It takes just a little lemon to make delicious Lemon Rice

Had a surprise visit from my folks with some delicious Kadu Manga (fresh green mango pickle) and of course I had to have some at lunch. Decided to whip up some Lemon Rice for lunch. Its a very easy dish to prepare and takes less than 20 mins (do u see a pattern here in what I choose to cook:-)). I had just come back from a couple of hours of pampering at the spa and didnt want too much prep time.

The ingredients are:
Onions 1. Finely chopped
Ginger: 2 inch piece finely chopped
Tadka / seasoning: Rai (Mustard) and then Ulva and Urad dal
Whole dry red chilli - 4 or 5 torn into 2 pieces
Lemon juice  - I substituted with Lemoneez as didnt have any lemon
Turmeric: 1 tsp


Take a little oil in a kadai and sputter the rai. Once its sputtered, add the ulva and urad dal. Add the Onions and Ginger and saute till onions turn pink. add the whole red chilli torn up. Add the turmeric and lemon juice and saute. Add the freshly made rice into this masala and stir well.

Eat it hot with curds and pickle. Very cooling for the summer.

Delicious Pulidorai aka Tamarind Rice at Chez Moi

Been dying to eat some delicious Pulidorai (Tamarind Rice) and since no Chennai trips are planned soon, decided to cook this easy to make comfort food. I had some grocery shopping to do at Neelam"s and Godrej Nature's Basket (for a change as Patel's was closed). Got back home and dug out the Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana of Indian recipe book to get started. Actually you dont really need a recipe book as its very similar to any of the rices - Lime or Curd.

Ingredients
Rice (freshly made) - I used a katori but how much ever you need
Whole Red Chilli's - 6
Mustard Seeds (rai) - 1 tspn
Roasted Peanuts - 1/4 cup
Curry Leaves - 10 -12 (I dont use this)
Ginger - 1 inch piece chopped fine
Onion - 1 big red onion (not in the original recipe but I love the taste)
Tamarind pulp - 3 tbsp (add water to the paste)
Asofoteida - 1/4 tsp
Chana Dal - 2 tbsp
Sesame seeds - 3 tbsp
Urad Dal - 2 tbsp
Turmeric (haldi) - 1.2 tsp

Prep

• Wash and soak the rice in water for half an hour. Drain and cook rice in plenty of boiling water. Once the rice is cooked strain and spread out on a plate. You can add a little oil and mix lightly. I actually just add it into the tamarind mixture.
• Dry roast sesame seeds and grind coarsely with 2 red chillis. Wait for it to cool before you place in the mixie.
• Heat oil in a kadai and add 4 red chillis, mustard seeds, chana dal, urad dal & peanuts. Saute for a couple of minutes till brown. Add turmeric powder, asofoteida, curry leaves, onion, ginger and tamarind paste. Stir fry for half a minute. Add a little more water if too dry.
• Mix in the tamarind mixture and dry mixture to the rice. Mix well and save.

I love tamarind rice with curd & pickle (i ate Priya's red chilli pickle) but you can serve with Papad or Banana Chips.

Do try out this delicious southern delicacy and tell me how it turned out.

A little bit of India at Bollywood.....

Today's dinner was at this trendy Indian cafe - Bollywood - in the heart of Makati in Metro Manila. Hindi Music videos playing on TV, Movie Posters on the wall, interesting ethnic art, beaded curtains make up the decor. Filipino staff greet you every few steps with a cheerful namaste. As its a Friday evening, they have rocking dance music and an equal mix of Indians & Filipino teens occupy the tables. We sit in the outdoor seating area where they also have the Hookahs. Pleasant breeze, nice music and company and we get started on ordering.

One of my colleagues swears by this place so it came highly reccomended. We ordered Masala Papad & Aloo Chat to start with. The Masala Papad was tasty but a bit too oily. The Aloo Chat was a let down as the potatoes werent well cooked.

The main course was a spicy version of Malai Kofta (delicious) and Garlic Naan for me and a Mutton Biryani & Raita for my colleagues. The main course rocked for all of us. Generous portions too. Quick service right down to the finger bowls. There was pan as we exited as well. Truly a slice of India.

Check out the decor in the photos. Must visit if you are in Manila.