Sreelus Tasty Travels

Giveaway & Fund Drive for Vaidehi Ashram of Destitute Girls, Hyderabad

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:34:17 PST

The first beneficiary of compassion is always oneself. When compassion, or warmheartedness, arises in us and our focus shifts away from our own narrow self-interest, it is as if we open an inner door. It reduces fear, boosts confidence and brings us inner strength. By reducing distrust, it opens us to others
and brings us a sense of connection to others, and sense of purpose and meaning in life.

- His Holiness Dalai Lama

After reading Siri post about her visit to Vaidehi Ashram few days ago, my eyes swell. As a girl myself it's hard to picture what these little girls go through.As a regular volunteer for San Jose shelter I know what it means to have a hot breakfast a bed to sleep every day. Every time I visit the Shelter I feel myself grounded in more ways than I can imagine, makes me aware of the blessings I have and to draw a definite line between Want vs. Need. So when Siri announced a fund raising event for Ashram I was MORE than happy to participate/contribute. I am hoping my readers ,friends and family would join and make this fund drive a HUGE success. Read all about the fund raiser, details about the Ashram and ways in which you can be a part right here.

As a mother of two young boys my heart skips a beat when they go out of sight in a mall for few split seconds, or when they sleep hungry or every time they fall and bruise themselves. It’s hard to imagine the atrocities and pain these young girls have endured, brought into existence for no fault of theirs and left on streets to beg, turning them into prostitutes agony these girls must have gone through is unthinkable some as young as two.

As fellow human beings I think we share a collective responsibility in reaching out and helping whenever we can so, please I humbly urge you to open your hearts and your WALLETS and help in ways you can, small drops of rain makes an ocean so every small amount that is donated will surely be put to good use and much appreciated.

Supporting this fund raising effort I am donating a Panini Grill which is up for grabs .There are many ways in which you can be a part of this effort and help.

Cuisinart GR-1 Griddler Panini and Sandwich Press

So how can YOU contribute and win this Panini Press and 40+ other exciting prizes

1. Buy a Raffle Ticket (or 2 or more).

Each raffle ticket is worth $10 (or Rs.500). You can increase your chances of winning the giveaway by buying more than 1 raffle ticket.

For Example, a donation of $20 will fetch you 2 raffle tickets which can be used to choose on any of the raffle prizes. You can use all your raffle tickets on one prize (in turn increasing the chances in the lucky draw) or on different prizes. [Other prizes details in point 3]

2. How to Buy the Raffle Ticket

Use the widget below for making your payment. Once you click it, you will be able to make a payment via Paypal or credit.

Once the donation process is completed, please forward your payment confirmation message to info(dot)siri(at)gmail.com, clearly specifying [RU12 - Panini Press ]

] as the raffle prize you are interested in.

Within 24 hours, your name and contributed amount will be added to the ‘Fund Drive Supporters List’ at the very end of this post. If you want to stay anonymous, please let Siri know in advance. For any correspondence/questions/queries, use the comment section or the email address mentioned.

The fund drive ends on Feb 25th, 2012.

3. Other Raffle Prizes Offered

Quite a lot of beautiful souls have come forward to offer their support to this endeavor by sponsoring other prizes. You can use the same method (as in Step 2) to try your luck with other prizes too. Please refer Siri’s post which has all the details for other Raffle prizes offered..

http://www.cookingwithsiri.com/2012/01/fund-drive-for-vaidehi-ashram-of.html

Spread The Word

Share about this Fund Drive wherever possible - On your blogs, Facebook, Twitter (with hashtag#vaidehiashram) etc. Let your friends and family know about it. Please feel free to use any images and information posted in the Ashram posts below, to make your voice heard. Any help in any form in making this event a success is very much appreciated. :-)

Lets give these girls a hope and show them that world is not all bad but of generous souls that are compassionate enough to care.

Rest assured your funds are going to put to good use. Would end this post with a quote from Bhagwat Geeta which sums up this effort so well.

“Rasksho Raskshati Raskshita” ~ care and you shall be cared for.

