pursuit of perfection - Not MY Nature

© rachi creations..

"In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful.."

Ones upon a time, there was a round little wood-log. Strong rusty brown with the shark edge made the wood log little difficult to roll down quickly. It lived in the green beautiful nature. Everyone around loved it and wished only the best for it.

Though, the wood log rolling down slowly because of it sharp edge, it was able to enjoy the songs that the birds which sang sitting on it. The wood-log had many friends to talk. Insects like ants, grasshopper, and ladybird often sat on taking some rest from the busy world. The lovely fragrant flowers around shared their deep thought with the wood-log. The shinny stones and pebbles stuck hard on the green land made sure to chat with it.

But the strong wood-log was not so happy with something. Actually, wood-log did not like its rolling speed so slow because of the sharp edge. One day talking to the nature it expressed its grief of being imperfect. The wood log wished to be perfect with full roundness. The birds said to the wood-log that they liked the wood-log as it was. And there is nothing to feel anything like inferior or imperfect. But the wood-log wanted to have more speed in its rolling motion. And for that it has to change to become perfect that is having no sharp edge.

Somehow to everybody’s surprise the strong wood-log the next day became perfect. The sharp edge in the log was no more. Now the log could roll uncontrolled and with full speed. The perfect wood-log was very happy then. It wanted to share it happiness and excitement with the chirping birds, insects, lovely fragrant flowers and shinny studded stones and pebbles.

But the perfect round wood-log could not stop. It was perfect and hence simply rolled and rolled leaving all behind. The perfect wood-log could not stop and it moved on. There was no one to share the thought or even chat with someone. But it went on rolling alone and lonely unstopped. Hence, it’s not what being perfect matters but trying to achieve the perfection.

The Life is all about integrated wholeness and not the perfection. Being the human being we can never be perfect but only strive to be perfect. I believe, only one thing is perfect in this world that is God, the Creator.

"The wholeness fill all the holes in life, it rounds up the imperfections in oneself." The supreme happiness in life is the assurance of being loved; of being loved for oneself. In this fast running world, one need to hold on, stop and feel the moment. It’s important to take time to breathe, absorb the moment of happiness and the sense of beauty to feel mesmerized in the nature.

I read the above mentioned wood-log story long back in the childhood which I like very much and amazingly still remember it so well. So friends, I thought to share it with you all. Actually the beautiful poem "Art-Perfection or Impression" (Links below) created by poet Priya reminded me about the short story which is full packed with high values to lead a happy life.

And as the funny quote goes; "No one is perfect... that's why pencils have erasers", I agree verymuch. Perfection are the simple words to inspire people to achieve their goals. One shall come be across many angles, turning point, and sharp edges many but we have to deal confidently. I believe in watching the Whole-picture that is all about the pros and cons of the moment. And be brave enough to take risk and innovate. Commit mistakes and yet learn from them.

Art - Perfection or Impression?
Poet-Priya

A painter brushes
till the last ink waits to drip,
and convey so many colors
and dreams who sees it.

A writer runs with words
either with the flow,
or a rope hanging to connect
which waits to fill or say something.

A poet gives an impression
of visible and invisible thoughts,
from their mind and heart, to convey
which reflects people to grow.

An artist fills everyone's heart
with an action of eyes,

to be remembered forever
even when it's so hard to perform.

Perfect is not an art
but a lasting impression
where people give their
love and time to appreciate it.

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A Cheerful Scoop of Life - MY Blog

© ni3 designs Gurav

"Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit: we cannot flower and grow without it.”

Praise, Admiration, Appreciation, Encouragement are the words that an make the person cheerful. It is a unique delightful experience for anybody. This pleasure works on anybody and everybody. There are many things that others do but the reaction of happiness comes from me. For the better example to present is that I feel extremely excited every time I read comment on my blog “Humming Today”, my visitors have made. It a sudden instant kick to research more, write and present in the best way for the reader. Its that one thumb up green sign that makes the moment so special and restored in the memory lane forever.

I often have fun with my friends as when they compliment me for something; I say "I accept your compliments as ONE cannot argue with TRUTH." But honestly, the simple Noticing is more than anything in life to lead the determination.

“Potluck” is my one of my favorite restaurant in Bangalore where I can have home cooked flavored food. Recently when as usual I went to this restaurant and was amazed to see that the menu card have been updated with more variety of delicate dished. I turned down the last page of the menu and found some of the tints of the reviews made on the potluck restaurant. The links were of the internet from various sites and blogs where people wrote their experience in Potluck. " I often have a tendency to read first few lines and suddenly go through the last lines and only when I find the beginning and ending interesting, I go through the whole content, and to my surprise I read the name “Rachana” at the end of the page. Well! “Rachana” is quite a common name in India so to have a second go through the whole name “Rachana Shakyawar”……hey it’s ME!"

