tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post116589784449419996..comments2024-01-29T19:23:58.553-07:00Comments on Indian Food Rocks: 'Tis the Season...for Comfort FoodIndian Food Rockshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13397829480472038159noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1168230313548991712007-01-07T21:25:00.000-07:002007-01-07T21:25:00.000-07:00Anjali, it's a pinch pot and the owner of the stud...<STRONG>Anjali</STRONG><EM>, it's a pinch pot and the owner of the studio put it in the kiln even though she wasn't done with the final glazing. Despite that, the inner bowl is really very cute. I will take a picture and post it soon! </EM>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1167287175190259212006-12-27T23:26:00.000-07:002006-12-27T23:26:00.000-07:00Hope you enjoyed the hols and happy new year! Mani...Hope you enjoyed the hols and happy new year! Manisha, Medha is goining to have lots of stories to tell your grandchildren about granny. Love all the art work. Pl. post a picture of the bowl with full view even though it looks great with the puppy chow. Medha will be happy to see it here I'm sure. Pat her back for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1167028794431694142006-12-24T23:39:00.000-07:002006-12-24T23:39:00.000-07:00Anon, it's not so much maintaining securalism as i...<STRONG>Anon</STRONG><EM>, it's not so much maintaining securalism as it is poor implementation by way of suppression of information. Think about it: where is it that children first are exposed to cultural diversity, and therefore religious diversity? When they go to school and are there 6-7 hours of their day. If the schools acknowledge that religion exists, our children will grow up to be more accepting of others' beliefs.</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>Quite honestly, I think there should be books about Eid, Diwali, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and other cultural festivals. Many ethnic festivals are tied closely to religion. Schools in Maryland are beginning to include Diwali. Schools in New Jersey already include many Jewish festvals.</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>Implementation of securalism is very poor: at talent shows and at class parties, children are allowed to perform Good King Wenceslas, Silent Night and other carols. Why deny the children what Christmas is really about? Schools encourage children to write letters to Santa Claus. They sing songs about Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. Saint? Wait, there's religion there, isn't there?</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>I am not saying that the onus of teaching religion should rest with the schools. What would help a great deal is acknowledging that there are several paths to God and maybe not, for those who don't believe in God.</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>I have experienced several knee-jerk reactions from local religious organizations to the denial of religion in schools. It borders on fanatical. There were several incidents in Medha's school in Illinois which then prompted the school to distribute a cultural brochure, published by Scholastic, that talked of various ethnic festivals: Diwali, Eid, Hannukah and Kwanzaa were all explained, as was Christmas. I can't find the brochure online but it was similar to <A HREF="http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-66933214.html" REL="nofollow">this</A> but not quite the same.</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>What does this have to do with pithla? Well, this post was about traditions, new and old, putting down new roots and listening to the call of my original roots. I don't claim to be a good writer so I am sorry if the message was garbled. Merry Christmas to you!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Anita</STRONG><EM>, my stomach is far too weak to handle 1 katori of red chilli powder! You try it but make sure you have Tums (or its equivalent) on hand! Glad you liked the nameplate. I feel like making more! Medha is not so sure - as it was quite a bit of work, but then she chose it as her craft gift!</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>The third graders just celebrated a Heritage party instead of the usual winter party. For a week prior to the party, the children studied their own heritage. They had to interview at least two relatives who were not their parents or siblings on things that like why you came to this country to what you miss the most or what is the most important lesson taught to you to what is your favorite festival and how do you celebrate it. Very similar to <A HREF="http://content.scholastic.com/browse/unitplan.jsp?id=50" REL="nofollow">this</A>. At the party, children were encouraged to perform ethnic dances, play tunes on the piano, do card tricks, show mementoes that their ancestors carried with them and if you could, your family brought an ethnic dish to share. I took chaklis (sans chilli powder), which the children did not care for much but the parents loved them.</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>What was the festival that Medha wrote about? Diwali. As you said, culture is so intertwined with religion that denying it exists will only do harm. There's a balance that can be achieved and it will only serve our children better.</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>Every year, we go through Meri Christmas! Teri Christmas! with a Goan friend of ours. It really is sabki Christmas if you allow it to be, so Merry Christmas!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>sra</STRONG><EM>, thank you and I hope you have a wonderful 2007!