An Update on My Pea Plants

The latest picture is shown above

My Pea Plants are happy and doing just fine outdoors. I am posting some pictures here with dates when they were taken to show how fast they grow.

The above two pictures where taken on March 20th.

These two pictures were taken today (April 10th).

The plants have grown taller, and have started developing long tendrils to look for support. I am really excited and waiting for the plants to flower soon and set out some pea pods:) I will update this post with new pictures as soon as I start seeing some flower development.

To support the plants, I have created a fence like structure using some bamboo sticks. You can get these sticks at any garden center.

I am going to use these bamboo sticks to support my tomato plant too. I have already put my tomato plant out in the garden, but I think it was not a good idea. It is still a little cold here in Bellevue, Wa for tomato plants. Hopefully my tomato plant survives the fluctuation in temperature here for one more month.:)

Here is the new update: The plants are doing great. They are already about 2 to 2-1/2 feet tall. The picture shown below was taken on June 2nd.
One problem I see is, my plants are too close to each other, and therfore too dense. This was my first time so I learned my lesson:) Next time I will plant them in raws.

More update: This was quick!!!

I saw a bud on my plants on Wednesday. Today (Friday) there are many flowers and many new buds. I hadn't expected this so quick!!!, though I am very excited about it. New flowers means I will get some peas pretty soon:)

In the picture below, you can see new buds and flowers on my plants. One thing that surprised me when I saw the flowers was, I had read and heard that pea plants grow 5-6 feet before they set out flowers. Mine are only 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall. Hopefully my plants will set out some fruits.

Here is a picture of a beautiful pea flower.
One more showing how the flowers grow in bell shape. (Its like little bells hanging off of the plants:)


June 8th 09: New update
The plants have started to set out some tender pods. Here are some pictures. In the picture below you can see how a pod is froming from the pea flower.
Here is a picture of a tender pod. You can see clearly see some peas forming inside this pod.

I am very excited. Can't wait to pick the pods and enjoy some homegrown peas:)

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Trirangi Dhokla (Triple Layer Dhokla)

Two types of Gujarati Dhoklas combined together make trirangi (tri-color)dhokla. Here is the recipe of tri rangi dhokla.

For white Dhokla:
2 cups corase rice flour (this is sometimes called creme of rice or idly rava)
1 cup corase urad dal flour
1/2 cup sour curd
2 tablespoons green chilli-ginger paste
3/4 teaspoon ENO fruitsalt or Soda-bi-Carb
3 tablespoons oil
salt to taste

Soaking overnight:
Mix the rice and urad dal flour. Add yogurt to form a batter (a little thicker than pancake's)and let it ferment overnight. Here in Seattle, sometimes I have to let it ferment for 24 hours, which gives some time for the batter to rise.

For Khaman Dhokla (Yellow Dhokla):
Chana Daal 2 Cups
Chili -Ginger paste 1 teaspoon
Hing or Asafoetida one pinch
1 teaspoon Sugar
1/2 Cup Yogurt
Salt as per taste
1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
1/2 Cup Green Coriander Choppef finely
4 Curry Leves
Oil as per need
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda ( Soda Bi Carb) or Eno
1 teaspoon Sugar
1 teaspoon Green Chillies 2 finely chopped

Soaking overnight:
Soak the Chana Dal a container for 6 hours. Grind to a fine paste with the help of the yogurt and water, and leave it overnight.

Green Paste:
1/4 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup finely chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)
1/2tsp jeera
Juice of one lemon
1 tsp chili-ginger paste
Water as needed.

Combine all ingredients and grind to a thick and fine paste.

Garnishing:
2 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
chopped coriander
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup water

White Dhokla:
Add the oil, ENO or Soda-bi-carb, green chilli-ginger paste and salt and mix well. Pour enough batter so as to fill half the height of a baking tray and steam ( make sure you use a small baking tray or steel plate which can fit in the steaming vessel) Take a big stock pot or pressure cooker and add some water in it. Put the baking tray filled with the mixture in the water ( keep the level of the water below it ). Steam for about 5-7 minutes.

Green Paste: Take the thali off of the stove, and spread the green paste over the dhoklas. The layer of the paste should be very thin, as shown in the picture above. Put the plate back in the steaming vessel and steam for 2-3 minutes.

Yellow Dhokla:
Add the ginger chili paste, soda-bi-carb (or ENO) and salt and sugar to the batter. Pour over the green paste and steam again for about 10 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean.

Garnishing: Heat 2 Tablespoon oil and add mustard seeds. When the seeds start crackeling, add the cuming seeds. Take off the heat, pour 1/4th cup water and 1/2 teaspoon sugar to eat. Spread this over the yellow dhoklas. Sprinkle chopped coriander. Let the dhoklas cool, cut into small pieces and serve with green chutney.



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