Foods for the season. What do you like?

    

It is no revelation that our brains and taste buds yearn for a certain kind of taste depending on the season or the weather outside.  In winter months, I for one like hot soups and rich, filling tastes.  It could be fried and fatty, sweet and sensational, or rich and creamy.  The only requisite is, it has to be satisfying.

I am a proponent of healthy foods but here I am contradicting myself.  However, what I have above is not for every meal or every day, but for an off and on change in my diet without the guilt attached.

What is the food/foods that you crave for?  It can be for any season.  Let me know and we can carry on a discussion.  If you'd like to share a recipe, please do so.  It will be posted under your name.

Egg curry in coconut milk from Vidya Swamy's kitchen

Egg curry in coconut milk is a tasty side dish prepared for breakfast in the state of Kerala, India. The perfect combination to this is either plain rice, biryani or any of the Indian breads.

Here is just one variation of this recipe from vidyaswamyskitchen.com.

For lazy winter days - asparagus soup in 30 minutes

This is one of my favorite soups to make for a lazy Sunday evening. You can create this literally in about 30 minutes.  It's extremely healthy and a couple bowls with some hearty bread make a complete meal. Check out the recipe here.

Recipe of the week - Peppers in Dhal

This is a quick and tasty way of making dhal on a day when you need to avoid garlic or onion in your food. Some religious days require this practice of avoiding garlic and onion to be adhered to. This dhal would be a nutritious side to rice or Indian breads.

I prepared this last week when I didn't have to avoid garlic or onion because there was no religious reason to do that. There is no garam masala in it either.  But the dhal tasted great.  Just with some sautéd  green chillies, tomatoes and a mix of peppers can do the trick.

Test it out for yourself.  Peppers in dhal from vidyaswamy's kitchen.

Garlic, ginger spiced okra

There are several ways to cook okra.  This is one of my favorite.  Use only fresh okra for this recipe.  Since adding tomatoes make okra mushy and sticky, I avoid it in this recipe.  With the onion and garlic, this has the right taste and aroma.  And, with the ginger and cayenne pepper, the right kick.  This dish is a perfect match with any Indian bread.  Check it out at Vidya Swamy's kitchen.

Gluten-free Indian flat bread made with ragi (millet)

At least 70% of the recipes are gluten-free on my site Vidya's Kitchen. I forget to mention that often enough.

This week I thought of the breads available in super markets.  It is hard to come across breads that are wheat free. At the most in nutrition stores you will find breads made with rice flour and quinoa, which are good replacements.  However, I have tried them and feel they are too soft and pasty.  So, decided to try this at home and post it for your benefit as well.

I have read extensively about staying gluten-free and discovered that they are not only good for people who cannot tolerate wheat based foods but also those seeking to stay away from estrogen producing foods.  Try this bread.  It is very easy to make and quite satisfying.  Nutritionally, it is high in fiber with reasonable amounts of protein, no gluten of course, and enough carbs to keep you satisfied.  Lastly, millet breads taste great.

Aromatic Spanish Rice from Vidya's Kitchen

Sometimes or maybe most times, thinking of what to make for lunch or dinner depends on our mood, what is available in the refrigerator, the weather outside, and so on.

It is freezing 2° F.  Sumptuous, tasty, carby (starchy) were the images that came to my mind.  How about aromatic Spanish rice?  Sounds easy enough.  Making it tasty is not really a problem.

So, here it goes.  Aromatic Spanish Rice from Vidya's kitchen.  Preparation time is about 10 minutes. Cooking time, as it is rice we are talking about would take at least 15 minutes.  That is a good plate of tasty meal in about 30 minutes.  Not too bad!

Authentic Bisi Bela Bhath

On a cloudy, cold winter day one often craves for something warm and spicy.  This dish will foot the bill perfectly well.

Try 'Authentic Bisi Bela Bhath' from Vidya Swamy's Kitchen.  If you have a variety of left-over vegetables sitting around that you don't know what to do with,  then here's the answer.

Try the tastiest Rava Dosai from Vidya Swamy's kitchen

The recipe for Rava Dosai is no secret as it is too simple. However, the taste varies from kitchen to kitchen.  I guess here is where the cook's aptitude for this art comes in.

Try this recipe of the week from vidyaswamy's kitchen.

Authentic, Spicy Thai Red Curry

This is a simple recipe and takes just over half an hour. If you are stuck in a spot like I am where asian cuisine is hard to come by, then here is a recipe that would beat even a comparable Thai restaurant in a cosmopolitan area.

This Thai Red Curry is a borrowed recipe from my brother who is another 'foodie'. Yes, we come from a long line of food ethusiasts. Try it this week from Vidya Swamy's kitchen. You'll love it; especially the stove-to-table part that takes less than 45 minutes.