Before And After

  • Subscribe to our RSS feed.
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Digg

Tuesday, 7 September 2010

Veggie love, Indian and Italian Style!

Posted on 16:19 by Unknown
Last week, I spent an afternoon cooking. I like to make multiple meals when I get to cooking, and always make extra, for leftovers, guests, mom, neighbors, or the freezer, lol. I had a drawer full of veggies that were starting to be not so fresh, and so I knew it was time for sambhar. This is a south Indian meal served almost daily with dosas, idlis, vadas, or just plain rice. Most families eat this at least once a day in the south of India, and usually with some fish. When mummy first came for a visit several years ago, I watched eagerly, and learned how to make this tasty dish.

I make this once a week, or two at the most. It's a wonderful way to use up all your veggies, and hello, it is sooooo tasty, and nutritious. My husband and I love it spicy, but I usually make it more mild so everyone else can enjoy it, and we just add some lemon pickle to it, for my enjoyment. More on lemon pickle at another time, lol, just know its lemon, and its pickled, in LOTS of red chilli powder, lol. It is sooooo good. We usually just eat our sambhar with rice, but sometimes I do make dosas.

Ok, now for the Italian part, well, I was looking at my lovely veggies, and thought how about I show all you lovely people how I make two completely different tasting meals, with the literally the same veggies. Enjoy reading the rest as you see how people from two different parts of the world, enjoy the same food, but with the addition of some spices, how it can change dramatically. I thought this was pretty cool, so I wanted to share with all of you.

Oh and since I was on a roll, I just went ahead and made three more meals, with some leftover chicken from soup a couple days earlier.

Five meals, and a whole lotta veggies. Check it out!!!

hmmm, what do we have here, well, let me break it down for you ok.
In the front of course the stars of the show, the veggies.
In the middle I have my daal, chicken and carrots, spinach, pickles, and ginger garlic paste.
In the back I have peas, cream of mushroom, mayo, mustard, beans, green sauce, canned tomatoes, and veggie broth.
Lets get cooking shall we!!!
I diced up onions, and celery, and carrots, with some fresh garlic, and a chili pepper. Then let it saute.  This was the base for my MINESTRONE soup.
I added the veggie broth, canned beans, canned tomatoes, cut up zuchini, and squash,  shredded some more carrots,  and added a bunch of italian dried herbs, as I didn't have any fresh. Then I let this baby cook, until everything was nice and tender and then I added my cooked whole wheat pasta.

What makes this Italian, is of course the lack of indian spices, and addition of italian ones, and the EXTRA tang from all those canned tomatoes, which I love, and the difference in legumes. Rather than daal, we used red kidney, and white northern beans, as my protein. Everything else is the same. How cool, right?

Ok on to my sambhar....
Washed up some daal, and put it in my pressure cooker. 
Diced up all the rest of my veggies, big bites, and put that all in the pressure cooker.  I threw in a big handful of curry leaves, and a couple teaspoons of ginger garlic paste, and 3 packets of sambhar seasoning. This is only the 3rd time using these packets, as I've always made my own sambhar mix, but whenever I buy the dosa mix (and I buy it often, as it's instant dosas ) it comes with a packet of sambhar mix. I had so many that I thought I had to try it, and its not bad at all, so for now, I will be showing you this way, since its SUPER easy.

You can add any veggie you like in here, but I like to use carrots, squash, zuchini, onions, tomatoes, eggplant, and these little cucumber looking veggies you find at the indian super market. Didn't have any this time, but they are really tasty. I have also started using radishes, and like the flavor it gives. 
Add water,  to fill, and you can put the lid on here, and let it go. I add a bit more for some extra flavor, and you can too. 
The hing powder, (on top) also called asafoetida and the fenugreek are what give sambhar its unique flavor. SO I added just a bit more of these, along with you guessed it chilli powder, as the mix is very mild.

At this point I simply put the lid on and turned on my pressure cooker for about 40 minutes, then letting it go for another 15 or so on low, then turning it off, and letting the steam go down on its own.

I like my veggies to be a bit firm, but mostly cooked very soft. I then add my seasoning, which I didn't take a picture of.
All this means, is taking a bit of oil, and frying up some flavor in it. I choose, mustard seeds, onions, curry leaves, cumin seeds, red chillies, and a bit of hing powder at the end. I poured this over my sambhar and let it sit. Then I added my tamarind paste, which is soaked to release the pulp. Sorry for not taking pics of these steps, don't know why I didn't, but next time I will try to be more thorough.
MINESTRONE SOUP .......AFTER
SAMBHAR.......AFTER
GREEN CHICKEN ENCHILADAS.... one of my favorites. 
I also did not take pics of the daal, or the chicken salad. Next time I will make these I will surely take some better pics. I guess I was focusing on the veggie dishes above. Oh well, I hope you liked that, and if you are ever in need of a healthy veggie meal, try one of my suggestions above. You'll love it!

