2016 Week 45 Update

Posted on November 6, 2016 by memoriesandsuch

Somehow in the planning for the Sumangali Pooja later today, this week just zipped by.

Last Sunday, all of us (the four of us plus S’ mum and aunt) went to the Little India district to buy some of things for the pooja like sarees and long skirts to give the people sitting in the pooja as well as some other things. The rest of the week, I was fine-tuning the recipes to be cooked as well as taking advice from my mum and mother-in-law.

Most of the dishes are done now, the house is clean and lamps lit. The ladies will come home in a couple of hours and then (fingers crossed) everything goes well. I done the bulk of the cooking and hope they taste nice. We can’t taste the food as it has to be offered to the Gods and so cooking for such occasions is usually a test of your skills as a cook. I’ll do a proper post on this function later in the week as putting it down will not only help me later, but perhaps help others who are in a similar situation.

I also met GG’s English teacher earlier this week as I had not met him earlier during the Parent Teacher meeting. He also had some good things to say about her, especially her command of the language and her writing style. So that is good for her, especially since she wants to further her studies in Humanities.

I also had some issues with the photographer I had contacted in August for BB’s poonal. Early in the week, after chasing him for almost 10 days, he messaged me that he will be unable to photograph the function. I was so mad at him being so unprofessional, that I messaged him back quite a strong note. Lucky for me, some friends came through with recommendations and I have now 3 quotes which are within my budget. I’ll decide one by tomorrow. Also the original photographer came back saying he can now do it, but I will not go with him for sure!

Ok, gotta go now, cooking to complete. I took a small break to update since I have been up from 4 am cooking. More later. Have a wonderful week folks!

In My Hands Today…

Posted on November 5, 2016 by memoriesandsuch

The Journals of Geetanjali Rao – Sandhya Sayani

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On the wings of a mid-life crisis, thirty-something Geetanjali Rao is back in her parent’s house in India. Armed with an astrologer’s prediction that ‘Jupiter is looking out for her’, she has to start a new life from scratch; new friends, new job, and a new love.

Throughout this journey, her journal faithfully captures the events that unfold and provides us with a ringside view of Geetanjali’s hopes, fears, discoveries and adventures that mirror so many of our own.

Heartwarmingly funny and occasionally sad, this is a poignant story of a woman, who despite the risk involved, opens herself up to falling crazily in love.

Recipe: Pineapple Fried Rice

Posted on November 4, 2016 by memoriesandsuch

The other day S brought a whole peeled pineapple to eat. We ate around a third of it and then I was left wondering what to do with the rest of the pineapple. I usually make a pineapple onion raita with pineapple, but thought I should do something different with it. I then tried this pseudo-Thai Pineapple Rice and it was yum!

This pineapple rice is inspired by the Thai one but is Indianised as I am wont to usually do. I also tried to make it slightly healthier without the addition of any coconut milk.

Pineapple Fried Rice

Ingredients:

1.5 cups basmati rice, washed and soaked in water for 20 minutes, then drained completely and kept aside
1 onion, chopped finely
½ cup of pineapple chunks chopped into medium sized pieces
2 tbsps raw peanuts
2 tbsps cashew nuts
1 green chilli, chopped into smallish slices
1-inch piece ginger julienned
1 tsp garlic paste or finely minced garlic
½ carrot chopped into small pieces
2 tbsps frozen sweet corn
2 tbsps frozen green peas
Salt to taste
1 tsp oil
Coriander leaves and chopped green onions to garnish

Method:

Cook the basmati rice and when cooked, spread it on a large plate and cool completely.
In a pan heat the oil and when the oil warms up, add the garlic paste and ginger juliennes and stir for a couple of seconds. Then add the green chillies and let them cook for a few seconds.
Now add the raw peanuts and cashew nuts and let them brown.
Add the onion and let the onions cook till they become translucent.
When translucent, add the carrots, green peas and corn and let it cook.
Now add the pineapple chunks and let the pineapple slightly caramelised.
Add salt to taste and let it all cook for a few minutes.
Switch off the flame and add the rice and mix well.
Check for seasoning and serve hot garnished with coriander leaves and chopped green onions.

In My Hands Today…

Posted on November 3, 2016 by memoriesandsuch

Secret of the Sands – Sara Sheridan

10003893 She was a slave. He was her master. Both of them long to be free!

1833 – The British Navy are conducting a survey of the Arabian Peninsula where slavery is as rife as ever despite being abolition. Zena, a headstrong and determined young Abyssinian beauty has been torn from her remote village, subjected to a tortuous journey and is now being offered for sale in the market of Muscat. Lieutenant James Wellstead is determined that his time aboard HMS Palinurus will be the conduit to fame and fortune. However, all his plans are thrown into disarray when two of his fellow officers go missing while gathering intelligence in the desert. By an unexpected twist of fate – Zena finds herself the property of Wellstead, now on a daring rescue mission into forbidding territory. Master and slave are drawn ever closer, but as danger faces them at every turn, they must endure heartache and uncertainty – neither of them knowing what fortune awaits them as they make their hazardous way through the shifting sands.