Rava Idli|Suji Idli
Rava Idli|Suji Idli is a different take on the very tasty Rice/dal Idlis that most of the Indians grew up eating. It is much lighter on stomach hence easy to digest. [Read on…]
Biranji | Andhra Style Pulav
I came across this recipe at a friend’s place. They make amazing Andhra food that makes my mouth water. Biranji is also one such kind of mouth-watering dish. [Read on…]
Paani Wali Mirchi Ka Achaar
Home-made pickles have been an integral part of my childhood. As a kid, my lunch to school, most days, was plain parantha with some kind of home-made pickle. It was always a home-made pickle. I had never eaten a store-bought pickle as a child, except in restaurants. Come to think of it, what a well behaved and fuss-free child I was to bring home an empty lunch box every single day even after getting the same food most days. Well, to be fair to my mom, she prepared lunch early morning for 4 kids (my siblings and cousins) and she packed some of the yummiest food the rest of the days. I lived just 5 minutes away from my school so my lunch used to be hot when I reached school. And not surprisingly, it used to get over before the classes even started. In India, food is shared among friends during lunch time unlike here. My friends would have their mothers call my mom for her pickle recipes. And my mom always said the same thing “I made it just like everyone else does. I don’t know what to tell.” Needless to say, no one believed her. [Read on…]
Oriental Cucumber Salad
My brother and I are just two-year apart. As a kid, while I was going through my phase of “I want to be xyz when I grow up”, he was going through his own motions, at the same time. His longest wishful career phase was ‘Joining the Army’. It went on and on and on. (At least, it seemed like that to me) I remember having a few sleepless nights thinking about him going at the border or worst, into a war. It used to scare me. Which is why I have so much respect for all the soldiers and their families who serve the country in unimaginable ways. It takes a lot of courage to decide to enlist but it takes much more to let your loved one choose that path in life. [Read on…]
Crunchy Nutella Cups
So last month was the first time in more than 10 years when I watched Indian cricket Team play against Pakistan and Australia and I have to admit, it was quite a revelation! In my lame defense, there wasn’t much to watch in between those years. Winning and losing is part of the game and I am not one of those who are waiting to hurl abuses on the poor souls the moment they lose or shower praises and sing anthems when they bring glory to the country but what does matters to me is the intent to win! [Read on…]
Tropical Sunshine Smoothie
Have I told you that Spring is my absolute favorite time of the year? There is nothing that I don’t love about it. Beautiful blooms, sunny 70’s, happy birds, bouncing children, flying Frisbees, longer days, biking, berry picking, ice-creams and smoothie marathons. yeah, I love Spring. But my heart goes out to those who can’t enjoy it due to pollen allergies. Such a beautiful time of the year goes either staying indoors in hibernation or masking oneself (in vain) hoping those small, nasty, pesky little pollens would stay out of our bodies. Well, the sad news is that pollens didn’t get the memo. No one told them about the ‘Live and let Live’ Rule. [Read on…]
Lemon, Garlic and Bread Crumbs Spaghettini Aglio e Olio
Even though I believe one should live in the present and plan for the future, and that past should be looked back as a ‘lesson learnt’ experience, I still sometimes find myself falling into the ‘what-if’ trap. This republic day made me ponder what if I was born before independence? (I know it was not independence day but thoughts are like wild horses. Who can control them?) Would I have been a brave patriot or a coward sucking up to the British? It is easy to say “Oh, most definitely the former!” but then who knows the answers to what-ifs. [Read on…]
Kesari Coconut Burfi
There are days when I want a break from cooking. Now, hear me out before drawing any conclusions! I want a break from making breakfast, lunch and dinner while I happily experiment away in my kitchen!! Now, wouldn’t that be a dream come true? There are days when I am cooking our meal as well as trying out a new recipe as well as making sure my older one is writing his ABC’s properly and entertaining my little one. Most days I am ok with it but on some days, it just gets to me. Thankfully, I have an amazingly supportive husband who makes sure that such days are stretched far and few! [Read on…]
Best Curd Rice Ever!
So last weekend my husband suggested that we go to this Indian cafeteria in downtown because it’s like one of the top ten eating places in that area and he had read great reviews about it. So off we went!! The place was jam-packed. No place to sit at all! We waited for more than 20 minutes with 2 kids before we got a table (it’s a cafeteria so no reservations could be made). We ordered a chaat which was supposed to be consisting of pakoras topped with chickpeas, yogurt, chutney and peanuts. When it arrived we couldn’t find any pakoras, peanuts or yogurt in there. [Read on…]
Papad Ki Sabji
Fall has officially kicked in and I can already feel the temperatures dropping and nights getting cooler. I love the beginnings of the fall where everything turns the shade of orange and red, weather becomes pleasant and people get into festive mood. I love this time of the year until……the leaves start falling. That makes me gloomy. May be it’s just me but the tall trees stripped of their leaves look so sad and lonely and I can’t wait then, for spring to arrive.
What pumpkins are to Fall, Papads (pappadams) are to Marwadis. [Read on…]