Daily Loaf

(Check out these other pumpkin recipes: Cassava Pone from Sayroo West Indian Market, Pumpkin Cheese Pie, Baked Pumpkin Pudding.)

Maybe you don’t want to the fuss of cutting into a pumpkin for homemade pie — those cans are so damn easy — but chances are you’ll be carving a jack-o-lantern for the front porch. Instead of scooping the slimy innards directly into the trash, save the seeds for a roasted treat that almost makes handling the slippery stuff worthwhile.

Here’s a basic technique to get you started, with a list of seasoning options to jazz up the seeds: Read the rest of this entry »

India Grill — the popular St. Pete Indian restaurant — is back in downtown, on Central Ave. in the spot formerly occupied by Leafy Greens Cafe and The Kitchen. It’s the same as before, just moved a few blocks. Check out some of the dishes below (many more pictures — by jamesostrand.com — after the break):

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Looking for some way to celebrate your mom, with your mom, but don’t want to deal with the traditional flowers-sentimental card-dinner-kiss on the cheek? Here are a trio of events taking place this weekend that are sure to be a treat for your dear old muddah.

Pinkie-lifting, tea-sipping local ladies can enjoy the MOSI Butterfly Garden Mother’s Day Tea, which includes a special gift from MOSI, museum admission, an IMAX movie, and a proper high tea surrounded by beautiful, free-flying butterflies. May 9-10, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sat.-Sun., Museum of Science and Industry, Tampa, $24.95 general/$19.95 children 12 and younger (reservations required), 813-987-6000, mosi.org;

If you’re searching for something with an international flair, look no further than the Indian Groove Mother’s Day event at the India Cultural Center. This dinner and dance features traditional cuisine from Cilantro and Ruchi. The Melody Makers of Tampa Bay spin out tunes from different eras of Indian music, including ghazals, geets and classical. Proceeds support WMNF’s Indian Groove radio show. Sat., May 9, 6 p.m., India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa, $25 general/$20 seniors, 813-238-8001.

Enjoy a complimentary wine bar while choosing a unique gift for the special lady in your life! With pottery, glass and artwork by 70 local artists, there’s something for everyone at Tampa Artist Emporium’s Mother’s Day Art Mixer. Sat., May 9, 5-9 p.m., Tampa Artist Emporium, Tampa, 813-254-3443.

D’costas had always fascinated me, what with his dark eyes, Indian tan skin, and lush red lips. I met him at college, but he wasn’t a student; he was an English professor, my English professor, and just a few years older than my nineteen years.

Professor D’costas always noticed me from behind his dark rimmed glasses. How could he not? I sat in the front row with a miniskirt. I’d catch him watching the skirt inch up my thighs when I crossed my legs. I giggled when he had to sit on the desk at the head of class until his hard-on died down. I could  see it straining against the crease in his jeans–so close I could reach out and grab it.

It was an ordinary hot afternoon in D’costas class. We got our ethics papers back, but mine didn’t have a grade. I coolly flipped through the stapled papers and saw a note on the last page: “See me after class.”

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Yesterday, Tampa’s favorite Indian-restaurant-in-a-trailer moved from its semi-mobile home to an actual building. Tun-Du-Ree’s owner Bhava Saravana had been looking towards acquiring a storefront for about a year, and recently found a suitable spot at 1506 W. Kennedy, between SoHo and downtown. Then came the “18-hour work days-1hr commute, 3 hrs cooking, 6 hrs at the trailer, 6 hrs handy man work at the new location, 2 hrs meetings, discussions, planing, web-surfing and blogging.”

Now Saravana is down to more manageable 12-14 hour work days, although there is still some build-out to do, especially an outdoor patio he has planned.

There’s nothing new — except for the walls and roof, of course — and the menu is largely the same simple and satisfying Indian cuisine as before. Saravana does have a brand new website, complete with menu and blog (which seems to be getting the short end of the long work days). Check it out and let us know what you think.