Recipe #27: Yellow Rice

4 Tbs Corn Oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 medium white onion diced medium

1/4 tsp cumin seeds
1 medium Serrano chili minced (optional)
1 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup Spanish peanuts
6 cups cooked Rice
1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped fine
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon

Heat oil on med-high. Add mustard seeds and cover immediately to prevent splattering and popping of oil. Add onions, cumin seeds and chili. Cook until translucent.Reduce heat to medium. Add Turmeric and salt. Add Spanish peanuts. Mix well over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add rice one cup at a time and mix completely until all rice has been added. Add cilantro and lemon and mix well.

Servings: 6 One cup servings
Serving Ideas: Serve with Nonfat Plain Yogurt or Raita (Indian style tangy yogurt with cucumbers and onions).

Gavin Tail Twister #22: I have non-opposable thumbs!

Tonight Gavin (7 1/2 years old) spilled a cup of water twice in 10 minutes. He was so disappointed in himself that he cried all the way into the bathroom and through the whole tooth brushing process. I consoled him and told him "Gavin it was an accident and it's just water. It's not like you spilled milk. That would be something to cry about!"
Gavin still upset says "it is like I don't have opposable thumbs!"
My question to him as I snicker "well,what kind of thumbs do you have?"
As Gavin sniffles with disappointment and walks out of the bathroom, he says "I have non-opposable thumbs!"
I knew Gavin spilling that water had something to do with his bad genes!

Gavin Tail Twister #21 : Why didn't I think of that!

Gavin was be-bopping in the living room last night and out of the blue says "I don't understand why everyone waves their hand high up in the air like this (with his hand waving in the air) for both hello and good bye."
Gavin follows with final thoughts on the subject..."If you want to say good bye it should be like this..." Gavin lowered his waving hand and turned it away from his body. "Just like this so everyone will know if you are saying good bye and not hello."

Why didn't I think of that!

Recipe #26: Red and Green Spinach Enchiladas "The Best You Will Ever Have!!!!"

8 flour tortillia shells

6 oz fresh spinach cut in strips
1/4 Red onion chopped

2 Tomato cut in cubes
16 0z Pepper Jack Cheese divided in half
1/4 cup Cilantro chopped fine

3 Scalliions thinly sliced
1 16 oz can Ole Elpaso Red enchilada Sauce
1 16 oz can Ole Elpaso Greene Verdes sauce

Fill each tortillia with spinach, onion, tomato, cheese(reserve 1/2 cheese for topping) and cilantro.
Roll and Place in baking pan
Cover in Reserved cheese, sprinkle with scallions and top with green and red enchilada sauce.
Bake for 30 min at 400 until warm throughout and bubbleing in the middle.

Recipe #25: Cauliflower and Peas

4 Tbs Corn Oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1 Med Yellow Onion (minced)
1 Tbs Ginger (minced)
1 Tsp Garlic (minced)

1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
3 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt

1 can Rotel Original (14.5 oz)

1 whole cauliflower cut in pieces

1 1/4 frozen peas thawed
1/2 cup fresh Coriander Chopped

Heat oil on medhi. Add mustard seeds (use cover so it does not pop out on you).
Add onion , ginger and garlic and sautee til tender.
Add all spices and salt. Stir
Add Rotel and simmer 5 minutes on med heat.
Add Cauliflower and stir until all cauliflower is covered evenly. Cover and cook stirring occasionally for 15 min.
Add Peas and cook uncovered 5 min on medium until most of the water evaporates.
Add fresh Coriander. Stir and serve.


Serving suggestions: With Nann, rice or by itself.
Servings: 4
Storage: regrigerate for upto 5 days.

Gavin Tail Twister # 20 He's Just Not Telling Me !

On one evening in the middle of the week, I was trying to get the kids ready for bed. I followed the usual evening ritual and asked each child if homework was complete, if their clothes were ready for the next day, teeth brushed, la la la... While I was interrogating each child about library books due the next day, I was of course cleaning the kitchen, getting lunches la la la...
My son (age 11)Sam's answers in a monotone, low voice, single syllable with lips not moving voice "yes" for all the questions.
Gavin (age 7) of course answered all questions with shifting eyes, one corner of the upper lip cocked up like Elvis, and with a double syllable southern lisp "yease", "yease", "maaaybe"! All the while, he is jumping on the sofa. I am getting ill now because I am tired and Gavin is playing with me. Gavin knows he's done with most everything, he just likes pushing my buttons sometimes. I glance over the room and see his tennis shoes across the room on the floor. I immediately tense up and start fussing.... "Is that were your shoes go? You know in the morning you won't be able to find them in a hurry. If you just put your shoes where they belong in the mud room, I wouldn't be fussing at you now. For that matter have you found your I Pod that you got for Christmas and immediately lost?"
Gavin quickly defends himself. "Moamh (that is just how Gavin said it), I had it right here on the sofa."
"Yep, I know Gavin. This stuff just disappears by it self. God knows where that thing is!"
Gavin stops jumping and looked directly in to my eye and puts his hand on my shoulder like he has just had an epiphany.
In a quiet but absolute statement Gavin says "MOM! GOD DOES KNOW WHERE MY I POD IS! HE'S JUST NOT TELLING ME!"
Ha! I love that child!

