Festivals: Kojagiri Poornima

Everyday while we see the sky, I point out the moon to my one year old daughter. Today, when I was showing her moon, I realized it's full moon and was able to see its full glow! When I was checking my whatsapp msges,  I got to know that today was kojagiri Poornima(also known as Sharad Poornima). I was recalling and telling my hubby of this festival. 

I am from Mahatashtra and my husband is from Andhra Pradesh, hence there are few cultural difference. When I went to our terrace, there was so much of moon light and seeing that I wanted to celebrate Kojagiri Poornima.

I don't remember much of the Pooja done on this day, atleast not at my home.  But I remember my nani used to me that they do Pooja of Shankar Parvati idol( similar to Ganesha idol) on this day and sing lots of songs. These songs are not the devotional one but mostly they are funnier kind made on saas-bahu(mother-in-law and daughter in law)!

Most of the time we use to have our mid term exams, and hence we use to miss the the fun. It use to start with collecting money, buying milk in bulk so that each member gets a glass full, snacks ( samosa, chiwda, etc) pre planned games and some music. Around 10 pm, everyone use to gather and milk was kept for boiling. Till the milk get the thicker consistency and moon comes exactly above so that we can see the shadow on the milk, we would play different games. Games like antakshari, cards and dance would go on. 

Once we see the shadow on the milk, it would be ready to drink and we could also enjoy the snacks!

From my kitchen - Chamaldumpa Pulusu (Taro root/arabi sour curry)

I was introduced to Pulusu by my hubby and he is the one who taught me how to make them. 

Pulusu(telugu) is referred to sour and tangy curries in which main ingredients are tamarind and tomatoes. Compared to rassam, they are thicker in consistency and has specific flavour of veggie or meat. Some of the pulusu that we make are - bhindi pulusu (okra), raddish pulusu,Taro  root pulusu, fish pulusu, etc. Most of these Pulusu's have same recipe but we need to twist a bit depending on the taste.. Ex you can add rice flour to fish pulusu while it is not needed in Tarro pulusu as Tarro itself will make it thick.

Sharing the recipe of Taro pulusu which I made other day though forgot to take a pic :(

Ingredients

2 tsp oil

Pinch of methi seeds (fenugreek seeds)

Punch of jeera(cumin seeds)

1 Onion 

1 green chilli

1 tsp ginger garlic paste ( optional.. Can use finely cut ginger garlic in case paste is not there )

2 tomatoes

8-10 medium sized Taro boiled till they become vet soft and peeled

1/2 tsp Corriander powder

1 tsp red chilli powder

Salt as per taste

Turmeric powder

1 tsp Tamarind paste / tamarind pulp

Rassam powder ( optional)

Cilantro to garnish

1. Heat oil in pan and add cumin seeds and methi seeds

2. Add onions, green chilli and sauté then for a min

3. Add ginger garlic paste and mix it well till it cooks

4. Add tomatoes and all the ground spices and let it cook till oil leaves.

5. Add taro and mix well. Taro should be pressure cooked for 5-6 whistles or till they turn very soft. 

6. Add tamarind paste and water or pulp from fresh tamarind and let it boil.

7. Once it boils, you can add water as per the consistency required. Please note that it will become thick once cool.

8. Add rassam powder and let it boil till tamarind raw smell has gone .

9. Garnish it with Cilantro. PS-If you love cilantro flavour you can add the stems along with tamarind and let it cook.

Hope you enjoy this mouth watering pulusu!!

Day Outing - Bheemeshwari & Shivasamudram

Most of us look forward for the weekends, I mean fun-filled or relaxed weekends. I had fun filled Saturday as we went to Bheemeshwari fishing camp & Shivasamudra waterfalls. After the relaxed morning and late lunch on Sunday, we had happening evening with home cooked desi chicken for dinner along with friends and game of badam satti.  Is it not the ideal way to spend your weekends?

Bheemeshwari is approx 100 Km from Bangalore and mostly known for its fishing camp. We started from Bangalore at around 8 AM in the morning with just a cup of coffee! On the way we were very hungry and not in a mood to wait till we get a good restuarant and hence ended up having our breakfast on a road side tiffin stall. We had Set Dosas which were good enough to fill our empty stomach. Actually it was good decision as there were no good restuarants till our next stop which was at Muthathi. It was around 10:30 and we saw hardly any restuarant open, basically we wanted to get our lunch packed as we had heard that there are no restuarants inside Bheemeshwari.

