A Lovely Summer Beverage (courtesy of the Novotel Hyderabad)

Friday mornings I attend a cooking class.  I don't actually cook at cooking class-I watch one of the Novotel hotel's chefs do all of the grunt work.  Then sample what was made :)  It is a very pleasant way to spend a Friday morning.  A typical week's recipes will include a beverage (non-alcoholic), a vegetarian dish, a meat dish, and a dessert.

The primary attendees are expat ladies who are looking for some chit chat, a coffee, and a few recipes.  Apart from the usual crew of expats, there is one Indian woman who occasionally attends (after arriving late) and constantly grills the chef as to how to prepare things without eggs, since she is a strict vegetarian.  (Here, egg yolks are considered non-veg, but the whites are ok).  It has never crossed my mind that one could make a cake without eggs, but rather than listening to the chef's suggestions, I find myself trying to come to terms with the whole "it's ok to eat egg whites, but not the yolk" thing, since you can't crack an egg without getting both.  It's the same for people who don't want to kill cows, but wear leather.  I just don't get it.  Be consistent!!  (Sorry for the small tangent...)

As for the recipes, there are some big hits as well as some big misses.  Sometimes dishes are too spicy, too time consuming, or too laden with oil.  When Indian desserts are demonstrated, we in the audience often gasp, cringe, or just stare in shock at the VOLUME of ghee (clarified butter) and sugar which are the primary ingredients.  Gulab Jamun, which can best be described as a donut hole fried in ghee, then soaked in sugar syrup, is Bill's favorite.  I should really show him the ingredient list which is as follows:
Ghee 2kg
Khoa (a solid milk product) 1kg
Sugar 2kg
Milk 1L
Cardamom Powder 10g 
Vinegar 20g
Saffron 1 pinch 


Watching the demonstration, eyebrows were raised, breaths were held, and cholesterol levels rose as  the chef began by pouring 2kg (4.4lbs) of clarified, melted butter into a large pot, followed by 2kg (4.4lbs) of sugar!!!  This is not to say that the Indian desserts aren't good, but they are typically very very sweet, and definitely not good for the diet.

Other times recipes are big winners when even the most composed ladies can't resist going up to serve themselves another helping, and background conversations end as faces are stuffed.  Such was the case with Chili Paneer, Stuffed Crumb Fried Mushroom with Garlic Aioli, and Aloo Gobi, Mugh Malai Tikka, and several others.

A recent beverage 'winner' was demonstrated few weeks ago: "Watermelon Zo Zo" (they do get creative with the names!), and I'm sure I wasn't the only one who went home and mixed some up:
5 chunks of Watermelon
3 sprigs of mint
splash of Lemon juice (optional)
Sprite


-Put the watermelon chunks into a glass and mash (muddle) them up
add the mint and do the same
add ice
top off with Sprite.


There is currently a stash of mint as well as a small watermelon in my fridge waiting for me to come and dig out a few scoops to mix up my next glass, which reminds me...I'm out of Sprite.

Watermelon Zo Zo: definitely a winner.  :)

Use up, not stock up

I guess reality is starting to set in. We have applied for our Indian visas, and we are planning a 'look and see' trip in a few weeks. I guess we're actually going to go to India. The reality is taking up residence in my brain and making me plan ahead, which is a good thing. I was shopping at Sam's Club a while ago and had to restrain myself from stocking up on things. The little voice in my head said "No Meigan, we don't need: 4 more jars of peanut butter, 6 more jars of pasta sauce, 4 huge boxes of edamame.... You've got some at home right now...Use that up first!!!" I think I actually spoke outloud "Yeah, you're right".

So now the mentality is: "Use it up!" Exploring the depths of my cupboards & freezer is becoming a workout for my imagination. Canned pumpkin became cream of pumpkin soup. Cranberries?...hmm I might just have to eat those right out of the can. The real problem is what to do with those things I bought that only I will eat. I have 3 cans of canneloni beans and no ideas. So much for stocking up on things. If only everything you bought came with a recipe. Maybe we'll have to host a 'going away pot-luck' where I supply all of the food.

Well, we've been doing something right

I took the girls to the local cheap Chinese Buffet for lunch yesterday. They hadn't been acting that great yesterday but the combined effect of my growling stomach, the proximity of the 'East Garden', the prospect of an instant lunch, and both of them eating for free let me overlook their behavior and take them out to lunch anyway. I have to admit, I was so impressed and happy with the things they ate. I know they both love Lo Mein, but both girls also tried the red curry chicken, which Cory did like, although she sucked down a bunch of water afterward, and several other surprising things. To run down their meals: Lo Mein, Red curry chicken, green beans, pork dumplings (Cory was a huge fan, even though she peeled off the dumpling, she devoured the meat), spicy clams (yay Cory!) and mushrooms. Ice cream choices were: Chocolate for Cory (that's my girl!), and Green Tea & Red Bean for Sammy. Very impressive. All of this for $10 including tip. Almost priceless ;)