Oats and Ragi Banana Pancakes

Hello my beautiful people there...Do you love pancakes? Oh yeh, I go crazy for them. But then the refined flour from which they are made compels me to flinch away from taking a bite. One secret you must know that I hate refined white flour (Maida) and I'm always on constant lookout for healthy substitutes that won't compromise with the taste either. Yes, finicky I am when it comes to food. 

That's why I come up with my own version of recipes which have the qualities of being healthy, nutritious and all the more yummy. 

So today presenting a simple breakfast recipe that you can easily make in the crunch of time before going office- Oats and ragi banana pancakes

Ingredients: 

Oats- one cup 
Ragi flour (or cornflour)- half cup 
Banana - One large 
Milk - 1/3rd cup
Egg - 1 
Vanilla essence: 3-4 drops 
Baking soda: 1/3 rd tsp 
Baking powder: 1/2 tsp
Honey/sugar/salt - quantity as per your choice

How to make?

Blend the ingredients in a mixer for 3-4 seconds. Check the consistency of the batter. It must be thick and not runny. If runny, adjust with cornflour or ragi flour. Allow it to stay for 15 to 20 minutes. This will make the pancakes fluffy. 

Then take a nonstick pan over the oven and drizzle with olive oil. Take one scoop of the batter and spread on the oil. Allow the pancakes to cook and become fluffy.

And you are done.

Your choice whether you want to garnish with honey, maple syrup or chocolate sauce.  

Begin your day by treating you and your family with this powerful and delighting breakfast. Stay tuned for more healthy recipes coming up here. 

Much Love 

The Slumbering Himalayan Village- Naggar

Away from people, away from noise, I long to travel to a place where I can hear the sounds of Nature and stay close to Nature. Guess why? No...not to get rid of any kind of work pressure or depression or stress. I stay at Mumbai and all I get to see after stepping out of my home is – people, vehicles and buildings! And this sight is certainly not very amusing all through the year. Phew...

But above all, I have always been in love with the Himalayas. So every year, I need a break or two to see, feel and touch the mighty mountains. Sigh!

This time we (Sid and I) decided to take the road less taken to reach Manali.

Naggar, around 20 kms before Manali, is a laid back quiet village tucked beautifully in the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and lush green flora. I would undoubtedly say that it’s the best region of the Kullu valley. 

Enjoy the pictures.

  

Village Naggar 

 The road that takes you to the village 

Snow capped Himalayas 

We went inside Naggar Castle (an architectural masterpiece built by the Sikh kings of Kullu valley) to gaze at the spectacular view of Naggar village from the roof top restaurant (pic below) of the Castle. It was late afternoon, cold, and what could be better than being served with garam garam chai and coffee by the locals.

                     

Folks, travel the planet Earth before you die. There’s lot to see, worth an experience! Isn't it? 

Much love

Recipe: Lip Smacking Chicken Dum Biryani

Food is special, food makes us happy and above all, food makes you grow fonder of the person who has so lovingly cooked for you. And guess what’s that mouth watering dish I am gonna talk about here today??? Yes, it's nothing other than BIRYANI. Excited, eh?

I doubt there’s anyone who doesn’t love this gourmet cuisine and indeed my hubby is no exception. His immense fondness for Biryani is probably the only reason that gives me a kick to prepare this intricate dish with dollops of devotion and love.

Oh yes I have one more confession to make...Honestly, I am not a huge fan of Biryanis sold at those much sought after Biryani hot spots of Mumbai because the amount of attar (strong edible perfume of Arabian origin) and oil they use doesn’t intimidate me at all. So after testing and trying many times myself, I have come up with my own version of Chicken dum biryani packed exclusively with homely flavours and aromas.

Here’s sharing my recipe with you all...

