Myriad Musings

Apple Orange Cranberries :) My baby (pre-schooler really) has not yet started pre-school, but the alphabet bug has bit me quite hard.  The weather was rainy, the day was Sunday, my raison d'etre for proper sunday meals had left early to catch the termite killer, so I was just sitting around listlessly wondering what to cook, if at all.  Then a part of the Sanjeev Kapoor book set caught my baby's eyes and he asked for a sandwich from that book. These are fancy-schmanzy sandwiches made on my baby's request, but, without troubling to read the recipe or find the ingredients to make the recipe.  Soft paneer made with 1/2 litre milk and 1/2 cup yogurt 1/2 cup walnut dry roasted and coarsely pounded 2 - 4 oranges juiced, about 1.5 - 2 cups juice 2 tbsp sugar divided 1/2 cup dried cranberries 2 apples 1 packet white/wheat bread  (need about 8 - 10 slices) Mix the paneer, 1 tbsp sugar and the walnuts Bring the orange juice, cranberries and the remaining sugar ...

I buy healthy foods like I used to shop for accessories in my college days.  I just pick random ingredients with all good intentions  of making something deceptively rich and artery clogging, but actually healthy and frequently forget about it after the first disastrous attempt.  Kollu or Horsegram was one such victim; I made kollu thuvaiyal, my co-sister's recommendation, the first time and no one could tolerate the taste, least of all me.  Kollu rasam hardly needed more than a spoon of Kollu. The Kollu stayed forgotten in the recesses of my pantry. I love hot spicy milagaipodi with idli/dosa, sometimes even with rice, but the store bought variety don't quite pack a punch and have a strong hing taste.  I decided to make horsegram version which does pack a punch, an awakening (for the kollu) if you will, tasteless on the tongue to "Wow!  What was that?" It seems to be a day of side-dishes.  I have not given up making Gau lunch he finishes with joy,...