Have you ever thrown some ingredients together & made a good recipe? Somehow, these throw it together, no effort meals always taste great, don't they?

I made this curry from the odds & ends in the fridge. I am a huge fan of aloo bhindi & aloo gobi so this couldn't have been anything less than, super yummy.

You Will Need:

• 2 large potatoes - diced
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1 cup okra/ladies finger - chopped into 1' pieces
• A handful of green peas - fresh/frozen
• 1 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala
• Salt as per taste
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

Method:

• Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan/Kadhai, add okra & saute till half done,
• To this, add potatoes, cauliflower florets, green peas, turmeric, salt & red chilli powder & mix well
• Cover with a lid & let it cook on medium flame. Keep checking in between to avoid the bottom from getting burnt. You may require an additional tsp of oil at this time.
• The vegetables must be completely cooked yet firm.
• Check ofr salt. Transfer to a serving bowl. Enjoi with rice or rotis.

I threw in whatever I had. You could even add some chopped onions & tomatoes for a jucier version of the curry.

How about giving your leftover aloo bhindi or aloo gobi a new tiwst?

So tell me what are your 'throw it together, no effort, favorite meals' like?

Do you find yourself craving for some fried goodies or sweets ?? I do, most of the times. But I do not always give in to the temptation. I grab a cucumber or munch on roasted almonds or max, I bite into a small piece of dark chocolate.

Yesterday, I made some spicy potato sticks just like that. They always taste great right? So I ate quite a bit & now I am guilty ...

If you are not counting calories, go make them now ...

You Will Need:

• 4 -5 large potatoes
• Salt as per taste
• 1 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• Oil for deep frying

Method:

• Wash & dry the potatoes. Halve the potatoes & cut them into 1/2 inch sticks.
• In a vessel, pour ice cold water & 3 tsp salt. Soak potato sticks for 30 mins. Drain & place potatoes on paper towels & pat dry.
• In a large bowl, mix together salt & red chilli powder. Add potato sticks. Toss to coat well.
• Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan. When the oil is hot, deep fry the potato sticks in batches until golden brown. This should take about 3-4 mins.
• Remove with a slotted spoon.
• Let them cool & store in a air-tight jar.

Munch on these whenever you feel like. Enjoi !!!

I wasn't very familiar with dishes made out of kokum before my wedding. I wasn't aware of anything beyond Kokum Sherbet. After my wedding, Shankar's grandmom introduced me to a variety of kokum dishes.

Kokum Saar is one such dish I really fell in love it. If you are aware of the many health benefits that kokum has to offer, I am sure this would be on your menu.

I love this saar mainly because its very light. If you've had a heavy lunch/dinnernat your favorite restaurant, then this is perfect for you.

You Will Need:

• 8 - 10 dried kokum
• 3 1/2 - 4 cups of water
• 1 1/2 tsp grated jaggery
• 3 dry red chillies
• A sprig of curry leaves
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp desi ghee
• Salt as per taste

How To:

• Soak dried kokum in warm water for about 30 minutes. Extract juice & discard dry skin
• In a heavy bottomed vessel, add kokum extract, 3 -4 cups of water & bring to a boil.
• To this, add grated jaggery & salt as per taste. If the saar turns out too strong or is tangy, add more water.Bring it to a rolling boil & turn off the gas.
• Temper with mustard seeds, red chillies & curry leaves.

Serve HOT with rice or if you prefer to gulp it down, even better .. Enjoi !!

I love this with plain steamed rice. If I've had a heavy meal, then this is usually my lunch the next day. Makes me feel light ...