Squash Rice (Opo Squash / Lauki / Sorrakkai)

• Soak one cup extra long grain rice
• Add oil/ghee to a big pan
• Add mustard, jeera, saunf..whatever to your liking
• Add sliced onions, tomatoes, slit green chillies, curry leaves
• Add grated ginger, garlic
• Saute well and then add big diced squash, 1.5 spoons salt
• Add 2.5 cups water, let is boil, then add the soaked rice
• Close lid, cook for 15 to 25mins
• Top it with cilantro and crushed roasted peanuts.
• Yum Yum Lauki Rice is ready!

Vegetable Biryani (No Coconut Milk)

•  Add to a bowl...4 spoons curd, little chilli powder, turmeric powder, little garam masala powder, 1.5 spoons salt
• Mix well and add chopped mint and cilantro
• Add 3 to 4 veggies, today's trial is on Baby Corn, Tofu and Mushroom.
• Mix all well and marinate in fridge for atleast few hours
• Soak 1 cup extra long basmati rice in water
• Then in a big non stick pan, add ghee, onion, tomato..saute 2 mins
• Grind ginger, garlic, 3 green chillies and add to the pan
• Saute well and then add the marinated gravy along with veggies
• Saute 5mins, then add the soaked rice without the water
• Add 1.5 cups water if there is already lot of water in the gravy, otherwise add little more
• Close lid, cook for 15 to 25mins
• Yum Yum Biryani is ready! Add roasted Cashews or croutons if you like!