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My featured recipes -

1. Avocado Sandwich - -Click here.
2.Three Cheese Quesadilla - Click here.

Avocado Cucumber & Tomato Salad

Another easy salad recipe with avocados !! Given the almost silken texture of ripe avocados, they make for a great addition to any salad even without the use of a dressing laden with oil/mayonnaise. But do add another acidic (tangy/sour) ingredient to balance out the flavors and take the dish to another level.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 10 mins


Ingredients -

• 1 fully ripe avocado
• 2 large ripe tomatoes
• 1 small cucumber
• 1/2 tsp mustard sauce/English mustard
• a dash of fresh pepper
• salt to taste

Preparation - Cut, halve and deseed the avocados. Scoop out the flesh.

Chop the tomatoes and cucumber into chunks.

Take all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss up.

Serve chilled.

Note - One can add either finely sliced onions/garlic to this salad.

Avocado & Corn Salsa

An interesting take on the traditional salsa, this one has more of a sweet & buttery flavour!! Gets ready in minutes and goes great with nachos and even as a salad/sandwich filling.

Read on for the easy recipe -

Preparation Time - 10 mins

Ingredients -

• 1 fully ripe avocado
• 1 sweet con of the cob
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes
• 1/3 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1 tsp olive oil
• salt to taste

Preparation - Cook the sweet corn with water and a little salt for 6-7 minutes. Remove it from water and keep aside till it cools down to room temperature. Using a sharp knife, cut the corn from the cob.

Cut, halve and de-seed the avocado. Scoop out the flesh and roughly chop it up.

Take the oregano, chili flakes, vinegar, olive oil and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix it. Add the avocado flesh and sweet corn to the bowl. Toss up.

Chill for 20 mins before serving.

Serve with nachos or even as a salad.

Note - Do not throw the avocado skin as it makes for a great serving bowl.

Karele ka Bharta (Kalara Bharta/Bittergourd bharta)

For most of us, the term 'bharta' evokes images of a popular Punjabi eggplant recipe. But there is nothing Punjabi about this one. Nor does it use any eggplant. This is one of the simplest things that one can do with bittergourd or 'karela', which is also termed as the 'manaa' for diabetics. It contains atleast three compounds ( one of them being polypeptide-p which also acts like insulin )which help to reduce/regulate blood sugar levels . Even the leaves of this plant are edible and are consumed for its medicinal properties.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients -

• 2 medium sized bitter gourd
• 1 medium sized onion
• 2 green chilis
• 1/2 tsp pancha phutana (panch phoran)
• 2 tsp mustard oil
• 1-2 cloves garlic 
• 1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
• 1/3 tsp turmeric
• salt to taste

Preparation - Wash the bitter gourd and cut into two. Cook with 1/2 cup water, salt and turmeric in a pressure cooker. Remove from flame after 2-3 whistles. Once the steam escapes, open the lid and drain off excess water.

Mash with salt and green chili.

Chop the onion into medium sized pieces.

Cooking - Heat the oil in kadai / wok. Once it starts smoking, add the pancha phutana and the onions. Fry till onions turn translucent.

Add the mashed bitter gourd and cook for another 6-7 minutes till it starts to brown a bit.

Remove from flame. Sprinkle lemon juice and crushed garlic, and mix.

Serve hot with rotis.

Note - One can also add some tomatoes instead of the lemon juice.

Foods for the Festive Season

[My guest post for 27coupons. Link here]

The Navratris have started and the Dusshera festivities have kicked off. With most of the shopping malls, Mom & Pop shops and e-commerce sites having fabulous discounts and deals going on, this is just the time to revamp your home and wardrobe. Check out the awesome coupons for your favorite sites here.

Justifying the ‘Incredible India’ tagline floated by the Ministry of Tourism, the festival which is celebrated in almost every corner of the country is observed in unique ways in different parts of the country. Be it the elaborate Pandals and light decorations of West Bengal/Odisha or the scintillating Dandiya/Ras garbha performances of Gujarat, each region has its own way of ushering in the Goddess. The Mysore Dusshera with its royal mustering and a grand elephant led procession are in no way less captivating than the grandiose Ramlila ( depiction of scenes from the life of Lord Rama and the final burning of the effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad ) of North India.

