mayurisjikoni

The Holiday State    February is when Shhh Cooking Secretly group (started by Priya of Priya's Versatile Recipes ) had a virtual tour of Goa. Its been over 30 years since I've visited Goa. I remember when we were passing the town centre, there was a huge crowd of people. We asked the taxi driver what was going on and he replied "koi naya actor ki shooting chal rahi hai, aap ko dekhna hai?" he asked. We asked if he knew the actor and he said no so we didn't stop to watch. Who was the new actor? None other than Shakrukh Khan shooting for the movie Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa!    I remember we were staying at some hotel in town and would go to the Taj Holiday Resort to get onto the beach. Back then there were not many hotels. I remember getting to the beach and for miles there would hardly be anyone. There use to be a fish shack near Taj and hubby, my brother and my cousin would enjoy fresh fish and I'd get only French fries (fishy ones)!    Goa is  the smallest...

Happy Holi    I'm not going to go into why Holi is celebrated as I've already mentioned that in my other Holi posts. However, I still believe that everyone can enjoy a more environmentally friendly Holi by not using artificial colors. Not only do those awful reds, blues, greens and yellows not come off our skin and hair for days but it affects the plants, makes the roads look messy and dirty. Its also a waste of water which is fast becoming even more precious than any metal on earth. At the same time please please please leave your pets out of this celebration. A hug should suffice and not coloring the poor creature's fur with all sorts of colors!     When I was growing up in Nairobi we went to the ceremony where a huge bonfire or pyre is burnt which signifies the power of Bhakti(faith).We would throw some millet or sorghum, sesame seeds and a coconut into the fire. After the bonfire or pyre dies, we would be given some popped sorghum (jowar) and the b...

Healthy Dessert For Kids Theme: Kid's Delight BM#85 Week 3 Day 3    During my last trip to Montreal, during the weekend we decided to go to the Old Port area. It was bustling with people, it was a very hot sunny day, many food trucks were around selling food, desserts etc, stalls selling hats, sunglasses, souvenirs, and so many things. While most of the Canadians and tourists were enjoying the sweltering sun, I was looking for some place to sit under the shade. I  cannot bear really hot weather. It just zaps all my energy and I feel so sluggish. I finally found some place on the bench under a tree and right in front of the truck selling chocolate dipped frozen bananas. The choice was to stand in the long line in the sun to get that or just sit under the tree. However, I so wanted to try the frozen banana dessert. Never had it before. The foodie in me got the better of me and I waited in the sun patiently for my turn. The wait was worth the while. It was so cooling, health...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder    Every Tuesday, the members of Foodiemonday/ Bloghop group wait in anticipation to see what a fellow member will suggest as a theme for the coming week. We all take turns in suggesting the theme. For the #132nd theme Mallika who blogs at A Foodie Housewife had to decide the theme. She suggested Edible Food Art and also gave us some examples. So some of us said no to the theme and some of us immediately said yes. Usually the majority win. All who said yes immediately, slowly began sending messages that they are not artistic and have no clue how to go about this theme. I was one of them. What came to my mind first was a pretty shaped bread, but then I do that now and then. Then I thought of cookies and seriously couldn't go through the stress of icing in my super hot kitchen... yes its just too hot in Mombasa! Finally, I decided to challenge myself with a nicely arranged food shapes which normally all mothers do to make their kids eat. ...

Double Treat Theme: Kid's Delight - Chocolate Dishes BM#85 Week 2 Day 2    I often bake chocolate cakes, cookies and muffins for my niece and nephew. Whenever hubby and I visit his uncle, I take either cookies, muffins or cakes for the kids. For my nephew its the more chocolatey the better. I still remember when he was in hospital with dengue fever, he wanted to have chocolate cake and asked me to put chocolate pieces in them. That's how much he loves chocolate. The next few days the only food he'd eat was cake. My niece now tries out some of the cakes that are on my blog. Its such an overwhelming feeling; the niece that I used to bake for now bakes for her family.     When I chose the chocolate theme, I didn't have any specific recipes in mind. I then realized that though I bake a lot of cookies, I don't have  chocolate chip ones on the blog. I baked these cookies and immediately took photos as they were fast disappearing. I had to hide some of them for my...

For Little Angels Theme: Kid's Delight - Chocolate Dishes BM#85 Week 3 Day 1    Its the first time that I'm actually making something with kids in mind. Mine are all grown up and now treat hubby and me like kids! Don't do this, don't travel alone, call us when you're going out, etc etc. Does that sound familiar? Are we getting a dose of our own medicine? My daughter in this respect is just too over protective. Sometimes I feel good but sometimes get irritated when she thinks I can't think for myself. However, when she automatically holds my hand when we're crossing a very busy road, I feel so loved. When my sons ask me if I need anything, its such a comforting feeling. When my son in law calls me mum, I feel joyous and when my daughter in law gives me a tight hug I feel as though my happiness cannot be contained.          I made these nut and fruit clusters and shared it with my neighbors kids. The two year old who is not into anything sweet, refused t...