Storm In My Kitchen

  Candied Orange Slices 2 large oranges cut into thin slices.  2 cups water 2 cups sugar.  Wash the oranges well and slice thinly.  Take a large vessel, fill with water and bring to a boil. To this add the orange slices and bring to a boil. Boil for a minute. Immediately remove the slices to the ice bath.  Prepare an ice bath while the water is boiling. (Ice cubes and water in a large vessel) Now take a wide saucepan and add the sugar along with two cups water. When the sugar has melted, drain the orange slices and add to the sugar syrup. Boil on low heat until the orange slices turn translucent. (About an hour) Remove from the sugar syrup and dry the slices on a greased wire rack or baking paper.  Any extra sugar syrup can be used to flavor your tea or coffee.

  Green Tomato Curry For 6 medium size green tomatoes cut in eighths.  In a tablespoon of hot oil add ¾ tsp panch phoran or plain mustard. When it sputters add a stalk of curry leaves, 1 leveled teaspoon of ginger garlic paste and fry a bit. Then add ¼ tsp turmeric and 2 tsp red chilly powder, stir and add green tomato and salt. When tomatoes are half cooked, add coarsely ground peanuts. Let steam for a few minutes and serve with hot chapatis.  If the tomatoes aren't tangy add a bit of tamarind paste to the curry. Alternatively you can also add a bit of jaggery if you want a sweet, spicy and tangy flavor. Panch phoran is equal quantities of mustard, cumin, fennel, fenugreek and nigella seed mixed together.