Monica Bhide

I have started to visit the local Indian places here, VA, MD and DC to start doing some reviews. Let me know if you would like to join me on my next one!! See the DC VA forum for some opinions. I tried Ammas in VA and it was not good, but I am open to going again

Thanks so much.. one last question.. do I have the name right?

I would be happy to help in anyway to promote International curry day (now I rhyme!). Ofcourse there are folks much much wiser than me to lead gourmet tours, I am happy to eat and watch!!

Excellent excellent excellent post!! Thank you!

At a friends home when I was in college. LONG LONG time ago. They were from Karnataka but the cook was from Andhra ( I think)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION -- ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK -- NOT DONE YET -- not sure what else I can say. The name is (Lentil Puree) Andhra Patoli : A spicy pureed dish made by steaming ground Channa dal. I am not sure I have the right ingredients or the method quite right. . [RI]1 cup channa dal (yellow split peas), well rinsed [RI]2 Serrano green chilies [RI]1 teaspoon cumin seeds [RI]4 tablespoons vegetable oil [RI]1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds [RI]2 dried red chilies, broken [RI]4 fresh curry leaves [RI]1 1-inch fresh ginger root, grated [RI]1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder [RI]Table salt to taste [RI]Water, as needed 1. Grind the dal along with the green chilies and cumin seeds, to a coarse paste. Set aside. 2. In a large pan (with a lid), heat the vegetable oil. Add the mustard seeds. When they begin to sputter, add the red chilies, curry leaves, and ginger root. Mix well. 3. Add the dal puree, turmeric powder and salt. Mix well. Add about ¼ cup of water. Cover and cook on medium heat for 7-8 minutes 4. Uncover, stir well, add another ¼ cup of water. Mix well and cover. Lower the heat and cook until the lentils are soft, about 5-6 minutes 5. Serve hot.

I am working on a recipe that I need help with. I am trying to recreate it from memory and not sure if it is -- (a) traditionally correct (b) has all the right ingredients. I was just worried about publicly posting a recipe I am not yet sure works..

I desparately need help on an Andhra recipe.. if you think you can help PM me and I will explain all! Thanks

Hi all, I am taking a large group to Dungrats (sp?) on April 26th -- does anyone know the chef? I was hoping to talk with him/her to make a evening something spectacular... let me know.. you can PM me if you like thanks Monica

All the recipes were free earlier and they are his. Now to access them you need to sign up. I already have the books, a lot of the recipes on the site are from his show and not in his book. I guess, they hook you and then charge you. So maybe it is fair. (The books are published in India, where the cost of publication is a lot cheaper than here, so $13 seems good here)

Sure, www.tarladalal.com www.sanjeevkapoor.com http://www.angithi.com/RecipySite/index.asp To name a few. They are all Indian, since this is my primary area of interest

I am still reading this thread, so forgive me if someone has pointed this out. I was sad to learn that many of my favorite websites are now charging money to access recipes. I thought the idea was to provide a few recipes to get people to buy the book...oh well. Live and learn

I love tender coconuts and just eat the "jellies" as they are. Incidentally, I was reading a while ago that coconut water (the clear liquid inside the coconut) is quickly becoming the leading competitor against other sports drinks. Coconut water is wonderful as is, even better to help an upset stomach. In India they will often give it to you in place of electrolytes or plain water when you are recovering from any illness

Milk Cakes are Indian sweet meats made with Riccotta cheese (or Indian cheese). Very delicate and creamy, I serve them with hot tea

I make milk cakes, carrot halva (an indian pudding) and many others. If you would like a recipe, I would be happy to PM it to you Monica

Interesting responses, though honestly I am quite surpirsed. With so many cook with your microwave books out.. i thought people would be using it more for cooking I use mine to : Occasionally make rice Cook potaotes Make many desserts Make tea Reheat

Thanks, i will!

This one is interesting.. more please.. more information.. insights

I am really curious about this...do people use their microwaves for cooking or just re-heating? What are your opinions? Do you cook a smashing dish in the microwave that you would care to share? Why are microwaves "looked down upon" -- that is my naive understanding -- am I wrong? Are they necessary to your cooking or just a nice to have or a total nuisance?

Yes, I have a recipe for it my new book.. if you would like to do a test let me know and I will PM it to you!

I really enjoy the Food section of the Post.. it has a lot of practicality that many others lack...

BTW, all my friends know that if I am serving rice pudding for dessert, I messed up the Gulab Jamuns!

BBhasin, nice recipe. i will try it too and let you know how it turns out M

Sounds awesome, I will make it this weekend and let you know how it turns out