Sweet and Sour Pumpkin - Khatta Meetha Kaddu

This last year when I got to spend a whole lot of time with Ammi (mom), I was reintroduced to pumpkin, a vegetable I loathed in savory preparations as a child and never quite embraced into adulthood. Infact, I was amazed at the voracity with which my siblings looked forward to the lunches that involved pumpkin.

Amaranth Pea Fritters (Amaranth Vada)

We rushed through the narrow passage hunting down our seats in an attempt to get the window seat. It was for the first time we three sisters were travelling alone and we debated for a while who's going to be the odd one who had to sit with someone else. Being the eldest, I sat my younger sisters together and took to my separate seat anxiously waiting for who would come next to mine.

A huge lady walked to the seat and before she settled, I wondered if she would fit into the cramped economy class seats with barely any leg room. Would she be able to get up if I had an emergency nature's call? What if she snored? The feeble mind of a 13 year old.

Rai waale Aloo - Curry Leaves, Mustard Seeds Tempered Potatoes

Despite of what it may look like from my Instagram feed, I have been skipping lunch way often lately. Been pampered with always having someone to share meals with lunching on my own is something I still haven't got used to.  I reason being carried away with work and being busy, but at the core of it,  

I just can't bring myself to cook for one. To break something that's almost becoming a habit, I challenged myself to cook and blog about meal for one.  And hoped there are people out there who are like me.

Beetroot Orange and Mint Juice

My aunt makes beetroot juice all the time, serves it at room temperature in a bowl more like beetroot water with thin slices of beetroot swimming in it that are supposed to be picked up with a fork while you drink the water with a spoon. She calls it a salad and throws in sliced cucumber as well. 

I have often debated with her why it isn't really a salad but also failed to come up with an alternative name for it. 

Labneh Fig and Thyme Tart with Pistachio Almond Crust

Recently, I bumped into an old friend. We smiled at each other, looked into each other's eye for more than normal and we moved on.

Our friendship had ended abruptly. We both got to a point where we knew we had to go our own ways before things got bitter but despite of it, we dragged along for a long time until one day. One day I didn't take her call. When friendship or for that matter any relationship doesn't create any positive energy, I move away. Without much words, because words always fail me in times of extremity.

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.