SOUPS, SALADS AND SLOPPY JOE!

Happy 60th Independence day to India!!



Saffron represents "courage and sacrifice",
White represents "peace, unity and truth",
Green represents "fertile land",
The Blue wheel in the center represents "Dharma Chakra"(the wheel of Law).





Mother India has come a long way, here is her brief history:
The Indus Valley is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, dating back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants created the unique Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control all over India. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru (first Prime Minister of India) led to India's independence on August 15th, 1947.Info from here.

"Nice Matters" award with the cutest logo ever!:))

Cyber Kitty from "That's how it really works!!" blog gave me the "Nice matters" award. So nice of you CK! Thanks, Love ya!!:)
You are ALL nice bloggers to me, the best foodies around! I don't dare choose!:))
But who is the nicest of all bloggers I can think of to pass on this award? Anali from "Anali's First Amendment" comes to my mind immediately! This is for you Anali.You are the nicest blogger! Enjoy:)


Now on to the blogging business!!
As unbearably hot as it is right now, what a great time to make some cool salads ,Ice Creams and enjoy them! My Tomato, Eggplant ,Gourd and Okra plants are thriving in this heat and you know what that means at FH and Aroma!!;P Here are some cool salads, Soups and a Sandwich I made last week!

Tasty Tomato soup with a flavor of India!
You know what they say? "Keep it simple stupid?!" :D
I will start with a simple and tasty Tomato soup this week. I have too many Plum or Roma Tomatoes at home right now out of just two plants.I am practically throwing them in EVERY dish! Here is a soup for you with a little touch of spices!:)

You need: 8-10 Plum Tomatoes which are sweeter,pulpy and lot less seeds than regular Tomatoes or you can use canned Tomato sauce,1 small finely grated carrot,1 tsp olive oil or butter, Salt, pepper, 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional),2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp Cumin powder,1/2 tsp Garlic pd, 1 tbsp heavy Cream or Coconut milk, a sprig of Cilantro or fresh Basil for garnish.
To make it:
1. Cut a little X on each and blanch the Tomatoes with water in the microwave for 2 mins,drain,rinse them under cold water,peel the skins,slice and discard the seeds or open the can!:)
2. Heat a tsp of Olive oil or butter,add Carrot,saute for a while until it softens.Add Tomato sauce,cook for 3 mins on low to medium heat,taking care not boil the soup to avoid separating the pulp and water.
3. Add all the ingredients except cream when the raw smell goes, simmer for a minute or two.Take off the heat, add cream or coconut milk,stir gently to mix.
4. Garnish with Cilantro and serve warm or chilled with Croutons or crusty roll and a salad. Enjoy!:)

Roasted Red Bell peppers(Capsicums),Pear and Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber salad with sweet yogurt:
A beautiful looking and tasting cool salad,makes a great accompaniment for a hot and spicy sandwiches or soups.You can use Plum tomatoes,fresh red bell peppers but bottled roasted,peeled and soaked in Olive oil red peppers taste wonderful.


Here is how to make it:
1. Take a glass bowl, add chopped Pear,Cherry or plum tomatoes, cubed cucumber, 1/2 cup plain Yogurt,1/2 red or white Videlia onion cubed/sliced, 1/4 tsp Garlic pd, 1/2 tsp Cumin pd, Chaat masala (optional)and pepper coarsely ground.
2. Fresh herbs like Parsley, mint or Cilantro can be added, your choice.
3. Now take 3 roasted bell peppers slices out of the bottle,drain the excess oil and slice into thin strips and add to the bowl.
4. Add little salt,mix everything and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Chinese style Spicy Zucchini Ribbon Salad:
I love this so salad much,I could eat a bowl on it's own without any soup or Sandwich!! A wonderful mix of Sesame oil,seeds, and a touch of chilli heat, YUM!

You need:
2 zucchinis,sliced into ribbons, 1/8 tsp salt.
For spicy dressing 1/2 tbsp sesame oil (a must have ingredient!), 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds toasted, 1/4 tsp chili pepper flakes or 2 dried chili peppers sliced into strips, 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger, 2 minced garlic, 1 tbsp rice vinegar or malt vinegar and 1/2 tsp sugar.
To make it:
1. Heat sesame oil until it smokes, take off the heat, add chili pepper flakes and sesame seeds.Keep aside.
2. Trim both sides of the zucchinis slice lengthwise to ribbons with a potato peeler as shown in the picture. Put them in a bowl, add salt and all other ingredients including the seasoning and toss well.Chill before you serve.

Chinese style Egg Drop Soup!
My favorite and quick Chinese style soup with Eggs streamed in to it and tastes great on it's own or with crusty rolls.I make this usually for a quick Sunday dinner after a elaborate meal for lunch and no leftovers!

