a chocolate gift instead of a pearl Normally, the saying goes that there are specific things gifted to friends and relatives on their anniversaries, paper for the first, tin for the 10th, pearl for the 30th etc etc etc,  but hardly anyone follows that. My best friend Daxa and her hubby celebrated their 30th just…

passionate about a passion fruit I have been away for a long time. Some of my friends have been asking whether I have stopped blogging. The answer is definitely not. December was just too hectic…. family wedding, guests and a bugging flu and fever with a persistent cough. Still getting over the cough. I have…

wholesome breakfast   This recipe is just right for people who are always rushing or fighting to get out of the house on time to reach work. No more skipping breakfast. Put everything in a blender, whizz it and gulp it down or carry with you. Easy, quick and of course you will have a bit…

Joy in everyones heart, smiles on their faces, a kaleidoscope of colors, festivities everywhere, homes spic and span, neighbors, friends and families exchanging gifts, the glowing warmth of the fairy or diya lights, a frenzy and chaotic kitchen making trays full and bowls full of food. Be it Diwali, Eid, Christmas or any festival, celebrations is equated…

Niku’s recipe          Whenever my son Niku comes down home for a holiday, its fun to have him in the kitchen working with me. Not only do we bond while cooking but I also  get to learn a lot of things from him. A slight change here or an addition there makes…

Very tasty and easy Everyone remembers some special moments they shared with their grandparents. I was not fortunate enought to spend a lot of time with my maternal grandparents but was lucky to live with my paternal grandparents. My grandfather or bapuji as we called him, would love feeding us special dishes. No he never…

Vishal, celebrations have begun!   Lapsi is a Gujarati sweet dish usually made to celebrate an important event or festival. Its made from cracked wheat, ghee, water, sugar or jaggery and flavoured with spices like cardamom, saffron and nutmeg. Our nephew Vishal is getting married this year, so what better occasion to make  lapsi. Today,…

spongy, sweet and evil  Gulab jamuns are sweet doughnut like balls floating in a sweet syrup. Gulab means rose and jamun is a fruit in India. The syrup is flavoured with rose water, kewra or saffron. It is said that the dessert gulab jamun originates from Afghanistan. However it is a  common dessert or sweet…