Cucumber Peanut Salad

Source:  eCurry

Even though this probably is the simplest and quickest recipe I've posted to date, I must say that I am quite proud of myself for making this.  My 2012 resolution is to #1- Use up whatever I have in my pantry, and #2- Not waste any food in my fridge.  Ironically, Food Network had a show yesterday called The Big Waste which addressed America's food waste issue.  According to the show, 40% of food in America goes uneaten – 200 pounds per person per year!!! I am ashamed to admit that I am guilty of contributing to this.. well not anymore!

Unfortunately my grocery shopping has been driven by the recipes I'm inspired to make.   Most of the time these ingredients end up in the back of my fridge and get forgotten.  One victim of this is the poor cucumber.  I always buy them hoping to make yummy sandwiches throughout the week, but end up with leftovers which slowly scoot to the back of the fridge.. but not today!

Ingredients

• 1/2 - 1 chopped cucumber (use your leftovers!)
• chopped red onion (use your leftovers!)
• lime juice
• coriander
• chopped peanuts
• red chili powder
• chat masala
• salt to taste

Directions

1. Lime juice dressing: Grind together lime juice and coriander
2. Combine rest of ingredients above with lime juice dressing

Kuty's Twist

I simplified the recipe from eCurry.  You can add other veggies such as carrot and raw mango.  Note that I didn't specify measurements above since it's really all up to how much of the ingredients you have and what your taste is.

How easy was that? :)

Masala Corn Sev Puri

Source:  Kuty's Kreations

New year, new recipe, new camera, new resolution to post more recipes!

Wish you all a very Happy New Year!

The following was a late night creation due to laziness to go the grocery store/ determination to start using my overstocked pantry! 

Masala Corn Sev Puri

 Ingredients

• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 can corn kernels (I used baby corn because that's all I had in my pantry)
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp chat masala
• 2-3 tsp coriander leaves, chopped
• salt, pepper, lemon juice to taste
• 25- 30 papdis (small, deep-fried wheat-based crackers)
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• coriander chutney
• tamarind chutney
• 1/4 cup sev

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Heat 1 tsp butter in pan and saute onions
3. Add corn, chili powder, chat masala, salt, pepper and stir for 2-3 mins
4. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and coriander leaves
5. Place papdis on baking sheet and sprinkle cheese over them.  Bake in oven until cheese melts.
6. Layer papdis with corn masala, coriander chutney, tamarind chutney, and finally sev
7. Top with additional chat masala or red chili powder if needed

Kuty's Twist
This is a great recipe to make with whatever you have in your fridge and pantry.  If you don't have papdis, you can even try this with nacho chips, tortillas, or make a sandwich out of it!  The corn masala tastes great by itself too.