Sanjeev Kapoor's Khana Khazana

Sanjeev Kapoor is one of India's most popular chefs and author. The book is the first in the series called "Khana Khazana: Celebration of Indian Cookery" which has been planned in order to familiarize food lovers with long forgotten regional cuisines of India. These recipes will open the doors to the unexplored range of recipes that had been relegated to the archives. A lot of painstaking research has gone into collecting these recipes.
Each state and region included in this book has its own cuisine and local flavour. In this book the author introduces a variety of dishes that have been perfected by our ancestors. At the same time care has been taken to ensure that the ingredients used are easily available and if not, a substitute has been suggested. Chettinad Fried Chicken, Kombdi Wada, Chingri Malai Curry, Rayalseema Pesarettu, Kolhapuri Pandhra Rassa, Kesari Rajbhog, Khajoori Shahi Tukra are just a glimpse of the fabulous tongue tickling recipes you will find between the two covers of this book. They will not only bring in India's diversity into your home kitchens but also help you to satiate the best of gourmet palates.
‘Khana’ means dinner and lunch ‘Khazana’ means a big container of gold or money. Therefore I think it is grate combination of two names. When you try his dishes, probably you would also say “wow, it is real Khana Khazana”.
In addition, my sister suggest me some more books of Sanjeev Kapoor.
1. Any Time Temptations (especially for snack, starter, salad soup, pudding, sandwiches, and deserts)
2. Best of Chinese Cooking (especially for rice, noodles, vegetables, soups, chicken, lamb, rice, and noodles)
3. Italian cooking (pizzas, risottos and pasta including lasagne, cannelloni and ravioli)
4. Thai Cooking (fragrant Chicken in Green Curry, crisp prawn Firecrackers, crunchy Green Papaya Salad, spicy Massaman Mutton Curry, scented Jasmine Rice and velvety Coconut Custard)
Even you can ‘Google it’ by writing Sanjeev Kapoor’ recipes. There are so many videos available for different and tasty recipes. If the videos are available in Indian languages you can read ingredient that in English and you can get some idea by watching video.

Butter Chicken

One of the Indian dishes that I found is butter chicken. India majority people like butter chicken. Butter chicken is one of a delicious chicken dishes that can be made as hot or as mild as you wish - a perfect meal for curry lovers who want to keep it simple. I found how make the butter chicken in home. Here is method.
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp garlic, crushed
1 tsp ginger, crushed
½ tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp chilli powder
2 Tbsp ground almonds
8 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp natural yoghurt
2 Tbsp fresh coriander or spinach, chopped
salt
pepper
1 large frying pan
1 spoon
1 tray
Methods/steps
Step 1:
Season the chicken.
Begin by seasoning the chicken with a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper.
Step 2:
Heat the oil and begin to fry the chicken.
Using a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil and add the chicken.
Step 3:
Fry for 3-4 minutes.
Fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes until it turns a golden-brown colour.
Step 4:
Remove the chicken.
Take the chicken out of the frying pan and put it aside.
Step 5:
Melt the butter.
Use the same frying pan to melt the butter.
Step 6:
Fry the onion with the cinnamon.
Now add the onion and cinnamon and fry together in the pan.
Step 7:
Add the remaining ingredients.
At this point add the crushed garlic, crushed ginger, turmeric, chilli powder, almonds, peeled tomatoes, tomato paste and the natural yoghurt. Stir all of the ingredients together and mix thoroughly.
Step 8:
Bring to the boil and cook.
Bring the ingredients to a boil and stir for 4-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to make delicious taste.
Step 9:
Add the chicken.
Put the chicken back into the pan and combine with the other ingredients.
Step 10:
Add the fresh coriander.
To compliment the dish, add the coriander (or fresh spinach if you prefer) and mix with the sauce.
Step 11:
Serve while streaming and eat up!
Spoon the chicken and the sauce onto a large serving dish and serve with rice and naan bread. A perfect curry dish that goes down well with an icy Asian beer.
Try it at home.

Ernest's

We have a really great restaurant located right here at NAIT. It opened in 1963, known simply as NAIT's dining room, then renovated in 2005 and re named Ernest's. It offers a fine dining experience without the fine dining price tag.

