Stir to Mix

"There is nothing in the world that good food cannot fix"
            - Kevin Kwan

25^th March 2020, the week that unimaginably changed everything in the country with different waves of emotions. Now, we all are a part of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic in the world, when we only had read about the 1817 Cholera Pandemic, 1918 Spanish Flu and the 1968 H3N2 Pandemic in our History Books. 

A lot of people asked me what will I do being alone in the 21-day lockdown Period in India. When everything in the country came down to a halt and as worrisome as my parents were, here was their advice to me: Keep yourself busy and don't slouch around, wake up early as you have to (because of my office timings) get dressed and don't fritter as it's too easy and will change your mood for the day. 

Dad: does she ever get bored? Mom: I don't think so because she is immersed in reading and cooking (their way of motivation 😊)

It can feel daunting to think about the weeks ahead but that's when I decided how I am going to spend my self-quarantine period: Reading, Cooking, Painting, Office  work, Enhancing my career skills, Cleaning house. And the best part is when you have your friends staying in the next streets, its a curved smile when we meet even during this period.

I am interested in the concept of wellness - food, exercise, health and mindfulness. I cook for pleasure, to feel good and to slow down the mind. I love to gather people at the table and cook to serve them. 

India is an ethnically diverse nation and one among its 28 states is Karnataka.

Karnataka is a gracious host and offers a spread that appeals to every palate. Each food has different flavours and textures.

I am from Karnataka, specifically from Uttara (North) Karnataka. (NB: I don't belong to any political party to split North Karnataka and South Karnataka, neither I am a racist nor a feminist. pun intended 😄) The moment I speak North Karnataka (N.K) Kannada precisely Belgaum Kannada, I'm asked if I am from Hubli-Dharwad/Belgaum, I say Yes!! The Kannada dialect varies in every region of Karnataka. The South Kannadigas would never be able to speak the N. K Kannada and our Kannada sounds funny. The happiness double folds when you meet any N.K Kannadiga, especially in Bangalore, Oh nee nu N.K haan, heng adi? Ella aaram ait la? (oh, you are also from N.K, I hope everything is good at your end) That feeling of "aapla manus" as we rightly say in Marathi. We are blessed to have beautiful weather throughout the year, delicious food, N number of tourist places as our adjoining states are Goa and Maharashtra and hence we are multi-lingual.

A typical Kannadiga Oota (meals) includes and is served in the following order - Salt, a slice of lemon, Pickle, Chutney, Kosambri (salad) Mosaru (yoghurt), Palya (vegetable), Desert, Chapathi/Rotti, Rice and Saaru (daal).

Jolada Rotti (Jowar Roti), Jhunka (made of gram flour), Badanekayi eenegayi (masala stuffed Brinjal), Hesaru-usli (green lentils), Pundi Palya (roselle leaves), Chutney, Dharwad Peda, Shenga/Khobri Holgi (Peanut/Coconut stuffed flat crepe) and Kadakh Chaa (tea) are most widely consumed food in N. K. while in South Karnataka the typical food is, all types of Rice, Tamarind Rice, Lemon Rice, Bisi bele bath, etc, Ragi Mudde, Rasam, Sambar and Filter Coffee. They can eat rice throughout the day and for days and we can stay without eating rice for days. N. K food is spicier than S.K food. 

N.K food - Pickle, 2 Chutney, Mosaru, Kosambri, Hesaru Usli, Jhunka Vadi and Chapathi

N. K tea time snacks are Bajji/Chivda/Chakkali/Kodubale/Nipattu, one must try these when in Karnataka.

Rajaji Nagar is the hub of North Kannadigas in Bengaluru and has at least a dozen of restaurants serving hot and spicy lip-smacking N.K food.

No matter what part of Karnataka we belong we invariably support and are die-hard fans of R C B!!! 😊 Karnataka Rajyostava (November 1) is an emotion for us - Elladaru Iru Enthadaru Iru Endendigu nee kannadavaagiru!

If you ever visit my hometown - Belgaum, then you must try these food joints - Parathas at Paratha Corner, Chaats at Ambica and All India Bhel house, Cheese Garlic Mushroom and Lemon & Coriander Soup at Sun & Sands, Vada Pav at Nath, Dabeli at Balus, Upma at New Grand Hotel, Pastries at Wild Sugar and other famous restaurants like Santorini, Sura Vie, Panchamruth, Oye Shawa, UK27, Mariott (I personally don't recommend for food) Saffron, Sankam etc.,

Oh and my Grandmas' Filter Kaafi! 😊 Don't miss to eat Belgaum's famous A1 Kunda sweet (made from milk) at Purohit's sweet mart. 

