Monica Bhide

A friends mom makes the best Mysore Pak in the world. i have never tasted something so decadent! How about sweet rice? We do a saffron pulao at home that is prepared with dry fruits and sugar. The besan sweets served in India these days are not only delicious but the presentation is so charming. Bague25 - tell me more about the sweet appam. please ??

Peppertrails entry Asparagus Pakoda

Gajjak - now that would be perfect for a rainy day along with a steaming hot cup of tea! I miss eating it.. although in a way I am glad because I end up eating way too much of it and then get ill to my stomach!

bague25 - do enter it. Its just for fun.

Deliad -- now please please enter the asparagus recipe into the contest.. it will be fun!

whippy - I so appreciate your taking the time to do this. I am hoping that this contest will set an example for many more to come. THe time frame is short due to other eGullet events that are scheduled.. I hope that this proves to be a success so we can host many more! thanks again for taking the time.. and please do keep the posts coming!

I was talking to a restaurant owner last night about Indian desserts and he was complaining about how most Indian desserts are milk based and for his patrons who have milk aversions/allergies etc its hard to prepare something that they would like... what are some of the non milk based desserts that you have tried and know of? I make a date halwa or pudding but even that uses heavy cream Gur Roti - Indian bread with jaggery.. Puran Poli - Indian bread with lentils and jaggery.... Chikki - peanut brittle... What else??

Its been raining NON STOP for the past few days in DC and quite frankly I had had enough this morning. SO I decided to spend some time in my favorite place.. my kitchen to cheer me up Normally I would have prepared cardamom tea and some onion fritters.. today.. i felt like doing something different.. The tea was replaced with a saffron brew that my father taught me to prepare. It has no tea really (originally it was prepared with tea leaves, but I like mine without) - this is saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon brewed and then served over slivered almonds and with a touch of honey.... For the food part -- I debated and then prepared a crunchy deep fried okra.. thinly sliced okra (lengthwise), seasoned, deepfried and then served with a sprinkling of Chaat Masala.. Yes.. there is hope even in this damn rain What do you cook to pull you out of a rainy day slump??

I have used this brittle as garnish for Shrikhand.. an Indian dessert prepared with thick creamy yogurt. Do you use it?

Bong - so nice to see you after a while. I hope we will see you more often!

I am sure there are other stories here.. what other things do we all do? I remember that my grandmother would hang onions on the walls and tell me it keeps the evil spirits out.. granddad swore it was to keep the wall lizards away......

Thanks for sharing this pictures. They are making me really hungry. I would love for you (Bhelpuri -- since your screen name is so apt to do this) to start a thread on how to host a street food party -- now that would be cool.. everyone knows we can get it there and its damn good.. can we make it here is the key . OFcourse without the wonderful "unknown ingredients" like those on the unwashed hands of the vendors.. I wonder if it will ever really taste the same! I think Mumbai wins hands down for the best corn on the cob or Bhutta.. I agree with you on this Bhelpuri..

I used to feed it to my son all the time when he was little. Small bits at a time are easy to digest and that time he gobbled it up.. ofcourse those were the days he ate squash and broccoli too. My mother makes potatoes stuffed with seasoned paneer and then deep fries them... she then serves them in a makhani sauce with lots of tomatoes and cream. It is simply delicious. We did a recipe in one of the eGCI classes with Paneer... has anyone tried it out. I use that recipe a lot.. it is simple and perfect for Monday nights

You lucky guys!!! I just got a 500g bunch at 5€91 for the spanish ones. The Belgian ones were 3€more I am hoping that this means you will enter the contest! Comeon guys -- we would love more entries..

bague25 - how did it work for you?

I love this dish too. How do you make it?

Nessa - thanks so much for sharing this delightful story. It really is inspiring to read and it does bring out the fact that Indian is not hard to prepare at home. Once you understand the basics of spicing and how to use the right ingredients. So which paneer dish do you love to prepare at home?

My son who loves all things Indian refuses to eat Paneer.. its the funniest thing.. its not "cheese" as he knows it.. He will eat everything but not this..

BBhasin - Thank you. Its heartening to get so many blessings To all the folks who have written to me privately.. I want to thank you for the notes and emails. Please keep them coming.. helps in knowing I am not alone out there feeling like this. Thank you all for taking the time.

rummate -- perhaps this will help your research?

I think Paneer is one of the most versatile ingredients out there. How do you like to use Paneer? Traditional? Fusion? Raw? Do share with us your secrets of the perfect Paneer dish

This is one of my favorite places to eat. yum. Gosh I am getting hungry just thinking about it!!

I think you are right -- chaampe is chops in Hindi.. I think the words sometimes get all mixed up in the signs!

Yes -- if its cheaper than the local korean grocery store.. its a good deal. Our local Korean store still has good deals on fish prices This is funny.. and true! Signs at your local stores????