There are times when you make something, you are reminded of the many times you had events related to that dish. This Vegetable Fried Rice that I made for the recent party we hosted, was something similar. It has lot of memories that are nostalgic and makes me wistful for those bygone days. I never look back with regret for the days that so quickly pass. Only I make sure I live the present, to ensure these days are remembered with the same merry as those many days in your past.
How can a simple dish like this kindle so much thoughts! Really do we create associated things to remember the time, or things happen on a predestined fashion that you remember both. I will never know. For me, it's always been that I associate most events with food and the food we make, share and of course discuss. Food is such an integral part of our whole day affair. The entire process starts at night, when I ask my kids what they want for breakfast and for lunch. Then I go and discuss with Athamma on what we can make, then a call to Amma, to find out what she is planning. Finally discuss with hubby dear on what I am planning to make. All these might take just about 10 to 15 mins. Still these are the highlights most evenings.
How can a simple dish like this kindle so much thoughts! Really do we create associated things to remember the time, or things happen on a predestined fashion that you remember both. I will never know. For me, it's always been that I associate most events with food and the food we make, share and of course discuss. Food is such an integral part of our whole day affair. The entire process starts at night, when I ask my kids what they want for breakfast and for lunch. Then I go and discuss with Athamma on what we can make, then a call to Amma, to find out what she is planning. Finally discuss with hubby dear on what I am planning to make. All these might take just about 10 to 15 mins. Still these are the highlights most evenings.
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| Vegetable Fried Rice |
Come morning, I again see if there is a change in the menu. The weeks when I plan out the menu, it's all together a different story. Well those weeks are not that often these days. I end up cooking on the fly, depending on so many factors. Most times it also depends on what I plan for Blogging Marathon. Anyway when Amma said I got to cook the vegetarian food for the party, I knew right away that I had to plan for a rice dish. And this is what came to mind.
Vegetable fried rice that we used to order in our club, is always something that comes to mind. I don't think we have ever ordered this dish elsewhere. And you must know it's not the Indo Chinese version as this Chinese Fried Rice. This is the Indian version, with so much of Indian influence. Having eaten this dish so many times, each time trying to understand the component that's gone in to make dish, I have come to my own conclusion of how it's made. Of course it wouldn't have been a tough task asking the chef how he made it. But I wanted to recreate it on my own, with my own understanding. Amma has a wonderful ability to decipher a dish. I wanted to see if I have the same trait. I know that's expecting too much, still here's my experiment with my senses.
Vegetable fried rice that we used to order in our club, is always something that comes to mind. I don't think we have ever ordered this dish elsewhere. And you must know it's not the Indo Chinese version as this Chinese Fried Rice. This is the Indian version, with so much of Indian influence. Having eaten this dish so many times, each time trying to understand the component that's gone in to make dish, I have come to my own conclusion of how it's made. Of course it wouldn't have been a tough task asking the chef how he made it. But I wanted to recreate it on my own, with my own understanding. Amma has a wonderful ability to decipher a dish. I wanted to see if I have the same trait. I know that's expecting too much, still here's my experiment with my senses.
Makes for 6 -7 people
Ingredients Needed
Basmati Rice - 3 & 1/2 cups
Water - times the rice quantity,
Salt to taste
For making the Fried Rice
Assorted Vegetables
Carrots - 1/2 cup
Beans - 1/2 cup
Capsicum - 1/2 medium
Fresh Peas - handful
Onions, julienne - 1 big
Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Green Chilies - 2 medium
Green chili paste -1 tsp
Salt to taste
Butter - 2 tbsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
Pepper powder - 1 tsp
Roasted Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Whole Spices
Bay leaf - 2 nos
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cloves - 2
Cinnamon - 2"
Cardamon - 2
Preparation:
Wash and chop the vegetables into very fine pieces.
For the Rice:
Wash and soak the basmati rice for 15 mins. Once you are done, bring a pot having twice the amount of water as the rice, boil. When the water starts rolling boil stage, drain the rice and add to the water along with little salt. Cook on high for 10 mins and simmer for couple of minutes.
Cover with a lid and drain the water. Let it stand with the lid on for couple of mins. Then spread on a plate for the rice to be separated and not sticky.
For sautéing the vegetables.
Heat a wide mouth wok or Kadai with 1 tbsp butter and oil. Add the whole spices and saute for couple of minutes. Then add the onions, saute till it starts turning colour.
Add ginger garlic paste and saute well. Add the slit green chilies along with green chili sauce. Saute well. Now add the vegetables and cook on high. Add salt, pepper powder, cumin powder. Combine everything well and check spice.
Now add the cooked rice and mix well.
Finally add 1 tbsp butter, simmer for 5 mins.
Serve with Peas Paneer Curry
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