Category: Food

Food is love. Plus art. Oh, and it keeps you alive. That, too! You might not find a single recipe here, but you may find the inspiration to go create one. Unless, of course, you’re left speechless because you’re drooling so severely at the sight of these glorious images. Regardless, you are NOT always what you eat.

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Parippu Vada: Goes With Both Chai and Chianti

Well, if you are of South-Indian origin, you’ll recognize the name of this dish:  Parripu Vada.  If you’re not, but still simply of Indian origin (of any region), you’ll at least recognize the vada part of that.  So, what these are, are fried lentil fritters.  But these aren’t you’re ordinary vadas:  they’re crunchy and chewy and crispy and spicy.  Because they’re packed with all kinds of goodness:  the dal (chana or even arhar) is soaked overnight and processed with ginger, onion, kari patta, and green chillies.  Then, they’re fried until they pop up golden crisp like this. 

And then here’s the thing: you thought you needed to serve them only with tea or coffee?  Of course, you could do that, but then, if you’re in my house, you might very well find them paired with a glass of the finest Chianti. Like last evening.   I suppose the Italians might say Buon Appetito, but around these parts, we say Yeh Hui Na Baat!

Parripu_vada

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A Greener Salad, Greek-Style

Yesterday, I posted about a Salad that didn’t look too green, and a friend of mine was fast to point it out!  Well, today, at a lunch meeting, I had a salad that was a lot greener, and thought I should post this for the record as well!  This was a Greek-style Salad, and here’s what was exactly on this plate of mine:  Iceberg Lettuce, Shredded Carrots, Sliced Red Beets, Sweet Banana Peppers, Red Onions, Black Olives, Feta Cheese, and a tangy Vinaigrette Dressing.  SA-TIS-FY-ING! 

Well, it would have been great if that was the only thing there, but they also had a big spread of Pizza, and I couldn’t resist a small square-slice that had Grilled-Chicken and Spinach on a Marinara Saucebase and a Mozarella topping.  Oh, and that piece of Fried Chicken and three Fries— I couldn’t resist those either!  Check it out:

Greeksalad

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Souper Salad! Yes, There's A Place Like That!

So, if you ever find yourself in the great state of Texas, and find yourself on I-35 northbound somewhere after Austin but before Dallas, you might want to check out this little restaurant called Souper Salad! in a strip-mall which is where you’ll find exactly that:  soups, salads, and even some other not-so-bad things that hit the spot when you want to get in and out quick-and-easy.  Oh, and did I mention it’s an all-you-can-eat bar– or a series of bars, I should say:  for the salad, soup, nachos, and soft-serve icecream. 

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Comfort Foods, Cont…

It is my goal to document here as much of the ordinary as I do the extraordinary.  And in line with this, I have, on and off, talked about the simplest of home-cooked meals and especially certain foods that hit the comfort spot right on and right away.  This post is a tribute to that very same sentiment.  Quite recently, having returned from a week-long vacation to exotic locales wherein I sampled everything from haute cuisine to street-food, at the end of the week, when I got home, what is it that I made to satisfy my longing for a “simple” meal?  Mango Dal, White Rice, and a Red-Hot Chicken Curry.  Yes, that’s a combo that hits the spot for me!  See for yourself: 

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UppuMau, aka, Upma: The Food of the Gods

So, you take the humble cream-of-wheat or the farina flour, or sooji as it is called in several regional languages in India, and make what with it?  Well, you could do anything you want, of course, but if you wish to make something truly delectable and leave an indelible impression on the minds, hearts, and tongues of your loved ones, well then, you would make only one thing:  Upma.

Over the years, I have made this dish called upma many a time, and over the years, I do believe I have perfected it to the point that I have bestowed upon myself the title Queen of Upma.  Well, I made it for breakfast this morning, but this time, I did what I have never done before:  taken pictures of the making of it–step by step–in order to document visually the ingredients and methods that go into making this impossibly satisfying dish for any time of day, but most especially in the mornings. 

The word Upma, I was told a very long time ago, by my husband, is a derivative of two words:  Uppu (salt) and Mau (Flour/Batter).  Being married to a Tamilian has its benefits for sure:  you learn of the etymology of one of the most common and popular dishes that you always thought was a random word!  In fact, the correct pronunciation, I am told is not ‘upma‘ but ‘upmau’ where the ‘uppu’ is abbreviated to ‘up’ (as in ‘look’) and the ‘ma’ is elongated to ‘mau’.  I found a wiki entry on this, btw:  Upma (Tamil: உப்புமா), is a south Indian dish made of rava. The name is an amalgam of two words : “salt” and “flour. E.g., In Tamil, “uppu” (உப்பு) + “maa(vu)” (மா(வு)).

At any rate, see for yourself the slideshow below on my style of making upma.  Take one bite, and you too will say that it is indeed a food fit for the gods!  For your viewing, and hopefully, experimenting pleasure.

Upma

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Haifa Falafel: Get Your Hummus On!

So, if you want the freshest middle-eastern food with a decidedly Israeli flavor to it, you have to go to Haifa Falafel.  On the southeast side of town, this little restaurant has been in business for less than two years but has become a huge favorite with people coming in from as far as Detroit for their simple but elegant dishes.  Here’s what we found today:  Hummus & Pita, Lentil Soup, Tabbouli, Fattoush with Shawarma, Chicken Shawarma Pita, Mini Falafels, Haifa Falafel Wrap, Majadera, Stuffed Grape Leaves, and Harisi for dessert.  Check it out:

Hummus

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Friday Night Onion Rings

So, have you made them ever?  Onion Rings, that is.  The quintessential finger-food that is oh-so-satisfying, grease and all, and made even more perfect on a Friday night when you can kick back and say, “It’s Friday night, and everything’s all right!”  Well, alright, maybe not EVERYthing, but you know what I mean.  See for yourself my idea of serving up Onion Rings, each one a work of art, not to mention the crispiest and tastiest bite ever!

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The Simplest (And Most Comforting!) Indian Meal

Some time back, I had offered up a post titled The Simplest Indian Meal.  Today’s is a variation of the same, with only a few additional components to the meal and a modification of the title which includes the words (and most-resounding sentiment of):  And Most Comforting! It was a meal that I made last night for dinner– and that I’ve made countless times before!  Check out the slideshow below for pictures of each of the items that comprise the meal.  For the uninitiated, I will spell them out again below the show:

 

1.  Rice (always Basmati, even for the everyday use)
2.  Whole-wheat Rotis, aka Chapatis
3.  Pheeki Dal made w/ arhar or toor dal. 
4.  Subzi (anything will do; this one is a Jalfrezi-style mixed veggies)
5.  Achar (one of my favorite pickles:  Gongura by Priya)
6.  Appalams (a strong influence of my Tamil husband)
7.  Plain White Yogurt, aka Curds

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