All of the food is cooked by NAIT's Culinary Arts students using all local products. This includes daily lunch specials along with the regular lunch and dinner menu. One of the highlights is the Friday Student Showcase lunch buffet. The impeccable food service is provided by NAIT's Hospitality Management students.

Here is just a few examples of what you will find on the menu at Ernest's. The lunch menu ranges from a warm spinach salad with wild boar bacon, to a salmon blt, to a smoked pork tenderloin. You will find savory foie gras and a grilled thirty-eight day aged rib steak featured on the dinner menu. Both the lunch and dinner menus are followed by a delicious selection of desserts. If you choose to really indulge, Ernest's offers a fabulous wine selection as well.

The full lunch, dinner and dessert menus, along with the wine list, can be viewed on NAIT's website (http://www.nait.ca/). You will definitely not be disappointed with your dining experience at Ernest's!

Russian Blintzes

Many people know about Russian blintzes (crepes) with caviar. This kind of blintzes is not so popular in Russia. So let me introduce you real “blintzes” from Russia.

On the picture you can see blintzes with ground beef filling which I made by myself. I am not a good cook, so don't ask me to prepare them for you :-) As perogi and dumplings, blintzes can be with different fillings: ground beef, sweet cottage cheese (these two are my favorite fillings), chicken, different berries, and so on. You can put inside of blintzes whatever you want (almost). Moreover, often we don’t put any filling inside of blintzes, and eat them dipping in something like strawberry or cherry preserves, sweet condensed milk, honey, sour cream. You can use maple syrup in Canada to dip your blintzes in.

In Russia, we have a net of kiosks in big cities that sell hot blintzes all around the cities. I think, this is an excellent business. Equipment for these kiosks is not expensive and easy for use. It is very quick and easy to make blintzes. Besides, they have many different fillings prepared ahead. So, in 3-5 minutes you can receive hot, just made blintzes with filling that you like. I want to say that although this net of blintz’ kiosks works very well in Russia, I am not sure it will work in Canada.

Hudsons Canadian Taphouse

Hudsons Taphouse is a Canadian version of an Irish pub. It takes that warm pub feel and adds a Canadian twist throughout it's decor, menu and beer selection.

Although you can still order a pint of Guiness, most of the beers on tap are from all over Canada. They include Canadian, Coors light, Pilsner and micro brewed beers from Sleemans, Rickards and Big Rock. Big Rock is even brewed right here in Alberta!

Hudsons has a pretty extensive food menu that offers anything from chicken wings to baby back ribs. Both the steaks and hamburgers are local AAA Alberta beef and you can even have your burger made with buffalo if you prefer. You will also find poutine on the menu. One of the dishes Canada served at Heritage Days last year was poutine. It is crispy french fries covered with cheese curds and smothered in gravy. If you have not tried it you are missing out!

The walls are lined with Canadian themed pictures, posters, decorations and, of course, maple leafs. You will usually find hockey playing on one or all the televisions throughout the bar.

Hudsons has 5 locations here in Edmonton and one in Calgary opening tomorrow!

Biryani

Don’t worry, I will cook for you but subject to you can eat. Generally, the food, which I cooked, nobody wants to eat including me as well. I am just kidding don’t be tense. For snack, you can find Samosas in Sultan Restaurant other than that on 34th avenue there are so many Indian grocery stores, they carry lots of Indian snack in pack just like Old Dutch chips we have here. In addition to, I found one Indian restaurant in West Edmonton Mall food court; they also serve some small dishes like ‘Biryani’ and many more. Biryani could be both non-vegetarian and vegetarian. In non-vegetarian, it cooks with Chicken and rice so it known as ‘Chicken Biryani’. However, I didn’t try out yet but I will shortly. At present, take look the picture and try to feel the taste it might be watering you mouth.

Indian Dessert Drinks

Thank you Darlene, I would like to suggest some more items but one thing that I found is majority Indian restaurants make food what Canadian likes taste it has no spicier. Whenever you plan to eat Indian food just try Bhajiya, Dalmakkhani, and Channa masala. It is available at New Asian Village. In addition to, they have mango cluster, lassi, and butter milk. Usually, those items are cold so you can drink as desserts. Comparatively mango cluster seems like thick shake while lassi and buttermilk are in liquid form. In India people believes as traditionally that those drinks helpful to your stomach to digest the food easily.

