SWEET AND SOUR VEGETABLES

I wonder how an authentic Chinese would respond to eating Chinese food in India?

hummmm!!! I guess he will enjoy the twist in taste too.

Welcome to the land where the authentic Chinese food got a tempering of the Indian taste and the result was "Indian Chinese". A cuisine that has grown in popularity all over India.

As for me, I have had an old connection with the cuisine. That is because I share my birthplace with that of the cuisine- Kolkatta (did not know this until I read about Indian Chinese in wikipedia).

Growing up, eating Hakka noodles, Manchurian, chilly chicken and a whole lot of other specialities, I ended up opening a small Chinese take away, in the market complex near our house, in Delhi.Its menu had all the famous "Indian Chinese dishes like, veg Manchurian, chilly chicken, chili paneer, momos, to name a few. The take away however had to shut down after I got married and came to the US.

After coming to the US, I have always craved for the taste of this cuisine. There are no places that I know of, that serve up all the favourites. So I end up recreating the flavours at home as far as possible.

Sweet and sour vegetable is the new addition to my list of Indian Chinese that I have tried recently.

I was quite surprised to actually find an entire article related to Indian Chinese on wikipedia. here is the link, if anyone would like to know more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Chinese_cuisine

http://www.chinatownconnection.com/indian-chinese-fusion-food.htm

Here is the recipe.

You will need

Green bell peppers: 2

Potatoes: 3

Onions- 1

Carrot- 2-3

Cauliflower- 7-8 florets

Tomato- 3

Honey- 2 tsps

Chilli sauce- 1 tsp

Soy sauce- 1 tsp

Maggi hot and sweet tomato sauce- 2 tbsp (available in Indian store)

Wochestireshire sauce- 1/ 2 tsp

Salt- to taste

Pepper- 1/2 tsp

Red chilli flakes- 1/2 tsp

Sugar- 1/ 2 tsp

Garlic- 1 tsp

Oil- 1 tbsp

note: one can add any veggies. I just added the ones I had on hand. Zucchini, snow peas, broccoli etc. Can be added as well

You have to:

1. Dice the vegetables, into cubes.
2. Heat oil in a pan, saute garlic.
3. Add the cubed onions. saute.
4. Add the other vegetables, except the tomato.Add salt and saute.
5. Cover and cook for 10- 15 mins.
6. In a bowl, combine the honey, along with all the sauces, and the spices.
7. Add very little water. Mix well.
8. Add this sauce to the vegetables.Let it cook. mix well.
9. Add the tomatoes and cook on high heat, till vegetables become tender.
10. Check for seasoning. Here you will have to add a little bit of sugar, and spice if required.
11. Turn off the heat once the gravy comes together.
12. Garnish with cilantro.
13. Serve with steamed rice, or noodles.

enjoy.....