Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Stray dog menace in Bangalore

I hate to give my post this title but I am left with no other choice, with the number of people who actually put it that way. I just don't get why they call dogs a menace? What makes us humans so superior and more important that instead of actually controlling our population we go around controlling the number of stray dogs on our streets? Just because a few of the dogs get ferocious and infected with rabies, it does not mean that all the dogs out there need to be put to sleep. To me, in a very humorous manner, it's like saying, since a few humans are causing terror, planting bombs, going on shooting sprees, let's kill all human beings. Duh!! I mean, come on. Some are calling it "people's welfare". Excuse me, have you ever thought that there could be something like "dog's welfare" too?
I do know how it feels to be surrounded by dogs chasing your two wheeler or having a bunch of them come charging at you when you are alone - believe me.. I am terrified too... like crazy but that would never get me to agree to the suggestion that all strays be killed.
May be some better involved measures need to be taken. All of us who don't find the dogs a menace and those who unfortunately do, should unite and help the authorities to do what best they are doing. We need to report incidents of ferocious dogs or dogs which may be infected and make sure that they are isolated. Any other way, other than killing all the strays out there?

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Pav Bhaji

Since I keep trying new stuff, it is a long time before I actually repeat a recipe. Also Pras prefers that I make something new with the same ol' ingredients. I had beetroot which for long was lying the basket. To put it to use, I hit upon "Pav Bhaji". I did refer Mom's Pav Bhaji. Namratha is a fantastic cook. She used to be my classmate and I am proud of what she has achieved with her blog. So here goes - I made it a tad bit different ;)

Ingredients:
To be boiled together till mushy:
4 medium sized potatoes - cut into quarters
1 medium sized carrot - cut into roughly small pieces
1 medium sized beetroot - cut into roughly small pieces
1/2 cup of cauliflower florets

To grind into a paste:
4 small to medium sized tomatoes
3 long green chillies - adjust as per taste and hotness of chilly
6 cloves of garlic

Other ingredients:
1 large onion finely chopped
1 medium sized capsicum/green bell pepper finely chopped
1 1/2 tbsp Pav Bhaji masala
1/2 cup green peas
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1 tbsp oil
water as required
salt to taste

To garnish :
freshly chopped coriander
chopped onion
1 tbsp butter
lime juice to taste

How I made it :
1. Heat 1 tbsp oil.
2. Add the onions and fry till dark golden brown. You can add more oil to prevent the onions from burning.
3. Once onion is brown, add the bell pepper and green peas. Fry till green peas are almost done.
4. Add the red chilli powder.
5. After 30 seconds, add the tomato paste. Fry till oil separates
6. Mash the boiled veggies and add.
7. Add salt and the pav bhaji masala.
8. Add a little water and allow to simmer for 10 minutes with cover on.
9. Garnish with chopped onion, coriander and a sprinkle of lime juice.

Serve with buttered pav.