Hot & Sour Chinese Noodle Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:52:53 PST

Hot & Sour Chinese Noodle Soup

This post comes after a long hiatus , it just felt hard to resume blogging after holidays. I am glad I found the energy to get started today. Had a beautiful vacation to India came back and celebrated the new years with friends, all in all the last one month has been party every day kind. When in India met up with all extended family, grandparents, uncles ,aunts , cousins and best part had a reunion with friends whom I have met almost after a decade, yet meeting them after so long did not change anything seemed like we picked up right where we left.

Back to the grind in US have been busy with kids & work, sometimes it feels like I need a mini vacation to get over the tiredness of vacation.

Last few days Bayarea has had freeze warning, near freezing temperatures make it hard to go into the kitchen, cooking sure seems like a major chore, yet here I am blogging Sweet & Sour soup I made yesterday, was a hit with kids and they slurped down the soup with no complaints.

Soup inspiration comes from my previously blogged recipe

Click here for recipe however few modification this time to make it a complete meal are added half a packet of Maggie noodles while boiling the soup and shredded cabbage finely and pan roasted till it turned crispy, makes for an excellent topping.

This spicy soup will definitely keep you warm and full this cold season. On an other note I am yet to post the round of Healing foods event, will try and post and announce winner hopefully by the end of the week.

Sankrathi/Pongal Subakanshalu

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:17:33 PST

సంక్రాతి శుభాకాంక్షలు

Wishing all my readers a very happy Sankranti, may the year be as sweet and delicious as these Jamoons.

Sankrathi holds a very special place for me, the festivities, grand parents,cousins,shopping, food and not to mention card sessions everything around it was so special and fun growing up. Grew up experiencing the true way as done in villages. Wish I could turn time and relive those moments all over again this time with my kids.

For now I will relish those sweet memories and look forward to spending the weekend with family & friends.
Wishing all my readers a very happy Pongal/Sankranti

Don't forget to check out few of my previous post of Pongal/Sankranti

Sankarthi in Pictures
Festival Dishes
Kattu Pongal
Vada/Gaarelu

To the New Year ---

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:57:18 PST

As we wrap up 2011, I can't but feel contented , it's been a year filled with laughter, fun and frolic, a year of warm memories with family and friends, a year of learning. Here's hoping 2012 would bring in love, laughter and peace.

Pic courtesy

Wishing all my readers a very very Happy New Year !!!

A trip it has been ...

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 20:35:35 PST

Good byes are always hard, as I wait to board my flight back home I can't but feel extremely contented and happy, this trip has been a very satisfying one at many levels and I could not have asked for better.

As my trip come to an end , this trip like this year will be a memorable and a dear one.

Wishing everyone a very very happy new year !!

Stay Calm And Travel :)

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:23:43 PST

via

It's been hectic few weeks at work, actually hectic is an understatement especially last few weeks. Nevertheless much deserved break for few days starts with me traveling on a short trip home tomorrow.

So my blog will be on a short hiatus till I get back which is fairly soon, will try to post the round up and announce winners for the Vegetarian Thanksgiving event as soon as I get a chance thanks again to all the participants and remember we still have few more days for those last minute entries.

Till then stay warm and safe ciao ..

Happy Thanksgiving !!

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:09:29 PST

Image via

Cracked Wheat Upma With Cherry Tomatoes

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:48:05 PST

Cracked Wheat Upma With Cherry Tomatoes

Finally it's here the week I wait for the whole year, looking forward to the short week and much needed break, last few days at work have been quite stressful not to mention very busy. Looking forward to winding down this week. Had a fabulous dinner with neighbors this saturday chatted till the wee hours of Sunday and Sunday was perfectly relaxed one spending time with a very dear friend had lovely tea and yummiest snacks one can ask for. Some friends are such though you don't catch up on a regular basis but when you do you feel the connection and the warmth instantly.

