Teto r dal (bitter lentils)

Calcutta is famous for its sultry summers. Those summer afternoons were long and balmy and every day after school when I sat down for lunch with Ma there would be two things that were Ma's summer specials. The first one was teto r dal . Now , I am very fond of bitter vegetables (funny eh!) and since then I have come to know that these bitter stuff help to keep the body cool.

Since Sunday the weather here had been unusually warm. And so I missed Ma's tetor dal more than ever. C was a little apprehensive.."Bitter dal?!! How do you make that? Is it good?"He asked me over the phone when I told him that's what I had packed for his lunch."Tell me how it is after you have had it", I told him.
An hour later C told me it was his best lunch ever! He loved the dal!( I knew he would! :))

I also looked up the recipe from Bong Mom's Cookbook.

Ingradients:
moong dal-1/2cup
masur dal-1/3 cup
bottle gourd (lau/lauki)-half of one middle sized one chopped into chunky pieces
bitter gourd (ucche/karela)-2 small cut into circular pieces
ginger paste-1 tbsp
Kalo jire (onion seeds)- 1/2 tsp
salt-according to taste
oil-2 -3tsp
green chilli- 1-2(optional)
turmeric-a pinch

Pressure cook the dal (do not dry roast or fry the dal) with the bottle gourd, turmeric , salt , ginger paste and 1/2 tsp oil.
Now in a pan fry the bitter gourd pieces (not too crisp). Just let them cook.
In the remaining oil sizzle the onion seeds and the green chilli.
Pour the boiled dal and adjust seasoning and consistency.
Serve with hot white rice on a summer afternoon and ENJOY!

Happy 1416

Shubho Nababarsho.....

The start of the Bengali New year was always fun time back at home.
But here in 'Phoren' land nothing like that. Weather wise it is much better though. The sun shines bright,the trees are leafing and there is a nip in the air still.

C wants a special dinner today with all his favorite goodies(read: alu bhaja and muger dal).

So dinner will be a tad more elaborate as I plan to include a few more dishes.

Will post about it soon!

Till then have a great time!

Baked Salmon

C always likes his fish baked..... and since here we do not get many fresh water fishes and the only salt water ones that I can eat is salmon..... I too prefer the baked variety. It is incredibly healthy,mouth watering and amazingly easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

Salmon -1 lb
yogurt-1 cup
coriander- a handful
coriander powder-1/2 tsp
cumin powder-1/2 tsp
onion paste-1 tbsp
ginger garlic paste -1/2 tbsp
salt- according to taste
lime juice- 4-5 tbsp
oil for basting
lime wedges

Marinate the salmon pieces with salt and lime juice for 1 hour.
Whip the yogurt until it is a smooth paste. Chop the coriander fine and add it to the yogurt.
Next add the spice powders with the onion and ginger garlic paste to the yogurt.
Add salt to the yogurt .
Coat the fish pieces with the marinade and keep it aside for 2-3 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350F and bake for 30-40 minutes on each side.
From time to time bast with oil.
Serve with lime wedges and enjoy!