Tuesday 29 December 2009

New Year New Me


  • I am really grateful for this year as i have lot of things to thank for .. i got a promotion in the starting of the year, became a mother to a gorgeous baby, work wise things were going fine until my Maternity Leave started..
  • By end of this month - i have tried a whole lot of new recipes from baking bread to trying different pasta recipes by Jamie Oliver/Delia Smith.December has been an exciting month as i along with my mum tried new Indian recipes by Tarla Dalal.
  • I am a very organised person and so i find it difficult if in a day i am unable to finish some of my To Do Things but sometimes i think it is a refreshing change as well.Now with a baby i tend to get cranky if i cant finish whatever i intended to finish in a day and that is why this is going to be one of my New Year Resolutions.. Not to get overwhelmed by the fact that i am unable to finish something.
  • This year i have to regain my health and loose approximately 6 kg in at least 3 months.This is not a difficult task as i have in the past lost approximately 20 kg.
  • Also, i have to strengthen my Pelvic Muscles which have become very weak due to Childbirth.. also because of which i am having back ache as well. By strengthening my pelvic muscles i am advised should get rid of my back ache.
  • Above all, i want to become a positive person this year and dont want to have any negative thoughts bother me.I can achieve this by keeping myself busy as much as possible and not get bothered by my sorroundings.

Monday 21 December 2009

Sindhi Saibhaji

This recipe is taken from Sindhi Rasoi Food Blog.The reason i love this Curry because it contains a lot of veggies with minimum oil which makes it a very healthy dish.Ashish is not very fond of this but i love it and make it often to incorporate veggies in our diet.I made this dish with whatever vegetables i had it omitting few which is mentioned in the Sindhi Rasoi Blog.



Ingredients:-



Spinach- 1 big bunch

Onions -2 Medium sized

Aubergine - 1 Small

Okra- Handful

Potatoes - 2-3 Small

Tomatoes-4 medium sized

Green Chillies- 2-3

Ginger

Channa Daal- 1 Small Cup Soaked for 1/2 Hour.

Kasuri Methi - 1 Tsp

Coriander Powder- 1 Tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Tsp

Salt/ Oil

Method :-


  • Chop all the vegetables.Heat oil in the pressure cooker and add the veggies and cook until tender.

  • Add Spinach and all Masala Powders. Add little water and close the lid. Wait for at least 7-8 whistles. Mash it well with the blender and adjust its consistency.


Daal Makhani

This one is an absolute favourite dish of Ashish.His way of gauging a Restaurant is how they prepare this Daal.Somehow this is not one of my favourite but i can have it only occasionally.I saw this recipe long time back on One Hot Stove Food blog and bookmarked it but never got around to cooking it.I have copied the recipe word to word from the blog. The Daal turned out excellent .. just like we eat outside.


Method:
  • Soak 1/2 cup Rajma ,1/2 cup Black Urad Daal and 1/4 cup Chana Daal.I soaked then together overnight and pressure cooked them till they are done.
  • Heat 2 Tsp of oil and add Cumin Seeds ,Asafoetida and 8-10 Fenugreek Seeds.Add 1 big Tsp Ginger Garlic paste.Add 2 cups thick Tomato Puree and cook for 5-7 mts.
  • Add lentils,salt and bring to a boil.
  • Add 1 tsp of Red Chilli Powder, 1/4 cup cream and 1 Tbsp Butter.I added Whole Milk instead.Simmer for 5-10 mts
  • Turn off the heat and stir in 1 Tsp Garam Masala.Add 1 Tbsp butter for a glossy finish.

Monday 14 December 2009

Life without Mum

My mother left for India after four months of stay with us. She came 15 days before my due date. She was suppose to leave after 3 months but we extended her stay for a month more.

She has been a great support throughout these months.The way my pregnancy turned out - i can't imagine not having her and getting recovered so quickly.To make my life easier she has cooked meals for me and put them in freezer- i think i won't have to cook much for this month.She entertained and cooked elaborate meals for my friends as well.

On Friday we took her out to Panna's Restaurant for dinner. Ambiance was good and food was all right. We had Virgin Pina Colada for drinks,Karahi Bhindi (Okra rolled in spiced Gram Flour) and Masala Papad as starters/ Dal Makhani,Malai Kofta and Diwani Handi( A blend of different garden vegetables cooked with spices ) accompanied with Tandoori Rotis and Pudina Parathas.

Saturday was the D-day when she was leaving. She made Rajma Chawal and Aloo Chaat for Lunch.We were busy packing and checking weight of her luggage.Before sending her off we had coffee and Scones from Cafe Nero.

Sunday - We cleaned the house and did no cooking at all.In afternoon we went to our local Costa Cafe and had coffee with Paninis for lunch.We had Maggi Noodles for our Evening dinner.

Monday - First day alone with the baby.I was up very early mainly because i was anxious and wanted to be on top of chores around the house.Throughout the day Aayush seemed not very happy - i am thinking that he too is missing my mum.I took him out for a walk after his second feed and he slept throughout.After Dinner which we finished by 7:30 pm - i was so exhausted that i slept for an hour.

I am keeping myself busy by meeting friends and also planning some outings with Aayush. I am a control freak and i think that makes things difficult.I like to have a routine and micro manage things. One of the resolutions for next year should to just relax and take each day as it comes.

Monday 7 December 2009

Sweet Times

This past week we tried three desserts -and the best part was it was homemade.Firstly, Gits Gulabjamuns and Falooda made from ready made mix and served with Kesar Pista ice cream and Rasgullas.Unfortunately i could not take picture for Falooda but next time i will make sure i don't forget it.Under my mother's guidance i made Gulabjamuns for the first time and they turned out fabulous.We also made Rasgullas which turned out to be spongy and soft just like good market ones.

Sunday 6 December 2009

3 Months



  • Our baby turned 3 months old and we can already see significant changes in his personality.He has undergone a lot of things in these 3 months .. from his acute Reflux problem to his weight not gaining. He has been admitted to hospital and stayed there for 2 nights so that his feeding can be monitored.

  • He has started to respond by smiling and squeaks when he is happy. We can see that he wants to talk and makes noises trying to make us understand whatever he is trying to say.

  • He also holds his Tommee Tippee hand toy and takes it in his mouth.Also today i noticed he can hold his bottle while he is feeding.

  • He loves watching colourful objects and follows them with his eyes.
  • He has become less cranky after his bath when we try to put on his clothes.