Chutney Cravings - Cilantro Stem Chutney

I love chutney . Who doesn't ? Chutney is a staple in Indian cooking. I find all chutneys versatile in a way . You can eat chutney with rotis, add it to sandwiches , use as a dip with fritters and even with chips . It goes well with pretty much anything and everything . Sometimes I add leftover chutney to sabjis or curry while cooking . There are several versions of cilantro or coriander chutney . Here is my favorite one with the stems of cilantro bunch . Yes you read it right - the stems and not the leaves . I learnt this one from my mother in law . She is big on not wasting food, cooked or uncooked . She uses every single ingredient from the pantry. And of course makes the most of fresh produce too . She always saves the stems of cilantro and makes this chutney . So without any further discussion here is the recipe .

Ingredients -

Stems of cilantro leaves 

Green chillies

Garlic 

Cumin seeds

Salt to taste 

Instructions -

1. Wash and roughly chop the stems of cilantro leaves . Add them to a blender . I used stems from 2 cilantro bunches .

2. Add very little garlic, just half of one small garlic clove for the above stems .

3. Add green chilly . Depending on what kind of chillies you use adjust the amount of chillies. Thai chillies are very hot . I used one small thai chilly for the above amount of stems . 

4. Add 1/2 tsp cumin seeds and salt to taste . Blend all these to a coarse texture. Your flavorful beautiful green colored chutney is ready . 

Tips -

1.This is a strong flavorful chutney . Use very little garlic to balance the flavor .Too much garlic will ruin its taste .

2. Add yogurt while eating to mellow down the punch if you wish .

3. Use this while cooking lentils especially black eyed peas , moth beans and green moong . 

Pandemic Pantry - Pesto Panini Sandwich

I had cooked an elaborate lunch yesterday . Perfect 4 course weekend lunch menu . I had assumed it will suffice for dinner as well. However to my surprise ( and a bit disappointment in anticipation of more cooking for dinner ) we had hardly any leftovers. Everyone loved it so much that it was all gone . I was not looking forward to cook again for dinner . I was so tired . My inspiration to cook for dinner was running a little dry . Alas I glanced at my pantry . I was like mehhhh . But then the loaf of bread grabbed my attention . Given the massive surplus of pesto I had I decided to make this panini sandwich . Perfect way to make use of the George Foreman Panini Press .Worked like a charm . Very little efforts and this awesome delicious cheesy goodness was ready . Ten minutes later our whole family was enjoying these panini sandwiches around the kitchen island . Glad i had another quick weeknight dinner menu to add to my list . What is your favorite panini recipe ?

Ingredients - 

 Bread

 Butter

 Basil Pesto

 Mozzarella Cheese sliced

 Onion cut into rings 

 Tomato sliced into circular rings

Instructions - 

1. Spread thin layer of butter on one side of each slice of bread .

2. Spread basil pesto on the other side of each slice of bread . 

3. Layer two slices of bread with onion, tomato and mozarella cheese inbetween them  .

4. Preheat panini maker . Place sandwiches in maker and press down . Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden . Serve immediately .

Tips - 

1. Use a skillet instead of panini press. You will still get exact same sandwich minus the        grill marks .

2. Add sliced avocado for a creamy flavor .

3. Switch up the basil pesto with spinach pesto . You can add couple basil leaves in the sandwich just for its flavor . 

Concrete Words - Dove Chocolate Wrapper

This post is a part of a series where I choose and write about a particular "Concrete Word ". Check my previous posts here .

Concrete words are terms that identify things and events that can be measured and observed. Concrete words are tangible in some way. So I decided to write about such "concrete words ".

