Marathon fundraising & Vegetable Biryani

Marathon fundraising & Vegetable Biryani.. well doesn't exactly go together but hey ! what are you gonna do about it !!

Its been such a long time since I wrote any posts. More than a month.. I feel bad to have let it go this far but there has been some important and demanding things going on for the past month. There was my kid's birthday party planning and the vacation we had at Florida Disney theme parks, the photos of which I will post very soon.

Other than that, after a two year long break, I am starting work from Monday , so there was this whole process of searching for a day care for my daughter, setting up my work schedule etc., Having been with her at home for two whole years, I am very apprehensive about getting back to work life and being away from her. I have no idea as to how I am going to manage this change.. but I guess we all get used to things eventually. After all you have to let go sometime.

Another very exciting thing happenning in my life - I am running the Portland Marathon this year and I am doing it to raise funds for AID (Association for India's Development) - a non profit organisation based in India. I am currently a volunteer at the AID Portland chapter and very thrilled about doing the marathon for something I very strongly believe in.

AID has been working to eliminate grass root problems in India for many years now. We have seen that the effort brings about remarkable changes in people’s life and gives them hope for a better future. To continue the good work, we need support from every one of you. It would mean a lot to me if you can please visit my Marathon Fundraising page and show your support. Every small contribution from your side is going to bring about a major change to someone's life. I hope to get all the support I need to raise this money from my fellow bloggers, friends and family. The actual marathon date is on Oct. 7th. You can also find weekly updates about my run on the fundraising page.

Phew !.. After that long talk, moving on to the recipe.. Its Vegetable Biryani. A very common food found in almost all Indian states. Its made very differently everywhere and as amazing as it is.. it tastes super good in every form. I guess thats what makes it a more attractive and mess free food. It is almost a one pot recipe.. well not really :) Everytime I make it, it is a little different in some way. This was today's version of the Biryani

Ingredients

Basmati Rice - 2 cups
Mixed diced veggies (carrot, cauliflower, beans, peas, spring onions) - 1 cup
Onion - 2 medium sized, finely chopped
Oil - 3 tbps
Pepper, whole - 1 tbsp
Haldi - 1 tsp
Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt as per taste

To grind

Almonds - 1/2 cup
Cashews - a handful
Green chillies - 4 nos
Cloves - 3 nos
Cardamon - 2 nos.
Anise Seed - 1
Cinnamon - 1 inch stick
Fennel seeds - 1 tbsp
Mint leaves - 5 nos.



Method

• Cook the rice in the electric cooker with some oil to prevent sticking.
• Once its done, take it out and let it cool in a wide basin to prevent lumps.
• Boil the veggies other than the spring onions till completely cooked.
• In the mean time combine all the ingredients under the 'grind' section in a blender and blend into a smooth paste.
• Heat 2 tbsps of oil, add the pepper and then the onions and fry them till golden brown.
• Add the cooked veggies, salt, turmeric powder and garam masala powder. Saute till the oil seperates from the sides.
• Add the ground masala and stir fry the masala on low till the raw smell disappears. This should take only a couple minutes.
• Now add the cooled rice to the mixture and keep stirring on low till the rice gets mixed with all the masala. Adjust salt if required.
• Serve with cool yogurt raita.
  

Cooking for Toddlers - Not so infamous "Potato Rice"

Feeding a toddler as of now is the most difficult thing that I have done. Are you familiar with phrases such as "I don't want to eat", "All Done, Thats it" ? Do you run behind your toddler trying to feed him/her but in the process end up feeding the carpet and the walls ? Do you, after the whole fiasco sit and wonder if only they can eat without throwing a fit, how simple and relaxed your life would be ? Howdy partner.. we are totally in the same boat. My daughter is one such kid.. A total angel until meal time arrives. Then she unleashes the little devil inside. Ofcourse if there is one upside to this story then it is getting a good workout before every meal :)

Keeping that in mind, I thought I would share the recipes of the toddler food that I make for my kid.. the ones that she very rarely likes and enjoys. I am sure this doesn't mean that your toddler might like it and gobble it up.. but its just one more option for you in the tedious process of thinking what to make for him/her. First in this section "Cooking for Toddlers" comes the not so infamous Potato Rice.

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice (Cooked) - 3/4 cup
Onions (finely chopped) - 2 tbsp
Potato - Peeled and cubed - 1/2 cup
Almonds - handful
Pulav powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Fresh ground pepper - 1/4 tsp
Hing - a pinch
Salt - as per taste
Jeera - 1/4 tsp
Ghee - 1 tbsp




Method:

• Microwave the potato for 3 minutes on high. Set aside.
• Grind the almonds into fine powder and keep aside.
• Take a deep pan and heat butter / ghee.
• Splutter jeera. Add onions and saute.
• Add pulav powder, turmeric and hing to the sauteed onions. Fry for a minute.
• Now add the boiled potatoes and saute for couple of minutes on low flame.
• Add the cooked rice and salt. Saute for 2-3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the ground almond powder and pepper. Mix well on low flame for a minute.
• Garnish with coriander and serve with yogurt.

Note: I always add hing and turmeric in most of my daughter's food as a way for her to get used to the Indian taste. Also, hing and turmeric are considered to have lots of medicinal values.

Trivia Facts:

• Refering to its strong odour, asafetida is also called the devils dung or the stinking gum.
• Asafetida is considered native to Iran. The trader caste of Hinduism and followers of Jainism, who are not supposed to eat onions use this as a substitute for onions
• The "asafetidda bag", containing the paste of asafetida was hung around the neck of children and considered a remedy for cold and flu in the 1900's.
• Turmeric, hails from the family of ginger and is considered to have ayurvedic properties.
• It is being investigated to have benefits in the treatment of alzeimer's, cancer and depression.
• It is considered an very effective antibacterial agent and a readily available antiseptic for cuts and bruises.

Information obtained from wikipedia.org