Cattis is my netpal from Sweden, whom I have never met, but we talk about almost anything and everything in life.Cooking has been her passion and she has a blog (http://www.botatonscattis.blogspot.com/) devoted to the gourmet lovers of the world.
I am one among those fortunate ones to whom she had dedicated an Autumn Salad, a very simple yet delicious and nutritious salad which can be in fact tried out at any time of the year as the ingredients are easily available.I tried her Autumn Salad in Winter and it turned out to be luscious.
The ingredients are as following:-
1 or 2 fresh beet roots(peeled and grated coarsely)
1 apple(her favourite is a Swedish winter fruit that is sweet and has a firm consistency)( peeled and grated coarsely)
handful of sunflower seeds (roasted)
1/4 tsp of cumin seeds(roasted)
some olive oil,white wine vinegar or lime juice
herbal salt to taste
pepper to taste(optional)
The method is the most simple I have ever tried for any salad as you just have to toss everything in a bowl and Cattis's fresh and crunchy salad is ready to serve.Thanks to my friend, because of whom I have the recipe of an appetising and quick salad which I can serve whenever I have guests at quick notice in my home.
Our journey to the much famed Nathula Pass,formerly called the Silk Route,which formed the gateway to Tibet prior to its Chinese control,turned out to be a source of utter disappointment as the road was closed due to landslide.So,we proceeded to the Baba Mandir.
A sacred temple built in memory of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh,who went missing while patrolling with his battalion in the remote areas of Sikkim,and is still believed to visit the site every night,put on his uniform and take rounds.You can see the pictures we had taken during our visit.As we went inside,we saw devotees offering uniforms to him and praying to their saint, to grant boons and safeguard the soldiers stationed in the border.
On our way back,when we stopped near the Tsomgo lake to take a sip of hot tea, a local girl at the restaurant told me that people still believe that Baba goes to his hometown every year by train wherein a seat is booked on his name along with two of his companions and people flock the road in large numbers to catch a glimpse of him and offer him their prayers. Infact, when the girl saw the picture of Baba that we had taken in the temple,she joined her hands and bowed down to show her respect.Such is the belief of the local people.
The sun was setting down behind the hills and it was time we head back to the hotel but I could not resist my temptations of capturing some magnificent pictures of the moment to bring back romantic and nostalgic memories of my travel to the land of peace,splendor and tranquility.
Nicknamed as mini Switzerland,the serene,placid and panoramic view of the Tsomgo lake is every travellers delight.We set out on our journey early in the morning at around 6 o'clock to visit the Tsomgo lake and Nathula Pass, so that we could finish all activities and be on our way back in the hills to see the picturesque beauty of the sun setting in the hills which is one of the features that entices travellers.Some of the pictures that we had taken during our visit have been uploaded for you to enjoy.
The Tsomgo lake which falls on the Gangtok-Nathula highway is a restricted area and foreign nationals intending to visit this place must opt for prior permission.
As we went round and round up the winding roads,it became freezing cold. You may also feel dizzy if you try to focus too much on one object. And never even think of experiencing the thrill of speedy rides in the undulating mazy roads in the hills as that can turn to be fatal.It is always advised to look out for other cars on corners and drive slow so that you can stop with little notice.
It was the month of January and the first spot of ice made me go frenzy.As the full lake came into view,we saw that it was half covered by ice and it seemed as if one could walk over it from one side to another.
There were numerous shops lined alongside the lake and though I do not recommend buying any souvenir from here at exorbitant rates but some hot noodles and dumplings(momos as they call it) are a must to keep oneself warm.Another popular feature here is trying the traditional Tibetan dress whilst enjoying a yak ride which proved to be a wonderful experience for both of us.We were lucky to spot some migratory ducks on the other side of the lake and our driver told us that one may also spot rainbow trouts there.
As we move ahead to the Nathula Pass and the much famed wish fulfilling Baba Mandir,stay with me and don't hesitate to post your queries and comments if any.
