Crispy "Bhindi" fries!!

You think French fries are addicting! Wait till you try these! Inspired from one of my “Destination eats”, turning up the flavor volume on “Crispy bhindi fries”!! (Thinly sliced Okra seasoned with spices and fried to crispy perfection).

You will need;
Okra

Dry seasoning; (Mix all the below)
1/2 Tsp of each

Salt
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Chili flakes
Garam masala

Wipe clean the okra with a damp paper towel. Dry the okra completely. (Best way is to lay the damp okra on multiple sheets of paper towels). (Atleast 30 minutes)

Cut the ends of the okra and split in halves. Using a sharp knife, remove the center rib and seeds. Slice the okra in thin bands. Continue to let dry on papertowels.(Atleast 30 minutes)

Sprinkle the dry seasoning on the okra as desired. Shake the okra well.

Deep fry the okra in oil preheated at 350 degrees for 2-3 minutes and drain well. Check for seasoning and serve immediately!

Autumn squash and coconut cream soup

Fall is around the corner in the Carolinas!! There’s a gentle nip in the air, pumpkin spice lattes are back in coffee shops and I am dreaming of boots!! 🙂

With fall also comes all kinds of funky looking , odd shaped vegetables.. Have you  noticed that ?!
And they all belong to one family.. “Squash!”.. What’s up with that ?? Well, I am not complaining.. I love vegetables and over the years have really come to love “squash” in its varied forms and colors..

I saw a beautiful butternut squash at the farmers market yesterday and had to buy it.. Created this “sweet” recipe for all of us. Here’s to a gorgeous and a healthy Fall!!

To serve 3-4;

2 Cups butternut squash cut into chunks
3 cups of broth (Recipe here)
1 Bay leaf
1 small onion chopped up
2 Cloves of garlic smashed
1/3 cup of cream of coconut
2 Tsp brown sugar or 1 Tbsp maple syrup
Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish per serving;
1/2 Tbsp roasted coconut flakes
1/2 Tbsp cream of coconut

Saute the onions, garlic and bay leaf in 2 Tbsp of Olive oil for 5-6 minutes till pale brown. Add the squash and the broth and cook on medium heat till the vegetable becomes soft (almost mushy).

Remove the bay leaf and the pot from the stove. Using a hand blender, blend the soup.

Add the cream of coconut,  brown sugar or maple syrup and season with Salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes on medium heat.

Garnish with coconut cream and roasted coconut flakes before serving. The soup will be mildly sweet. 
Enjoy!

Fashion week ! and an announcement !! and a recipe!! Post overload!!

So I scored a couple of tickets to the 4th annual Charlotte Fashion week here in our beautiful city of Charlotte. I have been dying to go to this event well for 3 years and finally all the stars aligned and I was able to go. Here are some of the highlights from the night and so much more!

My leopard jacket got so much love the last time, I had to repeat it!
Paired it with my faux leather skinnies, suede gold trimmed booties and an embossed leather peplum top!
Gold shimmery clutch and big watch to complete the look!
My girlfriend and I..
We were featured on Instagram at  #cltfashionwk !
Check her shoes out! Drool!!
Masquerade opening act!
Loved the gold chains all over the body!

Beautiful flowy skirt with a soft leather top
Camo in the front, leather in the back.. So my look!
Drooling over some red leather!
Designers I loved: Nicci Hou, Denim Ribbon, Dani Olivia. 
It was an electric night! It started off a little rough.. (Bad project management I say..) but when it started, it was awesome! A must watch the next time if you are in town and love fashion.. OR want a fun night out with the girls! 
ok so here is the announcement!! 
Yours truly is expecting company soon!!
Feb 2014!!
🙂

and I know I know, I promised a recipe! so Here it is, Creamy Cauliflower soup.. Inspired from the one I had at Asheville. (Look at post here)

Creamy Cauliflower soup : Light and flavorful …

Saute 1/2 cup of  each in 2 Tbsp OO and 1 Tbsp of Butter;
Celery, carrots and onions
Add 2 Cloves of garlic smashed.
Saute for 8-10 minutes carefully not to caramelize the onions but just till they are soft. 
Add 4 cups of water and 2 Bay Leaves
Season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil and simmer on low- medium heat for 15-18 minutes. 
Strain the veggies and the bay leaves if you would like and
re-use in a pot pie recipe if you wish. 
Add 2-3 cups of chopped up cauliflower to 4 cups of broth.
Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes till the cauliflower is very soft.
Remove from the stove.
Using a hand blender, blend the veggies. 
Add 1/2 cup of full cream. Bring to a boil
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer for 5-7 minutes till you achieve the desired thickness. 
Serve with herb infused Olive oil. 

Destination eating: Asheville Part Two!

Continuing from my previous post, please see a few highlights of my trip with the girls to Asheville.

All set to leave! I added a blue soft denim blazer to my camo pants
to add some structure to the outfit.
The girls and I!
Outside our first spot: Limones’
A Mexican and a Californian style food joint!
Inside Limones’
White and brown sugar cubes…
Needless  to say we devoured them as is!
We were starving!
Trio of house made salsas..
Cooked and raw.. and house made corn chips..
Delish!
Arugula salad in a creme fraiche vinaigrette!
Crisp greens laced with a refreshing dressing
Chilli Relleno breakfast platter..
The chilli was cooked but firm bursting with cheese.. The guac was so fresh..
and the seasoned potato made this dish filling!
Shrimp Tacos.. Homestyle tortillas.. !
Crab cake breakfast platter. The cakes were sweet and meaty..
and the cilantro sauce that came with this dish was out of this world!

