Announcing AFAM-September

After the parade of Banana, Strawberry, Pineapple, Apple, Mango, Orange, Watermelons, and Lychee, it's time for Grapes. I know I had given chickoo as another option, but the clusters of grapes and its recipes sounded more welcoming.

AFAM (A Fruit A Month) is a lovely event started by Maheshwari and it's my turn to host it this month. Thanks Maheshwari!

Grapes or angur as they are called in Hindi are sweet and sour (khatte-meethe) in taste. They are a rich source of Vitamin C and anti oxidants.

Use any type of grapes such as blue, black, green, red, purple, etc. to create your dish. If you are confused about what to make for AFAM, check out http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/graperecipes.htm. It has a plethora of recipes. Use grapes in your salads, entice us with some grape desserts, or bid farewell to the summer with some grape cocktails. The choice is yours. The rules for AFAM are simple.

1. Prepare a dish using grapes and blog about it in the month of September.
2. Include a link to this announcement and feel free to use this logo.
   
   (This logo was created by using an image found on Wiki. To save it on your machine, right-click the image, select Save Picture As..., and save to the desired location on your PC.)


3. Send an e-mail to swaps1@gmail.com (swaps1ATgmailDOTCOM) with the following information: (Also leave a comment in this message with the link to your entry.)
   a. Subject line: AFAM September
   b. Your name
   c. Your blog name
   d. Name of the dish
   e. Picture of the dish in 400X400 pixels.
   (Please send your entries in the mentioned format as it will be easier for me to compile the entries in the round-up)
4. You can participate even if you don't have a blog. Just mail me your recipe, all the above details, and the picture of the dish and I will include it in the round-up.
5. The last day for submitting your entries is 25th September.

Pop some grapes in your mouth as you create wonderful dishes using them. Awaiting all your sweet and sour entries!

Jeera Pakhala

It's been so hot here the last couple of days that I have spent very little time in the kitchen. I returned from India last weekend and since then I have felt dehydrated. The temperatures are soaring and so are our electricity bills. It's impossible to survive without the AC.

All the week long, I was playing with options for RCI. I could have easily made something in India, but then I was busy eating "mom ke haath ka khana":). I was in no mood to start complicated cooking and was looking for a simple recipe. Finally, I hit the jackpot. Jeera Pakhala is a simple rice preparation with the flavors of shaha jeera and curry leaves. The curry leaves add a unique taste to the rice.

Jeera Pakhala

Adapted from this recipe.

1. Wash 1 cup rice. Cook the rice in a pressure cooker. Once done, spread it on a plate and let cool.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan. Add 3 whole red chillies and saute for a minute. Next add 2 tsp kala (shaha) jeera. Once it splutters, add 12-15 curry leaves. Fry for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the cooked rice and salt to taste.
4. Cover and cook on low flame for 5 minutes.
5. Serve when cool.

This is my entry for RCI: Orissa. I will post RCI: Orissa round-up next weekend. A big THANKS to everyone who participated in this event. It means a lot to me. For all those who missed this RCI, the next one's at Foodie's Hope hosted by dear Asha.

I also realized that there are few Maharashtrian dishes on which I have blogged. In the near future, Swad will show case some easy, complicated, authentic Maharashtrian dishes. Stay tuned!

Reminder RCI: Orissa

Friends,

Only 3 days are left to submit your entries for RCI Oriya. The last date for submitting entries is 25th August.

I am back from India after my short vacation. We had a great time with family and friends.

I will be hosting AFAM: September. So, please send me your ideas for the same. I am thinking about grapes or chikoo.