tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post4705485446743381295..comments2024-01-17T00:50:59.094-08:00Comments on A Brownian Walk Through Life...: 30-minute Chana Masala and some blabberPJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13216417733538286264noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-5631314558383698292010-05-12T21:11:28.034-07:002010-05-12T21:11:28.034-07:00I just found your blog and love it already. I'...I just found your blog and love it already. I'm totally with you on traditionalists that hold rigid standards of "authenticity" which often vary by region in the country in question anyway. Being a big fan of improvisation and adaptation, I realize that most of my recipes wouldn't pass muster if put up to such rigid standards, but that's part of what makes them fresh and interesting.Marc @ NoRecipeshttp://norecipes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-36686117081507622942010-05-12T05:35:14.576-07:002010-05-12T05:35:14.576-07:00I am one packet masala hater and love everything h...I am one packet masala hater and love everything homemade......but yes , i hate rigid rules the most..<br /><br />Indian cooking is not about sticking to authentic recipes .....i agree absolutely...if you don't experiment it is dead....after all Indians have incorporated chilies , brinjal n potatoes so well that they are the staples here ( and have been europian imports in the history )..<br /><br />i was thinking why i don't get your feed in my reader ...got it now.sangeetahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01091803798460651759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-65501054991493662842010-05-07T10:28:06.143-07:002010-05-07T10:28:06.143-07:00If i am a frequent user of certain masala or powde...If i am a frequent user of certain masala or powder I make at home, like rasam, etc...Nothing beats homemade! But channa masala probably once in a year, I buy at the store! But I was never been so fond of any brand! But recently I got hooked in South Indian one which has a perfect homemade test!Chamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06912395013740648068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-56727606140004668792010-05-07T06:04:56.742-07:002010-05-07T06:04:56.742-07:00Hi PJ. Do participate in my ongoing event. Will be...Hi PJ. Do participate in my ongoing event. Will be great to indulge in your recipes again :)Preeti Kashyaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11282393421124534245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-69940010422873204722010-05-07T03:10:47.972-07:002010-05-07T03:10:47.972-07:00i have not once made my own masalas...even though ...i have not once made my own masalas...even though i completely agree with the quality differences..the store bought ones are a saving grace and dont finf nything wrong with it..i thoroughly agree with ur views..<br />have never tried chana masala...but sure looks tempting enough..My Kitchen Anticshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06313104897544828417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-89479000754873513142010-05-06T19:13:07.010-07:002010-05-06T19:13:07.010-07:00Kamalika, i so agree. our lives have really become...Kamalika, i so agree. our lives have really become to intertwined in a lot of things that the more easier you make the things, more people will actually attempt it.<br /><br />Jay, thanks! I am so glad you liked it :)<br /><br />Anushree, this was my student fix too.. the idea of bhatura with tortialla sounds so awesome! i'll have to try that soon. thanks :)<br /><br />Joanne, exactly.. we need to make things easier for people so they will attempt it more often, right!PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13216417733538286264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-42534161689029535482010-05-06T19:04:45.591-07:002010-05-06T19:04:45.591-07:00Even though I don't do MUCH Indian cooking (I ...Even though I don't do MUCH Indian cooking (I am trying to get more into it!) I have to say that I totally agree with you. I think if you buy a good quality spice blend, then it can be just as good as if you ground it yourself! To say that buying spice blends is WRONG just tells people not to even bother because most people would never even dream of grinding their own. Why be so discouraging? Harumph.<br /><br />At least I had your beautiful dish to cheer me up!Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17133232352924060797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-61264335478590096482010-05-06T16:50:16.161-07:002010-05-06T16:50:16.161-07:00One more thing i learnt here is...if we fry tortil...One more thing i learnt here is...if we fry tortilla in oil...It almost looks and tastes like a bhatura!!