Friday 10 April 2020

Stir to Mix


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


25th 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 1st 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 1st  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 1st  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! 




26 comments:

  1. Is there any feather missing on your cap!?! Damn, how can you be so good in everything and the interest you take in doing things! Stay Blessed Ganges! I am just awaiting to see you more happy, you know what I mean.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yummy-tummy! Waiting to be the 1st person to meet you and enter your house soon after the lockdown exit. will the Tuesdays with Morrie get over on any Tuesday that i forsee in 2020 :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. I already feel hungry, FOOOOD and so delicious. well written Ganges! My Huggi and Holige hudugi! Loads of love :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can't wait for the lockdown to be lifted so.i can come home for a meal Ganges....I'm craving for some of those lip smacking delicacies in the picture now! Also, I'm so inspired to learn to make holige ivaga....lots of love and enjoy cooking and writing Ganges

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! Such a great read. Keep upthe good work. By the way I miss Ubattu ☹️

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! Ganga, you are an all rounder 😊😊😊 Mouth watering dishes can't wait to taste it 😋😋😋 Stay blessed and have loads of fun....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh ho, Can I order food online :D I think you must partner with some restaurants or better yet open a N.K food joint in your area as we don't have any in the adjoining areas as well! Such a busy girl! Now, what next?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kuch alag, kuch naya should be your tagline! you just can't sit idle, always doing something or the other! You are an inspiration! Now, complete that painting and gift me! I know you will, no second thought:D aur Quora pe Green tea ke answers nahi aarahe aajkal:D whatever its fixed you are going to be the food host for all our meet-ups. I miss N.K food. yavag jhunka mat rotti tindein hang aageti nodva :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I know you are a very good cook as I have had food prepared by you. But wait, I also know you are alone and yet all these delicacies, how, why and for whom? How can you think of eating all alone, I am just binge-watching here and sleeping like never before. "The last person on earth" can also do all these things? :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow!! Rightly said babe..there is nothing in the world that good food cannot fix..sametime I am not remembering words to praise.. I am so happy and emotional reading about NK :-)
    My Mind is busy recalling if I have most of the items in my kitchen :-P.

    Your are great of source of inspiration and pride to me and will us stand out with your down to earth attitude:-)

    On a lighter note and straight from my heart

    Where so ever my jiju is sitting... He is getting the best out of you by giving you your time by delaying his visit ❣️. Luckiest on the earth specifically his tummy 😍

    ReplyDelete
  11. I know you cook good food, but What do i say, Cooking, Painting, Playing TT, Reading, Writing, Sketching, drawing, cleaning house, Travelling & exploring, Busy girl, intelligent and beautiful. Always there as a helping hand! Ganges, I am short of words :) I think next you must learn to ride Bullet and start playing the Guitar ( yes, let it take time) and the rest God is working on it :) Loads of love babe! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's a blessing to have a fren who is so multi talented.God has planned so many good things for u,he has given you this grace time of lockdown to know the best in you day by day.
    Going through your new innovative dishes I m carving for the same. Hoping I get to taste some of these soon.
    Good going gangadd ur making the best of it.
    Hoping to see you soon. Lots of love...��

    ReplyDelete
  13. I know who commented the above Guitar wala comment :) but add to it, she is Ek number besuri singer and impatient :D thodi jealousy and envy honi chahiye yaar :P But seriously Ganges, hats off to all that you do! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very nice post... All the dishes are mouthwatering. And yes ambli and majage are my favourite drinks.. they are irresistible. And the combination of it with ginger and garlic is simply amazing.. btw very nice quarantine work.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You should go back to your first TV show and show some of the N. K Belgaum food, I am sure you will have a good atleast 1 week of episodes.
    Or better yet let Fox life and TLC come for some N.K food show. what say?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jolad Rotti madak kali, Maduve nakki mundin tingl :D :P

    ReplyDelete
  17. I really get the feeling of being a N.K. after reading the part one description and those typical N.K dishes i crave for, you gonna treat me once I land in India

    ReplyDelete
  18. I like the plating and Ganges I am impressed by the authentic sweet dishes, you seem pro, I mean we have seen our moms and grandmas make that and you in 1st attempt itself a pro! too good!:) Sarvagun Sampannna :) I won't show this to my husband, else I know what words I a going to hear from him :P



    Lucky is your husband in all aspects as a wife and a best friend for him! I am sure Ganga you are going to win your in-laws hearts not just by food but by the way you manage and balance things :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Everytime its - Only positive vibes :) :) Sarah and Nicolas, loads of love :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. That looks so yummy and delicious, i look forward for my visit to Namma Bengaluru, Indiaaa soon!! well time spent! I think our Cisco group should meetup at a common country and we should do a Country Potluck, haha - Zac

    ReplyDelete
  21. Happy World Art Day to my artistic girl, and good to see you engaged in so many things :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Loves your cooking..thank you so much for your wonderful treat babes! Food was super tasty. I am in love with small vessel collection ☺️😇✌️ You are an inspiration in all ways! Keep rocking babes

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yum the indo-chinese Chilli honey potato :) mouth watering dishes... Keep going

    ReplyDelete
  24. So lucky is the person who marries you Ganges! not only he gets good and yummy food but a best friend and wife like you! :) may the force be with you :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Damn, its Lockdown 3.0 and you are not bored a single day, I Understand multi-tasking girl :) I so wanna eat the Honey Chilli Poatato and Hakka Noodles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I meant Lockdown 3.0 in India

      Delete