Thai Basil Curry with Tofu... and a short break

Wow, I can't believe its August already! Just a few more summer weeks left! Ever had that experience of waiting and waiting for the July 4th weekend, and after that everything just works so fast and time just flies by?! It happens to me every year. To me, summer starts only from July 4th holiday weekend. Until then, the weather is so unpredictable in my region that we can't have any major plans outdoors. Then, after the July holiday weekend, everything just clicks together and time flies off! And here we are in August already.

Well, one good thing thats coming up in August is my long waited vacation! This will be my last post before my 2 week vacation starting tomorrow. We will be sailing on a cruise ship for the next two weeks to Carribean islands. Before I go on vacation, I wanted to post a recipe from many of my blogging friends' favorite cuisine - Thai! I thank you all so much who took time to participate in my poll that was going on for a couple of months in my blog. The poll was to figure out your favorite cuisine other than Indian. Once again, fabulous response from you all and I was overwhelmed to see more than 75 votes recorded in just a few weeks! Its exhilarating to see the interest and enthusiasm expressed in many such ways by you all. Thanks again!

Here are the results from the poll, starting from top to bottom - Thai, Chinese, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican. I was extra thrilled to watch my favorite cuisine continuously stay on top for all 8 weeks :) Yes, Thai is my favorite food next to Indian and I am so glad to know its a favorite to many of you as well. There's such an exuberance in Thai food that offers those unique vibrant flavors. I love the special aroma from those basil leaves and peanut sauce! Yummmm.. Being a south Indian, I do have a special liking for coconuts and no wonder the zest of coconut milk in Thai food brings that dribble in me :)

I made this Thai Red curry with Tofu and basil leaves today. It came out scrumptious and we enjoyed with fried rice as well as plain rice. The best part is, its startlingly simple to make! Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• Yellow Pepper - 1 (small sized)
• Red Pepper - 1 (small sized)
• Tofu - 12 - 15 cubes (your choice)
• Thai Red curry paste - 2 tbsp (You will find it in all grocery stores)
• Basil leaves - 10 - 12
• Olive oil - 1 tbsp
• Coconut milk - 1 can ( or 2 cups)

Procedure:

• Chop the peppers in 2 inch long stripes and set aside.
• Chop the basil leaves and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a pan, and add the peppers. Stir fry for 3 - 5 mins.
• Add the curry paste and fry on medium heat for 5 - 8 mins so that the peppers are almost cooked.
• Add chopped basil leaves and fry for a min.
• Add salt, coconut milk and 1 cup of water and bring it to boil (you can adjust water according to your required consistency).
• When it begins to boil, add tofu cubes and let it boil for 3 - 5 mins.

Yummy Thai red curry is ready! Serve hot with Fried rice or Plain rice.

I am sending this recipe for:

Ammalu's "Herb Mania - Basil " ,

Sri's "Curry Mela",

Sia's "JFI-Soya",

Sunshinemom's "Food in color" which is RED this month and

EC's "WYF - Color in Food" which is also RED this month.

I also want to write a few lines about my awards that are long waiting to be posted and shared. I thank my good new friend Rashmi for passing me the "Blogging Friends Forever" award. Thanks so much for remembering me, Rashmi!

The following rules apply to this award:
1. Only 5 people are allowed to receive this award
2. 4 of them followers of your blog.
3. One has to be new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to who ever gave you the award.

I would like to pass this on to my dear friends:

Cham

JZ

Ramya

Sireesha

Pallavi (newest visitor to my blog)

I also want to thank Sukanya for passing me the rocking gal award! Thank you so much Sukanya! Its very exciting to recieve this :) Sorry but I am so late in posting this award.. I'll soon pass this award.

Next I want to thank my sweet friend JZ for passing me little luck through the Magic lamp! Thanks JZ ! I would like to pass the luck to Laavanya, Ramya, Cham and Suma.

Enjoy the awards friends!