tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post3563224902166052689..comments2024-01-29T19:23:58.553-07:00Comments on Indian Food Rocks: IFR Quick Fix: Patal BhajiIndian Food Rockshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13397829480472038159noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-32585365890498747142009-09-08T21:32:45.574-06:002009-09-08T21:32:45.574-06:00Made this and turned out yum.Thanks for the recipe...Made this and turned out yum.Thanks for the recipe.Poornimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00413848460587219865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-48453297378965207162007-09-29T09:46:00.000-06:002007-09-29T09:46:00.000-06:00The only pickles I keep in the refrigerator are th...The only pickles I keep in the refrigerator are the <A HREF="http://madteaparty.wordpress.com/2006/11/29/refrigerator-pickles/" REL="nofollow">refrigerator pickles</A>! There is no room for any other pickles there - remember the mango jam takes precedence.<BR/><BR/>Oil preserves but if the pickle ages it can go rancid and spoil the taste of the pickle...<BR/><BR/>There is no mold on my pickle, dear - we just had some on Gasnesh Chaturthi with sabudana khichdi. Yum. Remind me to serve you some whenever you visit - it will be around for another 4 years at least, given how often I/we fast!Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06002754872631420601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-79069824778515448332007-09-27T16:00:00.000-06:002007-09-27T16:00:00.000-06:00Hima, welcome! Do try it and let me know how you l...<STRONG>Hima</STRONG><EM>, welcome! Do try it and let me know how you like it - or not!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Anita</STRONG><EM>, you're saying the oil makes the pickles spoil sooner? Isn't the layer of oil supposed to prevent any schmoozing between the pickle and air? And I remember my grandmother adding more oil to her barni over a period of time.<BR/><BR/>I have never been able to test how long my pickles last, as they get consumed far to quickly. Not good. Especially since a certain someone is approaching that age where pimples and zits become more than close acquaintances. I saw kids her age with foreheads packed with what looked like the beginning of acne. I came home and said: eat more salad, child! No more pickle!<BR/><BR/>Patal bhaji with mustard oil? Never.</EM> :-D <EM>Need to try it one day to see if it tastes bad! It should taste fine if cooked in coconut oil though.<BR/><BR/>I refrigerate my pickles, too. That just eliminates any chance of spoilage. And I take out small quantities in a smaller jar for daily use. So the large jar stays put in the refrigerator, unopened and untouched for as long as possible.<BR/><BR/>Have you checked your 4 year old for pickled mold? <BR/><BR/>Maybe it's not true love forever but pickle forever. Who knows! </EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Pel</STRONG><EM>, if and when I visit Anita in Delhi, I will inspect this 4 year old pickle and bring back a sample for you to test for other additives. (Watch her finish that pickle now!)</EM>Indian Food Rockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397829480472038159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-61940435633442633092007-09-27T12:15:00.000-06:002007-09-27T12:15:00.000-06:00Why do you refrigerate your pickles, Pel? Mine si...Why do you refrigerate your pickles, Pel? Mine sit in the cupboard...Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06002754872631420601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-11895722052129670462007-09-27T08:44:00.000-06:002007-09-27T08:44:00.000-06:00OMG, Pel! You're right! Achar achaar! It's probab...OMG, Pel! You're right! Achar achaar! It's probably because there is no oil that might go rancid. BTW, mustard oil <I>never</I> goes rancid. To which my husband used to say - it couldn't go bad anymore...Not amymore though!<BR/>But patal bhaji must never be made with mustard oil...to come back to the post topic.Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06002754872631420601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-82273273666216767762007-09-27T02:12:00.000-06:002007-09-27T02:12:00.000-06:00Hey Anita- I have some of that kind of sweet-sour ...Hey Anita- I have some of that kind of sweet-sour lime pickle in my frig that is like 4 years old as well. Are you sure that achaar and achar aren't really the same thing? :-DPelicanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00858951498917328458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-8687311452089618822007-09-26T11:29:00.000-06:002007-09-26T11:29:00.000-06:00Since we are talking lemon pickles (and I did not ...Since we are talking lemon pickles (and <I>I</I> did not change the topic...) let it be stated, for the record, that unlike other pickles, oil free lemon and lime pickles last <B>forever</B>!<BR/>I remember one lime pickle my mum made whic we had for at least 6 years! And, my present lime pickle, the one consumed with made with <I>vrat</I>(fasting) meals and made with limes, sugar, salt, chilli powder, pieces of green chillies and ginger, is now 4 yesrs old, and going...<BR/>Yes, I make more pickle than I really need...Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06002754872631420601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-47058950961575255532007-09-25T12:41:00.000-06:002007-09-25T12:41:00.000-06:00This is something new to me. Got to give it a try....This is something new to me. Got to give it a try.