From my kitchen to yours

From my kitchen to yours

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

DAY 67 - GIRL TALK



I love visiting vegetable markets ...
And arguing with the vendors...
Even though I really do not know the prices of most of the things in the market...

But today went in search of the elusive fresh arugula leaves that I'm completely crazy about...
But found a whole lot of other vegetables and MANGOES...
So I stood at the vegetable pile and looked up to the fruit-wala who was selling them and pulled myself up to my entire height of 5.2", and in my most knowledgeable voice said,"Bhaiya, kitne ka dozen...khareedne ka price bolo"....
He just peered down at me and said...Pandhra Sao ...
Did I hear right rs.1500/- for 12 tiny mangoes...
Bloody hell...now what..
So I looked back at him, and made inane conversation about how,everything is so expensive these days...
And then picked up the rest of the vegetables and leaves ..and was getting prepared to leave...
When he said, the golden words,"memsaab... Bonnie kar de "...
Which basically means that since I'm his first customer, he will make the price better and so, I went away smiling with 6 Alphonso mangoes for Rs 550 /-...

And so yesterday after I finished assembling my red velvet cake...
I sent a picture of it to my friends..
Which basically was my non-verbal way of saying, "come over, share a few laughs and calories"
And in the night, a few of my friends came over to devour it...

Mini asked me to keep a piece for her and was coming over for lunch...
So I did..
And also made a simple salad and vegetables with quinoa and some barbecue chicken...
Because I know she likes to eat healthy and frankly I have been trying different things with Quinoa everyday, but dont really get down to taking a photograph..
But I did today so here goes...

So here goes...

ARGULA SALAD
A medium bunch of Argula leaves...pick the leaves , wash and keep with a few cubes of ice in the refrigerator..
1-orange peeled and sliced...
About 8 slices of mozzarella cheese

Dressing
Balsamic vinegar - 1 tbsp
Extra virgin olive oil -2tbsp
A tiny squeeze of lime
1/4 tsp mustard
Fresh orange juice - 2tsp

Let it all emulsify really well , store it in a glass bowl that you must cling wrap and keep in the fridge...

QUINOA TREAT
Cooked Quinoa - a cooked handful
Chili flakes -1tsp
Mushrooms-a packet
Cherry tomatoes -8
Asparagus -5 spears, par boiled
Broccoli - 8 florets, par boiled
Sprouts - a handful
Mixed beans - boiled..a handful
Garlic - finely chopped ..3tbsp
Dried Oregano - 1 tsp
Dried basil - 1 tsp
Fresh basil - - a handful


In a non stick pan, spray some olive oil and add the garlic , do not let it burn, then add, some oregano , chili flakes and some dried basil, add a handful of fresh basil too and then add the sliced mushrooms, when they are cooked, add the sprouts and give it all a quick stir, mix all the rest of the vegetables and the quinoa..
Taste it to adjust the seasoning , and it's ready...
I love it with a squeeze of lime, at the end...


BARBECUE CHICKEN
Chicken legs - 2
Mixed spice powder or garam masala - 1tsp
Garlic - 1 tsp
Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp
Yogurt -2tsp
A dash of Worcestershire sauce
Oregano -1 tsp..

Marinate the chicken well well with the above ingredients...
This is quite a mild marinade...
As did not want any over powering tastes..
Let the chicken rest in a zip lock back for at least two hours if not over night...

Cook it over a barbecue, and baste it while doing so..with a mix of butter and olive oil...
Or then just cook it in a pre-heated oven at 190 degrees for about 30 -35 minutes...

When you are ready to eat..
Mix the Argula leaves with the orange wedges and pour your dressing over it and mix it very gently with your hands..
Roast some pine-nuts and sprinkle them into the salad..
Add the mozzarella and sprinkle with some freshly grated Parmesan ..

And serve the quinoa piping hot , with the chicken ...
This entire dish has a very simple taste ...because nothing is over flavored ...
So it is ideal for a light afternoon lunch ...
And yes it's flavorsome and feels very light on the tummy...
And so you can most happily gorge on some very yummy dessert, followed by green tea and plenty of girl talk...

So that's what Mini and me did......
Talked about food, kids and Boy's on the side...ha ha ha , but guess that's a blog on its own..

So here's presenting ,"Girl Talk " , a very simple, humble , uncomplicated , smart and sensible meal, just like the " GIRLS" in my life , made with lots of fresh vegetables and thoughts of yummy dessert on my mind...
Only from "Maria's Kitchen "...ha ha ha



10 comments:

  1. Loved the Quinoa treat. Am also trying to include more of quinoa in my diet. Will replace the chicken with a veggie hotdog. If you have a quinoa burger recipie, please share. Now my sober notes (Nots), Isn't it such fun to go to the bazar and chat with the sabziwalas and bargain. I call my mom sometimes when she is in the market and just tell her to hold the phone while i listen to the background music of bazar noises and horns. Literally music to my ears. Enjoy those mangoes.

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  2. BTW, What is the connection between the red velvet cake blog and the movie "A Beautiful Mind"? tell tell.... Just as Russel Crowe realised that the little girl in the movie does notgrow older, i realised that i can always comeand look at the cake. no one's ever goning to finish it. mmmmmmm. Deliciaso.

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  3. Maria your writing is as refreshing as your cooking. Love the way you write :)

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  4. lovely, simple reicpe with no frills :)
    I never tried Quinoa before, but your love for this strange grain is forcing me to give it a try;)

    by the way I loved your red cake, although my kids are big fans of chocolate...I will definitely make this red one for them.
    Thanks again!
    love
    Raman, Toronto

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  5. Hi Maria,
    I didnt know you guys bargain in the market too..hehehhe..good to know!! Awesome post..

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  6. Dear Sneha,
    You are really funny, I love reading your comments, they are full of life...
    And by the way the real cake has been devoured , but it swill still live an eternity on my blog....

    Dear Rukhmini,
    Thank you soooo much ...

    Dear Raman,
    ha ha ha yes it is true, i do love strange things....
    And you bake , how awesome is that, please do try it...
    but my kids still prefer chocolate...

    Dear Anonymous,
    Errr..... where else...????

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  7. Maria,

    Is quinoa commonly available in Mumbai? Where? We visit Mumbai 1-2 times a year and I love it and would love to have it in one of the dishes we make for when we have friends over there!!

    And btw, great blog. What I love most is your spirit which just shines through it.

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  8. hey maria.. absolutely gorgeous fooodd! please do take cooking courses.. would love to learn!

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  9. Dear Roshan .
    I get my quinoa from nature's basket...
    And thank you for the compliments...

    Dear Nishitak,
    I want to buy my own place and start a cafe and then do classes ...
    So fingers crossed ...

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  10. Hi Maria, I read about your blog in Times of India. U've got a lovely blog with exotic recipes. Happy to follow you!!! Cheers Amarendra

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