Food Fiction - Of Spinach leaves and Sapeta

She was clocked up with thoughts about dinner,even though it was just 5pm but still she had to rush with things as she knew once her son would be back from playground she wouldnt get any time,cooking was something which she enjoyed the most when she was alone because she could be herself ,she pondered a lot and then decided to prepare Sapeta,plain rice and onion raita  for dinner .

(photo taken from here )

In a basket she kept all the ingredient she needed tomato,onion,green chili,garlic and spinach leaves,she tuned to her favourite radio station and started with the preparation .Her one of the favourite song Babul Mora Naihar Chuto Jaye was playing on the radio ,as she started chopping spinach leaves her thoughts went back to her childhood days.
It had been some four years since she last visited them ,because of her son's school . she just didnt get time to visit her parents .It was just either phone call or skype which kept them connected,but now since her son's exams were over she thought of planning a visit soon.Once spinach leaves were chopped,she washed and drained the leaves and started with the  preparation of  dal but mentally she was still at her parents place.Anjali was so busy frying onion that she didnt realise that the  door bell was ringing ,surprised that who would  be at this time she wiped her hand in the kitchen towel and rushed to open the door.
Vivek - "what took you so long ?"
Anjali - "Oh i was so busy cooking that i didnt realise,how come you are early today ?"
Vivek - "I thought of surprising you -) "
Anjali - " thanks i just had tea what would u like ?"
Vivek  - "nothing i am going on office tour for few days,and as Akshat is going for his summer camp the same time i thought you can join me for the tour."
Anjali thinks ( i cant go to my parents place again  this summer ),"oh ya sure i gonna join you."
Vivek-  " I knew you would be ready , have booked the ticket and spoke to Akshat too."
Anjai wiping tears from her eyes adds tomato and powdered masala to the fried onions,her younger sis was coming after two years from States ,she knew that she cant tell this to her hubby ,keeping her emotions to her self she adds chopped and drained spinach to fried onion and tomato mixture.
Vivek - "what are you preparing it smells so good ?"
Anjali - " i am preparing Sapeta this reminds me of my Dadi ,you know when i was kid i never used to like this,but now not only i prepare i like it too."
Vivek -" hmm you missing your Dadi ?"
Anjali - " no its just that some recipes makes us nostalgic."
Once Sapeta was prepared and the table was set Anjali saw a envelope addressed to her on the kitchen table.
Anjali - "Vivek when did this come , evening there was no mail."
Vivek -" its addressed to you so i didnt open"
Anjali opens the envelope slowly and finds a card and ticket to India for her hometown tears filled her eyes and she knew who would do this,Vivek was looking at her expression with a grin on his face,
Anjali -" so this is it ,thanks a ton ."
Vivek  -" Thanks now when did this word come between our relationship,you deserve a break its been so long since u visited your parents ,so i planned it i know ur younger sister is coming from States."
Anjali - " I thought of telling you today but when you told me about the trip I dropped the idea anyways thanks for making my day ,.:-)"
The above story is my entry for Of Chalks and Chopsticks hosted this month by
Jaya of Desi Soccer Mom event started by Aqua of Served with Love .

Recipe name- Sapeta
Recipe source kitchen experiment
Ingredient for the dal
Toor dal half cup
salt as per taste
turmeric powder half tsp
Ingredient for fried spinach
spinach leaves chopped one cup
onion one chopped coarsely
garlic clove two chopped coarsely
green chili two chopped coarsely
tomato one chopped coarsely
cumin seed half tsp
asafoetida pinch
bay leaves crushed two
dried red chili crushed one
oil to cook
coriander powder half tsp
red chili powder one fourth tsp
Preparation
pressure cook dal for one to two whistle and keep aside.
Procedure
heat two tsp  oil in non stick wok
once oil is hot lower the flame add cumin seed,asafoetida,dried red chili and bay leaves
once they start spluttering add chopped onion,garlic and green chili
keep stirring till onion starts changing its colour
add chopped tomato ,red chili and coriander powder followed by salt
keep stirring till oil is seen along the sides
add chopped spinach leaves and mix everything together
after 2 to 3 mins add cooked dal and let it simmer for 5 to 10 mins.
serve warm with rice and raita.

Also linking this post to
Weekend wrap up 40 hosted by Colours Dekor
My legume love affair 37  hosted by Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook.
Thats all friends,will catch up with you all soon,
take care and happy blogging ,.



,

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,..:-)