I found the link of my blog “Humming Today” in the list of appreciation of the menu-card. Long back in November, 2007 I wrote a Blog “Potluck- Home is where the food is”, reviewing the service of the relishing restaurant “Potluck”. It was such an intense moment for happiness. I wondered, how much the words creates magic & such simple words of little appreciation ignites the ray of encouragement.

I heartily appreciate very kind gestures of the Potluck Restaurant owner "Mr.Yash" and "Mr.Birla" for going through and acknowledging my blog. Please check the pictures (No. 1) at the end of the blog to see the menu pic. Click the pictures to see the enlarge one.

There are many internet competitions for various activities like art, writing, photographing, cooking etc. I participated in one of the food feast hosted by Sia (BLOG: MonsoonSpice). It was purely happy moment to watch the links of the pictures and recipes of my dishes in her blog. Please check the pictures (No. 2) to see the link. Click the pictures to see the enlarge one.

I have firmly believed that my blog “Humming Today” have reached here because of the immense support, appreciation and the honest critical claims made from time to time. The best efforts made to appreciate my little deed for this blog have been from Amit Semwal who ones mentioned that

“ my marketing strategy of free references for this blog so it be..I'll do it a 100 times not only because she is my very good friend but also because she writes good...know? I myself will be subscribing to it today, almost after an year of her blog coming into the blogspot and getting a shape where it deserves references and subscription! ”

I adore the humble acts of the readers contributed with the poems, articles and pictures to my blog creating a treasure voyage of talent and creativity.

At this date, the blog “Humming Today” is having around 4000 visitors from more than 94 countries. Today, the daily visitors can be from 30 to 50 in numbers. " The number is pretty impressive as for the blog only a year old but I believe there are still many hearts to be touched and mesmerized. " See the pictures[No. 3, 4] at the end of the blog for the daily-visitors. Click the pictures to see the enlarge one.

It has come indeed a long but a beautiful path modulating every time. Learning from adding up the new widgets, background templates and change in the font color, size and type, many experiments have been done to get the right flavor of the theme that resembles my humming mind.

It matters a lot, due to the fact that I was starting from scratch. One year ago, I had no clue about how things would work out or where I would head up in blogging. But it has turned out better than I have ever expected, I'm enjoying blogging and enhancing with each post made.

My blog “Humming Today” is starting to pop up all over the place on the Internet which is a really good thing and a sign of popularity. It has a consistent growth graph for the popularity. Please check the pictures (No. 5, 6, 7, 8) to see what my readers from all the continents, search and find out my blog. Click the pictures to see the enlarge one.

Thank you so much all of my readers for coming here, reading my posts and some even taking time for commenting, discussing, motivating and inspiring me to write more and new topics !A special thanks to all my friends who are in the contribution list. I wish more names in the list, so do mail me your works and get published in this blog with all your credits. If you enjoyed reading than do subscribe for email feed to get the lattest updates. Heres with your grace, my blog's the most popular posts list.

• Taare Zameen Par - a Colourful Childhood
• ME - Indian Bride
• Butterfly Park - an emotion of hue
• Kerala - Munnar is Must to visit
• Mission Kashmir - redirect to Paradise
• Its time to give a break - Pondicherry
• Missing royal tiger – National Park India
• Things You dint know about ME
• A Window to the Past – Bicolor Painting
• W.H.A.T.?
• Happy Birthday Papa - Celebrate Life
• Yummy Paratha - Indian Bread
  
  Cheers!
  Celebrate friendship..
  

"I write the blog

not because

I need to but because

I want to."
..Blog Author

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Tag ME - Picture Story

This is my first tag which is on request of Rajtilak (BLOG: The Chronicles of R), must read the blog, I say. This tag is little different as its full of colours and pictures known as "The Mosaic Tag".

The rules of the Mosaic tag is as follows :-

• Type your answer to the questions into Flickr search.
• Using only the first page, pick an image.
• Copy and paste each of the URLS of the images into the mosaic maker.
• Save a copy to your PC and then post it in your blog.
• At the end of the blog add your friends name and links, whom you want to tag the same.

The questions are as follows:-
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food? right now?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. What is one word that describes you?
12. What is your user name?

My answers of the question through the pictures:


1. Rachana/Creation2.Chicken Curry 3.pebbles at brahmaputra river
4.Orange5. Salman Khan: 6. Apple juice

7. Venice 8. Dark Chocolate 9. Unique United Colours Together

10. Family 11. Humming 12. Elegant Elephant

TAG-LIST : Still its a pleasure to tag some of my very nice blogger friends Priya , RachanaK , Gopinath Mavinkurve. Also make sure to read their blogs as they are some of my favourite blog, I like to read. Please consider yourself "tagged" if this looks fun to you!

NOTE: The pictures are taken from flickr,just in case if any picture or photgraph is copyright please mail me. I shall remove it immediately! Sorry for the inconvenience caused!!