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-41364751930031369432007-09-24T23:17:00.000-06:002007-09-24T23:17:00.000-06:00Pel, patal bhaji. Not kootu. :-D I also make this ...<STRONG>Pel</STRONG><EM>, patal bhaji. Not kootu. :-D I also make this with pureed spinach in which I like to add raw/uncooked peanuts. They cook along with the rest of the bhaji. Kadipatta would probably add another dimension to the flavors. Why not?!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Richa</STRONG><EM>, if you ever come across white peaches, try them. They're delicious!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Nabeela</STRONG><EM>, you're a little different - you do it because you found a method that appealed to you. The purists do it a particular way because that is *the* way and there can be no other. Having said that, dried beans that have been soaked overnight and cooked the next day taste way better than canned beans. But, when you have a day job that sometimes extends into the wee hours of the night cos it's still daytime in other time zones and you have a little one or tow or three to chauffeur from school to class to class, believe me, canned beans are your best friends as are other time savers. </EM><BR/><BR/><EM>I am reminded of my best friend...when she moved to Canada from Kenya, she told me: "We only eat fresh food made for that meal. It really does not take much to do that, you know! I don't think I will ever freeze food like you do." In about 6 months, she was a convert.</EM> :-D<BR/><BR/><STRONG>Leeeeee!</STRONG><EM>, a big huge hug to you! I've missed you, too! Our summer this year was even busier than last year so I totally understand how it was for you. We were talking about you just the other day and thinking that it's high time we got together for a meal. I'll be in touch soon! <BR/><BR/>Oh, and I am quite sure you and Max will enjoy this!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Dot</STRONG><EM>, I am so thrilled you made it here! Welcome to IFR! Fresh brewed tea from loose tea leaves is so much better than using tea bags. Tea houses are quite the rage around here so I get to try different blends and varieties every time I visit. Try white tea if you get a chance. It is fabulous! Avoid white tea in tea bags, regardless of whether it is organic or if the tea bag was prepared without harming the earth. It's awful stuff. Fresh, on the other hand, has an aroma that soothes and pleases the senses!<BR/><BR/>I hope Angus is doing OK. We're thinking of all of you! Hugs to you all!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>HKG</STRONG><EM>, thank you! That rose is my first indoor rose. The other rose plants I have 'came with the house.'</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Vidya</STRONG><EM>, welcome! Shelf life for the lemon pickle? Refrigerated, it can be as long as 2 years. I have not tried to keep it unrefrigerated so I cannot tell you much except that my mother and my aunts have it for 6 months to a year. It depends entirely on how well you treat it - no double dipping, no wet spoons and so on.<BR/><BR/>If you read what Pel says <A HREF="http://indianfoodrocks.blogspot.com/2006/08/make-lime-pickle-sans-oil-while-sun.html#c5465512408254410930" REL="nofollow">here</A> and <A HREF="http://indianfoodrocks.blogspot.com/2007/06/shout-out-pickle-time.html#c1608340725565524006" REL="nofollow">here</A> about making lemon pickle in winter. As long as your provide enough warmth and stir it everyday, you should be ok. Or try <A HREF="http://indosungod.blogspot.com/2007/06/lemon-pickle-and-redemption.html" REL="nofollow">ISG's lemon pickle</A> although she makes it with lime. It's to drool over, definitely! Or make a little of each! <BR/><BR/>Let me know how it goes!</EM>Indian Food Rockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397829480472038159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-48907864940410206402007-09-24T19:03:00.000-06:002007-09-24T19:03:00.000-06:00Hi Manisha.. I need some urgent gyaan! I saw your ...Hi Manisha.. I need some urgent gyaan! I saw your recipe for cooked lemon pickles from Sunkist lemons. What's their shelf life?? I have way too many lemons, and not enough sunlight to do things the non-cooking way. if it's not too much trouble could you mail me at vidya[dot]blog[@]gmail[dot]com <BR/>thanks a million.Vidyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09983815036723926607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-60598201038012432552007-09-24T01:46:00.000-06:002007-09-24T01:46:00.000-06:00nice posynice posyHAREKRISHNAJIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00137830344437763830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-72842120163131486562007-09-21T19:15:00.000-06:002007-09-21T19:15:00.000-06:00Rhat sure does look yummy and I'm sure it tastes t...Rhat sure does look yummy and I'm sure it tastes that way too. I am so missing Colorado and your great cooking! Hope all is well there, the leaves are beginning to change here in Connecticut. I went to visit a friend up near Boston a few weeks ago and got hooked on fresh tea leaves! She has a tea store nearby that is a feast for the senses.Dothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16301682085413236816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-80481097055435962842007-09-20T18:53:00.000-06:002007-09-20T18:53:00.000-06:00Yum, quick to fix, not too many ingredients and lo...Yum, quick to fix, not too many ingredients and looks and sounds delicious! Definitely my kind of dish, and Max would love this too.