February 22nd, 2012

When we moved here from India, I was very surprised as well as shocked to find jars of ginger garlic paste on the shelves of the stores. Making fresh pastes at home is something so basic and such an everyday kind of thing, that it was almost an incomprehensible concept for me to see these being bottled and sold. But I do understand how the ready-made jars might make life so much easier for busy people.
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Posted in Condiments and Sauces, Indian Kitchen Basics, The Whats and Hows | 14 Comments »
February 19th, 2012

When you are not up in mood for cooking a fancy meal, yet craving a delicious stylish plateful, go for this. Blood oranges are so beautiful that they will not just make it pretty, but will uplift your mood too.
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Posted in Main Dishes, Seafood | 19 Comments »
February 15th, 2012

Spice stuffed eggplants. What more can I say? There are some vegetables we would not mind having every day of the year and eggplant is one of them. There are so many ways to cook them, and every one of them is delicious beyond words.
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Posted in Dry Fries, Sides & etc. | 19 Comments »
February 14th, 2012 We have lost a friend. And I wish I never ever had to write this post.
Most of us knew her as Miri, as the author of the blog Peppermill. She passed away early yesterday. I woke up in the morning and read an update in Facebook and then another. And I sat stunned, shocked and numb in total disbelief for the rest of the day. I could think of nothing else but her bright beautiful smile.
I connected to Miri a few months after I started blogging. I did not know her much beyond the interactions of our blogs and a few exchange of emails mostly talking of food. But within the boundaries of the little conversations, I knew her as a very warm, witty vibrant person, the kind with whom you would not hesitate to interact, who made you at home right away and whom you would really want to get to know more of. So much seems to be left unsaid, so much more had to be shared. She will be missed.
She was brave, and fought with a disease unheard of and most of us never even knew about it – never could have guessed from talking to her or from her blog, had no idea what she went through. What an inspiration when we wallow and whine in our pitiful little struggles of life. Here is what she had written about herself back in 2008 (Article by Raji in Tehelka) . Thank you Manisha for posting this in Facebook.
I cannot still believe she is not there anymore with us and keep thinking of her family and the little girl she left behind. May our prayers be with her family at this time. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.
Manisha, Sandeepa and Kalyan and a few others knew her more than I did and they all have written beautiful tributes to her. Please read about this amazing woman.
Manisha’s Tribute to Raji
Sandeepa’s Tribute to Raji
Kalyan’s Tribute to Raji
Eat Write Think write about Miri
Arch of Yum Factor writes about her friend
Posted in More than just Food... | No Comments »
February 12th, 2012

What better time to enjoy clementine curd than now. These little juicy cuties have filled our life with dripping sweetness; so addictive that a family can easily leave a five pound bag empty in a single day.
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Posted in Breakfast and Brunch, Desserts, Starters & Snacks, The Whats and Hows | 22 Comments »