mayurisjikoni

Cheers!    Go to any party, bar, pub, lounge, restaurant,  reception, and you'll see people clinking their glasses and saying cheers. Whether young or old, men or women, kids or adults all raise their glasses, filled with alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks to toast a host or for general good wishes to all present.    The word cheers originates from the French word chiere which meant face or head. By 18th century it meant gladness and was used as a way for encouragement. Today cheers is simply a way of wishing one or a group, good health and happiness.     It is believed that glasses were raised up as an offering of wine to the Gods. Clinking of glasses has many theories. However, no one is really sure which is the right one. When one has a glass of an alcoholic or non alcoholic drink in their hand, the sight of the drink evokes sight, taste, smell and feel. However to evoke the fifth sense, hearing, glasses are clinked resulting in the enhance...

Enkare Nyrobi - Cool Water        I've been spending some time in the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi. Nairobi gets its name from the Masai phrase Enkare Nyrobi which means cool water. It perhaps was names so as its got the Nairobi River flowing through it. However, the river is no longer what I remembered it as. Its polluted and the flow has reduced due modernization.  I was born and brought up in Nairobi but have been living in Mombasa for the past 35 years. Usually when hubby and I are traveling abroad, we do not bother to come into the city and prefer to catch our connecting flight. The traffic in Nairobi is a nightmare in spite of all the new highways and numerous inner roads. The new roads are not able to cope with the ever increasing number of cars on on the road. During this stay in Nairobi, we've been visiting several malls and other places of interests and I must admit though I've grown up here and have in previous years driven myself around, I'd now ge...

COLD DAYS = SPICY DRINKS      Bangalore cannot make up its mind weather wise. Its cold sometimes and hot over days. We are in the winter month and its not as cold as it used to get some years back. However, I'm not really complaining as I'm enjoying the weather. Yesterday was one of those chilly days and just the right time to have a hot comforting drink. Usually a hot cup of spicy tea does the trick. However, I made Pumpkin Spice Latte to ward off the cold. A hot drink cupped in our hands and watching a 'girlie movie' was a Sunday well spent.    The coldest weather I've ever experienced is 0°C in Chandigarh and at Lake Louise, Alberta. Both experiences were totally different. When hubby and I went to Chandigarh we didn't know that it would be so cold. I'd wear my leggings and jeans, a vest, top, sweater and a shawl. At night once I was under the thick quilt, I didn't want to move even an inch in case the cold air got in! The tiny heaters that the hote...

MEGA BLOGGING MARATHON -SEPT 2017 #80TH BLOGGING MARATHON THEME: PROTEIN RICH DISHES DAY:24     What is Moringa? Its considered as the 'new' superfood with plenty of health benefits. Moringa is what we know as drumstick tree, the tree of life, horseradish tree, ben oil tree etc. One can consume the pods, flowers, seeds and leaves of this tree. India is the largest producer of moringa. My all time favorite is making the pods or sarghvo as its called in Gujarati, in a yogurt and chickpea flour gravy.     Moringa powder is a rich source of protein, 28g in every 100g. It's one of the few plants that contains what is known as the complete protein. It easily can compete with animal based protein. It contains all the essential amino acids. Besides being rich in protein it is also rich in Vitamins A,C and E, calcium and potassium. It fights free radicals in the body to and therefore helps to keep the organs healthy, fights inflammation which is good to fight inflammator...

Refreshingly Chilli    Its time to post the Fantastical Food Fight recipe. For the month of August Sarah wanted us to use Rum in our food preparation. When the word Rum is mentioned I think of my favourite Rum and Raisin Cadbury Chocolate. But nowadays its difficult to find it in the supermarkets in Kenya.    So what is Rum? Rum is a alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane juice or its byproducts like molasses. The juice or byproducts are fermented and then distilled. The liquid is then aged in oak barrels.    I wanted to make some rum and raisin muffins but my hubby and son still don't want me to make anything sweet. So the next option was a cocktail. Nothing innovative about that but then its my first cocktail recipe on the blog. I love my cocktails but don't make them at home for myself. When I'm in UK, large family gatherings means alcohol flows. Its wine, beer and cocktails at home. When I go out with friends we enjoy some cocktails or wine. How...

Happy Mother's Day A few weeks back, I was thinking of my mum and obviously missing her tonnes. I wanted the approaching Mother's Day to be less painful. Now don't get me wrong my kids (from 3 now I have 5 :) ) all shower me with lots of love. I thought why not get some of my blogger friends to celebrate this day with me. Its amazing how much closer we all have become and most of us poured our hearts out and e ach ones recipe is somehow, somewhere connected to their mothers.  I approached 25 and 19 responded with enthusiasm and sent heartfelt messages. So here's what each of them shared for Mother's Day.  Mayuri Patel: My mum loved her Gujarati snacks like handvo, khandvi and her most favourite was matar kachori. Made with simple spices it was the yummiest snack. Patiently, she would make tonnes of these kachoris for our huge family. Missing you so much mum. Matar Kachori Kriti Singhal Agrawal says: Being a Mom is the toughest yet most cherishing job ever.  This Mot...