Today's recipe comes from my doctors inspiration/suggestion. We here have a provision to go for a yearly check up via my insurance yet I am always lazy to find time to go get one. Eventually had to force myself to get one after years. So doctor gives the standard advice eat healthy, exercise for 20 min every day, no sweets and fried food and blah blah and blah and she ends with the statement "remember you are not getting any younger " that struck hard and realized that the advice she gave is supposed to taken seriously. That said she gave a comprehensive list of food and portion control to be eaten . One such suggestion was cracked wheat, as a kid I would throw up with the thought of having to eat cracked wheat and that stuck with me for a long long time until I slowly making it a part of my diet.

Ingredients

1 cup cracked wheat
about a cup or two of vegetables ( peas, carrots,beans, corn, cauliflower florets,tomatoes)
1 cup of cherry tomatoes slit length wise
For seasoning
1 tbsp channa dal
1 tbsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp jeera
10-15 curry leaves
2-3 green chilies
handful of peanuts/cashews/blanched and sliced almonds
2 tbsp of oil
salt according to taste

Process
1, Heat two tbsp of oil in pan that can be pressure cooked,when oil gets hot add all the seasoning ingredients and saute for 30-45 secs.
2. Add two cups of water and vegetables and allow water to come to full boil, add salt.
3. Add cracked wheat to boiling water, mix well. I usually spray pam this allows upma to be dry rather than sticky goop.
4. Now transfer to the pressure cooker and allow the cracked wheat upma to cook till two whistles.
5. Allow cooker to cool and once cooled mix the upma well and serve piping hot.

Serve with a drizzle of lemon juice. According to my doctor this is an excellent source of protein,iron and fiber and keeps you full for a long time which I have to agree.

Try quinoa version of the same here

So here's to short week and wishing a happy week !!

Split Pea Soup Loaded With Vegetables - Perfect for Brrrrr Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:22:05 PST

Split Pea Soup Loaded With Vegetables - Perfect for Brrrrr Weather

We are almost a week into Thanksgiving, looking back into the year so far some months just seem blur can't remember when they came, what I did and when it was over. This weekend was a very dear neighbor's birthday , she is the kind who has patience of mother earth, I feel blessed to have people like her in my life for the simplicity they bring to life, the groundedness they posses and sheer heart of gold. She is a sister that I never had, after a hectic day when you sit down for just a couple of minutes with her for a cup tea boy that brings back the energy full on. Her son and my elder one were born few months apart and both of them have been classmates, playmates since the time they started school and given the fact that we share a fence both of them hang out at each others home come weekend gives us a chance to catch up too. So here is wishing her a very very happy birthday once again.

We have a farmers market every sunday , once thing I realize is if I go to the market I feel enthusiastic to experiment with cooking be it the same old vegetables, the fact that you get to pick fresh produce of the vines, buy in rustic kind of atmosphere and fact that you get many heirloom/home grown varieties that I am sure will fail the look department in the concrete stores makes it inspiring. This week was no different kids and I enjoy this routine of ours every sunday. This week market was full with fall/winter vegetables fresh greens and root vegetables were everywhere.
Picked up a bunch of fresh carrot, can't even tell you how delicious and sweet they were, just wash and eat. The color on these carrots was gorgeous.

With weather this cold decided to make split pea soup with vegetables from farmers market.

Ingredients Serves 5-6 people
1 cup of split peas
1 zuccini peel and cubed
couple of carrot peeled and cubed
2 celery stems chopped fine
1 potato peeled and cubed
1 cup of green onions finely chopped - split peas and green onions are one terrific combination
1/2 cup tomatoes chopped - totally optional I had cherry tomatoes lying around so added them
1 cup parsley finely chopped
for seasoning
tbsp of crushed red pepper
pinch of freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
salt according to taste.

Process
1. Pressure cook split peas until three whistles, if not using pressure cooker then I would suggest microwave for about 8-10 minutes till peas turn soft. Remove from heat drain the water and keep aside the water to use it later.
2. Now heat a soup pot over medium heat add olive oil and when oil gets hot add crushed red pepper flakes, add celery, half the green onions, half of the parsley, carrots, potatoes, zucchini and tomatoes.
3. Add salt and add water saved from the boiled split peas.
4. Using a hand blender blend peas into a soft paste.
5. Add the peas paste to the vegetables and add water and salt to the desired consistency.
6. Allow to boil on low heat for about 10-12 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and add the reaming parsley and green onions and serve warm/hot.

