How much are you willing to expose?

Have you had that feeling? The one where you wonder - am I the only person in the world who does this? Like, walking the length of the public restroom to find the most inconspicuous stall, hoping that others would go for the more obvious, closer and convenient ones. Trying on clothes and finding it fits but then going back to the display area and picking the same exact piece in the same exact size, except it would be an unopened one (or so I think). Choosing the second to top plate in the buffet table, just in case the top one is dirty.

My guess is that I should stop just about now. Maybe, based on reading the above, you have already concluded that I am certifiable!!

Seriously though, aren't we all in our own way, full of individual idiosyncrasies? Is that not what makes us fun and unique?

I realized that as individuals, we are simply like icebergs, so much more inside than outside. What others see and what we allow them to see is just the tip. There are so many things about ourselves that we choose to keep guarded. Possibly because we assume we will be judged or feel like we are the only ones who think in this way.

In course of chatting with a dear friend, I told her about one of my beliefs (sounds better than idiosyncrasy wouldn't you say?). I must mention here that we were out for an evening walk. She actually stopped in her track and looked at me for a few seconds. Then she hugged me and told me that I have so much more depth than most people possibly realize (yes, I too was wondering at this point whether I had received a compliment or an insult).

To be able to speak my mind and get such a beautiful reaction to the same (yes, I chose to take it as a compliment), made me reflect further. It made me realize that it is better to be yourself and get accepted wholly than live half your life in your head wondering am I the only one doing this.....

Before we get too side tracked with my beliefs, let me share a quick to make and yummy to eat salad recipe with you. This version of Gado-Gado was modified in my head after reading multiple versions of its recipe. Hope you try it too! 

Gado-Gado

 For the dressing:

Fresh Coconut milk 1 and 1/4 cup using 1/2 cup coconut and 1 cup hot water

1 chopped onion

2 grated garlic cloves

1/4 inch grated fresh ginger

1 tsp peanut oil

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 tsp of vinegar

Salt to taste

Blend the coconut and water and strain the milk. Heat the oil and add the onions and garlic to it. Cook till the onions become transparent and then add the milk and the ginger. Stir continuously and allow to come to a boil. Add the remaining ingredients and allow to cook for 2-3 mins till it thickens slightly. The dressing will be poured on the salad while it is still warm.



Salad:

 1 package tofu sliced and cooked in 2 tsp of peanut oil

1 cup red cabbage sliced thinly

1 cup potatoes sliced thinly and cooked till crispy in peanut oil

1/2 cup sliced green beans

1 cup carrots thinly sliced

1 cucumber sliced

1/2 cup bean sprouts

2 eggs hard-boiled

2 tbsp. of roasted peanuts

Some cilantro for garnish

Take the cabbage and bean sprouts and place in boiling water for a few seconds and drain and cool immediately. Par boil the carrots and the beans.

 



Arrange all the veggies and the tofu in a platter and place the sliced boiled eggs in the center. Sprinkle with peanuts and cilantro. Pour the warm dressing on top and enjoy this heartiest of salad!!

 

When you eat this salad, each bite will delight you with its texture, taste and flavors. A lot like people....the more you meet them and talk to them, the more depth you see in them and the more pleasantly they surprise you.



 

Much ado about nothing....

Salads….that is the new catchphrase amongst most people that I meet nowadays. Everyone seems to seek interesting, yet readily available ingredients for this dish that truly would have been defined by my dear grandfather when he was alive as “ghaas phoos” (grass and hay?) type of food. I tell you, the quirky sense of humor that my grandfather had still manages to make me smile.

Thankfully, compiling this somewhat forced dietary option for most health/weight conscious people is truly an enjoyable culinary experience for me.

I have often come across people who feel very happy enjoying their lunch in the form of “only” salad without noticing the very fattening dressings and cheeses that accompany the same. One wonders whether there is any health benefit remaining in a bowl of iceberg lettuce that has been drenched in mayo rich caesar dressing and a ton of grated parmesan cheese?

My mother-in-law, who is an amazing lady, first introduced me to the concept of “home made dressings” and I promise you, there is nothing better…..

I want to share the details of my own version of a Chinese salad made with an easy-two-minute-delicious peanut dressing.  

 

Chinese Peanut Salad (serves 2)

 

2 cups of mixed salad leaves/or sliced red cabbage
1/4 cup of chopped bell peppers
1/4 cup tofu cut up and lightly cooked in olive oil with salt and red chilli
1/4 cup peeled and slivered apples
2 tbsp of chopped spring onion leaves
2 tbsp of chopped grapes
1 tbsp of roasted peanuts
1 tbsp cilantro
Some red chilli flakes

 

Please feel free to modify the ingredients for the salad with whatever is in your refrigerator…..I could have added a handful of basil leaves; grated carrots; paneer instead of tofu; fried noodles (make take away a bit from the healthy factor); and anything else that felt complementary

 

For peanut dressing

1 tbsp of peanut butter

1 tbsp of hot water

2 tsp ketchup

1 tsp dark soya sauce

1 tsp vinegar (I used apple cider, but rice vinegar works just as well)

1/4 tsp grated ginger

Pinch of grated garlic

1/4 tsp of sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

 

 

 

Combine all the salad ingredients....

 

 

Take a bowl and add the dressing ingredients...

 

 

Mix well...

 

 

Mix with the salad ingredients and enjoy....guilt-free :)