Hello Everyone,

Today’s guest blogger is Ruchika from Ruchikacooks, make sure you do visit her.

Here is a small introduction of her, take it away Ruchika

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When Deepa asked me about the guest post on food I was so happy and I said Yes. I had a couple of questions circling my head. What should I write about food? I decided to share some memories I associate with food as well as a recipe.

Half the time on a trans-Atlantic flight, the wonderful aroma of pizza wavering through the cabin fools me and I eagerly wait for my plate of heaven. As I request vegetarian food, I know my plate will be out before anybody else’s and I am controlling the urge to pounce. With the sweetest smile I have ever seen on earth, the airhostess would offer me a plate of fruits.  Seriously!! Others would be feasting on Pepperoni Pizza and all I can do is to tell my stomach to stop grumbling.

I gulp down the vegetarian option given by the airlines and will focus on the yummy food I can eat when I go home. Though I have warned amma not to make anything special for me, I secretly hope that at this age amma would have gone the distance and prepared some of my favorite dishes. And she may even sneak some of those in a Tiffin box a and will bring it to the airport so that her daughter can eat all the way from airport to home

Though amma is a strict vegetarian, she was so sweet when I was preparing to study grad school here. She told me that if I can’t find the food I like, it is OK with her if I turn Carnivorous But luckily all her recipes saved me and I was able to pull it off as a vegetarian.

Isn’t it strange that when we are angry the first thing we do is to show the anger on food and refuse to eat, but the same home made food is what we miss when we are alone?

Recipe: Kadhi Pakodi

Kadhi is the simple side dish made with yogurt and it goes well with anything from Khichdi to Pooris and it is one of my go-to dishes if I am in a hurry.

Ingredients: (Serves-2)

For Kadhi:

Sour  yogurt- 2 cups
Water- 1 cup
Turmeric Powder- 1/2 tsp
Besan (Bengal Gram flour)- 1/4 cup
Salt- To Taste

Tempering:

Oil- 1 tsp
Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
Red Chilies-2
Red chili powder- 1 tbsp

Whisk yogurt and water together so that there are no lumps. Add turmeric powder, gram flour and salt to this yogurt.

Heat oil in a pot and add cumin seeds. When they sizzle, add red chilies and red chili powder. Let it sizzle for a minute. Pour the yogurt-water-besan mix into this pot, stir well and simmer for 15 minutes. The trick is to look for a shiny gloss on the top. When the kadhi looks like that, it is ready. While the kadhi is simmering, you can prepare the bajji.

For the Bajjis:

Yellow Potato- 1
Green Chili- 1
Besan(Gram flour)- 1/4 cup
Red chili powder- 1 tsp
Water- Just enough to make a batter
Oil- to deep fry
Salt to taste

Slice potatoes into medium thickness and into round slices. Make a thick batter with gram flour, chopped green chilies, red chili powder, salt and water. Dip the potatoes in this batter and deep fry. Drain and keep aside.

When the kadhi starts to thicken and the water has reduced (the glossy stage), add the bajjis to the kadhi and simmer for another 5 minutes so that the potatoes can soak in the gravy. Switch off.  Garnish with cilantro (optional). Serve hot with pooris.

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Thanks Ruchika for sharing this wonderful recipe with us, and taking out time and making the guest blog. You did a splendid job.

Visit Ruchika’s blog here Ruchikacooks