I prefer Chinese cuisine

Although I prefer European food in my daily life, I must say that if I have a choice where to go with my family or friends, I would choose some Chinese restaurant, not Russian or Ukrainian.

Chinese cuisine is very popular all around the world. You can find good Chinese restaurants everywhere, including Edmonton. I think, the owners of Chinese restaurants do a lot to attract customers.

The taste of Chinese food here, in Canada, is different from the original taste of food that you can try in China. The owners of Chinese restaurants adapted Chinese food in order everyone could enjoy it, not only Chinese people.

There are many Chinese restaurants with affordable prices and great variety of dishes, including a the Chinese buffet where you can try so many different dishes. These kinds of restaurants often attract families with children because you can find something special for each member of your family. Moreover, many people consider Chinese cuisine as a very healthy choice.

However, I need to say that some Chinese dishes like those shown on the pictures I will never eat. They look nice and exotic, and I believe people who say that these dishes have a wonderful taste. They are just not for me! I prefer something less exotic, but Chinese cuisine still impress me. So, I think that a Chinese restaurant is a wonderful choice for everyone.

Home made foods from the Ukraine

As I had replied to Roxanne's post I have never attempted to make Perogy's. I have been quite successful at making Holubtsi (stuffed cabbage), Nachynka (Cornbread Stuffing a recipe from a friends mother), and Nalysnyky (crepe stuffed with cottage cheese and a cream dill sauce).

Here is a picture of Nalysnyky:

,

My girlfriend Michelle, is of Ukrainian descent and her mother has taught her very well in the art of Ukrainian cooking. Traditionally on Christmas eve they have 12 meatless dishes, including Nalysnyky and Nachynka.

Typical Ukrainian cooking uses black pepper, red pepper, salt, bay leaf, parsley and dill (usually in spring and summer), garlic and onion. Staples include potatoes, cabbage, fish, pork, beef and sausage and yes they do like their potatoes, just like the Irish. I believe this is because potatoes tend to keep quite well during the winter months and it was a food staple during the war for many cultures.

Recipe for Nalysnyky if you so wish to try it.

Crepe: 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 3 tbsp water, 1/2 cup flour sifted, 1/4 tsp salt, (Double for 13x9 pan) Beat eggs until light, mix in the rest of the ingredients. Use a small fry pan 6" in diameter, butter lgihtly and heat well, pour a few tbsp in of batter in pan to give a thin coating and tilt pan back and fourth to spread the batter evenly. If you like a thicker crepe do not tilt the pan as much. Cook the cake over medium heat. Lightly brown on bottom remove the cakes and stack on plate. Should not be turned over. This is the secrect to tender cakes. In other words do not flip them. Spread the cakes with sweet or savory filling, when rolling the cakes with filling, place the browned side on the outside, arrange the rolled cakes in the buttered baking dish, and dot each layer with butter (to keep moist). Bake in a 350F oven for 20 Min, serve savory cakes with sour cream. (if doubled yeild 26 cakes).

Added secret: in a separate sauce pan have butter melted with sweet onions to put between layers with the dill. Have heary cream ready to pour on just before going into oven. Cream is to come just to the top of the crepe.

Filling: 2 cups cottage cheese (dry), 2 egg yolks, 2 tbsp cream or milk, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp chopped dill if desired. Mash cottage cheese, add all remaining ingredients mix thourghly. Spread 1tbsp of filling on the cakes then roll, proceed as directed in recipe.

Hope you enjoy the recipe.