When we entered the Bheemeshwari, we were welcomed my monkeys and those were the only animals that we saw inside in our entire trip. We headed directly to the fishing camp to check if we can go without reservations but it was too costly and we decided to explore on our own. Actually we felt it more costly because we had seen the group on deal for the same camp which was very cheap but we had not bought it :(

So while enjoying the view of Kaveri we started driving ahead but to our disappointment there was nothing but monkeys. We came across a temple which was our next halt, took some pic with Kaveri river and headed ahead. It was already lunch time, and we wanted atleast a place to enjoy our pre packed lunch. We found a place alongside Kaveri and had our lunch with one of us with sticks to scare off monkeys. While we were about to finish off our lunch, there came police wala shouting on us to wind off and told us about the 3 men who died other day because of overflow of water as the dams were opened. Again after a small photo session with the group, we realized that it is the end of the trip as there was nothing else in Bheemeshwari. 

It felt very bad to end our trip and hence we made a last minute call to go to Shiva Samudra falls which was~45 kms from Bheemeshwari. 

We reached Gaganchukki falls(upper falls of Shiva Samudra) in approx 1 hr even before we had finished our nap. It was very refreshing after looking at the falls from the parking area and we enjoyed every minute of almost 1.5 hrs that we spent there. To add to it, it was perfect weather! Only regret we had was why didn't we go there directly.

Though one cannot go near the falls, we went to falls viewing area which is nothing but ~20-30 steps climb downwards. We enjoyed the fall, took pics, got relaxed and climbed up to buy the refreshing gooseberries. We spent some half an hour relaxing in the lush green lawns of the KTDC park which is just next to parking area after having our coffee. We also played tug of war there :) and had nice time with my daughter enjoying with us.

And then it was time for us to head back to hustle and bustle of Bangalore life.

PS - pics will be uploaded once I have sorted them.

Bangalore Auto walas

I always prefer to stay nearby office so I can save my time on commute and luckily till now I was able to manage to get an apartment nearby.

During my first year of joining work, I was not sure of exact location where my office would be and have stayed at a location from where all the offices would be equidistant. When my project was finalised, my office was at an hour distance and I would take office bus. Most of the times, we (along with my roomies) ended up missing the bus and would take public transport. I still remember the days that we have got into the autos to travel a distance of 500m to catch the bus from the stop or ending up travelling in the same auto chasing 4-5 km till the time bus stops at toll plaza and we could get into it. It was always a fun time but I don't remember any fights or arguments with auto walas to be precise Mumbai auto walas. When I shifted nearby office (~1km) still getting into autos was easy and I just had to pay by meter! I never wanted to have my personal vehicle while I was in Mumbai as local commute (by bus, auto, local train) was always easy.

After I shifted to Bangalore, I realized that commute by public transport can be costly and nerve racking too. Everyday on my way to office I would think should I get a bike? Should I take a bus and walk? Should I do bike/car pooling? I had even tried to take an auto on monthly basis.

Though initially I just had to take auto for my visits to doctor which was rare( kind of once or twice in a month) but when I joined back office I got to know the real pain. My home was ~3.5kms from office and ideally by meter it would be ~₹40 but the challenges I faced were

1. Most of them will not be ready to go

2. If they happen to say Yes, they will directly start from ₹100 which you should understand means they are not going to come.

3. For most of autos, meters are just a showpiece.

Hardly there were days when I was lucky enough to get auto by meter or for ₹60. Oh! I missed Mumbai autos so much. 

I made my mind to write this post after one of my argument with one of them. I was already getting late and had almost walked a km when I got into this auto. I very well told him my destination and he agreed for ₹50. I was feeling happy that I got the auto finally when he stopped for a lady, she wanted to go off side and hence I told him no and what did he do? He dropped me almost after an km, and said you told this as destination and was not at all ready to take me to my office. I was so furious that I just handed him ₹20 and got down. He stated with his bad words in Kannada, I surely cannot understand them but can make out those were bad words. I only know how I controlled myself and reached office.. I didnot wanted to take an auto from then but did I have any option? Obviously No!

Hopefully rules in Bangalore get strict so they end up using only meter.

Places visited in Garden City

I know I am not at all doing justice either to this blog or to my resolution of having one post per day. Lately I had been busy with the guests at home and exploring Bangalore along with them. Since the time I have moved to this city we are always confused, where to take the guests out as we have not explored ourselves.So the thought came of making a list of places I have been to.. 

Places of attraction we have been to, 

In bangalore -

ISKCON temple

Bannerghatta National Park & Zoo

HAL museum

Boating at Ulsoor Lake

Bangalore Palace

Lumbini Gardens

Lal bagh botanical garden

Nearby Bangalore

Coorg

Mysore palace

Bheemeshwari

Shiv Samudra waterfalls 

Shopping Malls

Phoenix market city

Local markets

K R Market

I am planning to write a post on each of this places about my experience and as well adding to the list in this post.