Our trip which always got postponed due to some reason or the other was
finally happening.Yes,small and tall,serene,visual delight,orchid kingdom,naturalist's paradise,sprawling rivers,hypnotic scenery's and the list goes on to infinity.Can you guess our destination?All these features describe the least populated state of India called Sikkim situated in the Eastern Himalayas below the third highest mountain in the world-Khangchendzonga.
We gave a call to Naresh,my husband's bosom friend from Gangtok,the capital of Sikkim and he fixed up our vacation plan.We did not even have to bother about accommodation as Naresh was the proud owner of one of the luxury hotels in Sikkim- the Royal Plaza hotel located amidst breathtaking topography.Besides this there are other good and affordable hotels to suit every ones budget like Hotel Tibet,Golden heights,Golden pagoda,New castle ,Orange village,etc.
We reached Bagdogra airport,the nearest from Assam by the Jet airways flight and boarded a jeep to travel upwards to Gangtok.Bagdogra and Siliguri are well connected by air and rail from all major cities in India.However ,one has to take a cab from there to reach Gangtok.Another great option is the Helicopter service which I am sure would be the ideal option for honeymooners as it would provide an excellent aerial view of the mighty Teesta River.
By the time we reached Gangtok,it was late in the evening and like any other hill station there is nothing much to see and do after dark but to drink and enjoy bonfire.
We got up early in the morning and were amazed to see nature in its morning glory.It was the annual picnic day for naresh's family and we joined them at the Tashi view point's park.What better option than that could have been for an ever memorable vacation-a mesmerizing view of the snow clad Khangchendzonga peak on one side and the Phodong and Labrang monasteries on the other side.
The next day was for local sightseeing.We visited the Institute of Tibetology,Do-Drul Chorten(Stupa),Flower show in White hall,Enchey Monastery,White hall,Ridge Park,Rumtek Monastery,Sri Nalanda Institute of higher studies and the Ipecac gardens.
But the most awaited spots in this Himalayan beauty was yet to be explored-so hold on your breath till I come back with my next posts of the Nathula Pass and the Tsomgo Lake.Till then enjoy the pictures we had taken during our trip.
I have always been fascinated by people who can speak different languages.It not only makes communication with people from different cultures pleasurable but also enriches one personally. Besides making your travels comfortable and enjoyable,it also serves as a tool to boost your income due to its competitive advantage.
Thanks to Mukesh Da,who referred me the website http://www.sharedtalk.com/,a language sharing community where, I met Maria Catalano Teresa,an Italian teacher in Colonia,Germany.It is she who instilled in me a crave for learning the Italian language due to its similarities with Hindi grammar,the national language of my country,India.As we often go for voice chat,she noticed that I have a tendency to open my mouth wide to spell out each word clearly,which is another requirement for speaking Italian.
Besides Italian words are becoming very popular these days and the best way to understand and appreciate them is to learn the language.I started with http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages 12 weeks Italian steps course by simply registering my email address.Once my email was confirmed,I started receiving free learning tips online.
A really interesting package from which I was able to spell my name,talk about food and shopping,sightseeing,buying clothes ,medicines and essentials and so on.However it is important to follow the grammar tips on the site and of course you can learn the ABC from http://www.zapitalian.com/and http://www.italianlanguageguide.com/ . A dictionary that comes handy is http://www.wordreference.com/.
The advantage of knowing the basics before enrolling for a detailed course at any institute is that you will not be at a loss of words instead sense familiarity in the new environment.However,if Italian is not your cup of tea,do not be disappointed as there are numerous other languages to choose from the BBC site.
From my experience, I recommend a classroom learning rather than an online course, as it binds one to a sense of responsibility of attending classes.It is also easier to make friends for language exchange and the interaction with the instructor is more feasible.
So get going....as the Italian film director Federico Fellini aptly states"A different language is a different vision of life".