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A Celebrity in ME - look alike

MyHeritage is an internet-based company that offers you the chance to see which celebrity you most resemble. Some of the amazing site that makes you feel like a celebrity. Just sign up free, feed your photo and watch your face agian in the mirror, you will face a difference. It might just sound funny yet its amazing to find yourself a celebrity look-alike. It was exciting to see Marni's celebrity transformation who almost fit the frame perfectly.

But the irony of the story is that non of the celebrity pictures are accurate look alike, in my opinion. Anyway, its always amazing to see a look alike and such sites are full of fun and entertainment.

The experience to see Natalia Vodianova 74%, Emma Watson 72%, Christina Ricci 70%, Reese Witherspoon 70% and above all gorgeous Katie Holmes 70% as my look-alike results. It is the magical yet hilarious example with my and Katie Holmes pictures matching up to certain angle with the moment captured. Try the magic with your picture and find your own look-alike celebrities.

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

" Anyway I am still the same, "UNIQUE" in my own style but with the mould of being verymuch "UNCONVENTIONAL in the Willful Way". Celebrating just the Living.. "

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Leos of MY Life

© 21st Century Tiger

The symbol for the sunsign Leo is the Lion. They are strong-willed, walk with pride, loves growling tends to be mushy almost like cute small lion cubs. Their major traits are being born leaders and highly focused at the target. They are generous, kind, extremely supportive and protective people. There are many people we come across our life but there are very few who last for life-long. And those are titled as dear friends, who are there for you and with you supporting. They believes in you and are willing to trust you at any circumstance. I have always believed  that it’s wonderful to have few close friends as they remind you how you were in your young age. These friends know all your secretes and the inner most thoughts. "I can be simply just ME with them without bothering what they will think about me." This allows exploring thyself more at every aspect.

At different stages of my life, I found friends, who got so much close to me and surprisingly I realised they were Leos! Their influences have been so positively intense and have been my aspiration. Here remembering the Leos of My Life and wishing them Happy Birthday.

Tanushree Baishya :

Birthday: 13th August.

I know this lady since our school days. We have done our education together in KV(IOC), Noonmati, Guwahati, Assam. We studied together from ClassVIII to XII. Those were the wonderful years and the most memorable times of my life, the "Teen Age” when we together with other friends had so much fun and creating menace in the school with our teachers and above all seniors. After completing our schooling we opted different careers and hence choose different lines of higher studies. But we often during our college vacations made sure to hang out with our other close friends and talk like hell! I like to call her "TWINNY" , as in school many people often got confused in identifying between two of us. May be it’s because we had almost similar hairstyle, same uniform and quite a same body structure. But in reality we are very much different.

She is bold with a gentle touch, which makes her so special. Her honesty not just defines her personality but portraits her Brain. Who says ! She forces people to appreciate her and give compliments because I strongly believe that ones you see her, compliments for her comes very naturally to you . She is an absolute divine beauty with brains.

No one in this small world is born who can win in argument with this LEO because she does her Homework well and in advance. And how can one forget that she have been always a rank holder.

As well definition goes from one of her friend "This is one girl (Tanushree) who has been with me, rejoicing with me in my success and consoling & supporting me whever I was low..." is having a same opinion like me.

Even though I haven’t met her since last three years, but I still feel same warmth, affection, care, trust, and above all hear the long Lectures Session. Tanushree, the Leo Lady has made us all proud with her works, deed, strength and love she shares.

I wish you all the happiness and success in life and may you achieve whatever you desire for. Moreove she reminds me of the qoute , "With clothes the new are best, with friends the old are best."

Amit Semwal :

Birthday: 19th August.

This Creature is also a LEO. I know him from past three years. We first meet during our interview for MBA at IITTM,Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Infact, we were in the same group for the group discussion. He made blunder after blunders during the whole event with senior and with the teachers but was still smiling. He is the only person in this world who acts stupid yet smart simultaneously. Well these traits are of Genius. By this time reading, he must have toppled down the chair laughing and holding his stomach. But buddy amit, get up, as I simply mean it, all above mentioned. I am so proud to be his friend. He is a true inspiration, aspiration and adore his trait of having equal feeling for all as a true Human-Being. When we participated in an art competition, where it was necessary to be in pair, I requested him to accompany me though I had no idea how to deal with the person like him. But when we actually one the first runner up prize the first thought strike my brain was that "We gel well".

He is very supportive but at the same time very much willing to take risks and also drag others to take risks. It’s because he is an innovative man, and making mistakes from the risk taken comes easily to him. His ideas might sound weird instantly but those are indeed the head turner for the society. “My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me”, and fits to the quote so well !

He have so much inspired me ever since I know him. I even wrote a blog for him "THE PHOTOGRAPHER, i captured". May you keep capturing the great pictures and our hearts with you warmth and your innocent smile.

Please, go through the video of the wonderful pictures taken by him in last three years. It is, "Amit in Wonderland". Click here: COLLECTIONS VIDEO.

