Filipino Bicol Express

I made this vegetarian version of the famous Bicol Express for SE Asia night, inspired from our meal at Kuya's Asian Cuisine in San Bruno, CA. I made use of the hot sauce from my Laotian curry (Peanuts, peanut butter, some tamarind paste, few shreds of coconut, the hot chili, some sugar, lemon grass and kafir lime leaves ground together).

For the vegetables, I used long beans, red and green bell peppers, half a mango, zucchini, and squash. Sauté one chopped onion, a clove of chopped garlic in peanut oil, add the vegetables when the onions are soft, and cook for a few minutes. Then add the hot paste (this can be a simple chili & garlic sauce, instead of my elaborate one), salt according to taste and simmer for a few minutes. Finally, add a can of coconut milk or cream, bring to a boil and simmer for a few more minutes. Garnish with sweet basil and mint. The Bicol Express has to have a bite to it from the heat of the chili sauce, though coconut cream is added. It was great with Nasi Goreng and Prata.

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Dwarfed Amy!

On Shankar's birthday a couple of years back, one of our friends brought his Great Dane over to our house in Owen. This was the second time Amy has been around a really big dog, the first time being with my house mate's Bouvier in California. Anyways, this Great Dane, Kitty, was also very terrified of being out of her comfort zone and in our house, in the presence of Amy! Look at how she has her tail tucked under her. Amy on the other hand was very excited about having company, but was kind of disappointed that Kitty didn't want to play. but they did have a great time with all the treats :)

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Cotopaxi in the Andes

Cotopaxi, one of the highest active (strato) volcanoes, as seen from the road to Yanococha from Quito in 2005. We were able to get out of the van and take pictures, though the volcano was a little ways away from where we were. We also saw Andean Condors the same day, also from a little far away. May be one day Shankar and I will get to climb it :)

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Chinese Eggplant & Tofu in Chili Sauce

For China night, I made the eggplant and tofu in chili sauce with fried rice. The Japanese eggplants (thin and long), were cubed, along with tofu. In a wok, I added peanut oil, sauteed 2 cloves of chopped garlic, a tsp of grated ginger. Then I added a tbsp of chili sauce (maggi oriental sauce), a tsp of tamari soy sauce, a tbsp of rice wine vinegar. Then went the eggplants and tofu, and cooked on high heat for a few minutes with the sauce completely coating them. The eggplants have to be cooked, but not turn mushy. Garnish with chopped scallions.

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We love weekends :)

Because Daddy is home and we can have a lazy day. And, Kalki and I get to cuddle in the sunlight that comes through and take our little post-coffee nap :) And we are sure Amy was cuddling with daddy when he took these pictures!

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A Simple Dal

One of the comfort foods while we were growing up is the simple 'parupu sadam' (Dal Rice). I have had it a lot either as breakfast before rushing to school or for lunch. Its one of those stand-by's if mom is running late in making a sambar. But we love it, plain lentils cooked with salt and a pinch of turmeric mixed with rice, with a side of sauteed vegetables. These days, when I make dal, I either add tomatoes / spinach / onions to it, and generally have a side of pickle too to appease the spice taste buds.

Toor Dal (yellow split peas) is cooked in water with a little salt and turmeric, with the ratio of dal to water being 1:2. In a separate pan, temper the mustard seeds with cumin, fenugreek seeds, a tsp of urad dal and add chopped onion, garlic, ginger and green chilies. Season with salt, add to the dal and mix. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with rice or bread!

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More of my Kolams

These are two mini 5x5 canvases and I am playing around a little bit more, by filling the inside of the kolam. The fillers are metallic paints and hence the bright reflection on the pictures. The blue one also has beads for the dots.

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Nikko hiding in the towel

We haven't had one of these days - Nikko being very playful in a while, but when he was, it was a lot of fun :) These days, he thinks being with Pepper & Shankar are about all the fun in the world (and may be trying to bite mommy!)

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