A very quick and simple week night side dish.
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A very quick sides recipe; raw, tart green tomatoes and earthy mushrooms stir fried in fragrant sesame oil.

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Tofu and vegetables are cooked in the aromatic Asian sesame oil and creamy peanut butter. This is a spicy, crunchy, healthy stir fry done in a few minutes time.

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Synonymous with memories of back home, games, circus,  picnics, cocktail  & rainy day snacks and, of course, peanut butter sandwiches now, peanuts are an all time favorite among us.

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More produce from my backyard. A few showers last month rejuvenated the plants & they are happy. It is Methi/Fenugreek & Tomatoes this time.

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It is a hilarious time on the dining table when the little children are eating spaghetti. Funny & messy too, but once in a while I let my kids have that messy time while they eat, for they do enjoy the spaghetti while they are having fun.  Those long unmanageable strings hanging down from the fork & then from their mouth and the intentionally “ZOOOOP”, when they all disappear inside at one shot behind that gleeful smile. For some reason when it is spaghetti, they always want to feed themselves. The twinkling mischievious looks, the sauce studded mouth & a full tummy.. well it is worth it.

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Colors & Zest! I do need both now. I have replaced my regular lunch with salad with whatever vegetables are available in the market, some protein like nuts or tofu or beans and no carb. atleast for a few weeks now till I get myself back to shape. I have tried before to starve myself to lose weight, but that only works for a while, for all the temptations around & the hungry stomach do not make a very good combination. I love salad, its refreshing, gives me energy, its filling and easy to make… and everyone know how good they are for you.

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Labra: A Festive Combination of Vegetables & Spices

These 2 months of September & October make me extremely homesick. The cool air, clear skies and the while floating clouds spill out all the memories of the biggest religious festival of West Bengal: Durga Puja, the community celebration, and along with that-  very special food.

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It is Indo Chinese. It is Chinese ingredients given a strange but lip smacking Indian twist. Chinese Bhel is Crispy Noodles with vegetables, tossed with sauce.

College crowd grouped in street corners and Chinese Bhel remind me very much of the street side food stall culture in India and how everything is prepared at lightning speed to cater to so many waiting in the line. And that’s where it tastes the best!!  It is also a great quick fix snack for unannounced guests in the evening. So here it is – the crunchy, munchy Chinese Bhel. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups noodles (Any kind noodles like small bags of Hakka noodles, Ramen or Maggi Noodles are good to use).
2. 2 tablespoon chopped red onion
3. 2 Serrano peppers chopped (Optional)
4. ½ cup cabbage very finely shredded
5. 1 Roma tomato chopped
6. 2 tablespoons green bell pepper chopped
7. 2 tablespoons Cilantro very finely chopped
8. 2 stalks of green/spring onion chopped
9. 1/2 teaspoon very very finely julienned fresh ginger
10. 2 tablespoons Oil

Optional:

Any vegetable of your choice (Shredded carrots, chopped baby corns etc)

For the sauce:

1. 1.5 teaspoon chunky peanut butter
2. 1 teaspoon of light soy sauce
3. 1 tablespoon ketchup
4. 1 teaspoon vinegar
5. 1 teaspoon Sriracha or any hot sauce (Optional)

Preparation:

Break the noodles in to pieces (Do not crumble them), so they are separated, and not in clumps. Heat oil and fry the noodles at low heat, frequently tossing it around so all the noodles are cooked. It should look light brown and should be crispy to taste. Set aside.

Whisk all the ingredients for the sauce.

Place the fried noodles in the serving bowl and add all the above ingredients except the sauce. Toss.

Spoon the sauce uniformly over the noodles and toss again.