Bhupesh Koli :

Birthday: 15th August.

He is My hubby is also a Leo and hence I can't exit without appreciating him. He is a typical Leo, flamboyant and generous simultaneously. He has wonderful instant sense of humor. I'm so glad that he can cook, infact cook so well. Sometimes such small things really matter a lot. His been truly a great friend. We tend to have different style in approach of decision-making which makes us highly complementary and effective. The best thing that has happened to me is that he taught me to be less critical and more spontaneous. We have recently celebrated our first wedding anniversary and I realized that after one year,

“He is still that same adorable, sweet guy who treats me better than anyone ever has in my life making me feel so much blessed”.

 Here is the poem dedicated to the Loving Leos of my Life...

POEM - Impossible

by Priya

Free and release your mind

let the world know

what a wonderful person

you are.

Life is to live and rejoice

let that spirit

make you

stay alive

surrounded by love.

I know you like to flirt,

lie and

still capture

my heart, with fluttering eyes

and make me surrender.

I know, I stay faraway

only to let you know

you will always be

in my thoughts.

If you ever shed a tear

think of me

coz to

forget you

is something impossible.

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Countdown Begins - Celebrate Life

Countdown begins:

Wedding Day - 23 JULY

COUNT - 23

Hubby's Birthday - 15 AUGUST

COUNT - 23

My Birthday - 7 SEPTEMBER

Celebrate Life..

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My first Wedding Anniversary at Barbeque Nation

MY First Wedding Anniversary, it’s been an exact year celebrating the life with the companion. Indeed it’s the best feeling to share things and to be heard. Girls always need attentions, there is no limits to it and I am so proud as well as glad to say that my Hubby have been so humble and empathetic for all the things happening in my life. For being belonged to a typical Indian Culture the power/freedom given to me not to change my name and choose be known as before marriage sounded is something in my view incredibly inevetible to ignore. We have been more like best
friends, sharing stories, weird jokes but also have some common passions like cooking, traveling and one of the most essential is shopping.

Two weeks before my first wedding anniversary I bought one gift for him, (which he insisted) a coffee mug, but could not hold back the secret and gave him the same evening, wishing it in advance. Well you must be thinking a coffee mug...well it is for his office purpose and what else could be expected form a girl it has to be something good and useful thing indeed! But just , just a day before my 1st wedding anniversary, yesterday he asked me what gift I was giving him this anniversary to him.......well "I thought I gave the gift so called the bold shinny black coffee mug".......ummm......I haven’t planned yet I replied! (Safe answer lets shop NOW)

23rd July,2008 My first wedding anniversary and yet another day celebrating my life as always a good start of a day with the cup of hot ginger tea prepared by my hubby in the morning. Busy phone lines for the wishes and where is the party to night a question after the every wish became today's jingle. So how do I feel after one whole year? Questions without any full stops....." Good....infact Great...!"I chuckled.

Soon when hubby went to office, I thought to do some SHOPPING. Went to the shop and bought a nice purple shade t-shirt. I had not planned to buy for me but having to the glance at the female section collection, got little tempted and bought for myself too a nice bright sky blue color.

Well I believe the only way to make your hubby happy is to buy something for yourself, as when you are happy , hubby is also happy to see your happiness..... so I thought to buy for myself too.

Came back home after a tini-mini shopping and started dreaming how would we make this evening more happening and memorable! Suddenly the door-bell rang; well Hubby took a half day and came back home early........Surprise! Surprise!! We cooked the kheer (Indian dessert) together and spent time together remembering some of the most happening times together in a year.

All those wonderful traveling to the beautiful destinations we did. There are more than 15 different places I have visited in past one year. And nearly 50 blogs are written in "Humming Today", so I show both thumb Up this year with background music of mauja mauja...!

Anyway coming to the celebration day, in the evening I gifted him the t-shirt I brought for him, He got so delighted and as for my return gift he said we shall be going in due course of time to Amby Valley, Lonavala-Pune. Well, that’s the pretty good deal and I am so excited to go there.

Then, we got ready, and worn our new t-shirts and went out for dinner to the recently opened Restaurant "Barbeque nation". This restaurant is the one of the biggest third outlet opened at Bangalore. Infact it was today celebrating its first 30 days/1month ceremony. I shall give more information about this restaurant in my latter blogs.

Well we reached the 3rd floor, entered the restaurant, first impression........"it’s a damn a huge place". In the mean time saw a chef......"I think I have seen him somewhere...do I know him...?" I thought. "Please this way sir, this table..." the service person guided us nicely......"Thank you". While we were making ourself comfortable on the table, I was wondering about that Chef .."I think ,I know him..." I told hubby, that chef looks like one of my senior of IHM, Guwahati college. He can be a look-alike also, anyway let us order starters. The barbeques placed on the charcoal on the table, instructions given how to do it by yourself, well ! this is a new and excellent concept, which I have never seen at any restaurant or hotel.

