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…

time pass Peanuts are not everyone’s favourite, but I love peanuts whether boiled, fried or roasted. Ajay loves roasted peanuts and we usually come back from India with loads of little packets. However, during this trip Ajay couldn’t bring any as he had to bring my saris from Bangalore. I have tried making salted roasted…

for my brothers    Today is Bhai Beej, bhai dooj or bhav bij and none of my brothers are near. Its a festival like Raksha Bandhan, a day dedicated to the love between brothers and sisters. Normally on this day brothers are invited by the sisters for a hearty meal. A tilak and arti is…

cool and creamy Panna cotta is an Italian dessert made by heating gently fresh cream and sugar together. Gelatine is added to make it into a  semi firm dessert. Vanilla panna cotta is the most common one as it can be served with chopped fresh fruit, chocolate or caramel sauce, fruit coulis, nuts etc. The…

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…

Tinkering in the kitchen  When Niku my son, was home for his break, we bought a lovely orangey looking pineapple. Got excited thinking that it will be so sweet and juicy. We cut the pineapple and  much to our disappointment it was  sour. Couldn’t use it up in a salad as it was too sour.…

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…

cool and sweet It seems that watermelons are here for most of the year. I bought one to serve after dinner but it was not sweet at all, though it was deep red. The next day the leftover chunks became a nice healthy drink. Served it to some guests of mine and they could not…

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…