Lesser known but equally beautiful are the Golu dolls ( also known as Bommai Kolu or Bommala Koluvu or Bombe Habba) of South India. These wooden or porcelain dolls are used to depict the stories from the epics. While the more traditional ones stick to dolls of deities and demons, the contemporary artists also create dolls depicting musicians, couples dressed in traditional clothes, farm scenes, lavish weddings, cricket matches, etc. However, the God of wealth, Kubera is a must have of all such displays. Unlike the more public festivities in other parts of India, Gola dolls are more of a family tradition. Some of the dolls displayed in such households have been handed down through generations and every year a few new ones are also added to their collection. ( For more details, click here)

Whether it is Lord Rama vanquishing Ravana or Goddess Durga slaying the demon Mahisasura, the festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. But at the same time it is also the season which sends all foodies into a tizzy. Food stalls invariably pop up at every small and big celebration venue and become a major draw for people ( who obviously discount the hygiene factor ). Even the vrat ka khana or sweets which are laden with ghee and dry fruits, are enough for most folks to break all diet resolutions. In fact, lot of folks try to work out and lose weight in the first three quarters of the year only to gain it back in the last quarter (most of the major festivals/weddings happen around this time). Here are some popular Navratri recipes –

1. Sabudana Vada – Sabudana is rich in carbs which gives an instant energy boost. Quick to prepare and good to eat, it keeps one full for hours. This one is made with soaked sabudana (sago) and mashed potatoes dumplings deep fried in oil.

2. Sabudana Khichdi - It consists of almost the same ingredients as the sabudana vada but is lower in calories. Equally yummy.

3. Shakarkand ki subzi – A tangy preparation of sweet potatoes, this one is light on the stomach and easy on the palate.

4. Shakarkand ka halwa – Made with mashed sweet potatoes, milk and ghee, it is simple yet filling. One can skip/reduce the quantity of ghee used without compromising on taste.

5. Fruit Kebabas/Fruit Chaat – Low in calories but quite yummy. They are easy to make and nutritious too.

6. Kuttu ka dosa/Kutta ki puri – Kuttu or buckwheat is a popular choice among most folks who observe a strict fast (cereals being forbidden) during the Navratris. Being high on fiber and proteins, it is a good choice for folks who eat only one meal per day (after sunset). Also, it is gluten-free.

7.Rajgire ki Puri/paratha/thepla – Another popular item on the menu for those on a no-cereals diet. This one also happens to be gluten free.

8. Gajar ka halwa – It is hard to find a soul who can resist this deliciously fudgy and decadent dessert. For calorie conscious folks, try the Microwave version or the gajar ka kheer.

9. Raita – A cooling raita is a must when gorging on festive food. The good bacteria in the yogurt helps in digestion. Try the staple potato/cucumber/boondi ones or get adventurous with Singharas, sweet potatoes or even a fruit raita .

10. Makhane ki kheer – A light kheer made with puffed lotus seeds and nuts, it is easy to digest. For those for prefer the savory, makhana or fox nuts can also be cooked with paneer or green peas in a nuts based gravy.

11. Sundal - Made with boiled and lightly tempered pulses, this one is as healthy as it can get. No wonder, most South Indian folks swear by it.

Spinach and Sweet corn Sandwich

The yucky spinach (as most kids would label it) in a different avatar !!! This is one of those simple sandwiches that are healthy, filling and yummy, all at the same time. They make for a great 4 o'clock snack and taste equally good in the lunch-box.

Read on for the easy recipe -

Preparation Time - 10-12 mins

Ingredients -

• 1 1/2 cup shredded spinach leaves 
• 1/2 cup sweet corn
• 1/2 of a small onion (finely chopped)
• 1/3 tsp GG paste
• 1/3 tsp chili powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp oil
• 4-6 tbsp grated cheddar cheese
• 4 slices of bread
• butter 

Preparation - Blanch the spinach and keep aside to stain excess water. Give it a buzz in a food processor to get a coarse textured paste.

Cooking - Heat the oil in a wok. Add the chopped onion and fry for 1 minute before adding the GG paste. After 2 mins, add the chili powder, spinach paste, sweet corn and salt. Cook for 3-4 mins. Remove from flame and keep aside.

Layer half of the spinach-sweet corn filling over a bread slice.

Top it with 2-3 tbsp grated cheese and close with another bread slice. Repeat the process with the remaining bread slices and filling.

Heat a sandwich maker/tawa. Brush a little butter on the outer sides of the sandwiches and grill/toast for 2 mins. (Cut into triangles if doing it on a tawa).

Serve hot or cold.

Note - The cheese is optional. One may skip it or even add some crumbled paneer instead.

