It is a lazy Friday afternoon. The sky is overcast and its very windy outside. I am curled up on the sofa with today's Sudoku. Little one's had his lunch and is now busy with his toys.
Everything seems perfect till the hunger pangs hit me. My toes curl in protest as i get down from the sofa. Damn, i curse the Banglore weather. Its turning me into a couch potato.
Nothing fancy today, just a one pot meal. My mind is made up.I make a quick trip to the Pandora's box ( my fridge as i sometimes call it). So, what evil are we going to unleash today????
As i open the door, this evil looking bunch of spinach stares at me. It looks like its cozying up to my Tupperware bowl ( it contains cooked rice ). Humm...so u guys have a thing for each other. Lets get u married i thought (no dates ?? ....no engagement?? guess i was inspired by the wedding mania that has hit the Saas-Bahusphere (aka, the telly world) in recent times).
I made this quick spinach puree ( as i always do..... if you have been reading my blog ) and popped the rice in a micro for heating.
Once they were togather, the duo looked a little sad. What is missing?? Humm....no wedding is ever complete without the baaratis (guests). Another quick trip to the Pandora's box. A rather sad looking half of a yellow pepper and a ripe juicy tomato were staring at me. I guess they were upset abt not being invited. How did i miss u guys?? In you go.
Things are looking better now. But i miss something. Ahh, its the 'Phoren touch'. Indian weddings are incomplete without foreign liquor and exotic flowers/fruits/vegetables/dancing girls. None of them fit by budget, so i decide to make do with some foreign cheese ( made in india, ofcouse ).
Last dash to the fridge. I get the Parmesan and shower some of it over my happily married couple.
Marriage over...now lets hit the food stalls. Thats what we Indians look forward to at all marriage functions.
Preparation Time : 10-15 mins
Ingredients: cooked rice ( 3 cups ), coarsely chopped spinach ( 1 cup, tightly packed), chopped onion ( 1 small ), ginger ( 1/2 inch long ), garlic flakes ( 10-12 nos ), 1 green chilli or 1/2 tsp chilli flakes, tomato ( 1 no, small, chopped ), bell pepper ( one small, chopped ), olive oil ( 2 tsp ), fresh rosemary ( 1/2 tsp), garam masala ( 1/5 tsp ), grated parmesan/plain cheese ( 3/4 cup ), salt to taste.
Preparation: Heat 1 tsp oil in a wok. Add the chopped onion followed by the ginger and 4-5 garlic flakes. Fry till translucent. Add spinach and fry for 5 minutes on medium flame till all the water evaporates. Remove and allow to cool down.
Grind the above into a smooth paste along with the grren chilli (if using).
Cooking: Heat a wok. Add 1 tsp oil. Throw in the garlic flakes and saute for 10-15 seconds.
Add the spinach paste and fry for 2 mins. Stir in the cooked rice and mix everything nicely.
Add the bell peppers, tomato and cheese ( add chilli flakes if using ). Mix well and cook for 3-4 mins. Sprinkle rosemary.
Remove from wok and serve hot.
Everything seems perfect till the hunger pangs hit me. My toes curl in protest as i get down from the sofa. Damn, i curse the Banglore weather. Its turning me into a couch potato.
Nothing fancy today, just a one pot meal. My mind is made up.I make a quick trip to the Pandora's box ( my fridge as i sometimes call it). So, what evil are we going to unleash today????
As i open the door, this evil looking bunch of spinach stares at me. It looks like its cozying up to my Tupperware bowl ( it contains cooked rice ). Humm...so u guys have a thing for each other. Lets get u married i thought (no dates ?? ....no engagement?? guess i was inspired by the wedding mania that has hit the Saas-Bahusphere (aka, the telly world) in recent times).
I made this quick spinach puree ( as i always do..... if you have been reading my blog ) and popped the rice in a micro for heating.
Once they were togather, the duo looked a little sad. What is missing?? Humm....no wedding is ever complete without the baaratis (guests). Another quick trip to the Pandora's box. A rather sad looking half of a yellow pepper and a ripe juicy tomato were staring at me. I guess they were upset abt not being invited. How did i miss u guys?? In you go.
Things are looking better now. But i miss something. Ahh, its the 'Phoren touch'. Indian weddings are incomplete without foreign liquor and exotic flowers/fruits/vegetables/dancing girls. None of them fit by budget, so i decide to make do with some foreign cheese ( made in india, ofcouse ).
Last dash to the fridge. I get the Parmesan and shower some of it over my happily married couple.
Marriage over...now lets hit the food stalls. Thats what we Indians look forward to at all marriage functions.
Preparation Time : 10-15 mins
Ingredients: cooked rice ( 3 cups ), coarsely chopped spinach ( 1 cup, tightly packed), chopped onion ( 1 small ), ginger ( 1/2 inch long ), garlic flakes ( 10-12 nos ), 1 green chilli or 1/2 tsp chilli flakes, tomato ( 1 no, small, chopped ), bell pepper ( one small, chopped ), olive oil ( 2 tsp ), fresh rosemary ( 1/2 tsp), garam masala ( 1/5 tsp ), grated parmesan/plain cheese ( 3/4 cup ), salt to taste.
Preparation: Heat 1 tsp oil in a wok. Add the chopped onion followed by the ginger and 4-5 garlic flakes. Fry till translucent. Add spinach and fry for 5 minutes on medium flame till all the water evaporates. Remove and allow to cool down.
Grind the above into a smooth paste along with the grren chilli (if using).
Cooking: Heat a wok. Add 1 tsp oil. Throw in the garlic flakes and saute for 10-15 seconds.
Add the spinach paste and fry for 2 mins. Stir in the cooked rice and mix everything nicely.
Add the bell peppers, tomato and cheese ( add chilli flakes if using ). Mix well and cook for 3-4 mins. Sprinkle rosemary.
Remove from wok and serve hot.