still left undone some how this time adjusting took more time then ever, may be due to priorities at work. I feel I am stretching myself thin . So all this meant my pantry was not stocked and I had nothing to offer quick glance around only thing I found was a bag of Puffed rice or moorilu as its called in Telugu. So made Moori mixture or chur muri its called else where.

Ingredients
2 cups of Puffed rice
a pinch of hing
tbsp of oil

All the below vegetables cut into small cubes
1 tomato
1 red onion
1/2 cucumber peeled and cubed
2 small boiled potatoes
1/2 cup raw mango cut into cubes
coriander
1 green chili cut very very finely (adjust accordingly)
grated carrot ( thought I did not add today)
juice of one medium lemon

dry ingredients (adjust and add flavoring according to your choice )
1 tsp amchur powder
1 tsp chat masala
1 tbsp rock salt
salt according to taste
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tbsp tamarind/date chutney ( I used store brought)
fried peanuts for garnish

Add tomatoes,onion,coriander,green chilies,boiled potato cubes in a bowl.
Fresh cucumber from my backyard nothing beats home grown taste. Tomatoes and lemon used today are from yard too.Though pantry was not stocked thanks to sunshine last few months yard is stocked with fresh greens and lovely flowers.
Heat a wide and shallow pan allow it to heat, when heated add tsp of oil and a pinch of hing and few mustard seeds and when mustard pops add puffed rice or moorilu and saute till puffed rice gets crispy. Keep an eye this whole process takes less than 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for few minutes.
Now mix puffed rice with dry ingredients first and wet ones later, toss well check for salt, adjust accordingly. add a generous dose of coriander leaves and peanuts give it one final toss.

Serve in cones made of paper along with a bottle of chilled coke , I am born and brought up in Vizag for a major part of my life and can't tell you how much we vizagites love moori mixutre
on the beach. Glad to report that my friends loved this. Hope you give this a try and if you do let me know how it turned out.

Take care,
Sreelu
July 27, 2010
22:19
Pizza Cravings - Whole Wheat Pizza
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Pizza Cravings - Whole Wheat Pizza

Ever since I got back from my vacation I have been craving pizza like crazy, aftermath of being on pizza and pasta diet for fifteen days you just can't help it. Lucky for me spotted whole wheat flat bread in Costco, cover had a recipe for pizza that sure was enough for me to pick up a pack. Not bragging but pizza made with this crust came so close to all those Pizza Napoleons I had in Italy.And whole process from assembly to finish takes less than 10 minutes which is the reason this is my newest favorite.

Whole wheat flat bread from Costco
Flat bread makes for an excellent crust and with good amount of fiber,whole wheat and less calories don't have to go on a guilt ride of eating a pizza.
Slathered about 2 big tbsp of three cheese pasta sauce from Trader Joes, added fresh garden tomatoes and cut string cheese into cubes and sprinkled Parmesan cheese. This pizza trust me you will have no trouble getting the kids to finish off.
For adult version added capers, jalapenos, tomatoes, cheese and pepper flakes. You can add very thinly sliced red onions, bell peppers, pineapple practically any toppings of your choice, make it fully loaded with veggies and makes for a proper meal. Additionally you can add basil for kicked up flavor.
Grill on top rack on high for five minutes, if you are like me and love extra crispy crust transfer pizza to lower rack and lower temperature to low and allow to grill/bake for 2 minutes.Switch off oven and allow pizza to sit for a minute before removing it. Please check your oven temperatures and adjust timings accordingly, thumb rule when you see cheese bubbling pizza is almost done.

Allow pizza to cool for 2 minutes and serve with your choice of cold beverage. Trust me this truly reminded of the pizza's I had in Italy.
July 18, 2010
18:48
Happy Ice Cream Day
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No guesses why today was choosen as world Ice cream day it's been a very typical California summer day today. I had to share glimpses of the best icecream/gelato I had during my recent to trip to Italy. Gelato so smooth and flavor lingers long after its gone and wait it gets a bit tricky and complex having to choosing a flavor, seriously I think we can go for few months without repeating a flavor.Craving for some right now.

This is truly world's best Gelato in the world, winner of world Icecream/Gelato champions last 4-5 years. Well thats say's it all.

Exotic flavors add to complexity in choosing.

Flavors as far as eye can see.

Had to have Mango flavor of course.

Have a fun summer.
Sreelu
June 26, 2010
20:20
Mediterranean Pesto Pasta Salad– Perfect for Summer Picnics
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Mediterranean Pesto Pasta Salad– Perfect for Summer Picnics

Summer is officially on kids are off school and life seems to going on a tolerable pace.Summer also at our home means trips to beaches, hikes , camping and picnics and most importantly time to take a chill pill and live life the way it was intended too.
We are looking forward to our summer vacation to one of the most beautiful places in the world. I am getting impatient for my vacation to start.

