Divine Congress Kadlaikai (peanuts) : ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಕಡಲೆಕಾಯಿ

Thanks for the recipe by our own realtor Girish Bangalore 

Ingredients:

1. Cups dry roasted split peanuts
2. Red chilli powder - 1 Tsp
3. Salt - 1 Tsp
4. Turmeric - 1 Tsp
5. Pepper - 1/2 Tsp
6. Asafoetida (hing) - 2tbsp
7. Curry Leaves - 20
8. Sugar - tbsp

Procedure: 

Step 1: Prepare the peanuts

Use 2 Cups dry roasted split peanuts (regular grocery stores carry it including Safeway). This will save you tons of time if you have to roast and split the peanuts yourself.

Step 2: Prepare the Masala

Add the Red chilli, Pepper, Turmeric, Salt into a bowl and mix well

Step 3: Make the Congress Kallekaayi

1. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a kadai - do not heat the oil too much as it will burn your masala.
2. Add lots of hing (at least 2 tsp) and switch off the stove.
3. Add the Masala mixture and fry for a few seconds.
4. Add 20 curry leaves and mix
5. Now add the roasted peanuts and mix thoroughly. Switch the stove on for two minutes.
6. Add 1 tbsp of sugar and mix again.
7. Switch off the stove and you have to wait until the peanuts cool down completely before you store it in an airtight container.

Tips:

• I use 1.5 tsp of Red Chilli powder but most people might find that spicy. Hence I have suggested 1 tsp in my recipe. I recommend making it with 1 tsp the first time and then adjusting the amount of red chilli powder the next time to your taste.
  
• The secret to a bakery-standard congress peanuts lies in just one ingredient - The hing (Asafoetida). The quality of the hing you use makes all the difference to this recipe. Unfortunately, I have seen only LG brand Hing in the US. Using this brand will only give you okay-tasting congress. If you really want bakery standard, use SSP brand special hing from India. It is super expensive though. One small 10 gm box is Rs. 250. But it just changes the quality of your congress peanuts like you won't believe it!! If you are using SSP brand, then 1 tsp should be sufficient. Adjust according to your taste.

Nammoora Masala Puri

Thank you Mamatha S. for the awesome recipe ..... was nostalgic to taste the best of the chaat from our childhood days.

The measurements are for 1 cup peas. Depending on the amount of peas you use , can increase or decrease the measurements of other ingredientsIngredients :

1. One cup green or White Peas Boiled firmly (make sure you don’t overcook it , also do not use frozen peas.)
2. Green Chillies to taste
3. 3-4tbsp cilantro leave (finely chopped)
4. 1 tsp Jeera
5. 7-8 Black pepper corns
6. Tbsp coriander seeds
7. 3-4 cloves
8. 1” cinnamon stick

Preparation:

Dry roast all the dry ingredients and powder the same. To it add cilantro leave , green chillies, and 3-4 tsp of cooked peas( u can add more if you need thick consistency of masala) and grind all together.Pour the paste into griddle along with water  boil to for few minutes. Add 1-2 tsp of lemon juice and pinch of sugar and  salt as per taste . Mix boiled peas and bring it to boil.

Serving:

Crush the desired amount of Puris, top with  pipping hot masala garnished with Grated carrot , finely chopped onions, tomatoes and if required thin Nylon sev.

Spicy Pepper Chicken ... (almost) the way mommy makes it

Pepper chicken was one think that we relished back home; mommys touch, desi spices and the "naati" koLi sure did make a lot of difference; this recipe that I found on the net sure comes pretty close to it

• Heat oil(ghee if you can digest it :)) under medium heat in a frying pan.
• Add crushed garlic cloves(6 to 10) stir for a couple of minutes
• Add onion(2 nos), green chillies (4 to 6 vertically sliced) and curry leaves to the mixture and stir for a couple more minutes
• Add chicken(1.5 lbs) and mix well.
• Lower the heat and cover the pan and let the chicken to cook for about 10 minutes.
• Add tumeric, salt to taste and mix well.
• Cook it covered for 5 more minutes
• Add soya sauce(4 to 5 table spoons) and cook it open on high flame for a few more minutes until the liquid in the pan evaporates.
• Add pepper powder(2 spoons), lemon juice(2 spoons) and mix well.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Quick and Tasty Chicken Reshmi Kabab

This is a quick recipe of a chicken reshmi kabab that you can prepare within half an hour and seldom go wrong. This serves as a mouthwatering spicy appetizer. It is tested on a lot of BayKons and gained appreciation from everybody who has tasted it.