You need:3 tbsp cornstarch, 6 tbsp water, 1 tsp canola oil, 2 tbsp minced Green onions/scallions, 1 tbsp soy sauce.
Soup Base 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth, 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tsp salt, 1 cup frozen green peas,1 grated or cubed Carrot, 2 eggs lightly beaten with 2 tbsp water,and 1 tsp sesame oil(Important!).
How to Make it:
1. Combine cornstarch and water well.
2. Heat Canola oil, add scallions, and stir fry. Add in soy sauce and all the soup base ingredients until it boils.
3. Turn down the heat, slowly add cornstarch mix stirring constantly until slightly thickened.
4. Add the peas and remove the pan from the heat.
5. Slowly add beaten eggs in a thin stream around the edge of the pot and carefully stir once or twice so the eggs form into thin streamers.
6. Add in sesame oil, adjust seasoning,garnish with chopped Chives and serve with zucchini salad.

Sweet and delicious KFC style Coleslaw!
Although I don't like any of the other KFC food because of the greasy chicken etc, I LOVE their sweetish Coleslaw. Sometimes we just buy that and get Sandwiches from somewhere else! Here is how I make my Coleslaw which "almost" tastes like KFC's. Tastes excellent with BBQ Ribs and rolls too.

You need: 1/2 small cabbage, 2 carrots, 1/4 cup sweet onion like Videlia, 4 tbsp sugar or more if you like,1/2 tsp salt,4 tbsp milk,1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp minced bottled Roasted Bell pepper (optional),1 tsp white vinegar,pepper pd.
To make it:
1. Slice Cabbage to thin shreds,grate carrots and mince onion.Add to a bowl.
2. Add rest of the ingredients to it and mix well.Taste for seasoning,adjust and chill in the fridge for an hr. before you serve.
3. KFC Coleslaw is sweet and crunchy which sets it apart from all other Coleslaws, my personal favorite.Enjoy with any burgers,BBQ and of course fried or baked Chicken!:)

My favorite hotchpotch Potato salad:
I say hotchpotch because I just add whatever I can think of and find in my fridge to this salad except boiled Eggs.It's yummy and I make it usually with Burgers and Coleslaw.

You need: 4 medium red waxy potatoes (DO NOT use baking potatoes),1/4 cup sweet chopped onion,1/4 cup chopped green or red bell pepper, 1 stick celery sliced thin,2 tbsp Hot Dog relish, 1 tbsp chunky stone ground brown Mustard or Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup sour cream,1/2 cup or less Mayonnaise,1 tbsp Chopped chives,1 tbsp Dill leaves, 1 tsp minced mint leaves,salt and pepper.
How to make it:
1. Boil red potatoes with skin on but make holes to prevent bursting until soft to touch.Cool under the cold water,peel the skin and cube into chunks.Cool completely.
2. Once cooled,add in a bowl.Add all the ingredients mentioned up there and mix gently,do not break the Potatoes.
3. Taste for seasoning,adjust salt etc adding more if you need.Cover and put it in the fridge for at least for an hr and serve.
4. It should be moist, thickish but not runny with thin liquid.Add a little milk,it's too thick.Enjoy.

Yummy Sloppy Joe!
The name Sloppy Joe comes from making a mess spilling stuff out of the buns while eating these sandwiches with a slop like ground beef filling which is neither like burgers or like a runny gravy but somewhere in between but very delicious with it's own way of cooking! They also say that Sloppy was cooked by a guy called Joe, hence the name Sloppy Joe. Sloppy Tom is made of Turkey meat!:D
Vegetarians can use Soya granules in the same way.

You need: 1 tbsp butter, 1 pound ground beef , 1 small chopped onions, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, salt, 1/4 tsp chilli flakes,1/2 tsp cayenne or Paprika pd, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup ketchup or tomato sauce,Tabasco,1 tsp seasoning or dry rub of your choice, 1 tbsp parsley, 1/2 cup or more water, 4 split and toasted sandwich rolls.
How to make it:
1. Heat butter, cook onion, add ground beef with salt ,any seasoning you like 1 tsp BBQ dry rub and coarse pepper until beef is no longer red, stirring often to break up the lumps.
2. Sprinkle flour over beef, stir to blend thoroughly. Let it cook for a minute.
3. Add Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, spices and water. Simmer, stir often until the sloppy Joe is thickened.Texture should be thick like sauce.
4. Serve on the toasted rolls with Potato salad and chilled Coleslaw.YUM!

Sloppy Joe with Coleslaw and Potato salad:
My kids are in 7th Heaven after this meal,somebody please get them back to Earth!:D



Last week, I tried these from other foodies;

Hema of "Vegetarian concoctions" blog's Morkootu with my homegrown Bottle/bird house Gourd and fat-free Sour cream instead of yogurt!! YUM! Thanks Hema :)



Lemon pickle with Anusha of "Talimpu" blog's Urad dal powder recipe! I added thinly cut lemon pieces instead of juice,seasoned with oil and mustard seeds. Simple and delicious!! Thank you Anusha :)

To make it:
Lemon 5-6
Urad dal 1/2 cup
Dried red chillies 5
Salt to taste
Oil 1 tsp
Heat oil, add broken red chillies.Add urad dal and fry until reddish, cool and powder coarsely.
Add to chopped lemon pieces and store.
That's "all" this week folks!!