I am really hungry, can’t wait so asked the Restaurant Supervisor how much time it will take to cook these. "Maam, 90% it is done it shall take only 5minutes." OK! Suddenly he asked question that amazed me......"Maam, are you from Hospitality Industry?” For couple of seconds many thoughts hassled into my mind. My first thought was, "how does he know? Second thought why he is asking that too with the positive and assured answer" Yes! Very firmly I replied, Ahhh....how you know. Followed with another question, did your Chef told you? He said "yes! The chef thinks that you are his collage junior" I soon interrupted, requesting him, "Can I please meet the Chef?" He soon made a call and called the Chef to meet me.

The Chef came and replied "Rachana...!” Yes Sir, Hi...how are you? Well! HE is my senior of college IHM,Guwahati and I am not wrong, amazing the world is so small, today I feel. I meet him after long 4 years, and he still remember me with name and He is here standing right inform of me...With in minutes, my all nostalgic moments, images, faces of colleges, friends, teachers all came in front of my eyes, and my eyes soon turned a bit watery. Yes! I got a bit senti!!

I introduced him with my hubby and another surprise for him to accept, "You got married...when...?” Well this is my first wedding Anniversary, TODAY! He said we were today his guests and everything has to be specially ordered. What a great evening and double treat, first my celebration and now meeting my senior after such a long time gave me an immense pleasure. He (Chef Pradeep Kumar), is a busy person, still he took some time and sat with us sharing our collage days thoughts. It was a great moment for me to think and wonder that we did not had much conversations in collage. But an urge to meet old friends activates an intact bond, we still share as of being a senior-junior. We talked about our few common friends, teachers, college building, studies etc. On his instructions we were give high priority in serving. We got more delighted when a surprise chocolate cake to cut was brought by Chef Pradeep. He's been truly wonderful to us and I feel so blessed to have such seniors. It was simply the best day of my life with so many happy moments that shall be cherished all throughout my life.

While still all these surprises are sparkling and tickling my life, I dont want to forget to mention that I owe a humble "Thank you" to my hubby for SIMPLY Tackling Me so nicely around the year with all the mood swings and demands made..

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Stuffed Aubergines - Indian Style

Kids hate it. They make the tongue itch, some kind of an allergy, I guess! But these are stocked with vitamin B and its relatives. As well as potassium, iron and zinc in abundance. They are also an excellent source of fibre while it is low in calories and blissfully free of sodium and fat. In India people love to call it "Baingan Raja"( king brinjal ).

Roast, stir, grill, frying all can be done with this glossy skin, soft, chewable texture vegetable. I personally do not really like aubergine much but when it comes to stuffed-aubergine, I simply love them. Though a preparing the mis-en-place takes lots of time but its worth when one tastes it.

Aubergines come in a wide variety of shapes, colours and sizes. Aubergines can be the size of a grape to realy big one; the seed-filled, rounded, some also has green stripes and some are the beautifully long and slender pale-purple, the aubergine can also be ivory-coloured, certainly led people in some countries to name it the ‘eggplant’. It is known with many names like aubergine, eggplant, brinjals, same way in Indian there are many variations made to cook them in terms of the spices used.

From tamarind, curd, peanuts, coconut many different spices are used to enhance the taste. I use none of the above mentioned spices. As I have always believed in, to keep it simple yet delighting. Here, I am using small sized Green eggplants.

   

Stuffing the aubergines takes time , so have patience. The best thing about the stuffed aubergine is one can store then in cold storage for atleast a week and enjoy taking one out heat a bit on pan and enjoy it either in lunch or in brekfast with paratha/bread. Please go through the recipe and your will fin it indeed simple to make, but consumes time.

  

  Ingredients:

• Small rounded firm brinjals - 8 to 10 Nos.
• Medium onions - 250 gms
• Garlic-ginger paste - 20 gms
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Chilly Powder - 10 gms
• Coriander Powder - 10 gms
• Turmeric Powder - 5 gms
• Dry Mango powder (Aamchur) or lime to taste.
• Salt to taste.
• Oil - 20 gms
• White thread (optional)

Method:

1. Wash and the clean brinjals.
2. Make 2 slits to form a deep cross. Leave the stalks intact. Put them immediately into cold salt water, this shall prevent them to turn black from inside.
3. Roast fennel and cumin seed together, let it cool, then crush and powder them coarsely.
4. Grate the onions properly.
5. Mix the onions with ginger-garlic paste, red chilly powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, crushed fennel and cumin seeds with salt to taste. Also add some aamchur (dry mango powder) to the mixture. If no aamchur is there, then squeeze a lime to add a tint of sour taste. Mix it well for the filling.
6. Use hands and stuff the mixture into the slit of the brinjals/aubergine/eggplant/baigan. One can also tie the stuff aubergines with white thread and remove latter when cooked. (Remember not all the mixture can be stuffed. So the remaining mixture shall be used latter while frying the stuffed aubergins.)
7. Heat oil in a heavy pan. Non-stick pan is preferred. Now add the remaining mixture when turned golden brown add the cumin and fennel seeds powder. Let the mixture turns dark brown.
8. Check the salt and other spices and add accordingly. Add half cup of water. Now slide slowly the stuffed brinjals (barwa baigan) in the mixture.
9. Cover with remaining mixture. Simmer on low, covered till done. Stir once or twice in between carefully.
10. Poke with the knife at the brinjals and check they are tender to touch. Garnish it with spring onion or coriander leaves. Serve hot with chappatis, bread or with rice-dal.

