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.

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.

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.

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 :D ..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 :D
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.

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.

Love- Kiss -Puppy Love

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…

Hi dear friends!! I am back!! Yes, I have more recipes, interesting news. Some from new friends, some from old friends…

Its good to be back. First off, my reason for disappearing….we had a little baby boy. Ofcourse I am going to say he is cute, all moms think their little one is cute, but he is funny. Really.

But now, he is 5 months plus, I am getting some “me” time.

So, lets not waste any more time, and get into it.

Today, I have a couple new recipes, some interesting comments/thoughts, where to find deals and sales, etc etc.

So, lets go to the next post!

Kylie, is Yasir’s colleague’s young daughter, and she had asked for some Indian bread recipe, so Yasir emailed her the link to making Puris/parathas from my blog.

She made puris, and I am super impressed!! They took a picture, I will post it, they look perfect!

So, I remembered the short cut I used to take to make puris, when I started cooking. I dont know who had given me this tip, but it was great! Pillsbury biscuit dough, available in almost all grocery stores here in US, can be used to making a different variety of Puris made in India, they are called Bhature (eaten usually with Chole).

Ingredients:

Pillsbury biscuit dough,
oil for frying,
all purpose flour for dipping
Method:

Divide the biscuit dough in half, and roll them in your palms, and then flatten them into discs. Dip in a little all purpose flour, and then roll out little circles with a rolling pin. Fry as per the instructions listed in the Puri recipe.

Puri recipe: http://www.lifensuch.com/puris.htm

Chole recipe: http://www.lifensuch.com/chole-chick-peas-cooked-in-indian-spices-super-simple-recipe.htm

Tehsin thought Lifensuch readers will benefit from these Eco-friendly home cleaning ideas on MSN. Check them out. Nowadays I too have started using lemons, vinegar and baking soda for so many things from cleaning around house to my hair! :)

Check it out:

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-home/cleaning-organizing/staticslideshowrs.aspx?cp-documentid=19132609

I found this interesting site where you can find pricing for just about anything. I think I was looking for painting house exteriors in Google, where I found this site. Take a look, you will get an idea for how much things such as car repair, home remodeling projects, cosmetic surgeries, etc etc cost.

Check it out at:
http://www.costhelper.com/Â