Monday, October 30, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Dal Days
Sundays have become dal days for me. I have plenty of time to cook up a huge vat of the stuff, with enough leftovers to last until the next Sunday. Once again, I used this basic recipe as a foundation.
Kale, Carrot, Zucchini Dal with the extra spicy tarka topping of black pepper, coriander, cumin, fennel, hing, hot pepper flakes, and paprika.
Makes a super cheap, super nutritious dinner, with enough leftovers to fill two 7-cup containers!
Kale, Carrot, Zucchini Dal with the extra spicy tarka topping of black pepper, coriander, cumin, fennel, hing, hot pepper flakes, and paprika.
Makes a super cheap, super nutritious dinner, with enough leftovers to fill two 7-cup containers!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Chard and Sweet Potato Dal
I'm trying to get back into the habit of buying fresh greens several times a week. I tend to let green leafy vegetables rot in the fridge if I buy too much at once. Luckily, Buffalo Whole Foods (not to be confused with Whole Foods Market) is right on my way home from work.
Some people have asked how I can afford to buy from an organic grocery store all the time rather than a place like CALA. My diet (when I'm actually cooking) consists mostly of whole grains and legumes. They're so cheap anyway, that the organic alternative is pretty economical, too. Organic greens can be pricier, but honestly, organic greens taste a hell of a lot better. Plus, more expensive staples, like yogurt are actually *cheaper* at Buffalo ($3.99 for a quart at CALA vs $2.69 at Buffalo).
When you have the time, shopping this way is great. I wasn't too sure of what I wanted to eat until I stepped into the grocery store. I saw the chard and sweet potatoes, and they instantly called to me. I haven't had either for the longest time.
Using a basic moong dal recipe as a template, I came up with this dish. I took out the curry leaves, added the veggies, and used a 2:1:1 medley of moong, masoor, and urud dal.
Some people have asked how I can afford to buy from an organic grocery store all the time rather than a place like CALA. My diet (when I'm actually cooking) consists mostly of whole grains and legumes. They're so cheap anyway, that the organic alternative is pretty economical, too. Organic greens can be pricier, but honestly, organic greens taste a hell of a lot better. Plus, more expensive staples, like yogurt are actually *cheaper* at Buffalo ($3.99 for a quart at CALA vs $2.69 at Buffalo).
When you have the time, shopping this way is great. I wasn't too sure of what I wanted to eat until I stepped into the grocery store. I saw the chard and sweet potatoes, and they instantly called to me. I haven't had either for the longest time.
Using a basic moong dal recipe as a template, I came up with this dish. I took out the curry leaves, added the veggies, and used a 2:1:1 medley of moong, masoor, and urud dal.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Curry Leaf Moong Dal
This is one of my favorite dishes! Please refer to the previous entry for the recipe. You might see different spices, as I change things up according to my mood. Don't be afraid to improvise!
I forgot to get tamarind extract! I always forget that!
A touch of sesame oil helps keep the foam under control.
The 1st half of the tarka/tempering/chaunk
The second half, with plenty of red chili flakes. I prefer red chili flakes to cayenne powder because you get little bursts of flavor here and there. That's also the reason I often use whole peppercorns instead of ground black pepper.
A little messy, but oh so good!
I forgot to get tamarind extract! I always forget that!
A touch of sesame oil helps keep the foam under control.
The 1st half of the tarka/tempering/chaunk
The second half, with plenty of red chili flakes. I prefer red chili flakes to cayenne powder because you get little bursts of flavor here and there. That's also the reason I often use whole peppercorns instead of ground black pepper.
A little messy, but oh so good!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Cheap Eats, again
Once again, I'm going to see how far I can go on a combination of cheap groceries and what's already in my pantry. I stopped by Bombay Bazaar today for some essentials, including turmeric, coriander powder, and curry leaves. Along with some canned dal makhani and dum aloo, the total was $15.97. I'm going to see just how long I can go on just this amount, meaning no eating out... unless I score a date, of course.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Castro Street Fair, Success!
The signing was AMAZING! Thanks to everyone who came by! We sold 85 copies! I'll write more later, but I need some sleep!
Setting up inside the store with Rich (owner of Whatever), Brad (rpgcub), and Blake (Silverback), 9am
The kids at eye level on the window
Blake Curia, writer & artist of the upcoming Pride High spin-off "The Dropouts," and proud sponsor of Pride Comics
Eric (Hollow) & Kyle (Rave) -- Eric's character Hollow is now officially Kid Olympus' cousin :)!
Paul Jack of "Poet Beware Productions"
Mid-day
Wes
Greg Wu of Eidos (makers of Tomb Raider)
Jane Aceituno, proud sponsor of Pride Comics
Joey, Kenne, Eric of the Whatever Comics Discussion Group
Dale
Eli & Katie
Local SF actor, Brandon Grimaldi, who brought me flowers!
Setting up inside the store with Rich (owner of Whatever), Brad (rpgcub), and Blake (Silverback), 9am
The kids at eye level on the window
Blake Curia, writer & artist of the upcoming Pride High spin-off "The Dropouts," and proud sponsor of Pride Comics
Eric (Hollow) & Kyle (Rave) -- Eric's character Hollow is now officially Kid Olympus' cousin :)!
Paul Jack of "Poet Beware Productions"
Mid-day
Wes
Greg Wu of Eidos (makers of Tomb Raider)
Jane Aceituno, proud sponsor of Pride Comics
Joey, Kenne, Eric of the Whatever Comics Discussion Group
Dale
Eli & Katie
Local SF actor, Brandon Grimaldi, who brought me flowers!
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