Ingredients:

1. Chicken: 1 pound (Preferably boneless chicken breast)
2. Garlic: 6-8 pods
3. Green Chillies: 8-10 (Preferably thai chillies)
4. Heavy Whipping Cream: Quarter pint
5. Grated/Powdered Cheese (Preferably powdered Parmesan): 3 tablespoons
6. Salt to taste

Marination/Cooking Process:

1. Make a coarse Garlic and Green chillies. (do not make too smooth a paste; you can use bullet grinder for this purpose or chop them fine)
2. Cut chicken into small pieces(half inch by half inch would be good) and mix it well in a large bowl with the paste made in step 1 and add salt to taste and keep it aside.
3. Put the whipping cream in a small bowl and add the powdered/grated cheese and slowly mix it until the cheese dissolves. (mix slowly to avoid curdling of the cream)
4. Add the above cream+cheese mixture to the marinated chicken in the large bowl and mix well and keep aside for 15-20 min
5. Place the marinated chicken on the oven tray (separation of 0.5 to 1 cm is good)
6. Pre-heat the conventional oven to 420 deg. and put the tray in the oven
7. Watch the chicken as it cooks and as you see it become slightly brown, turn it over and continue baking until the other side is light brown.

The kabab is ready to the consumed .... eat it hot for better taste. Also, do not overcook; overcooking make the chicken dry and am sure everybody by now knows that things taste better when juicy ;)

For the people sensitive to fat, you can skip cream and cheese; the kabab will not turn out soft; but it would sure be tasty.

Mouthwatering Chicken Tangdi (Tandoori Chicken)

Spent a decent amount of money on a BBQ hence thought making good use of it ... and thanks to Shashi who had done quite a bit of experiments before discovering an almost perfect recipe for tandoori chicken better than ANY available commercially in restaurants in the San Francisco bay area and sharing with the BayKon folks, here is a version of the recipe that has been tested on quite a lot of carnivores in the Bay Area (and one in Seattle) .... if it turns out good, do invite me the next time you make it. If it does not, try until you master the art and then invite me :)

Ingredients:

1. Chicken (Preferably the leg pieces with thighs) ... 2 pieces per person is good enough ... 3 pieces and the person might skip lunch/dinner. (Boneless breast pieces cut into strips will also work for those who do not like bones)
2. Yogurt (aka curd) .... forget about the fat content when it comes to tasty tandoori ... just go for regular yogurt.
3. Red chilly powder
4. Ginger-garlic paster
5. Butter
6. BBQ Masala
7. Salt
8. Lemon

Preparation:

1. Place the chicken in a vessel good enough to mix the chicken thoroughly with hand.
2. Cut a few slits in the chicken pieces so that the marinade(masala) reaches deep.
3. Add a couple of spoons(the more you add the spicier it would get) of red chilli powder, salt and ginger-garlic paste each.
4. Mix the contents thoroughly and set aside.
5. Take some yogurt in a bowl (not too much) and gently beat it.
6. Add the BBQ masala and mix it well to make a thick paste.
7. Add a couple of spoons of lemon juice and butter (microwave butter for 10-15 secs so that it becomes liquid)
8. Mix the contents in the bowl well for even consistency.
9. Pour the marinade to the vessel with chicken.
10. Mix the chicken well with the marinade so that the marinade reaches every nook and corner of the chicken.

People recommend marinating for a few hours ..... but I have seen that BBQing it after 10-15 min of marination too tastes pretty good.

..... Post would be updated shortly .... looking forward to put together some photographs and videos if time permits :)

Crab Curry Recipe: Mangalore Style : Yummy!!!!

Crab Curry has been one of our favorite foods for ages. I remember having a crab curry lunch stretching for over an hour during childhood. It’s good that Esha too likes crab. Whenever we wanted to prepare crab curry, I would call India for the recipe to make sure that the preparation doesn’t go wrong at any point.  Now that Ani (who was my crab curry partner in the US ) checked about the recipe … thought it would be high time for it to go on the BayKon blog.  

The ingredients below are based on the ingredients available in USA …… crabs(Dungeness and not the huge Alaskan) …… the sizes available in India are much smaller (and no doubt much tastier) …. Please adjust the recipe accordingly.

