Dum Aloo, Dhal with fried spices, Jeera rice, Naan and mint Raita

So Sunday a couple of cold tired hikers showed up at my door. (Chris and Cassidy) I was warned ahead of time and had prepared a nice vegetarian (for Cass) Indian dinner for them.

Cass even pitched in and chopped Corriander ( Cilantro) for the Dum Aloo

We sat and ate it on the living room floor. Tasty Tasty.

Tandoori Chicken with Jeera rice, Mint Raita and Naan

Well, I went on an kick this weekend and thought I would put on a little SARGAM by Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya and cook up a little tasty Indian dinner.

Lets start with the Tandoori to get it marinating. This is a little complex so I will just go over it quickly. you can find many recipes online.

combine garlic gloves, fresh ginger, hot green or red chilies, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, bayleaf, cinnamon add plain unsweetened notfat organic greek style yogurt and marinate 2-24 hours. Remember eating is about your eyes and most people like Tandoori red so hit a little red food coloring in there... Tandoori tastes way better when you actually grill it. Try to replicate the high heat of the Tandoor without killing your chicken.

For the Mint Raita mix yogurt with a little water, add 1 small onion chopped finely, some salt and 1/tsp mint sauce. garnish with chopped fresh mint leaves.

Don't forget the Naan! brush with melted butter or preferably Ghee if you have it.

Now whip up some Jeera rice. I got this recipe out of Ismael Merchants wonderful Passionate meals.

1 1/2 cups Basmati rice, 3 tbsp Vegetable oil, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 2-2" Cinnamon sticks, 4 Cloves, 1/4 tsp salt. First you bloom the spices slowly in the oil making sure they don't scorch and then you boil the rice. Real simple, Real tasty.

I served this all with onion and tomato slices and a nice Pale Ale

Curry Dijon King Salmon on a Bed of Sautéed Onion Ginger Cabbage, Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Brown Gravy, with Steamed Green Asparagus on the Side

IMPORTANT NOTE:

THE FOLLOWING POST IS BEING POSTED ON DAD'S BEHALF
THIS IS HIS POST!

Preheat your oven to 400° and then focus on this, your ingredients.
Slice your onions and cabbage, grate your ginger, etc.
Begin by heating your oil and sautée onions until tender and golden.

With your other hand, remove skin from Salmon and place in a prepared roasting dish with the fish's rounded side up.
Mix curry powder, and dijon together with two tsp water. Brush this mixture evenly over Salmon.

Hit it with Dill!
Roast appx. 15 min until opaque through.

While Salmon is roasting, your onions will be done. Add ginger and cumin to skillet. Cook, and stir, 1 minute. Then add cabbage and salt. Cover and cook 10 to 12 minutes until cabbage is just tender and begins to brown.

Spoon Cabbage and onion mixture onto plate and top with Salmon.
Dad's Special Plate

Chris Cracked Pepper and He Don't Care.

Done!

Tasty Grilled Tuna

Mix together in a small bowl: 1 Tbsp Brown sugar, 1 Tbsp Sesame oil, 1/3 cup Soy sauce, 1/3 cup Rice wine vinegar, 2 minced Garlic cloves, 1/4 inch piece fresh ginger grated, Fresh cracked pepper and Chili pepper flakes to taste.

Drop in hunk of tasty Tuna steak and marinate 2-4 hours.

Grill and eat with your favorite sides.

New Instant Coffee from Starbucks!!!

Start with a mug.

Add Hot Water and your choice of Starbucks' new instant coffees... either Columbian or Italian.

Mix water and coffee in mug.
Then realize it still tastes like instant coffee, Starbucks or not.

Old School

Everything Comes From Something.

Squid with Jalapenos, Chipotles and Greens

Rinse and drain Squid.

Clean Squid, remove Quill, seperate head from Mantle, skin and remove Wings, cut Tentacles from eyes and gunk (retaining ink sac if you want to make black crutons later), turn Mantle inside out and rinse any remaining gunk off, cut Tentacles in half making sure to remove beak. you should be left with a clean Mantle, clean Wings, and tasty Tentacle halves. Cut Mantle into rings and wing, maybe in half depending on size.

Ok, here goes! Cook diced Jalapeno , crushed Chipotle and minced Garlic in oil maybe 15 seconds. Do not burn your Garlic! Add clean stemmed and chopped Mustard Greens. Cook until wilted. Add Squid and Salt to taste and cook until Squid is opaque. Serve with your favorite Rice and a drizzle of Tamari sauce.

Enjoy!