mayurisjikoni

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...

Happy Valentine's Day    What is Valentine's Day without roses, chocolates and all things cute? Hope hubby is reading this and gets a hint;). People could be selling Valentine's paraphernalia right under his nose and he'd still not get the hint. Sighhhh! Perhaps I should treat myself to roses.     Getting down to today's theme for FoodieMonday/Bloghop group , we unanimously decided on Valentine Rose as our 131st theme . For this theme one could either prepare something that has rose flavor or which is in the shape of a rose. I really love rose flavor so I chose to make a healthy but romantic dessert. Though I served to hubby dear a few days before Valentine's, he thoroughly enjoyed the early treat. That means I will either make something else for Valentine's Day, repeat this recipe, or perhaps like him just pretend that Valentine's Day does not exist.     Roses and other edible flowers have been used for centuries in cooking. Many Indian sweet dis...

Happy Valentine's Day     To love someone deeply gives you strength and to be loved deeply by someone gives you courage.     This is so true.Its my hubby's love that gives me courage to do want I want. Loving him gives me the strength to overcome any difficulties. My hubby has never been the flowers, chocolates, teddy bear type of person. Yesterday after watching Raees we went for lunch to a famous Italian restaurant. We were sitting next to the very tempting choices of gelato but he didn't ask me if I wanted some as Valentine's Day is around the corner. In all our 34 years of marriage I received only one valentine's card from him and that too when he was away doing his dermatology course. I bet the younger college mates and friends must have advised him to do so. Basically what I'm trying to get across to you all that he is not the romantic type, he's just too practical and serious. So you may ask "Why don't I do something special?" Well, it u...

Vasant Panchami/Basant Panchami/ Saraswati Puja Om Hreem Saraswatyai Namah Saraswati Ma.(source Google)      It is believed that the celebration of this auspicious day which falls on the 5th day of the Magh month (Gregorian calendar month of February) marks the beginning of spring season. Punjab region celebrates this festival by flying kites.The mustard plants begins to flower during this time, creating stretches of fields into bright yellow carpets.The blooming mustard plants symbolise youth, freshness, procreation,love, change and life itself. Its a day when people wear yellow clothes and celebrate with sweets that are yellow in colour. In Uttarkashi, its a farmers festival. Doors of homes are decorated with yellow flowers to welcome spring and the sowing season. In Bihar people wears yellow clothes and yellow tilaks of turmeric on their foreheads and perform prayers early in the morning to the Sun, Ganga and  the Earth.     At this juncture I must share...

Mouthwatering and cooling       For the month of May members of Shhh Cooking Secretly decided to use mango as the main ingredient and their partners had to still give 2 secret ingredients that can be used along with mango. So far the photos I seen from fellow members vary from curry, ice cream to pickles. My partner for this month Sharanya Palanisshami of Sara's Tasty Buds  gave me coconut and agar agar as my other two ingredients. Check out her blog. She has a wide variety of recipes ranging from traditional to baked.      For a long time I had saved  the recipe Mango Coconut Jelly by Pailin of Hot Thai Kitchen . Finally I made it for this challenge. The jelly turned out well taste wise. It's a very refreshing and light dessert. However, Pailin's mango and coconut layers stayed together when she cut into squares, mine didn't.(notice the finger dents as I was trying to keep the coconut layer in place!) However, that does not deter me from sharing...