Serve with rustic sourdough or some French bread makes for a hearty, soul satisfying ,guilt free and healthy meal.

As mentioned earlier all my posts this month would follow the theme of vegetarian thanksgiving and this soup will add so much more flavor to the table you would share with people that matter.

So send in your stories and recipes ...

Color Burst -Seasonal Bounty Persimmon,Apple, Pomegranate & Cherry Tomato Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:39:14 PST

Color Burst -Seasonal Bounty Persimmon,Apple, Pomegranate & Cherry Tomato Salad

This weekend has been the kind I crave absolutely no agenda kind, with bayarea weather skipping a season and jumping right into winter the weather was anything but cold and the kind that makes you hate getting out of the bed. That said we took on the mountainous task of getting our garage organized and anyone who has done this knows what a task it is, we have accumulated so much junk over the years that it's not even funny mentioning about it. Promptly created three sections in the garage Donate, Keep & Toss and all I can say is our house is a truck load lighter literally. A well spent Saturday indeed.

Husband came home friday with a bag full of ripe Persimmons which were given by his colleague.I love Persimmons specifically the Hachiya it reminds me of the fruit thats a cross between Chikoo and Palm fruit or tati munjulu as called in Telugu. However today's variety featured Fuyu make for excellent snacks because of it's crunchy texture.

We have a Pomegranate tree at home and it's at it's peak fruiting season, not bragging but the fruit it just amazingly sweet and has big seeds, so pluck few and made a salad with all the fruits.

Made simple salad dressing and tossed in the fresh fruit and it was delicious.

For salad dressing for 1 serving( enough to coat 1 Persimmon , 1 Apple about 1/2 cup of Pomegranate seeds and about cup of cherry tomatoes)

3tsps of olive oil
1 tspn on honey mustard
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 sweet red chili pepper cut into the finest pieces you can
1 tbsp of freshly ground pepper
and salt according to taste

Process
1. Mix all the salad dressing ingredients and whisk till all of them are well mixed
2. Peel the skin of Persimmon and cut into cubes of about an inch.
3. Add cubed Apples ,slit cherry tomatoes in half and Pomegranate seeds and toss in the salad dressing and mix till well coated.
4. Serve at room temperature.

Makes for one delicious and healthy salad, as we approach thanksgiving this could make an excellent replacement for usual potato salad.

As a host of Healing food series- Vegetarian Thanksgiving series next few posts will be in accordance to the theme. Have you sent your entries yet ?

Meet Your Hostess for Healing Foods Series - Vegetarian Thanksgiving !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:21:23 PST

I am officially the host of healing food events this month, I am very excited as this is my first ever event hosted on my blog. Siri asked me to choose a them for the event and what else could be appropriate given the time of the year than “Vegetarian Thanks giving”. After living in US for more than a decade you learn to imbibe the culture and customs , I have always loved Thanksgiving whatever the origin are, it’s the time to remember the blessings and bounty you enjoy and take a moment to thank people that make it a blessing be known.

As we get closer to thanksgiving I would like to invite you to share your thanksgiving vegetarian recipes, traditions and stories and any dishes that make a part of your celebration, any dish that evoke found memories of family and togetherness , any dish that you would want to sit down with friends and share. So bring on your traditions,your stories and yes recipes too .

Here are some basic rules of participation for the event

1. Create a vegetarian dish, based on this month theme which is vegetarian thanks giving and post the same in your blog. Non-Bloggers can send their recipes with the details mentioned to sreelustastytravels@gmail.com.

2. Please link this announcement and my announcement page in your posts. Usage of the logo is optional.

3. Multiple entries are more than welcome - more the merrier!

4. Send your details - Name, Recipe URL and Photo (any size, optional) to before end date of the month, midnight, well since I am late I can take in entries till the 10th of Dec to sreelustastytravels@gmail.com, I will respond to your entry via email/comments and acknowledge. If you don’t hear from me within three days, feel free to ping me again.

