And then I began to think what she would definitely need in her kitchen - its a clean slate as far as Indian cooking is concerned. What would one who was cooking everday Indian food, absolutely need in the kitchen? What are the spices? vegetables? grains?
I came up with this list:
Mustard seeds
Cumin
Turmeric powder
Chilli powder
Tamarind
Green Chillies
Garlic
Ginger
Dals: Urad, Toor, Masoor and Moong
Is that a fair list? What is the bare minimum you have to have in your kitchen at all times?
And then I went to the recipes part of it. I found the 10 recipes that I took with me to the US, as a student, were invaluable. I've posted two of them before: Spicy Potatoes and Bell Pepper with Gram Flour. This is a 3rd recipe. It's so easy that its almost a no-brainer, but the flavors blend so well together and everyone always enjoys it.
Spinach with Corn
1 bunch Spinach, cleaned and chopped
1 cup Corn, cooked
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1 tsp Mustard seeds
Salt, to taste
In a saucepan, heat a little bit of oil. Add the mustard seeds. When they begin to splutter, add the cumin. Brown for a minute. Add the spinach and salt and cook until it begins to wilt. Now add the corn and mix well.
That's about it. And it's always a hit!
This is off to Shriya of Spicy Tasty's Fortune Cooking Contest. This is my favorite way of eating greens.
So here we are at the end of the Recipe Marathon - it was one of the most fun events I've taken part in. Not only did we manage to cook up something everyday and post about it (which, you must admit, is a HUGE feat!), we also managed to find lovely friends in such a short time. If anyone has any doubt of whether to join this the next time around, I hope you won't hesitate - it really was so much fun. Now onto the food!
DK made fantastic sabudana vadas - oh-so-delicious! Divya made mattar paneer - an all-time favorite. Swati professed her love for...eggs.
Check out Siri's and Bhags' contribution. Lakshmi made some great looking rice. Raaga posted tons and tons of recipes! Ranji made a refreshing watermelon juice. Valli used the entire ridgegourd!
20 comments:
Great looking dish anu!...so green
I love the second pic....a feast to the eye
Hi Arundathi, thanks for participating in our contest. We wish u a good luck. Photos are good and looks yummy.
Onions are a must have in my kitchen....I probably wouldn't know what to cook if there were no onions.
ok so here go additions which i think are basic
flours: rice flour, wheat flour, corn flour - AP flour and besan in smaller quantities since they don't stay long - i also keep ragi, bajra and jowar
misc: wheat rava, poha, sabudana, pastas and noodles(so one doesn't scratch head for breakfast)
spices: fenugreek, coriander seeds, red chillies
rice: idli khar rice, sona masoori/ ponni/ rosematta (one daily rice of choice), basmati - i also keep red rice and forbidden rice
hey, my blog has a lil something for you..
Thanks Valli
Rachel - thank you!
Nithu - Happy to contribute
Jayashree - Yes, of coz, onions are a must
Lakshmi - do you really have these in your kitchen at all times? That's amazing - your kitchen is way better stocked than mine. she'll kill me if i tell her to stock bajra and jowar and 4 kinds of rice! :) But thanks - I think I'll follow your advice for myself! :)
Delhibelle - Oooh -- going over there right now.... :)
spinach with corn looks awesome anu!!!...delicious combo..never tried it but sounds wondeful and healthy too...
I t was a pleasure knowing u Anu..i really had a wonderful time running the marathon with u ppl:)
That sounds like a good start-up list Arundathi. Also may be some ready made powders like sambar/rasam/garam masala ? I also use hing frequently, but it surely is not a must have. Spinach and corn sounds yumm..
The first pic is very nice, and the list is good for starting up....
Ranji - it was a pleasure running with you, too! and thanks!
Priya - thanks for the ingredient list - i completely forgot about the powders!! and thanks!
Bhags - thanks! i liked the first pic too!
That is a good list Arundathi, I'd add coriander powder and some whole spices like cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. Though these might be just necessary for non-veg cooking, if your friend is a vegetarian, she could skip these. BTW since you have listed chilies and ginger-garlic, how about adding onions/shallots to the list? :)
Anu, you are the best!!!
Thank you all so much too, its nice to know that you have taken some time out to help with the kitchen set-up list!!
I guess no more excuses for ordering out now.
This looks yummy and light at the same time!
I make a similar dish but I add saute'd bell peppers and crumbled feta cheese and spoon it over toast.
Going to try your version soon!
Sig - thanks - forgot about the onions/shallots. and she's most def a non-veggie. and thanks for thinking of the spices - i just didnt want to scare her off!
Zu - Anything to get a home-cooked meal, babe! ;) yes, no more ordering out!!
Ranjani - ooh yours sounds lovely - feta and bell peppers - have to come and check that out!
Your spinach with corn is mighty tasty! I made it for the "less is more" event :)
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Nupur - so glad you tried it and liked it! :-)
I love corn and spinach.. this recipe looks yummy.. a different way to make our traditional recipes of making greens!!Love it..I make spinach corn sandwich..though this looks more healthy;)
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