A Friend in Disguise - Dove Guessing Game With My Friend

I still remember those fresh lipstick marks from my childhood memory when me and my brother tried, not almost but all the lipsticks within the reach of our tiny little hands, all over our bodies. Our mother witnessed a moment of shock after returning from her shopping spree. Ignoring her painted kids, all she could concentrate was on a red bucket – which is still standing proudly in my bathroom – of which base was covered with her n number of lipsticks; open, broken, capless and in worst of condition. Soon after a relay took over between my mother and her two kids, my brother at his best speed running all across the house followed by me and I followed by my mother. Our mischief did not end there, it was just the beginning!!!

Another cherished memory of my childhood, which I cannot forget my whole life, is a shooting scene from a all time hit movie of “Karan Arjun”.

“MAA MEIN AA GYA” says my brother not to our mother but to me. Strange! Right? Not that he loves me that much, but I am playing the character of “MAA” (mother) and he plays “KARAN” from the movie “KARAN ARJUN” from the corner of our room I could hear him screaming “bhaag Arjun bhag” to me, as I also played the Arjun’s role and not just this I replicated the  “ThAKUR DURJAN SINGH”, the villain of the movie and used to get beaten up in real. While I thought we were just playing and he tried all his newly learned WWE moves on me, in our home production of “KARAN ARJUN” my job was not that easy. And so was keeping up to my brother.

I strieve to be his friend, while setting him as a bench mark for all my other friends. If you are not as cool as my bhai, you may not be my as real and reel life friend! Time passed by and he was getting younger 2 years prior to me. Meeting new people and making new friends while leaving his oldest friend on her own. Playing “KARAN ARJUN” was never fun without him.

Coming back to present, we both lead independent and different lives from each other. We may or may not talk for days. But he remains the benchmark of my BFF, so far attained by none!

HUSTLE BUSTLE ALL AROUND,

OVER THAT I ALWAYS FROWN!

WHERE ARE THOSE DAYS,

WHEN WE PLAYED WITH CLAYS?

THEY ALL ARE LYING DOWN THE MEMORY LANE!

FRIEND-O-FRIEND, YOU ARE WHERE?

BROTHER! MY SOUL FRIEND!

YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE.

 This is my entry for theDove Face Test contest             http://www.dove.in/en/Products/Bar-Body-Wash/Bar/Cream-Beauty-Bathing-Bar.aspx

Amritsari Tawa Paneer

Ingredients

Cottage Cheese           200 gms (in cubes)
Onions                          3  (chopped)
Honey                           one tsp
Butter                            one Tbsp
GG Paste                       one Tbsp
Ghee                              one Tbsp
Ajwain                           one tsp
Cream                           half cup
Tomato Puree                half cup
Green chilly                    one to two
garam masala                one tsp
Red chilly powder         1/4tsp
cloves                            two to three
cardamom powder        one tsp
Coriander leaves           one tbsp (chopped)


Method

In a mixing bowl add cloves, cardamom powder, chopped green chilly, ginger garlic paste, cream and honey. Mix well. Now add tomato puree and red chilly powder. Mix well and keep aside.
Heat up a pan. Add butter and ready paste. Stir. Add one tbsp of water. Give it a boil. Switch off the fire.
Now heat tawa. Add ghee and chopped onion. Sprinkle little salt. Cook till they turn into pink in color. Add ajwain. Stir. Add paneer cubes and ready gravy. Simmer the fire. Add garam masala powder. Mix nicely. Cook till the gravy gets thick and coat all the masala. Add some more salt. Sprinkle fresh coriander leaves and serve with Tandoori Parantha or Naan. Enjoy.

Deepawali Greetings

Wishing all my readers and blogger friends very very happy and prosperous Diwali. May the Divine light of diwali spread into your life peace, prosperity, happiness and good health. 

A Redolent Home Indeed

Every evening, I reach my front door and let out a sigh of relief at the sight of my beautiful home. On a day just like any other, I stand in my front yard shuffling through my purse for my house keys, when a few things tumble out. As I bend down to pick up my lip-balm that has rolled to the edge of a potted plant placed at my doorstep, I smell the sweet fragrance of the roses that elegantly droop on its side. I am transported far back in time- to the times when I was a carefree and chirpy little girl who couldn't help but play in her grandmother’s garden all day long. That was the first time when I smelled the ambrosial pink roses, and when I finally bought this house, I decided to plant them right on my doorstep.  

