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