All Good Things Issue 12
Snow Memories + Turmeric Lemon Yellow Rice + Air Fryer Veg Samosa + Virgin Paloma
ISSUE 12 / AUG 8, 2021Â Â
Good Morning ...
The lockdown continues in Sydney, going on 7 weeks now and walks have become our salvation. We are venturing further down our long snaking road and the further we go, the more we discover and see. I particularly enjoy seeing this bear sitting on a chair in front of someone's home, occasionally dressed differently to greet whoever walks by. On this day, he was Batman.
Before Nick's health journey and before Covid (pre- 2019), we used to go up to the Snowy mountains every other year. It is how we celebrated my birthday at the end of August. A farewell to winter. I miss that terribly. I love the snow - cold and wet and gloomy and all. It somehow feeds my soul. I thought I'll share another couple of pictures from our trip there in 2016. Even there we walked a lot, always finding a cosy spot away from the crowds to build a snowman or have a snack. I remember finding this patch of silky grass that looked like a field of Grugs (childrens' book character). We sat on the soft mounds and had hot tea, apples, cheese and crackers. It is a snack I remember very fondly, more so because it was so unusual.
In my own garden, the hot pink Azaleas gimmer in the warm sun, while the chubbiest baby Kookaburra I have ever seen falls asleep on the fence post behind the lemon tree. We are woken up (earlier than usual) by the egg song as one or the other of our brood of hens lays an egg every morning. Meyer lemons have ripened and the prospect of fresh eggs and fresh lemons is super enticing.
I often find Nick sitting on a chair in this bedraggled corner near the pool with a book and a cup of tea. It is the only corner that gets the warm winter sun and is perfect for soaking it, surrounded by nature. I might start doing that when it gets a bit warmer, I am not yet ready to ditch my dressing gown and brave the feeble sunlight near the pool.
It is amazing how we need to be reminded of small things to do for our physical and mental health. There aren't hard to do, but because we are bogged down by so much stuff (both tangible and conceptual) that we often forget to do them. This is something new I have started doing and it has added immense value to my life, so I thought I will share. When I find a piece of information that is profound and valuable, I file it in one place so I can go through them all whenever I need to. I also have a daily Manifesto, a mantra that I repeat to myself. It could be as simple as remembering to drink water throughout the day or to have a hot shower. But by telling myself that and being mindful of it, I remember to do it and it becomes a slow, steady, daily habit. This in turn has started making really positive changes in my physical and mental health. Here is today's thought and manifesto >>
Food For Thought »
" Just 20 minutes of sunshine per day triggers your body to release over 200 antimicrobials that fight fungi, parasites and viruses."
Today » I will spend some time in the sun. I will do one thing that makes me happy. I will remember to drink water and breathe deeply.
TURMERIC LEMON YELLOW RICE
A great way to use up leftover rice, this bright yellow Turmeric Lemon Rice with its sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavour profile is not only easy to make but truly delicious! Enjoy on its own with a dollop of yoghurt or load in a bowl full of delicious veggie things for a light lunch.
Yellow Rice – A Staple Lunchbox Item From My Childhood
Indian mums like most mums from various ethnicities are known for stretching the proverbial buck. They are champions of a sustainable style of cooking. Not a single thing goes to waste in the kitchen. Giving leftovers a fabulous new life in the form of a delicious new dish is something they excel at. My mum did and I like to think, I have learned a thing or two from watching her do it. One of my mum’s favourite things to make with leftover Basmati rice was – Yellow Rice.
We loved Yellow Rice! It was basically a stir-fry of caramelised onion, curry leaves, turmeric, lemon and leftover rice. A dash of sugar and chilli added the sweet and spicy notes that we loved. It was like eating Indian fried rice. And it was a regular fixture in my school lunchbox. I really enjoyed eating it with raita or a chopped salad like this one.
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The Romance Of Curry Leaves And Yellow Rice
Curry leaves are vital to this dish. They have a lemony fresh herbaceous scent and are deeply aromatic. To this day, the smell of curry leaves and onion frying in some ghee takes me back to my mum’s kitchen. The leaves really make this dish, although they can be hard to find. I grow three curry leaf trees in
Today, I am SOOO excited to finally share my SAMOSA recipe with you! And a healthier Air Fryer version too! This recipe has been months in the making and I must've cooked the filling 50 times to get it just right. And now it is the most perfect, authentic tasting samosa filling ever. And this weekend (or next) might be the perfect time for you to try your hand at making these Veg Samosas. Its very simple - make the pastry dough, make the potato filling, form the samosas and then either deep-fry them (traditional method) or Air-Fry them (lighter, healthier version) like I did! And then enjoy the crispy crunch of the flakey pastry as you bite into the spiced potato filling. YUM!
On my Cooking Wishlist this week
I love the look of these Shiitake Mushroom Cup Canapes topped with spicy noodles. Yum!
Baking these Grated Shortbread Bars With Jam.
This Summer Bliss Bowl With Sweet Potato Fritters. Looks so good! And this Gochujang Eggplant!
Some real good tofu inspiration to boost protein at your meals - Lemongrass Chilli Eggplant Tofu & Green Beans, Pan Seared Sesame Crusted Tofu With Nuoc Cham, Steamed Silky Soft Tofu. And the Best Tofu Marinades.
This week I sat down in my corridor library looking up at the shelves and just picked what I felt like exploring. No pre-determined agenda. These are again all books I have regularly cooked from in the past and enjoyed doing so (from top to bottom)
Veg - Jamie Oliver
Root & Leaf - Rich Harris (one of my faves!)
My New Roots - Sarah Britton
My Asian Kitchen - Jennifer Joyce
30-Minute Vegetarian - Ylva Bergqvist
Life In Balance - Donna Hay
I am forever browsing pictures of homes and gardens and renovations. In fact, my social media accounts are a healthy mix of food and homes. If I wasn't a food photographer/recipe developer; I would be a serial renovator or home/garden designer. I am quite sure of it. This stunning Mediterranean-style haven in Sydney recently caught my eye and I thought I'll share. It is just so understated and beautiful.
I have recently continued watching Modern Love - a beautiful anthology series based on the New York Times column that explores relationships, love and the human connection. Each story is short, often bittersweet and draws you right in. With a stellar cast that includes but is not limited to Anne Hathaway, Andy Garcia, Dev Patel, Kit Harrington, Anna Paquin and Tina Fey.
Also watched a trailer for Together (James McAvoy / Sharon Horgan)- the story of a husband and wife who are about to get divorced but are forced together during Covid lockdown and thereby have to reevaluate their relationship. Looked really interesting!Â
Really easy 5 Exercises To Open Up And Stretch Your Shoulders (if you are hunched up working/cooking all day!)
And with that, I sign off and wish you a good one! Until Next Weekend :)
Virgin Paloma
Makes – 1
*
4oz (120ml) Grapefruit Juice
1oz (30ml) Lime Juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/2 cup ice
grapefruit wedge, to serve
*Â
Place ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Pour grapefruit juice, lime juice and maple syrup over the ice. Add cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Shake vigorously.
Pour the drink along with the ice in a small whiskey tumbler.Â
Garnish with grapefruit wedge. Enjoy.
I have limited copies of my cookbook Tasty Express - a labour of love filled with over 100 of our family's most tried and tested and exciting 30-minute recipes inspired by street foods of the world. Mostly Vegetarian recipes that go from breakfast to quick dinners in a heartbeat. They make great gifts for you or a friend!
