Ginger Garlic and Chilli Paste and Turning 25

The long absence from the blog needs a post of its own. And that I’ll save for another day. Today though, I wanted to talk about turning twenty five. Truth is, I have never been a date person. That one can see from my lack of really celebrating blog anniversaries which apparently falls in this month too. 

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?

Kheema Pav - Indian Sloppy Joes

Hiding our smiles with little or no show of excitement, we exchanged glances - the type which only sisters understand the secret language of. Later, we would discuss feeling guilty for being happy about dad's immediate business plan to Thailand.

Dad's travel plans meant late night movies, television soaps and parties with friends but most of all it meant dinners could be sandwiches, burgers and other quick bites. Within a week, we wanted to eat everything that dad wasn't fond or approved of.

Masala Egg Scramble - Anda Bhurji

I sat on the staircase cuddling the bundle of clothes I had tied in my mom's dupatta (a multi purpose long scarf worn by South Asian women). The scent of my mom's on the dupatta was reassuring that I wasn't far from home. Far as much as a couple of metres feel like when you are a 10 year old. Dad and I had got into an argument over the volume of the television which disturbed his precious afternoon nap. I protested as I always did until dad went ahead the unplugged the wire. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I went to my room.

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.

Sweet and Spicy Kumquat Pickle

The cold has finally subsided, giving way to a spring like weather. The blankets and woolens are rolled back into the closet for next season. The windows are kept open all through the day, without the fear of cold air braving into our head. Until all of a sudden the sky turns to a neon orange, visibility goes down to zero and our little apartment is flooded in dust. We sigh, we go to bed promising each other to wake up to watch the sun rise if the country wasn't bathing in dust storm.