P.U.N.C.H

I want to call this a potluck punch because I made it for our potluck last sunday. We had few local friends come over for a gathering – mainly because I found out that most of them haven’t seen the new house, and also, three of the girls are expecting soon and I know how hard it will be to hang out with them for at least first few months. So, I figured why not!

I made Paneer Curry, had some appetizer including my infamous salsa (I am disappointed I haven’t blogged this yet), and of course we provided the drinks. I knew most girls would want non-alcoholic beverage. And, I decided to bring out my punch bowl from wedding gifts. Everyone loved it!

* Pop clUb soda – two quarts
* Crystal light lemoNade flaver – 2 packs
* frozeN limeade conceNtrate, thawed – 1 can
* raspberry sherbet 1-2 quarts

Mix all in but the sherbet and add 1 quart of sherbet once the first three are mixed. When serving, scoop one scoop of sherbet into the glass using the second quart. Enjoy!

Pure Unbelievable.Non-stop.Crazy.Heaven.

Naan Pizza

We had an amazing party with family from Ohio and New Jersey for Aakash. There was so much food and so much chaos (good kind) for four full days. I felt like all I did was eat constantly. My mom made roti (bread), green beans subzi, cabbage subzi, and all of other Gujarati food she makes on daily basis. I made chole and paneer dish. To make sure there was enough for everyone, we ordered malai kofta and garlic naan from Himalaya. Everyone loved the food and we had fun eating the cake from Wegmans (Which we realized was just plain because the lady who took the order, didn’t write things down right and A just had plain cake instead of this fancy micky mouse one we picked out). Regardless, it was delish!

Anyways, you can image how much left-over I had come sunday when everyone was gone. I decided to make Pizza using the leftover garlic naan. It came out really good. We had our friends Aparna and Anand come join us to help attack the deliciousness of it.

Asian food by SIL

This weekend, Mehul’s brother, wife, two kids, (BWKs) and parents visited us in PA because BWKs were going to be in Canada during A’s birthday week/end (july4-8, when the whole family is planning to be here in PA (from Ohio and parents from NJ)). Anyways, they wanted to come celebrate his birthday before they head off to Canada for the month of July. Well, SIL decided to cook us Asian food saturday night and it was all delicious. So.Good.

I watched (and helped) her prepare few of the stuff but, mostly it was all her. I loved all the food she made. Maybe one day I will ask her to blog the recipes. For now, enjoy these mouth-watering photos. Mango Sushi, Lettuce Wrap, and Flat Bread:

Deep Fried Oreo

We took Aakash to Ocean City, NJ this weekend and had a fantastic time. Food was definitely a concern of mine because we wanted to hang out on the beach and boardwalk a lot. I also wanted to take him to some games and some plays around the corner (they have mary-go-round, etc.).

I fed him mainly in the stroller and he had finger food while on the beach (including a funnel cake ) He loved it. The food. The sand. The water. Pooping in the ocean. Drinking water. Eating sand. Everything. We loved watching him have fun and enjoying the nature.

Anyways, while walking back to the hotel, I saw a sign of Oreo Cookie and had to go check it out. It reminded me of Oreo Cookie I missed out made by a friend Sarah right after I left the law firm. So, this brought memory back and I wanted to try it so bad. I ordered and it came with five deep fried Oreos drizzled with chocolate.

IT.WAS.SO.OVERWHELMING.IN.MY.MOUTH! I am not sure what it was. Was it me getting over excited? Was I too full from lunch? Was it too hot outside? Was it the drizzled chocolate on top? Or, was it because I watched them make it? I am not sure what but, I could only eat one of it. And, I had to force myself to finish it.

Perhaps next time I try it, it will be a party in my mouth? I hope so!

Vegetarian Biryani

-one small onion
-one small bell pepper (whichever kind you have – multiple kind if you have extra)
-about 3-4 cut top heads of cauliflower (one cup cut)
-1/2 cup of cut green beans
-1/4 cup of sweet peas
-very small potato – chopped
-garlic
-ginger
-paprika
-turmeric
-cumin
-mustered seeds
-3 tbsp of oil
-salt and pepper
-3 green chillies cut
-1 cup of white basmati rice
-1/2 of brown basmati rice
-2 cups of water
-lemon juice

Start boiling/cooking rice in water. Let it cook normally but you don’t want the rice to be mushy – you want it to cook it to separate. let it cool.

put oil in flat frying pan (or wok), let cumin and mustered seeds spluttered. Once done, add all the veggies. Let it cook for few mins and add garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Once all the veggies are cooked (just medium, not well done), add all the masalas (paprika, turmeric, salt, pepper) and add cool rice to it. Mix it well and sprinkle some lemon juice on top (to taste).

Enjoy with some yogurt.

Tofu Masala Curry

I had Tofu in my fridge for two weeks now. I initially bought it so I can give some to Aakash. But, I haven’t done it yet – for possible allergens.

So, I decided to india-fy it!

Tofu – cubed – sauted a bit in oil
Onion – chopped
Tomato – sliced
Green chilies
Whole cumin
Ginger
Garlic
Paprika
Turmeric
Salt
Oil – spoon full, not much
Water

I first put whole cumin seeds in oil and let it cook for a bit. Then I add chopped onion and cover the pan. Add little salt if you’d like. After 4-5 minutes of onions browning, add all the masalas (and any modifiers you may want) to the onions. Let it cook for a minute. Then, add Tofu and cup of water. Then, add sliced Tomato and let it all simmer for 5-10 minutes. Tomatoes shouldn’t be cooked all the way.

This way, you have an onion based curry and not tomatoes.
Enjoy with brown rice or Roti!

Pau Bhaji Rava Dosa

We were in NJ past weekend visiting family. We decided to go get Dosa in Jersey City (Newark Ave.) – as we do during each of our visit there.

We usually go to Dosa House, but this time decided to go to Dosa Hut. I saw the Pau Bhaji dosa on the menu and was intrigue by it – had to try.

BY FAR THE BEST DOSA I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE! EVER!

If you are even nearby, I recommand you go check it out. Dosa Hut in JC