</EM>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166966653292330832006-12-24T06:24:00.000-07:002006-12-24T06:24:00.000-07:00Manish, happy holidays and a happy new year to you...Manish, happy holidays and a happy new year to you and your familysrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03243944393796831559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166863449706607762006-12-23T01:44:00.000-07:002006-12-23T01:44:00.000-07:00The name plate rocks (too)!Let's try out the Nagpu...The name plate rocks (too)!<BR/><BR/>Let's try out the Nagpuri (I think) pithle - 1 katori chilli powder, 1 katori besan and 1 katori oil - Game anyone? Will make 'the Holidays' really warm and colourful!!<BR/><BR/>Being politically correct and 'secular' should not have to mean pushing our 'cultural' inheritance under the carpet. Wouldn't it be nicer if we learn to share our differences? Just wishing "Merry Christmas" or telling people about our religion (which is inextricably linked with culture)should not threaten another group. Like the Mahatma said - let the winds of the great cultures/religions blow freely through my house, but I refuse to be swayed by them (or words to that effect).<BR/><BR/>Happy Holidays! (or may I say - Merry Christmas!) :) Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166716896529270622006-12-21T09:01:00.000-07:002006-12-21T09:01:00.000-07:00Manisha, I live in the US and the school is right....Manisha, I live in the US and the school is right. They are trying to maintain secularism. If they allow your daughter to bring christmas book, then they will have to allow diwali and eid books too. State schools cannot favor one religion over the other. Anyway, it is unrelated to pithla recipe and hence I could not understand why it was there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166649248522686312006-12-20T14:14:00.000-07:002006-12-20T14:14:00.000-07:00Shilpa, I'd love to be a kid again, too. I just do...<STRONG>Shilpa</STRONG><EM>, I'd love to be a kid again, too. I just don't want to go through the teenage years again, though!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Mahek</STRONG><EM>, welcome! Do share pictures of the nameplate you make for your house!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Shaheen</STRONG><EM>, I do think we are very lucky! Let me know if you try the pithla.</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>KA</STRONG><EM>, I saw your recipe and I am going to try it with milk. You can add drumsticks, tomatoes, onions, and any veggie you feel like. It's up to you!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Lee</STRONG><EM>, I will tell Medha! She's finding out who her Secret Santa was right abotu now - the party is in progress. I came home to help with the shovelling and because I thought I had an appointment I needed to cancel. I have till tomorrow and lots more snow to do that!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Anupama</STRONG><EM>, I know what you mean! There's something very "home" and "roots" about pithla, once we're adults!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Sumitha</STRONG><EM>, we played Secret Santa in school, too. Except we called it Kris Kringle. It was a ton of fun!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Dilipbhai</STRONG><EM>, thanks! I will check out your post very soon to see how you made pithla your way!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Ashwini</STRONG><EM>, we're in the middle of a blizzard as I write this. And believe me, pithla bhath is very inviting and is probably going to be what's for dinner!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Anon</STRONG><EM>, I have no idea where you live. But in the schools, the season is referred to as "The Holidays". The party at school is called the "Winter Party" and not the Christmas Party. Folks don't say say Merry Christmas, they say Happy Holidays. It's not Christmas, it's the Holidays.</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>When my daughter was in first grade, she had a beautiful book called The Christmas Story which she wanted to give to her class library since she had two copies of it. Her teacher sent it back saying, "We don't talk about church or the Bible or Christmas in school." There's this whole thing abotu being PC about just what it is we are celebrating!</EM>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166637215882141472006-12-20T10:53:00.000-07:002006-12-20T10:53:00.000-07:00And yes, we are not Christians but we call it Chri...And yes, we are not Christians but we call it Christmas. And, we have a Christmas tree. And, we put up Christmas lights and Christmas decorations.<BR/><BR/><BR/>What are you referring to??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166553689745040832006-12-19T11:41:00.000-07:002006-12-19T11:41:00.000-07:00Loved reading about Medha's creative effort. Pitha...Loved reading about Medha's creative effort. Pithala bhaat ani toop, thoda loncha - enough to soothe one's soul for a month :-)<BR/>Happy Holidays.Ashwinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05982958379716509724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166492961675329972006-12-18T18:49:00.000-07:002006-12-18T18:49:00.000-07:00Manisha, as promised i posted a pithla recipe. I h...Manisha, as promised i posted a pithla recipe. I have also linked to your blog. Pass by when you can...thanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166455345972017252006-12-18T08:22:00.000-07:002006-12-18T08:22:00.000-07:00We used to play this game in our class during my c...We used to play