Today’s recipe was created for a picnic few weeks back, must say everyone enjoyed the pasta salad including kids.

Ingredients ( makes for about 6-8 cups of pasta)
4 cups of cooked pasta( I used whole wheat fusille)
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
1 carrots blanched and cut into cubes
8-10 asparagus (blanched and cut into spheres)
½ cup olives sliced
½ cup capers
1 cup feta cheese
½ cup sun dried tomatoes
1 cup baby spinach leaves cleaned
2tbsp pepper
1 ½ cup of pesto ( I used store brought pesto with walnuts)
½ cup pine nuts
Salt according to taste

Process
1. Mix pesto and pasta and toss till pasta is well coated.
2. Add pepper and salt.
3. Add the rest of vegetables and feta cheese and toss.
4. Can be served at room temperature or chilled.

Here is wishing all of you a fun filled summer. Will be MIA for the next few weeks, I have places to visit, people to meet, food to eat and memories to create.
More when I get back. Ciao ☺

Sreelu
June 24, 2010
18:28
Gongura Pappu - Sorrel Leaves Dal
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Gongura Pappu - Sorrel Leaves Dal

Mark Twain once said "The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco." , How true weather gods have been playing tag with us since the start of the month, one day its bright and warm and the very next day its cold and chilli. Seriously I think this is one of the longest season I have seen of cold spell, but once in a while when the sun shines bright our local farmers market bursts with fresh greens and fruits. Since few weeks sorrel leaves have been a regular.

I love sorrel leaves, I usually make pappu(dal) or pachadi(pickle) with it, Gongura pachadi is a quintessential in any Andhra weddings.

Simple recipe yet very delicious

Ingredients

1 bunch sorrel leaves/gongura
1 big tomato
1 cup toor dal boiled and made into a fine paste
1 tsp haldi
Salt according to taste

For tadkha ( seasoning)

1 tbsp urad dal
1 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp jeera
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 Red chilies
8-10 curry leaves
8-10 garlic cloves sliced
1 tbsp ginger
1/2 tbsp on hind
1/2 tsp of hing

Process
1. Take a pan, add 1 tbsp of oil, when oil gets hot add all the thadka ingridents and saute for a minute or two till you get a strong aroma.
2. When mustard seeds start to splutter add finely chopped gongura add 1/2 glass water, let it boil for about 5-6 minutes
3. When leaves turn color and seemed cooked add cooked toor dal paste.
4. Mix well and boil for another 5 minutes, add haldi and salt.
5. juice of 1/2 lemon can be added, however this is optional.

Serve hot with rice and ghee and boy you will feel close to heaven.
June 20, 2010
20:04
Colors of Summer
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Ahh I missed my blog for the last few days, but had other priorities to take care off. Anyways so glad it summer Yay !! finally winter seems like a distant memory now :)

I can't seem to catch up with my to-do list, it seems to be growing like crazy. I am looking forward to time off soon.

My garden seems to have come alive with all roses, Peach colored antique roses are my favorite, they smell as good as they look.

Have a great week everyone.

Love,
Sreelu
June 08, 2010
16:24
Saffron Mango Lassi
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I know, I know seems like I have caught the fever, Mango fever that is, but I can't help it's the season. Long days and hot sun makes you want to sip this cold concussion and seriously I love Mango lassi, must mention never heard of Mango lassi until I came to US. Lassi as I know was plain yogurt rich in cream and with cardamom and nuts beaten till it gets frothy and served cold. In US a sure find in any Indian restaurants in Mango lassi, pretty much the same recipe as Indian lassi but kicked up a notch with Mango .
Mango lassi makes a perfect accompaniment to spicy food, it cools your stomach and lets you absorb the spices .

My version today is Mango lassi with Saffron for added flavor. I ABSOUTELY love it. very simple yet very exotic.

Ingredients ( Makes for about 4 cups)
1/2 a can of Mango pulp ( Can be found in any Indian stores, I love Kesar Mango pulp)
2 cups of yogurt ( I use home made, can be substituted with greek yogurt or any other plain store brought)
1/2 cup milk
pinch of saffron strands ( soaked in warm milk for about 1/2 hr)
sugar optional

Process
1. Blend yogurt/milk and mango pulp using a hand blender, till it froths.
2. Now add saffron and blend till it seems well incorporated.
3. Refrigerate and serve chill.

Now if this does not tell of Indian summer nothing else will.

Schools about to end and its going to be summer break for kids, looking forward to summer.
Wishing everyone a fun filled and a safe summer.
Love,
Sreelu

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