Ingredients:

• Crabs: 2
• Onions: 2/3 (chopped)
• Ginger (about an inch long)
• Red Chilies: 8-10 (fried)
• Green chilies: 2 (optional)
• Turmeric Powder (a couple of pinches)
• Grated Coconut (about a cup)
• Tamarind (a pinch)
• Coconut oil : 2 tea spoons
• Salt : To Taste

Preparation:

• Grind coconut, chilies and tamarind into a fine paste.
• Clean the crabs and rinse them well.
• Take a vessel big enough to hold the crabs (with a wide base) and add turmeric powder, onions, ginger, crabs, ground masala and salt.
• If you need your crab curry "hotter", add a couple of sliced green chilies.
• Cook with medium heat for about 15-20 min. (do try out a piece to make sure it is cooked … do not overcook the crab)
• Stir the ingredients occasionally.
• Add coconut oil and continue cooking for a couple of minutes.
• Enjoy the yummy tasty crab curry … with ample time in hand (it tastes better when you eat it longer ;) )

Sanjeevakkas' Chicken Curry

Ingredients:

• Chicken : 1.5 pound
• Yogurt : 1 cup
• Methi (Fenugreek) : 1 pinch (about 10 pieces)
• Coriander Seeds : Half table spoon
• Jeera : 1 pinch (about 4 pieces)
• Cinnamon : 1 stick
• Clove : 4 nos
• Red Chillies : 10-12
• Grated Coconut : Half cup
• Onions : 1 + 1 nos
• Tomatoes : 2 nos
• Garlic : 5 pods + 2 Pods
• Khus Khus : 1 table spoon
• Ginger : 1 piece
• Black Pepper : 10-12 nos
• Haldi : 1 pinch
• Coriander Leaves
• Salt to taste

Procedure:

• Marinate chicken in yoghurt and salt for about 20 minutes.
• Make puree of the 2 tomatoes and keep aside.
• Fry pinch of methi (Fenugreek) , coriander seeds, jeera, cinnamon and cloves along with red chillies and keep aside.
• Fry the grated coconut along with ONE sliced onion, garlic pod and khus khus and keep aside
• Grind the ingredients fried above along with ginger and pepper into fine paste.
• Take a kadai fry 2 garlic chopped and ONE onion chopped till brown.
• Put pinch of haldi powder and then put the ground masala and fry them.
• Then put the tamatoe puree and fry for a minute.
• Put chicken and fry for a minute
• Pour 2 cups of water and get a boil.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.

General Motors Diet : lose 7+ pounds in a week without starving

An Aryans' teammate of mine just went through this diet program losing 7 pounds in a week which has inpired me to take it up (I do not know when) ..... read on .... if it does not involve spending money to lose weight, it certainly is worth a try for me ;)

General Motors: Weight Loss Diet Program

The following diet and health program was developed for employees and dependents of General Motors, Inc. and is intended for their exclusive use. This program was developed in conjunction with a grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. It was field tested at the Johns Hopkins Research Centre and was approved for distribution by the Board of Directors, General Motors Corp. at a general meeting on August 15, 1985. General Motors Corp. wholly endorses this program and is making it available to all employees and families. This program will be available at all General Motors Food Service Facilities. It is management's intention to facilitate a wellness and fitness program for everyone.

This program is designed for a target weight loss of 10-17 lbs per week. It will also improve your attitudes and emotions because of its cleansing systematic effects.

The effectiveness of this seven day plan is that the food eaten burn more calories than they give to the body in caloric value.

This plan can be used as often as you like without any fear of complications. It is designed to flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well being. After seven days you will begin to feel lighter because you will be lighter by at least 10 lbs. You will have an abundance of energy and an improved disposition.

During the first seven days you must abstain from all alcohol

You must drink 10 glasses of water each day

Day One : All fruits except bananas. Your first day will consist of all the fruits you want. It is strongly suggested that you consume lots of melons the first day. Especially watermelon and a loupe. If you limit your fruit consumption to melons, your chances of losing three lbs. on first day are very good.

Day Two : All vegetables. You are encouraged to eat until you are stuffed with all the raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. There is no limit on the amount or type. For your complex carbohydrate, you will start day two with a large baked potato for breakfast. You may top the potato with one pat of butter.

Day Three : A mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. No bananas yet. No potatoes today.

Day Four : Bananas and milk. Today you will eat as many as eight bananas and drink three glasses of milk. This will be combined with the special soup which may be eaten in limited quantities.