this game in our class during my college days!Its such a fun game.Merry Christmas to you and your family!Sumithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04536031888092649009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166447379649856622006-12-18T06:09:00.000-07:002006-12-18T06:09:00.000-07:00Manisha, You know I never liked Pithala Bhaath whe...Manisha, You know I never liked Pithala Bhaath when I was in school and also later as a teenager and I swore I ould never make it even as a grown-up. But my mother always laughed at that and said that I would start loving it after I got married and had my own family simply because it is so convenient to make and does taste delicious. What she predicted was so true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166417246051535072006-12-17T21:47:00.000-07:002006-12-17T21:47:00.000-07:00I love the penguins that Medha did last year and t...I love the penguins that Medha did last year and the nameplate came out just beautifully; I can imagine how pleased Jessie was. And the image I have of Medha's escapades delivering the gifts is wonderful. The neighborhood Secret Santa project is a great idea. I'm looking forward to hearing what comes next.<BR/><BR/>LeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166313261752125342006-12-16T16:54:00.000-07:002006-12-16T16:54:00.000-07:00Beautiful name plate! Pithla looks delicious Manis...Beautiful name plate! <BR/>Pithla looks delicious Manisha. We make something like this on similar lines but with other veggies like potato, cucumber etc, never tried it with drumstick so far.KAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03580157458191209215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166311916559833382006-12-16T16:31:00.000-07:002006-12-16T16:31:00.000-07:00Pithala is new to me but very welcome. You are ble...Pithala is new to me but very welcome. You are blessed with a wonderful neighbourhood and the holidays are the best way to show the affection towards each other, right? Nice name plate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166291907151061362006-12-16T10:58:00.000-07:002006-12-16T10:58:00.000-07:00great post!!!hithat name plate was great!!!i too a...great post!!!<BR/>hi<BR/>that name plate was great!!!<BR/>i too am planning to do a name plate for my house .I love to see someone being creative on the blog good...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166237676870377012006-12-15T19:54:00.000-07:002006-12-15T19:54:00.000-07:00Ohh that nameplate looks very very cute now. I wis...Ohh that nameplate looks very very cute now. I wish I was a kid and Medha was my secret santa :).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166235603450065282006-12-15T19:20:00.000-07:002006-12-15T19:20:00.000-07:00Dilipbhai, kem cho ane welcome! Mara var Patel che...<STRONG>Dilipbhai</STRONG><EM>, kem cho ane welcome! Mara var Patel che pan ene bo vadhare Gujarati avadtu nathi! And, as you can see, mine is even worse! There are many variations to pithla. It's almost like khandvi except that the phodni (vaghaar) is done before heating the besan-buttermilk mixture and it's not dried up as much. Please link away and let me know so that I can try your version, too!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>RP</STRONG><EM>, thanks! I'm hoping to put up our trees this weekend. I haven't bought a gingerbread house kit despite a lot of grovelling as that is what the kids do at the Secret Santa party. Medha's house is usually a disaster - I don't think she has much future as an architect! And hey! I am planning to make Archana's <A HREF="http://arcthomas.blogspot.com/2006/12/fruitcake-yes-please-mere-mention-of.html" REL="nofollow">Kerala fruit cake</A>, too! We must compare notes! This is very exciting!!</EM>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166232860371481452006-12-15T18:34:00.000-07:002006-12-15T18:34:00.000-07:00Beautiful post Manisha!We too had the tree up with...Beautiful post Manisha!<BR/>We too had the tree up with the ornaments that we have collected during the previous years. Nothing new on the tree this year!<BR/>I am planning to bake a cake, probably archana's recipe!<BR/>I bought Wilton's gingerbread house kit which we plan to do this weekend. We are planning to add more yummy decorations to the gingerbread house including trees and gingerbread people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166232733345759522006-12-15T18:32:00.000-07:002006-12-15T18:32:00.000-07:00Hi Manisha..so this is what pithla is, forgive my ...Hi Manisha..so this is what pithla is, forgive my ignorance...~smile~..I have the same recipe for drumsticks with besan but I don't use onions or buttermilk, I must try your version...I planning on posting my version and I will link to this post if you don't mind...I do love this dish...thanks for sharing...~smile~..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166212664127129672006-12-15T12:57:00.000-07:002006-12-15T12:57:00.000-07:00Indosungod, you're right about Colorado! I think I...<STRONG>Indosungod</STRONG><EM>, you're right about Colorado! I think I saw it in one of the last few issues of Time magazine. People in Colorado live longer and it is also the 'skinniest' state. I must say I help tip the balance the other way as far as skinny is concerned!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Anon</STRONG> <EM> and</EM> <STRONG>Indosungod</STRONG><EM>, this version of pithla is like a very thick kadi because I used buttermilk (or yogurt) along with besan. However, other versions of pithla use water. Try it out! Feel free to experiment as mentioned <A HREF="http://indianfoodrocks.blogspot.com/2006/04/food-bloggers-meme.html#c116484549305047132" REL="nofollow">here</A>.