Sometimes you need a boost to start the next project . Just a little push to take that leap. This Dove chocolate wrapper message did just that for me . About 10 years ago I moved to Macon to pursue my further studies . It was a bitter sweet moment for me . Bitter because I had to move away from my husband . He was still finishing up his studies in a different city and was not able to move to Macon with me . Sweet because I had worked so hard to achieve this . I wanted to pursue post graduate studies and this was it . A start to my new academic year . On my very first day someone at the new Macon office gave me a Dove chocolate . I am not a huge chocolate lover . But the gesture was sweet and so was the chocolate . I unwrapped the chocolate to eat it . Just then I caught a glimpse of the message inside . I saw Macon first before the message . It was a unique moment with a special message . 

With that silky smooth message ( just like the chocolate ) I embarked on my journey in this new town . The message was a good omen in my mind . All I needed was a boost in my confidence and a little chocolate I guess . 

Do you have any chocolate moment to share ?

Pandemic Pantry - Spinach Quesadillas with Desi Twist

• I love quesadillas as they make quick weeknight dinner . Seriously simple and tasty recipe. It is one of my favorite lunchbox menus as well . I have made them with tortillas in the past . But with no tortillas at hand during pandemic times I decided to try these out with rotis instead of tortillas . And surprisingly they turned out equally good . I make fresh whole wheat rotis daily . Instead of eating rotis with a curry I loved this new option to enjoy fresh rotis .  A desi twist on quesadilla . Savor these quesadillas with salsa and sour cream. Incredibly easy to make and budget friendly recipe .Your family is sure to give you oohs and aahs with these tasty quesadillas . What is your favorite filling inside quesadillas ?
• Ingredients -
• Spinach washed and chopped 3 cups
• Onion chopped finely half of a medium sized one
• Sweet Corn 1/3rd cup ( optional )
• Oil or butter for cooking 
• Garlic powder 1/2 tsp
• Chilli powder or flakes 1/2 tsp
•  Salt as per taste
• Mozarella Cheese 
• Rotis or Tortillas 2
• 
  
• Instructions- 
• 1. In a skillet add butter or oil 
• 2. Once oil or butter is hot add onions and saute till they are translucent 
• 3.Add corn and mix for 30 secs till soft 
• 4.Add spinach and cook until spinach is wilted. 
• 5. Add garlic powder, chilli powder and salt .Cook for a minute or two to mix in the flavors .
• 6. Remove from heat . Add shredded mozarella cheese and mix well .
• 7. Top half of each tortilla with spinach mixture; fold other half over filling. 
• 8. Place on a griddle coated with cooking spray or greased with butter.  Cook over medium heat until golden brown, 1-2 minutes per side. Cut quesadillas in half and serve hot . 
• 
  
  
• Tips -
• 1. Get your fiber serving by using whole wheat tortillas 
• 2. Substitute garlic powder with Taco seasoning for a different flavor 
• 3. It looks like a lot of spinach at first, but it shrinks down a lot in no time during cooking. 
• 4. Switch up the sweet corn with other veggies like black olives or mushrooms 

Pandemic Pantry - Dairy Free Pancakes

I was craving pancakes for past few days. Aah! All the things you wish to eat but can't have easily available in these pandemic times . I was out of my Bisquick pancake mix (pantry panic mode on ) . So I started searching the internet for easy and eggless homemade pancake recipe . A dear friend A D came to my rescue who shared this recipe. And ( wink wink ) the pancakes came out amazing . Easy recipe and yummy results -  what else can I ask for .  Also a healthier version since I used whole wheat flour . Using jaggery instead of sugar made it taste so much better. I could cut down on the added syrup that l otherwise liberally drizzle or just pour over my pancakes. All in all mission accomplished . These pancakes taste good with anything and everything including  maple syrup or whipped cream or peanut butter or just ghee . Numerous delicious options indeed .  You can add fresh fruits / nuts / chocolate chips or M and M's as toppings.  I bet kids will want to eat these pancakes all the time because mine surely do . Make these pancakes a few times and they will become a part of your weekly routine . So are you ready to try this recipe ? What do you eat pancakes usually with ? 

