Rice for our souls

The Malayalam Calendar brings together celebrations 

for our living and rituals for our ancestors.

 

This 'payasam' did not follow a particular measurement for the rice, jaggery, coconuts and clarified butter.

 

The traditional spices:

Cardamom

A touch of dried ginger

A touch of ground cumin

Palm Sugar Jaggery

Grated Coconut

Clarified Butter

and above all,

Raw rice. 

 

For all the celebrations across the oceans these past two months. 

 

 

 

Simple Roast Vegetables

Chunks of Carrots, Potatoes, Cauliflower florets, Baby Bok Choy, Green Beans 

Red, Yellow and Orange Bell Peppers

Heat oven to 450 F

Toss vegetables with generous drizzles of  olive oil and sprinkles of   seasoning:

dried  red chilli flakes and dried basil

Spread them on a single layer in a baking sheet

Bake  for 30 minutes, turning them once or twice.

Season with salt.

Black & White Wednesdays # 158 Gallery

My thanks to Cinzia of CindyStar who currently administers  one of my favourite events online, the  Black and White Wednesdays. Created by the very talented Susan, The Well Seasoned Cook. Tiffin Carrier Antic/que's! hosted the BWW #158 event. Here are the lovely vignettes captured in the timeless shades of black and white.

Black and White Wednesday # 158

Entries



Three sets of Orange Pekoe Tea

 Lata Raja, the immensely talented lady behind Flavours and Tastes sends in the of three sets of Orange Pekoe Tea.



Painted Pony Beans

Black and White Wednesday # 158 : Puli Inji / Kerala Tamarind Chutney

Tamarind Pods for Puli Inji/ Tamarind Chutney for BWW #158

 

Thank you! to Cinzia who blogs at Cindystar and Susan, The Well Seasoned Cook. Tiffin Carrier Antic/que's! is honoured to host the Black and White Wednesday # 158.

 

This goes to the Black and White Wednesday #158 hosted here.

Puli Inji/ Tamarind Chutney

 

Traditional Valluvanad Puli Inji/ Traditional Valluvanad Tamarind Chutney

 

Hosting Black and White Wednesday # 158

Tiffin Carrier Antic/que's is honored to host the current gallery of  the Black and White Wednesdays event. Created by Susan, The Well Seasoned Cook and currently administered by Cinzia of Cindystar Blog.

 

Black and White Wednesdays # 158

 

 

Please send entries from your blog posted from today, February 18, 2015 - March 3, 2015.

 

Email entries to tiffincarrieranticques AT gmail DOT com with the following details:

• Your Name
• Name of your Blog
• URL of Blog post
• Approximately 500 x 700 px photograph with title as attachment.

Further details about BWW participation can be accessed here.

I will receive entries until midnight Eastern Standard Time-US of Tuesday, March 3, 2015. 

BWW #158 Gallery will be posted on March 4, 2015.

 

Greek Yogurt Dip with Jalapeno and Green Grapes

Ingredients

 

1/4 Cup Cream Cheese

1 3/4 Cup Greek Yogurt

4 tbsps. finely chopped red onions

1 de-seeded finely chopped jalapeno ( more or less according to your preference)

Approximately 1/2 Cup small green seedless grapes- halved

Salt for seasoning

 

Method

 

Blend the  softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt in a blender or mixer until smooth.

Add the finely chopped jalapeno, finely chopped red onions and halved grapes into the mix.

Season with salt.

Serve.

 

 

The Greek Yogurt replaces the Cream Cheese  and/or Sour Cream. The small amount added gives the 'binding' for the dip. One can avoid it entirely and chill the Dip before serving. The heat comes from the jalapenos. The tart-sweet grapes offset the heat of the jalapenos and the onions give the crunch.

 

Another version: Spicy Cream Cheese and Cumin Dip

 

 

 

Onam Sadya Vibhavangal : Pazham Nurukku / Jaggery Stewed Plantains

Part of the traditional Onam Sadya/ Onam Feast

This goes to the Black and White Wednesdays # 142 . Created by The Well Seasoned Cook managed  and hosted this week by Cindystar.