Simple Thayir Pachadi (Spiced Yogurt)

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We are in the midst of a heat wave with temperature over 90F with some oppresive humidity, makes it feel like 105F, expected to continue till mid week. Slaving in front of the stove for a long time is not appealing. A quick dal rice (arism paruppu saatham) with a side of some cooling yogurt is the perfect meal. It always comes in handy to have a few recipes of spiced yogurt. This is one such recipe that my mom makes every now and then. It goes well with any spiced rice or even dosai and chapathi even.

Also realized once again, how technology is involved in every bit of our lives. This was brought to sharp focus when we have a bad storm and lost power for about 8 hours. Inability to blog and check emails was what hurt me most. What did I do? Went for a walk around the neighborhood, had dinner by the candle light which thrilled the kids to bits but sadly there was precious little that could be done without power. But the realization was a jolt. I grew up in a time when there was no 24 hrs TV and no internet. I shudder to think about the lives of the kids growing up now sorrounded by all this technology. I also spent some time pondering over the deeper meaning of life. It might be a good thing to do this voluntarily perhaps.

Green Earth
Mulching heralds the arrival of Spring with a bevy of activity - covering up every available area of exposed dirt. What was done to protect the roots of hardy plants for the winter is now an activity done without a second thought. Mulching the right amount makes for healthier plants but reapplication as soon as the sun bleaches the old mulch results in excessive mulch layers that harms plants. The best mulch is yard waste - partially rotted leaves.

One clear result of the demand for mulch is the clear cutting of Louisian's coastal baldcypress forests. Mulch Mania if left unchecked in addition to harming plants would destroy our forests.
Source: Washington Post

Ingredients
1. 1 1/2 Cups of Yogurt (whisk and add a bit of water if too thick)
2. 1/4 Medium red onion chopped
3. 1 green chili chopped (optional)
4. 1/2 cucumber chopped
5. 1/2 tomato chopped fine
6. a few beet leaves (any green works here, spinach, chard)
7. 1/2 carrot grated
8. few mustard seeds
9. a pinch cumin powder

Method
1. Heat oil, pop mustard seeds and saute the onion, green chilies, tomatoes and the beet leaves.
2. When ready to turn of the heat add the cumin powder
3. Cool the mixture add the yogurt, cucumber and carrot
4. Season with salt mix and serve

Other Spiced Yogurt recipes:
Bell Pepper and Zucchini Raita