Kadugu Cauliflower~Union Territory Pondicherry

Kadugu  Cauliflower~Union Territory Pondicherry

The union territory of Pondicherry cuisine is also a reflection of a perfect blend of different cultures and customs. Do you know they have 4 official languages Tamil, Telgu, Malayalam and French! Wow I was thinking that only Goa has two official languages!!

The union territory of Pondicherry in the country of India was a French settlement for a long time. The French way of life has left a deep impact on the lifestyle of the people in the union territory of Pondicherry.

The Indo-French of food is an innovation in taste. The influence of the neighbouring areas like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala is also visible. The concoction of the various kinds of cuisines is something to be savoured and relished.

Oats Bisi Baali Huli Anna

Oats the wonder grain is a new addition to our diet. The most easily available (read I have not checked) form being the rolled oats that I try making on a regular basis. The girls refuse to do anything with it claiming all sorts of reasons from downright stinks to tastes yucky. We have heard them all.

So how do I get them in them? Well I sneak them in like today’s Sunday special being Bisi Baali Huli Anna. Their favourite!!

I generally do not make the masala that Amma used to make for making this rice so special.  I promise I will post the authentic recipe soon. In fact I am surprised that I have not posted the recipe as yet.   No wonder so many of you have commented that I have Goan style cooking featured in my space. Maybe because cooking Karnataka style food is comfort cooking.

Usali the Goan Way

I have been living in Goa for many years but still one article that was printed in the Times of India was an eye-opener.

The author of the article was Melinda Pereira Kamat and she wrote about The Perfect Usali, in case you are interested it is featured in the Times of India, Goa edition on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.  I was supposed to scan and post it here but... hope will do so in near future. 

Till I read this article my view about usal or usali was that it is made in Karnataka and Maharashtra/Gujarat and the method that I followed was about similar to what my mother and MIL made. That is it has garlic and onion for Kaku (my MIL) made it that way and it had coriander and coconut ground for Amma. So I had mixed both and made my usal.

Raw Banana/Plantain Curry

This month I have two events running both close to my heart.
Back to roots where you can repost your own recipe with new pictures and send it to me and the other is Priya’s Veggie/Fruit of the month-Raw Bananas hosted by me.

Raw Bananas or plantains as they are called are high in starch content. So they can replace potatoes in most cases. Get the hint?

Palak Salad 2

I was to post a soup recipe today but there is a small hitch I have not made it as yet. I cannot decide if I want to make Lung Fung Soup or Hot and Sour as I want a Chinese soup.

Given a choice Hubby will say Sweet Corn, Elder one something exotic which though a challenge is not what I want to make and younger one Tomato Soup. So I am feeling like Atlas right now.

So folks bear with me and try this salad. It’s again, oh no as kids said, palak/spinach   and potatoes but a Tarla Dalal one! Put an end to the girls’ protests too! J

Well I put up with the garlic too just because it was Tarla Dalal recipe! Made a few changes which I have marked. also I have omitted the milk powder as I don't like the smell of it you can use it if you want about 2 tblspn.