I finally get a hold of my keys and open the front door. My big beautiful German shepherd, Simba, rushes over and enthusiastically greets me with a juicy lick across my cheek. I hug the big animal and smell his brown and white fur. He sure does smell pleasant after the big bath we gave him on the weekend! I immediately think of the pungent odor that had set in my home because of his damp and muddy paws. It took nearly 2 days to get rid of the strong and outdoorsy stink!

In my reminiscence I realize the huge number of scents that I associate with my home. The smell of onions being fried for a delicious tadka for my dal is one of my most favorite and savory smells.

When we first bought this house, it smelled of freshly polished wood and paint and every time we re-paint the walls, it brings me back to that moment when I first took a whiff of my new home in 2003. Every morning, my husband lights an incense stick and does his customary pooja in our small mandir next to the kitchen. The sweet smell spreads pleasantly in my home and gives it a refreshing and heart-warming scent.

This entry is a part of contest  by Ambi Pur    " www.facebook.com/AmbiPurIndia "  in association with indiBlogger

Masala Kathal (Jackfruit Masala Curry)

Ingredients






Jack fruit                   350 gms (in pieces)
Curd                         Half cup
Lime Juice                 Half tsp
Haldi Powder            1/4 tsp
Red Chilly Powder     1/4tsp
Bay leaf                       1
Nutmeg Powder        a pinch
Greem chilly               1-2
Onion Chopped          1
Tomato Puree          half bowl
Cinnamon               1 small piece
Green Coriander       1 tsp
Garam Masala         1/4 tsp
Oil                         for deep frying + one tbsp

Method

 Heat a pan with sufficient oil and put the pieces of jackfruit into it. Fry them until they turn brown and then take them out in a plate.
In a mixing bowl combine curd, salt, lime juice, turmeric powder, green coriander mix very well. Put the pieces of fried jackfruit into this mixture. Mix well and leave it for half an hour.
Now heat one Tbsp oil in a pan and put bayleaf, cinnamon, clove, and a pinch of nutmeg powder. Add chopped onion to it. Cook till they change into golden brown in color. Add tomato puree into it. Fry the masala until the oil is not released from the masala. Now add red chilly powder and chopped green chilly. Cook for one minute. Add some water. Cook again for two minutes. Add one tbsp of water. Add marinade jackfruit pieces into it and stir. Cook for two minutes. Add garam masala. Masala Kathal is ready now.
Take it out in a bowl and garnish with coriander leaves and serve with hot chapatti or parantha. Enjoy!!!

        

MW Kurkuri Moongfali

Happy Mothers Day to all lovely Moms. Today I am sharing my favorite snack which is very crispy to eat and low in calories, ready in minutes.

Ingredients

Raw Peanuts                             One Bowl
Besan/Chickpeas Flour             Three to Four Spoons
Baking Soda                              1/4 tsp
Dry mint powder                       1/2 tsp
Red Chilly powder                    1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder                      1/4 tsp
Chaat masala                            1/2 tsp
Salt                                            1/2 tsp
Oil                                             1 Tbsp


Method

In a mixing bowl combine peanuts and all other ingredients. Mix nicely. Add one tbsp of water. Mix with your finger tips. Now grease a mw safe bowl. Spread ready peanut mixture. MW for three minutes. Remove  and stir. Again MW for two minutes. Let it cool. MW Kurkuri Moongfali is ready.

TRESemme Gave Me A Reason To Party With my RAMP READY HAIR

" Wake up in the morning feel like P'Diddy; grab my glasses i'm out the door,

 i'm gonna hit the city"

( Checking the mirror ) what i see is dull and frizzy hair and even then i give no notice to them. And

"Before i leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of jack;

 cuz when i leave for the night i ain't coming back"

I stepped outside and met my friend two blocks away from home. Her hair tied up in a fancy bun with an attractive bow supporting it. While a black rubber band was holding back my hair in a pony tail. Excited for the party, we discussed the guest list and waited for the other girls, so we could all leave for our destination. The moment they arrived their hairdo amazed me. Was I the only one looking so dull and lifeless or they were just dressed too much. Well, considering the occasion former was the case.

