SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE AND STEAMING HOT KADHI!!!1

We entered for a giveaway in a nearby mall a couple of months ago..(well, actually my husband did, I was not interested as I do not consider myself lucky enough to win in any kind of lucky draw)...and even tried to drag him out of it.....:):):):) .But, he insisted on filling out that small piece of paper asking for name and related basic contact information and dropped in a box kept their solely for collecting the participant's info. We eventually forgot about it until one day I recieved a call from one of their representatives, informing that my husband was one of the winner, asking us to visit a resort 30 minutes drive from our house. She told us that there were various prizes (Cash, free shopping spree, cruise, vacation somewhere in US and a car) and we were a gauaranteed winner of any one of the prize.My husband asked me not to get too much excited, as our chances of getting the most sought after prize that was a car were quite slim, but he was hopeful of getting the lowest prize money.

When we reached there, a representative greeted us and escorted us to a big hall. He took our basic info, asked us about our mutual interests and activities, places we visited so far, places we wanna visit in next 10 years, hotels we stayed in, cost of vacation..blah, blah, blah......After that he introduced us to this phenomena in which one can become owner of a condo at some resort, where multiple parties holds right to use the property and each party gets a fixed time in a year to use the property. It took him almost an hour and nothing about the prize so far. In short, he showed us some shabby looking cabins and lodges and insisted on getting the ownership. When he failed to get our interest going he went to get his manager who started all over again.By that time we were so exhausted and tired that we did not even had energy to stop him. When we did not show our interest to him either, another person came and asked us what was wrong with us and he was so mean and rude, somehow we got rid of him. Then, we were asked to go to another building to get our prize, where a lady gave us a stack of cards from which we had to select and scratch a card. After that she asked us to match the numbers on the card with the numbers on a papers. None of the numbers matched but as promised we were given a prize to spend vacation somewhere in USA ..(now lying somewhere as it has too many catches....)

MORAL OF THE STORY: These Americans definitely know their business.they know how to get money out of our pockets.

KADHI

Now coming back to the cooking, I am very fond of this bihari style kadhi, it is very close to the punjabi kadhi. The only difference I figured out between this one and a punjabi kadhi is the onion paste which enhances its flavour and texture. I never imagined a kadhi without a pakora in it but my husband likes plain kadhi with pakora on the side so I served it that way. I bring to you this delicacy straight from my kitchen stove, try this out, I am sure you will ask for more.....:D

INGREDIENTS FOR KADHI

1 CUP YOGURT

2-3 TBSP CHICK PEA FLOUR(BESAN)

1 TSP RED CHILLI POWDER

1 TSP TURMERIC POWDER

SALT TO TASTE

FOR PASTE

1 MEDIUM ONION

2 GREEN CHILLI

3-4 CLOVES GARLIC

Grind onion, green chilli and cloves with 1-2 tbsp water.

FOR TEMPERING

7-8 ROUND WHOLE RED CHILLIES

1 TSP CUMIN SEEDS

7-8 CURRY LEAVES

STEPS OF PREPARATION

1.Beat yogurt with fork until it becomes smooth and pour it in a large pot.

2.Dissolve besan in water to get thin consistency and it should be lump free.

3.Then add salt, red chilli, turmeric and onion paste.

4.Add 3-4 cups of water and leave it uncovered on medium flame, stirring occassionally.

5.After first boil, lower the flame and cook for atleast an hour.

6.When it is almost done,heat oil in a pan, add red chilli, cumin seeds and curry leaves and fry till aroma comes.

7. Immediately pour it into the kadhi.Garnish with coriander leaves

INGREDIENTS FOR PAKORAY

2 CUPS CHICK PEA FLOUR(BESAN)

1-2 SMALL GREEN CHILLI

SALT TO TASTE

1 TSP RED CHILLI POWDER

1 TSP TURMERIC POWDER

1 TSP CORIANDER POWDER

1 SMALL ONIONS(SLICED FINELY)

1/2 TSP GARAM MASALA

1 TSP CHAAT MASALA

1 1/2 TSP AJWAIN SEEDS

1 TBSP CUMIN SEEDS

HANDFUL OF CORIANDER LEAVES(CHOPPED FINELY)

OIL FOR DEEP FRYING

STEPS OF PREPARATION

1.Place all the ingredients in a bowl except onion and by slowly adding water and stirring at the same time obtain the consistency which should not be too thick or too thin.

2.Add onions and mix well then start dropping them one by one with the kelp of a spoon in hot oil.

3.Deep fry well till they turn golden brown and take out with a slotted spoon on a plate lined with paper towel.

4.Serve with kadhi and rice.

I am sending it to shanthi here.