Chicken Methi

I am not working today because it's Columbus Day in the United States.  It is always nice to have a holiday, but I'm never sure what to do for Columbus Day.  

I don't have any traditions associated with this holiday.  I went on a short weekend trip this weekend to New Jersey, but we got back late last night, so I'm having a low key Columbus Day.

Makai Palak - Spinach Corn Curry

I don't know anything about this curry.  I found it because I googled recipes that use kasoori methi.  I have a large quantity of kasoori methi because I made ghormeh sabzi over a month ago.

Kasoori methi is dried fenugreek leaves.  A website called Gourmet Sleuth said it tastes like a combination of celery and fennel.  It is a little bitter.

Yellow Lentil Dal

Another weekend came and flew by.  This summer is going by much too quickly.

I trying to be a little healthier this summer by biking to work more and eating healthier meals.  This lentil dal was tasty and good for my body.  I win all around.

Navratan Korma

It is starting to feel like summer around here.  Last Saturday, I was outdoors for most of the afternoon, and I was sticky by the end of the day.

My bike ride to work yesterday wasn't as refreshing.  It was more humid and sweaty.  I like summer, but it has its drawbacks.

Mattar Paneer

It's March.  It is my birth month.  I already have my cakes planned out.  

I had narrowed it down to two different types but couldn't decide between the two.  Instead, I am going to make two cakes.  I'm going to have a pre-birthday cake to get into the spirit of things.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Two days ago I ate a bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomatoes, and onion.  It was delicious, but the reason I mention it is I'm pretty sure it game me a weak food born illness.

I spend the following night twisting and turning.  I woke up multiple times and slept fitfully.  Luckily, I think I am fully recovered.  My stomach feels empty but not angry.

Lamb Rogan Josh

I saw the new X-Men movie yesterday.  I'm not a huge fan of action and adventure movie, but I do enjoy them every once in a while.  I usually do not remember or have not seen the prior movie, so I go in without the back story.  Fortunately, it's not necessary to know the back story most of the time.

There is currently a Jane Austin movie out that I want to see.  It has good reviews.  I believe it is based on Lady Susan.  That may be the only Jane Austin book I have not read.

Palak Paneer

A few weeks ago, I went to an Indian cooking class in my community with a friend.  We make a few types of curry.  They were all vegetarian.  One had peas and mushrooms, and its sauce had pureed cashews.  It was delicious.

We also made palak paneer.  I have always enjoyed palak paneer in restaurants but had never made it myself until the class.  I had to look for paneer cheese a few places before I found it.  My neighborhood grocery store didn't carry it.  I bought my paneer at Whole Foods.  Too bad I don't live near an Indian grocery store.

Chicken Rogan Josh

In the time I have been blogging about food, I have posted several different curries.  Curries don't get the respect they deserve.  They are quick to prepare and especially scrumptious.

It is believed that the English word curry was adopted from the Tamil word kari, which means sauce.  The theory goes that Britons adopted the word from Tamil merchants in the mid 17th century while trading with the East India Company.

Red Lentil Curry

I am going through an Indian kick.  Over the past few months, I have eaten at Indian restaurants about half the time I have eaten out.

I am also drawn to Indian recipes while I'm perusing other food blogs.  The flavors and spices are so delicious.

Navratan Korma - Vegetarian Korma

Happy Easter!  When I was growing up, we would spend the Saturday before Easter looking for our Easter baskets in the morning and then hiking in the desert in the afternoon.

On Easter, we would go to church and eat something like stew or pot roast afterwards for dinner.  Pot roast and stew were common Sunday dinners.

Indian Chicken Curry - Murgh Kari

Indian food is one of my favorite regional cuisines.  The spices are so aromatic and delectable.  As I have started to make Indian food, I've been surprised at how quickly and easily I can make savory and flavorful Indian dishes.

I'm still unfamiliar with the spices.  I use much turmeric, coriander, and garam masala.  Indian spices, like cardamon and ginger, found there way to Europe before Christianity.  The spice trade was a major driver in the world economy starting in the Middle Ages.

Goan Shrimp Curry

I went to a delicious Indian and Himalayan restaurant a couple of weeks ago with a friend.  Their Goan fish curry caught my eye.

I ended up ordering something else, but the next day I searched for a Goan curry and found this recipe.

Spinach Dal

Dal means dried pulse.  Pulse are beans like lentils or peas.  When they are died and split, they are called dal.  Thick stews made from pulses are eaten in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

 

In India, dal is eaten with rice or roti.  

Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken)

I went to Peru last week.  It was really great.  The country is beautiful, the people are kind and helpful, and the food was incredible.  I went this my parents and cousin.  

My dad and cousin speak spanish, and I speak passable Spanish.  I think we tried to practice speaking Spanish every chance we could.   It drove my mother crazy.  It was fun to speak it again, because I rarely speak Spanish in my daily life. 

Everything went much smoother than I anticipated.  We found all the sites and hotels with relative ease.  We caught all our plains, trains, and buses.  It was a wonderful way to start the summer.