Bittermelon Chips!

Warning:  Bitter! Not for the faint-hearted....Here is a wikipedia article on the scientific features of the plant and culinary uses. This is a common dish in South Asia.

Fresh bittermelon from my mother's garden! 

Directions:

1. Slice clean bittermelon so that pieces are small circles as shown in the final product photo above.
2. Place in a bowl and salt liberally. Set aside for 30 minutes. This step helps to remove some of the bitterness flavor from the bittermelon.
3. Very important:  After the 30 minutes have passed, transfer the bitter melon into another container and squeeze out any remaining moisture.
4. Heat up oil in a frying pan.
5. Place sliced bittermelon in the pan so that the bittermelon slices are not on top of each other [they are all making contact with the pan.] This is critical to ensure a dried, crispy texture in the end.
6. Cook the slices for 30-45 minutes on low to medium heat, flipping slices over once in between.
7. When slices begin to brown, toss with minced garlic.
8. Add salt to taste.
9. Serve and enjoy!

The Eye by Brandi Carlile

Love this song by Brandi Carlile. This is not my recording, but I was fortunate to hear her sing this song off her new album at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento.

 

South Florida - Miami

Here are some photos from my travels to Miami in September 2014.

Ocean Drive public restrooms

Ocean Drive hotels and restaurants

Lifeguard station 

Lifeguard station

South Florida - Everglades

Here are photos from my trip to the Everglades in September 2014. We avoided getting bitten by mosquitoes by putting on tons of bug spray!

Plants in water = pretty [to me].

Can you spot the alligator?

Thought the reflection of the clouds in the swamp was cool. :D

From another angle.

"It feels like we're in Africa!"

Tomato Achar

This achar can be eaten alongside a traditional Nepali meal of rice and lentils [dal] or as a dipping sauce or salsa. Learn more about achar in South Asian cuisine.

What you need:

• 8-9 small tomatoes [adjust if using larger tomatoes], chopped into large chunks
• 1/2 onion, chopped into small pieces
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon finely minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Red pepper to taste
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Add oil to a non-stick pot that has a lid. Heat for 30 seconds on medium heat. 
2. Add onions to pan. Stir and cook until clear. 
3. Add tomatoes, garlic, ginger and cumin. Cover with lid.
4. Cook until tomatoes have reduced in size and mixture resembles a thick salsa or chunky pasta sauce.
5. Add red pepper and salt to taste.
6. Enjoy warm or refrigerate to serve cold. 

Easy Blackened Chili Avocado Salad

Or you can call it guacamole. :)

What you need:

• 1/2 teaspoon cooking oil
• 1 dried chili
• 1 large avocado or two small avocados
• Juice of 1/4 lemon
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt to taste (I use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon)

Directions:

1. Add oil to a pan and heat for 30 seconds on medium heat. 
2. Carefully add the chili(es) to the hot oil. [I like to do multiple chiles at a time; however, this recipe only requires one.] 
3. Flip chiles when blackened and turn the heat off. See the picture.
4. Wash the avocado and separate the avocado(s) from the peel.*
5. Put the avocado, minced garlic, lemon juice and chili in a bowl.
6. Use a fork to mash the avocado, crush the blackened chili and ensure that all ingredients are evenly dispersed.
7. Add salt to taste and mix some more.
8. Serve and enjoy!

*I wash the avocado, slice it carefully in half and scoop out the avocado from each half using a spoon. Exercise caution with the seed--it can be a choking hazard.

How to make Raita

Family raita recipe

Here is a simple recipe for raita, which is a creamy, flavorful and healthy sauce that can be used as a side or dipping sauce. There are many variations of this dish. Here is ours!

What you need:

• Half a pound of cucumbers (about 2 medium-sized cucumbers), shredded*
• 1 cup of plain yogurt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided into 1/4 teaspoons

*If you have a food processor, you may be able to use it to shred the cucumbers. Or, you can chop the cucumbers very finely by hand.

Directions:

1. Mix shredded cucumbers with 1/4 teaspoon salt and let it sit for 15 minutes. The purpose of this step is to reduce bitterness and separate water from the cucumbers.
2. After 15 minutes, remove the cucumber portion from the water and squeeze the cucumbers to remove even more water. After squeezing, your cucumbers may not look that attractive, but this is normal. They may look like those in the picture shown. 
   
3. Mix the cucumber, minced garlic, yogurt, cumin and remaining salt in a bowl.
4. Add more salt or other seasonings if needed.
5. Serve and enjoy! Or store for a few hours in the refrigerator to make the raita even more flavorful.