Churros! with caramel dipping sauce and Mexican hot chocolate with a hint of cinnamon!!
I am going back just for this!
Papdi dahi chaat from “Chai Pani”.
I needed more chutney to spice it up!
Samosa Chaat. Not my favorite but the samosas were crispy.
and I loved the presentation. 

Fried Okra strips. Crisp, tangy and so addicting!

Delicious Cauliflower soup from “Fig Bistro”.
Creamy with a hint of sweetness. Delish!
Try my version here!
Truffle Pom frites.
The truffle oil gave it that exotic taste that leaves your palate wanting for more. !
Girls about town!

Watermelon and rosemary cocktail at “Curate’ “.
I didn’t partake BUT heard it was very refreshing!
Thyme ice cream with a pistachio sponge cake.
The ice cream was VERY tangy!! The cake was a bit dry for my taste.
Grove park Inn spa! 

My bags are packed and am ready to go!

Freaky Curry a.k.a yours truly is traveling this weekend! I got my girls, my shoes and my camera and we are headed to the beautiful city of Asheville. And boy oh boy I am excited!

This weekend has been a long time in the making…. It actually started as a Birthday treat from my chicas which was by the way in July but between work, kids, school and families, we are FINALLY going now!!

My girlies! (Missing a couple)

If you remember my birthday last year, the girlies treated me to a very special culinary trip to my favorite beach town at Charleston. I know, I know, I am spoiled 😉

Last year’s Birthday trip! (Missing a couple)

But there is a bonus this time around. We are not only celebrating my birthday but we are also celebrating a couple of other birthdays AND some great news in each of our lives.

Overall, we are celebrating years of friendship and hoping to grow together as the years roll on by.

I have to tell you, it’s an honor for me to be surrounded by such beautiful, strong and smart women. They are amazing and I love them !

Ok, so by now you are wondering, where is the recipe?? Well, this post really has nothing to do with food.. Yet.. 😉 But some of you have asked me before, how do I dress and pack for trips so I thought I’ll share that with you in this post.

Since we’ll be gone only for the weekend, and that too in one car, I’m definitely packing light… But trust me I plan on being smart and stylish AND comfy!

The key is to pack for the weather but be prepared just in case it turns on you. since we are still straddling the summer/fall climate line, I am packing a couple of “breathable” pairs of skinnies/tights which have a stretch to them and am going to pair them with a pair of low heeled booties or flats. That’ll help keeping me cool and comfy with all the driving and walking in the mountain town.

For the one night that we have planned on the town, I’m thinking of a light weight blazer with either tights or a summer chiffon dress. It’s a great way to “dress” up a plain dress without looking fussy. Add on a pair of shooties and I’ll be ready to go! The whole idea is to look chic but be comfortable too.

For the day at the spa… Oh did I forget to mention the fabulous Grove park Inn resort spa!!?? Yep, we ladies are getting the works this weekend.. Well deserved might I add 😉 Anyway, for the spa day, I got a one piece (very 60’s by the way) bathing suit for the hot tub and pool and am packing a pair of camo shorts and a comfy chambray shirt.. And a pair of flat shoes!

Some if not all of these items below will be making a cameo in my trip this weekend.

Nothing says “Girls weekend out!” more than some animal print…
I heard it’s making a comeback.. I say “It never went away”..

My latest obsession.. Camo prints! I am an Army brat and wanted to join the military..
Well, life had other plans for me..
Paired with an embellished unicorn shirt, the ensemble gets a feminine touch.
Some Faux Leather tights and a daring animal print blazer..
Both light weight and breathable and perfect for a sexy night out!

A soft summer chiffon dress…
Possibly pair it with a loose cotton cardigan or a blazer for day or night!

Yep, Camo again! This time pairing these shorts with a washed down Chambray shirt
for the comfy, soft and yet cool look!

And folks, you know me..I promise to take pics and to recreate any delish items I eat on this trip (as always) to share with you all.. Stay tuned!

Sour cream and pesto chicken pasta

Nothing says “Welcome home” like a big bowl of flavorful pasta! Now if you have read my blog, you would know my “love-hate” relationship with pasta.

Well, like any other female on this planet, I loooove pasta but my thighs don’t love it as much, if you catch my drift.. ;).. But then like any other female on this planet, I also find various ways to justify the bowl of pasta which I totally inhale like I’ll run it off later OR won’t eat for 2 days.. Ok, I exaggerate but you get the point..

I created this recipe one day when I had “that” moment, you know when you have to have something right now.. It’s simple, flavorful and trust me, a new family favorite.

To serve 2;
2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
2 Tbsp sour cream
1 Tbsp your fav or Freaky Curry pesto
1 Tbsp chopped sundried tomatoes (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Rub the marinade all over the chicken. Broil/ grill the chicken in a preheated oven for 7-8 min on each side till the chicken is cooked.

Toss with my delish butter parmesan noodles.(For every 1 cup of cooked (warm) pasta of your choice, toss with 1/2 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp parmesan cheese)

Summer’s Last BBQ ?

So here it is guys and dolls .. Labor day weekend.. “Officially” the end of Summer.. School is back in session, no more pool days, no more wearing white and no more cook outs…Even though I disagree with some of these “traditions”, here are my top choices for your “End of Summer” BBQ.. 
Try these out this weekend! and by the way, Winter “white” is trending right now so be a rebel and don a pair of white jeans while you are at it.. 🙂
Be Safe this weekend! 
Entree(s):

Thai inspired peanut chicken
Chopping board pesto Burgers!
Mojito Shrimps

Sides:
Grilled Kale
Grilled Plantain Salsa
Herby Quinoa
Watermelon and blue cheese salad