NOTE: This dish "Stuffed Aubergines - Indian Style" is dedicated to the WBB-Feast. Deadline for this event is July 31st, 2008. Rush and post the recipes with your picture of dish & mail to Sia. Check out for more details to MonsoonSpice .

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Simple Snack - Raw Banana Cutlet

Raw Banana Cutlet
Buying the vegetable from the shop is a headache for me. What to buy and what not to, there is always so much of variety. I almost get confused. And in this confusion I bought raw green banana .It was a mess decision indeed, as I had never cooked anything with green banana. What to do? And two days passed ignoring the green banana kept in the fridge.

Well, today was a innovation day and finally I discovered eating the hot golden crispy banana cutlets. I am more excited to make these cutlets as today is my cousin Aman's birthday. He turned six years old. A naughty but cute little boy is very much fond of banana. Hence, making this dish on his birthday gives me great happiness.

So here, I am sharing my recipe with you. You can be more innovative to make further changes to enjoy according to your choice and taste.



Ingredients:

• Raw banana - 1 Nos.
• Potato - 2 Nos.
• Bread crumb - 50 gms.
• Cornstarch - 20 gms.
• Red chilly - 1 Nos. (optional)
• Green chilly - 2 Nos
• Spring onion - 10 Gms (optional)
• Ginger - 10 gms.
• Cumin Seed & Ajwain - 10 gms.
• Red Chilly powder - 1tsp.
• White sesame - 1 tsp. (optional)
• Sugar powder- a pinch (optional)
• Salt as per taste.
• Oil to deep fry.

Method of Preparing :

1. Boil the raw green banana and potato. Peel both the banana and potato, and mash together in the bowl.
2. Chop finely the chilly, ginger and spring onion and mix it with the boiled mashed banana and potatoes.
3. Roast the cumin seeds, ajwain and black pepper. Crush roughly the roasted seeds. Roasted spices adds more flavour. Add this also with other remaining spices with cornstarch and sugar powder in the mashed mixture made of boiled banana and potatoes.
4. Make small portion of size of walnut and press make cutlets. Be innovative and create any shape, round, circle, oval, trinagle etc. Wrap up the cutlets with bread crumbs. This shall work as the binding agent. Sesame seeds can also be added to the cutlet.
5. Heat the oil in the shallow pan . When the oil is warm, deep fry the cutlets until golden brown on the medium flame. The cutlets must not be very thick in size, this shall help to cook well and crispy.
6. When golden brown, take them out on the tissue paper to extract the extra oil.
   

Enjoy the golden hot and crisp cutlets with green coriander or mint chutney or simply with tomato sauce. My hubby liked this cutlet between the two breads as sandwich. So have it in the morning as a breakfast as banana is good for health or just have it crisp as brunch with the hot cup of ginger tea.

NOTE:

This dish "Raw Banana Cutlet" is dedicated to the WBB-Feast. Deadline for this event is July 31st, 2008. Rush and post the recipes with your picture of dish & mail to Sia. Check out for more details to MonsoonSpice

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Cluster/Gaur Beans Bhaji - Indian Cuisine

Cluster Beans/Gawari Phali Bhaji

Easy cooking with loads of flavour, retaining the color and minerals of the vegetable is always my motive while preparing the dish. Let the vegetable have its own taste. So, here I am again with a one of the legumes widely used as green vegetable , the Cluster beans/ Gwar phali/ Gaur beans.

The ingredients used are few and can easily be found in anybody's kitchen. Cluster beans are something we dont prefer to cook but this recipe is simple yet tasty. Many innovations can be made to cook these beans to have different flavour, but I prefer to have it simply with less masala(spices), this retains the color and taste of the vegetable.

Ingredients :

For 3-4 people

• Cluster Beans/ Gawari phali - 250 gms
• Potatos (Peeled & cut into Cubes) - 2 medium sized
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Red Chilly Powder - 1 tsp
• Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
• Salt as per taste

Method of Prepartion:

1. Pluck top & tail & string the beans.
2. Wash them thoroughly in water, keep aside to rinse.
3. Now chop in to small pieces (1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in size).
4. Wash, peel and cut potatoes in to small dice.
5. Heat oil in the pan.
6. Add cumin seed. When they start to sputter add the diced potato.
7. Fry the diced potato, now add coriander powder, red chilly powder, and salt to taste. Mix it well.
8. When the potatoes are half cooked, add chopped gavar phali/ cluster beans.
9. Cover and cook on a low flame for 3-4 minutes
   Remove the lid stir-fry for 2 minutes.
10. If the cluster beans/gavar phali are not cooked well then sprinkle some water if needed. Simmer for 3-4 minutes
11. Let the gavar phali/cluster beans be tender and soft.
12. Serve hot with bread, Chapati , Paratha, puri, Indian's favorite breads.

