Masala Dosa from South India.

Ingredients

·                                 2 cup: Rice - preferably parboiled

·                                 1/2 cup: Split and husked Black Gram (Dhuli Urad) - soaked with rice for 5-6 hours

·                                 1/2 tsp: Fenugreek Seeds

·                                 Oil to smear the pan for cooking the dosas

·                                 2 tsp: Salt

For Masala

·                                 500 gm (3 cups): Potatoes - boiled, peeled and cubed

·                                 1 1/2 cups: Onions - sliced not very thin

·                                 1/4 tsp: Powdered Turmeric

·                                 2-3: Green chillies - chopped coarsely (optional)

·                                 6-7 : Curry leaves or 1/2 tsp dried curry leaves

·                                 2 tbsp: Oil

·                                 1 tsp: Mustard seeds

·                                 2 tsp: Salt

·                                 1/2 cup: Water

Method

1.                                Grind daal mixture together to a very smooth consistency. Add salt and enough water to make into a dropping consistency. Leave to ferment for about 5-6 hours, till a little spongy.

2.                               If thickened too much, add a little water to thin a bit. Heat tawa, and brush oil over it. When really hot, splash a little water over it, and immediately pour batter onto it, spreading it thin, with a circular motion. This will have to be very swift and will need a bit of practice.

3.                               After spreading the batter, lower the heat and dribble a little oil around the edges so that it seeps under the dosa. When edges start browning a bit, pass a flat spoon under it to ease the dosa off the pan.

4.                               Put desired filling in the centre and fold the two edges over. Serve accompanied with sambhar and chutney

For the Masala Filling

1.                                Heat the oil in a heavy based pan and add the mustard seeds, then onions, curry leaves and green chillies, and sauté over high heat till the onions are a little transparent.

2.                               Add the salt and the turmeric and mix well before adding the potatoes. Turn the potatoes around till well mixed and add the water and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Now it is ready to eat !!!!

Great Indian Beers !!

The Indian beer industry is booming, and a visit to India wouldn't be complete without trying some of the top Indian beers on offer.

Beer was introduced into India by the British, who eventually set up a brewery that produced Asia's first beer -- a pale ale called Lion. However, these days, lager is the only type of beer you'll find available in India. It comes in two strengths -- mild (around 5% alcohol) and a generous strong (6-8% alcohol). Depending on the place, a large 650 ml bottle of beer will cost you between 50-70 rupees ($1-1.50) at a liquor store, and double or triple that at a bar.

1. Kingfisher

Kingfisher, "The King of Good Times", is India's most recognized and widely available beer. Its name has been associated with sports, fashion, and even an airline. The beer itself is a light tasting, easy drinking beer with plenty of malt. It goes down really well -- if not a little too well at times! Kingfisher Strong, containing around 8% alcohol, is fast growing in popularity and has more flavor than the regular Kingfisher Premium, which has 4.8% alcohol. Another variation is Kingfisher Blue, marketed at the young and trendy. This is also a strong beer with around 8% alcohol but it has a very light watery taste. Distinctive and full-bodied Kingfisher Ultra, made from imported ingredients, is the newest label to hit the market.

2. Haywards

Haywards beer is light bodied and watery tasting, so definitely not recommended for those who prefer beer with bite! The brand is most well known for its Haywards 5000 label -- a top selling strong beer that contains 7% alcohol. Haywards also produces Haywards 2000, a mild beer with 5.5% alcohol, and the rarer super strong Haywards 10000. Lovers of stout beer may be interested in Haywards Black -- India's first genuine stout beer. It's a strong dark colored beer, with 8% alcohol, and a heavy sweet malty taste that apparently hints of caramel (personally though, I'm not a fan of stout and haven't tried it).

3. Royal Challenge

Royal Challenge Premium is a mild beer containing 5% alcohol. It's most popular in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Orissa. The beer has a long brewing cycle, giving rise to its slogan of "Brewed Longer, Brewed Better". In comparison to many Indian beers, it's quite a full bodied and tasty beer. It's not as flavorsome as the Kalyani Black Label, but is still distinctive.

 

 

4. Kalyani Black Label

 

Kalyani Black Label is one of India's oldest lagers and is particularly popular in eastern India, in cities such as Kolkata, as well as Delhi. It comes in both premium and strong varieties. The strong beer is described as "a smooth, mellowed brew with an extra bite". Its alcohol content, at 7.8%, packs quite a punch, along with its sweet aftertaste. If you like a beer with flavor, go for Kalyani.

 

 

5. Kings

The beautiful beaches of Goa and Kings beer go hand in hand. This beer, which unfortunately is only brewed and sold in the state of Goa, is a highlight of any trip there. The Kings Black Label premium pilsner is a very light tasting, pale colored, beer that's known for its smoky malt aroma. Its got an alcohol content of 4.85%, and is priced very attractively. A small 375 ml bottle will only set you back around 35 rupees (75 cents) at most beach shacks, and half that at a liquor store. No wonder Kings remains a fond memory for many people long after the vacation is over!

Bombay Gin - just have a look on the site

http://www.bombaysapphire.com/#

White Mischief - The great Indian Vodka

White Mischief is an Indian vodka manufactured by Shaw Wallace Distilleries Ltd, now part of United Breweries Group (UB Group). United Spirits Ltd, the spirits division of UB Group, claims a market share of 46%, making it the largest selling vodka in India.

White Mischief is a 'fun, flirty' vodka : appealing to the youth of today. The core proposition of the brand remains 'Flirtatious Mischief'. True to its value, White Mischief Vodka sponsors the Cheerleaders in the highly-popular Indian Premier League (IPL). The cheerleaders have been renamed as 'White Mischief Gals'. As the official cheerleaders of Royal Challengers Bangalore team, they cheer the cricketers on the field and the fans off the field. A bunch of naughty, flirty and fun girls, the White Mischief Cheerleaders delicately massage a young man internal desires of opening up to the opposite sex! The White Mischief Gals have their own facebook community wherein they interact and flirt with their fans. www.facebook.com/white.mischief.gals. In the 2011 edition of IPL, the White Mischief Cheerleaders were also the official cheering squad for Kings XI Punjab and Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad team. White Mischief Vodka had Bollywood actor Zayed Khan and German model Claudia Ceisla as its brand ambassadors.