All Happy Family Restaurant

All Happy Family Restaurant is a typical restaurant of Hong Kong style. It opens from 10 am to 2 am and includes breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner, and night snack. There are several dishes that I have already tried and like very much. My favourite dish is congee, such as congee with lean meat and preserved egg, congee with chick, etc. Congee is known as a healthy food, especially to seniors and patients. It always includes green onion in Hong Kong and China. However, many Canadian do not prefer the strong smell of green onion, so the congee in Canada is not put green onion. Luckily, I do not like green onion either. The different noodles are also delicious, like noodles with fresh shrimp and wonton noodles with meat ball. Another kind of dish I prefer is rice with meat and veggies on top. Many choices of meat and vegetables are offered to customers. My best-loved dish is Fish-flavored eggplant on Rice.
Although the dishes in All Happy Family Restaurant change a little bit to fit the taste of Canadian, they still carry Hong Kong style. The food there tastes very good for both Chinese and Canadian. You cannot believe I heard this restaurant from a Canadian. He likes there very much as well. Therefore, foodies, what are you waiting for? Let’ go.
Attention: This is not an advertisement.

Delicious Roast Duck

Today, I went to Lucy 97, which is located in 97st and 107 ave, with my friend. She introduced their roast duck to me. Although it was not peking roast duck, but, Woo, it was so delicious and includes two tastes, salty and sweet. The price is really good, only 10.5 dollars for half duck. I would like to recommend to foodies. Hope you will like it.

Samosa

In Indian snakes, I found that most of the Canadian like Samosas. Here in Edmonton one Indian restaurant is Sultan Palace Café famous for Samosas. It located on 10171 109 street Northwest Edmonton. They start their restaurant as based on homemade recipes in 1996. They believe to achieve a single classic goal: quality in samosa making. According to them Samosas are leading the way as South Asian cuisine grows in popularity in North America. Samosas can eat as party appetizer or lunch box treat. The reason of famous is their pastry is crisp, firm, and rarely bubbles. In addition, they have 10 different varieties in Samosas like traditional beef with fresh onions and coriander leaves, curried four-way vegetables with assorted Baghara spices, Tandoori chicken Kabuli, and many more. Even, they make in three different sizes like as appetizer (25g), snack (40g) and deli style (100g). Appetizer Samosas are perfect for dinner party or social function; snack size Samosas make a perfect snack and balance every meal; Deli style Samosas are largest size and sold only to wholesale clients such as delis. They are enough to satisfy an average person’s hunger and make a perfect lunch complement to salad or soup. In addition, Sultan restaurant also carry frozen Samosas so customer can buy frozen and cook later at their convenience.

Chilly Chiken

As I mentioned in my earlier post that I don’t not allowed to eat non-vegetarian food according to my religion, so that is why I asked my friend for non-vegetarian food. One day, he also went to New Asian Village. He ordered chilly chicken. In The New Asian Village, they serve chilly chicken with Chicken and seasoned vegetables sautéed in a spicy Indo-Chinese style sauce. Indo-Chinese is food style. In this style, the food that is cooking with Indian method and use some sauce which has Chinese taste. He found that chilly chicken was not spicy so he talked with the manager regarding the taste. Generally, in India chilly chicken has spicy taste but in Canada, it is medium spicy because majority people don’t like as if more spicy taste and many Canadian are health conscious so they don’t like even oily food. Therefore, According to the manager this is a reason we have to maintain the level of spicy taste. In case some customers need more spicy food in that case we cook other new but same dish for them or we add some more ‘tadka’ in such dish. ‘Tadka’ is process while roasting the dish. In this process, they add chillier to get spicier taste. Chilly chicken is one of the tasty dishes. Try it and enjoy it.

The New Asian Village

On last weekend, my family and I went to new Asian village for dinner. It is located on 9308-34 Ave. The new Asian village is popular in Edmonton especially for Indian food. It has three other branches across the Edmonton.
It on Central 10149 Saskatchewan Drive Edmonton, AB
South 9308-34 Ave. Edmonton, AB
West 17507-100 Ave. Edmonton, AB
North 320 Manning Crossing Edmonton, AB
I don’t have any idea about non-vegetarian food because we are lacto vegetarian. They have good menu for Indian cuisine. They have two different types of food for vegetarian and non- vegetarian people. I ordered vegetarian food like shahi navratna kurma, matter paneer, garlic Nan, and dahivada. Usually, shahi navratna kurma has sweet taste, but if customer need little bit spicy taste than they can change it. Shahi navratna kurma made from vegetables, grapes, and strawberry. Matter paneer has spicy taste. It contains gravy with little pieces of paneer and matter. Dahivada is not Punjabi dish but I would like to eat as a desert because it has cold yogurt with vada and it has sweet taste. The interior of the restaurant is seems to be like Indian tradition. In addition, they have special private table (personal cabin) for customers is call maharaja room. As per Indian culture, Maharaja means a king. Long time ago the king’s dining room was decorated with expensive silk cloths and wooden furniture in India. In this restaurant, the maharaja room is decorating by colorful silk cloths, so the customers can feel like luxurious dinner experience.

