Black Chana Dry Curry and Rasam (Chana saar upkari)

It has only been few years ago when I learnt that even Black Chana/ Kala Chana are referred to as Chickpeas. I had assumed that only Kabuli Chana was referred to as Chickpeas. I make the usual Chana Masala with the Kabuli Chana and Saaru and upkari (Konkani for Curry) using the Black Chana.  This is a simple dry curry and rasam made with minimal ingredients from the pantry. Kala chana is first soaked, cooked and then finally seasoned. The cooked water is used to make the rasam by flavoring with seasoning of garlic. This is my younger brother’s favorite…

Mixed Vegetable Kurma Recipe

The best part of the day for me is when I am done with my work and driving back home from work. This is the time when I am done with the major grind of the day and can finally go home to my family. This is the time when I am away from the office, releases, deadlines, politics, people drama etc. This is the time when I am by myself away from the chatter, surrounded my music, in a closed environment, comfortable with just the right temperature, not too warm or too cold.  As I go past the garage,…

Bitter Gourd Stir Fry

I usually make either Karate Kismuri/ BitterGourd Onion Coconut Mix or Bitter Gourd Crisps/ Bittergourd Rings (Microwave) with bitter melons at home. Both are quick, easy and make wonderful side dishes with their bitterness hardly noticible.  But on occasions when I have the time and energy I make this Biiter Gourd Stir Fry which is slightly elaborate. In this stir fry, bitter gourds are cooked along with onions and flavored with masala powder. If the Masala powder is made in advance then it reduces a lot of steps and all that is left is chopping and cooking.