Due to the current situation, everyone is at home and is eating throughout the day! When food is "bae" cook a new dish every day! the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Sometimes we are in a situation of "cook or starve or order food online" or rather "stay hungry, stay foolish" or is there someone who can cook for us, who can invite us just to eat.

As I don't like to eat outside food, I like cooking at home, good or tasteless food you can self experiment anything in the food and tickle your taste buds. Apart from the usual cooking, I tried a few new dishes during the Lockdown period 1.0 and 2.0 😊

Juice/Milkshakes

Snacks

During summers it is advised to consume a lot of liquids, may it be as simple as water or Juice. Right now it's a hot climate in India, and I tried some Milkshakes and tummy filler healthy drinks.

Watermelon Juice - This fruit is full of antioxidants, Vitamin A and C, helps to reduce ageing and is good for Heart health.

Mango delight - My all-time favourite fruit, and this is the season 😊

Banana Almond Milkshake - I added cardamon powder to enhance the taste. Soaked almonds are more nutritious.

ButterMilk and Ragi Malt - both are summer drinks and cooling agents. Ragi Malt, Ambli as popularly known in Karnataka, is a very healthy drink, it reduces body heat and is a tummy-filler. A perfect drink mixed with milk or buttermilk, finely chopped onions and ginger-garlic paste or just plain chilled Ragi malt also taste yummy! My all-time fav drink. 😋 Buttermilk can go easy with Mint Chutney, Coriander-garlic-chilly paste or simply by seasoning it.

Chocolate Banana Custard - Whisk a mixture of Cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, smashed Bananas, milk and cornflour until its smooth batter-like texture. I have topped it with my favourite fruits, Kiwi and Strawberries. Serve cold.

Cold Coffee - this cold beverage is priced at Rs. 100+ in Coffee joints. One of the easiest and refreshing drink for coffee lovers. Different ratios of espresso, milk, sugar and creamy texture are the main difference between Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Macchiato etc
I avoided adding ice cubes as it dilutes the flavour and texture, you can add milk ice cubes. I prefer chilled milk instead and coated the empty glass with the coffee decoction. 

Because work is worship and food is "bae", pictures are clicked with a pictorial background to get the vacation feeling 😊

Grape Juice - a fruit fermented to make wine, vinegar etc, as soporific as it tastes to contain sleep-inducing hormone - melatonin.

I learned cooking from my Mother, Father and Brother (yes, he is a very good chef - knows Chinese, Indian and Egg dishes and is a pro western/Bollywood dancer!!!) and some recipes from online cooking sites and from my friends/cousins.

Virgin strawberry pina colada

Banana Chocolate Mousse - 

Chikoo Milkshake - This fruit is packed with essential nutrients, Vitamin A and C, antioxidants, aids in digestion, is an energy provider. a yummy beverage during summers. 

Chocolate Almond Dates Milkshake - too much but the nutrient-rich food. you can add whipped cream and cocoa powder. I haven't added ice cubes in any of the liquids and no sugar and salt. when I place an order to drink Juice/smoothies when I go out, I always say, Bhaiya, no sugar, salt and ice.

 Cooking is the easiest but washing vessels, Sigh! I love washing vessels 😀

Orange Juice - A fruit rich in nutrients, Vitamin C, folate, potassium, is an antioxidant and reduces inflammation.
Ensure to remove the seeds before blending else the juice turns bitter.

      Always prefer Jaggery over the unhealthy sugar 

Chocolate Caramel Grapes - one of the quick desserts, melt chocolate, dip the bottom half of grapes and then dip it again in dry fruits powder or powdered peanut, serve it 😊

If you have guests arriving on short notice then the best dessert to make is Kheer or Halwa. A quick and easy recipe.


Apple Almond Dates Milkshake - Blend 2 chopped unskinned Apples, 2 - 3 Dates, a few soaked almonds and milk. Serve by garnishing with finely chopped almonds and you may add cardamom powder to enhance the taste.

The Vanilla-Beetle leaf shots

Snacks

Batata Vada - A popular fast food in Maharashtra. A Mumbai street food snack overly loved and eaten with joy in Maharashtra. 
A quick and easy recipe - mashed potato patty coated with gram flour batter, deep fried on medium flame.