HotPot

About ten thousands years ago, chinese ancestors used a huge tripod to cook everything which people could eat, especially meat. That is the earliest hot pot. Because of inconvenience, people devoloped small copper and iron pots to cook before three thousands years. With the technologic development, the copper pot was changed to electric cooker, induction cooker, and gas cooker. Please see the pictures on the right.Only in winter, people liked eating hot pot with meat many years ago. It helped people feel warm. Now, to explore the marketing of hot pot, the owner of restaurants always open air condition to attract customers to eat it in all of seasons. They also developed many special menu to adapt different citizen's taste. Like plain boiled pork hot pot in northeast China, lamb pot in beijing, assorted chafing dish in shanghai, chrysanthemum hot pot in suzhou, spice hot pot in chongqing, seafood hot pot in guangzhou, beef hot pot in HongKong. Even in other countries, we can see trace of hot pot which has changed to adapt the local customers' taste. For example, Korean has stone fire pot, Indunesia has curry hot pot, and cheese pot is also known in Swizerland.
In Edmonton, there are two restaurant that offer hot pot in buffet. For instance, The King noodles and hot pot is located in 10939 101 St.,and Asian Grill House Restaurant which is located in 9643 107 ave also offer baffet hot pot. They offer seafood, lamb, beef, pork, and kinds of vegetable.

KFC & McDonald in China

After reading the article about McDonald's, I want to talk about the difference of McDonald's and KFC in China. In northern China, KFC is more popular than McDonald's. There are several reasons according to the customers' responding. First, KFC built their market in north of China eariler than McDonald's. When KFC have already had many loyal customers, McDonald's began to advertize there. Secondly, KFC changed a lot in China. They changed to use bread from a famous bread factory after couple years. Compared the bread offered from McDonald's, the bread in KFC is softer, mixed with more eggs. It fits chinese taste. Thirdly, KFC create new menu consistently. Chinese people believe that beef and fish is more health that pork and chicken. KFC cook hamburgs with beef and fish. It decreases the level of worry from customers and parents who used to think fast food is not health. To attract young people who are always lazy to cook breakfast, KFC offer beef and chicken congee in morning. Of course, McDonald's have their strategy to hold the marketing. For example, many kinds of icecream attact many customers, and their skill of cooking French fries is recognized.
Therefore, food need to adapt the taste of local customers wherever the food is from and to.

Russian or Ukranian dumplings

Although dumplings came in Russia from China, we make them differently now.

We use different kinds of fillings: potato, cabbage, cottage cheese, and different berries, for example, cherry dumplings are very popular.

We also use another kind of fillings – different kinds of meat in different proportions.

(picture from http://www.nika.by/thumb/290x290xM/files/gastronomy/5.jpg)

We have different names for these two kinds of fillings. Those with meat we call “pelmeni”, others – “vareniki”. Besides, pelmeni has a little bit different (round) shape than vareniki. Usually, we cook both, pelmeni and vareniki, in a boiled water, but some people like to fry them in oil or butter after this.Usually, the whole family sits around the table to make meat dumplings, especially for special occasions such as New Year.

McDonald's

I want to write about McDonald's because for me and many other Russians these restaurants are often associated with American culture. It is an interesting fact that despite a lot of criticism toward McDonald’s, the McDonald’s restaurants widespread all around the world. You can find them in more than 100 countries. It is amazing considering all cultural differences that exist in these countries.

McDonald’s restaurants are very popular in North America. It is quite understandable because they suggest food that is quite regular for Americans for affordable price. But, what about other countries. Why McDonald’s are so popular in other countries?

