Meatless Monday: Fried Okra (Bhindi)

Day of the week to honor Meatless Mondays, when my family made a commitment to go veggie one day a week. So Boss found fresh, crisp okra at the desi store. We all love bhindi.

I am going to use my Ammi’s Bhindi Do Pyaza recipe, this is quintessential U.P. style cooking. You use a lot of onions to give the okra that sweet- salty taste. If made perfectly, its crunchy . When you chop the okra it seems like a lot but like spinach it tends to shrivel up. I make enough for a family of six.

• 1 lb fresh okra, lady fingers, bhindi   (wash and pat dry BEFORE chopping into 1/2 inch pieces, don’t use tops, check out the picture for size)
• Olive oil (or canola)
• 2 med onions sliced finely ( I like using my trusty slicer @ .75mm)
• few whole dried red chilli peppers
• 1/2 tsp safaid zeera (cumin seed)
• 1 tsp lal mirch (red chili powder) This is SPICY so adjust to your taste.
• 1 tsp haldi (turmeric)
• salt to taste
• Lemon to cut the viscosity of the okra.

1. Heat oil in a wok or chef’s pan-I have anemia so I try to use cast iron pans as much as possible
2. Add zeera (cumin seeds) until  they pop
3. Add onions until they turn color, adding salt at this point help make the onions crispier
4. Add the okra
5. Then the spices
6. Stir fry till the okra is crispy
7. Give it a good squeeze of lemon
8. Serve with chappati

All the scraps go in to the compost pile. Hope you can make it an easy habit. Happy Eating!

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A Damask Dholki-Bridesmaid party planning

We are hosting a dholki (a pre-wedding girls party, where we sing wedding songs) for my sis in law. I had a mini one in December for her but this will be her grand going away party. First we thought of hosting bridal shower for her but she is all ready having TWO. So it would be over kill.

Our theme is damask. LOOOOVVE IT both of us love it- its classy, crisp and looks stylish on everything from invitations, decor to favors.

Deciding on damask party favors:

How cute are these lip balms! they are for about $1.30 at this  website other places have them for $2.50

All Natural Ingredients: organic palm oil, beeswax, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic hemp seed oil, vitamin E, rosemary extract, and SPF 15

Damask Lip balm

Placecard holders I am thinking we could put the wedding prayer on it (Dua for the bride and groom) $1.30 (90 cents if you order more than 80)

Damask Placecard holders

Bingo! These mirrors are so couture and practical Bit pricey at $3.oo each but if you don’t too many attendees these would be great

Damask Mirror Favor

Photo frame/coasters/placecard holders although these aren’t strictly damask

Black & White Coaster photo frame

My favorite these would look so adorable in any bathroom

Heart shaped soap in a box

Candles are a classic. These are $1.40 but if you order 72 or more then they are as low as $.90

These candles would fit our theme perfectly-my only concern is that they aren’t unique

Damask Candle Favors

If you don’t want to spend too much these mints tins were the cheapest 58 cents each! Fill them up with Jelly beans or M&Ms

Damask tins

These are tiny but way cute- they are $1.53 each if you order 72 or more otherwise $1.92 each

Wedding Lipbalm customize in damask

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My poor devraani is 8 months pregnant but I have been there done that; last two weddings in the family, I was full-term. My sister-in-law is getting married to my sis in law’s brother- that’s being desi for you. Nand to Devraani’s brother.  Very didi tera dewar dewane.  I love party/wedding planning-note to self: potential career option once kiddos are grown up. Which one should we choose? Would love comments

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