Stuff the Vada in between a Pav bread to make it a Vada Pav! that fried salted chilly is a must 😋

Mushroom Chilly Fry - it's not Indo-Chinese dish, but its the Desi Goan Style cuisine. A must-try dish, quick and easy, as a starter or side dish.

Thoroughly was the Button Mushrooms and slice them thick. Saute finely sliced Onions (until soft but not golden-brown) and slit green chillies in oil. Add the sliced mushrooms, saute for 5 - 10mins. Add Spices - Garam Masala, salt, chilly powder, asafoetida, mango powder. Simmer for few mins and serve hot. 

Mushrooms suck oil but as they get cooked it leaves the water and oil, so don't add extra oil in between when it gets dried

Kachori and Samosas are mouthwatering appetizers 
Rainy season! and what better time to prepare hot tea and samosas. My 1^st attempt to prepare samosas, they turned out to be yummy, cute in size. 
what went wrong was, I stuffed too much in two of the samosas and while deep frying a little amount of stuffing came amount.
Another learning is, ensure the sides are thin. If you are unable to do it with a rolling pin just press it by hands so that the sides are crispy.

Cut it to make small triangular shape/cone for stuffing

     Cooking with love, patience and on the low flame will always be a delicious dish

Kachori - Since this was my 1^st  attempt, I kneaded a less quantity of dough, and made small Moongdal Kachoris and then I made another dish of it 😃 

step by step: roll a lemon size dough, stuff in the dry Urad/Moong dal masala, ensure it is tightly closed and deep fry on low flame until golden brown. It might look complicated but trust me it is not.

    

    

Serve it with Tamarind Chutney

Next, I prepared Kachori Chaat, break the Kachori from the centre, add curd, finely chopped onions, coriander and tomatoes, Tamarind Chutney, Sev and chilly powder.

            

                          Good food, Good people and Good times!  😊

Sweets - 

Obbattu/ Puran Poli/ Holige  - as it is popularly known in Karnataka and Maharashtra. It has always been a crown jewel and prepared during all the festivals. It is time-consuming but most loved and my all-time fav sweet. 😋 Top it with ghee and feel the heavenly taste to fall in love again & again. I rarely eat sweet but never miss this. To taste an amazing variety of it do visit "Holige Mane" in Malleshwaram, Bangalore. If you are trying to impress someone then this is the dish, head over heels! 😍

When you are unmarried and the older people in the family ask you, when are you treating a feast with a Holige, that's a sweet way of asking when will you get married! 😊
I met someone two days before the Janta Curfew (in India) and while talking of food I mentioned I don't know to prepare Holige. Hmmm, as the 21-day lockdown period started, my 1^st  attempt to try a new dish was Holige. 
Tried, tasted and Bang on!!! My family was surprised to hear and see the pictures. My Mom was the happiest!

Remember: don't overcook the Channa Dal and add Jaggery the same quantity as Dal. 

   

Blended Cooked Channa Dal and jaggery

Make small balls, and stuff it in the dough as shown and roll it

     








      

top it with ghee or ghee and milk. it just melts and what a heavenly feeling, like nothing in the world

It was the mindset that it is complicated and time-consuming and so I never tried making it, but trust me within 3 days I again made it as my friend craved to eat it and Bingo one afternoon I surprised her as well. when you see the below from your GEMS, it's a feel-good factor with all smiles because if you know to prepare this dish, then done you know and can cook anything.

 

Similarly, there is another famous sweet dish of N.K -  Kadubu and Godhi Huggi (Wheat Payasa)

Kadubu - the stuffing is the same as the Holige as above but carved in different shape and deep-fried on low-medium flame.

top it with ghee

Godhi Huggi (The broken Wheat Kheer) - The most widely prepared sweet dish during marriages, functions and festivals in N.K. A healthy sweet made of wheat, jaggery, milk, ghee and dry fruits.

An aromatic bowlful of creamy delicacy with dry fruits and ghee

                  As a cook, you must bring soul to the recipe



Besan Oondi (besan laddoo) - One of my fav sweet and I love it, even more, when my Ajji (Grandma) and Mummy prepare it. Such a melting sweet with ghee, just yum! 😋 

Roast gram flour with ghee

until the texture is smooth and glossy

Allow to cool, add sugar and crumble

   

Knead with both hands the sugar and roasted flour 

Top it with raisins, cashews or any nuts

Coconut Burfi (Khobri Vade)  - This coconut fudge is made of milk, cardamom powder, cream and sugar. Easy and sweet 😊

Sugar, milk and grated coconut

cook until milk is evaporated, to form a fudge of the 3 ingredients

                               

Coconut Burfi topped with raisins

Enjoy the sweetness while you work from home!

