Spanish Inspired Rice

I love cooking and packing my lunch everyday (except Fridays). After a stressful half day of work I love to look forward to an exciting box of lunch! Me and husband work at the same company, so everyday is a lunch date (awww!).

Last night was one of those nights when I was TIRED (trust me!) but the cook in me wanted to make something for my lunch date. So I started brainstorming and when I brainstorm in the kitchen, all the kitchen cabinets and the fridge gets opened numerous times! So, finally I saw saffron and Spanish cuisine came to my mind. Not that Indian food doesn't use saffron but I have always been been fascinated by Spanish food (and Rafael Nadal too;)) I have yet to try my hand at Paella. It just sounds so fancy!

Let me talk a little bit about saffron.

This most expensive spice in the world does not have a very overpowering flavor but it makes its presence known. That's what I like about it. It is so versatile. Be it sweet or savory, saffron beautifies every dish. Will I ever be able to do this or see a saffron farm? I can only imagine the aromas in the air there! If you are also a saffron fan like me, you might like this: http://kalyan-city.blogspot.com/2010/09/kashmiri-kesar-saffron-world-costliest.html Even though it might look a little not so clean but wonder how that lady in the 8th picture's hands smell like ;) Hope her man likes the saffron smell ;)

I won't preach more about saffron now. Next thing I found is red pepper. So, I decided to prepare a Saffron and Red Pepper fried rice.

Here's how it's made.

1 red pepper (chopped)
1 medium onion (chopped)
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1/2 cup rice (cooked)
3-4 strands of saffron (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes or so)
Almonds (sliced and roasted)
Salt
Crushed black pepper
1 tbsp EVOO (inspired by Miss Rachel Ray; extra virgin olive oil)


Brown garlic in olive oil followed by onion.

After the onion looks transparent, add red pepper. Once al dante cooked, add the rice followed by salt and pepper. Now gently (you need to show some saffron love) pour saffron with the water it was soaked in, in the rice. Now fry everything until some rice turns brown. Garnish this aromatic dish with roasted almonds and ENJOY!

Carrot Soup with an Indian twist

This was something that happens once in many blue moons in the deep south and I had to celebrate it! And like any other time when I thought about celebration, food (soup to be precise) is what came to my mind. 

This also came to my mind...

“To feel safe and warm on a cold wet night, all you really need is soup.”
Laurie Colwin 

Tacos de Pescado aka Fish Tacos

One thing ya'all should know about me is that I am a recent vegetarian converted to a "pascatarian". Fancy word, eh? Pascatarian is one who eats fish but no meat. Converting myself was with the intention of not starving when I travel or go out to eat at other people's choice restaurants where there might not be anything vegetarian (apart from salad of course; but salad is not my idea of a complete meal).

Now, I love Mexican food. I have never been to Mexico..the closest I have ever been to Mexico is Texas, so may be I really like Tex Mex (?)..To be found out when I eat real Mexican food. Till then Taco is my favorite because you can literally make tacos of anything..ANYTHING!

Last night I had some flounder and "whole grain" tortillas in my fridge and voila! here's taco dinner!!

My fu fu fish tacos

Story of Naan Bread

First post in my third food blog! I have never been able to commit to one blog because (I am lazy..) I could never find myself interested or had a path.

THIS TIME I think I do..yes I DO.

I am a transplant to the USA from India and I am proud of my food. That aside, I love the American cuisine (is there something like that??). American cuisine aka pasta, tacos, americanized chinese, hibachi, etc etc..wink wink.

I live in the deep south of this country where people really are not aware of many cuisines and some are SCARED to try new cuisines.

But, I managed to make my colleagues like the Indian Naan which they lovingly call Naan Bread (I think it's cute!). I think it's so cute that I named my blog after it and it inspired me to write.

This blog hence is about me, my experiences with normal American plus Southern American culture and my experimenting with different foods (yes, I will discuss my failures too!!)

Hope YA'ALL love me because I am sure I will love you if you read my blog :D