The smartest of all gave me a lookfull of disgust and pitty, immediately she questioned me, " are we going to party or to a flea market..?"

We immediately drove to her place, where i conditioned my tresses with Tresemme products. "Wow half of the work is done", this is what my mind was saying to me. no friz and so shiny hair! Now what's next? Youtube!

We checked various hairstyles on YouTube and picked the "Athena Braid" which could be easily made and yet trendy and chick.

All dressed up as divas we sang out loud on our way to the party

" Don't stop make it pop DJ, blow my speakers up Tonight, 

I'mma fright Til we see the sunlight, Tick Tock on the clock..."

Contest byTRESemme  at     Indiblogger

TRESemme Gave Me A Reason To Party!!

" Wake up in the morning feel like P'Diddy; grab my glasses i'm out the door,

 i'm gonna hit the city"

( Checking the mirror ) what i see is dull and frizzy hair and even then i give no notice to them. And

"Before i leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of jack;

 cuz when i leave for the night i ain't coming back"

I stepped outside and met my friend two blocks away from home. Her hair tied up in a fancy bun with an attractive bow supporting it. While a black rubber band was holding back my hair in a pony tail. Excited for the party, we discussed the guest list and waited for the other girls, so we could all leave for our destination. The moment they arrived their hairdo amazed me. Was I the only one looking so dull and lifeless or they were just dressed too much. Well, considering the occasion former was the case.

The smartest of all gave me a lookfull of disgust and pitty, immediately she questioned me, " are we going to party or to a flea market..?"

We immediately drove to her place, where i conditioned my tresses with Tresemme products. "Wow half of the work is done", this is what my mind was saying to me. no friz and so shiny hair! Now what's next? Youtube!

We checked various hairstyles on YouTube and picked the "Athena Braid" which could be easily made and yet trendy and chick.

All dressed up as divas we sang out loud on our way to the party

" Don't stop make it pop DJ, blow my speakers up Tonight, 

I'mma fright Til we see the sunlight, Tick Tock on the clock..."

Contest byTRESemme  at     Indiblogger

Sandy Candy Mocktail

Here's an easy to make refreshing  mocktail, can be served as party drink.

Ingredients

Vanilla Ice Cream         One Scoop
Frooti drink
Sprite
Drinking Soda


Method

Put crushed ice in a mocktail glass. Fill 1/4th part of glass with Frooti drink. Now, add one scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Slowly pour over the sprite till half from the side of the glass. Top up the glass with drinking soda. Garnish with strawberry crush and serve chilled.     

An End to Split Ends

The best part in women that adorns her is hair. Long, lustrous and silky smooth hair just adds on to her beauty and provides a grace to her persona.

Love Dove  !

Well indeed I do. And to justify my statement I must state that Dove was introduced to me in my early twenties, as a gift from my overseas maternal aunt. Since then I am sharing my bathroom with Dove in every possible way. From soap to shampoo, body wash to conditioner; trust me dove is all around my place. I wonder that day is no far when I’ll start swearing on the brand.

Well never mind, I too have a braid tale which is a three generation story, revolves around me, of course, my mother and my daughter.

Once upon a time, there was a school girl whose mother was obsessed with her hair care, more than she was. Every day without a miss the mother used to oil girl’s hair, which was till her waist line, air tight braids were made and the thickness of those two braids individually was as of a metal rod. You bet they were pretty thick and I know so because those were my braids. Every girl used to envy me for my thick and long black hair. School girls used to ask me the secret behind my beautiful braids, was nothing rare. Those were pretty good happy days for me. But one day what I saw, enemy of hair! And it was no alien force. They were my own hair. Their ends! Yes the spilt ends! I was worried and heart broken. These split ends were new to me and this new was no good. I could do nothing to get rid of these dirty ends. And being candle therapy the only solution in those days, I had to go for same. Irrespective of me hating the candle therapy because I was vulnerable and scared, that what if some accident happen, what if the therapy goes wrong? What if the therapist is not a pro? What if I had to cut short my length due to failure in therapy? There were so many what if’s , but I was helpless. I was still proud of my tresses, but deep down somewhere I had a glitch against these ugly ends

