Procrastination or Sheer Laziness

That's my treatment for the blog - a year and a month later - still need to revive!! Very soon!! Someday!!

Cold Cardamom Spiced Kaffe!!

Yummm – another one!!

Many years ago, I had accidentally tasted cardamom coffee. I was trying to fix myself a cup of coffee; but added cardamom to boiling water. Out of sheer laziness, I used that water to make coffee. And, there it was – my Eureka coffee moment. At that time, I had no clue that this was the coffee norm in middle east; and the magic behind Turkish coffee.

·         Coffee Decoction ( you can use instant coffee too)

·         Milk

·         Cardamom ( Pod/Crushed/Powdered)

·         Sugar – To Taste

Boil milk with sugar and cardamom for 5 minutes. Let it cool. Now, add Coffee decoction to this, and hand blend for 30 seconds. Pour over a glass of ice.

And enjoy the elixir J.

Renewed Love for Cooking

Once upon a time, I was very fond of cooking – and experimenting with world recipes. I could watch Food channels for hours together and then mix and match recipes. I would never save any of the recipes. Or write it down – because I could always change some. Or remember some. Somewhere, in the last 5 years, I totally lost interest in cooking. I became more of a chore – for when I have to – or for when some guests were there. Or for once in a while – for “one of those days”. 

Recently – with my focus on healthy cooking drive – I began experimenting again – and so far, I am pleased with my resultsJ. And also my family – who has no choice but to say what I cook is yummy of course. I also decided that I will save some recipes – for later!!

Sharing the recipe –and next time, I will start saving pictures as wellJ. And of course, right quantities!

Clear Vegetable Soup – now, my go to comfort soup! And ready in a jiffy.

Ingredients ( Serves 6)

·         Green Cabbage –  1 Small

·         Leek – 1 Stalk

·         Baby Bok Choy – 2

·         Celery – I stalk

·         White onion/ Spring Onion – 3

·         Carrot

·         French Beans – Some

·         Shitake Mushrooms – 6

·         Ginger - Some

·         Lemon Grass –Some

·         Butter – 1 tbsp

·         Salt – to taste

·         White Pepper – to taste

·         Water

Method

1.       Finely chop all vegetables. If you don’t have all, that’s fine as well.

2.       In a pan, add butter and slightly sauté onions.

3.       Add all vegetables, and sauté them for 3-4 minutes

4.       Add salt and white pepper

5.       Add water – and bring it to a boil.

6.       Cover the pan and let it boil for 5-10 minutes

7.       And there you go – yummy soup ready!!

Revive!

Boston... And when the sun shines....it brings all smiles!!

I simply love spring and summer in Boston. It is such a contrast after harsh winters... and you get to see/experience the change in all aspects...

1. Colors and Flowers. It is just so beautiful when you smell ( sans pollen) fresh flowers, and see all color blooms.

2. Tourists Inflow - Suddenly, too many people come to Boston. Tourists, families of students who are about to graduate, conferences, games... and a numerous list of reasons ....

3. Leisure Walks - as opposed to brisk walks when there are harsh winds and bone-chilling cold. And of course, runners too. 

4. Kids Playing Out and Adults Soaking in the Sun

And just too much of chatter, happiness, and cheer around!! 

Food Coma @ AZULIA, GRT Grand, Chennai

What do you do when you land in Chennai, and check-into a hotel - yeah, I know most will say relax -- but what I say is FOOOOOD. And seriously, it doesn't matter that I have, most of the times, have already had a snack and plane food. 

So, this time, while checking in when the person presented me with a 15% discount for Azulia, I was like – really, a Mediterranean restaurant in Chennai hotel – with a 15% discount – how inviting that could be?

So – I make a stop at Azulia – with an intention of having a sandwich and sleep. And I promise that was the intention, till I entered. Azulia has a very romantic setting with the escort dressed in a red fancy outfit.  She hands me what looks like a perfect Coffee Book table, and I was like – wow. 

So, I start flipping the book, and realize that it is “the Menu”. It was very intelligently laid out menu – with a number of dishes that can be overwhelming. However, each chapter is dedicated to a country in the Mediterranean region – briefly talking about the region, and then type of cuisine – and then the dishes. So – clearly, I was all settled in, and the sandwich thought was clearly out of the door.

I started with Patata Harra – Lebanese spiced potatoes. These were fried potatoes with herbs. It was definitely one of the bestest best fried potatoes with subtle flavors, very finely chopped and fried red peppers, nice herbs and spices – and a very crunchy taste.

They were something that one person could polish off in a few seconds. 

They asked me if I needed an Apron before I start eating - apparently a Mediterranean tradition, but the food was too inviting to ….

Then, to wash the herb taste, they serve basil sorbet --  very sweet for my taste, and strong – but OK. That was the only thing – by the way – that I did not polish off.

And now came the main course Pasta Verduras. I had requested a lot of vegetables with this Pasta, and I was pleasantly surprised that they did adhere to the request. Thought the Pasta did not look as good, but taste – that was definitely yawesome– and the best was hidden vegetables ;). The spices, the mix, Pasta – everything was nearly perfect.

  

Now – with my denims already bursting at seams, the head chef came and convinced me for a “light” desert – Fruit Romanoff – finely chopped fruits, in Grand Mariner, almond flakes and vanilla ice-cream. Now, that was something “to –die-for”. It was amazing, and one of the best that I had ever across the world.

All –in –all – it was a very fine restaurant, yummiest food, amazing, pleasant service, and super expensive food… but some place, where I can eat again, and again and again!! 

Flight Risk???

Came across this when I was in an animated discussion on Attrition - and reasons why people leave... appropriate!! Literally!!