Dish #438 - Hot n Sweet Sticky Crabs

"Hot n Sweet Sticky Crabs" a lip smacking dish I recently made, using some basic Chinese sauces.

Inspired by some Chinese dishes... but with my own twist.

Navratri Festival Special - "Chana Dal Panchkadhai" or Chana Dal dessert

Here is another dessert which is a popular dessert made by the people of the Konkani community during festivals as "Prasadam" or offering to God.
Specially made during Shravana month and also Navratri festival.
A split and husked relative of chickpeas, Bengal gram is the most popular legume in India. Chana dal is delicious, nutritious and easily digested. They look and taste like small kernels of sweet corn and work well in soups, salads, and rice dishes.Chana dal is high in fiber and help to lower cholesterol.
Apart from having a great taste, it also has a very low glycemic index, which is important for those with diabetes. Chana dal can be a good food for people with diabetes because it has a low glycemic index.
Chickpeas are a helpful source of zinc, folate, calcium and protein. Chickpeas are low in fat and most of it is polyunsaturated.
This dessert is easy to make and can be eaten as a snack as well. I learnt this dish from my Mom and make it during important Hindu festivals.

Anantha Chaturdashi Special - "Alvatthi" or Hot n Sour Colocasia leaves

"Alvatthi" is a traditional Konkani dish or should I say delicacy made especially today, ie on the festival day of "Anantha Chaturdashi" ie the last day of the Hindu festival of Ganeshotsav.
It is generally the tenth or eleventh day after Ganesh Chaturthi.
I have always eaten this dish in the traditional meal at our mutt/temple on this day but never really made it.
I also had this dish several times cooked by my Co-Sister, and got this recipe too from her.
The taste of this dish, lies in the leaves ie Colocasia leaves which we also use to make Pathrode.
Its a fairly simple dish to make, although until now I thought it was difficult to make mainly due to difficult the pronunciation of the dish.
Try making this dish, am sure you will love it too!
I know its not so easy to find colocasia leaves, but the solution is simple, grow them in your own garden or balcony.
In India and parts of Asia it is known as "Colocasia" and is a food crop.
But in other parts of the world like USA, Canada and Australia it is also known as "Elephant Ear" and is an ornamental plant.
Do buy the bulbs and plant them at home, you will be able to make these new dishes very easily.
Make sure to use enough tamarind in your dish to get rid of the itchiness.
However, these leaves are available in so called "Mangalore/Indian stores" everywhere.

Krishna Janmashtami Special

• Rulava Idli and Alle Chutney
• Panchakajai
• Ashtami Laddoo
• God Poha ( Jaggery Sweetened Beaten rice)
• Kalle Poha (Beaten rice in seasoned curds)
• Moog dal kosambari

Wheat Laddoos or "Churmundo" in Konkani

Here is a simple and easy to make "laddoo" made from Wheat and and very popularly known as "Churmundo".
I have made this specially for my brother today since its "Raksha Bandhan".
This laddoo is easy to make, needs the ingredients that are always in your kitchen, so you can make them at any time.

"Nag Panchami" Festival Special

"Nag Panchami" is a traditional festival of the worship of snakes or serpents observed by Hindus throughout India and also in Nepal.
Just like all other Hindu festivals, onion and garlic and not consumed on these days...and the focus is all about "sathvik" food...
Also, any kind of seasoning is not done in the kitchen...
Now adhering to these rules...cooking is not so easy...so to simplify the thinking and cooking process, konkanis have a standard set menu for that day...
"Pathrode" a steamed side dish and "Patholi" a steamed dessert...

Dish #437 - Prawn and Avocado Salad

Eating Avocados Can Lower Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels.Avocados Are Loaded With Fiber, they contain more Potassium than Bananas.
Avocado is one of the few fruits that will provide you with "good" fats. That means it can help keep your cholesterol levels already in the healthy range, and help lower your risk for heart disease.
Here is a beautiful salad made with Prawns and Avocados... another healthy dish.....