Today, those tresses are gone. But what I have is a daughter. Just like my mother she is obsessed with her hair care. But her techniques are a lot different as of my mother’s back in those days. She has shoulder length hair, which is according to her is the best length to keep one’s hair healthy and nourished. Any length below this will lead to loss in nourishment and dry and dead ends. But just like every other girl she craves for long tresses. I have seen her going lala over my length after seeing my pictures when I had long tresses. With a fear of spilt ends, she is afraid to grow them long, thus she opt for frequent hair cut, which leads to length till shoulder. While she wish to grow her hair longer than mine.

The other day I was watching T.V and my cookery show was interrupted with commercials, when suddenly Dove Split End Rescue system ad flashed on screen. At first I was thinking if this could actually happen? And I was left thinking should I order this product or not? What if this just another false claim by advertisers? Despite being doubtful, I made up my mind to use it once. And I applied for these samples.

Just after a few washes difference was identified. The bottles were soon emptied. I can say my loyalty towards Dove has finally paid off by introducing this new product.

P.S. I miss Dove Split End Rescue Shampoo in my own time. As the saying goes, it’s always better to be late, than never.

P.S. This is no a fiction, but one dramatized chapter of my life. I proudly say Love Dove, not just because I do, but as it is so worth it.

Dove Split End Rescue System  contest at IndiBlogger

Bathua Ki Poori Aur Aaloo Ki Subzi

Health is Wealth. This is what I keep on telling my family but nothing can be done when everyone is fried food lover or to be precise Poori lover. Adding bathua leaves (green leafy winter vegetable) in the poori dough was somewhat helping me in making my pooris healthy. But what about oil? Well now I have an alternative for that i.e. Fortune Rice Bran Oil. The makers of the oil claims that it is very light and is less consumed. I had a doubt myself at first, but alongwith my hubby's consent  I can say "Makers' claim is absolutely right". Pooris came out perfect and yes they hardly consumed any extra oil and we were not feeling heavy and sleepy like we usually do after having fried and oily food. They were light and yummy. Do try "Bathua ki Poori" in Fortune Rice Bran Oil and  feel healthy.

Ingredients

For Bathua Poori

Fortune Rice Bran Oil            For Deep Frying
Wheat Flour                           One Bowl
Bathua Leaves Paste             Half Bowl
Crushed coriander Seeds       1/2 tsp
Green Chilly(chopped)          1-2
Red Chilly Powder                1/4 tsp
Salt                                        as per taste                        

Method                                                                                              

Clean and Wash bathua leaves. Drain out excess water through strainer. Keep aside.

Boil sufficient water in a broad vessel. Add bathua leaves. Blanch for three to four minutes. Add 1/4 tsp of sugar to maintain the green color.  Drain out the water. Pour over some cold water and strain. Make Paste in Blender.
Take wheat flour in a vessel. Add salt, crushed coriander seeds, green chilly, red chilly powder and mix well.
Add bathua paste and mix. Gradually add some water to prepare a stiff but pliable dough. Rest for fifteen minutes. Divide into small portions. Roll into pooris. Heat sufficient oil in a deep frying pan. Deep fry the bathua poori from both sides till crispy.  Yummy and crispy pooris are ready.

Ingredients for Aaloo Ki Subzi

Fortune Rice Bran Oil       One Tbsp
Boiled Potato                    3 to 4
Tomatoes                          3
Green Chilly                     1 to 2
Coriander Powder           2 tsp
Turmeric Powder             1/4 tsp
Red chilly powder            1/4 tsp                                                                      
Garam Masala                1/4 tsp

Cumin Seeds                   1/4 tsp
Asafoetida                       a pinch
Ginger                             a small piece
Salt                                  as per taste

Method

Roughly mashed the potatoes and keep aside. Grind tomatoes in a blender with green chilly and ginger.
Heat oil in a pan. Add asafoetida. Saute for a minute. Add in cumin seeds. When they start to crackle, simmer the fire. Add turmeric powder, red chilly powder and immediately add tomato puree. Stir. Add coriander powder and salt. Cook for three to four minutes or  until  the oil comes out. Add in potatoes and mix. Add two and half cups of water. Stir. Cook for five minutes. Switch off the fire. Sprinkle garam masala. Add fresh coriander leaves. Serve with hot crispy bathua pooris. Enjoy!!     .

