Easy Tasty & Healthy

Chitrana- a mixed vegetable rice




Ingredients

• Basmati rice-2 cups
• mixed vegetables-1 cup
• (carrots,beans,peas,cabbage)
• Oil-2 tablespoon
• Urdu dal-i teaspoon
• Onion -1
• Green chillies-2
• Garam masala-1/4 teaspoon
• Ghee-1 spoon
• Cashewnuts-a handful
• Salt-a pinch

Method of preparation

1. Bring to boil 2 cups of water in a suitable vessel(preferably pressure cooker)
2. add a pinch of turmeric powder &salt to it
3. Add the rice to it &cook on a low flame.
4. Meanwhile pour oil to a pan,add the urdu dal ,onion & green chillies one by one
5. Add the vegetables to the pan &cook it for 5 minutes
6. Once the rice is cooked add the cooked vegetables to it &mix well.
7. Add ghee to a hot pan &fry the cashewnuts
8. Add the cashewnuts along with the ghee to the vegetable rice
9. Add the garam masala
10. Serve hot with salad &pappad

ENJOY!!

and please let me know how you went on...:))

A trendy fashionable question

Hi friends ,I am back...........:)))))))Almost a 3month gap from blogging....though not deliberate:))))))

             Its so amazing to see a whole different change in culture while travelling from east to west,especially in the clothing.Though not fashionable,I am always a good observer of the trendy wears.Its so beautiful to see the lovely Irish girls treading in style with their ultra modern outfit esp in the capital city ,Dublin.Another fact is that they are wonder struck by the Indian traditional wear too.The foreigners are so thrilled to see the mirror works and the dupattas of the salwar kameez..& the mundu-shirt for men,the variety of our outfits bla bla bla...

              A recent joke I could recollect is that me & my hubby were having a photo session around our house in our traditional wear.We planned to capture some snaps & send 'em home.I was in a salwar kameez...the patiala model & my hubby in a mundu-jubba(a long sleeved shirt)...we needed  help as we couldnt capture us together.Our Irish friend was more than happy to help us.We took some snaps with her &her boyfriend.Before saying goodbye she wanted to know the names of our dress &the various traditionl Indian outfits...

            After a  class of mine she left us with a question  ''Why do women wear trousers & men wear skirt in India?" 

          Oh my God!That was something unexpected;))))))

                                  

My favorite 5 quotes

I have been tagged for the first time by bindhu.. hurray! I am asked to jot down 5 quotes of my choice from the favorite books I have read or came across...
I liked it.Thanks Bindhu

Here are a few quotes...

1) With great power comes great responsibilities.

- a memorable quote from the movie Spiderman (2002) .

2) "This is my belief: that through difficulties and problems God gives us the opportunity to grow. So when your hopes and dreams and goals are dashed, search among the wreckage, you may find a golden opportunity hidden in the ruins."

- Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, Wings of Fire

3) "Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended."
(സഫലം ആക്കാന്‍ തക്ക വണ്ണമുള്ള ഒരു സ്വപ്നം ഉണ്ടെന്ഗിലെ ജീവിതം അര്‍ത്ഥപൂര്‍ണ്ണം ആകൂ )

-Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, Wings of Fire

4)"When you want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you achieve it"

- The Alchemist

5)A kind word can warm three winter months.

- A Japanese proverb

I m hereby tagging you friends:)))

scorpiogenius
nishanth nair
keshi
deeps
devika

My sonnet in solitude

An old anecdote from my diary.

When you were very near,
Never did I feel any fear
Loving you is my duty
for it made me very happy.
I wished you to be beside me
so I would see no one besides you
Solitude was very painful
though hard to be very cheerful;
Happiness came in a glimpse
and ordeals came in tons
When I was heartless
For life seemed mirthless;
Yonder I saw a smile
welcoming me into life

Scintillating Switzerland

My trip to Switzerland would be my most memorable travel experience in life.Switzerland is impregnated with its alpine beauty which would invigorate any jaded traveler.Though Switzerland looked neutral,it was never flavourless.
The journey started with joy & ended up in bliss.It was our honeymoon trip,and we started capturing photos form our doorstep until we reached back there.The most fascinating fact for us to chose Switzerland was that we didn't need a visa to go there,so the waiting hassles had been solved:))

The full name of this country is Swiss Confederation &the currency is Swiss Franc(CHF).It s a mixture of different cultures,the German,the French&the Italian;so the cuisines were definitely different &delicious.We tried all these dishes,but opted for the Indian one finally.To our interest,we found an Indian restaurant in Zurich where we tasted our Kerala cuisine food we never tasted before.Well I think all the Indians would go for their traditional food,if they get a chance; though they respect other cuisines.
The alpine ranges were marvelous which really made it exquisite.Such a beautiful experience to be on top of the alps,full of snow,2020m from the ground level!!!!.We were taken there in a cabin car,with glass windows absorbing the beauty of the mountain range.It was so freezing on top,that we could hardly take our hands out of the gloves to click a snap.......








































the skiing lessons


You wouldn't miss the most exciting pleasure there,the skiing ,after all this journey.I can't recollect if I have ever laughed like this before in my life.Such a funny experience we had there!