4. You can send previously blogged entries, provided they are re-posted!

Gorgeous Siri has announced special giveaways - beautiful books by Jigyasa & Pratibha of Pritya Books and two lucky winners (randomly selected by the me) will win the following award-winning books as give-aways.

Click on the link for more info on Healing foods event.

Cooking At Home With Pedatha - Andhra recipes

Awarded Best Vegetarian Cookbook in the World 2006, this book features traditional recipes by documenting the culinary legacy of an illustrious Indian grandmother.

Winner of Best Health & Nutrition Book in the World 2009 – Second Place, this Indian cookbook is a guide to healthy eating & has been researched at Kerala Ayurveda & Yoga retreat near Pune.

The books will be shipped across the globe. So, no matter where you are, you will get a chance to experience the love of Pedatha's cooking and goodness of Ayurveda Cooking.

Looking forward to your entries ...

Charles Schultz Philosophy

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:40:00 PDT

Stumbled upon this article , I couldn't resist sharing with my readers ...

Charles Schultz Philosophy click here for source

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz , the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world .
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. They are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school...
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

I love this!
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care.

Share this with those who have made a difference in your life.

I just did !!

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia ..."
Charles Schultz

Diwali Inspiration VI

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:03:34 PDT

Well Diwali is almost here,this will be my final post on Diwali decoration/inspiration. I like to keep things simple and doable, found the below links and I think I know how my house is going to be decked this Diwali :)

Via

via

candle in a flower in a wine glass super cool and easy

via

Now for the lucky folks in India where fresh flowers are abundant sky sure is the limit. If ever I get to celebrate Diwali in India I would probably spend a fortune decking the halls with garlands below. Nothing beats the smell of fresh roses ,marigolds and Jasmines.

via

Check out all my previous posts on Diwali here

Diwali Inspiration -V - Food Glorious Food- Dessert Special

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:51:55 PDT

As promised this post will get all your taste buds tickled, all the recipes below are from food blogger I follow and admire, the passion, creativity and enthusiasm they encompass is amazing, I am so glad to have met some of them in person and other virtually, wishing all my dear food bloggers an advance Diwali Greetings !!

Cannot even mention the number of recipes I have bookmarked to try from the bloggers below, what better time to share with my readers than now, hope you get to try some of my picks below for your Diwali party click on the title/link for the recipe

Coconut Burfi

Mouth watering Mysore Pak with step by step instructions

Rava Laddo

Kobbari undalu/Coconut Laddu's

Gajar Halwa

Julab Jamoon

Sooji Halwa

Pineapple Kesari

comprehensive list of Diwali Sweets

Besan Laddo's can't get any sexier than this

Ras Kadam

Phirni

Rose flavored Solidified Milk and Rice Pudding

Bakeless Mango Cheese cake

Crunchy Rice balls

Cassata Icecream Yummmmmm

Mango frozen yogurt guilt free

Saffron Pistachio Kulfi

Kesar Pista Kulfi

Tomorrow's post is going to be all about Flowers, it will be a visual treat I promise, so check back ..

Diwali Inspirations day IV

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:24:12 PDT

Today's post gave me a chance to relive last year's Diwali all over again, posting pictures from my last year Diwali decorations.

Floating candle with flowers simple yet makes it very festive

I am very challenged when it comes to actual drawing, so found these moulds in local Indian store, for less than $10 the kit contained lovely moulds and beautiful colors, so it was easy peasy decorate the front of the house added few flowers and it was done.

And what is a festival without sweet, made this instant Pala kova from Sailaja's blog, trust me Indian dessert cannot get any easier than this.

Tomorrow post will be about the delicious /exotic food that have bookmarked to try, can't wait to share ..

