Lunch Ideas - Creating Balanced Vegetarian Meals

@satchitananda : on my way dear. I will join you any day for the evening snack. Lovely.

 

Looking forward to that Chandrika!

 

Salting, and resting bitter gourd will make the vegetable "sweat" its bitterness out. Cut off a little of the top and bottom, then slice the BG(kerala, goya) lengthwise, gouge out the seeds and the white seedbed. Then add some salt into the two "canoes". Spred, and Press the salt in with your finger. Let it rest for about 15 minutes. Then wash the bitter gourd. Some/most of the bitterness would be washed away. Too much salt would take out too much bitterness, and then it is just a plain gourd with a bumpy surface. You can then cut the thing into whatever size you want for the type of dish. This salting to sweat out the bitterness is likely written up in several recipes in various forms.

 

Thanks Nonya. Mom used to cut it, remove the seeds and the white stuff off and then roast it. That was too bitter for me. She also made bitter gourd pithla which was really yum and was the only form I liked. Am glad to have found this recipe too.

 

In these modern times, one can (after removing the seeds etc..)cut the BG into whatever shape we want, put them all into a ziploc (plastic bag) bag, add a spoon of salt into the bag, seal, shake it a little and put it into the fridge for a day (and then the freezer), then take a handful, wash the salt off and use it in cooking. I blanche (toss the cut pieces into water at a rolling boil) the pieces for a few seconds, and add it to salads. Yes, they are only slightly cooked at that stage, with the right amount of bitterness.

 

You got company!

Its "leftovers" Monday.
Old roti cut into strips and sauteed with some leftover beetroot, potato, and other sabjis, added a 1/4 cup of black beans for protein.
Forgot to bring fruit. Will go to the cafetaria later to get one.

 

@Shanvy mam, that cake looks so yummy.... I bet this would have tested much better than the store brought ones.

I made this cake for my son's 5th B'day... took this risk and made the frosting also everyone was happy with the taste though look wise it was okey only

 

@pumpkin01: what is wrong with the look? Mother's love is pouring out of it and decorated aptly for a 5 year old. Love it dear.

 

Breakfast: bread omlet
Mid snack: banana
Lunch: dal and long beans fry
Snacks: aloo bonda, pamogranate juice

By the way NO PICS

 

Finally posting after a long break

Breakfast: idli chutney karam with ghee (ghee only for kids )
Lunch: onions coriander brinjal fry, chamagadda pulusu
Snacks: what to do ufff