Thursday, December 8, 2011

When I like something, I really like it...

Take the unbelievable salad for example... As forecasted, I had it a lot and within three 
weeks, my loyalty card paid off for a free salad! ;-) I am a sucker that way!
Next, there is a wrap place next to my office. In less than 7 minutes, I get a hot wrap, eat 
it and am back to meetings! Lovely lunch break. Loyalty card approved for a free wrap next time 
I go there.
Most recently, I was introduced to a place called 'Nusa'. And trust me, it’s the best soup 
place EVER!!! There is always a line winding outside the small place for their soups. And 
believe it or not, they have over four vegetarian soup options. I can only talk about one 
variety though, the one I keep having- Santa Fe Chilli sin Carne- add on the yogurt, salsa and 
chilli on top! Its the perfect lunch for a wintery afternoon. Sadly no loyalty card here... so 
I guess I just keep going back for the flavours!

And yes, I could carry home packed lunches. I do, 'sometimes' but luckily, the lunch options 
around here are worth exploring. And the fifteen minutes I do get for lunch in my busy day is 
worth getting out of the office and exploring!

This actually leads to another topic- having the tried and tasted food or truly trying out something new?
Yes, we all love exploring... but when you find something just perfect, do you tend to try something else on the menu... just because? Your take?

Monday, December 5, 2011

Quick Food Fix: Tossed Sandwich

Updated to change: 8 to 10 slices of bread and not loaves.. that would be ridiculous... Thanks Hubby and Gaya for pointing it out!!!!

Its been a while since I blogged about a Food Recipe..
Here is a quick food/ snack/ breakfast fix....

Especially useful, when there is a lot more bread in the house and you don’t want to waste it!! Happens a lot in our household. We always buy bread and not consume it as much. When sadly towards the end, it tends to become the food for the birds in the park. But in winters now, the idea of bird feeding is getting less exciting!
And yes, I know, we can stop buying the bread as well... but what happens on the day when all you want is Chai with toast dipped in!!! Tell me?

Back to the point, here is a very simple recipe... called 'Chaunki hui Bread' alternatively also known as 'Tossed hot sandwich!!' You'll see why I got creative with the name!!

Serves 4
Ingredients:
1. 8-10 slices of bread (any type will do: White/Wheat/Your Pick): Cut them in squares (Please dont worry if they are not square but rectangles, bottom line, bite sizes pieces)
2. 1 Onion: Chopped finely
3. 1 Cucumber: Chopped Finely
4. Ginger/ Green Chilli: Per taste
5. 2-3 Med. Sized tomatoes, deseeded and chopped finely
6. Bell Pepper: (Optional): Chopped Finely
7. Lemon Juice- Per taste
Spices:
Salt, Turmeric, Rai, Jeera, Red Chilli Powder

Now....
- In a wide saucepan, heat some olive oil on medium flame.
- When hot, add rai, on spluttering, add jeera.
- Add onions and sauté till translucent. Add ginger & Green Chillies
- Add tomatoes, and sauté more (less than 2 min.) Make sure the tomatoes don’t loose the firmness
- Add peppers if interested- Same, don’t loose the firmness
- Now add the spices. Sauté
- Add the pre-cut bread, and start tossing the vegetables and bread together.
Over years I have learned that tossing with salad tongs really help!
- Since you are using a wider pan, the bread should start getting crispier as well.
- Now add the chopped cucumbers, lemon juice and cover the pan. Reduce the gas to a bare minimum.
- Cover... wait for 5 min or so!

Serve in a  bowl and enjoy with Maggi Hot N Sweet ketchup! No other gives the right zing to the dish!

Now why did I call it a 'Tossed hot sandwich!!' it has all the ingredients of a sandwich, to make it, you have to toss it and its hot! ;-)
(Pics asusual, I forgot to take them)