Lotus Root in Oyster Sauce

Crunchy, delicate flavored lotus root is an under-water edible rhizome of lotus plant. Since centuries, the lotus rhizome has held high esteem in oriental regions, especially in Chinese and Japanese cultures. Almost all the parts of the plant: root, young flower stalks, and seeds are being used in the cuisine.

The edible part of the Lotus root is sometimes called as "Lotus Stem" and known as Kamal kakri, Kamal kakdi, Bhein or Bheen in India.
The rhizomes grow underwater in mud. They are actually modified tubers storing energy in the form of starch. The rhizome develops into sausage-like three to five jointed nodes of about 2-4 feet length. Each rhizome segment features smooth, grey-white color and measure about 10-20 cm in length, 6-10 cm in diameter. Internally, the root has white, crunchy flesh with mild sweet, water chestnut like flavor. The cut sections reveal visually appealing display of symmetrically arranged air canals (holes) traversing along the length of the root.
Lotus rhizome is a very good source dietary fibers.
Lotus root is one of the excellent sources of vitamin C.
Further, the root provides healthy amounts of some important minerals like copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, and manganese.
The crunchy, sweet yet delicate flavor of root lotus is because of its optimum electrolyte balance.

Although Lotus root is widely used in Chinese/Japanese cuisine, there are lot of Indian delicacies too made with this root.

Today however, I made a Chinese dish with my own instincts and the ingredients which I had in my kitchen, 

and called it "Lotus Root in Oyster sauce".

We all loved it, and I'm sure you will love it too!!

"Thori ani Kadgi Bendhi" - A Konkani delicacy

"Jackfruit" also known as "Kadgi" in Konkani is a very popular vegetable in Coastal Karnataka.
Jackfruit is an aromatic, fleshy fruit renowned for its delicious taste. When unripe its flesh is green, and it can be cooked in various ways. Jackfruit has many health benefits, the main benefit being its high potassium content which is helpful in lowering blood pressure. Its also high in Vitamin C. Since it contains few calories and a very small amount of fat, jackfruit is good for those trying to lose weight.

Black beans is another magical legume with the perfect balance of protein and fiber and has amazing health benefits for the digestive tract, the blood sugar regulatory system, and the cardiovascular system.
Here is a Konkani side dish made from black beans and raw jackfruit dish that goes well with rice as well as "Panpolo" or Neer Dosa.

This dish is called "Bendhi" since its a spicier version of the regular "Ghashi". But if you do not like spicy food you could use lesser chillies like in the ghashi.

Either versions taste great!!

Baby corn Chilly - Chinese Style

Baby corn Chilly is another lovely Chinese starter....
Very simple to make and yet very tasty...
Baby corn is easily available in all vegetable shops these days and that too throughout the year, so this is one starter which you could make quickly and enjoy anytime...

Lavash served with Red Capsicum and Walnut Dip

Lavash is a soft, thin flat bread popular in Iran, Iraq, Turkey and the Caucasus.
Lavash is made with flour, water, and salt. The thickness of the bread varies and depends on how thin it's rolled out. Toasted sesame seeds and/or poppy seeds can be sprinkled on before baking.
There is a soft variation like chapatis and used to make rolls and sandwiches, and another hard version like chips/crackers.
I often make these hard Lavash crackers as a subsitute for chips since they are baked.
I personally love to have chips with a dip, and one of the healthiest lebanese dips is the "Red Capsicum and Walnut Dip". 

Red Capsicum and Walnut Dip - A Lebanese Dip

Eating Chips or crackers is incomplete without a Dip.
Here is a healthy and tasty Lebanese Dip that goes well with any kind of crackers especially Lavash.
It also goes well with Toasted Pita bread.
Simple to make and very healthy too.
Both Red peppers or Red Capsicum and Walnuts are very good for our health.
Red peppers contain almost 300 percent of your daily vitamin C intake.
Red bell peppers are a great source of vitamin B6 and magnesium.
Red bell peppers are packed with antioxidants.
Burn more calories with red bell peppers.Walnuts are revered since ancient times as a symbol of intellectuality, since their kernels have convoluted surface inside the shell resembling as that of brain! The nuts are enriched with many health-benefiting nutrients, especially Ω-3 fatty acids that are essential for optimum health. The nuts are rich source of energy and contain health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.

Here is a simple lebanese Dip which you will love.

Bread Pakoda - An Indian Street Food

Another famous Indian Street food is the "Bread Pakoda".
You will find this snack in almost all snack bars, food joints and road side shacks in Mumbai and Delhi.
Simple to make and yummy too..!!
I would call it comfort food or food for indulgence as it involves deep frying, but once in awhile its allowed...
Isn't it ?

Crumb Fried Red Snapper with Grilled Baby Potatoes

 A complete meal ...Crumb fried Red Snapper with Grilled baby potatoes....
You could use Salmon fillets instead of Red snapper....its equally good...