Life 'n' Such

I know another recipe for making rice. But go on try this recipe, and you will thank me (and Aunty Sara; yup another of her recipes) later.

Hey did you know, that Basmati (from India) is the most popular variety of rice (its fragrance, long grain, light flavor). Its perfect!

I have another recipe for jeera rice on this blog, but I like this one better, because of its cooking style.

So here you go.

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice (3 cups for 6 people)
Water (6 cups)
salt,
1 onion
whole spices: 1 big brown cardamom, 1-2 inch cinnamon stick, cumin 1 1/2 tsp
3 tbsp oil

Method:

First wash (1 time thoroughly) and soak the rice in the water for about 15 – 30 mins.  In a large pot, heat the oil, then drop the cumin seeds in it (tip: before you put cumin, rub the cumin in between your palms, you will smell the fragrance immediately). Add the cinnamon and cardamom to this. Let it sizzle for about 1/2 minute. Then add the onion, and fry till brown. Then add the water to this (thats why we need a large pot).

Let this come to a boil. You will notice the color changing to pink brownish. Now drain the water and add the rice to this.The rice will take the pinkish color…so pretty…so festive!
Option 1: You may cook the rice in the large pot. or…

Option 2: Put this in the rice cooker, and then you don’t have to baby it. I like this way better. I can do other things and not bother about rice getting burnt etc.

Done! Serve with chicken curry, some vegetables, etc… yumm…

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I know, I know who doesn’t cook rice! Everyone knows how to make rice, but  everyone cannot make the perfect rice using the rice cooker, i know I cant!  Most of the times my rice is sticky, too much water, sometimes dry, maybe less water? I dont know.

Mumtaaz aunty told me her way to make basmati rice, she uses the big rice cooker with the locked lid.

Here is her recipe.

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice (ofcourse), (for 6 people, 3 cups, use 5 cups water)
salt, and oil

Soak the rice in cold water for one. Then drain the water, and put it in the rice cooker with 5 cups of water, salt and oil.

(Mumtaaz aunty said, if u have 3 cups of rice in the cooker, then put water, till the level is at 5 cups. )

Aunty said, that Basmati needs more water.

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Do you like mango? Do you like pineapple? Then you are in for a real treat, go right now to your nearest Orange Julius (even if its snowing crazy like its here, where I am). Order the light Tropical Sunlight Smoothie. It has only 250 calories! How sweet is that?

It is made of mango, pineapple, fruit juices, non-fat milk, and Splenda! And its large enough to be shared. So what are you still doing here reading my post…go go..

Forgot to mention; it $4 and some change, but totally worth it!

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I am not sure, if this is the exact recipe for Waldorf salad, but I made this salad sandwich (you know when I made the mayo; that day). It is so delicious, and so flexible. You can use whatever you have at your disposal. The end result is going to be great.

Ingredients:

1 chicken breast, roasted, cut in bite size pieces
1 small apple, diced,
handful of grapes, cut in half,
dry cranberries, handful,
celery sticks, chopped handful,
walnuts, chopped, 3 tbsp
celery, chopped, handful
mayonnaise, as much as required,
salt as per taste
Method :

Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl. Spread a little mayonnaise on the bread slices, put the filling, and press down the other slice on top.

Enjoy, as your lunch or afternoon snack.

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Aunty Sara has very easy recipes, which are great for gals and guys like me.

I just found this recipe for making spinach with potatoes (I love it), very easy, delicious, and oh so healthy! What more do you want?

And you can eat it with anything.

Ingredients:

Onions, chopped,
garlic paste or finely chopped,
baby spinach 1 bag,
spices: red chilli (mirchi) powder, corriander (dhania) powder, cumin (jeera) powder, fennel (saunf) powder, haldi, pinch of garam masala
potatoes, diced
Method:
Fry onions and garlic, then put spinach.

Cook on low heat till half the water evaporates, then add potatoes. Sprinkle the spices. Cook till potatoes are tender.

No Comments | In: Food, Indian, Kashmiri, Recipes | | #

I just got my copy, and reading the reviews, I cannot wait to read it.

I am from India, and married to a Kashmiri. So last few years, my perspective of Kashmir has completely changed. When my friends or acquaintances ask me about Kashmir, all I have to say is, visit Kashmir once and see for yourself!
Even before landing from the airplane, you see from up above, the military like camouflage used for all the buildings (the airport, the hanger, etc etc). After you land, at every step of the way, even after a few kilometers away from the airport, their are security checkpoints. This is how you would start your trip to Kashmir.