</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Sra</STRONG><EM>, you're right! KA's drumstick curry looks very like my pithla. I will try it with the drumsticks I have left. By khatash, I meant souring agent. If the buttermilk/yogurt is slightly sour, pithla tastes gret, just like with kadi. If you see other recipes for pithla tat use water, lemon juice is used to give it that slight tang.</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Shabari</STRONG><EM>, welcome! It's so nice to hear from you! And if you go on this way with all the compliments, my head will swell up and that will be the last straw - I don't fit into my clothes as it is, now I won't be able to get into them either! Jokes aside, I am thrilled it brings back memories for you. It also tells me that I am doing some things right! My angel had two canines extracted earlier this week and I think I got more woozy than her because I couldn't bear to look at her mouth. And because I couldn't look at it, it was constantly proffered in my face, jaw wide open!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Vaishali</STRONG><EM>, that thali is not quite the ultimate in thalis. The abslute must-have is the one that has scalloped edges and has decorations along the scallops (well, nothing more 'dots' - the metal is pushed through from the other side). Now that was *my* thali when I was growing up. I am going to have my husband bring it back with him when he visits India in Jan. All of us had those - I always wondered if it was having fewer dishes to wash or if it was to reduce accidents and spills. The food also spreads out in the compartments and therefore cools faster. Maybe I should gift you a thali for your birthday, eh?! Indulge now in what your mother did not let you do! That's what growing up is all about! :-D</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Mythili</STRONG><EM>, I will update the post with pictures of the finished piece shortly. I've been dealing with migraines this past week, apart from bloody jaws! Have fun with your tree! I got my first set of ornaments from Walgreens (ya!) at throwaway prices after the season was over. And, they're still chugging along, 7 years later. And, you're right about this version of pithla being very like kadi - it's because of the besan and the buttermilk/yogurt.</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Nabeela</STRONG><EM>, that's a huge compliment! I do my best is all I can say. There is something very wonderful about children and being with them! I volunteer at her school a lot, too. Any chance I get to get into their classroom, I take! I am very lucky that her school welcomes parental involvement at every stage and they encourage participation in the classroom. It's a treat to be among them as they are so full of energy and uninhibited with their thoughts!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Nandita</STRONG><EM>, the Tamilian pithlaa sounds very interesting! Do you have a recipe for that? It was great to hear from you and I will be in touch very soon!</EM>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166069782510867132006-12-13T21:16:00.000-07:002006-12-13T21:16:00.000-07:00Wonderful write up Manisha and I do like the Pithl...Wonderful write up Manisha and I do like the Pithla - there is a Pithla(a) recipe in Tamil cuisine where a coconut based masala is prepared fresh for veggies with tamarind etc...a variant of sambhar..I love the zunkas and pitlas, will try this out...<BR/><BR/>Was just wondering if you have displayed your mail id somewhere on the blog? Was going thru some of your archives, and wanted to share something with you on mail...you'll find my id on the blog, pl send me ur mail id if its ok with you..Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08343211073306086159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166054173417050142006-12-13T16:56:00.000-07:002006-12-13T16:56:00.000-07:00I love how involved you are with your kid, If(and ...I love how involved you are with your kid, If(and when) I have kids, I'll try to follow your example :)Nabeelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413852017312665746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166042554225507872006-12-13T13:42:00.000-07:002006-12-13T13:42:00.000-07:00Yummyyy !!! Medha - Congrats on such a charming pi...Yummyyy !!! Medha - Congrats on such a charming piece of art. Manisha - To you too.<BR/><BR/>Christmas tree - I have been wanting to have one since 3 years now. The decorations, the festive mood is just incredible. So we bought an artificial one this year. Yayyy !!<BR/><BR/>The Pithla is somewhat like kadi mebbe because of the presence of the besan powder.<BR/><BR/>Good post, Manisha. Nice read. And kudos to your neighborhood too for opening their arms to you :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-1166019523290664842006-12-13T07:18:00.000-07:002006-12-13T07:18:00.000-07:00Hey, look at that plate!!! As a child, I so used ...Hey, look at that plate!!! As a child, I so used to love eating in that kind of plates with compartments. Our Telugu neighbours (another connection with your post!) used to use them because they were a joint family with lots of kids, and the women of the house used to wash vessels. They did not hire domestic help for a long time. With these plates, you don't need <EM>katoris</EM> or bowls, hence their use, I guess. Since we didn't have them at our place (my mother hates them!), they were always a novelty for me.<BR/>Awww, you've made me nostalgic now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com