I have been a sceptic about the actual brilliance of the Auroras but Ram, knowing how photo crazy I am 😃 insisted on the tour in Akureyri, Iceland… so as usual, i read, researched, chewed up everything online about it and soon realised that it all came down to fate, lady luck, kismat! If itContinue reading “Northern lights- the Holy grail of sky watching”
Category Archives: Snippets of my life
Chicago marathon 2022-The tale of 26.2 miles and 26.2 months
My 7th marathon! A shiny metal! The Mallu in me said that I could have had a real gold medal with the amount spent in these countless marathons! True and yet so far from the truth. So why do we, the human race, spend countless hours of time and energy in pursuit of pain andContinue reading “Chicago marathon 2022-The tale of 26.2 miles and 26.2 months”
Cyprus in 5 days
Cyprus is a labyrinth of unending beaches, modern towns catering to all cultures, dramatic mountains and sleepy hamlets. Yes, it is famous for its beaches so much so that most people end up in their resorts and miss exploring the mountains and hamlets of this beautiful country. We went towards late summer and the weatherContinue reading “Cyprus in 5 days”
The Humble Aloo- Mathura waale
One of my most memorable trips was to the land of Braj, Mathura, a couple of decades ago. I was wonderstruck by the dusty lanes, byzantine bylanes, the innumerable visions of Krishna and equally devout pilgrims. There were shrines around every corner with monkeys and kids playing with gay abandon as were the odd glimpseContinue reading “The Humble Aloo- Mathura waale”
Apple and carrot soup
Apple and carrot soup –The average time for any gadget to reach its resting place in the dark recesses of our garage is 4 weeks. So it has been only 2 weeks that the soup maker has entered the house, too early to pack it away .Hence today was apple and carrot soup day. ThisContinue reading “Apple and carrot soup”
Green tomato sabji and chutney
Since life is returning to nearly normal, gardening in my world is reaching its autumn too…. I accidentally stumbled upon a huge crop of green tomatoes, unloved and forgotten, in the corner of our garden. The label on the pot had promised red beef tomatoes and I realised that it was not to be. NeverContinue reading “Green tomato sabji and chutney”
Broccoli and Stilton Soup
He likes spinach, she loves broccoli…..but they love broccoli spinach soup!
Just look around you…
Dear kids, I always have happy dreams, well most of the time. As a result of which, a routine day starts with me jumping out of bed, super excited at the prospects that loom in front of me. Within minutes, I am bounding down the stairs, shrill cooing sound which is oh so inappropriate thatContinue reading “Just look around you…”
Dabeli
The magic of monsoon, the pitter patter of rains, the incessant pounding on the windows and sneaking away yet again for that piping hot cup of masala chai with dabeli….memories, as far back as three decades ago, but as fresh as if it was just yesterday.Ram made it, thanks to the new woman in hisContinue reading “Dabeli”
Kachori bytes- Jodhpuri pyaaz wali
Jodhpur kachori pyaaz waali aur mango barfi Sab kehte hai – fried food is bad for health, meetha sehat ke liye achha nahi…Main kehti hoon – woh kambakht mohabbat hi kya jo takleef na de ❤️❤️❤️ Well, jokes apart, in moderation, sab achha hota hai!! Rainy days are synonymous with chai and kachori. It takesContinue reading “Kachori bytes- Jodhpuri pyaaz wali”
Salmon curry – no coconut
Sunday special – kerala salmon curry (super easy)Salmon pieces2 onions, Finely chopped6 garlic chopped3 inch ginger choppedCurry leavesRed chillies drySliced tomatoes x21/2/3 tsp- haldi, chilli pd, dhaniyaKokum optional Heat oil, add mustard seeds, onion, ginger, garlic. Fry until translucent. Add sliced tomatoes and curry leaves. Stir till it becomes a mushy mix. Add hot water,Continue reading “Salmon curry – no coconut”
And my princess turns 18 👸👸
Rhea’s favourite restaurant is Dishum…. Just like so many of us too. So when we realised we couldn’t go to Dishum, Dishum decided to come to us 😍😍. A birthday dinner fit for a princess….and she loved it! Nothing is more precious in this world other than a genuine thank you from your little adultContinue reading “And my princess turns 18 👸👸”
Methi anda and parsi chow chow
Eggs all over….. Masaledar Methi Anda ( fenugreek eggs) Parsi Egg Chow Chow Radish leaf with yellow lentil ( moong mooli) Yesterday i happily harvested our radish leaves ( well, truth is that the baby radish were rather premature and disappointing while the mooli leaves had taken over the entire pot!!!). Anyway, thanks to adviceContinue reading “Methi anda and parsi chow chow”
Chicken katsu curry
Katsu curry –Katsu curry is basically sweetish Japanese curry ( 1tsp curry powder+1tsp mild garam masala + pinch of pepper) mixed with flour and coconut milk.Easy to make and tastes heavenly. Recipe –Breaded chicken ( use readymade ones. I made my own but the coating was not as firm as readymade)Onions Finely choppedCarrots ( slicesContinue reading “Chicken katsu curry”
Puranpoli, the marathi feast
Following mouth watering discussions on our FB forum, a good friend Geeta Kamat finally revealed the deep dark secrets to the perfect puran poli. Bear in mind that she is one of the most perfectest of perfect cooks ever, making even the humble potato stir fry look like a Robuchan’s Pommes Puree on his degustationContinue reading “Puranpoli, the marathi feast”
Moqueca–prawn and fish stew