Diwali Inspirations day II

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 06:00:23 PDT

Continuing the theme of Diwali inspiration , after yesterday post today's post has few ideas that I found are easy to make and will make a big statement, so here goes

DIY chandelier. Buy a metal frame and lace twinkle lights around it via

What a stunning center peice this would make, via

Halls decked with string lights, my favorite via

Tea lights and rose petals what a geourgeous table runner via

Simple tea lights decked up with fancy trim, what a beautiful sight via

For your outdoors via

floating candle indoors/outdoors via

Diwali Decoration Inspirations - Day I

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:26:25 PDT

Can't believe we will be celebrating Diwali next week, I still remember last years just like it was yesterday, this year flew by faster than ever. Weeks and months seem to go by in a blur feel that time is passing by at a much faster rate than I would want. Hosted a baby shower for my younger brother over the weekend it was such a fun evening , as I was calling it a night I tried to remember what it was like few years ago to be parents for the first time, how excited and anxious we were, there were moments when I would freeze with fear of raising a little baby and times when heart would swell with the little miracle in my hands, those moments were/are so precious , I wish my little brother and his beautiful wife the very best I am sure they would be one terrific parents and can't wait to hold my little nephew soon.

Diwali comes at the most beautiful season of the year, the weather, the spirit of the festival and decorations and everything around it add so much more fun and color . I truly love Diwali and look forward to it every year it sure does bring out the inner child in me .

Just like last years post, this year decided to share my creations as well share what my Diwali inspirations related to decor,gifts and obviously FOOD are for the next few days.

You can really set the festive mood in the house with simple decorations candles, tea lights, string lights, fresh flowers , rangoli's etc... today's inspiration comes from my love of candles .

I am sure all of us have those shiny duppata's which are hidden behind in the closet, used crushed golden dupatta like a runner added my beautiful candles and diya's ,few flowers petals and bangles and you have a table set for Diwali.

With all the light turned off,it looked so beautiful and I could feel the festival already.

If you have ideas or if you have published similar article and would want to share with my readers please leave me link and I would love to add to the post.

Roasted Sweet Potato Curry Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:43:44 PDT

Roasted Sweet Potato Curry Soup

It is a chili evening here in the bay area and after a weekend full of gastronomic indulgence sunday evening called for a simple and warm dinner, this weekend has been a fun one, dance the night away to Dandia and Garba with good friends, attended few kids parties and spent a lovely and meaningful evening with some of my very close friends, only with each meeting to realize how truly similar we are in thinking and acting, I seriously consider them as a blessing in my life and these friends make my life so much more richer and fun. Sunday was family day, painted with kids for a while and we sat down for a quite early dinner. Picked up some really good sourdough bread from farmers market today morning and wanted to put it use so what better way then to dip it in the warm comforting roasted curried soup.

Roasted curried soup is very simple few ingredient and delicious the only time it takes is for the sweet potato to be roasted in the oven, once it's roasted rest all is a breeze.Addition of Garam masala add spiciness and flavor to the otherwise bland soup.

Makes about 4 cups
Ingredients

5 medium sized sweet potatoes
2 cups milk
1/4th tbsp of butter
tbsp of crushed garlic
tbsp of Garam masala
salt according to taste
pinch of freshly ground pepper
tbsp of Balsamic vinegar aa topping, I used Blood orange balsamic vinegar from weolive.com

Process
1. Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Slit sweet potates length wise and spray with pam or olive oil.
3. Warp the potatoes in a foil and allow them to roast in the over for about 30 minutes.
4. Once roasted peel the skin off and keep aside
5. Heat butter in a soup pan, when butter melts add garlic and saute till garlic is roasted and then add Garam masala and give it a quick stir.
6. Now add roasted sweet potatoes and mash them using a end of your ladle or a potato masher.
7. Add two cups of milk and mix well, kids like the soup with creamy texture so I used hand blender and blended it smooth .
8 Add salt and pepper according to taste and allow the soup to boil for about 2-3 minutes, remove from heat and serve hot with balsamic dressing on the top with side of good bread in my case sourdough.

It was a beautiful fall evening and with weather like tonight's I could have asked anything else to warm me and as depressing as sunday evening sounds a simple dinner with kids is what gives the ammo for the week to come.
I had visited the Weolive store a while ago and picked up their blood orange flavored balsamic vinegar and trust me it so full of flavor and deliciousness, if you stumble upon the store stop by and check out delicious offerings of Olive oils.

