Yum, We Love . . .

It’s official– I’ve moved across town to my new home in Silver Lake in Los Angeles and said goodbye to my little abode in Culver City. I love the neighborhood and just as I’m moving out a long-time resident is opening up a new restaurant. Akasha Richmond, chef and owner of Akasha in Culver City has recently opened her second restaurant Sambar inspired by the flavors of India right next door. I was instantly fascinated by the menu and, as a self-proclaimed Indophile, I was truly impressed by Akasha’s depth of knowledge of Indian cuisine. Her menu takes you far and beyond the same old saag paneer and tiki masala you seem to get at every Indian restaurant. The turmeric naan is made from freshly grated turmeric and the sev (crunchy noodles made from chickpea flour) topped on the sevpuri chaat is made from scratch. It’s so rare that you find something like sev handmade! So in honor of my love for all things Indian, I bring you some of my favorite South Asian inspired links!

• Way back when (in my prior blog life), I made dosas from scratch. And they were amaaazing.
• How gorgeous are these sprout chaat papdi?
• I could use a big heaping pile of this green mango granita right about now.
• Nik has combined two of my favorite things into one, chai and carrot cake. I’m determined to make this very soon.
• Also on my to-do list, this homemade naan. I’ll follow Akasha’s idea and be adding turmeric to mine!
• These veggie koftas are made of zucchini and simmered in a coconut sauce. YUM.
• If you’re like me, you’re pretty clueless on how to prepare eggplant. This curried eggplant with smoked cardamom and coconut milk is the solution.

(images by HonestlyYUM)