Lemons & Rinds

When it comes to kid lunches, we never run out of options. Especially, if your kid loves easy, simple, delicious no fuss food, you are a winner. I dnt fancy eating Thalipeeth much while in India. But now after becoming a mommy myself, I'm always looking for options for healthy easy meals. Thalipeeth comes a winner than. With your choice of vegetables, mostly root vegetables go very well since they can be grated and added to this). Just the other day, my mum was complaining about my father being fussy with his Thalipeeth. He likes it only with onions and spices. However, since my brothers also eat, she likes to add red radishes, cabbage or carrots too. So now what? She looks for options to please everyone. To add spice to this fight, I informed that my lil one likes it with lots of raddishes and carrots!!! Super healthy!!! Anyways, this is one dish a staple in my house. Here's what I do: Flour of different types rather whatever is a staple in the pantry. I try to add mor...

A hearty breakfast of Thalipeeth, 'LONI', Tea This post is dedicated to my dearest friend (I do not need to take her name, she is the only one with a gluten free diet). Thalipeeth takes us back to our roots in rural India. Every family has their own way of making a 'Thalipeeth Bajani', rather it depends from individual to individual about what grains they want to add to Thalipeeth. It serves as an excellent breakfast, or even a quick lunch with lots of veggies, homemade white butter on the side and a glass of butter milk. Offlate I have been using my mom's method of using a plastic carry bag to pat the dough, and a cast iron pan to roast it with enough oil. I have been making Thalipeeth from the flour that my mom had made for me during my last India visit 6 months back. However, now it will be my next challenge to make it at home here in the US. I will typically have to depend on the ingredients on the Indian stores here, and of course the quality of ingre...

Got to admit that I am a wanderer in the massive blogging world. That one link leads to the other and I have completely lost track of where I began and where am I suppose to land. Surely, lot of them out there share this thought. It is so much fun to  read and browse blogs than writing one. Anyways, after all these days reading blogs and food articles, I have some drafts ready to be published. The first one is a simple toddler/ adult lunch. Now who dsnt like Egg Salad Sandwich! Our picky toddler is also no exception. Ons some lazy days, I give him super healthy sandwich toasted with some of his favorite vegetables like broccoli or cherry tomatoes. Sometimes we do it open faced with cheese and toast it in the oven, or grill it like a Panini. This is what I add to this sandwich typically: Boiled eggs, mayonnaise to combine, hint of mustard for flavor, salt, pepper, cheese (sliced or grated, whatever is on hand), some grated veggies (again something that goes well on...

 My father always asks me if plums in the US are tangy or sweet? since in India most of the times plums are very sour. So my family back home has stopped buying them altogather. My parents are not one to eat much of sour or tangy food. Every season I say that plums in the US are really PLUM and sweet. Only the skin is tangy sometimes. However, I had to take back my words the other day. I bought some plums from our local Farmer's Market and they were a mix of tangy and sweet. There were no buyers for it in the house. Out little toddler declared "Plums are Sour". So I had to go hunting for a recipe to turn them into something the whole house would smell divine. I could not ball down on one fix recipe, I was missing on ingredients. So finally, I decided to come up with my own version. I do not follow these kind of recipes exact, and modify it according to what is on hand (as is I was trying to use up the sour Plums, why do extra shopping?) Here is how I made this Plum ...

We love Oatmeal, Period!!! Oops, not the plain boring one. It needs to be jazzed up with all sorts of look good, feel good ingredients. For example, dark brown sugar, butter, lots of dry and fresh fruits, Maple syrup...and so no. To add it to it, a cool looking bowl, clean shining stainless steel spoon. Furthermore, a perfect setting to enjoy the hearty breakfast, maybe something next to the window watching an array of birds picking at the morning dews and grass. Voila!!! This is one meal that you can design as and however you want, and it surely makes a world of difference to the flavour. Note: Its just a perfect picture, not that we always have our breakfast in this kind of a setting....we wish though!!!

I had a hard time getting my toddler eat oatmeal. He used to like it as a baby, but now that his taste buds have matured, he dislikes the slimy texture of a classic oatmeal recipe. I tried adding some yummy things to it like butter, golden and black raisins, maple syrup, nuts, honey, brown sugar; tried changing the consistency too...but still a big NO. Maybe M&Ms??? oh no..that wont work .It wnt be breakfast than. Pancakes have always proven to be a food in disguise. Enjoy them sweet or savoury. Ground oats, All purpose flour (we love it with whole wheat flour as well), egg, buttermilk, baking soda, baking powder and a dash of vanilla essence (if sweet). And voila. They literally melt in the mouth. So is the story with savory pancakes. Potatoes, Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkins, you name it and they can be added to a pancake. At Lemons and Rinds, I am offering this Breakfast or Brunch Party Menu. It is simple food, to be enjoyed at the earlies...