Arugula & Pear Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Blogging Marathon# 57: Week 2/ Day 1

Theme: Food52 Contest Recipes from here

Dish: Arugula & Pear Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

We are starting a new week of blogging marathon and my theme is to cook from 'Food52 Recipe Contest winners'. I didn't really know about Food52 until I signed up for this and now it has vecome my go-to site to look for for new recipes.

So for people like me you are new to Food52, here's a little backstory: 'It was started by 2 foodies Amanda & Merrill to bring cooks together from all over to exchange recipes and ideas and to support each other in the kitchen. Food52 means you cook food for 52 weeks of the year'.

Read more »

Salsa Picante

This is one of the condiments that I wanted to post for the mega marathon-condiment week, but didn't know which country to put it under. So I'm posting it today for 'Cooking from Cookbook Challenge'.
Salsa is a condiment made with tomatoes, onions, peppers and other ingredients. 'Picante' is a Spanish adjective meaning 'piquant', derived from the word 'picar' which means to sting, referring to the feeling caused on the tongue.

I usually make fresh salsas, the ones that are basically chopped and mixed together. This one is cooked till the veggies are tender and the sauce is thickened.

Read more »

Eggplant with Yogurt sauce (Dahi Baingan)

Blogging Marathon# 57: Week 1/ Day 3

Theme: Eggplant Dishes from here

Dish: Dahi Baingan

After 2 International eggplant dishes (Imam Biyildi and Eggplant Parmesan), I made an Indian dish for the final day. It was really tough picking dishes from Valli's list because I have already posted some of them on the blog and there are quite a few that I really wanted to try.

This is supposed to be Dahi Baingan from the list. This dish is made in Orissa and West Bengal. But this recipe is not the traditional way of preparing it. From what I have seen, traditionally eggplants are marinated in spices and deep fried, then cooked in a yogurt sauce.

Read more »

Eggplant Parmesan for 1

Blogging Marathon# 57: Week 1/ Day 2

Theme: Eggplant Dishes from here

Dish: Eggplant Parmesan

Today I have one of my most favorite non-Indian eggplant dish, Eggplant Parmesan. Fried breaded eggplant slices layered with cheese and marinara sauce makes this dish rich and calorie dense. I've eaten it a couple of times in restaurants and many times at buffet style parties.

I have already posted a lighter version of eggplant parm with roasted eggplant and creamed spinach. Today's recipe has all the components of the traditional Eggplant parmesan but is lighter on calories and it makes just 1 serving. So now I don't have to make wait for a special occasion or party to make this dish, I can make it whenever I feel like it.

Read more »