Here's what we thought...

I know this round up is about as late as it can get. I had everything ready for this post on time. I was rather organized (and I hope I haven’t left anyone out) this time around and as I wanted to save myself the last minute running around. But as luck would have it, I have been very busy otherwise and I am spending this morning, despite being under the weather, posting the round up as I am fairly determined to post my round up before the round up of the January event is up!


I received 17 entries in all to my Think Spice Think Carom event, and with the addition of my own entry, my event went on to become a full grown adult. Since we all thought about Carom so much, instead of a Pot Luck Party, we had a Thought Luck Party.


Here’s how the coming of age (well, sort of) party went:

Alka walked in with a plate of samosas. We set those up on the table with my masala arbi fries. Navita brought a plate of pop in pakodas. As everyone started digging in, Gayatri opened her box of savoury shankarpali. Then Aquadaze, who had brought some grilled chicken noticed that one plate was empty and went back to bring some more masala arbi. That is when Deepika opened her box of low-fat grilled cauliflower sandwiches. The children and adults seemed to enjoy everything that was on the table. Some of the children found the snacks a little spicy. That’s when Sanika pointed them to her khari biscuits.


Suddenly, it was time for dinner. Aparna brought a stack of hot misi rotis. We ate those and Sanika’s ajwain parathas with Bee and Jai’s fansi dhokli. There were avocado parathas from Priya and some more ajwain parathas from Preety. I opened up a bottle of pickles and we polished off Chandni’s thepla and Meera’s masala rotli. I ran in and brought out some curd so that we could savour Soma’s ajwain dal paratha and Suma’s ajwain onion parathas.


We were all really full and PJ had exactly what we all needed to settle our stomachs after that fantastic meal, some vata tea.


So, all in all, it was a fun party and a rather great way to ring in the new year. Thank you all.

Breakfast in a jiffy

I’d asked everyone to send me a breakfast that’s ready in 15 minutes. What I didn’t realize was that this round up would definitely need much more than 15 minutes. I had an ulterior motive behind the choice of this theme. I really am hard-pressed for time in the mornings (not that my evenings are any different) and I’m perennially on the lookout for wholesome meals that can come together in a jiffy. And all of you have sent me so many entries that I haven’t classified the entries I received by the type of food item. I’d have loved to. After all, so many of you have sent in my favourite: Upma! But lack of time and the overwhelming desire to post the round up have made me take all kinds of crooked shortcuts. And that includes merging all your lovely photographs into one collage. But hey, this was an event designed to save time, wasn’t it?


These mini photographs are in alphabetical order. Top to bottom, left to right. For ease of identification, I will list the entries row by row. I had posted a big collage earlier, but half the pictures didn’t show and so for the moment, I’m going with the small sized collage. Should I find time during the course of this month, I shall reorganize the photographs. I’m participating in the NaBloPoMo this month and shall be posting once a day. Considering it took me three hours to just get home last night, I doubt I’ll find much time. But if I do, I’ll get to this. Going through this round up will cost you more than just 15 minutes!

Row 1


Archana of Archy’s Recipes: Wheat Sweet Pancakes
Arundathi of My Food Blog: Mango Jam with Cumin

Arundati of Escapades: Besan Roti (Picture not included in collage)
Arundati of Escapades: Upma
Asha of Aroma Hope: Baja Kichuri
Becke of Columbus Foodie: Sublime Scrambled Eggs
Bharti Khemani of VeggieFoodist: Chocolate Oatmeal
Bharti Khemani of VeggieFoodist: Oatmeal Seera
Cham of Spice-club: Wheat Idlis
Deeba of Passionate Baker and Beyond: Dropping Scones



Row 2

Deepa of Culinary Adventures: Roti from Leftovers (No Picture attached)
Deepthi Shankar of Vegetable Platter: Poha
Divya of Divya's Cookbook: Sweet Puttu
EC of Simple Indian Food: Mixed Flour Dosas
EC of Simple Indian Food: Ragi Sevai
Jaya of Spice and Curry: Tropical Smoothie
JZ of Tasty Treats: Middle Eastern Onion-Mushroom Omelette
K of K for Khichdi: Dhokla
Kalva of Curry In Kadai: Kiwi Strawberry Smoothie
Kamala of Mom’s Recipes: Rava Idli
Laavanya of Cookery Corner: Cucumber Sandwiches

