Iyer Tomato Rasam

My mom and her sisters are some of the best cooks I have come across. My mom ranks number one in that list. Several recipes have been passed down generations. Having known good food all my growing years, I cannot eat food that will just pass as tolerable.  It has to taste good.  And, good food has to be served at the right temperature.

Being a food fanatic, I crave for the best tasting Indian cooking when I go back to visit India and my extended family there.  I get invited to homes where they hire someone to cook a meal.  The food might be decent but almost always they serve cold food.  So, I generally eat at home before I leave for the lunch or dinner.  Rasam is one of those dishes that has to be served hot.  It may be one of the hottest days of summer outside, regardless rasam has to be served hot.  Here is an Iyer Tomato rasam recipe from Vidyaswamy's kitchen inspired and perfected by my mother, then passed on to me.  You'll like it as well.

Roasted Potatoes Pesto

This week's recipe is 'Roasted Potatoes in Pesto'.  This is a great side dish with any type of pasta in red sauce.

Prep time is about 15 mins. max. which includes washing, cutting potatoes and grinding the ingredients for the pesto.
Check it out at vidyaswamyskitchen.com.

Broccoli Rabe in garlic and olive oil

This is an authentic Italian recipe. Cooking broccoli Rabe is not exactly a complicated science experiment, however as in any other preparation, the Rabe has to be absolutely fresh and tender; and the olive oil extra virgin. The blanching has to be for exactly 8 minutes, no more, no less. Try this recipe from http://swamyskitchen.com.

If you live in the north east area of the United States, you are in luck.  You will find Broccoli Rabe in every market, every grocery store.  If you are in the midwest, never utter the name.  People have no clue as to what it is unless you are in the Italian part of the city. However, not every restaurant carries Broccoli Rabe.  

Garlic, garlic, garlic - Spicy Garlic Gravy (called Kozhambu in Tamil)

If you love garlic and spicy hot food as much as I do, then this is a recipe you will thoroughly enjoy.

It is extremely simple to make except for a bit of grinding which shouldn't take long.  Tastes great with basmati or regular jasmine rice.  Try it from vidyaswamyskitchen.

Mushrooms filled with breadcrumbs and cream cheese

Mushroom fans will never get tired of them which ever way they are made.  I used to not be a lover of mushrooms; that slowly changed when I learned about the nutrition in them.

I make a whole bunch and finish up the entire set in one sitting.  That's pretty much my dinner meal.  The garlic, bread crumbs and cream cheese mix, make this a delectable addition to any meal.  Check it out at vidyaswamyskitchen.com.