Recipe #24: Gourmet Canned Potatoes

This is the fastest and easiest recipe for a potato side dish I have ever make and everyone "LOVES" it when I make them. It is a bonus that the recipe calls for only 2 Tbs Butter for 6 servings. I serve them with the most elegant main course of grilled salmon, with breakfast quiche and even with everyday baked or grilled chicken. The secret is no one knows they come from a can! They are reddish bronze in color and crispy on the outside and the perfect texture on the insides.


1 Large can (64oz) Del Monte new potatoes (drained)
2 Tbs butter (not margarine)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp salt

In a non-stick pan, add potatoes and butter. On medium heat roll the potatoes until they are covered evenly with the butter. Sprinkle over potatoes the cayenne, paprika, pepper and salt. Roll the potatoes until evenly coated with the spices. Turn up the heat until all watery liquid is evaporated and only butter remains in the pan. Reduce to medium high and continue to seer each potato until all sides of all the little potatoes are bronzed to a crisp about 10 min. They should be crispy on the outside and smooth but dense in the middle. Remove from heat and serve.
If you are serving these for breakfast, quarter the potatoes before cooking them.

Recipe #23: Coconut Chutney

1 cup shredded or chucks fresh coconut
2 Jalapenos or Serrano chili peppers (roasted)
1 tsp cumin seed (roasted)
1 juice of lemon
1/4 cup onion
1 cup cilantro
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup roasted split dried chick peas

1/2 to 3/4 cup water

Roast in a pan on medium the chili, cumin seed and chick peas until slightly browned.
Combine all ingredients except water in food processor and blend. Add water slowly until chutney is blended to a consistency the same as brown spicy mustard.

Serving suggestions : Idle (Cream of wheat dumplings)
Pita bread, Nan, or Parata
Servings: 8
Prep time: 20 min
Storage: In refrigerator for 1 week.
Freeze in containers for 3 months.

Recipe #22: Idle (Cream of Wheat Dumplings)

2 cup Cream of Wheat (the kind that cooks in 2 1/2 minutes)
2 Tbs corn oil

1/2 cup warm (not hot) water
1 tsp sugar
1 package quick rise yeast

1 cup sweet onion (chopped small)
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped


Combine Cream of Wheat and oil. Microwave on hi for 2 min and stir, 2 more min and stir, another 2 minutes and stir. Set aside to cool.

Add 1 tsp sugar to warm water and stir until dissolved.
Add package of yeast (make sure yeast is not expired) and stir until clumps dissolve. Note:if there are no clumps, the yeast may be dead. Set aside yeast mixture for 5 min and if bubbles do not form on the top of the mixture, you will need start again with new yeast. If bubbles start to appear the yeast mixture is rising and we are in business.

Once the Cream of Wheat has cooled, add the yeast mixture and stir.
Add buttermilk, salt, onion, baking soda, and cilantro and stir.
Set mixture aside for 30 min in a warm place.

Set up idle plates in a double boiler. Egg poaching pan will work as well as individual muffin size bowls that can be used in a double boiler. Spray some oil in the idle pan, muffin bowels, or egg poaching tray. Spoon 2 Tbs of mixture in to each idle bowl. Place the idle bowls or egg poacher in double boiler with water in the boiler. Bring water to boil and reduce to med low heat. Steam for 6-7 minutes. Remove pans from double boiler and set aside to cool for 5 min. Add a tsp of water to each cup edge to loosen the dumpling. Spoon out the dumpling and set in a covered dish.

Repeat the above until all mixture is gone. You should be able to make about 18-20 Idles.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with Curried Lentil Soup "The best you ever had!"
Serve plain with butter. (My kids like this.)
Serve with spicy coconut chutney.
Prep Time: 30 min + 30 rising time.
Cooking Time: 7 min each batch x 3 batches.
Servings: 4
Storage: In refrigerator for 5 days.