<BR/><BR/>I'm so glad you are back posting! While we haven't talked much this summer (August was the month from H*ll for me with three biz trips)your influence was in my kitchen - I made Shrikhand three times, once with homemade yogurt, and made your Masoor with chard again. On one of the biz trips Charlotte and I had dinner with Russ and Rita and another couple from India who also have a clothing manufacturing business. I was telling them about the Shrikhand and beating it meditatively with a wooden spoon and the second man's jaw dropped. He does the cooking in their household and invited us to visit them and he would cook, sadly they live in upstate NY. You might wonder where we went to dinner - to a Japanese sushi buffet where we all had lots of Unagi!<BR/><BR/>I have read your posts all summer and loved the intensely beautiful photo of Medha as a butterfly, and had hoped to call you and possibly meet on another Friday night - but it was hectic all around.<BR/><BR/>Let's get together soon.<BR/><BR/>LeeLeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16458808361059374252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-70907747832881808422007-09-20T18:06:00.000-06:002007-09-20T18:06:00.000-06:00Manisha, I know how you feel about neglecting othe...Manisha, I know how you feel about neglecting other blogs.....I sadly feel the same way. To make amends, I spent 7 hours(yes, you read that right) going through my rss feeds...and I'm only upto "J"...*sigh*.<BR/>Also, I am one of those people you're talking about, who after having *loved* a recipe, won't make a single change to it. I'm very strict that way....if it needs 1 cup dried beans, it needs 1 cup dried beans, canned ones won't do....*sigh*....I hate myself sometimes :)Nabeelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413852017312665746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-65263188340275541182007-09-20T16:37:00.000-06:002007-09-20T16:37:00.000-06:00yup, we get plenty aloo here, but that corn tip is...yup, we get plenty aloo here, but that corn tip is somethinn i'll try :)<BR/>i don't think i've had CA white peaches. i usually get my peaches only from one fav farmer of mine, they are absolutely the best i've ever had :) but he puts up shop only 3 days a week, so one has to plan accordingly, yup i'm a lil' obsessed @ it. i don't even want to begin with my exp with store bot peaches :(<BR/>hope u had a good tripRichahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08386161012677274105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-39024391256342568252007-09-20T11:19:00.000-06:002007-09-20T11:19:00.000-06:00Do you ever add peanuts and kari patta to your kut...Do you ever add peanuts and kari patta to your kutu? :-DPelicanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00858951498917328458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-85961459706699188132007-09-19T00:12:00.000-06:002007-09-19T00:12:00.000-06:00We had a super trip. Nothing eventful or uneventfu...We had a super trip. Nothing eventful or uneventful happened except for seeing the top of our tent at close quarters the first night. We had to stake it down some more after the first storm. :-D <A HREF="http://www.flickr.com/photos/polarmate/sets/72157602048226135/" REL="nofollow">Some pictures</A>, if you are interested. <BR/><BR/><STRONG>TBC</STRONG><EM>, let me know if you ever figure out why you stopped using your tea ball. Maybe you just preferred the convenience of tea bags? I have to be honest - I stopped using tea bags cos the taste just didn't match up to tea brewed with loose tea leaves. In the process, I am cool and green! </EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Cynthia</STRONG><EM>, inside the house is better! But it's nice on a cool night. We have an air bed and that makes it a little more comfortable despite Medha's view that it is lumpy. </EM> ^-^<BR/><BR/><STRONG>Anita</STRONG><EM>, I became green by accident! Wet wipes rock when there are no showers. As do Lysol wipes.</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Musical</STRONG><EM>, the purists think Yellow Label is just not good enough. Get the tea ball cos then you can heat water in a mug, dunk the tea ball in, pull it out when the tea is brewed, add milk and sugar (if you like) and your tea is ready! One mug chai. No bartan or strainer to wash. Yes, you have to wash the tea ball but it's not a big deal! </EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Bhags</STRONG><EM>, welcome to IFR! Coconut milk lends itself to the 'quick' in the title of this post. In my family, patal bhaji usually includes fresh grated coconut that is ground in the blender or on the ragda with spices and tamarind. I usually make this on schoolnights when there is no time for </EM>laad<EM> or extra dishes. Adding coconut milk at the end is a substitute for fresh grated coconut. Also, fresh coconut is an oxymoron here in Colorado.</EM>Indian Food Rockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397829480472038159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-25244524159647657792007-09-18T18:08:00.000-06:002007-09-18T18:08:00.000-06:00My first time here....nice blogcoconut milk, never...My first time here....nice blog<BR/><BR/>coconut milk, never have ever seen that been used in patal bhaji.....aai ne banavilelya patal bhajichi athavan ali...me kadhihi nahi prayatna kela palak ani daal sobat waparnyachabhahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15235502611344558502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-46459662541788658512007-09-15T19:19:00.000-06:002007-09-15T19:19:00.000-06:00I like the Yellow and Red Lables too :). and why i...I like the Yellow and Red Lables too :). and why is it blasphemous ;). The suit the regular chai the best! <BR/><BR/>Have to get tea-ball, sounds pretty useful!