The only thing that Indians staying abroad miss more than their family is probably the food back home. Especially when we head out on those long road trips (remember how back home no trip was complete without a bag full of home-cooked snacks?). And no matter how much we gorge on those delicious sandwiches, hot dogs and yummy ice-creams, they cannot replace the love we have for our jalebi, dal makhani, paneer tikka and roti! Is your mouth salivating at just their mere mention? If yes, then you've landed on the right page, because we are all set to guide you to make the most of your American camping trip with desi food.
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ItĄ¯s easy, itĄ¯s yummy and itĄ¯s definitely worth the try! You will need Ziploc bags to make these, other than eggs and whatever else you would like in your omelette. Begin by whisking at least two eggs and then adding salt, pepper, onions, cheese, spinach, garlic, etc. When this is all mixed together, simply pour it into a Ziploc bag and seal. Once this is complete, put the Ziploc bag in the cooler, with your cans of coke and beer. During the trip, take a large pot of water and place it over the fire until it hits a boiling point, then drop each bag into the water and cook for 10-15 minutes. When the omelette bags are cooked, you will be able to slide your omelette right onto your plate and enjoy your meal!
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If breakfast in America is synonymous with bacon, Indian breakfast and poha go hand in hand. And good for you, it's mighty easy to make! Wash the poha in cold water and set it aside to drain. Make sure you don't let it soak in cold water for more than 10 minutes (or it will get mushy). Heat the oil in a wok and add black mustard seeds. When they pop, add the peanuts and cook on medium heat till the peanuts turn lightly golden. Then add the onion, curry leaf and green chili. Saut¨Ļ on medium heat till the onion is translucent. And if you want to, add cubed potatoes or green peas. Stir them all well. Sprinkle turmeric and salt. Stir and cook for a few seconds. Add the drained poha and lime juice. Cook on low heat for about 3 minutes. And it's ready!
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Place peanuts and sugar in a non-stick pan over heat. Stir until the sugar starts to melt. Drizzle the oil on the peanuts then add the salt and chilli powder. Stir for another 3 to 5 minutes. The sugar on the peanuts will start to harden and become crunchy. Remove the peanuts from the heat and immediately add the onions and tomatoes. Toss several times and transfer to plates to serve hot.
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None of our meals is complete without chapattis. And they are the easiest of the bread to make! Mix salt and flour with enough liquid (oil and milk or yogurt) to make a stiff dough. Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes. Pull off hockey ball-size chunks of dough and roll them as thin as possible. Cook in a hot, dry cast iron skillet or on a grill until each one is puffy and brown on one side. Turn and cook the other side. Serve as a side dish to the seafood curry or tikka masala. Serve with Nutella for a filling, yet tasty snack.
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Have you been missing the roasted shakarkandi that could be found at every nook and corner in India? Miss no more! Camping is the best time to make some on your own. Roast the sweet potatoes on a stick in a bonfire for about 5-10 minutes. Keep changing the sides. Once it's done, cut it into smaller pieces as per you choice and squeeze a lemon on it. Sprinkle some chaat masala and serve it hot. Alternatively, you could serve it with tartar sauce.
So what are you waiting for? Head on to a campsite, get the ingredients ready, set up your tents and put on a bonfire! If you think your car has no space to store ingredients and kitchen equipment, it's time for an upgrade. And if there's a car designed just to be the perfect partner for your roadtrips, it's Toyota RAV4 Adventure Grade. The Toyota RAV4 gives travel buffs a way to get the most out of their long weekends ¨C with a large amount of cargo and passenger space. With a 60/40 folding rear-seat, it has a versatile cargo area, which can be adjusted based on the unique needs of every driver. So, no matter where you are headed, you definitely don't need to pack light! And put on your best chef hat and bon appetite!