CHAI-studio honolulu http://chai-hnl.posterous.com ideas for an inspired lifestyle posterous.com Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:35:04 -0700 Bangle Bar at CHAI studio http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/bangle-bar http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/bangle-bar

I love shopping for glass bangles at the bazaar, so many colors to pick from. Found these two toned ones on my last trip, especially love the coke bottle colors.

of course there is always the bangle shop with rows upon rows to choose from, or they will match a set for your outfit

bling bangles are also hard to beat whether they be lac or rhinestone - some of my favorite colors.

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as the story goes... a bride wears as many bangles on both arms as she can fit, because when the last bangle breaks - the honeymoon is over :)

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Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:14:29 -0700 tired of samosas? Other options for spicy potatoes http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/tired-of-samosas-other-options-for-spicy-pota http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/tired-of-samosas-other-options-for-spicy-pota

I often get tired of the request for samosas, don't get me wrong, I love a samosa, but there are so many other great Indian foods out there to try. Here are two of my latest experiments: stuffed peppers and stuffed bread pakora. Both using the same potato filling.

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Stuffed Peppers

It was a colorful dish for our Holi dinner. 

Scoop out the inside of the peppers (I used the jumbo assorted bell peppers from Costco, but the small ones would make great appetizers) fill with spicy potato filling. Heat a few tablespoons of vegetable oil in a shallow pan, salt the outsides of the peppers. Place peppers in the pan and carefully blacken on all sides. I recommend a lid on the pan as it tends to splatter

Spicy Potatoes

3 to 4  pounds boiled and peeled red potatoes

3 tbs of veg oil or ghee

1 onion finely chopped

3 cloves garlic finely chopped

2 tbs blk mustard seed

1 tbs garam masala

1 tsp turmeric

8 to 10 curry leaves

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp cumin

dried chile powder or chopped fresh chile to taste

salt to taste

juice of 1 lemon

1 cup peas (optional)

3 tbs chopped fresh cilantro

Heat the oil/ghee add onion, mustard seed and curry leaf - mustard seed will start to pop after a minute, then add garlic- stirring occasionally. Once the onion gets translucent, add the potatoes, crushing them with your hand as you add them. sprinkle (on potatoes) the turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin and salt - mix well to incorporate all the flavors. Mix in lemon juice and gently stir in (optional) peas. Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro. 

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Stuffed Bread Pakora

Use whatever bread you like, cut off crusts. Spread 1 bread with mint chutney, the other with tamarind chutney, fill with potato mixture. Dip the sandwich in the besan batter then shallow fry in hot oil, until browned.

Besan Batter

1/3 cup besan flour

2 tbs rice flour

1 tsp salt

3/4 tsp chile powder

1/2 tsp ajwan seeds

water

mix to the consistency of pancake batter - adjust seasoning to your taste

 

 

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Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:22:34 -0800 End of 2010 Tweet Up at CHAI-studio Honolulu http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/end-of-2010-tweet-up-at-chai-studio-honolulu http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/end-of-2010-tweet-up-at-chai-studio-honolulu

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Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:48:03 -0700 tropical plant combinations http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/tropical-plant-combinations http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/tropical-plant-combinations

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Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:49:00 -0700 a good spot for a cup of masala chai http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/a-good-spot-for-a-cup-of-masala-chai http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/a-good-spot-for-a-cup-of-masala-chai

A breakfast of spicy dal, pappri and masala chai.
This spicy dal is easy to make:
make a paste of 6 to 8 garlic cloves and fresh chiles (to your liking)
clean and rinse 1 cup of masoor dal, add 2 tbs spice paste and 5 cups of water boil until cooked and smooth texture
add 1 tsp toasted cumin seeds and 1 tsp garam masala(optional)
ladle into bowls, add fresh chopped onion and a squeeze of lime juice.
Serve with crisp pappri or pita crisps

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Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:34:00 -0700 photos from our latest buying trip - guess where we went? http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/photos-from-our-latest-buying-tip-guess-where http://chai-hnl.posterous.com/photos-from-our-latest-buying-tip-guess-where

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