I think, McDonald’s restaurants are so popular not because they are just bring their original menus and services in new countries, and don’t have other competitors in these countries, but because they are flexible. Keeping their main attributes and principles, they make some changes in their menus and services depending on a country.

First of all, McDonald’s restaurants use local products to prepare their food. Second, they adapt their menus. They keep their basic food choices the same, but change their dressings, or add some additional choices of food. For example, in Taiwan, you can find McDonald’s restaurants in any big city. In addition to regular menu, you can find strange hamburgers in which they use rice round cakes instead of bread with grilled chicken inside. Besides, many dressings have Chinese spices in them.

In Russia, McDonald’s restaurants are not so popular and you can find them only in a few cities, but, I think, this is because prices are not affordable for many people. However, McDonald’s are well-known in Russia. There were some things that attracted people in Russia at the beginning: different kinds of hamburgers because we didn’t do them at home at all, and milkshakes which you couldn’t find easily although many Russians, especially children, loved milkshakes.

I think, that in every new country McDonald’s take in account differences and adapt their food and services in accordance with new conditions and features.

(picture from http://media.nowpublic.net/images//27/f/27f271e0d67e253b5212719bf8ff377c.jpg)

Adopted Chinese food

Braised sparerib with sauce

Braised sparerib with sauce is also called braised pork chops. This delicious dish is a traditional and normal food in northern China, specifically, eaten in winters and holidays. I was thinking that braised pork chops is a symbol of holidays when I was young. In every Chinese spring day, we could see it on the table.
Each family can cook it at home; however, families all have their special taste. To adapt Canadian taste, chefs of some restaurants use ketchup instead of sugar to attract more local customers. Of course, you can try to use other sauce. Now, I want to introduce the cooking process of braised pork chops that is used in northern Chinese. Hope you like this kind of braised pork chops.

1.Cut chop to cubes(about 5cm*3cm)
2.Put the pork into boil water for 2 or 3 minutes. The aim of this step is to clean bleed in the pork. Then clean the streaky pork with tap water.
3.Put three spoons sugar and one spoon water to wok, waiting and stir it by low heat, when the sugar became to liquid and the color became to brown yellow, add three spoons hot water.
4. Put the cubes in wok quickly and make all cubes contact the sugar liquid.
5.Put four spoons cooking wine, one spoon dark soy sauce, onion parts, one star anise, one cinnamon, and one hot pepper to wok
6.Add water to cover the chop.
7. Waiting the water to boil by Middle heat, turn to low heat.
8.After one hours, turn off the heat, the dish will prefect.

Enjoy your cooking. It will be awesome.

Introduction of Indian food

First, I would like to give some brief idea about the Indian food. India is one of the multi region countries in the world. It has different regions with different foods. Some of those are traditional and some those are likely to be routine life.

1. Punjabi food
Many non-Indian or Canadian people identify Punjabi food as the Indian food. Punjabi food includes classic favorite such as Tandoori chiken, Naan, Parathas, Aloo tikki, Makke-di-roti, Sarson ka saag and many more. Punjab is a northwestern state of India, and also known as “the land of milk and honey”.
Typical Punjabi meal has consisted Roti, Daal, yogurt and curried vegetables. Many Punjabi eat rice infrequently and only on special occasions. Generally, Punjabi meals have lot of onion, tomatoes, cumin, turmeric, mustard, garlic, ginger cooked in pure cow ghee. Milk is a very important part of Punjabi food in its many form such as yogurt (Dahi), Lassi, Paneer, Makhan(white butter) and ghee.
In rural India, Punjabi food is mostly serving on “Dhaba”. Usually “Dhaba” is a self-service roadside food joint that is frequently used by truck drivers and travelers. Generally, those foods are very spicy and heavy.

2. Bengali food
Bengali food tracks its root to the region of Bengal, which is now divide between into Indian state of west Bengal and the country of Bangladesh. Bengali food consists of rice with various fish, egg dishes, Dals, and vegetable dishes. Generally, Banglai food made form cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom and spice mixture Garam masala.
In addition, Bengali food also famous as a sweet dessert such as Rasgulla, Ras-Malai,and Cham-Cham. Among those desserts are considering as the best desserts in the world. Bengali cooking is often synonymous with fish. Even though much of Bengal is not next to the sea, it has many rivers and lakes full of freshwater fish.