I spent 2 whole days trying to create a favicon for my blog by browsing the numerous articles available on the internet and finally succeeded in creating one(a red pen that serves as an unique identification for my blog).But I don't want you to lose your precious time by hopping from one post to another,instead devote that time to do something creative.And so,here I am,with my post of the easiest way to be followed to download and create a favicon to make your blog standout amidst the crowd.
1. Download any image that suits your fancy or your blogs title here.(http://www.freefavicon.com/)(http://www.clickfire.com/content/graphics/favicons/).
2. Save by right clicking on the object.(The best place is in your desktop to locate it easily).
3. Click here (http://www.iconj.com/icon_generator.php) and then click on browse to locate your image. Now click ' upload it' to get the code.
4. Copy and save the code from the "Direct Link Option".
5. Log into you blog and go to Dashboard/Layout/Edit Html/ expand widgets.
6. Find this portion of code data:blog.pageTitle
If you do not feel like going through the vast html code,click Ctrl+F which will locate the code for you
7. Paste the code that you had saved from Icon J's page just after the above line.
8. Save your template and view your blog in a new way with an unique favicon.
However,don't ever forget to take the back up of your template before making any modifications,lest if you have any trouble you can always get back your original stuff.Still if you have any problem creating your favicon,remember I am always there to guide you through the easiest steps possible.
My Maldivian extravaganza was not limited to only day time adventure activities.A magical and nostalgic experience was the sunset cruise in the splendid Indian Ocean followed by an unforgettable night fishing experience and barbeque dinner on the beach under the star lit sky whilst enjoying local Maldivian dance and music.
We set out at around 5 o'clock in the evening by a speed boat.There were around 15 tourists and 3 local people who guided us on our trip and gave us insight into the traditional Maldivian way of catching fish by hand liners.
The sunset cruise was a tremendously enjoyable experience(enjoy a video taken by me).As the sun was setting and the sky was painted in hues of orange,red and purple,our boat was taken to the middle of the ocean to an area that was suitable for fishing and remained there till 8 o'clock.I was lucky to catch a multi coloured Emperor fish but there were many who were so lost in the mesmerizing charm of the ocean and the clear sky that they had to leave bare hand.
It was now time to move to Kuda Bandos,an uninhabited island opposite Bandos, where we stayed, to relish an enthralling beach barbeque.As we reached the island,the smell of the open air grill that had our catch of fish too made my mouth water.
Candle light ,sumptuous grill,beach, star studded sky and live music.(Here is a video from our trip) Isn't this too much for a romantic evening?An opportunity that created a magic spell on me,a recreation, I would like to be blessed with time and again.So,what are you waiting for?Pack your bags and prepare to be enchanted, to savour this experience of a lifetime and if you have any queries about planning you vacation,do come back to me.
I do not know how the word 'bore' originated but its the most common word I hear almost everyday and everywhere.I never feel bore even when I am alone for hours as I have so many things to do.My computer is my best pal and I am sure it can everyone else's too.
I use it for chatting with friends from all over the globe,online learning,reading reviews of different products,blogging,exploring recipes,online dictionaries and thesaurus,and the list goes on to infinity.
An activity that can kept me busy during my childhood days was heavy petting. Having a pet at home can be one of the most rewarding activities.Time can be well utilised in maintaining a pet like keeping it clean,feeding it from time to time,taking it out for a walk,training it, etc. Above all everyone is sure to get a great deal of enjoyment from the pet.
Another activity which I indulged in was teaching kids of both working parents as well as those from our neighbourhood who could not afford to go to school.
Learning new skills can be interesting.Try to identify your strength. I started with learning a foreign language.
If you have job experience and know what it takes to come out with flying colours in an interview,why not conduct a free workshop about it in your residence on weekends.
Joining cooking or hobby classes,going to the library, joining social networking sites,going to a gym,making friends,sports,making a family collage or a collage from your school days,knitting or may be writing a poetry,can be other entertaining options.
All one needs to do is to make up the mind.There are plenty of things to do to keep oneself busy and you are bound to find something that interests you.You will probably have not enough time for yourself once you discover your interest,so,explore,discover and start taking advantage of the things available around you to get rid of the word 'BORE'.