Ingredient Checklist

1. Chicken with bones: 1 kilo
2. Chicken Marinade: Salt, curd (1 small cup), lemon juice (1 tsp), red chilli powder (1 tsp), Everest garam masala (2 tsps) and roasted jeera powder (1 tsp), Ginger and garlic – chopped and pasted half cup
3. Biryani basmati rice, extra long grains-  2 small cups
4. Mustard oil and ghee as per requirement
5. Onions-  500 grams coarse paste and 3-4 onions finely chopped
6. Spices: Haldi, bay leaves (4), star anise (8), cloves (8), black pepper balls (6) cardamom (6) and cinnamon sticks (2 short).
7. Herbs – coriander and mint leaves (1 cup chopped)
8. Flavouring agents: Salt, red chilli powder , Everest garam masala, roasted coriander powder
9. Potatoes- 3-4 whole boiled and peeled
10. For garnish- One pinch saffron, 2-3 tsps milk, cashews and raisins, mint leaves, boiled eggs (optional)

Oh baby, so you are ready with the ingredients? Now follow the steps exactly as explained below to get the taste right.

Step 1: Prepare the marinade

Wash the chicken. Add salt, 2 tsps mustard oil, lemon juice, red chilli powder, Everest Garam Masala and roasted jeera (cumin) powder, curd and onion- ginger- garlic paste. Refer to point 2 of the ingredient checklist. Adjust the quantity of ingredients as per your need. You can either leave the marinated chicken overnight or at least 3-4 hours inside refrigerator before cooking the chicken.

Step 2: Cook the rice

To get mix of 2 or 3 types of coloured rice, you have to cook the rice in separate containers. I usually prepare dual coloured biryani – white and yellow. Fill 2 skillets individually with water and allow it to boil in the oven. In the meantime wash the rice gently. Add 2 cups of rice separately in 2 containers. For the colour – you can either add a pinch of artificial colouring agent or prefer to go organic with half teaspoon of haldi. I use Haldi! Now add equal amounts of spices (refer to point 6 in ingredient list) to the boiling rice along with generous amounts of ghee and salt as per your palate. Stir the rice gently to ensure that the grains don’t break. One the rice is cooked spread it over a plate and allow it to cool. 

Step 3: Prepare the Dum

I’m a Bengali so I don’t need to explain to my folks “our” weakness for potatoes. Cut the boiled potatoes from the centre and fry them with haldi, salt and red chilli power until they turn golden brown. Keep them aside. Now take a “kadhai” and pour mustard oil generously to cook the chicken. Add whole spices (2 clove, 2bay leaves, 1 small cinnamon, 1 cardamom, 2-3 black pepper balls). Let them pop and then add the chicken. Stir and cook. Repeat the flavouring agents (ingredient no 8) if required.  Then add chopped mint and coriander leaves (ingredient checklist 7). You can add half cup water to make the chicken juicy and tender. Cover the kadhai and slow cook the chicken. 

While the chicken is cooking, all you have to do is deep fry the chopped onions in oil. Keep a handful aside for garnish and paste the remaining in mixer. Mix the paste with the chicken to render a rich colour to the “dum”. You can add the fried potatoes to the Chicken dum or add them separately while layering the biryani.

Step 4: Prepare the garnish

Slightly fry the cashews and raisins. Mix the saffron with the milk. Cut the boiled eggs in 2 halves (optional). Keep the deep fried onions ready.

Step 5: Layering the Biryani

Don’t worry folks; layering is not a rocket science. Mix the double coloured rice. You can add extra ghee to the rice but later do not crib about gaining weight :P. Take a big container and grease the bottom with nothing other than ghee. Then add a layer of rice. Sprinkle all the ingredients of garnish as described in step 4 followed by a layer of Chicken dum and again rice. Repeat the layering process. One the top you can put some mint leaves for aesthetics. Cover the container with aluminium foil.

Yayy! We are done. The yummy and juicy chicken dum biryani is now ready to be served on your dining table. Oh yes and don’t forget the side dish, Raita. Bon appétit! Oo la lal!

Try it and tell me. Much love. :)

The New Token of Love

To advise is heck easier than following. Agree! And I am not here to advice, relax folks!

The other day I was organizing my kitchen and thought of something utterly weird, “why not eliminate the bad and retain only the good?”  My heart ached to name the stuff I love as, “bad” and those who know me closely, also know my weakness for chocolates, cakes and ice-creams.

I’m a huge fan of Louise Hay, but the only thing that I couldn't agree completely was her ideology about food.  She insisted on eating healthy, picked fresh from Nature. But for me food is something that you love to eat and that makes you happy. There’s no categorization of healthy and unhealthy. 

But things changed that day…Unlike other days, when I always encountered the dilemma - “to eat or not to eat”, today was different. I realized what I eat should nourish my body and not harm it. In fact, I can never think of harming my body with my most idiotic cravings for sugar laden stuff.

