Art of Seasoning (for novice cooks)
Basic seasoning for most South-Indian dishes 1. Heat oil (not too much) 2. Drop few mustard seeds to check if seeds sputter & pop indicating oil is sufficiently warm
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Art of seasoning
3. Add TSP of mustard seeds-do not overburn seeds-by either leaving it too long or adding to very hot oil (unlike bottom left video)
4.Add TSP of cumin seeds and urad dal
5.Add green chillies (based on your spice taste)
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Art of seasoning:
6.Add red chillies (optional for some dishes)
7.Add chopped ginger (often ginger can supplement for spice from green chillies)
8.Drop few curry-leaves
9.Optional – add asteofidita powder
Zuchuni-Bellpepper-Onion Palaya
Serving for 4
Cook time<30 min
Ingredients cost <$10
With:
A: Yellow–Red –Orange Bell Peppers (3)
B: Zucchini (5)
C: Vidala Onion (1/2)
D: Season w: Mustard, Cumin seeds, Urad-dal, Red chillies
E: Ginger, Curry leaves & finely chopped coriander 1/
Process:
1.Cut bell-peppers (small squares)
2.Cut Zucchini (1” cubes)
3.Cut ½ vidala onion (small pieces)
4.Chop ginger, green chilles
5.Steam Zucchini for 5 minutes only (if left longer can make it too soft)
6.Start with seasoning (Olive oil) w mustard, cumin seeds, urad dal, red-chilles
7.Add green-chillies to your spice handling
8.Add curry leaves & chopped ginger
9.Add peppers – roast for few minutes before adding steamed zucchini cubes
10.Add salt & pinch of black pepper
2 pm: Surgical corridor: Overheard snoring! Upon shaking the covers, heard the following conversations
Medical Physicist (MP): Hi buddy, what’s happening – why are you sleeping in this corner?
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Mini C-arm: Well, we had a good day, the surgeon finished early. So, they let me go & I was resting until you disturbed me
MP: How come you are not sulking like your big brother?
Mini: Are you talking about that guy with the flat head (c-arm with flat panel detector)?
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MP: Yes, he is the one around the corner, w cylindrical head guys (C-arm w Image Intensifier)
Mini: He thinks since he has flat head & is digital, he is better than the cylindrical guys. They said to me other day at the pub. That’s why they often desert him & go to parties.
2 pm: Surgical corridor: Overheard snoring!
Taking the covers off the Mini C-arm
Medical Physicist (MP): Hi buddy, what’s happening – are you alright?
Mini C-arm: Bleh! You know how we all feel during this COVID time.
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MP: I get you man! I too often feel this way and I think I am getting depressed.
Mini C-arm: I also thought the same way, but after reading Adam’s column in NY Times. I know I am ‘Languishing’.
MP: What do you mean ‘Languishing’ – what does it mean?
2/
Mini C-arm: You need to check out this column dude, it’s refreshing & insightful. Not only does he write about how we feel, but also gives pointers how to handle.
Process: 1.Skin the pumpkin (ಕುಂಬಳಕಾಯಿ) carefully – remove any seeds and residues
2.Cut pumpkin into small cubes (1”x1”x1”)
3.Steam for softness (make sure not to overcook-check by piercing the pieces)
4.Season w mustard, cumin seeds, urad dal, red-chillies
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5. + green-chillies to Ur taste & ginger 6. Pour the soft cut pumpkin pieces & mix 7. + pinch of Asteofitida (ಹಿಂಗು) powder & red-chilli powder (for more spice) 8. + salt – T-spoon of lemon juice 9. Sprinkle finely chopped coriander
Pumpkin Palaya (ಕುಂಬಳಕಾಯಿ ಪಲ್ಯ) is ready
Process: 1. Start w seasoning w mustard, cumin seeds, urad dal, red-chillies 2. Add green-chillies to your taste, ginger & curry leaves 3. Add onion & fry for a min, then add green beans & keep roasting till it is semisoft 4. Add cauliflower buds & later Tomato
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5. Add water (2: 1 cup of rava) 6. + salt – T-spoon of lemon juice 7. + finely chopped coriander 8. When water comes to boil – pour rava slowly while stirring to avoid lumps 9. Leave it for a min, turn the mix to ensure equal mix
Process: 1. Clean Moongdal – add 5 cups of water for 1 cup of dal (1:5) 2. Cook in pressure cooker (2 to 5 min) 3. While it cools off, grind fresh coconut in blender 4. Grind for smoothness – add water to make it liquid - coconut milk is ready
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Contd. 5. Pour the cooked Moongdal into a large vessel 6. + Jaggery, Coconut milk & cup of milk 7. Let it boil for 5 to 7 min (until coconut smell is gone) 8. + Cardamom powder 9. + Jaggery if needed to match your sweet taste