NOTE:

• Cluster Beans /Gawar must be young and tender, not woody and fibrous. If woody and hard, boil it in water for 3-4 minutes. Rinse the water and carry on the procedure.
• Potaoes are optional, it adds to the volume of the Bhaji, and one who loves Aloo/potatoes will enjoy!
• Add some fine chopped onion while frying the spices for change and enhancement of flavour. Can also add Hing (asafetida powder) while frying. This shall enhance the flavour of the bhaji.
• Some also like to add lentils and grated coconut, but its all about the innovations to be made to change the flavour.
  

As we are celebrating the spirit of summer with vegetables on WBB- feast, this cluster beans bhaji shall add up more taste and variety in the WBB–Summer Feast for July,08 announced by blog Monsoon Spice.

Enjoy Cooking!

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Happy Birthday Papa - Celebrate Life

Dearest Papa,

I thought, let people know that "My Father Strongest ", (U.K.Shakyawar).

I have got a perfect reason to celebrate as you are celebrating your lovely golden 50 years.
I love all the times we have spent together agreeing and disagreeing the things. Sometimes, I might not agree with you but surely I cant ignore your view of point. Indeed you are such a spiritually inspiring person with an excellent power to convince me and others with your ideas and decisions.

I regard you as Visionary ! You make decisions thinking at least 10 years in advance, hence at the moment your thoughts sometimes doesn't appeal but deep inside heart we know that you are right. Hats off ! to your will-power and strength. There, have been so many moments when I almost brook up with the weird ends of life, but you gave me hope and happiness simultaneously which is difficult to see together. A backup to always feel blessed and glad to be Your Daughter, (Rachana Shakyawar). "Whatever happens without your will is good, as it happens with the will of God", this thought and belief of yours have let so many difficult times in life smooth & easy-going.

I love you as a father, best-friend, mentor, and above all as a superb driver(hehhehehhe...heheh..), Still remember, those long travelling trips (Baroda to Delhi) we had, when I was studying in school. It has been the best experience of my life from which i have learned so much. And the patience you had during my school times in teaching me Mathemetics, is incredibly great.

Laugh a loud and Dance like rock, Sing at the peck of throat in the Bathroom, Sketching and writing diaries, I have all learnd from you. Your positive synergy have been a reason to smile. Your inner character of spreading happiness and a determined reach out of hand for service to all without any personal gain is incredible. You gave me full freedom to do anything I wished to to, in perfect term you allowed me to make mistakes and still have you by my side to clear up the mess. This unconditional love and affection of yours has been my biggest strength to which today I lead a happy stable life.

You have been such a perfect father and infact we share such a eternal bond. With each and every decision you made for me directly and indirectly hinted me, how much you treasure and pamper me. Being with you feels so undesirably nice. Its always being like "U Me aur Hum". The way you have been so protective yet lavishing towards family is wonderful.

There are so much common topics, issues, moments, ceremonies, celebration, people we have that glued us together and firm. This very year,2008 when you are celebrating your Golden Jubilee of life, I shall be celebrating Silver Jubilee of my life, what next I could ask from you that YOU gave me a perfect gift, companion (Hubby) to cherish/celebrate the Life.

Its only words and words that all I have, to take your heart away. And thank you for always loving me providing me a perfect family. You make me the happiest daughter on earth.

I love you very much and Happy Birthday!

Cheers!

Celebrate friendship..

Umi :)

"I write the blog
not because
I need to but because
I want to."

..Blog Author

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Ghiya Kheer - Indian Dessert

My mom makes a simply perfect kheer with Ghiya/lauki. The best thing about this kheer is that it is very healthy to eat, moreover its quick to make. The best thing about Ghiya Kheer is the salient creamy green colour. It cool green colour appeals me, the most. This dessert is very tasty and easy to digest. Serve it hot or cold to your guests, or just enjoy is dessert with the dinner. Check out the list of ingredients mention below to prepare this Indian dessert.



Ingredients:

• Bottle Gourd (Ghiya or Lauki) - 250 Grams
• Sugar - 200 gms
• Milk - 500 gms
• Green Cardamoms - 6Nos.
• Cashew nut - 10-12 Nos.
• Raisins - 10 gms.