Every part of the banana tree has been used in some form or the other in the traditional Indian kitchen and the assamese kitchen is no exception.My third favourite assamese cuisine is Posola( known as the banana stem in english).A delectable dish prepared from the stem of the banana tree which is readily available in most Indian home's campuses and hypermarkets of metros.
The process of readying this authentic Assamese cuisine is better followed the traditional way,that is to soak the banana stem in turmeric water for some time so that it does not turn black and to rub a little oil on both palms to avoid getting black stains in your palms while chopping it.
The banana stem should be chopped very fine.If you are not an expert in that it is better to use your grinder to do the job.However,note that the grinder does not overdo its work.The ingredients and method of cooking is very simple and easily available anywhere.
Ingredients:-
1 small part of the banana stem chopped very fine
2 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste
salt and turmeric powder to taste
a handful of red lentils(optional)
soda bicarbonate
2 tbsp oil(preferably mustard oil)
Method:-
Heat oil in a wok or kadhai.Add ginger-garlic paste and stir for a while.Soak the red lentils in water for sometime.Fry the chopped banana stem alongwith the ginger-garlic paste and to it add salt and turmeric to taste.Now add the lentils,soda and a little water and cover cook.When the lentils are cooked it is a clear indication that your Posola is ready.Serve hot as a side dish with steamed rice.
The dish may not appear appetising but its a very good source of iron and contains a lot of fibre too and is an ethnic delight.I am sure you would like trying this unusual preparation and if the healthy and simple assamese cuisines serve as gourmet's delight to you,do come back to my page for more of assamese recipes and let me know what would you like to cook next.
A painless and quick dish is how I would like to label it as.Yes, Omitar Khar,another favourite assamese cuisine of mine is something that can be cooked in any kitchen with the least effort involved and the most simple ingredients.
Omita means papaya in english and khar is a traditional liquid ingredient obtained by filtering water through banana peel ashes that can be substituted by edible soda,that's soda bicarbonate.Omita is my favourite but its not necessary for you to cook this dish with papaya too.It can be substituted by cabbage leaves or cucumber as well.
The method of cooking goes like this.Chopped raw papaya is stirred in a wok or kadhai with a very little amount of any oil(preferably mustard oil).Once they are tender,a dash of salt followed by 1/2tsp of khar or soda bicarbonate is added and cover cooked to get this energy efficient and cost effective yet delicious dish.
The north eastern state of Assam in India which has a rich legacy and civilization is also the home to certain simple,easily prepared yet tasty delicacies.A few of my favourite Assamese dishes are Masor Tenga ,Posola and Omitar khar.
Fish has been an important part of Assamese cuisine.'Maas' means fish in Assamese and 'tenga' means sour taste.Hence,Masor tenga means a tangy fish curry.Any sized fish may be used for this preparation.The fish pieces are first cleaned and smeared with salt and turmeric and then deep fried in mustard oil.You may opt for any other oil if mustard oil is not easily available.
The vegetarians can replace the fish pieces with some lentil balls that can be prepared by grinding red lentils and deep frying them to make small balls.The process of cooking this mouth watering dish is as follows:-
Ingredients:-
1 medium sized rohu or any other fish
a few mustard seeds and mixed spices(a mixture of general and black cumin,fenugreek,carom,fennel seeds)
1 chopped potato or half of green gourd.
handful of red lentils(optional)
2 ripe tomatoes
1 whole green chilli
2 strips of Garcinia species( called thekera in Assamese which may be substituted by kokum found in other states of India or lime juice available anywhere in the world)
Salt and turmeric powder to taste
handful of chopped coriander leaves
Method:-
Heat mustard oil in a wok or kadhai. Add a few mustard seeds and some mixed spices.Let them splutter.Add the green chilli,chopped potatoes,gourd,tomatoes and lentils(soaked in water for a while).Stir them for a while.Add salt and turmeric and pour 2 glasses of water.Now add the fish pieces or lentil balls and let them simmer for a while. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.
