Egg in the Hole

When people ask me if I am a veg./non-veg. i dont know what to answer. Eggs are still a controversial topic. Some believe them to be veg and some don't. I prefer saying that I am an Eggetarian but still have blank faces starring at me. Not sure if such a word exists. I guess it should be Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian but then that would be even more complicated for a layman to understand.

My egg consumption has increased after marriage and particularly after coming to US. Previously it used to be 1-2 eggs a year and now its 1-2 eggs a week. I always keep some eggs handy.
Egg in the hole/Egg in the basket refers to an egg which is fried in the hole of a bread. I came across this dish many months back while browsing the web. Since then I have made it many a times as it doesn't require any advance planning. I mostly make this as an evening snack. This is just my way of making them.

Ingredients

Bread slices (White or Brown)
Eggs - 1 per slice
Pepper Powder
Chilli Powder
Salt
Oil/Butter
Tomato Ketchup and Sriracha Chili Sauce - for serving

With the help of a cookie cutter or glass, make a hole in the bread slice. The hole should be big enough to accommodate an entire egg but the bread should still be intact.
Heat a non-stick pan. Add little oil or butter. Now place the bread on it. Break an entire egg directly into the hole. Cook this on a very low flame. Also fry the hole of the bread.

Sprinkle salt,pepper powder and chili powder.
Once it is fried from below drizzle some oil on top and slowly flip it. Add the spice powders. Fry this side also. Keep flipping till it is well cooked. Enjoy with ketchup.

Note: To check if it is cooked from within insert a knife in the center. If it is gooey cook for some more time. You can also leave it a little raw as per your choice.

Kurmura Bhel / Chanbure Pachadi

Kurmura/Mamra or puffed rice is known as Chanburo in Konkani. Pachadi is nothing but a simple bhel. This Pachadi can be made in a jiffy and is low on calories which makes it a perfect evening snack.

Ingredients

Kurmura - 2 cups
Onion - 1 small, chopped
Tomato - 1 small chopped
Sambhar powder - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 1 tsp
Lemon Juice
Coriander leaves chopped
Salt

In a pan take a tsp of oil and add the kurmura. Put this on a low flame and fry for around 5 mins (till the kurmura become crisp). Switch off the flame and add a little salt and the sambhar powder. Mix well.
Transfer this to a bigger bowl and add the chopped onions and tomatoes. Add the coriander leaves and sprinkle some lemon juice on top. Mix well and add more salt if necessary. Thats it. Kurmura bhel is ready to serve.


Variations:
I also add sev or some farsan to the bhel at times. If Sambhar powder is not available chilli powder can be used. One can also used finely chopped green chillies. A pinch of chat masala can also be added.

I am sending this to EFM Savouries event taking place at Srilekha's blog.

Strawberry Milkshake

Strawberries are one of the most beautiful fruits created by God. In spite of that I rarely buy Strawberries as they are usually slightly sour in taste. But once while shopping with my friend Vinita, she told me to try this milkshake and it tasted yum.

Just add 4-5 strawberries with a cup of cold milk and 4 tsp of sugar in a blender. I also added a spoonful of Butter Pecan ice cream to enhance the taste. Blend till it is smooth.
Serve immediately.
If kept for longer time the acids in strawberry act on the milk and start curdling it.

Note: This milkshake can be made without ice cream but if using ice cream Vanilla flavor would be the best.