BEANS PORIYAL ( South Indian)

Ingredients:

Beans........ 200gms (chopped very finely)

Turmeric powder ....1/4 tsp

Red chilli powder ....1/4 tsp

Oil ........................... 1 tbsp

Salt ...to taste

Grated coconut ...... 2-3 tbsp

Roasted gram powder... 2 tbsp

Mustard seeds............ 1 tbsp

Dry red chillies ........... 2-3 (broken)

Curry leaves ............... 1 sprig

Lemon juice ................ 1tbsp

Method:

1. Boil the beans adding salt and strain.( To retain the green colour just add a small pinch of baking soda while boiling)

2. Heat oil and crackle mustard seeds, asafoetida, dry red chillies, curry leaves.
3. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, salt, boiled beans and saute.

4. Add lemon juice and mix.

5. At the end, add grated coconut, roasted bengal gram powder. Mix well.

( for variation you can make the same dish with carrots or cabbage.You can also mix the three vegetables)

This is generally served as a side dish along with rice, sambar, rasam, curd rice.

Tonypet Gaba (The BEAT)

Last February 22, 2008, The Beat correspondent Tonypet Gaba, along with the crew of QTV11, visited my place. The program featured The Artist Chef in Tonypet's food segment. February was the ARTS month so they decided to feature chefs with talents in the arts. The other chefs featured were Chef Laudico who is also a songwriter and Chef Waya who is also a maker of bead accessories. The episode aired last February 25.

I served Tonypet my Chili con Karne with Black Beans (using Australian beef) and Sliced Baguette, Kani Salad, Mango Brulee, Thai Milk Tea, Bagoong Rice and Chicken Curry with Ginger & Tomatoes. The Chicken Ginger was the dish I cooked live in front of the camera and the host. I think Tonypet and his crew from QTV11 liked the food I prepared.

Did you know that Tonypet is not just a TV host but also an Acting Director in Advertising TV commercials? I haven't worked with him yet but I hope I get the chance one of these days.

With me here are the crew of THE BEAT which includes Tonypet the correspondent (right) and Jala the producer (left).

It's fun working with them because they are very down-to-earth.

The taping went well. We finished on time because the host and staff arrived on time. Thanks again to THE BEAT, Tonypet, Macoy, Jala and the rest of the QTV11 staff. Click on "The Artist Chef on QTV11" on the left side of the window under MY PALETTE to view the video.

RICH & CREAMY TOMATO SOUP

Rich and Creamy Tomato Soup:

This recipe is sure to remind you of the thick tomato soup you've relished in hotels and wondered how they made it.

Ingredients:

Tomatoes : 5

Onions : 2

Wheat flour or corn flour: 1 tbsp made into slurry in 1/4 cup water

Water: 3 cups

Salt to taste

Black Pepper

Milk : 2 tbsp

Sugar : 1 to 1-n-half tsp

Cream: 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Boil tomatoes and onions together for 15 minutes. Remove and peel the tomatoes. Grind both in a mixer to a smooth paste. Transfer into a pan.

2. Place the pan on fire and allow the soup to boil.

3. Add salt, sugar, pepper and water.

4. Boil for a few more minutes. Add milk and simmer for 5 minutes.

5. Finally, add the wheat flour slurry and stir well. Remove from fire when the soup thickens.

Serve garnished with cream and pepper.

Loriemin Apo

Young banker Loriemin Apo in her early 20's is engaged to be married with her boyfriend who is in his mid-30's. There's a big age gap but it didn't become a barrier for two people who are very much in love. They met more than a year ago in RCBC when Loriemin was still a trainee under the supervision of her fiancee. From then on, their relationship has gone a long way. I enjoyed talking with the couple and I found out that Loriemin's fiancee is the former officemate of my co-worker's husband. I encountered many instances like this before so I believe that in this world we are all connected.

My Italian set meal is the most popular set meal lately.

Good luck to both of you on your wedding next year!

Lebanese Potato Salad - سلطة البطاطا

Serves 4
Ingredients:
4 medium potatoes (any kind except sweet)
1/2 red onion
1 green onion
2 medium tomatoes
Half a bell pepper (if it's big otherwise 1 small)
1 crushed clove of garlic
1/2 cup of fresh mint
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley
2 tablespoons of fresh thyme
Juice of a lemon
1/2 cup of olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
A dash of cayenne paper (optional)

Peel the potatoes and cut in medium cubes. In a pan, bring water to a boil with 1 teaspoon of salt, add the potatoes and cook for 12 minutes or until cooked but you don't wanted them to fall apart. Drain and let cool. In the meantime, slice the onions and add to a bowl. Add the medium cut tomatoes, diced bell pepper, garlic, parsley, mint, thyme. Now add the potatoes, lemon juice, olive oil and all the spices and mix the salad and serve with a dash of cayenne pepper.

PS: You can skip the fresh mint and substitute the fresh thyme with dry thyme if not available during the season.