Day Five : Today is feast day. You will eat sprouts (for protein ... non vegetarians can substitute it with chicken/lamb - 2 x 10 oz portions) and tomatoes. Combine this with six whole tomatoes. On day five you must increase your water intake by one quart. This is to cleanse your system of the uric acid you will be producing.

Day Six : Sprouts/Chicken/Lamb and vegetables. Today you may eat an unlimited amount of Sprouts/Chicken/Lamb and vegetables. Eat to your hearts content.

Day Seven : Today your food intake will consist of brown rice, fruit juices and all the vegetables you care to consume.

Tomorrow morning you will be 10-17 lbs. lighter than one week ago. If you desire further weight loss, repeat the program again. You may repeat this program as often as you like, however, it is suggested that you are allowed two glasses of white wine in addition to the instructions on the program. You may substitute champagne for white wine. Under no circumstances are you to drink any other alcoholic beverages with the exception of beer which is allowed. Any liquor (bourbon,vodka, rum) is forbidden. Cream drinks are especially forbidden. You may have an occasional cordial such as creme de menthe or schnapps, but you must always limit yourself to two drinks. If you wine, drink only wine that day. If you have beer, drink only beer that day, etc. Alcohol adds empty calories to your diet. However, after the first week it will help your digestion and settle your stomach

G.M.'S Wonder Soup
The following soup is intended as a supplement to your diet. It can be eaten any time of the day in virtually unlimited quantities. You are encouraged to consume large quantities of this soup.

28 oz, Water, 6 Large Onions, 2 Green Peppers, Whole Tomatoes (fresh or canned), 1 Head Cabbage, 1 Bunch Celery, 4 Envelopes Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Herbs and Flavouring as desired.

Additional Comments

Vegetables as may be taken in the form of a salad if desired. No dressing except malt, white or wine vinegar, squeezed lemon, garlic, herbs. No more than one tea spoon of oil.

You have been given a recipe for the WONDER SOUP which can be eaten in unlimited quantities. This soup is a supplement while you are on the program and it should be a pleasure to eat. Not everyone likes cabbage, green peppers, calory etc. This recipe is not inflexible. You may substitute vegetables according to your taste. You may add any vegetables you like: asparagus, peas, corn, turnips, green beans, cauliflower, etc. Try to stay away from beans (lima, pinto, kidney, etc.), however, because they tend to be high in calories even though they are very good for you.

Beverages you may consume while on the program :

Water (flavoured with lemon/lime if desired).
Club Soda is OK.
Black Coffee. No cream or cream substitute. No sugar or sweetness.
Black Tea = Herb or Leaf.
Absolutely nothing else except the fruit juices which are part of day seven. No fruit juices before day seven.
How and Why It Works

Day One you are preparing your system for the upcoming programme. Your only source of nutrition is fresh or canned fruits. Fruits are nature's perfect food. They provide everything you could possibly want to sustain life except total balance and variety.

Day Two starts with a fix of complex carbo-hydrates coupled with an oil dose. This is taken in the morning for energy and balance. The rest of day two consists of vegetables which are virtually calorie free and provide essential nutrients and fibre.

Day Three eliminates the potato because you get your carbohydrates from the fruits. You system is now prepared to start burning excess pounds. You will still have cravings which should start to diminish by day four.

Day Four, bananas, milk and soup sound the strangest and least desirable. You're in for a surprise. You probably will not eat all the bananas allowed. But they are there for the potassium you have lost and the sodium you may have missed the past three days. You will notice a definite loss of desire for sweets. You will be surprised how easy this day will go.

Day Five, Beef and tomatoes. The beef is for iron and proteins, the tomatoes are for digestion and fibre. Lots and lots of water purifies your system. You should notice colourless urine today. Your allowance calls for the equivalent of five "quarter ponders". Do not feel you have to eat all this beef. You must eat the six tomatoes.

Day Six is similar to day five, Iron and proteins from beef, Vitamins and fibre from vegetables. By now your system is in a total weight loss inclination. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you look today, compared to day one.

Day Seven finished off the program like a good cigar used to finish off Victorian meals, except much healthier. You have your system under control and it should thank you for the flushing and cleaning you just gave it.