<BR/><BR/>Happy Ganesh Chaturthi btw :).musicalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07166797277993509485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-42983782986663597472007-09-13T23:10:00.000-06:002007-09-13T23:10:00.000-06:00Ah...enlightenment (ref: wet wipes) :-D.And it is ...Ah...enlightenment (ref: wet wipes) :-D.<BR/><BR/>And it is very very green to use a tea ball - it is a mind bogling number of trees that are consumed for paper for the tea bags!Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06002754872631420601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-57629987402215498332007-09-13T21:24:00.000-06:002007-09-13T21:24:00.000-06:00I can just imagine the fun camping out in the back...I can just imagine the fun camping out in the backyard.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01565340772467109199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-88089412604476328692007-09-13T15:27:00.000-06:002007-09-13T15:27:00.000-06:00Love the look of your patal bhaji.The pic is absol...Love the look of your patal bhaji.The pic is absolutely beautiful. I used to have one of them tea- balls. After reading this, I went & hunted for mine.No luck finding it. There was a reason I had stopped using mine, can't for the life of me remember why!<BR/>There are a number of things that I just cannot do without when we travel but if I had to pick just one, it would have to be Tylenol:-)<BR/><BR/>Have a great trip!TBChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06730267615864699764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-78171844952893249782007-09-13T14:42:00.000-06:002007-09-13T14:42:00.000-06:00Jyothsna, thanks on both counts!Padmaja, thanks! T...<STRONG>Jyothsna</STRONG><EM>, thanks on both counts!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Padmaja</STRONG><EM>, thanks! The weather looks like it will cooperate but you never know, those afternoon thunderstorms can be quite nasty!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Anjali</STRONG><EM>, red chard or rainbow chard, yes! I love the colors of the leaves and it is not near tasteless like the spinach out here! Thai patal bhaji sounds like a great idea!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Latha</STRONG><EM>, Moab was great! The views in Canyonlands and from Dead Horse Point are as magnificent as those in Grand Canyon. Very little is known about Canyonlands as most of it is accessible only by 4-wheelers.</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>ET</STRONG><EM>, of course all is well! </EM> :-D<BR/><BR/><STRONG>TC</STRONG><EM> of course not! This is the way I make it, remember?! Traditionally, fresh grated coconut is used and not coconut milk! I use it as it saves me a lot of time and the result is a great tasting patal bhaji. My maushi treated me to <A HREF="http://www.flickr.com/photos/polarmate/573553044/in/set-72157600275324486/" REL="nofollow">masoorichi patal bhaji</A> (blurry pic) but she went the whole nine yards ad was in the kitchen for a long time. I don't have that luxury these days so I need it to be quick and yet have the same taste!</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Suganya</STRONG><EM>, the link to the ground masala is in preparation for other posts that might reference it and for those who may scan the post and ask, what ground masala should I use?</EM> :-D<BR/><BR/><STRONG>Sandeepa</STRONG><EM>, I haven't heard of Quik Tea. Although I doubt it is for me as I don't like to boil my tea or add sugar! But if I come across it, I will try it - everything at least once. Even unagi.</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Anita</STRONG><EM>, soap and water is the best. And that's what one uses when it's available. Given the distances we travel while on vacation here and the remote areas we visit, sometimes there are only pit toilets. And, the flushable wipes are not for the hands, my dear. Most toilets are not fitted with bidets nor is there a 'tumbler' for use! This reminds me of posts on another blog asking what readers felt about an ad for a bidet on a food blog!</EM> :-DIndian Food Rockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397829480472038159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-86042399300013181912007-09-13T13:23:00.000-06:002007-09-13T13:23:00.000-06:00Long winded ...and apparently, a lot of air as wel...Long winded ...and apparently, a lot of air as well...call it fusion!<BR/><BR/>Whatever happened to good old soap and water?! All that carrying of wipes and sanitiser <I>and</I> hoping it is better for the environment. All that packaging besides...<BR/><BR/>[I can boast can't I - and don't you call them sour grapes...It is Green, which is the buzzword that you are all trying to incorporate! Ha!]Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06002754872631420601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5156654.post-91461540208168309222007-09-13T12:20:00.000-06:002007-09-13T12:20:00.000-06:00Thanks for the info Manisha, shall try to get one....Thanks for the info Manisha, shall try to get one. BTW have you tried the Quik Tea ? I like my tea with milk sugar and plenty of boiling so the Quik tea which I discovered only yesterday gives the same taste without all the jhanjhat.<BR/>Not for the true tea lovers thoughBong Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15407918137263251235noreply@blogger.com