Ingredients -

Water 1 cup

Whole wheat flour 1 cup

Jaggery 1/4th  cup 

Salt - just a pinch

Baking powder - 1/4 tsp

 Instructions -

1. Heat water on stove top or microwave it for a minute.

2. Add shredded jaggery to the hot water and mix well till it dissolves completely 

3. Once water has cooled down add wheat flour slowly while continuous stirring with a spoon to avoid forming lumps. The consistency should be such that you can easily pour the bater .

4. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle.  Brown on both sides and serve hot.  

Tips -

1. Use shredded jaggery as it easily dissolves in hot water 

2. Add a pinch of cardammom powder or 1/4 th tsp vanilla extract for added flavor 

3. Adjust heat as necessary . Usually first batch will require higher heat than subsequent batches.

Pinterest Projects - DIY Deco Mesh Wreath

 With the current pandemic we are homebound . Little K who is not a toddler anymore has lot of free time now that schools are closed down . I wanted to keep little K busy. As always I was on the lookout for some fun craft projects to do together. I had seen this wreath on pinterest couple years ago . It looked so beautiful. I was sure it needed lot of supplies and was a complicated task. But contrary to my belief it was a very easy method of making a wreath. And also a DIY project on a budget . All I needed was deco mesh, ribbon and some embellishments . Thankfully I had found them at a local Dollar store back then . Somehow I never got to the project until now.  Surely these supplies came in handy at this time for this wreath . A beautiful wreath for just 6$.

So lets get started . 

Materials needed  -

1. 3 spools of deco mesh (1 in each color )

2. Pipe cleaners or bag ties 

3. 1 Spool of ribbon ( optional )

4. Wire Wreath 

5. Wooden Easter sign 

Step by step Instructions - 

1. Cut entire roll of each deco mesh into 12'' pieces. Once cut the pieces start to roll themselves.

2. Also cut pipe cleaners in to about 2''pieces. Cut one strand of pipe cleaner into 2 equal parts . I used bag ties that I had .

3. Place one piece of each color diagonally on top of each other. Add a small piece of ribbon (optional ) to the bundle. Tie the bundle with a pipe cleaner or bag tie. 

4. Place each bundle on the wire wreath frame. I started at 12, 3 , 6 and 9' o clock positions.  

5. Then I added  the remaining bundles randomly to make it appear dense. 

6. Finally I added the pieces from Easter hanging sign as embellishments to make this beautiful wreath . 

Isnt it an easy DIY project ?  A great way to involve your little ones to help you along. I bet they will enjoy this activity as much as you do . So what occasion are you planning to make such wreath for ? 

Thanksgiving 2018

                        "There is always something to be thankful for  . "

For the past 6--7 years every year I have worked each year on thanksgiving day. My usual routine is to hit the mall after work. I absolutely enjoy the black Friday sales. I enjoy every bit of any kind of shopping experience for that matter . All these years I do not remember eating a proper dinner on thanksgiving day and never with my family . I usually eat my leftover lunch after work and head straight to the mall snacking on cereal bars as and when needed( I stock those always in my purse ).

This year however was a totally different experience . For a change I was not at work today . Neither did I visit the mall nor did I shop online . Sounds so unreal . Yes I was homebound all day and actually enjoyed every bit of my time spent with family . My parents are here visiting us and hence this Thanksgiving was special to begin with . I tried a new recipe, made some of my favorite dishes and helped mom in the kitchen . Me and my husband ate together peacefully without Toddler K nagging us . It was such a joyous and gratitude filled day . A memorable one indeed . Hope your day was also filled with fun, laughter and gratitude . Here is a beautifully worded message sent by a dear friend Ashwini P . to all of us friends .

"Happy Thanksgiving Girls. When you have food on your plate , a roof on your head , clothes to keep you warm , a family who loves you ….. everything else is just a bonus . All of us have so much more …..and that makes us a happy bunch . Thankful for your friendship and thankful for all the time I"ve spent with you all of you lovely and smart women . God bless you all . "

Happy Thanksgiving !