Your tangy and delicious fish curry is ready.Serve hot with steamed rice.So get going...try this amazingly simple and nutritious recipe loaded with unusual flavours and tell me how it turned out to be. And do come back for my next posts of Omitar Khar and Posola, yet more simple and economical selections from the Assamese kitchen.
The Chinese manner of providing guests with more food than they can eat has been aptly served at Yo China these days.It was a lazy Sunday afternoon and I was in no mood of cooking.We decided to eat out at Yo China,Marathahalli,Bangalore.We were surprised to witness a long que outside the restaurant and after waiting for about 20 mins,could manage a table for us.
An excellent combination of unlimited serving format with fresh and hot food was what caught our attention.For the vegetarians there were unlimited starters of veg dim sums,spring rolls,chilli honey potatoes,followed by main course of either rice or veg noodles with schezewan veg or manchurian.As for the non-veggies there were chicken dim sums,spring rolls and chicken lolly pops as starters, followed by a main course of rice/noodles with chilli or schezewan chicken and unlimited beverages of your choice and a single scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce.
All this for Rs 150+ tax.But not to forget that the food cannot be ordered on a shared basis.We relished the fresh,hot, juicy dim sums and chicken lolly pops and were hardly left with any space for the main course which was a bit spicy and average marked.
However,if hot and spicy tickles your taste buds,then you are at the right place.So,eat unlimited until you burp away and multiply your weight.An indeed belly bursting offer which leaves me with the saying that Yo China is really YO!!
I even hate thinking that my wonderful holiday in the island of Bandos in Maldives where paradise seemed to meet reality has come to an end.Famed as the world's most romantic destination,Maldives is one such unique and unspoiled place on earth which I would like to rediscover over and over again.
Bandos island resort and spa in South Male Atoll,where we were booked is an awesome 5* property. A lavish holiday resort set in the deep blue oceans,surrounded by lush green palms,white sand beaches,the resort has 2 restaurants and 3 bars where one can wine and dine either in an AC room to avoid the heat of the tropical climate or outside to relish the breathtaking view.
Besides the live music every evening(enjoy a video clipping of the live music in the resort taken during our travel),there are inexhaustible water sport activities like snorkeling,diving,glass bottom boat ride,island hopping,dolphin cruise, water skiing,para sailing,banana boat ride,wake board etc.
The sunset cruise followed by night fishing and barbecue dinner in an another island is one of my unforgettable experiences.
Remember to write down your name on the activity list in the resort's lobby to book a place for yourself or else you might have to opt out because of rush especially during the peak season when tourists from all over the globe throng this exotic place.
The Anggerik Spa is every tourists delight to rejuvenate and refresh oneself after an adventurous day.An appointment one day in advance is a must and it is always better to speak to their experts before availing a treatment and discuss about your skin type and foretell about your allergies if any.
Just a week and I was so lost that I did not know how my vacation got over in this amazing paradise. Its hard and frustrating to believe that this blessed spot of nature will no more be the same after a few years.Will the Maldivians truly have to be climate refugees?Can we not do something to save this paradise? Post your comments on how we can lend a helping hand and remain hooked to know about my night fishing and barbecue dinner experience in Kuda Bandos.
You may burn away a lot of excessive fat,stay fit and active by walking but to be without a car in a big city is minimising your mobility and productivity.This is what happened to us when we moved to a new place and were without a car for some time.It was high time we bought a new car and the best way to start was to do a little research and enquiry on the Internet before heading to any car showroom.
We were fond of the hatch back series and the cars that drove our attention were the Chevrolet aveo-UVA,Maruti Suzuki's Swift and Hyundai's Getz.www.carwale.com is a wonderful site for comparing various cars of different models and brands.
Reading reviews on sites like http://www.carwale.com/research/comparecars/, http://www.mouthshut.com/, http://www.carazoo.com/, http://www.cybersteering.com/ gave us a clear insight into the product's accessories,components and lots of other vital informations.Reviewers provide tips and tricks about the vehicles use and maintenance too.In order to ensconce , it is necessary that every buyer reads reviews before buying any product.