On our way to the shop to hire the skiing boots,we saw a child of approx. 9years coming with a fractured ankle after skiing!That made us more adventurous .We reached our way to the shop ,and put on the heavy skiing boots.Alas!We weren't able to make one step forward with it.I felt as if my legs were tied up & had to walk against resistance.However I tried to manage the 5 minute walk in half an hour,where my skiing instructor was waiting for the 2 hr session of skiing lessons.


We saw people skiing & snowboarding from the heights coming down to the beginning point where we were standing.As soon as we were managing to climb up the snow mountain,we saw a person snowboarding down to us & fell right in front of us with a banging noise.:'\;;'!@#$%$#@terrifying us:)))))We could see many tourists skiing with difficulty & many native kids skiing with so ease that we doubt if they are skiing or running.

















Somehow we managed to reach the point where we had to be ready to ski down.The instructor did it with ease turning right & left on the way & asked us to do the same.I stated skiing,never could turn a bit,had no controls ....& skiied right down straight into a shop,where I could stop at its steps atleast Thank God!!I burst out into laughter,&turned back to see my hubby laughing loud:))))))))))We had a dozen of falls on the snow clad mountains,but it was really funny.I have saved a video clipping of my funny skiing.




I am very happy to share such experiences through the blog.Still more to write about the transport,the stay,the tidiness of the cities,the friendly people,the Zurich zoo,the Water jet in Geneva etcetc...Had a lovely enjoyable time.

The whispering dawn......

Dawn is my favorite time of the day,though I don't always wake up at that time:)).It is the twilight before sunrise,often recognized by a weak sunlight,when we can distinguish objects& commence our outdoor activities.Another day with God's grace.I feel it great to enjoy the refreshing air at this time.It brings a positive spirit in me & gives me energy to work.

When I get up in the morning,I sit up & stay quiet for a while praying for a good day.Today while I was meditating ,I tried to concentrate on the soft whispers of the dawn around me;as if I was testing my hearing acquity.

the sound of gushing wind could be heard out of my window,the trees swaying in wind,the water getting heated up in the geaser,the tic-tic of the clock needle reminding me to get ready to go for work,the church bells ringing,the chirping birds& my darling snoring he he he:))))

I sank into memories of my childhood, when I used to wake up in the morning,never bothered to listen to any of these whispers,rushed out of the door with the badminton racket to play with my friends .I was often a school-girl,cos I always had more friends at school than at home.My mom never had a trouble sending me to school:)).My thought snaps went on &as I was dreaming through my childhood days,the alarm went on & on,breaking my dreams in the middle& reminding me of the trouble if I am late.
ooooops....Bye bye...miles to go before I sleep...

The Lucky Number '13'

Its 13-July-2008.I was off today,so thought would rest for a while.Thoughts kept flowing through my mind.Thoughts are inevitable part of life.Imagine a situation where we have to think nothing......ooops..I feel its terrible.

One of my thoughts was about the unlucky 13.Why is 13 always considered unlucky?I was always turned off when people described this natural number as unlucky.So i thought of putting a few words in my blog.


People seem to be afraid of this number.Fear of the number 13 is termed triskaidekaphobia.They take special care not to conduct any celebrations on a 13th.It may be of various reasons.

In Christianity ,it is believed that Judas Iscariot,the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the thirteenth to sit at the table for The Last Supper.Another notion is that when we divide 13people or objects equally into two or four or six divisions,there would always be one unlucky object or person.Some feel its related to dracula.:)),esp Friday ,the Thirteenth.


I ve noticed something strange.

The Medical college hospital ,where I studied did not have a ward 13,

No airports in Scotland have a Gate 13,instead it is Gate 12A&12B.

Microsoft plans to skip Office 13 for being "an unlucky number," going directly from Office 12 to Office 14.

After 13 years of being the richest man in the world, Microsoft Corporation chairman Bill Gates lost this title, according to Forbes magazine's 2008 list of the world's billionaires.


I ve no idea how to comment on these superstitions.However 13 was always a very lucky number to me.

I was born on a thirteenth.

My first house warming ceremony was on Dec 13th

My passport was issued on a 13th

............................
..............................
............................