Row 3

Latha of Masala Magic: Masala Kharabhaat
Meera of Enjoy Indian Food: Phovva Usli
Miri of Peppermill: Baked Eggs
Mona of Zaiqa: Upma

Nags of For the Cook in Me: Wheat Puttu (Picture not included in collage)
Nidhi of Charche Chauke Ke: Choode Matar ki Tehri
Nupur of One Hot Stove: Tikhat Sanja
Priya of Akshayapaatram: Berry Tasty Pancakes
Priya of Live to Cook: Express Potato Pancakes

Radhika of Tickling Palates: Coconut Pancakes
Radhika of Tickling Palates: Rava Upma
Ramki of Ramki Cooks: One page cookbooks - 1001 quickie breakfasts (Picture not part of collage)
Ramya of Ramya Cooks: Quick Dosa


Row 4

Ranjani of Wake up and smell the masala: Eggs Benedict
Ranjeetha Prabhu of RB Cuisines: Onion Wheat Dosa
Remya of Spices and Flavors: Vermicelli Veggies Upma
Renuka of FUSION: Onion Roti
Sharmila of Kichu Khon: French Toast
Sheetal of My Kitchen: Bhagar Swang
Sheetal of My Kitchen: Pangi
Sheetal of My Kitchen: Pumpkin Paratha
Sheetal of My Kitchen: Wholemeal Pancakes

Row 5

Sheetal of WhatzCooking: Besan Ke Cheeley
Shifa Firoz of Voiz Out: Upma
Sia of Monsoon Spice: Khatta-Meetha Khaman Dhokla
Sia of Monsoon Spice: Sabudana/Sago Kichidi
Sireesha of Mom's Recipes: Phodnichi Poli (Queen of leftovers)
Sireesha of Mom's Recipes: Batata Poha
Sireesha of Mom's Recipes: Tomato Omelette(vegetarian)

Siri of Siri's Corner: Akoori

Sita of Andhra Flavors: Simple and Healthy Avocado Sandwich


Row 6

Skribles of Food with a Pinch of Love: Samosa Sandwich
SriLekha of Me and My Kitchen: Bread Upma
SriLekha of Me and My Kitchen: Curd Rice
SriLekha of Me and My Kitchen: Temple Rice
SriLekha of Me and My Kitchen: Vegetables Noodles

Srivalli of Cooking 4 all Seasons: Sevai ~ Coconut Rice Noodles
Srivalli of Cooking 4 all Seasons: Ragi Idli

Suganya of Tasty Palettes: Eggs En Cocotte
Sujatha of Spicy Khazana: Tomato Uthappam


Row 7

Suma of VeggiePlatter: Coconut Poha
Suma Rajesh of Suma's Cuisine: Quick Upma
Sumi of Sumi's Kitchen: Mixed Veggie Egg Scramble
Supriya (who doesn’t have a blog as yet): Couscous Upma with Edameme Beans (Recipe Below)
Supriya (who doesn’t have a blog as yet): Scrambled Tofu (Recipe Below)
Sushma of CookSpot: Semolina Steamed Balls/Rave Unde
Trupti of Recipe Center: Carrot Sandwich, Eggless Tomato Omelette, Karela Fritters, Multigrain Cucumber Vada , Poha, Ragi and Karela Dosa , Shewaya

Uma of Telugu Ruchi: Millet Dosa
Usha of Spicy Kitchen: Murmura Upma

Recipe for Couscous Upma:

I soaked 1 cup dry couscous in warm salted water for 5 mins. In the meanwhile, heated 2 tsp oil in a non-stick fry pan, tempered with mustard seeds, cumin seeds and hing. Then added 1 small chopped onion, 2 dry red chillies (broken), handful of broken cashew pieces. Next went in about 2 cups of frozen edamame beans (soy beans) and few tblsps of water. Covered and cooked this for about 5 mins. Then mixed in the soaked couscous, salt, sugar and lemon juice. This can be garnished with coconut and coriander, but I didn't have any on hand on Saturday.

