Raw Mango, Flat bean Rice (Avarekai MavinaKayi Chitranna)

This is in variation to the Chitranna that I have already mentioned here. Avarekai, is known as ‘Flat Beans’ in English are very famous in Karnataka. Avarekai is available in Indian stores here in the US under the name ‘Surti Papdi Lilva’, usually in the frozen section. A beautiful (picture) of this beans is here.   My MIL also makes another variation of Chitranna by adding grated raw mango and Avarekai to the Rice.  The tanginess for this rice comes from the raw mango and there is no need to add lemon juice to this. I had taken this picture…

Short Blogging break…… (Really?)

Dear Friends, I could not leave without wishing you all proper good byes. We are off to Bangalore this weekend and so I will be taking a shot break from blogging. The warm comments and wishes from all you dear friends meant so much and touched me that I felt like I was leaving my own family albeit virtually. This is the first time I am taking a long break ever since I started blogging. When I think about it I don’t know if I will be able to stay away from my beloved blog. I am so used to…

Dry Potato Bhaji (curry) and Potato Sandwich

Things have been pretty hectic and crazy both on the home and work front. The New Year has begun and new projects, meetings, deadlines keep piling up. I am also preparing for our upcoming trip to India this weekend and we are all very excited and looking forward to that.  It was one of those Saturdays when I did not have the mood cook anything elaborate. The weather was pretty good for cold wintery days and I mostly spent my time cleaning and doing other sundry chores at home. We were invited to a friend’s place for dinner in the…

Gujarathi Kadhi

  I grew up eating predominantly Konkani/Maharashtrian and also Karnataka style food. Even though I had Guajarati food occasionally maybe at friend’s place or restaurants I always enjoyed it and craved for more. The sweet mild taste, flavorful spices all blend together to form a unique taste. Quite frankly we are a family that relishes real hot food; at any point of time we have a huge storage of red and green chillies at home to use in our everyday cooking. But then I equally love the mild and pleasant taste of Gujarathi food.    Unfortunately in the place that…

Milkmaid Laddoo/ Coconut Ladoo

   Time files and how? It seems like only yesterday we wished each other for New Year of 2008, we watched Olympics, celebrated major festivals, endured the financial crisis, witnessed a historic election, shuddered at the Mumbai incident all this and more. What a year of ups and downs it has been! And now all that seems to have passed by at the blink of an eye and here we are at the dawn of 2009 celebrating the New Year.     Wishing you all a Very Happy and Fun Filled New Year 2009. Hope the Year brings to you…