Kaju Katli - Powdered and sieved cashew nuts, ghee, cardamom powder water. The cooking time is not more than 20mins. This is one of my fav sweet. It is better to prepare at home as its too costly to buy from the sweet mart.

                                 

Kaju Katli

Food - 

Cucumber Paratha - This paratha is one of my favourite, a wholesome dish with freshly grated cucumber, wheat flour and spices served with yoghurt/pickle/chutney.

Kothimbir Rice (Cilantro Rice) - Cilantro and Ginger are known to cure almost all the common diseases, a bowl of simple and healthy rice.

Curd Rice (Mosaru Butthi) - I have made the North Karnataka style of Mosaru Butthi, which looks like Curd Rice but it isn't. Butthi has the flavours of Onion and green chilli which differentiates it from Curd Rice.  

Peas Pulav with boiled egg and buttermilk  - Rice is the most widespread staple in the world. 

Food and work must go hand in hand, whether you're working from home or for home. 
Here is me imagining and having food on some island, what better way to motivate yourself and miss travelling. 
The Peas, Mushroom and Paneer Pulao - lip-smackingly good food!

Mint Rice with Ragi Malt and Raita - Mint is known to be a herbal remedy. It cleanses the digestive tract, cures headache, common cold and acne problems. 

Palak paneer, Phulka (flatbread) and buttermilk - this spinach-paneer vegetable dish is an exotic flavour that offers a sufficient amount of calcium, protein, fibre, antioxidants and vitamins.

Binge Watching?!?!

Here are some simple  and quick snacks - crispy and light!

French fries (Potato fries) - lazy on Couch! Cut the potatoes long, soak in chilled water for 30mins and then soak in hot water for 10mins, drain water and freeze for 1 hour. Deep fry for 1min (to make it fluffy), cool down completely and then deep fry again (to make it crispy) until golden brown. Add spices and serve.

peel and cut the potatoes long 

after 1st fry - potatoes are fluffy

                             

Ready to eat 😋

Banana Chips - Banana is rich in phosphorous, Magnesium and Vitamin A. And Banana Chips are rich in fibre, iron and potassium.

Raw Banana

Thin slices, use a Knife or Slicer

                           

deep fry for 7-8mins or until it turns crisp but not golden brown

Drain off excess oil on Kitchen or absorbent paper. once it cools store in an airtight container

Bhakarwadi - One of the most famous tea-time, a dry snack of Maharashtra. Crispy fried spiral dough stuffed with the masala.

Make the dough, and cut it into 2 halves

Masala

Evenly spread dry masala on it and press gently

   

Roll it thin, spread Tamarind chutney

                  

Gently roll it tightly, to get spirals

Roll, clockwise 2-3 times and cut the ends

                 

Deep fry on low flame for 7-8mins or until golden brown crispy, serve it with hot tea

Namak Para - the crunchy tea time snack, quick, easy, simple instant with fewer ingredients - wheat flour, semolina, hot oil, carrom seeds and salt. I added the chilly powder to make it spicy because of North Karnataka people like spicy food. Make a tight dough of these ingredients, then roll it thin and cut in long diamond shapes as below.

                                       

  

Serve with Mayonnaise sauce or with hot tea 

White Sauce Penne Pasta - a go-to breakfast or dinner recipe, simple, quick and easy. 

Serve it hot, top it with mixed herbs, Chilli and Oregano flakes

To make it more cheesy add grated cheese and more white sauce

Veg Hakka Noodles: Craving for Chinese food? Make Hakka Noodles and serve it with any Indo-Chinese dish - Chilli Paneer, Fried Rice, Manchurian

Honey Chilli Potato - A perfect starter dish, a combination of sweet and spicy due to chillies and honey :) it can be made from leftover french fries or coated in batter twice and deep-fried twice to make it crispy and to avoid getting soggy as it cools. prepare the sauce mixture by adding heating 2 tbsp oil and adding spring onion, tomato sauce, soya sauce, chilli sauce, honey, salt, onion petals and capsicum, once this mixture is translucent add the mixture of cornflour and water for thickness. Lastly, add the deep-fried potatoes and top it with sesame seeds.

Serve with fried rice or as a starter dish

Now Relax, grab some popcorn. Premade popcorn is high in sodium and Microwave popcorn is unhealthy. Now decide what to do!

Until I decide what to cook next!