Soya chunk stirred fry

With great pleasure I announce that cooking is fun and if you look at it, it's more than just tossing this and that together to create something to gulp down to stifle the pangs of hunger. If that's what cooking is to you, I would say you are yet to discover the beauty of your creation. Nevertheless, it's not too late for a change ;D 

That's the best part of life isn't it? You can always choose to be different when you wish to :D :D

Who knew making food can be soo sooo soooo transforming... the feel of the vegetables, the poultry, the slices of steak, the boiled ovals that are eggs, the aroma of the herbs and spices, the magically mouth watering effect of the dish as it changes from individuals in different bottles and racks to an accomplished team called the "meal" that people just can't get enough of because they are all soooooo good together :D :D

How a dish becomes an example of a teamwork of ingredients that blended and mixed and churned and tossed and transformed together to achieve a common goal!

So next time you cook, you are not just cooking, you are leading a team ;D 

And you... you changed too didn't you? 

You chose the ingredients, cleaned them, prepped them, decided on the how muchs and whats of each one, you raised and reduced the heat as per need, keeping a mindful watch on the timing. 

C'mon you transformed an unrelenting onion that makes people who deal with it raw cry into a soft, sweet, melty pliable ballerina by plunging it into hot oil! The onion would never have known how sweet she could be if it wasn't for your discretion and faith! :D :D  

You have cut your fingers, and worked bandaged, was the frontline of the oil splutter to finally transform each one to be delicious together. You emerged a Team Lead! 

So everyone who cooks, the Masterchefs of your own kitchens.. Congrats on being amazing leaders!! 

Now back to the topic here... soya chunks :D :D These are my substitutes for beef :D :D Especially when am all sentimental about the fact that the concerned animals bid adieu against their will to get me beef (and because the all the meat markets in Trivandrum are not at walkable distance from my house)

But then fact is fact, we are all parts of an active food chain. So bless the food and all the people involved in getting that food to us and RE:LISH it so the life that was taken wasn't in vain :D :D It lives on through us :D :D Gotta justify our deeds shouldn't we :D Amen!

This soya chunk stirred fry is really easy and a quick fix. The below recipe is for the dry version 

There is a gravy version too.. but that's for another day (I don't have the pics of soya curry .. that's why the delay .. shhhhh) ;D

What I used

1. Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons
2. Mustard seeds: 1/2 teaspoon
3. Diced onions: 1/2 cup
4. Salt: to taste
5. Diced tomatoes: 2
6. Curry leaves: 1 sprig
7. Meat masala: 2 tablespoons
8. Pepper powder: 1/2 teaspoon
9. Green chillies: 2
10. Boiled and softened soya chunks with water squeezed out cut into comfy pieces: 2 cups

TIP: You can add ginger and garlic too if you like gingery garlicky flavor. It's yummy!
I didn't use it when I made the dish shown in the pic as I didn't have it that day

How I made it

1. Heat the oil, splutter the mustards and saute the onion with some salt
2. When onions are soft, add the tomatoes and mix till tomatoes melt
3. Add the meat masala and pepper powder and cook till the raw smell is gone. This should take about 5 minutes
4. Add a tablespoon of water so the contents mix well and then add the soya chunks, green chillies and curry leaves. Mix everything well till the soya chunks are coated with the masala mix
5. Keep the pan covered and cook for 10 minutes and serve after 10-15 minutes

Since this was made in jiffy on a working day for lunch, I had it with rice and it was so fulfilling (am not sure if it was because I was so hungry). But it was good

So I can say this goes well with rice and pickle. It should be just wow with chappathi as well. Do try it sometime and have it when you are really hungry. That way, I assure you that you won't be disappointed ;D Just kidding.. It's a good dish for a fast-paced day :D :D