The level of competition in the existing world is immense. Right from birth, man is pushed to excel in everything that he does. We expect our infants and toddlers to turn over, crawl, run, walk and talk faster than the other kids of their age. We expect our children to be smarter, knowing much more than what is required for their age. We push and push them to their extreme limits whether it is in academics, sports or extra curricular. Once you are out of school, the same “pushing” is continued in college and post grad schools, and finally into your job. Somehow when I see this, I feel sad. My D has never forced us to excel in anything. He would always say, “Do what you can do, but try your best.” That’s it… Umma would get a bit irritated with his attitude, but I guess that is what…
Be My Guest – Pidi Payasam/ Pidi Curry
During last time’s guest post, I had hinted that one thing I like about my “Be My Guest” series is the recipes I get. Some that I have never tried ever, some that I have had ages ago and had forgotten about it… When I invited Resna, who blogs at Resna’s Tasty Home, to be a guest on my blog, what I got was an enthusiasm of a little girl! Her messages oozed out of the excitement that she had! Seriously, one thing I seem to like about blogging is that I get to see the actual character of people and Alhamdulillah, whoever I have come across, have been really good in their own way. I found Resna to be really down to earth and innocent. A working mother based in a GCC country, just like me, I found her having similar situations like me. What I like about her…
Sheer Khurma – My 18th guest post for Pepperbowl
When Suja published her desire to feature guest posts, I was the first one to pounce on it with a comment. I love her blog, Pepperbowl, for various reasons. She does full justice to her tagline – A cookbook with tingling recipes. And it does not fail to tingle anywhere! Each recipe of hers is a treat to the eyes. I love her photographs and the simple way that she goes through each and every recipe. It is a pleasure to be writing this guest post for her… After a lot of thinking, I decided to give her a kheer which is normally served during special occasions such as Eid and marriages in the Muslim community in parts of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. “Sheer Khurma”, which basically means “milk in dates”, is a type of thick vermicelli pudding with lots of nuts and dried dates. Though not very popular in Kerala –…
Carrot Rice Kheer – My 12th guest post for “The Flavorista”
Again another guest post, you people may be thinking??? I know, I am somebody who cannot say “no” to a guest post, just like all the many who have said “yes” to my requests for a guest post! When somebody who has been associated to you since your childhood asks for a guest post for her little blog, I would be really rude if I tell her “no”, wouldn’t I? I’ve known Shaharban since 4th standard. I would never call her my best friend as such. She was always my “hi-bye” friend. I was (and am) a character who has a small bunch of best friends but would be pally with everybody in the class as well as in the other classes. Shaharban was also one of them. Despite we not being “best” friends, we both have made it a point to still keep in touch through the social media network called “Facebook”. One thing I love about FB is the closeness…
Mango Sago Payasam/ Kheer
Tomorrow my parents leave for a short trip to India. Short is around 18 days. I was not expecting umma to go, but then she also decided at the last minute. More than me, it’s the kids who are feeling sad about it. They will have to adjust to a totally different schedule for the coming days, but I want to take it as a way to get myself acquainted and adjusted to a life that I will be facing very soon. Though a little worried, yet in peace with the understanding that things will never be the way you want them to be, right? 🙂 I love sago in a payasam, it is well aware from my two favorite payasams that I have posted on my blog – the Carrot Sago Semiya Payasam and Sago Payasam. I love to put it into any payasam, if I get a…
Be My Guest – Chakka Payasam “Onam Special”
Wait a minute!!! Please don’t gasp at your monitor sides and wipe your eyes! I know it’s not Saturday nor did two weeks pass so quickly! Sometimes, you have to tweak your schedules a bit in order to accommodate some special posts. Today, Kerala celebrates Onam, which is the harvest festival. An occasion carried out with aplomb throughout the state. I am no person to really speak about it, because of me, Onam is all about sadya – a lunch served on a banana leaf with loads and loads of vegetables to eat. In fact, it’s only during the time of sadya that I would eat rice without fish! Hehe… Since there are many more Malayalees who are more familiar with the celebrations and traditions, I would relieve myself from that duty and limit myself to wishing all the Keralites a very Happy Onam. 🙂 I know very much…
Paal Vazhakka – Plaintains in Coconut Milk