It was now time for the test drives.We found Chevrolet's Aveo-UVA spacious but the gear and the rear view were its negative markings besides the snobbish attitude of their dealers.Maruti Suzuki's Swift's pickup was great but the appearance was not to my liking. What impressed us about Hyundai's Getz in the first instance was their dealers attitude.One phone call and the car was at our doorstep within 15 mins for test drive.It was spacious with excellent pickup and attractive interiors.The mileage of the 3 are almost the same,10-12kms within city and 15+kms on Indian highways.
It was the festive season and I couldn't resist trying my bargaining skills.Besides the corporate discount we were also offered many freebies and literally did not have to spend a single penny as we drove our new car home.
Latha,the sales executive from trident hyundai(Hosur Road,Bangalore)did not fail to keep her promise of delivering the car on the said date.And not to forget their after sales service.Every now and then we keep receiving calls from Hyundai asking for our feedback, driving experience,and reminding us about our servicing date.
We decided to go for the Getz 1.3 GLS considering the cc,exteriors and beige coloured interiors that really gave the car a luxurious look and feel. Thanks to Hyundai's excellent service and determination.It is true that dealers treating customers poorly rarely survive in the long run as it is a common perception of people to go to those where the customer is the king.Buying our car was indeed and exciting and rewarding experience.So should be yours especially when today's car market is crowded and competitive.How was your experience?Do write to me about how you got the value for your investment.
My husband was transferred from Assam to Bangalore and even before our shifting headache was over we were overburdened by the task of house hunting in Bangalore.Our days at the company's guesthouse was almost getting over and we had to find ourselves a house soon.
Bangalore is well known for its gated communities but the rent in an apartment there would cost one about 30-60K or above for a 2BHK or even more in posh areas.We were looking for an one bedroom apartment which is hard to spot in Bangalore and at a place which would be easily accessible with all the facilities in close vicinity.And what better option than Koramangala to make life hassle free.
- With Hypermarkets like Spencers,Spar,Star,Food World,Reliance fresh,Nilgiris,Namdharis etc
- Malls like Oasis,Forum,Star bazaar,Total,Big bazaar.
- Restaurants like Via Italiano,Umerkot,Tandoor,Bayleaf,Barbeque nation,etc.
- International food chains like KFC,Pizza Hut,Mc.Donald's,Domino's etc.
- Corporates like Wipro,HCL,Verisign,NDS,Toshiba,etc.
- Multiplexes like PVR,various academic institutions,clinics,parks and so on,one can hardly deny the advantages of staying in such a lush green locality
Hunting for a house is a tiresome and time consuming process,especially with a broker.So,I hurried to the Internet station nearby and at the single click of the mouse had several property sites like http://www.magicbricks.com/ , http://classifieds.sulekha.com/bangalore/ http://www.bangaloreproperties.com/ ,http://www.realtybangalore.com/ , display ads that suit my requirement and budget.
From my personal experience, I suggest, instead of visiting the brokers and hopping from one house to another, it is always better to do a little research and enquiry online before heading on a house hunt.The classifieds in the newspapers especially on weekends is another preferred option.
Within no time of my sending free sms and email from the property sites,I started getting calls from the brokers and within 2 days time we found ourselves in Oakwood apartment in Koramangala (picture attached)at a rent of INR 12,000+ maintenance.A 2BHK here would cost around INR 18+and a 3BHK around INR 22K+.On both sides are the Embassy Tranquil and Raheja apartments where a similar 2BHK would cost around INR 25K and a 3BHK around INR 30K.
For some it may be on the higher side but every good thing calls for a premium.And who would not like to avoid the growing traffic menace of Bangalore? A good night's sleep, clean and calm environment,and a place to unwind myself and share precious moments is what a home is all about.I discovered my home sweet home in Oakwood apartment,Koramangala.Where is yours?
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