Third day started as usual. I got ready early and when I came down I saw the kitchen was too busy. Priya Suresh, Priya Srinivasan, Veena Krishnakumar and Sandhya were working on the Iyengar Thaligai in which I too joined. Me and Priya Suresh were helpers helping out the mamis in the kitchen and took care that each and every pot and pan was available all the time (yes, we took care of washing! Hehehe!) In between we enjoyed a cup of filter coffee and some toasts prepared by Archana.
Removing coconut from the shell was my duty and the knives in the kitchen were too thin, I thought they would break when I tried to remove the coconut. At that time I remembered an Insta video on removing coconut flesh from the shell easily and decided to try it out. I know it was a risk, but I couldn’t come up with a better idea as I had two coconuts and so four coconut halves staring at me. Check out the collage below, the idea worked perfectly. Place the coconut along with the shell on the flame and wait until you see a gap between the flesh and the shell. Remove it from the stove, let it cool for a bit. Now use a knife to pry out the shell. It comes out without any problem. Something new tested in the kitchen and was quite a success.
By the time thaligai was getting ready, Vaishali was preparing the pani puri for the evening. She made five different pani to go along with the puris.
Once all the dishes were ready, we were ready to serve people. But before that our beloved mamis Veena Krishnakumar, Priya Srinivasan and Sandhya went and changed into madisar which was a wonderful sight.
Then the feast was set. Veena explained everything to all the foodies and asked them to patiently try all the dishes relishing each and every bite.
This is the Iyengar thaligai served on that day.
From left top – Sugar, Banana, Usili, Potato roast, Kosumalli, Avarakkai Poriyal, Avial, Sweet mango pachadi, Mango pachadi, vada, Akkaravadisal, Rice, Paruppu, Puliodharai, Pickle and Appalam. Sambar and rasam were served afterwards.
We even had guests to taste the thali.
It was time we ate.
Sharing some love with Princi Vaishali
After the lunch, there was a session on making Mango Avakkai Telugu style. Unfortunately I missed it but I brought home a little bit of the pickle to taste.
Vaishali getting ready to serve us pani puris. I enjoyed it very much. It was so much like having amma there. She used to sit with all the pani puri ingredients surrounding her and we use to sit in a neat row opposite to her. She would serve in a line and we used to wait until our turn came. Sometimes we become naughty and go before others for the next puri. When Vaishali served me the pani puri, I was really taken back to my childhood and felt mom was there serving me. Love you Vaishali!
I really need to tell you about Ritu Tangri. If there is one person who took serious responsibility, it was Ritu. Think of her as the front bencher in the collage, where all of us were back benchers. After the night session on sugar peony by Ruchi, Ritu kept practising even in the room and after the lunch. And she also won a lot in games. She is definitely an all rounder. Ritu explaining the process for Amara Annapaneni.
The Sound and The stick as we call them with love – Srivalli and Vaishali
I forgot to mention it was pink day. Relaxing a bit after lunch
Then we had a master class on making Sakinaalu by experts. I thought kai murukku was difficult, but compared to saakinaalu it is child’s play. I some how made one saakinaalu after so many failed attempts. Need to try this to make sure I do it properly.
That night it rained heavily and we all gathered outside to watch the rain. Preeti Garg went to the kitchen to make some onion and aloo pakoras. Again I was the helper there. It was nearly midnight when she brought the piping hot pakoras. Everyone enjoyed it while watching the rain. It was such a beautiful way to end the day. We then regrouped int he hall, did some more laughing and talking and went to bed around 2.
Tomorrow I shall share with you the fourth and fifth day of the meet. Until then have fun reading this post.
The group of bloggers who came together
Amara Annapaneni , Archana Potdar , Gayathri Kumar, Harini, Kalyani, Pavani, Pradnya, Preeti Garg, Priya Srinivasan, Priya Suresh@PVR, Ritu Tangri, Ruchi, Sandhya, Sharmila, Sowmya Ramanujam, Srivalli, Srividhya Gopalakrishnan, Usha, Vaishali, Varada, Veena Krishnakumar
Awesome Gayathri, I see that you have captured so many pictures of the food and other events, I missed those, thanks for clicking. And nobody can beat you in being there to help always.
I always wondered why you people heated the coconut!! Thanks for the tip and will try it next time. It was a busy packed and a long one as well. Enjoyed reading your account of the day 3.
I remember that whatsapp forward of the coconut. So glad to know it works. Will try it soon. Lovely pics and write up Gayathri! Lol for the stick and sound
Wonderful recap of the day, Gayathri. Loved your ever smiling face always willing to help and try out new things. I also got the whatsapp forward about the coconut thing and I glad to know it works. Shall implement it next time for sure.