Do you have list or places you think one must visit while in the city ?

Spicy Prawns - Mediterranean style

Spicy Prawns @Village Corner, Carmel, CA

This photo reminds me of a wonderful summer day we had spent on the Carmel beach and beautiful 17 miles drive. After the lazy walk on the beach, we went for the lunch to Mediterranean Bistro - Village corner and ordered these Spicy Prawns along with Greek gyros. Though the gyros were as usual, we fell in love with these spicy prawns. 

Exactly a year after when we had been to same place again, I just wanted to go to same restaurant and gulp on these spicy prawns. So, after having heavy breakfast we spent beautiful summer day enjoying the pebble beach and 17 mile drive. After we were tired and hungry, we knew our next destination - again Village Corner, to have our favorite spicy prawns. On any normal day or location, we would have surely tried new restaurant or new cuisine, but I can say on that day we planned for Carmel Beach only to gulp on this spicy Prawns.

Now, you would ask me whats so special about this, I can simply say you need to try it out :) and here comes the recipe of these simple but tasty Spicy prawns.

Ingredients

Home made Spicy Prawns 

Prawns -12-15 (if possible leave tail)
Garlic - 10-12 cloves
Red Chilli flakes
Olive oil (it tastes good in olive oil, but if olive oil is not available, you can use any refined oil)
Lemon Juice
Salt 
Fresh Corriander leaves

Marinate the prawns in salt and lemon juice for 30 min.
Cook the prawns and keep aside. [you can fry them directly but if the prawns are not 
Heat the olive oil and add finely chopped garlic and chilli flakes. 
Once the garlic is slightly done, add the prawns and fry them till they are cooked. Garnish it with fresh coriander leaves.

Pod of Dolphins along the pacific coast

To wind up the day, we headed back to Carmel beach to watch the sun set and pod of dolphins along the coast.

Flower in my little garden..

Today morning I was greeted with this beautiful flower in my little garden.

Why I am saying little garden because as of now it just has 3 pots each containing Holy Basil, butterfly-pea climbers and money plant (ivy) :) This is the first flower of my butterfly-pea climbers and I loved it so much that I could not stop myself taking a picture of it and writing a post on it. 

I knew this flower only by its marathi name - Sufali and did a quick google search to get its English name - Buttetfly-pea. Do you know what it's called in other languages? 

Hobby - Quilling

I guess it was before Xmas of 2008, there were stalls placed of hand made and quilled cards in front of our office cafeteria. I was in hurry, still managed to gave a quick glance on those cards. I am always fascinated by hand made stuff and loved the quilled cards. It was for the first time I had seen them and I loved them so much. But to my disappointment I was not carrying my wallet that day, luckily I got one of those card as new year card from my roomie and I loved it.

I didnot know the name of this type of craft as quilling nor did had an idea of how they are made. While reading through one of the blogs, I found that they are very easy to make and one just needs correct material. I am very bad with the scissors and hence wanted to go with the ready made strips which I was not able to find in US stores. So, when I came back to India, I ordered them online and tried my hand on quilling. It was super easy and the first card I made came out very nice. I gave it to my brother-in-law as his bday card.

My next project on quilling was pen/comb holder which I made using surf excel box and used quilled flowers and shells for decorating it. I followed the instructions on busyhands.craftgully.com/from-wash-to-wow/  to create the pen stand.

I also made a quilled wall art. It was copy of quilled art I saw on someone's facebook page. I liked it so much that I wanted to make one for myself. 

My last project till now on quilling was quilled earrings. I made 3 pairs and had given it to friends and cousins. 

It's very difficult for me to be a creatives self  , so except for the earrings and my first card design, everything I tried was from following others steps.

PS - I don't have pics at this time on my mobile and hence will upload them from my laptop some other time.

Visit to ISKCON Temple

It is more than 6 months we shifted to 'Garden City' and ideally speaking I have not been to any of the places here. I had come to Bangalore on my college trip and been to more places in those 8 days than I have been now, only reason I am enjoying the most beautiful phase of life - Motherhood, leaving very less scope for exploring the city.

My sis has visited us and when I asked her on which place she wants to go, immediately she said 'ISKCON' (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple. We had been planning to visit there but every time our plans got cancelled. So finally we planned for today. Though we were supposed to start by 10 am, it was 1 pm when we actually left home. Being new to Bangalore, we took help of navigation app on phone. It was supposed to take us by fasted route but we ended up taking slowest route. On reaching the temple parking entrance at 3 pm, we found that temple is closed for Darshan and will reopen at 4:00 pm. So, we ended up spending an hour at nearby Big Bazaar doing grocery shopping.

