Tantalizing Tiger Prawns

It's mid-way through September and somehow still pleasantly warm (one of the many finer perks of living in the South). So, we decided to throw our one last "end-of-summer" barbeque hurrah. These grilled tiger prawns are guaranteed to tantalize both your guests' eyes and their taste buds. I also use this recipe on a stove-top grill in the colder months to beat those winter blues and remind myself summer is just around the corner!

The big secret here is the mix between the far East and Southeast. The soy sauce and masala mix really add something unique that will have everyone saying "What is that!?". Ok, maybe not everyone...but someone did say that to me today.

Cheers to one of our last "Summer" nights! 

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A Simplified Samosa

I hate samosas. Well, that's a lie. I hate what the samosa has become. Much like everything else in our life, samosas too have become too big, too greasy, and all too common. The flaky shell and fresh potato curry filling of a well-made samosa have given way to a $3 fist-sized, semi-soggy sandbag.

My sister and I were reminiscing about how amazing samosas used to be, when she suggested this idea for a samosa...deconstructed.  It was brilliant! This "Simplified Samosa" contains all the elements of a traditional samosa, but they are all featured in a way that makes them appealing to the taste buds once again.

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Karela Cleanse

Karela, or bitter melon, is one of the most feared vegetables for anyone who has ever encountered it. When I was little and other kids used to complain about how much they hated brussels sprouts or broccoli, I wanted to shut them all up with a plate of karela. My mom, however, insisted that it was an acquired taste.
...And 15 years later, I hate to say it, but she was right. I've come to grow quite fond of this little prickly gourd. If cooked well and paired with the right ingredients, it's actually quite good...and good for you.

This is a recipe for grilled karelas stuffed with a sweet and spicy shallot filling. If nothing else, this is a recipe worth trying once. They are bound to be a palate (and colon) cleanser. 

(If you think this picture is a little dramatic, well I figured the Karelas have had a hard knock life and deserve to be in the spotlight for once.)

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Banana Boat Fish

I've never been to Kerala, but it's known to be the home to the best seafood in India. So, I figured if I can't go to Kerala myself, the next best thing is to bring Kerala to me. I wanted to make a fish in the authentic Kerala fashion, using banana leaves and coconut.

The banana leaf really dresses up the whole meal and makes it a great centerpiece for dinner parties or date night, but the recipe is also versatile enough to use a fish filet and parchment paper for a quick mid-week dinner.

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"Last Night's Chicken Curry" Pizza with a Mango Salsa

We all have this common problem of "last night's chicken". Whether it's chicken curried, rotisseried, fried, or baked, there are almost always leftovers. And once you refrigerate it, yesterday's crispy skin becomes, well, yesterday's news. The "Last Night's Chicken Curry" pizza is a refreshing way to put away yesterday's chicken in a fast, fresh and tasty way.

The best thing about this pizza is that you can make it your own. I don't really like pizza sauce, so I add hari chutney instead. For today's pizza I piled on bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and fresh jalapenos. I also don't enjoy large chunks of chicken in my pizza, so I shredded the chicken from some leftover curry. Since I make my pizza pretty spicy, the fresh mango salsa adds a cool kick to this recipe.

Next time you're in a bind about what to make for dinner, pick up some dough from Trader Joe's, take out that leftover chicken, and make it a pizza night!

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Green Ketchup (Hari Chutney)

Hari means green in Hindi, and aptly describes this Indian staple. Hari chutney is like ketchup in most Indian households (So much so that when I went to non-Indian barbeques as a child, I would demand for red AND green ketchup. Alas, I never received my latter request).

It adds a little zing to just about everything. In fact, one of my roommates in college used to swear by her signature sandwich: bread, hari chutney, and plain potato chips. With only a few ingredients, it's incredibly easy to make and a great dish to have handy in the fridge year round. It goes great with most of the recipes on this blog, so I figured I might as well share my recipe.
Though it's traditionally made with only fresh cilantro, I like to add mint when it's in season.

(Photo of my very own backyard mint plant. I don't understand why mint is so expensive at the grocery store considering it is the fastest growing plant in my garden).

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Bangin' Baingan (Eggplant) Fries

I’m one of those people who doesn’t plan grocery shopping trips. I usually just buy whatever produce is on sale and try to figure out what to do with it later. This recipe is the product of such laziness.

I looked in my fridge today and found a lone eggplant staring at me. Poor guy had been ignored for long enough, so I decided to jazz him up a little. This recipe is so simple, fun and really really good. The rice flour gives them a crunchy, spicy coat to balance the buttery smooth eggplant on the inside. They are also super decadent, so next time you’re craving those shoe-string fries in a little red and yellow box, try this “healthier” option instead.

Don’t take my word for it though, try it for yourself!

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