Some food wakes up a lot of memories. Some that were sleeping, that wouldn’t have woken up if left undisturbed. The time Dhyuthi posted the recipe of Paal Vazhakka on her blog Melange some time ago, I kept staring at the picture. Did this remind me of something? I just couldn’t remember, but there was something… I ran through the ingredients and decided to try it the same day. I came back from work, pulled out all the ingredients, and started preparing it. As the coconut milk was getting cooked with the sago, the smell that wafted across the kitchen started awakening my senses. What is it?? Something that I had forgotten, dug into the deep recesses of my memories… Went ahead to complete the preparation… As soon as I reached the last stage, my mind suddenly woke up. My vellimma!!! I have already written about my vellima in my…
Paal Pizhinjathu ~ Banana Mash in Coconut Milk
Eid is here!!! Eid ul Fitr as it is called marks the end of Ramadan. Once the moon is sighted, then everyone greet each other for the happy occasion and pray to the Almighty to accept our fasts and good deeds of the month of Ramadan. There is a mandatory charity called Zakat Fitr, which varies from country to country. It is to be paid by the head of the family for every individual and this pooled money is used for serving people who do not have the ability of getting clothes and food for Eid. The next day morning, after the dawn prayers, special Eid prayers are held at open grounds called Eidgahs, with separate facility for women and children. For this Eid, the Prophet (PBUH) used to have an odd number of dates and water before proceeding for the prayers. My Eids have always been in…
Thari Kanji – Semolina Milk Drink
Just last Iftar, we had a realization. This Ramadan is supposed to be my parent’s last official Ramadan in UAE. My D is preparing for retirement by the end of this year and Allah alone knows the plans after that, but he is not keen on continuing his stay over here. After all, after having spent more than 60% of his life in this foreign land, he is craving to go back and stay in India, in our own house, in our own land for his retirement. That kind of put me into an off-mood. I’ve been, along with my B, fortunate to have them here all the time, unlike my sister who is settled in India and misses their presence. When we used to stay separate before the kids, we use to come and stay over during the weekends. Once the kids came along, we began living together….
Kari (Cinnamon Flavored Rice and Coconut Payasam) – My 6th guest post for Gheza-e-Shirin
This month seems to be a month of guest posts!!! Hehe… The earlier one was the Masala Aleesa for Yummy Foods, now this one… 🙂 Blogging has opened up doors and windows to many mutually respecting and nourishing friendships. I must say that even though I have not met Humi personally, – InShaAllah, hope to meet her very soon after sorting out our schedules- I have always felt good about chatting to her about general issues and food, of course. She has been one sister who has been so kind to acknowledge my existence each and every time. Every comment of hers brightens up my day and I look forward to the classic traditional recipes that she shares on her page. Please do not think I am flattering you, Humi… it’s just the way I feel for you… When she requested me to do a guest post for her blog, I was very much keen to take onto it and…
Chakkakuru Payasam ~ Jackfruit Seeds Payasam
Just returned home after a nice family get together. Really enjoyed it to the core, a lot of talking and laughing… it’s been quite some time since we have had such a get together. Also considering the fact that this week will see the advent of Ramadan, which will mean a serious shortness of time in case of social activities as most of the time will go in a lot of religious activities, this get together was really enjoyed. Even though I am feeling tired, I am seriously feeling nice about it. 🙂 Once, my biggest-support colleague bought some payasam for us, so lovingly made by his wife. As usual, I got it in a little cup and being a food blogger, he wanted me to guess the ingredients that went into it. Seriously, I should tell you that I am very bad at guessing. When you sit to…
Chavvari Payasam ~ Sago/ Tapioca Pearls Kheer
I have had a love-hate relationship with sago. I love it in any of my dessert but when I try to cook it, I end up getting messed up lumps or thickened concoctions with no sign of the beautiful pearls in it. How much I hate that! When I was going through blogs, I was feeling satisfied that even experienced blogging cooks were facing this problem! Finally now, I have learned what kind of sago to go for, and how to cook it to ensure that those beautiful pearls are there when you need them. A big thanks to my FB friend, Afsath, for being very patient with my umpteen number of questions and answering them in detail. Finally, I am back to being in love with sago! 🙂 Here is a delicious payasam, very simple to prepare (provided your sago does not sink into oblivion!), yet very flavorful….