Recipe: Pot Stickers

1Tbs sesame oil
1/2 yellow onion cut in thin slices

8 oz Cole-slaw angel hair fresh cabbage
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
1 Tbs soy sauce light

1 lb ground pork
2 green onion ( slice thins the white part only)
1/4 cup cilantro (chopped fine)

12 oz won-ton wraps

Corn oil and water for cooking

Dipping Sauce:

1/4  cup White Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tbs Light Soy Sauce

1/4 tsp Sesame seeds
green onion garnish

Directions:

Heat oil on medium high. Add onions and saute until onions are translucent. Add cabbage , salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Cook stirring frequently until all cabbage is soft about 10 min. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Once cabbage mixture is cooled completely add raw ground pork, green onion and cilantro. Mix well.

Place one teaspoon mixture in a single won-ton wrap. Dip your finger in water and run your wet finger around the edges of the won-ton. Fold the square won-ton on it's diagonal so it is triangle shaped and press edges together firmly. Repeat this until all the pork mixture is used.

Keep a moist paper towel over the completed pot stickers so they do not dry out before cooking.

In a nonstick large fry pan add 1 Tsp oil and coat the bottom. Place 12 dumplings in the pan and cook on medium high for 2 min until bronzed on one side. Add 1/2 cup water, cover and cook for 6 minutes until all water is evaporated. Serve immediately.

Yield: 48 dumplings

Servings: 12

Serving suggestions: Serve with yellow rice, stir fry vegetables or Asian noodles.

Recipe #20: Curried Swiss Cauliflower Soup

6 Cup cut cauliflower (about 1 whole cauliflower)
3 (each 14 oz) Can Chicken or Vegetable broth
1/2 tsp salt

4 Tbs divided 3 and 1 Tbs unsalted butter
2 cup 1/2 and 1/2 milk
6 Tbs Flour

1 C minced onion
3 Tbs celery chopped fine
3 Tbs Carrot grated
1 tsp Dill fresh (if dry use only 1/2 tsp)
1 tsp Garlic minced
1 tsp tumeric
1-2 tsp graham masala
1/2 tsp cayenne

1/2 pound baby swiss cheese

Combine first 3 ingredient in crock pot for 4 hours

Heat butter add flour til glossy cook for 5-10 min on low
Add milk (warmed) one ladal at at time and stir in until glossy
Remove from heat add cheese

In a separate pan heat 1 Tbs butter add onion, carot, celery cook til soft about 5 min. add spices and cook 2 min . add the hot broth and exclude the cauliflower.
REmove from heat cool blend add to cheese mixture.
Fold in cauli and heat to warm.

Makes 12 servings.

Gavin Tail Twister #19: Soul Mate

One evening I was sitting comfortably on the couch when all of a suddenly a 90 pounder came at me and plunked down next to me. It was Gavin (7) who immediately started digging his feet underneath my back. I was not in the mood for this at that particular time. I told Gavin to take his feet out from behind me. Like usual his feet migrated back to digging behind my back. After asking 2 or 3 times, my voice was getting loud. My husband, William, noticing my frustration came over to intervene. William sternly pointed his finger at Gavin's chest pushing him slightly and said "Stop bothering my girlfriend...my... wife...... my... lover...[pause as William's and my eyes widen and look at each other]....I think we both thought "he said lover...hope Gavin doesn't catch that". Gavin must have thought after lover.... and the big pause meant he needed to fill in the blank because without a hitch Gavin adds (with a Gavin lisp of course) "your sooooul mate!" We both sighed with relief and laughed in agreement saying "Yes...soul mate Gavin. That's exactly what we were thinking.

Gavin's Tail Twister #18: You might grow a second head or something.