I took out those items which once enjoyed the status of heavenly delights from the fridge and placed them like centrepieces on the dining table and did the final talking, “from now on, here you stay and not in my stomach”.  Phew! I felt good. I felt light.  And trust me, I have gotten over the habit of popping a chocolate or a piece of cake or an ice cream slice after meals.

To be honest, I still get the cravings but I know how to overcome them. That’s the art and I share the credit with my husband too. The best part- he has stopped spoiling me with Dairy milk bars and Baskin Robbins’ choco chips ice creams. A bag full of apples, oranges, pomegranates, and limes is the new token of love from him. 

How sweet and healthy!  

Do what you Love and not Like

Let's not be those fools who repent, "All my life, I have not done things what I love"... Common folks, the choice is yours, don't try to gain sympathy of others. Life is Short, Do what You Love! 

Check out this wonderful motivational comic representation 
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/money-object-everybody-including.html

Richard Branson on Knowing When to Quit Your Day Job

Q: I am very successful at my day job, and I also run a small business. With more time, effort and investment, I think my business could be hugely successful, but this would require that I quit my job. How do you know when it’s the right time to take an entrepreneurial leap of faith?

A: You have the burning desire to start your own business... So read this wonderful article to know when's the right time to quit your job and take the leap of faith, http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/229965

Editor's Note: Entrepreneur Richard Branson regularly shares his business experience and advice with readers.
Source: http://www.entrepreneur.com/

How To Be Fashionably Sun Safe

With the glare of the Sun at its best, this time of the year around, you tan badly. Are you worried of getting tanned while going out on the road? Yes, summer is all set to flex its mighty muscles. Well, as they say… sun’s the hammer and earth’s the anvil. As we flip the calendar each year, heat, thanks to global warming, is only peaking each time. Even then, I bet, you travel freaks do not really give a hoot about heat, chill or rain, but hit the road wearing the bandana of euphoria. So let me brief you on what a tan is all about while sharing a few cool tips on how to keep enjoying summers sans tanning. 

The Science of Sun Tanning

We all know about it, but still, it’s better to reiterate — The sun’s rays comprise of two types of ultraviolet radiations, viz. UV A and UVB. Both the rays are capable of altering the natural tone of the skin. The former is responsible for causing tan. UVA rays penetrate the lower layers of the epidermis where they stimulate the melanocyte cells to produce melanin, a brown coloured pigment that transforms the natural colour of the skin to a visibly darker shade. On the other hand, UV B radiations have a greater devastating effect on the skin as they deeply burn the upper layers of the skin. All in all, this ‘dark shade of skin’ is nothing but a gift from the mighty sun.

The mantra here is – precaution is better than cure.

So before you set out for a glorious summer ride, remember the following dos and don’ts…

Your Summer Attire 

A pair of full sleeve cotton shirt would keep your hands safe from that ugly tan . Try to expose your body as less as possible. The options are loose cargo pants with cotton full-sleeves shirts or tees. Convertible pants and palazzos, etc. of light fabric offer excellent comfort and protection from the sun during summers.

Protect your Face 

Men and women out there, create your style own style statement by donning on a headband or scarf, bandana, funky hats and caps that are absolutely in vogue. 

...And do not forget to walk under the sun with an umbrella and a goggle. 

Sunscreen- Must apply All Over 

You can't afford to miss applying sunscreen on all over your body be it while beach basking or any other time out of your home. Use a water proof sun screen or a sun block with SPF above 25. Gently massage your skin with the lotion or cream ten minutes before stepping out.

That’s it. Now, simply hit the road and beat the heat…smartly!

15 Reasons Why You Just Can’t Go To The Gym Today

You want to lose weight to fit in that swanky sexy dress which is well preserved in your wardrobe since ages. But how? Hit the gym, right? Yes, I have done it too...But with each passing day the enthusiasm to carry out the ritual starts fading away. And excuses for not going gym are ever ready...
Check out this piece of hilarious article http://www.storypick.com/15-reasons-just-cant-go-gym-today/  and relate to yourself. RIP GYM!

Should your Spouse be your Business Partner?