Procedure of Making:

1. Boil Milk in a deep pan for 15 Min. Non-stick pan shall be prefered.
2. Keep stirring it occasionally on the slow flame.
3. Wash, peel bottle gourd and grate it nicely.
4. Add this grated lauki/ghiya to the boiling milk in the deep pan.
5. Cook it, till the milk is reduced to half of the original quantity.
6. Add sugar , raisins , cardamom powder and cook for 5 mins.
7. Keep aside and allow it to cool.
8. Garnish it with more of raisins and cashew nuts.

Serve it hot or cold to your guests, or just enjoy this dessert after the dinner. I like to eat it chill, in the morning. How do you like it, do write to me..!

Note: This blog, is to celebrate the spirit of summer with seasonal fruits and vegetables in the WBB–Summer Feast for July,08 announced by blog Monsoon Spice.

"I write the blog
not because
I need to but because
I want to."

..Blog Author

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ME - Indian Bride

I, have been always facinated with the way of celebrating the typical Indian wedding, which is full of differnt traditions and rituals that are followed for days to marriage. I love attending the groom's baraat at night and also dancing to the loud beats and tunes of the band. Dancing and reaching to the bride's home and simply hitting the food corner. But the other side story of the bride's is really amazing.

Every girl longs to look at her best and as beautiful as angel on her wedding day.

In India SHAADI/Marriage is termed as one of the major occasion and celebration of life. Its all about the celebration, new relations, happiness, decorations, delicious food, variety of Indian sweets, party, friends get-together, blessings and above all shopping the bride and groom's grant dresses. The bridal dress adds more colours to the auspicious occasion. Often a girl aspires herself to look like any other beautiful actress in the bridal wear. Madhuri Dixit in HAHK, Kajol in KKHH, Rani Mukerjee in KANK, Prity Zinta in KHNH, and many more bollywood actress have made their mark with the designer's bridal wear.

The wedding day is one the most special day in her life, where she a monthes before starts planning about the ceremony. A dream that the girl and her parents share together since her childhood. Same way it is also the moment for the others, who anxiously wait to have a glimpse of enchanting bride's looks, for which she have been planning for long.

I also had an imaginative picture for my bridal wear. More thinking, I laugh as I remember long back in my school days, one of my very best friend Tanushree said, that "ME" being good in art, must sketch and design my own unique bridal wear.

While my wedding day shopping was done, I made sure to have a good survey of undersanding the fabric, budget and the unique design of my bridal wear.

Wedding dress is so special and attached to lots of joy and happiness, which together makes it so memorable. It was hot June month, sweating and searching for the bridal dress that would hold up the sight.

Finally I tried my luck to the mall close to my home, Pacific Mall, Ghaziabad. Under one roof Chhabra555, I found a huge collection of variety in colours, style and pattern in dresses to suite all types of budget at no compromise over quality. This uniqueness of Chhabra555 impressed me and I bought my wedding and reception dresses from there. It is not only a fantastic place to hang over but I found it very comforting and easy shopping from this particular shop.

Reddish tones was the shade, I wanted for my traditional Indian wedding outfit that is lehnga. Bridal lehngas are available in every possible cuts, styles and fabrics. A-lines, fish cuts, mermaid styles, kalidar lehenga styles are quite popular in bridal lehengas.

I chose it to be grand and elegant so Kalidar style on the Crepe fabric worked simply excellent. My Lehnga-choli had famous work of Zardosi lehnga which belongs to Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Rich brocade, looked glamorous and elaborate with its contemporary patterns. The golden pattern was indeed unique as it did not consist of any floral embroidery but had diamond shaped lines all over the the lengha-choli. I took one extra chunari with the light weight and with same color tone but with floral design which looked great with the contemporary patterns of lehnga.

Exclusively heavily embellished gloden jewellery, gajra (flowers) in hair, mehndi in hands, made all the difference in making the perfect looks of the Indian Bride. And not forgetting to mention that the elegant off-white Sherwani with the tints of Embroidery made my hubby, too looked good. Also a bandini print red tone stole with the gloden-red shade pagadi on head, amalgated and completed the outfit so well .

Here, are some glimpes of my wedding ceremony which are indeed the timeless moments of my life. It was in the rainy season on 23rd July,2007 so I regard it as "Monsoon Wedding". I shall be celebrating the first aniversary of my marriage soon, hence blog is comming on its way at the best time.

Other people who are intersted in buying the bridal wears can go through these sites links:

• Manish Malhotra (Indian Designer who is well know for giving many bollywood actress their bridal looks).
• Ritu Kumar (Famous Indin designer).
• Satya Paul (Shop Online) for wedding and contemporary looks.
• Indian Wedding Sarees (online shopping site).
• Chhabra 555
• Chennai Silk (shop Online)
• Banarasi Saree , straight from Varanasi, U.P. (shop Online)
• Mekhla Chadar , Assam Silk (shop online)
• Phulkari, traditionally from Punjab (shop Online)
• Bandhej/Bandani, traditionally from Jaipur, Rajasthan (shop Online)

"I write the blog
not because
I need to but because
I want to."

..Blog Author

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