<br />Chana Masala and these Bhaturas make an awesome menu for parties! :DAnushreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983166002610156352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-61891428560076100442010-05-06T16:46:09.793-07:002010-05-06T16:46:09.793-07:00Hehe...This is a favourite amongst all students he...Hehe...This is a favourite amongst all students here. We end up making chana masala (frm garbanzo can) atleast once in a week..and mostly we end up using readymade tomatoo puree since we dont have patience to cut the tomatoes :P<br />Then there is rajma made from pinto beans too :DAnushreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983166002610156352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-3021173945827963032010-05-06T11:53:31.049-07:002010-05-06T11:53:31.049-07:00Super presentation, this is just brilliant yaar.Super presentation, this is just brilliant yaar.Jayanthy Kumaranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01536467787138586347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-64823956090474731042010-05-06T09:06:19.852-07:002010-05-06T09:06:19.852-07:00Dear PJ loved ur read....I too agree with u..actua...Dear PJ loved ur read....I too agree with u..actually we have come much forward from the traditional cooking modes where the orinality of spices are the true aroma of the food...now our life has become so fast and we are involved in so many things that time has also been distributed and fixed for each work...spending a little time extra for a work might hamper the other....so when we r getting all the ready made spices,which are quite good to me then why to take the pressure of making homemade spices in every 3-4 months...yes some recipes really need some special spices which can only be made at home but as we all know cooking is an art and changing our taste buds are a necessary in intervals so once in a while thats ok..but not every time....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930753550691171731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-54330718268741015152010-05-06T08:30:09.190-07:002010-05-06T08:30:09.190-07:00Sushma, so true.. cooking should always remain fun...Sushma, so true.. cooking should always remain fun :)<br /><br />Pavithra, very true.. if you have some help around the house, possibly you can think of making home-made regularly.. but in this DIY model we live in, the more we can offload without sacrificing the quality of life the better, i say :)<br /><br />Sathya, thanks! yes, i think it all comes down to time finally.<br /><br />Sayantani, oh wow, i never knew of this fact about store-bought spices in India. I grew up in a small town where we would buy spices from an 'uncle' and so i suppose they were always fresh and high-quality. Yes, it would surely help to have access to good quality pre-made spices.<br /><br />Treat and Trick, so agree. With a good quality store-bought ones, its certainly possible to whip up a good meal in no time!<br /><br />Hari, thanks! I am so glad you liked the click and the dish.<br /><br />Chakhlere, exactly.. isn't it all about eating healthy, delicious, home-made food with your friends and family and actually enjoying it!PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13216417733538286264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-29946601420591869182010-05-06T08:24:29.106-07:002010-05-06T08:24:29.106-07:00PranisKitchen, so true. i am with you here for sur...PranisKitchen, so true. i am with you here for sure.<br /><br />Arthi, same here. we hardly have time or the energy anymore to make everything from scratch. isn't that the point of leveraged economies afterall :)<br /><br />A2Z vegetarian cuisine, thanks! very true.. variety is indeed the spice of life.<br /><br />Anu, thanks! I am so glad you liked this chanan masala.<br /><br />Mints, exactly.. there is this perception that indian food needs slogging in the kitchen forever, a whole bunch of ingredients and a lot of patience, in-fact as you so rightly say its not like that at-all. we got to change the perception and not encourage more of this do-everything-from-scratch myth.<br /><br />Sonia, I so agree here.. home-made masalas are sure quite unique but store-bought ones aren't bad either! Roti maker sounds like a wonderful idea... I have been thinking about it for a long time, guess I should just bite the bullet and buy one :DPJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13216417733538286264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-13407108568805256222010-05-06T08:03:55.256-07:002010-05-06T08:03:55.256-07:00Me too agree with you!! If I make my own garam mas...Me too agree with you!! If I make my own garam masala and do everything from scratch i will spend my whole time in Kitchen...rather than enjoying what I cook with my family.chakhlerehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11944126351247999303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-63466286634185057912010-05-06T03:28:20.636-07:002010-05-06T03:28:20.636-07:00Mouth watering click.. looks soo tempting.. tryly ...Mouth watering click.. looks soo tempting.. tryly delicious.. :)Hari Chandana Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12404224538735128603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-55572793117042028622010-05-06T01:14:12.339-07:002010-05-06T01:14:12.339-07:00Totally agree with you, but those store bought is ...Totally agree with you, but those store bought is not bad at all since we're unable to prepare from scratch due to other commitments but cooking is about experimenting or mix and match to suit your taste. Definitely you could whip up a decent meal if proper spices is being used regardless of store bought or home made products. Chana looks so delicious and beautiful click too...TREAT AND TRICKhttp://treatntrick.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-2180802614749020342010-05-06T00:39:01.423-07:002010-05-06T00:39:01.423-07:00I absolutely support you that in this time of busy...I absolutely support you that in this time of busy life one cannot make everything at home. there are certain spices that I like to prepare as in India we dont get spice powders that are 100% pure and of good quality (like in cumin powder they always mix some other spices or even dried soil)so whenever am in home town I buy them in big quantity and get them powdered at a local mill...but I do this with a lot of cribbing, if i would have got better quality spices i would have bought them with closed eyes.