We went to temple at 4:15 pm and got into the queue, looking at which I thought it will take more than hour but luckily it was short. At the entrance, There was a notice board picturizing dress code of Saree and suits for women and shirt and full pant for men. It was for first time I saw dress code mentioned in temple. A lady in front of me was wearing sleeve less Kurta and jeans and she was stopped and questioned for it, before allowing inside. Even I was wearing sleeveless Kurta but a baby and my scarf saved me from being questioned. Next we were handed with card with the chants - 'Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna hare hare ; hare Rama hare Rama Rama Rama hare hare' which we are supposed to say while stepping on every step laid on the way till the entrance of Shri Varhada Narsimha temple. We took a Darshan of Shri Varhad Narsimha and Shri Balaji before entering the main temple of Shri Krishna. I loved the way each idol was beautifully decorated. We had a peaceful darshan followed by delicious snacks that were sold in the temple premises. We were also served yummy curd rice as free prasadam on our way out. 

Apart from food stall, it has lots of stall selling books on Krishna, idols, traditional clothing, etc

Some tips for the visiting ISKCON Temple- 

Dress Code - Saree & Salwar suit/Kurta pajama for women; shirt/Tshirt and FULL Pants for men.

Timings - 4:15 am to 12 noon ; 4:15 pm to 8:30 pm

No Cameras allowed inside temple.

Have you been to ISKCON before? What all you liked about it? 

Moti Roti - Rajasthani Recipe

Today I was feeling very lazy to make rotis and suddenly I remembered about moti roti. One of my colleague J used to bring this moti roti and we used to love it big time. She used to say its one of the easiest and quick recipe but I never paid attention on how to make it. When I became roommate with same colleague, I asked her to make it and really it was easy one to make. 

After that, I never tried that roti on my own but today thought of giving it a try. So I mixed 1 cup (usually make 4 phulkas out of it) with some salt, 1 spoon ghee and water to make a soft dough. Made 1 single roti out of it and put it on pan. Then I started with the pinch of design on this roti which is required for it to cook well and give this roti it's design. When the design was completed, I made sure that the roti was cooked well from both side and added lots of ghee (~2 spoons😬) on the design side and woo hoo the delicious roti was ready in less than 10 min.

I was feeling that I was missing in something as when I had made the design with my roomie J we had to make it quick and be careful as the roti was hot. So, I googled the recipe as I don't even know the exact name but luckily got  lots of link with the recipe. So, what I missed was to cook the roti on one side and then start with the design on the cooked part, still I was able to match the taste of what J used to bring in her lunch box. There is one more recipe - lauki muthiya which I got to know about and learnt from same friend J, hopefully I will share it soon.

 I forgot to take the picture of it but surely upload it when I make it next time.

Have you ever tried or made this moti roti? 

Gongura Pachadi

Oh, I have missed my resolution on day 1  :( so, here's the quick recipe shared by my hubby's nanamma (grandma)

For non - Andhraties, details on Gongura can be found at - http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gongura

Separate the leaves from stem and Wash Gongura thoroughly.

Fry the leaves in a pan without oil, until it becomes a paste.

Now add some salt to this paste and keep it for 3 days.

Prepare tadka with the following ingredients:

Oil

Garlic

Methi/Fengu seeds

Red chillies 

Mustard

Curry leaves

Chana dal

Let the tadka cool and then add it to the gongura paste.

Yummy Gongura Pachadi is ready :)

This will stay good for more than two weeks if preserved and used carefully.

New Year Celebrations 2014

During my childhood, New year celebrations was not much of an affair. We used to watch shows on TV and wish everyone next morning. Once we had get together (organized by my father's friends) with variety of food, games and it was fun.

When I left home for college, New Year was celebrated at hostel in usual way - decorations, cake cutting, dancing, etc

On this new year eve, I was at my in-law's place for the first time on 31st and celebration here was altogether different. It started with shopping for cake, colors, sweets. Around 10 pm, my sister -in - law started making rangoli in front of our home.

Our home was full with close relatives and hence it was all festive feeling. As the clock stuck 12, we wished each and every one present and cut the cake. My MIL had lit the Diya and performed Aarti. Everywhere outside it was light and sound from fire crackers. We then went to look at the rangoli made by others in our lane and didn't even realized that it is past 2 pm when we had hit the bed. Morning was occupied with phone calls and msgs to all the near and dear ones.

How was your New Year celebration? Was it different from every year? Any resolutions?

New Year Resolution - A post a Day

Happy New Year :)

I know I am almost week late in wishing new year but better late than never, right?  I have never taken a new year resolution but today I thought of taking a resolution of writing atleast one post per day till I am able to complete all the posts I have thought of writing. Hope I will be able to keep up my resolution.