And the most important event in my life,my marriage was on a 13th,

Every 13th of a month,is a month ahead of my marriage

I have more reasons to consider 13 as a lucky number.I remember a news I read in a magazine,that a young girl played violin for 13 hours continuously & made the unlucky number 13,a lucky number.I was definitely one among those who were delighted to hear it.


In Sikhism, the number 13 is considered a special number since 13 is tera in Punjabi, which also means "yours" (as in, "I am yours, O Lord").
Colgate University also considers 13 to be a lucky number. They were founded in 1817 by 13 men with 13 dollars, 13 prayers, and 13 articles.


So I feel strongly that poor digit 13 should not be abandoned.It should always be given due importance as our other numbers,cos its no one's fault to be born on a 13th,and also what has to happen in life will happen.So ,why this fear?

Shopping marvels

Shopping is always a craze for me.....oops but of course the price of some items turns me down.I realized that the safest way was the window shopping:)))No matter whether its a vegetable shop or a textiles one,there would always be something for sale.Recently while I was shopping in a supermarket,I saw something curious he he;It was a tomato,in the shape of an egg.
The eggs even had a different colour here,when compared to my native Kerala.
I even found another kind of tiny tomatoes which looked like cherries.So I felt an idea to compile all these:)))

Cookery time!

Cooking was always one of my hobbies.But never really got a chance to try it until marriage.The initial days of cooking were really funny,with every item turning into a mess;into a different one.I would no way give up...;);):)I tried again &again till I succeeded.I am very lucky to have a loving husband who has approved my cooking...:)

EASY RECIPES FOR DAILY DINNER

Mutta Aviyal(one of my favorite cuisines)

Ingredients


Eggs-3
Potatoes-2
Coconut-3table spoons
Green chillies-3-4
Curry leaves-a handful
Garlic-2 pods
Cumin(jeera)-1/4 teaspoon
Turmeric powder-1/4teaspoon
Tamarind-a teaspoon
Asafoetida(kayam)-a pinch
Salt-as needed
Oil-3tab.spoon
Mustard-1teaspoon
Urdu dal-1teaspoon


Cooking method

• Boil the eggs &keep it apart sliced

• Soak the tamarind in warm water

• Place the hob on fire with the sliced potatoes &tamarind.Allow it to boil until potatoes are cooked.

• Grind coconut,green chillies,turmeric,cumin,&garlic to a fine paste.

• Once potatoes are cooked,add salt, sliced eggs & the ground paste into it and keep on a low fire.

• Add oil to another pan,add mustard to splutter& add urd dal and fry it.Also add curry leaves to it.

• Add this mix to the hob;add asafoetida to the dish & stir lightly.

• Serve hot with rice.

My thoughtSNAP

I accidentally clicked this site while browsing n saw the dark face of life.But really felt a relief when i realized that i did something worthwhile when i clicked it.


http://www.bhookh.com/

Its so heart-breaking to see young children dying of hunger,losing parents ,and struggling for existence,in fact the black hands of destiny.



One of the Pulitzer award winning picture I came across was soooooo heart-breaking that it never disappears from my mind.
In 1994, Kevin Carter won the Pulitzer prize for a photo showing a vulture stalking an infant girl in Sudan.
" PULITZER PRIZE " winning photo taken in 1994 during the Sudan famine.
The picture depicts a famine stricken child crawling towards an United Nations food camp, located a kilometer away.
The vulture is waiting for the child to die so that it can eat it. This picture shocked the whole world. No one knows what happened to the child, including the photographer Kevin Carter who left the place as soon as the photograph was taken.
Three months later he committed suicide due to depression.

A slice of life

Life is like a bank account.We will get out of it only what we put into it.Although we put the very best of our efforts into it,life turns up to us in a tragic way in the form of bereavement.Loss of a loved one is something we all human beings don't wish to accept,well...........that's life;the true pranks of life.

God is great!HE gives us not what we want;but what we need!His signature in all His creations is marvelous,with man being the best gifted with the power of intelligence.Man has gone so far from the stone age to the present world of daily developments.

But the great times God gives us in life are to be treasured as well.Even the innocent smile of a baby to the achievement of a professional career make us happy.Life is always a complex situation,tangled up with joys &sorrows.

The best way to be happy is to accept things that come in our way,to consider it as a token from God,to believe that it is for our best &to live with it.

Welcome to Thought snaps!

This is just my crazy time pass to post some reflections of my mind.Just as a kind word can warm three winter months,so do my blog can warm up my ideas.It could be anything that I come across, from a mild chicken curry to the severe heart-breaking moments of life.oooh ooh ooh nothing so serious,ok?[:)]haha....