<br />as for the rules of cooking i ndont believe in them and that's why I always find cooking so relaxing. i can experiment and come up with new dishes that way. <br />last but not the least the chana looks perfect and very tasty.sayantanihttp://ahomemakersdiary.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-18124416131458843422010-05-06T00:34:37.090-07:002010-05-06T00:34:37.090-07:00PJ, nowadays homemade one is reducing cos of hurr...PJ, nowadays homemade one is reducing cos of hurry in all the time we r looking for easy n quick versions to save the time..chana curry looks delicious n very easy too.SathyaSridharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09938943002415910239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-33764066761485122182010-05-05T22:28:36.304-07:002010-05-05T22:28:36.304-07:00Yes PJ I agree with you dear.. Home made are possi...Yes PJ I agree with you dear.. Home made are possible atleast if we are in India.. here its impossible doing this every 3 to 4 months.. Channa masala quick version is super...Pavithra Elangovanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16238942671262749285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-26443749065807264582010-05-05T22:18:50.318-07:002010-05-05T22:18:50.318-07:00Indo, glad you agree :) Yes, that was my issue too...Indo, glad you agree :) Yes, that was my issue too.. Indian cooking need not be stressful where you are cooking for hours at end.. it can actually be very simple and fast if you want.. but sadly thats the take-away people take.<br /><br />Lyndsey, true, flavor is surely in the mouths of beholders, or so to say :)<br /><br />Panchpakwan, thanks! Store bought ones are good enough substitute for busy times, i feel. Glad you liked the chana masala too :)<br /><br />Priya, thanks! So glad you liked the chana masala.<br /><br />Rachana, so true, it is all about experimenting and enjoying!PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13216417733538286264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-41282884799436099422010-05-05T22:00:39.311-07:002010-05-05T22:00:39.311-07:00Lovely write up, i too agree with you PJ, Now a da...Lovely write up, i too agree with you PJ, Now a days its really not possible to do everything from scratch with so much work, Cooking should always be fun, easy to do and delicious to have it...And chana masala looks too good, love your clicks always ...Sushma Mallyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16936434191563848038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-49102885426333239052010-05-05T19:38:36.499-07:002010-05-05T19:38:36.499-07:00Jagruti, good point! its also all about shared lab...Jagruti, good point! its also all about shared labor and services. we are far from an age where everything needs to be done yourself.<br /><br />Namitha, so true! I don't know what I would do either unless an Indian store was driving closeby.<br /><br />Simran, precisely.. some flavor will be lost but i dont think its 100%.. I think we honestly should encourage people to cook more at home - even if that means using more shortcuts.<br /><br />Preeti, exactly.. store ones are good enough and make cooking at home so much easier that its way worth than fast food option.<br /><br />Pari, i so much agree. Cooking is all about experimenting and playing with flavors, isn't it!PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13216417733538286264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-7340955794170443032010-05-05T17:39:07.826-07:002010-05-05T17:39:07.826-07:00Ahem! I'm neutral here. Even I used to buy sto...Ahem! I'm neutral here. Even I used to buy store-bought garam masala. Just 2 months back, I dared to prepare my garam masala at home (first time ever!)and it's saved my 7-8 months. The color and fragrance of home-made spices is definitely unbeatable. However, I'm not completely disagree with store-bought masala. I still use some spice powders too and have some good stock in my fridge. <br /><br />Ahh! your chana masala looks so inviting. Even I used to prepare this way during my student life. I always make sure that I have a can of chick-peas and rajma. <br /><br />btw, I use my Roti-maker. It saves my loads of time and energy. Again, nothing can beat your handmade roti but it's matter of time! :)Soniahttp://www.7spice.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-52884099996238399782010-05-05T17:24:28.096-07:002010-05-05T17:24:28.096-07:00About the Q&A - you are so right on dot. I fel...About the Q&A - you are so right on dot. I felt the same way when I read it. <br /><br />I tend to use store bought masalas and I am happy with it. If I want to make pav-bhaji and make masala for that probably I will never make it. <br /><br />I always hear this from non Indians that indian food is very time consuming and need everything fresh and so many spices. I always tell them, you can make decent Indian food with whatever you have in hand. <br /><br />And the chana masala looks great as usual.Mints!https://www.blogger.com/profile/06560644578408734471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886862773009992008.post-87038470084063961042010-05-05T16:24:37.804-07:002010-05-05T16:24:37.804-07:00wow yummy channa masala...wow yummy channa masala...Anuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00094862966680389980noreply@blogger.com