I am linking up to these parties:
Metamorphosis Mondays
Get your Craft On
Topsy Turvy Tuesdays
Talented Tuesdays

Inspiration Friday




Also don't forget that I have officially started my AMAZE me AUGUST weekly party starting every TUESDAY, so please go HERE to enter and join in the fun. Show me what you got girls, I look forward to all the AMAZING things you will be sharing.
As always ENJOY!

Special requests, or mad love always welcome:)
bellabeforeandafter@gmail.com
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to Facebook
Posted in bulk cooking, indian food, italian food, leftovers, mexican food, soup, vegetarian | No comments
Newer Post Older Post Home

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Popular Posts

  • How to make an igloo ~~ Amaze me AUgust #19 ~~
    WOW, what a beautiful snowy day it was today. School was out, probably will be tomorrow too, the kids are excited. They played all day, I di...
  • AMAZING FEATURES week #38
    Amaze me August TOP 10 FEATURES If you'e been featured please grab a button and display it proudly. I'd love for everyone to see you...
  • Brace Face, and the Tooth Fairy!
    In the past couple weeks, my oldest got braces, and my princess lost her first tooth. Here are some cute pics of my babies. Big B with his n...
  • Bella's Birthday Wish
    For my Birthday this year I have a pretty simple wish. I WISH that my friends and family join me on a 40 day challenge to better themselves....
  • Amaze me August #59 - WIWW Instagram edition
    Hello and Welcome to the 59th edition of  AMAZE ME AUGUST and WIWW Instagram edition Comfy outfit day!! Skinny Jeans - Khols Vintage Flower ...
  • PART TWO with the TIP JUNKIE - WOO HOO
    DUDE, can I just tell you that I have a big smile on my face again, thanks to my awesome friend LAURIE - THE TIP JUNKIE If you missed PART O...
  • Week TWO 40 Day Challenge - What I Ate
    If you are new to my blog, and want to get caught up on all my 40 day Challenge posts click here to read my story, and if you haven't ...
  • I "almost" sat down to make a TO DO list.......
    Yeah, actually I did sit down about 30 minutes ago and started writing one up, and actually put this at the top of my list : 9:10 - 10:00 --...
  • FFF - Under Stairs Pantry Makeover PART ONE
    The week started ok, I had a plan in mind for the under stairs pantry, and while I knew it would take a while to complete, I certainly didn...
  • Announcing MY SPONSORS & a $200 credit to SHOP till you DROP ~-
    I am so excited to announce most of next months wonderful, and amazing sponsors. I am still waiting to hear back from a few more, so I will ...