Pav Bhaji

One of the most popular street foods, I love making 'Pav Bhaji' for dinner. With all the veggies that go into the making of the dish, it is quite nutritious and loaded with natural fiber. Though a little high on calories as ghee/butter is integral to enhancing its flavor, I do like to indulge my taste-buds once in a while.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 35 mins (includes standby time)

Ingredients -

• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1 cup cubed carrots
• 1/2 cup green peas
• 1/2 cup chopped french beans
• 1 medium sized capsicum
• 2 medium sized potatoes
• 2 medium sized tomatoes
• 2 medium sized onions
• 2 tsp GG paste
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 1 heaped tsp Kashmiri chili powder
• 3 level tsp Pav Bhaji masala
• 1-2 green chilis
• 4-5 tbsp coriander leaves
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp oil
• pav buns (store bought)
• additional butter as required
• lemon juice/wedges

Preparation - Take the cauliflower, green peas, french beans, capsicum, green chillis and poatoes in a pressure cooker. Add 1 1/2 cups water and close the lid. Cook for 2-3 whistles on medium flame.

Remove and keep aside till steam escapes. Drain the water and keep aside. Peel the potatoes and lightly break/mash them.

Finely chop the onions and tomatoes.

Cooking - Heat the oil and ghee in a wok. Add the chopped onions and fry till it just turns translucent. Add the tomatoes, GG paste, garlic paste, kashmiri chili powder and pav bhaj powder. Fry for 4-5 minutes till the tomatoes are mushy and the raw smells of the masalas have gone off.

Add the boiled veggies and potatoes. Adjust the salt. Mash them with a traditional hand masher or use a hand blender if you have one. Add the drained water and allow to simmer for 12-15 mins. Sprinkle 2 tbsp coriander leaves and add more water if it looks too dry.

Fry the pav bhaji with butter in a separate tawa/pan.

Serve hot with onion rings, coriander leaves, some butter and a dash of lemon juice.

Dahi Boondi

I love trying out various kinds of 'raita' as it is one of those easy and quick side dishes which really adds that extra bit of zing to any kind of meal. It is always served with heavy and oily dishes as the good bacteria present in the yogurt helps in digestion and also nullifies the irritant effect of the strong spices which are a signature component of Indian food. It also multi-tasks as a palate cleanser. But on the days when one is feeling lazy, a simple raita paired with chapatis/parathas or even with a veg pulao, becomes a complete meal by itself.

While I usually make raita with some vegetable and/or fruit, I sometimes get tempted to try out Boondi raita when there is a packet of 'kara boondi' lying in my kitchen. Read on for easy recipe -

Preparation time - 5 mins (plus 20 mins in the fridge)

Ingredients -

• 1 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1 cup kara boondi
• 1 tsp English mustard 
• 2 tsp amchur powder
• 2-3 green chilis (de-seeded and slit lengthwise)
• chopped coriander for garnishing
• salt to taste

Preparation- Take the yogurt in a mixing bowl. Beat gently to break any lumps. Add salt, English mustard, amchur and green chilis. Mix well. Adjust the consistency by adding 1 - 1/2 cup water along with the boondis.

Chill for 20 mins before serving.

Click here for another version of Boondi raita.

Satsang @ Sri Sri Ravishankar Ashram, Bangalore

Sometimes impromptu decisions can be more fulfilling than the planned ones. One such decision was to spend the Dusshera evening at Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ashram (Art of Living), Kanakpura Road. The ashram is situated in the scenic hillside locales of South Banglore. Once one enters the toll gates to hit the Kanakpura road, one immediately gets the feeling of being transported to another world. Leaving behind the dust and grime of Bangalore roads, this stretch of about 10-15 mins has the best roads in the city. Wide and covered with a green canopy at most points, this road offers a very panoramic view sans the tall and short glass and concrete structures that dot Bangalore. It ensures that one is already refreshed by the time one enters the Ashram gates.

We reached the ashram around 6:30 in the evening. Built over an area of 60 acres, this one nestles a meditation center, auditoriums, guest houses, shopping marts and dining halls among other things. The crowd had just started to gather at the open air auditorium Paduka, which is built in the shape of the human feet. There is also a water body and fountains in the center of the auditorium. The early birds had already taken up  the vantage points to be able to have a clear view of Sri Sri when he addressed the gathering. Chairs had been put up for the dignitaries. Within a span of twenty minutes, the place was totally packed with some people even squatting on the grass. Finally Sri Sri arrived and waved to the crowd which enthusiastically waved back in response.