Moqueca De Piexe (simple translation : fish/prawn stew)Orange cake (simple translation : cake with chopped dried orange bits and juice) Peeled prawns, white fish & peppers cooked in homemade creamy coconut, fresh tomato & lime sauce with a coconut farofa to sprinkle. Pre-birthday planning was on the cards but this perennially starved family was goingContinue reading “Moqueca–prawn and fish stew”
Pineapple rasam and vaangi bhaaji
Aai’s vange chi bhajee ( or something close to it )- roast and grind dhania seeds 3tbsp, jeera 1tbsp, groundnut pd 1tbsp, sesame seeds 1tbsp, kaju 1tbsp, coconut 1tbsp, red chillies. Mix well with finely chopped onions,coriander, salt sugar, haldi, chilli pd, garam masala or good masala. Stuff this powder into slit brinjals. Heat generousContinue reading “Pineapple rasam and vaangi bhaaji”
Quick bisi bele bhaath
Best soul satisfying mid week dinner ( 10mins )BISI BELE BHAAT Mark Twain- name the greatest inventor of all time: Accident!!! Recipe-Left over dalLeft over riceGheeCooked veg optionalBisi bele bhaat powderTamarind pulpJaggeryTadkaHandful of roast cashews and groundnuts Method- mix dal and rice well (with your hands if possible), add a big dollop of ghee, aContinue reading “Quick bisi bele bhaath”
Tortilla soup
Jhatpat mexican tortilla soup- A super easy, weekday meal to keep your calories and increasing waist line in control ( Aditi Gupte boss, aapka hukm sar aankhon par) Heat oil, add garlic and chopped red onion , sauteChopped winter vegetables ( I added sweet potato, butternut squash, parsnip) go in next.Can of marrowfat peas orContinue reading “Tortilla soup”
Banana cake
Rule of 2 & 1/2 : Quickie banana cakeAlways hated the idea of measuring while making anything! Not one to stick to rule when it comes to cooking. So this is an absolute delight in weekend mornings…I call it the rule of 2&1/2 cake2 bananas2 eggs1/2 cup butter1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup self raising flour1/2 tspContinue reading “Banana cake”
Karela, will eat, won’t eat?
Supriya Dharmadhikari ‘s karela fry- I have always disliked bitter gourd with a passion!!! Reminded me of childhood tantrums and fights with mum for hours! However this is ‘the’ karela dish that even a total anti-karela person has fallen in love with!Recipe:Karela cut, scoop insides and boil with some imli till just soft.Take out, sqeezeContinue reading “Karela, will eat, won’t eat?”
Dhaba chicken
So, to continue inundating cooks forum with food made when you have nothing else to do 😂😂😂, here is an easy peasy DHABA STYLE Chicken made by Shreeram Deshpande Recipe –Oil heated 3 Tbsp,Chicken 1 kg stir fry till it starts changing colour,Ginger paste 1 Tbsp and Garlic paste 1 Tbsp, Stir fry to loseContinue reading “Dhaba chicken”
Mango mishti dohi….
Mango mishthi dohi ( adapted from Kalpa Sundar recipe )The first time I had this piece of heaven, I was hooked! And anything goes with mango, so mango mishthi dohi it was!Very easy recipe, done in less than10 mins..Recipe:Greek yoghurt -one potCondensed milk-1 tinMango pulp-same as condensed milkElaichi pd pinch Mix all ingredients.Steam in aContinue reading “Mango mishti dohi….”
Home made carbonara….. Really!!!!
Carbonara sauce- home made (you need only eggs and cheese)! How many of you buy your pasta sauce?Honest confession – have always bought pasta sauce rather than make it fresh…. Eeks, I how I don’t get kicked out of this group! Yesterday, Varun taught me how to make easy sauce at home with just eggsContinue reading “Home made carbonara….. Really!!!!”
Crispy chicken and Captain Ri….
Spicy garlic chicken – Korean fried chickenKorean is the new kid on the block for me, ever since Captain Ri took my heart away 😍😍 ( well, if you have not watched Crashlanding on Netflix, your reading this is not worth it!!! ♥️♥️).Anyway, started looking up Korean delicacies and this is similar to what weContinue reading “Crispy chicken and Captain Ri….”
Sundays and lamb curry
Lamb curry While growing up in Nagpur, Sundays used to be special, very special. Meat used to be a once a week treat hence Sundays were special indeed as it was the day when mum would get lamb from the local butcher and make the most delicious lamb curry and dad would painstakingly remove theContinue reading “Sundays and lamb curry”
Maa and Masala dosa
Many people have eaten in this kitchen and gone on to live normal healthy lives – thus issued a plaque gifted by a dear friend to mum. And how true it was….. The lockdown has seen a plethora of talented wannabe cooks and a deluge of recipes, and that includes me (totally unashamed and unabashedContinue reading “Maa and Masala dosa”
New year 2020 park run
E very park run has a story, in fact, every run has a story. For years, I used to dread saturdays, dragging myself groggy and puffy eyed , a bag of nerves, shifting uneasy glances at the lithe fluidity with which runners passed me by, feeling like a turtle stampeding through peanut butter! 4 yearsContinue reading “New year 2020 park run”
Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a slice of heaven. There is a common sight when someone puts a spoon of cheesecake in their mouth. They close their eyes, lips curl into smile , a halo surrounds them and all you hear is mmmmmm…..tell me thats not right :)))) I have longed to make a baked cheesecake but beingContinue reading “Cheesecake”
Ski 2019- to ski or not to ski
Skiing holidays- the chance to spend a week escaping the relentless wheel of mundane existence by transforming into this super cool girl exuding positive vibes, zipping past upturned skis, long golden tresses flying impressively in the air…… nahhh, what am I talking about!!! In my case, even after many ski vacations, it is still construedContinue reading “Ski 2019- to ski or not to ski”
To my Kids with Love 