Indian yum!

I apologize for my laziness in blogging recently, but I have really had the busiest of busy seasons! Between 8 of the last 9 weekends out of town, preparing to move, developing kidney stones… and finishing my LAST BLOCK OF THIRD YEAR…I’ve been a little pressed for time!

Apologies being said, I had enjoyed some really delightful treats lately, even if they haven’t been made by me! One of the many weekend trips I have taken led me to Lexington, KY to celebrate the engagement of two dear friends of mine, Swati and Saurin! Now while this event may have been considered a wedding-size extravaganza to some…it just got me more excited for their real nuptials next May. The weekend was full of Indian dancing, fabulous clothing, and of course, gobi manchurian – along with many other delightful Indian dishes.

Although I have never made Gobi Manchurian, I eat it on a semi-regular basis. As a member of the Huntsville group in my medical school class, we are regularly treated to dinners with our Dean – Dr. Robert Centor – who has a penchance for ethnic foods of all kind. When it comes to Indian food in Huntsville, India cafe is his choice, and gobi manchuri is his order.

Image from food.tv.com

While delicious and oh so gooey and fried….the gobi was not my favorite dish of the weekend…and when i find out what the name of my favorite is – I’ll let you know. But what I do know is that it was a spicy dark sauced chickpea dish accompanied with little crispy vegetable patties….more on this later.

Now, on to the gobi….

Gobi Manchurian

by Sarita Bhandarkar

1). 1 med. cauliflower

2). 1 med. onion (Chopped)

3). 2 cloves of garlic (Finely chopped)

4). 1″piece ginger (Finely chopped)

5). 4 green chillies (finely chopped)

6). Cilantro for garnishing

7). 6 tbsp tomato ketchup

8). 1 tsp soy sauce

9). 1 tbsp corn starch

10). salt to taste

11). 2 tsp vinegar

12). 1 cup All purpose flour

13). 1/2 cup corn starch

14). 1/2 tsp crushed pepper

15). 1/2 tsp red chilli powder

16). Oil for deep frying

17). 2 tbsp oil

Directions

1. Cut cauliflower in to medium sized florets. Wash and drain on a kitchen towel.
2. Mix cornflour, all purpose flour, salt, pepper powder and red chilli powder along with little water to make it a thick paste.
3. Heat oil in a pan. Dip cauliflower florets into this paste and deep fry them until golden brown and set them aside.
4. Mix 1 tbsp corn starch in half a cup of water and mix it without lumps.
5. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wok. Add chopped onions and fry till translucent.
6. Add chopped ginger, garlic and green chilli and saute for a few seconds.
7. Now add soy sauce, vinegar and diluted corn starch, tomato ketchup and little bit of salt. Mix it well.
8. Now add the fried cauliflower florets and stir fry on a high heat till all the water evaporates.
9. Serve hot garnished with cut coriander leaves.

This recipe looks delicious and dead on for the variations I’ve had in the past…I can’t wait to try my hand at it! I’ll keep you updated 🙂

~Natalie

The 32nd Annual Mercedes Benz Cotton Row Run 10K

After a delicious night with friends celebrating Memorial Day with burgers, hot dogs, cucumber salad, best fruits of the season and pound cake…yum….I had a race to run! For the past 32 years, Huntsville has had a road race on Memorial Day. Before the start, the “master of ceremonies” …if you will…had a great speech about the meaning of memorial day, introduced a WWII vet that landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and announced the salute as we listened to a live performance of Taps. It is really one of those moments where you think…man, God Bless America. I really do appreciate the rights and liberties that have been laid out for me and the men and women who have fought, lost their lives and lost family members in order to protect those rights.

I ran by myself on Monday (so pictures are limited to race photogs), but I never felt alone – something about a red, white and blue holiday that makes people join together. I do prefer to run races with friends – as you have a built in motivator and person to eat and chat with after – but the running community was there with me, celebrating America! From the speakers playing “Eye of the Tiger” as we scaled one of the biggest hills in Huntsville in mile 3, to the women in their lawn chairs toasting with mimosas in mile 5…Huntsville was all there! On a difficulty note – I had not run more than 4.5 miles in the last three months, so I knew this race would be more than difficult – but it was definitely hands down one of my worst times. This was kick butt motivation to get back into solid 10K under an hour shape….In my defense, it was 81 degrees when we STARTED running at 7am….so I can only imagine how close to 90 deg it was towards the end….I have never been one to pour water on myself on a course, but I was not fighting it this time…ha! All in all a great run to toast my last few weeks in Huntsville – crossing off that bucket list, one day at a time.

One critique, if I may, CRR? Who wants to eat pizza and chocolate milk at 8am after running 6 miles? Not this girl…I grabbed a 1/4 bagel and some water and headed home for some eggs and fruit. Breakfast of champions! or…1592/2392-th place…..ha.

Hope you all had the happiest of Memorial Days!

~N