Sausage, Mushroom & Potato Gratin & a Giveaway of sorts!

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sausage mushroom potato gratin-1

I have been having a tough time writing posts these days. I start, type and then delete and decide I just cant write anything and its better not to post. As a result recipes keep piling up, and the blog just sits idle. I have about 7 recipes in my drafts and just look at them each and every day. I was supposed to post for GMT, had the recipe ready, everything, but then no words. I guess I spoke too soon on my instagram when I said that I will post the recipe for GMT on Tuesday because as you might have noticed that post did not happen. I just tell myself its a phase that I am going through- writer’s block probably (except I am not as eloquent as a writer). Hopefully, I will be back to my chattery blog self, for now I will just talk about the recipe I am sharing today.

I made this for the first time when my friends came over, and when I got a recipe request from my friend I knew it was good. And the fact that all of it got over should have led me to the conclusion as well. I was a little wary of it not getting over since I made it with pork sausages- a meat that V does not eat and was worried that if it did not taste that good, I would have to finish it all. But luckily that problem took care of itself. The pictures in the blog are of the time I made this with vegetarian sausages and it tasted equally good. If you do decide to make it with pork sausages, do try to find the kinds with fennel in it, or if you can’t then add fennel to the dish. The fennel flavored sausages did give this distinct flavor to the dish which in my opinion was what made this dish absolutely great.

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Garam Masala Tuesdays: Gluten Free Microwave Dhokla

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Gluten free Microwave dhokla The Novice Housewife

Dhokla is a very popular snack in India, and although its from the western state of Gujarat its a favorite across India. It is a plus that it is also gluten free. A lot of snacks in India are made from besan or gram flour but unlike most Indian snacks that are fried, this one is traditionally steamed. But the version I am sharing today is one that can be made in the microwave and is quicker and slightly more convenient.

I know a lot of people are against the use of microwave and even though I try to avoid it, sometimes for certain things I do use it. Especially for making quick snacks like these.

I also know I have posted a recipe for Microwave dhokla before (long, long before- which reminds me I completed three years of blogging on 28th and unlike the first blogiversary and my second blogiversary, I completely forgot about this one!). But this recipe is slightly different from the previous one I posted and in fact I like it better. Probably because of the fresh ginger that is mixed into the batter, unlike the paste used in the previously posted recipe.

The recipe is from my mamiji (my mom’s brother’s wife). My mamiji is an excellent cook and an even more amazing person. She is an inspiration. At 50 plus age, she decided to go to nursing school. Having never had a science background in school, she took up this challenge and with a family to take care of (my mom’s parents also stay with my uncle’s family and it can be quite challenging sometimes to take care because old people can be as stubborn and as demanding as kids), she still managed to complete her course and is now working as a lab technician. To get back to studies after such a long break is trying enough but to take up a subject you have no prior knowledge of is, in my opinion, absolutely incredible and kudos to my mamiji for having the resolve to go through with it.

And thanks to her, finally after a long break, I am able to share a GMT recipe with you. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have been. 🙂

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Garam Masala Tuesdays: Chicken Tikka Salad and a Giveaway

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chicken tikka salad The Novice Housewife

The idea of a chicken tikka salad has been playing in my mind for a long time (while writing this post I googled it, and apparently there are other versions as well, so I am not the only one to have thought of it) and finally I got around to making it a few days before.

There are not many salad recipes in Indian cuisine. The only one I can think of is Kachumbar– which is basically a salad made from small tiny pieces of vegetables, mainly cucumber, tomatoes, onions with chillies and cilantro/coriander leaves added to it. Besides that I draw a blank although salads do feature in indian meals- its just plain cucumbers, tomatoes and onions sliced and served on a plate with maybe a lemon, salt and pepper dressing. But other than that I can’t think of any. (If you can, please do leave a comment below)

Unlike other Indian salads, like the ones I mentioned above, which are normally served alongside main course dishes, to provide a slight crunch to the meal, this chicken tikka salad is a meal in itself. But much lighter than a full fledged Indian meal. And great for the times when you want a lighter Indian flavor meal.

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