Tonight I tried a Zoomba class. I paid $6 to stand in the back of a gym and try to keep up with the dance teacher doing dance moves my body never could , would or will ever be able to do. Ultimately, I paid $6 to stand there keeping my knees bent and moving my arms looking like Julia Dreyfus dancing on Seinfeld. I got home a little annoyed because I did not feel like I got true workout and already the lactic acid was forming in my muscles. I immediately asked the kids to brush their teeth and go to bed. My son, Gavin (7) instead comes into the bathroom and proceeds to picks up and examine my recent purchase of a toothbrush "POD". This "POD" is supposed to house the toothbrush head and emit vapors inside the Pod that kill any bacteria on the bristles for 3 whole months. Gavin wanted to know how it worked but I did not feel like explaining the whole thing. I gave him an abbreviated explanation and in addition told him the brush had to be rinsed off before each use to get the vapors off. I had hoped his quest for information would stop there.
Girl! You know it didn't!
"Well what happens if you don't rinse the brush off?" My immediate response "you might get a birth defect or something, just brush your teeth so we can get in bed." I knew this was the wrong response but hoped the squawk box of questions would just stop!
My older and wiser son Sammy(11) walks in. Gavin kindly reviews the rules for using the "POD" with special emphasis on rinsing the toothbrush prior to each use. Gavin admires Sammy so much, he could not bear it if anything ever happened to his "awesome, big brother" so Gavin gave Sam every vital piece of information. Sammy of course asked "Why does it matter that I rinse the bristles?"
Here we go again!
Gavin's response: (Of course this is said with a Gavin Lisp) "Well if you don't, you might grow another head or something."
As I chuckled to myself and thought: Huh! I wonder where he got that idea!

Recipe #19: Awah's Op Dosa (Indian Rice Pancakes)

2 cup rice uncooked and soaked in water 5-6 hours, then strain
4 tbs plain yogurt
4 tbs milk
1 tsp salt
dash baking soda

1 cup cooked rice

Blend in blender on hi uncooked rice, yogurt, milk, salt and soda until batter forms similar to pancake batter. After texture becomes smooth add the cooked rice and blend.

Pour on skillet like pancakes with a drizzle of olive oil on the edges and cover with a pot lid so as to steam the dosa. Cook on medium for 2-4 minutes. You know it is done when the dosa bubbles and there are NO wet batter spots. Serve hot.

Servings: 20 (6") dosas
Serving suggestions: Serve with coconut or peanut chutney.

Recipe #18: Curried Lentil Soup "The Best You'll Ever Have!!!"

This is one that my friends ask for over and over again. It is to die for and it is low fat!! If you need any of the ingredients shoot me an email at AskUshaiInMacon@gmail.com. Happy Cooking!

1 Cup Red Lentils (Rinsed with water)
½ tsp salt
3 Cup cut cauliflower (about 1/2 cauliflower)
1.5 Cup carrots (cubed)
1.5 (14 oz) Can Chicken or Vegetable broth

3 tablespoons Olive Oil
1/4 tsp cumin seed
1/4 teaspoons mustard seed
10 fresh curry leaves (optional)
1 Tbs fresh ginger minced or 1 Tbs ginger paste
3 clove garlic (sliced thin) or 1 Tbs garlic paste
1 large onion (chopped medium)

1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp turmeric
3 tsp garham masala ( See Ask Usha Recipe: garham masala -spice combo)
1.5 tsp sambar powder (See Ask Usha Recipe: sambar powder-spice combo)

1 (28 oz) can hunts petite diced tomatoes

2 Tbs tamarind paste or 1/2 lemon (fresh squeezed juice)
½ Cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
1  Cup fresh dill (chopped)

Combine Lentils, salt, cauliflower, carrots and stock in a crock pot. If the liquid of the stock is not enough to cover everything in the crock pot just add enough water to cover vegetables. Set on High for 2 hours, Medium for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.

In a medium sauce pan, heat olive oil on Medium High. Add cumin and mustard seed. Once the mustard start to pop, add the curry leaves. Use a lid so the oil does not splatter. After 1 minute, add ginger, garlic,and onions. Stir for 1 min. Once the onions turn translucent, add the Turmeric, Garam and MTR powders and stir for 1 min. Add Diced Tomatoes and stir for 1 min. Pour in the stock,lentil and vegetables. Fold in the mixture carefully as to not mash the cauliflower. Reduce heat to Med-Low for 10 min. stirring occasionally. Turn heat off and add lemon juice and cilantro. Stir and serve.

Yields: 10 one cup servings.
Serving Suggestions: Serve as a soup with a dollop of nonfat yogurt or sour cream.
Serve over 1/4 cup cooked rice.
Serve with over Idles(rice dumplings).
Variations: Spicy version - Add 1-2 minced chilies at the same time as onions.
I like to add jalapenos.
Hardy winter version - Add red potatoes (peeled and sliced thin) at the
same time as the cauliflower and carrots.

SPICE ADVICE: Turmeric is considered a "Super Spice". It is used for a variety of medicinal purposes including reduction of inflammation and pain relief. It is thought to prevent Alzheimer's disease, stop the progression of MS and can naturally enhance the body's ability to fight cancer,IBD,and Arthritis. Turmeric has been used throughout history as a condiment, healing remedy and textile dye. Don't spill it on your clothes because it will never come out.