Corn Capsicum Curry

Life’s become busy... doing what? can’t tell for sure :) There is nothing in particular I can account for, just busy running errands, daily chores, being a soccer mom, setting up a routine for daughter’s homework and MAKING SURE SHE FOLLOWS IT!!  

A spring break thrown in the middle didn’t help much either. It’s funny how children when home = all your free time spent on them. Blogging has taken a back seat. I am not trying out many new recipes lately. Whatever little I try, I am not finding the time nor energy to set up and wait for the pictures to be taken by hubby. Anyways break is over and we are slowly crawling back to our routine.

I was digging out my drafts to see if I can post some of the old dishes I tried. I found this capsicum corn masala. Even though the masala used is pretty common among many north indian curries, addition of corn makes it taste slightly different. And corn makes it likable by kids too. It goes really well with Chapathis and fried rice. Do try!

Easy Mango Custard

Aah.. Welcome Spring! Days are longer, weather is warming up, summer is almost right around the corner, mangoes are going to be there.. :) Not that this recipe needs any fresh mangoes, canned mangoes does the job and it is available all year round. But yeah, fresh mango pulp will definitely make a difference.

This is a super easy recipe, which tastes really good. Perfect for dinner parties and potlucks. Make this for your next party and impress your friends and family. Don’t count the calories :)

Do try!

Enchilada

Tried this Enchilada recipe(with minor modifications) sometime back. It came out really good. Capsicum-red kidney beans-corn-cheese filling, rolled in whole wheat tortillas, topped with cheese and baked to perfection... every bite bursts with flavor and makes you want for more..

It is very filling. Perfect for potlucks and a total crowd pleaser. Do try!

Carrot Chutney(Fake Mavinkayi Chutney)

Some snacks can only be enjoyed with mavinkayi(Raw Mango) chutney. Like biscoot(urad dal vada without hole) for example. Then there are some dishes which go to a whole new level when savored with mavinkayi chutney, like regular dosa, ottu shavige(rice noodles), dodna(steamed rice dosa, popular in coastal Karnataka region). 

Couple of my trials at making mavinkayi chutney have failed in the past. I was not getting the ratio of raw mango pieces to coconut right. Either it was too sour, or the texture itself was too runny(not enough coconut?), and when the texture was right, one could hardly taste the sourness from the mango. What to dooo? Then my mom came to my rescue and told me this recipe. She said you cannot tell the difference between carrot chutney and mavinkayi chutney when done right, and she is absolutely right. 

This recipe is very simple, just like any other chutney. Do try!

Heerekayi(Ridge gourd) Peel Chutney/ Sambanda - 2

This is another popular sambanda in the kota region. Sambanda is the best way to use up vegetable peels((heerekayi, in this case) after using the vegetable for other dishes(like heerekayi chatti or dal). 

Probably this is The Sambanda(as in, people think this is what you are talking about when you say sambanda), while sorekayi chutney is a variation from the original. The procedure and spices are slightly different than Sorekayi chutney. 

While in the first method, the flavors are more raw and fresh; in this method the flavor is more cooked. Here you roast and add some urad dal and dhania along with the ridge gourd peels and pulp. 

Both the methods could be incorporated with any vegetable. 

Bisibele Bath

After Bisibele bath powder,  it is only logical that I put the recipe for BBB. That way I will have the recipe complete, from start to finish. 

Bisibele bath is a signature dish from Karnataka, made out of dal, rice and vegetables. A wholesome one pot meal. 

BBB tastes best when the vegetables are crunchy, dal is properly smashed, the masala is fresh, and you can taste the tadka.. There are many ways one can do this, ranging from very elaborate to very easy..

Which method I follow, depends on the kind of affection I have for my hubby on that particular day, and also the amount of time I have on my hands.. 

I am giving you all the methods I know of..

Do try!

BisiBeleBath Powder

Bisi Bele Bath is a popular Karnataka Dish which needs no introduction. It is made out of vegetables, lentil and rice and is a wholesome meal in itself. You use BBB powder for flavoring, which is a special blend of spices roasted and ground to a fine powder.

The Bisi bele bath powder available in Indian stores is pretty good and serves the purpose very well. But if you want to take it up a notch, try homemade BBB powder. Homemade is always homemade. You can smell and taste the freshness... 

I found this recipe in a FB group. The only change I did was to reduce the red chili quantity, otherwise everything else is the same. The blogger has other authentic Karnataka recipes, which I intend to make sometime soon. Check out her link below.

Enjoy!