Season of Joy & Festivity - Happy Dussera

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:49:42 PDT

You can feel the festivity in air
the Dandia' the Garba's
the fun the frolick
the food the friends
the ladies the finery
the ooo's the aaah's
the kids the laughter
the blessings the gratitude

Happy Dussera !!

Here is wishing all my readers a very warm and happy Navratri .. may there always be peace in your heart and home.

Vada Sambar - A Spicy Indian Staple Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:10:26 PDT

Vada Sambar - A Spicy Indian Staple Breakfast

It's about a month since mom left and yes I miss her, no matter how long I have lived away from home that bond between mom and daughter is always special. All the while mom was here she treated us to all her special recipes, my job was simple eat and take pictures. This time on I made extra effort to not let her in the kitchen yet she always managed to get in the kitchen and cook.

Like any typical American family our breakfast at home during weekdays consists of cereal, toast, eggs with parents in town we were treated to typical Indian breakfast, a true luxury I say one such dish that warms your soul and satisfies all your spicy cravings in Vada Samabar a staple south Indian breakfast. I cannot remember the time I ever made this on my own. After a serious fiasco of oil spilling all over my hand I completely gave up deep frying so when mom made these it was hard to resist.

Sambar recipe can be found from my previous posts here

Ingredients for Vada
1 cup Urad dal
3-4 green chilies
2 tbsp rice flour
pinch of baking soda (optional)
inch of ginger
salt according to taste
3 cups of oil for deep frying.

Process
1. Let urad dal soak in water for about 2-3 hours.
2. Grind Urad dal with salt,green chilies ,ginger and rice flour into a fine paste without adding water, if it gets too hard to grind just add enough water to make the dough a bit wet.
3. Take care and make sure all the ingredients are well incorporated, this is very critical in order to avoid oil spluttering.
4. remove batter from the grinder and use hand whip and aerate the dough, this makes the Vada's soft.
5. Heat oil in a pan and when oil gets hot, take a small portion of the dough and flatten into on your palm and make a hole in the middle, this is an art that you can master with time, don't worry if you cant get this shape, just flatten the dough and slip into the hot oil.
6. Fry vada's on both sides till its well cooked for about 3-4 minutes and remove from heat and place on tissue paper to allow all the excess oil to drain out.

7.Dunk the hot Vada's in sambhar and serve piping hot.

Sambar vada is one such delicious combination that its hard to resist, its a indulgence well worth.

PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN WORKING WITH HOT OIL, PLEASE KEEP SMALL KIDS AWAY AND BE SAFE.

Can you feel the change in the air - Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:14:05 PDT

Fall

Few beautiful fall pics ..

via Pintrest

via pintrest

via Pintrest

Baked Sweet Potato Chips - Sweet & Spicy

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:23:30 PDT

Baked Sweet Potato Chips - Sweet & Spicy

Healthy snacking is a strict discipline that I have hard time following, I find myself really hungry once I get back from work, I snack on the first thing I can get my hands on and the guilt that follows is just awful, over a period of years learnt that to get myself of this rut first thing is to stop buying food that are high in carbs or fat, I think I am getting there but still I have my moments.

When you have a group of enthusiastic friend/fashionista’s you are never short of ideas and tips for healthy snacking, learnt about home made Sweet potatoes snacks and what an excellent snack it makes not to mention it's a good source of fiber and iron, just pop it in the microwave for few minutes and drizzle with honey or agave and Walla you have yourself an healthy snack extending this idea a little further is today’s recipe. I so love these chips excellent for munching with your cup of evening tea.

