First day of India

Turmeric Rice.  Rinse 2 cups basmati rice several times.  Let drain 20 minutes.  Heat 3 tbsp oil. Add 3 whole cloves, 1 bay leaf, 4 cardamon pods and 1 cinnamon stick.  Stir a couple of times.  Add 2 minced garlic cloves.  Cook for 30 seconds.  Add rice, 1/4 tsp turmeric and 1 tsp salt.  Bring to boil and reduce heat.  Simmer covered 25 minutes.  Sprinkle with chives.  From Quick and Easy Indian Cooking

Onion Relish:  Slice one onion paper thin in rings.  Mix with 1/2 tsp salt, 4 tsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp paprika and 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper.  Let sit at least 30 minutes. From Madjur Jaffrey's Indian Cooking

Cauliflower with ginger, garlic and green chilis.  Heat 3 tbsp oil.  Add 1/2 tsp cumin seeds and 1/2 tsp yellow mustard seeds.  When they pop add 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 inch grated ginger, 1 pound cauliflower florets and 1-3 minced green chilis.  Cook 5-7 minutes, tossing frequently.  Add 3/4 tsp salt, freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp garam masala and 1/8 tsp cayenne.  Toss.  Add 1/4 cup water, cover immediately and cook for 2 minutes.  Serve.  From Quick and Easy Indian Cooking.

Chicken with roasted coriander in a coconut curry sauce:  Toast in a hot pan 3 tbsp coriander seeds, 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds, 2 tsp black peppercorns.  Let cool, then grind in spice grinder.  Heat 6 tbsp oil in large pan.  Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and a cinnamon stick.  When seeds pop, add 8 skinned chicken thighs, browning in batches.  Remove chicken.  Add 2 sliced onions and 5 sliced garlic cloves.  Cook until lightly browned.  Add 1 tsp grated ginger and 1 diced tomato.  Cook until tomato softens.  Add spice mixture, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tbsp lemon juice.  Remove the cream on top of a can of coconut milk and set aside.  Add remaining coconut milk in can and another can of water.  Add chicken back to pan.  Let simmer 45 minutes.  Stir in coconut cream and 2 fresh hot chilis, cut in half and let warm.  Adapted from Madjur Jaffrey's Indian Cooking

Chapiti - we prefered the pita recipe.  These were a little dense even though they puffed nicely.  I will post a better recipe when I find one.