Some people get cold feet when they think of working together with their spouse while others think it’s a blessing to share work and achieve the goal together. However, considering your spouse as your business partner has varied implications in your professional as well as personal life.
Let’s analyse the positive and negative impacts before drawing a valid conclusion... Click on the link to read my article http://www.findrite.com/articles/should-your-spouse-be-your-business-partner 

For Fish Lovers- The Slice is Right

Source By Kellie Evans

http://www.saveur.com/

Our guide to choosing the perfect cut of fish

All fish species fall into two basic categories: round and flat. Ranging from massive swordfish to tiny sardines, round fish have torpedo-shaped bodies. Flatfish, such as sole and halibut, are bottom dwellers with flat bodies. Larger fish are broken down into smaller cuts, each of which is good for particular types of cooking. Cuts should be clean-smelling and firm, with tight-knit, even-colored flesh that hugs the bone. Avoid cuts that are spongy or falling apart, have a fishy smell, or show signs of yellowing or browning.

Darne-  The darne, or steak, is a crosscut of a larger round fish such as salmon or hake, usually one to two inches thick. It is sold skin-on and contains a section of backbone. The bone helps retain moisture during cooking, so this cut is great for high-heat methods: broiling, grilling, pan-searing. Crosscuts from flatfish are less common; they are often labeled tronçons.

Fillet- This is the most common cut of fish and is taken from the sides of both round fish and flatfish. The fillets from larger fish such as cod tend to be sliced into individual portions, sometimes labeled supremes. Relatively thin and flat, fillets are versatile cuts that can be easily broiled, fried, grilled, braised, or pan-seared.

Loin- Larger round fish such as swordfish and tuna yield a primal cut known as the loin, taken from above the spine in the section spanning from the back of the head to just behind the dorsal fin. The loin is typically broken down into rich, meaty slabs, which are delicious pan-seared.

In Conversation with the Universe

The river flowed through tranquil meadows where pine and fir trees grew in abundance, the snow capped mountains stared at me and the chilly breeze seemed to carry a message for me...For a moment I couldn’t realise “where am I”? It was euphoria, mixed with doubts of not clearly perceiving that my long cherished dream had come true. A dream to sync with nature, to stay close with the mountains, and to listen to the song of the river and chants of the trees... Yes, every fragment of my dream existed in the reality. I was in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

It was an evening in the month of March. The temperature plummeted below 0 degrees, with some weak showers making the climate a way too cold. I walked through the local market until I reached a partially deserted and strange stretch of low land covered completely with snow. I immediately wanted to go there... I stepped down a few stairs from the main road and was about to enter the mystic valley when someone called me from behind. I turned back; apparently he was asking me to buy an entry ticket. I did so and moved ahead.

I walked through the snow, slipped over and again yet managed to reach the bank of the river. As the locals said, it was the River Lidder and I was standing on Lidder valley in Pahalgam. The place was completely deserted, except a couple who was seeking for privacy amidst the beauty of Nature. I walked past them to the interiors of the pure white land just to find out a few bright yellow painted benches arranged in rows, overlooking the mountains and the river. I sat in one of those benches. Till now, I was completely in sense, but I guess that bench had a magical spell that made me lose myself completely. Yes, I was lost in the hypnotic beauty of Nature. Everything around me seemed so beautiful...I was thrilled and totally awe-struck! I jumped and screamed in utter joy, “Hell yaa! This is Heaven, this is Universe, and this is Almighty.” And today I am here- the exact place that I saw in my dreams. I regained my composure quickly and sat on the bench once again to relish the natural beauty.

I believe whatever we are and whatever is happening in our life is not only our Karma. These two aspects are rather a consequence of the energy and signals we send to the Universe, who ultimately accepts or rejects our wishes. This further depends upon why we need and how strongly we desire. Today I was in the right place to strike a conversation with the Universe...I greeted,  “Hello Almighty”, can you hear me? “YES...”, came the answer from the lofty mountains, the murmuring river, the tranquil meadows, the whispering trees, and the mischievous frosty wind. I offered a prayer of gratitude for everything I have in my life whether I deserve or not deserve, expressed my humility and asked forgiveness for my mistakes.

It was the best day of my life- pure, peaceful and absolutely in sync with Nature. Happiness to All! 

P.S. The pictures are clicked by me- the amateur S

The solitary fisherman