Recipe for Scrambled Tofu:

This was Sunday's b'fast. I heated 2 tsps olive oil, added 1 tsp jeera seeds, then 1 small chopped onion and 1 chopped green chilli. Fry this for a few mins. In the meanwhile, I drained 1 14 oz. packet of firm tofu and roughly chopped it. I added this to the onions, increased the heat to high and sauteed the tofu for about 5 - 7 mins till all the water that the tofu leaves dries up.Then add turmeric, salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Row 8

Vandana Rajesh of Cooking up Something Nice: Bread Cutlets
Vidhya of My Receipes: Kunukku
Vani of Ilatharasi: Fried Idlis Capsicum Sandwich

And lastly, my own entries:

Gava Pittye Doddak
Potato Peas Peanut Poha
Dal Paratha
Undyo
Capsicum Semia Upma
Instant Semolina Dosa


Now you have no excuse to not eat breakfast. "I didn't have enough time" is such a redundant excuse now. Happy breakfasting everyone!

The A to Z of Soups and Salads

The Monthly Blog Patrol did quite well this hot summer month. I received 26 entries. That's why I decided to call this the A to Z. I added my own and it became 27, but I didn't email my entry to myself, so it doesn't count! In keeping with the A to Z, the entries in alphabetical order. (This round up also starts with an A to Z salad and ends with A to Z soup. Read on to find out how!)

Aparna of My Diverse Kitchen sent me the A to Z Pasta Salad from Susan's Fat Free Vegan Kitchen.

Arul of FoodNTaste dished out this lovely Carrot - Tomato Soup from Vineela's Cooking.

Arundathi of My Food Blog made this really pretty and refreshing Watermelon Gazpacho. She hunted and hunted and found a recipe at Married With Dinner.

Asha sent me this entire meal of Kanji with Cherupayar Mezhukkupuratti very early on this month. Her inspiration was this dish from Shn's Kitchen Mishmash.

Bhags of Crazy Curry sent me Sorisha's version of Tomato Shorba.

When Richa posted this soup, I was fairly certain someone would make it. Cham of Spice Club proved me right with this Carrot Orange Soup.

My dear friend Chitra who is another HUGE inspiration for recipes on my blog made this Penne And Fusilli Salad from my Macaroni Salad. She doesn't have a blog yet, but this is the picture she took of the salad.

Dee of Ammalu's Kitchen made a Spicy Bean Salad and Cucumber Soup from Ashwini's Bean Salad and Cucumber Soup recipes.

Divya Vikram of Dil Se was inspired by this creamy soup from Pearls of East. Her Asparagus Soup looks very hearty to me.

Easy Crafts of Simple Indian Food made this very Indian salad, my favourite Carrot Kosumbari, from Suma's Veggie Platter.

JZ of Tasty Treats made this lovely Hot 'n' Sour Soup from a recipe at Mansi's FunnFud. (It started raining in Gurgaon just now and I would love to have a bowl of this soup.)

Meera of Enjoy Indian Food made this Kosambari from Archy's recipe. Perfect with a simple Indian meal.

Namratha of Finger Licking Food made this wholesome Minestrone Soup from Sia's Monsoon Spice.

Nandita of Saffron Trail went on a junk food trail and then made this Green Bean and Tomato Salad from Smitten Kitchen to aid her rehab efforts.

Rajitha of Hunger Pangs sent in one of my favourite soups, Mushroom Soup, from a blog whose recipes fill my bookmarks: Cookery Corner.

Ranjani of Wake Up And Smell The Masala made this Greek Salad from Janet's recipe.

Revathi, my friend from school, sent in this Pineapple Rasam which has me confused. She has linked it to my recipe but says she made it from the recipe of another friend. (Since I am hosting this event, I have to allow this, haven't I? I mean, the guy who owns the cricket bat doesn't ever get out, does he?)

Shubha of Chuki Bhar Pyar made this very pretty Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup from this recipe at Vegetarian Medley.

Sig of Live to Eat made this Salad Lyonnaise from Elise's blog which called for poached eggs. Sig cheated a wee bit (with the event's support and permission) and made her Fried Egg version.

