Few years back, I saw this recipe in some book. What attracted me to this was, it uses garam masala which is usually available in every Indian home, unlike the special vangi bhath masala which is used in many other recipes. Over the years, I have changed it to suit our taste buds. Last time when we came to US, I prepared this frequently to send in my son-in-law’s lunchbox. It soon became his favorite dish. This time again I prepared this many times for him. On Shilpa’s request, I thought of posting this here. I make it like a pulav by cooking the rice in the masala. I prepare this in rice cooker, so it does not need too much attention. Ingredients: 1 cup basmati rice 1/2 cup onion 1/2 cup tomato 1 tea spn garlic paste 2 cups chopped eggplant 1 tea spn garam masala 1 tea spn chilli powder A pinch turmeric Oil Salt
Method: Cut the eggplant in small pieces and put them in water. Heat oil/ghee and add garlic, onion. Fry for few minutes. Add tomatoes, eggplant, let them cook for few minutes. Then add chilli powder, garam masala, salt, turmeric, mix well. Now add the rice and fry for few minutes. Pour two cups water, cover and let it cook till done. Serve hot.
Serves : 2-3 Preparation time : 40mins
There is a very beautiful river very close to our home, this means we get very fresh seafood. Most of the times the shrimp we get here are alive when we bring them home. One of our favorite dishes to make with these shirmp is this vada. Use small or medium sized shrimp for this. If you do not find them, cut the large ones into small pieces. Serve them hot when they are still hot and crisp.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup shrimp 1/2 cup fresh/frozen coconut 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1 tea spn coriander seeds 1/4 tea spn tamarind extract (or 2 pieces of tamarind) 3-4 red chilies 1 cup sooji/rava Oil Salt
Method: Heat little oil and fry coriander seeds. Grind them with coconut, red chilies, tamarind, salt without adding too much water. To this paste, add shrimp and onions. Mix all together and make balls. Roll the balls in rava/sooji , slightly press them with hand and shallow fry on tava. Serve with rice as a side dish.
Serves : 3-4 Preparation time : 25mins
