Ras Malai - Sweet Milk Dessert with Dumplings

He didn't look nervous. There was a certain untouchable calm on his face that didn't match my own trembling self. My mom invited them inside the house, had them seated,  he and his mom. I peeked though the little opening in the kitchen outwards to the hall. I wondered why his calmness should surprise me. Hasn't he always been that way - calm, composed and confident.

Momentarily my eyes drifted from his face to the freshly fried samosa, that were being picked out of the kadai (wok) by my sister, arranged religiously onto the platter, neatly aligned, triangular crisp garam masala scented pastry. Should I eat one? I contemplated and decided against it. The flaky pastry might get stuck in my teeth I feared. My younger sister, went looking in the pantry for vintage tea saucers, that only came out for special guests. Oddly, the golden rim and dainty floral design with blushing rose pink roses matched my own dress.

Steamed Masala Whole Chicken (Murgh Musallam) and Rice with Peas

The giveaway for The Green Kitchen cookbook is still open! Don't miss a chance to win a signed copy here

I often felt that when he wasn't in his dishdasha, his ways where much more casual, his questions more unassuming and random. Perhaps that's why when my ex boss asked me what my favorite last meal would be, I wasn't surprised. Or it was because he had recently learned about me being a food blogger, I'm not sure.

Without the usual 'what would be the best answer to this' approach - I unhesitatingly answered roasted chicken. I knew immediately I have disappointed him with the answer. It wasn't  a fancy lobster dish like his, it wasn't even a unique Indian recipe, it was just roasted chicken. 

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, Kale and Mango Salad

Recently, I asked my sister if she knew about Kale, she instantly replied with "The New Godleaf". Well, I couldn't deny that, everybody seems to be eating Kale and surprisingly the trend has also caught up in India where people are cultivating it at  home gardens. Indians take very well to bitter leaves and vegetables, so Kale is sure to please.

Of many things I love about Kale, one is it's such a sturdy leaf. Unlike spinach, it doesn't wilt into a messy ugly green. Infact when flash cooked, it's shiner and glossier than raw.

Chicken Tikka with Cherry Tomatoes, Onion and Arugula Salad

What a roller coaster ride last year has been. From giving up corporate job, being a new mommy, a few medical hiccups, seeing my little sister get married and a lot of travel thrown in, I have barely had a chance to catch a breath. Inevitably, the blogging has suffered. But now that I'm back and finding a new regular routine, I feel more inspired than ever. 

Paneer Tikka With Grilled Vegetables

In matter of a month  decisions were made, suitcases were being packed and for the first time we were not shopping till we dropped before heading to India. The less things we take, the less we will miss the place, my mom said in her soft yet confident voice. We were leaving Kuwait for good. And not enough words were being exchanged.  There was the pressing question of 'Where am I going?'. Am I really going home or leaving home?

Zarda - Sweet Saffron Rice - Guest Post for Shayma of The Spice Spoon

In blogging world like in real life, ups and downs are as permanent as they can be. Shayma Saadat from the blog - The Spice Spoon, is one friend who has supported me from the beginning and never failed to encourage and brighten my day with her generosity and friendship. She brings her multi cultural roots from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran into a beautifully written memoir style food blog, which has recently made it to the list of  top 50 food websites by The Independent, UK.

Chettinad Chicken - A Guest Post by Tanvi of Sinfully Spicy

Hey guys! I'm back. And trying to grasp the fact that a great vacation has indeed come to an end. But I must say I'm settling just fine. Lots of work to get in order before I'm back to blogging so I invited my friend Tanvi from Sinfully Spicy to share a delicious and spicy chicken recipe with us today. Tanvi already said all I wanted to say below. She has been a dear friend from the time I started blogging and I'm so thankful she accepted to do the post despite being busy. 

Masala Chai - Indian Spiced Milk Tea

Tea to most Indians is like coffee is to the Western world even though coffee is more famous in Southern India. A simple cardamom studded chai is a daily affair in our lives.

Karahi Chicken - Chicken Curry in Red Gravy with Green Bell Peppers

Except the few basic spices, Indian food doesn't require you to break a bank. No fancy tools or instruments required. But one utensil that you must have come across quite often on the blog is a karahi (also called kadai, kadhai. I'll stick with kadai).

Egg Korma - Fragrant, Flavorful and Nutty Egg Curry

I have eaten raw eggs. For some of you, it might be very disgusting until I tell you, I don't mean raw eggs like raw eggs in mousse or hollandaise sauce, I mean crack open an egg and gulped down. Take your time. 

Indian Style Tangerine Lemonade

I badly over ate on new year night. Its not how I planned it but things happened. It all ran like a movie in my head how I pushed that extra piece of chocolate cake even when I was full to the brim. Or leftover eating the next day.  It's not something I'm proud of but it was chocolate cake with coffee cream and leftover pizza?

Hara Malai Kebab/ Malai Seekh Kebab/ Skewered Green Creamy Kebab

While most of you must be busy with last minute sugary beautiful baking ( I don't want to believe there are people who are all planned and relaxed at the moment, its important for my happy life) I want you to make a little room for the ugly green stuff in your kitchen.

Mango Mint Chutney

Chutney's are an inseparable part of Indian cuisine. Be it pakora (deep fried vegetable fritters), samosa (deep fried triangular pastry with veg and non veg fillings), tandoori chicken, cutlets or kebab, everything is paired with a chutney.

Gobi Kasuri Methi - Cauliflower Curry With Dry Fenugreek Leaves

There have been a lot of celebrations going on lately on the blog, first with the pineapple halwa for Diwali and then mutton korma for Eid and while I celebrate my birthday today, there was no room for more sweets or meat.  All I wanted to settle with was simple homemade food.

Making Perfect Birista - Crisp Deep Fried Onions

Roti (Indian unleavened bread made on daily basis) and fried onions, if you know these two things, you can cook a meal. Thats what my mother always professed. 

Pineapple Halwa - Celebrating Diwali

Diwali means different things to different people all over India. People worship different Hindu Gods, have different customs to observe the religious importance of the day. Famously known as festival of lights, for me it is exactly that.

Mix Dal Tadka - Indian Lentils Soup

I was having a hard time naming this recipe of dal which is a generic name for Indian lentils in Hindi. What you think dal actually is ? A soup? A stoup? A stew ? Its certainly not a curry that is what I'm certain of. I actually kind of get irritated when every Indian dish is named as  curry. So I decided to stick with soup!

Poha- A Quick Fix Breakfast

Indian Mutton Stew