3. South Indian food
South Indian food, particularly Tamil Nadu, brings to mind Idlis, Dosas, Sambhar and Vada. Those are routine, demanding, and popular dishes in south India. Generally, south Indian people consider Idlis and Sambhar as a breakfast. In south India, there is huge number of vegetarian dishes. The food in this region use generous amount of spices and coconuts. The final tempering with oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, dried red chilies and Urad dal is similar for most of the dishes.

4. Gujrati food
Gujrati food shows perfect example of use of available ingredients for food in the harsh region of Gujrat, which lies in western part of India. Due to lack of fresh vegetables, Gujrat cuisine is full sundried, dried food or naturally preserved food with longer shelf life. For example, Gujrati recipes often will use dry Hing (asafetida) fresh onion and garlic to enhance the flavors.
Often lot of ghee or buttermilk (Chhas) is use in Gujrati cooking than fresh cream, milk, or yogurt. Many Gujrati dishes are bright red in color, hot and they made from Besan (flour of wheat) like Roti, Thepla, and Bhakhari.
Some of the famous Gujrati dishes are Undhiyo,Khaman, Khandavi, and Dhokala. In Gujrati region there are some sweet dishes are make like Lapsy, Ladu, and Churmu. These dishes are part of tradition mostly cooked when somebody buys new home, engagement, marriage, opening ceremony of new business, and festivals.
In addition to, Athanas are most likely by Gujrati people. Those Athans are not main dishes but it is a side dishes. Generally, those Athanas has very sour taste consider as an oily food.

Thai Cuisine

On Saturday March 6, Scott, my husband; Josh, my son; and I, decided to go out for dinner after my nieces swim meet. Scott had been wanting to go out for Thai food for quite some time. We usually go to the King and I, however on this occassion we decided to go to Boualong Laos & Thai Cuisine. Boualong is located in the heart of China Town, 97 Street and 106 Avenue.

The restaurant has been newly renovated, so it has a very nice atmosphere. The food, although slow in coming and not in the order that one would assume it would come out in, was very good. We had ordered an appetizer of a crape/spring roll stuffed with shrimp, pineapple, and mayonaise sauce. This dish came out after the amazing Pad Thai with Chicken. I have to say one of the best we have encountered in Edmonton.

Here is a picture of the Pad Thai with Chicken:

Then came the soup........
Scott ordered the Tom Yum soup it was very spicy. Tom yum is characterized by its distinct hot and sour flavors, with fragrant herbs generously used. The basic broth is made of stock and fresh ingredients such as lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce and crushed chili peppers.

 

http://thaifood.about.com/b/2006/01/17/banish-the-cold-with-tom-yum-soup.htm

Then our son ordered the Matsuman, which is a curry dish with potatoes, carrots and your choice of beef or chicken; we chose to have it with beef. The dish again very good flavours however we would choose the chicken next time. See the Matsuman here:

The highlight of the night was the purple sticky rice with mango ice cream and 2 slivers of Mango layed on either side of the purple rice and ice cream, very good I would recommend this dish I could not find the exact picture of it however here is one displayed without the mango slices.

I would highly recommend this restaurant; the only down side is they only take cash, no debit or credit cards.

Pork Dumplings and Steamed Pork Buns

Here is a picture of Pork Dumplings and Steamed Pork Buns similiar to the ones Roxanne made.

Chinese cuisine - brought to us by Roxanne Ren

This week we were treated by one of our own great group members Roxanne to a tasting of homemade pork dumplings and steamed pork buns. We were all very appreciative of her efforts, though not expected, greatly appreciated.

Roxanne explained that her mother used to make them back home in China. This was Roxanne's first attempt at making them by herself. What a great job she did.

This is an example of a Chinese favourite brought to Canada with very little changes to the recipe.

Thank you Roxanne

Good work!

This is very good so far. Looking at the pictures makes my mouth water! Your blog is nicely formatted.