Friday, March 14, 2008

Mystery Ingredient!

What is Arusuvai? It is the brainchild of Latha and Lakshmi of the The Yum Blog – the Arusuvai Friendship chain is, in Latha 's own words,

"about sending along a surprise ingredient as a gift to your friends for them to prepare something tasty with it, share the recipe, and pass on other surprise ingredients to more people. Arusuvai means six tastes (aruu = six, suvai=taste) in Tamizh and is used to refer for Tasty preparation with six tastes - inippu/ thithippu (sweet), orappu/ karam (hot), kassappu (bitter) , pulippu (sour), uppu(salt), tuvarpu (tastes that one gets in raw leaves).”


Latha, of Masala Magic, has started the arusuvai chain here in the US. I am just so happy that I've been able to participate in the fun!


I was so excited when Cham, of Spice Club, contacted me to ask if I'd like to receive a surprise ingredient from her! Would I like to receive something?? Was that really a question? Of course I'd love to get something!! :)

When Cham told me that she'd sent the package, my eager, impatient side set in. I couldn't wait to see what she had in store for me. When I opened the package, she had enclosed a sweet card that said, "Good Luck" in huge letters on the cover... Was she trying to tell me something? *laugh* Inside was a pair of cute earrings and a packet with the secret podi (spice powder).



The smell was just divine... I could smell fennel, black pepper, and cardamom for sure. Maybe some cloves, too, I thought. So, I consulted with her and found out what it really is.

Mystery Powder!

Turns out, this is Cham's own curry powder blend. She actually went through my blog, saw that I had a lot of non-veg dishes, and thought I might like this particular podi! I can't thank you enough, Cham!

So, what did I make with this wonderful podi? Stay tuned for my next post!

11 comments:

Laavanya said...

That's sweet of Cham.. that curry powder sounds so versatile & fragrant :)

Cham said...

He he kalai, Hope u were trying from veg to non-veg from Monday right dear ? Once u post the dish i will reveal how to use it, until Suspense.....

Bharathy said...

Glad to see arusuvai spreading so well in your place!:)
Really happy to see you girls exxchanging homemade powders too!!they are indeed precious!
Looking forward to what you cook up with the interesting spice powder..

sra said...

Something Chettinad this way comes?

Finla said...

Looking forward to see what you made

Lavanya Raj said...

Good Luck Kalai..looking forward what you make with the mystery powder!

Anonymous said...

Wow....cant wait to see your dish.I am sure it will be something mindblowing :)

Anonymous said...

The Arusuvai is indeed so fun Kalai! Glad u got to be a part of it. The powder, card and earrings look perfect! Waiting for your next post :-)

Sagari said...

have fun with surprice ingredient

Namratha said...

I got one from Cham too, she is such a darling isn't she...will post mine shortly.. good luck with yours :)

Revathi said...

Thats cutee. Cant wait for mine :)