BANANA LEAF

I was browsing through some folders of pictures taken few months back and see what i found..pictures of our Onam celebration!!!

Onam is a festival celebrated in Kerala by everyone regardess of any religion or caste.We manage to celebrate it every year no matter where we are.A meal like this is a main part of the celebration,and everyone takes part in cooking the meal.The dessert is not there in this picture.

South Indian cuisine is one of my favorites and i feel most healthy when i have a typical south Indian vegetarian meal ..On a normal daily basis the diet of a south indian consists one or more of these components.

Sambar curry(the gravy on the rice) is one of the dishes i like and know to cook well.To give an idea of the procedure involved in cooking it -

It is made by
-boiling red lentils(masoor dal),
-onion+vegetables like carrot,potatoes,cauliflower, ladies finger infact any combination of vegetables can be used.
-tomatoes
-Sambar powder(available ready made)
-salt till cooked properly.

-fry some mustard seeds and red dried chilli's in coconut oil or vegetable oil and mix in to complete the dish.

Here are pictures of some recent cooking...from bottom

1) Cherries with cream and jelly-

Its my adaptation of the peach and cream recipe.

Instead of small pots ive used large bowl and also used the cherry liquid to color the jelly.The cream can be made with fresh cream ,milk,sugar and gelatin but i prefer to make it by boiling condensed milk and milk and gelatin.The rest of the procedure is similar to making the peach and cream recipe.
Looks pretty Christmas-ssyyy..huh ;) 

2)Stuffed Quails -

I stuffed each quail with a mixture of white bread+an egg+chicken stock+Chives+pepper and salt,after roasting it in the oven with butter, ive poured over a sauce made with flour,butter ,wine and chicken stock.The potatoes,carrots and corn were cooked along with it.

3)Braised pork rib with carrots and beets served along with mashed potato,topped with beans and tomato salsa.-

Sounds like hard work,but its very easy and worth all the effort.3 stages

a)Cook the pork ribs-

Brown some onions+add in carrots,beets and celery, a whole garlic crushed+wine+veg stock+pork ribs(coated with all purpose flour and browned on both sides) and ofcourse salt and pepper.the ribs should be immersed completely in the broth and cooked covered.I did not use the oven and braised it on the stove till the sauce reduced and the meat cooked to perfection.the unique brown color is due to the beets and wine.

b)Mashed potatoes-

I boiled the potatoes with skin on in salted water.Removed the skin and mashed it with roasted garlic in olive oil.add butter or cheese if required.

c)The beans and tomato salsa-

Blanch and stir fry the beans with salt,pepper and garlic.I like it with a lil bit of crunch,

boil the chopped tomatoes in oregano and thyme infused olive oil for 2 minutes only.

plate it up..Done:)

4)Almond macaroons.-

These are heavenly and my all time favorite.Whenever i make it its never enough.The most appealing part is its one of the easiest and tastiest recipes ive come across and i am grateful to Nigella Lawson for it. It is sure to bring a smile on anyone who eats it.

Just ground almond+white sugar+egg white and cardamom.mix,roll out into desired shape and bake it like cookies.too good to be true!