Recipe can be totally customized according to taste, I like my chips chunky if you like yours crisp slice them paper thin and adjust oven setting accordingly

Ingredients

about 3 medium sized sweet potatoes

tbsp of salt preferred seasoned sea salt

tbsp of smoked paprika (adjust according to taste)

tbsp of balsamic vinegar

tbsp of honey/agave

tbsp of brown sugar/cane sugar

Process
1. Pre heat oven to 250
2.Peel and thinly slice sweet potatoes according to thickness of your choice, keep in mind they do shrink in size once baked.
3. Mix in all above ingredients with sliced potatoes and toss till every slice is well coated.
4. Place an aluminum foil on the baking sheet, spray pam or oil and now layer sweet potatoes .
5.Place it in the pre heated oven and allow to bake for 6-7 minutes , toss them over and bake for an additional 5-6 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and allow them to cool down

Once these cool down , make your self a cup of hot tea and zone out and take a five minute break from everything around you and enjoy these crispy sweet and spicy home made sweet potato chips.

End Of Season Bounty - Tomato Plum Smoothie !!

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:31:55 PDT

End Of Season Bounty - Tomato Plum Smoothie !!

Ahh my favorite time of the year is here - Fall , weather is perfect evenings are just right for walk in the park with slight chill in the wind, few more days before we take out our bulky jackets and sweaters well I live in California so I guess I should not be complaining about the upcoming winter.

This year like every year planted few tomatoes.cucumber, chilies, corn,squash, zucchini,lemon cucumber and water melon plants, few were super successful like corn, we harvested our very first corn and few were a super flop like water melon, either it did not get the required sun or the soil was not well drained either way few days/months into planting it withered away and died. As for tomato plants we brought them from our local farmers market, never had such juicy and sweet tomatoes. I could just eat them off the tree without any added flavor, these puppies were so flavorful, I am planning to save some seeds for next year.

We had a bounty this summer and as the season comes to an end tomatoes shrink in size though the flavor is still intact. Most of the trees are already drying up and I think they will last for about a month or so. Last week a friend of ours dropped off a bag full of plums, juicy and sweet and they made for a perfect snack.

Today morning put tomato and plum together in my Vitamix added a dash of agave/honey and few ice cubes ,made for one healthy refreshing and tasty smoothie.

There is no better way to start a day than this refreshing smoothie !!

Weekend Read

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:02:32 PDT

This weekend just like any other is going to be a busy one, will be meeting virtual friends in person for the first time and old friends over lunch on Sunday. I had this big summer reading list that I wanted to finish during summer but summer came and went by in a blink and did not get a chance to read even a single one.

I feel lost and disconnected when I don't read for a long time, reading is my therapy and the impact it has on me is significant, that's why I put extra effort to choose books that matter and so that I do not end up wasting my precious "me" time.

One such book that has topped my reading list is The Dressmaker of Khair Khana, got my hands on it yesterday night and it was hard to put it down once I started hopefully this weekend I get to finish it.

Will write my review once I get to complete the book, so what are you doing for the weekend any good book recommendations , would love to hear from you.

Have a happy weekend , thank god for the short week here in the US.

My Very Own Hand Made Ganesha

noreply@blogger.com (Sreelu) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:44:38 PDT

Was fortunate enough to have been invited by a friend to Make-Your-Ganesha workshop, went along with my boys and we had a great time creating our very own for the first time Ganesha. it turns out the lady who was teaching the class was my ex-collegue ,tell you it's a small world. Kids and adults alike had fun and kudos to the teacher for she does this just out of good will bless her heart. All the while, while teaching us how to make Ganesha she told stories about him and made the class interesting.

So thanks a bunch to my friend for inviting and my ex-colleague for the effort and time in trying to teach kids our culture, hats off ..

So this is how our little Ganesha came home

Step1 : A big blob of wet clay cut into rectangles were distributed to all the kids.

2. Step two made a base for Ganesha and made his cute big round tummy and wrapped around legs.

Step 3: Added head and hands

Step 4: added trunk and ears and few decorations around his neck

Step 5. Ganesha gets a crown and his face is much more defined.

step6 : Black eyed peas make excellent eyes, add trunk and his ride the mooshika/rat.

Step7 : Ganesha gets few blings and he is already to come home.

Ganesha's made by other kids, you can tell that they were a creative bunch.

Our little one day old Ganesha all ready to be worshipped, it's going to be hard to let him go in couple of days.

Wishing everyone a very peaceful and a gastronomic Ganesh Chaturdi.