Categories

  • 100 followers
  • 40 day challenge
  • Adding buttons to posts
  • Amaze me August Challenge
  • Amrita Singh
  • announcements
  • apple computers
  • awards
  • backsplash
  • bacon
  • bad ideas
  • bbq
  • beans
  • bedroom makeover
  • before and after
  • Bella gets featured
  • Bellas Blogging Tips
  • blog design
  • blog friends
  • blog swap
  • blogging tips
  • body pillow
  • Bookshelf
  • breakfast
  • brick chicken
  • budget decorating
  • bulk cooking
  • cak
  • cake decorating tutorials
  • cakes
  • cancer
  • candle stick
  • candles
  • carrots
  • cats
  • challenges
  • cheap eats
  • chicken
  • chicken soup
  • chocolate
  • Christmas
  • Church
  • cleaning
  • cleaning tips
  • clock redo
  • closet
  • closet makeover
  • clover
  • coming to America
  • contact paper
  • crafting
  • crap happens
  • csn stores
  • cupcakes
  • curries
  • dads
  • desk
  • dino
  • diy
  • Dollar store
  • domestic violence
  • dr.bronners castile soap
  • Easter
  • egg curry
  • empanada
  • etsy
  • Euro Style Cakes
  • extension cord
  • extreme couponing
  • fall decorating
  • family
  • farmers market
  • featured blogs
  • Featured Sponsors
  • Features
  • feel good wednesdays
  • finally finished fridays
  • fish
  • fish curry
  • Florida
  • flowers
  • food storage
  • free calendar
  • free decorating
  • free plants
  • free project
  • free stuff
  • fridge
  • fruit
  • fundraising
  • funny stuff
  • garage
  • Gardening
  • garlic
  • gators
  • girls night
  • give
  • giveaway winner
  • giveaways
  • giveaways Bella won
  • glue gun
  • Go green
  • goals
  • goddwill
  • grapefruit juice
  • green blogging
  • green cleaning
  • guest blogger
  • hair
  • hairstyle games
  • half off depot
  • halloween
  • halloween party
  • ham
  • Hatuelook
  • homemade bread
  • hot debate
  • I need blog help
  • indian food
  • inspirational
  • italian food
  • Joss and Main
  • Justin Bieber hair
  • keyboards
  • kids
  • kids bedroom
  • kids chores
  • kids cook
  • kids crafts
  • kids party ideas
  • kimchi
  • kitchen
  • kitchen sink
  • Korean food
  • laundry room
  • laundry stains
  • laundry tips
  • leftovers
  • library
  • Life tips
  • linky tools
  • love
  • Make it Happen Mondays
  • Making Cute Blogs
  • mantle
  • marshmallow fondant
  • maximizing your space
  • medicine cabinet
  • mehndi
  • menstrual relief
  • mentrual cramps
  • mexican
  • mexican food
  • misc
  • mom
  • mommy lies
  • money saving tips
  • my busy life
  • my dad
  • nativity
  • natural cold remedy
  • natural egg dye
  • New Buttons
  • Office
  • oranges
  • organizing
  • organizing your closet
  • Orthodox
  • oven
  • OWH
  • painting
  • pancakes
  • pantry makeover
  • parenting
  • park
  • Party Planning Linky
  • periods
  • peter pan
  • pets
  • piano
  • pie dough
  • pineapple
  • pinecones
  • pinterest
  • pizza
  • plant a tree
  • plants from scraps
  • plastic bags
  • Playdough
  • propogating plants
  • q-tip
  • quick rolls
  • quick tips
  • real life mess
  • Real Moms Party
  • Real Moms Real Laughs
  • recipe
  • recipes
  • red velvet
  • redo
  • Relief Society
  • rental property
  • repurposing
  • Romanian
  • romanian food
  • Rosette
  • salsa
  • Shoe makeover
  • six weeks 2 jingle
  • Six weeks 2 Spook
  • snakes
  • snow
  • soup
  • spices
  • St. Patricks Day
  • struggles
  • Teeth
  • throwback thursdays music
  • tiles
  • to do lists
  • toddler bed
  • tortoise
  • tutorial
  • twilight
  • under the stairs
  • Universal
  • uttapum
  • vacation
  • valentines
  • vegetarian
  • wanabee photographer
  • weather
  • weight loss
  • WIAW
  • WIWW
  • working out
  • wrapping paper uses
  • Wreaths

Blog Archive

  • ►  2013 (13)
    • ►  October (1)
    • ►  March (4)
    • ►  February (4)
    • ►  January (4)
  • ►  2012 (31)
    • ►  November (4)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  May (4)
    • ►  April (1)
    • ►  March (8)
    • ►  February (12)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2011 (254)
    • ►  November (14)
    • ►  October (5)
    • ►  September (8)
    • ►  August (17)
    • ►  July (16)
    • ►  June (27)
    • ►  May (25)
    • ►  April (32)
    • ►  March (39)
    • ►  February (37)
    • ►  January (34)
  • ▼  2010 (92)
    • ►  December (26)
    • ►  November (14)
    • ►  October (18)
    • ▼  September (19)
      • 1st AWARD, and my Fish gets FEATURED!!!
      • KIND REQUEST and some secret blogging secrets lol
      • Some goals, and sick of being sick.
      • Amaze me August #4
      • 2 weeks of FEATURES~~~
      • A new follower, and boxes from Sams Club
      • 100 DAY Challenge
      • Quickie~~~ Pizza Style & more henna with the girls
      • Amaze me August #3
      • SIX weeks to SPOOK, SPECIAL LINK PARTY
      • Happy Birthday Tati ( Dad )
      • Hello HAM, BEANS, and Moms FRESH BREAD!
      • FEATURE FEATURE~~
      • Amaze me August #2
      • Big Girl finally sleeps in Big Girl Room.
      • Veggie love, Indian and Italian Style!
      • Monster Weeds go WILD.
      • Amaze me August #1
      • The list.
    • ►  August (15)
Powered by Blogger.

About Me

Unknown
View my complete profile