Monday, September 22, 2008

"Back with a Breeze"

I remember reading ages ago, while doing follow-up reading on 'Gone with the Wind,' that Margaret Mitchell retorted to requests for a sequel to her book with "What shall I call it, 'Back with a Breeze'?" Well, I felt like using the phrase for today's post title because I am back, and in great spirits!

Dear friends, I sincerely apologize for my absence from the blogosphere, and for not visiting your blogs. I was slightly indisposed and was unable to post on my blog or participate in the many wonderful events that were held the past month. I have missed reading all your blogs! I promise to visit all your blogs, catch up with the event round-ups, and also collect the awards that my blogger friends have passed as soon as I read all the comments to my previous post. I thank each and every one of you for the kind words and support you have been giving me.

Though my parents could not stay back to celebrate Onam with us, my elder brother was able to visit us on Onam day and partake of the Onam Sadya that I prepared. I would love to share the pictures of the Pookalam (flower carpet), and the Ona-Sadya, as seen below.

Inside the house, on Onam day


Outside the house, at the entrance of the main door, the day before Onam


Ona-Sadya


I am so glad that I can still participate (I hope) in the Festive Food Event for Onam Celebration hosted by Priyanka of Asan Khana.



Though I prepared Puli-Inji, Cabbage Thoran, Avial, Kootu Curry, Pacchadi, Sambar, and Pappdam (I wanted to prepare Olan, Kaalan, and Erissery too, but couldn't), the recipe that I would like to submit for the Festive Food: Onam Celebration event is that of Kootu Curry. Unfortunately, I do not have separate pictures of the dishes, and have to make do with a cropped image of the Kootu Curry from the Sadya.



Things you will need:


Chena/ Yam/ Suran - 2 cups - cut into cubes
Nendra Kaya/ Plantain - 1 cup - cut into cubes (of the Nendra variety
Black Chana/ Kadala/ Chick peas - 1 1/2 cups - soaked overnight
Water - 2 cups
Ginger - 2 tbsp - peeled and pounded
Coconut - grated - 1 1/2 cups
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Red Chilly powder- 1 tsp
Jeera/ Cumin powder - 1 tbsp - roasted
Pepper - 1 tbsp
Red Chillies - 2
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 2 strands

Method:


  • Pressue cook the cut chena and nendra kaya along with kadala and ginger (2 whistles)
  • Coarse grind 1 cup of coconut along with turmeric, red chilly, and jeera
  • Mix this into the cooked vegetable and peas mixture, and add pepper
  • Temper mustard seeds, red chillies, and curry leaves, and roast the remaining 1/2 cup coconut in this until brown
  • Season the dish with the above mixture

Serve for Sadya, or with rice and chapathi on normal days

26 comments:

amna said...

the pookalam inside house looks very pretty! and that's a nice spread :)

Indian Khana said...

Welcome back dear...it's really gud to see you back. Both the pookolam looks beautiful....lovely. Feast looking so yummy..thanks for the wonderful entry

ST said...

Its really Good to C u back.The pookalam inside the house looks very very beautiful. Feast looks sooooooo delicious.

Unknown said...

Pookolam looks really fantastic..feast looks so delicious & yummy

Deepthi Shankar said...

pookalam looka very pretty .. N what a lovely spread for onam

notyet100 said...

thanks aton for the yummy entry ,..will be glad if u send me pookolam pics and onam sadya pics too for the event,..will include them in the roundup,...;-)glad to knw u r back,..;-)was missin ur posts...

sra said...

The pookalams are pretty! Was wondering why you were quiet, belated Onam greetings!

Adam said...

Welcome back! Don't worry I don't think you've missed too much :)

Nice pics, everything has such beautiful colors

Usha said...

Your pookolam looks beautiful and the feast looks delicious...

Cham said...

That is a wonderful spread, love the pookalam :)-

Sangeeth said...

pookolam is really pretty :)

Deepa Kuber said...

sumptuous feast on a banana leaf.. i miss that :(
pukalam looks great.

Sum Raj said...

I was just wondering abt ur missing comments on my blog for long :)...hehehee....welcome back sherya...ur pookalam and sadya are perfect...hope u had a nice time dear..

Unknown said...

pookolam looks marvellous..lovely post!!

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

Good to see u back. Pookolam looks fabulous. Feast looks delicious

Veda said...

nice to see u bac in action shreya! i love flower carpets.....i love to decorate my home with flower carpet for all the festivals! ur decoration for onam is fantastic!

Unknown said...

wow dear first belated happy onam and both the pookolams are so so pretty and sadya looks awesome

Dee said...

Is everything okay now, Shreya?

This is a lovely, and informative post. Nice title, too :)
And thank you for the great idea about the ginger and salt!

Madhavi said...

Awesome post, beautiful pookalam!!!

Srikitchen said...

nice to have u back again! both the pookolams are so good1

Rajesh said...

Belated wishes!! Hope u enjoyed Onam day...

giz said...

Really beautiful - I only wish I knew more about the culture to truly appreciate what everything means.

Unknown said...

Lovely pookolam and lovely platter!

Unknown said...

No probs girl..So nice of you to leave a comment..Take your own time..

Uma said...

Good to see you back Shreya! Missing you around! lovely flower rangoli. Beautiful.

UK Tarpaulins said...
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