Mint Pulav

Ingredients:
2 to 2.5 cups Basmati rice - washed and kept aside
1 medium size onion - slit lengthwise into small pieces
1 medium size tomato - cut into small pieces
1 small bunch mint leaves - finely/coarsely chopped
1 small bunch cilantro - finely/coarsely chopped
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
2-3 small green chillies
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
4-5 bay leaves
1 inch cinnamon stick
4-5 cloves
3-4 cardamom
2 tsp cumin seeds
8-10 whole black pepper
2-3 badi elaichi
Salt to taste

Preparation Method:
1) Pour ghee/oil (preferably ghee) in a vessel.
2) Add the cumin seeds, bay leaves, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and badi elaichi.
3) Add chopped onion and saute for some time till the onion turns translucent brown.
4) Add the ginger-garlic paste and saute for some more time.
5) Add the chopped tomato and slit green chillies, turmeric powder and saute till the tomato blends with the onion.
6) Add the chopped mint leaves and cilantro and mix thoroughly. Saute for 5 mins.
7) Add the washed rice and salt to taste, mix thoroughly, saute for 5 mins.
8) Finally add water (1: 1.5 ratio) and cover the vessel with a tight lid. Cook until rice is done (around 15-20 mins on a low/medium setting)

Credits: Smita Kamath

Seven Medical Myths Revealed

We have been told by our elders that we should never read when the light is dim since that would hurt one's eyes. Well ... guess, it is not true. Here are a few more myths:

1. Reading in dim light will not damage your eyes.
2. You do not need eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy.
3. Shaving your hair will not make the hair grow back faster.
4. Eating turkey will not make you drowsy.
5. We use only 10 percent of our brains is incorrect.
6. Hair and fingernails do not continue to grow after death.
7. Mobile phones are not dangerous in hospitals.

Source: Reuters

Konkani Lullabies/Songs for kids

While we were expecting our dear Esha, we hunted the internet for Konkani songs on the internet but could not find any. We had to settle for a few (just a couple) of broken Konkani songs we knew but were able to manage with a mix of Konkani and English. These days Esha has caught up on English rhymes.
Below a collection of a few Konkani songs for babies/kids ... perhaps would be helpful to expecting parents.

Yo Re Cherda Dhavnu : Konkani Kids Song to motivate your little one to eat better. "Come running to me dear; Come with your milk and rice; Eat your milk and rice well; Grow bigger and stronger !"
Uth Re Krishna Velu Jello : Konkani Kids Song to gently wake up your little one
Purr Purr Re Kanna Gayi Mhashi : Konkani Lullaby to induce your baby to sleep
Phanther Phude Uttanu :A wake up song in Konkani for your toddler encouraging him/her to get up at dawn and complete the days routine: brush teeth, prayer, breakfast, school etc.
Paav Nandan Paav Nandan :Popular Konkani Kid's song to wean your fussy eater away from playing outdoors and get him / her to eat something ! Sung by Late Shri Surendra Prabhu and Gayatri Mallya
Kao Kao Yette Yette : Konkani Kid's Song about the activities of a peacock ?
Jo Jo Re Jo Bala : A mellow song to praise your child while also inculcating a sense of devotion to God.
Gongo Aylo Gongo : A playful kids song in Konkani. Best sung when chasing them around the house, playfully scaring them dressed up as a ghost !
Gajja Gajja Mallakka : Another funny Konkani Kid song that could be sung while giving them a bath and an oil massage.
Akka Makka Taak Nakka : Funny Konkani Kid's song about siblings, perhaps a boy and an older girl. The boy insists on having his sister share her "kelyan phodi" (fried plantain fritter) with him rather than buttermilk !
Jo Jo Srikrishna: Konkani lullaby by Puttur Narasimha Nayak
Disclaimer: None of the BayKon related people are responsible for recording/uploading these mp3 files. The above is a compilation of links to the mp3s on esnips.com uploaded by some unknown third party.

RECIPE: Fish Cafreal / Green Masala Fish Fry

Ingredients:
1 pound Fish (any but Tilapia tastes awesome)
1 bunch
coriander
12 green chillies
2" ginger
1 pod garlic
1" cinammon
10 cloves
12 peppercorns
1" turmeric
1/2 lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh coconut
Salt to taste

Method of Preparation:
1. Grind above mentioned ingredients to a fine paste(ofcourse not the fish)
2. Marinate the fish in the ground paste(Masala) for a couple of hours (If in a hurry, can frying immediately)
3. Roll the marinated fish in rave and shallow fry until well cooked.

Recipe Credits: Sangeeta Pai