It was my first experience of attending the satsang which boasts of performances by renowned musicians and artists from around the world. With swans lazily ambling along the banks of the water body and a star spangled sky, one could not have asked for a more beautiful setting to embark on a spiritual sojourn.The satsang started with a beautiful 'Om Namah Shivay' bhajan. It was followed by a small speech by Sri Sri who also greeted "Happy Vijaya Dashami" to a frenzied crowd. Using the simplest terms, he put it as the victory of greatness over pettiness or the big mind over the small one. He also discussed the state of the human mind ('tadap', 'tripti' and 'jadta' which can be loosely translated as longing, contentment and indifference)and what it can lead to. He also mentioned the humongous amount of food ( which was more than 1.5 lakh kilos but I do not remember the exact amount ) that had been cooked in the ashram's kitchen during the Navratri festivities and included a note of thanks for the cooks who had made this possible . A Kuchipudi by a male artist (the guy also happened to be a neurologist and surgeon) performance followed the address. There was also an announcement about the planned electrification of 5000 homes through a tie-up with Schneider Foundation.

Finally, it ended with a mellifluous rendition of 'Narayana narayana jai jai gobinda hare' which had the crowd on their feet. Soon Sri Sri left the dais but not before wishing "Happy birthday" to all the folks whose birthday fell on that particular day. A simple gesture but one that definitely added to the charm and aura of this renowned spiritual Guru. Once it had ended, everyone left the place in a disciplined manner. No unruly pushing or breaking into a stampede. Some of the folks proceeded to the dining hall of the sprawling campus. But since it was already late, we left the ashram. The chants were still resounding in my mind as we drove towards our destination.

Book Review: Half Girlfriend (by Chetan Bhagat)

(Buy online Here)

Oops....he did it again!!! Chetan Bhagat's latest could easily be another Hindi blockbuster. Hardly surprising for a guy who is quoted to be the largest selling English language novelist in Indian History. He thrives on mass appeal. Something which the Dan Browns, Jeffery Archers and the Sidney Sheldons lack. They do not touch the soul of the Indian reader simply because the plot, the settings and even the English is so alien. Bhagat has his finger on the pulse of the average Indian who just like Madhav, the lead protagonist, thinks first in vernacular and then translates it into English. Akin to providing the proverbial icing on the cake, he intersperses English with Bhojpuri, sometimes even crass stuff like 'Deti hai to de, varna kat le'.

The story which moves between Delhi, Bihar and New York, is a poor boy meets rich chick plot with a very realistic twist. "Rich chick falling for a poor guy?? Dude that happens only in our Hindi movies". A standard reaction. But what makes this convincing is that the chick, who is portrayed as being commitment phobic, does not fall for our poor Bihari guy until the end. She agrees to be his half-girlfriend but no more. The reason behind it revealed much later. For a story that is largely narrated in flashback, Bhagat maintains a good grip on the plot.

The main protagonists meet in college as teenagers. Their love for basketball brings them close but their bliss does not last. Both take off their separate ways to pursue individual dreams but destiny has other plans for them. They meet after three years, both older and wiser. Only to be separated by another twist of fate. They meet yet again in the climax, this time to end up together.

The book has quite a few sparkling moments including one when Madhav, the Bihari guy who has always nursed a complex about his English, delivers a speech (a section of which is impromptu) in English in front of Bill Gates and bags a grant from the Gates Foundation. Both the leads are flesh and blood characters who have 'hatke' dreams and are not afraid of pursuing them.

Bhagat has fleetingly touched upon a lot of sensitive topics including child abuse, marital abuse and secondary status of the girl child in society. But in typical Bhagat style, he does not dissect them. No intellectual reflections. No philosophical views. Highly recommended (even for those folks who rather prefer his movies)!

If you have any reservations about Bhagat's English which sounds rather juvenile given his pedigree, read this article (click here). English elitist's eat your heart out. The rest of India is catching up and how.

Roasted Pumpkin Raita (Kaddu ka raita)

A simple raita served during the Navratri days, this one may sound a bit weird but tastes just awesome. While one can also boil or steam the pumpkin before mashing it into the yogurt with spices, I wanted to give it as twist by roasting it to get the caramelized effect and release its natural sweetness.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 10-15 mins (depending on the size of pumpkin pieces)

Ingredients -

5-6 slices of pumpkin/kaddu ( 5mm to 7 mm thick )
1 cup yogurt
1/2 tsp roasted cumin-chili powder
salt to taste
2 pinch sugar
cilantro for garnishing

Preparation - Beat the yogurt lightly. Add a little water and season with salt and roasted cumin chili powder.

Cooking - Roast the pumpkin slices with some sugar sprinkled over them. Use an oven or do it on a non-stick pan which has been greased lightly. Once brown /black spots start to appear on the pumpkin slices, remove from heat and keep aside till cool.

Mash the pumpkin and add to the seasoned yogurt. Mix well.

Serve chilled.