Monday, May 17, 2010

Yummy yummy yummy I got rice in my tummy


My motivation for cooking has diminished. I think it's because my sister in law is at home with me all day, and the part of cooking I liked was the surprise when we ate dinner. But when she is here, she can smell and see everything at the early stages. I dunno, I have some weird complex. I'm also exhausted from eating food from my cousin's trip last weekend. We had so much food and so many leftovers that I hardly had to cook last week. Then we had my sister in law's bridal shower, and the aunties sent home a bunch of food from that as well. So after eating all that, we were left with actually having to make a meal today.

I've been wanting to make fried rice (indian kind) for a long time now. My husband likes traditional kerala style food and isn't really into the north indian stuff, but i love how curried north indian is (compared to dry kerala food). He's on a business trip though, so its the perfect time to eat stuff that he doesn't like, hence, fried rice, egg curry, and yogurt salad. YUM!

I always thought fried rice was something that is hard to make since it is usually only made on special occasions (in a malu home). I know whenever my mom made it, she makes huge quantities to feed an army or take to a potluck.

For fried rice (this makes about 6-8 portions) take 2 cups basmati rice and soak it in water (after washing it) for 20 mins. While that is soaking, slice half a medium onion and one large green chili. Heat up about 3 tbsp oil, once it is hot, add fennel, cloves (4-5), and one bay leaf, let it toast in the oil. Then saute the onion and then the chili. once the onion has some color on it, add 1 tsp of coriander pwd, 1/2 tsp chilli pwd, and a pinch of turmeric. let that fry in the oil. Drain the rice from the soaking water and put the rice into the pan. Fry the rice with 2 tbsp of butter/ghee (i used butter). once the rice is kind of translucent from frying, add 4 cups water and salt until you can just taste the salt in the water. cover, bring to a boil, and then reduce to low and let it sit for 20 mins. I stirred my rice in between because i was scared of burning it. During the last 5 mins, i put in about a cup of frozen mixed vegetables.

It was so good!!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Guests!

Last week was a huge feat for me. It was my first time having guests over! My aunt and cousin came to visit me. I wish I could have taken pics of all the food i made...but I was wayyy too busy. It took me almost two whole days to make everything, but i made a proper kerala meal and also had another lunch with some local guests too! It was such a big deal because i had to make the house look perfect, the food taste perfect, make sure they were entertained, and just play the role of a good hostess. Plus it was my aunt...she was gonna go home and tell my mom everything!! But no worries, everything went well.

Monday, May 3, 2010

The grass is greener on the other side...

I don't know if I have used this title already because grass has been on our minds for a couple of weeks now. My new hobby is gardening and making our perfect house look beautiful on the outside. It's also a super romantic, intimate outing with your hubby. Not only does he feel manly doing all the heavy lifting, shoveling, etc...he gets to watch you get creative and physical..grunts and all. I feel its so intimate because your partner sees you at your worst. You wear the most casual clothes you have, you get hot and sweaty...and you even feel sore the next day. It seems like such a vulnerable activity.

But i also came up with this title because i'm homesick. I feel like i just want one day to go back to life how it was....even if it includes a full day of work...a couple of classes...and going to bed alone. The life I'm living right now almost feels like a fairytale and sometimes I think with the next blink of the eye I'm going to go back into reality. No my fairytale isn't glamorous...but...its just so surreal.

I think i'm starting to really lose it with having so much time on my hands. I feel pathetic and feel like I'm losing my skills. I crave people interaction. As much as i've been trying to absorb this new city... I would give anything to drive on my old streets, walk into a Target, eat a McDouble and see my family.

But when I had all that...all i wanted to do was move to Canada. That was my excuse for everything while i was home...."sorry I can't do it...I'm moving to Canada."

Well Canada I'm here and I want a life. I don't want to be a full time housewife. I want a car. I want to know what each store is. I want to have friends here. I want to make memories. I want to feel like I belong here too.