Siri of Siri's made this (and forgot to send it to me). I remembered just now that someone had an MBP entry in their Recipe Marathon entries and tracked this down. Cucumber Kosambari from Asha's Foodie's Hope.

Srimathi of Few Minute Wonders revisits the old favourite, Tomato Soup, after inspiration from Mythreyee's recipe.

Sujatha of Spicy Khazana makes this 13 Bean Soup from the "first couple" in the Food Blogosphere, Jugalbandi.

Swetha of Our Cherished World made this light and flavourful Onion & Coriander Soup from Shilpa's blog.

TBC a.k.a. The Budding Cook sends in her "bursting with colour" Pinto Bean Salad adapted from Kalyn's Kitchen.

Trupti of Recipe Center sent me this Healthy Mix Vegetable Soup which she made from Mansi's recipe.

Vandy of Vandy's Culinary Adventures was inspired by the Recipe Factory to make this Moth beans /Matki Salad.

Last on this list is my entry, Tomato Red Pepper Saar, a tasty, flavourful, almost Konkani Saar with a twist. I'd been eyeing this recipe at Nupur's blog ever since she posted the round up titled T is for Tomato Red Pepper Saar as part of her A-Z of Indian Vegetables.

If I have missed out any entries, please do drop me a line. I am sorry I have been unable to visit your blogs and leave comments on your entry posts. I have to thank each of you for sending across your entries. This round up will be referred to very often by me in the coming months. Thanks Coffee, for giving me this opportunity to host one of my favourite events. Over now to dear Sia of Monsoon Spice for her edition of MBP: Street Foods.

AFAM Pears Round Up

Here is the round up of the AFAM Pears. This was the first time I hosted an event. And I must admit that I was a little apprehensive. Would I get it right? Would I be able to announce the event on time? Would the event get ample publicity? Would I receive a good number of entries? And last of all, would I publish the round up as planned?

I needn't have worried so much. As given the enthusiasm of everyone I've interacted with in the blogosphere, no event can fail even it wants to. March was my busiest month at work and at home and this round up comes on the last day of the first week (as promised) as I didn't get a chance to even look at my blog as S was severely unwell.

I haven't had a chance to be innovative with the classification of entries and this may be the simplest round up you've seen yet. The 39 entries that the AFAM Pears received

A-Kay


Grilled Pears

Alamelu Rao



Pear Upside Down Cake

Arundati

Pears in Orange Sauce with Custard

Asha



Pear Black Bean Salsa

Bhagyashri

Pear Koshimbir

Cham

Grilled Pear Salad

Dhivya



Pear Chocolate Pie

Dhivya Karthik



Ricotta Cheese Pancakes and Grilled Pears

Divya



Pear Walnut Cake

Evolving Tastes



Pear Apple Cranberry Crisp

Happy Cook



Poached Pear Tarts in Chocolate Sauce

Hima



Pear Pecan Chutney

Jugalbandi



Gjetost with Pears

Kalai



Poached Pears


KayKat



Melange Appetizers


Lintang



Pear Swiss Roll


Mansi



Pear Almond Yogurt Cake

Medhaa



Baked Pear Pudding

Nags



Apple Pear Salad with Honey Dressing

Nandita sent us some beautiful pictures and this salad



Shaved Carrot and Pear Salad

Nupur



Pear Almond Loaf

Pooja



Pear Salsa


Radha



Pear Samosa


Renuka



Pears Salsa & Pears Murabba

Rina



Pear Walnut Salad

Sandhya



Pear Turnovers

Saswati



Pear and Rum Souffle Omelette

Sig



Grilled Pear, Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad

Sra



Pear, Apple, Walnut Sludge

Sreelu



Fruit Mocktail Lemonade

Srivalli



Pear Halwa

Suganya



Pear Crostini

Sunita



Pear Bhaji

The Cooker



Pear Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Uma Priya



Sweet Pear Fritters

And the three entries from this very blog


Instant Pear Apple Compote

Mixed Fruit Smoothie

Ginger Pear Muffins

Thanks Maheswari for allowing me to host this event. I enjoyed hosting it as much I've enjoyed participating month on month. And thank you all for your support and participation. Happy Yugadi everyone!