Lime Ginger Ale
I first served this beverage to Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavan, India, where the well water is distinguished by a slightly salty taste. He commented that his mother had made this summer thirst quencher with effervescent quinine water. It is pleasant with most carbonated mineral waters from the gentle fizz of San Pellegrino to the brisk fizz of Perrier. Double-boiling the ginger stretches the flavor of fresh ginger root....
Cubed Potatoes with Fresh Fenugreek
This everyday vegetable is popular throughout North and Central India. Earth-specked new potatoes –no bigger than marbles and fresh fenugreek greens are sold in vegetable bazaars from Amristar to Benares. New potato skins rub away easily during washing, and what little remains is paper thin and negligible. Fresh fenugreek greens vary from source to source and no matter what the leaf size, be sure to trim off thick stems...
Minty Yogurt Shake
In India, mint follows coriander and neem leaves as the most widely used herb. It is an important flavoring in soups, savories, vegetables, rice, dals and beverages. American seeds men offer herb gardeners a good selection of scented hybrids, from apple mint to cinnamon mint, each type with a different flavor. My favorite mint lassi combines homemade vanilla yogurt with licorice mint and coarsely powdered fennel seeds. These...
Savory Rice and Green Pea Pilaf
A savory, eye-catching center piece, this rice pilaf is perfect for the buffet table or as an adaptable main dish for a light luncheon or dinner. It is rich with color, texture and flavor. Preparation time (after assembling ingredients): 5 minutes Cooking time: 30-40 minutes Ingredients • Basmati or other long-grain white rice – 1 cup (95 g) • Ghee or vegetable oil – 3 table...
Pan-Fried baby Eggplants stuffed with ground Almonds
Eggplant is a native of India and is prepared in almost every conceivable way. As a side-dish vegetable, baby white or purple eggplants are slit, spread with spices and pan-fried until butter soft. Although baby whites (which look like large eggs) are only available at specially greengrocers in large cities, the seeds are sold through numerous mail order and retail outlets. They are as easy to grow as tomatoes. You could also...