             

This post is a part of Healthy & Tasty Recipe Contest with Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil & BlogAdda.com

China Challs

Hope all are doing good. Here I came with this fusion snack, which I made yesterday evening for my family. Try and I hope your family will enjoy too.



                                                                                         
Ingredients


Bread Slices                             4-6                                    
Chopped Cabbage                   half bowl
Chopped Carrot                       half bowl
Chopped Capsicum                  half bowl
Boiled Noodles(chopped)        half bowl
Sweet Chilly Sauce                  1 Tbsp
Tomato Sauce                         1 spoon

Soya Sauce                             1/2 spoon                                                
Vinegar                                   1/2 tsp
White Pepper Powder             1/2 tsp
Chopped Onion                      1/2 bowl
Chopped green chilly               1/2 tsp
Chopped ginger                       1 tsp
Semolina                                 50 gms
Salt                                         to taste
Oil                                          for deep frying

                                   

Method

 In a mixing bowl combine noodles, cabbage, carrot, capsicum, green chilly, ginger  and chopped onion.
Seasoned it with salt, white pepper powder, tomato sauce, sweet chilly sauce, vinegar and soya sauce. Mix very well. Keep aside for stuffing.
                                                                                                                      
Take water in a broad vessel. Now dip one slice of bread in water for a second, then squeeze out the excess water between palms. Place little amount of stuffing in the centre of the moist bread and close carefully to prepare china challs. Prepare the other challs in similar way. Take semolina in a flat container roll over each china chall.

Heat sufficient oil in a deep bottom pan. Deep fry the challs till golden brown in color on medium flame. Serve hot with tomato ketchup. Enjoy.

Paneer stuffed Pooris with Fresh Matar

Ingredients

For Pooris

APF                                   Half Bowl
Wheat Flour                     Half Bowl
Grated Paneer                 200 gms
Black Pepper Powder     1/4 tsp
Green Chilly Paste         1/4 tsp
Chaat Masala                 1/4 tsp
Chopped Cilantro           2 Tbsp
Oil                                   For Deep Frying
Salt                                  As per taste


Method

Combine both flours . Add water gradually and knead into a smooth dough.and keep aside.
In a mixing bowl add grated paneer, chaat masala, green chilly paste, fresh cilantro and salt. Mix very well. Prepare small tiny balls out of this mixture for stuffing. 

On the other hand heat sufficient oil in a vessel for frying. Now, Make  small balls out of the ready dough. Roll out into small disk with the help of little flour. Place Stuffing and close the sides properly. Roll again and prepare medium size of pooris and deep fry on moderate heat till golden brown. Crispy Pooris are ready.




For Fresh Matar

Peas                                                        Half Bowl
Finely Chopped Onion                           1-2
Grated ginger                                          1/2 tsp
Garlic paste                                             1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder                                     a pinch
Red chilly powder                                   1/4 tsp
Coarsely grounded coriander seeds       1-2 tsp
Garam Masala Powder                           a pinch
Finely chopped green chilly                  1/2 tsp
Fresh coriander(chopped)                     2 tsp
Oil                                                          1Tbsp
Salt                                                        As per taste

Method

Heat oil in a pan. Add in coarsely grounded coriander seeds, saute for a minute. Add in chopped onions, garlic paste and ginger. Saute for two minutes. Add fresh peas, green chilly, coriander powder, red chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt.  Mix very well. Cook for five minutes on slow fire. Switch off the fire. Add fresh coriander and garam masala. Garnish with rings of onion and cilantro.

 Add some lime juice .
Serve hot with crispy paneer pooris. Enjoy!!