weekend story - idli sambhar

I don't have many memories about idli being cooked at home dosa yes many times I tried doing the batter at home but now due to the availability of various brands of batter I get the batter and go ahead with the preparation . Last week my friend had passed me homemade dosa batter and I cooked idli for dinner , weekends things become easy when you are passed something like this I paired idli with sambhar cooked with homemade sambhar powder passed by another friend.
on a weekend the aroma of homecooked meal and the taste of other kitchen fragrance of home I could feel it as the family indulged in this simple comforting meal .this post is about the warmth pulled from one kitchen to another .mothers love packed in the pudi powder which I drizzeled on the idli the ghee from india what else you need on a weekend .

comfort meal - shallots sambhar fried okra & rice

I know I  keep going away its hard to come back here the space which started it all my journey with words I know I am again going poetic so todays post let it be of food ,..
Food which connects us to our soul
Food makes us feel happy
Food which we look forward to
At the end of the day to be satiated
Not something fancy but real
Something which in the first bite
Connects our heart & soul
Food essence of life,..
Yesterday I had this simple lunch of leftover food

Indian meal

Shallots sambhar
Fried okra
Leftover rice tempered with curry leaves & mustard seeds
& sago papas...
A perfect meal for me to satiate my soul
What is your perfect meal friends,..

Fusion Thali ,Rakhi Thali and Platter of Idli with mixed veg sambhar

Its been so long since i published a post with thali , few days back prepared Ajwain Paratha paired it with alloo parwal bhujia,bhindi fry and begun bhaja from tongueticklers.I know thali is incomplete without dal and rice ,prepared Chana dal the same way my mother prepares and lemon rice .

Sharing with you all recipe of  Bhindi Fry,Alloo Parwal Bhujia and Chana dal.
Recipe name Bhindi Fry
Recipe source my mother
Ingredient
Okra/Ladysfinger/Bhindi - 200gm
onion one chopped
green chili one chopped
salt as per taste
oil to cook
cumin seeds half tsp
turmeric powder pinch
red chilli powder pinch
Procedure
Heat oil in non stick wok
add cumin seeds once it starts to splutter
lower the flame and add green chili and onion
keep frying till the onions are done
add chopped okra followed by salt ,red chili powder and turmeric powder
mix everything and cover and cook on low flame
keep stirring till the okra is done.
remove from flame and serve warm with dal chawal.
Recipe Name Aloo Parwal Bhujia/Stir fried potato and pointed gourd
Recipe source my mother
ingredient
parwal 200gm chopped lengthwise
potato one sliced lengthwise
onion sliced lengthwise
green chili one sliced lengthwise
cumin seeds one tsp
oil to cook
salt as per taste
red chili powder half tsp
turmeric powder pinch
black pepper powder pinch
Procedure
In a non stick wok
heat oil and once hot add cumin seeds
followed by chopped onion and green chili
keep stirring once the onion is done add potato and parwal
mix everything and salt ,red chili powder,turmeric powder and black pepper powder
keep stirring for few minutes and cover and cook .
Recipe Name Chana Dal
Recipe source my mother
Ingrdient
chana dal one cup
salt as per taste
turmeric powder pinch
for tempering
fennel seeds one fourth tsp
dried red chili two
bay leaves two
coriander powder half tsp
sugar pinch
grated ginger half tsp
ghee one tbsp
coconut powder three tbsp
Preparation
pressure cook dal and keep aside
Procedure
heat ghee in non stick wok
lower the flame add fennel seeds ,followed by ginger ,red chili and bay leaves
stir for a minute and add coriander powder,sugar and coconut powder
mix everything together and temper dal with this mixture
serve warm with chawal and veg curry.

Talking of books Just finished reading Bodysurfing by Anita Shreve liked the book alot  couldnt keep its down even for a minute , :-)
Today is Rakshabandhan ,sharing with you all Rakhi Thali

and pic of Advay

Dinner didnt prepare much just idli with mixed veg sambhar

for mixed veg sambhar recipe i followed the recipe of Veg Inspirations without any change .
Thanks Sunshinemom and Veg Inspirations for posting such nice recipes,i truly enjoyed cooking both of them
Event entry
Priya of Mharo Rajasthan is on with Bookmarked recipes volume 4 ,Begun Bhaja and Mixed Veg Sambhar are off for her event
Priti is on with Festive food Rakshabandhan 2010 Rakhi thali and platter of Idli with sambhar is off for her event
thats all frens,wish you all happy rakshabandhana nd onam,cee you all soon,..:-)