Shahi Korma

Shahi Korma (vegetarian variation)
from: Indian Flavour / Jeeti Gandhi, 2002

1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds, pounded
1-inch piece fresh root ginger
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
3 tablespoons blanched and chopped almonds
3 tablespoons vegetable oil (or ghee)
1 1/2 pounds chopped mixed vegetables (such as cauliflower, potatoes, beans and carrots)
2 onions, minced
2 bay leaves*
4 whole cloves*
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin (preferably freshly ground)
salt, to taste
1/2 cup cream, mixed with 1 1/4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon garam masala

Place the yogurt, cardamom, ginger, garlic, and almonds in a blender and blend to a smooth paste. Set aside.
In a wide-based pan (preferably cast iron) heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, bay leaves, cloves, and vegetables and stir-fry for 10 minutes or until the onions have browned.
Stir in yogurt/almond paste, paprika, cumin, and salt. Continue to cook and stir until all the liquid is evaporated. Stir-fry another minute. Stir in cream and water mixture. When it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer (stirring to prevent sticking) for 35-40 minutes longer until you have a thick gravy. Add more liquid if too dry.
Remove from heat.

Serve hot, sprinkled with 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala. Include chapati, naan or rice and kachoomber raita. Also goes well with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables and a side salad.

you are beautiful

Miniature Disasters - KT Tunstall

(start at 0:50 to skip the logistics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ8oLP_VQPc

Miniature Disasters 

I don't want to be second best 
Don't want to stand in line 
Don't want to fall behind 
Don't want to get caught out 
Don't want to do without 
And the lesson I must learn 
Is that I've got to wait my turn 

Looks like I got to be hot and cold 
I got to be taught and told 
Got to be good as gold 
But perfectly honest 
I think it would be good for me 
Coz it's a hindrance to my health 
I'm a stranger to myself 

Miniature disasters and minor catastrophoes 
Bring me to my knees 
Well I must be my own master 
Or a miniature disaster will be 
It will be the death of me 

I don't have to raise my voice 
Don't have to be underhand 
Just got to understand 
That it's gonna be up and down 
It's gonna be lost and found 
And I can't take to the sky 
Before I like it on the ground 

And i need to be patient 
And i need to be brave 
Need to discover 
How i need to behave 
And I'll find out the answers 
When i know what to ask 
But i speak a different language 
And everybody's speaking too fast 

Miniature disasters and minor catastrophoes 
Bring me to my knees 

Well I must be my own master 
I've got to run a little faster 
I need to know I'll last if a little 
Miniature disaster hits me 
It could be the death of me

(start at 0:50 to skip the logistics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ8oLP_VQPc