Deforestation, Bomb blasts, military bases every few kilometers, that’s what you see first, but even amidst the ruin, the valley (Kashmir is a valley) is so breathtakingly beautiful. But I fear, if the current scenario prevails, its all going to change, it will be a shame! And all this for what? Just expanding boundaries? Sad, very sad.

No Comments | In: About me, Interesting stuff, Recipes | | #

I cant write enough about the versatility of potatoes, and how it continues to be the most loved vegetable all over the globe! Hey, dont mean to be a smart you know what, but it is a Global vegetable….haa!

Well, this is what Neeti made during my pregnancy, when I went to visit her. She is now in India, hope she is back soon!

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped,
1 tbsp garlic paste or chopped, however you like it
3-4 medium size potatoes, boiled and chopped in bite size pieces
spices: red chilli powder or paprika (if you dont like it too hot), corriander seed (dhania) powder, salt, black pepper, couple pinches of turmeric (haldi)

Method:
Fry onions, add garlic (lots)

Add the spices, and mix well. Finally add boiled potatoes. Cover with a lid for a couple minutes. Done.

Note: Goes well with simple dal rice (lentils and rice), or Indian rotis (Indian flat bread), or as a toast sandwich.

No Comments | In: Food, Indian, Recipes | | #

I ran out of the Mayonnaise (store bought) yesterday. And our drive way was covered with snow, so I thought, why not make it at home. One word for making mayonnaise, rather two… Patience, and care*!

I needed it to make a Ina Garten’s Chicken Salad recipe (Do you watch Barefoot Contessa on FOOD NETWORK, its one of my favorite shows – She is pretty awesome)

Anyhow, here is the recipe, I made after looking at lots (I am lazy, I mean a couple ..hey..I am allowed to exaggerate at times) of recipes on Google.

The basic science is to make an emulsion, with egg yolk as the emulsifying agent (like in a cake, it mixes the oil and the water)
Ingredients:

1 medium size Egg yolk
1/2 lemon juice,
3/4 cup canola oil ( I read on some websites, you could use light olive oil, or almond or walnut oil for more flavor)
salt for seasoning

Method:

In a small food processor, put the egg yolk and the lemon juice, and pulse a few times. After a minute or so, add a few drops of oil. (If you have a oil dispenser, it will work best, as it can control the flow of the oil). Start the food processor, and let it go for a minute or 2. Then repeat the oil step again (few drops at a time, gradually increase to tablespoons). After about 5-6 minutes, you will see the mix thickening. This is it.

If its too thick, add a couple tsp of water, if too thin, then you got it wrong. But dont discard, add another yolk, and start the process again. (You will need more oil, and maybe more lemon juice).

That’s it. A dash of salt, and its done. You can store this for upto 5-6 days. Use it for sandwiches, salads, etc etc
I have taken a picture of this. I will upload it soon
Note: ( I tried to whisk it first, but it takes a loooooooooong (no exaggeration here) time, so I switched to a food proc.)
* Handle raw eggs very carefully. It may lead to salmonella etc.

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Hey, its February already and its my big bro’s birthday, and Nurhan’s bday. Hi guys…Miss you..And Happy birthday to you guys!
The white part of a boiled egg I can tolerate, but not the yellow. But this recipe by my brother for Boiled egg sandwich is so yummy, I love it.

Here it goes:

Ingredients For 1 sandwich:

1 boiled egg, sliced
salt, black pepper, butter, any jam (orange, apricot would be my choice)
2 whole grain bread slices

Method:

Butter the bread slices, on side put jam, lay the sliced egg over it, sprinkle salt and pepper. Then put it in a sandwich maker, and toast till its golden. Done!

I know it kind of sounds weird, but trust me…its excellent!!!!!!!!! Try it, you wont regret it!
Note: If you dont have a sandwich maker, and you have George foreman grill, use that. Same effect, but you wont the diagonal cut.

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Picture Source: Life.com
I just read on google, the most romantic word for Love (according to linguist and researchers), is amour, which is French for Love! I have taken French in High school and according to me, the whole language is so romantic.
Also, the least romantic sounding word for Love is in Japanese.

But imagine, a young Japanese girl, who hears “I Love you” in Japanese from the young boy who are madly in love with each other, wont those words sound as musical as a girl who hears it in French?

hmm…Love…

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