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Ingredients
Fresh cream - 2 cups
Sugar - as per taste
Butter - 1 tablesp
Almonds and Pecan nuts-
Method of preparation:
Step 1
Beat fresh cream with sugar until smooth and fluffy.

Step 2
Praline Recipe:
Put 4 tbsp sugar on a dry pan. Let it melt completely and add 1 tbsp of butter. Mix well and switch off the flame.
Add crushed nuts and keep stirring until brown.
Immediately transfer the mix to a butter paper and let it cool.
You will get the praline as shown in the picture below Crush it well and add it to the cream

Add crushed praline into the cream and freeze for 5 hours.(You may blend it once again to get a uniform consistency)

You get delicious, Baskin Robins sty;e Praline 'N Cream at home! ENJOY.

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Here is the secret to a creamy, silky yet healthy Milkshake!

Dates, known to be the most ancient fruit, are jam-packed with iron and loaded with fiber. 

They are considered to be natural weight-loss food. 

Dates Milkshake is an Arabic recipe.

Now, the good news for kids is that, in this recipe, I have added 1 tbsp Nutella.
So, you can imagine how divine a milkshake it has turned out to be! All of you must try this.

Ingredients for a healthy, kids favorite breakfast item:

Milk -2 cups
Dates- 8 nos chopped
Nutella- 1 tbsp (Optional)
Almonds-
Ice cubes- 4-5 (Optional)

Preparation:

Blend all ingredients with milk until smooth. Serve Chilled Topped with almonds.

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She was the center of her universe, 
the princess of her kingdom,
 butterfly of her garden,
 star in her sky,
 she fluttered her colorful wings

 And one moment 
she opened her eyes from the dream
darkness
she struggled to move forward,
 frantically, to go back to her world
 crossing the cold, darkness that was covering her.

~Deep Krishna

     

 

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Dear Readers,

It's been a while since my last post. But now I'am back again with a friendly message to all the women who read this.

Today on the occasion of International Women’s Day, let’s take a resolution to love ourselves first.

When you are happy with yourself, you will feel happier about the world- and you will be able to treat others with more compassion and respect.

All you have to do is to focus on your role in this world, not judging another woman because she’s just another character in the play written by the universe.
Be it your maid, your best friend or colleague, treat her with respect and love. Understand that her dreams and frustrations could be same as yours.

If nothing else, treat her in such a way to make her feel positive about herself. Never let her down even if she’s not acting according to your perception.

This type of compassion is what we need in the world.

Because if each one of us makes a small change in our thoughts, this, in turn, will create a strong collective thought, so powerful that can change the world!

HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY! ❤️

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Have anyone experienced a strange wonder after finishing a creative piece- poem/write up/artwork or even a new dish that came out perfectly well- that it doesn't belong to you, or has been done by someone else? I mean, you feel strange as if we got those ideas/ the creativity from a central source of knowledge.

If there is such a central knowledge source, can we connect to it often? Just like we log in to the internet? Wouldn't it be great if we could?

Sharing my thoughts on this:

To connect to this knowledge source, we should stay much focused, like in meditation.

I feel 'this knowledge source' is like an invisible wave of energy around us to which only a sincere seeker can connect. Or it will be like a pond in which we all maybe living like fishes, unaware of the ocean of knowledge in which we have been immersed -caring only about the perishable illusions such as money, beauty and suchlike!

On thinking further:

A focused mind can achieve this connection with the knowledge source. This doesn't mean that only meditation can open the window to this. Strong desire to achieve something, severe mental/physical pain, accidents/shock and sincere prayers also have the same effect as a meditation on the mortals. 

      

Isn't it amazing to think  that all of us including those greatest of scholars are getting the data/idea from the same knowledge source? I mean, in that case, nothing is created new, everything  is shared with us by the central source.
May be that is why sometimes two people write the same idea/thought, unknowingly.




Factors that help us connect to this source (according to me) are: 

• Real  passion for something; where there is a will, there is a way.

• The strong, selfless affinity towards something; work/hobby/art can instill self-consciousness & open up the windows of  knowledge.

When knowledge transcendence happens, the seeker raises to a superior intellectual level. Soul consciousness level is the final stage where the seeker and the supreme power come close; this is really difficult to achieve.

If a human tries to liberate from this materialistic, elusive world using any of the methods (meditation or focusing on one's passion or using prayers..) may have to  penetrate the layers around him; raising above all these energy levels to a height where the peaceful state of soul consciousness is prevalent; where there is complete silence and no words required for communication.

Let us take a break from our busy lives to think about ourselves & who we truly are!

                                      



    ***

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Incredible India! Photo courtesy: welcomenri    Today, you won't recognize the place. It has developed into a busy town.   But during 80's this place was happier, cooler and pleasant. Each plant ,weed or trees seemed happy with their own unique flowers  and fruits. People were innocently happy. Festivals had a special charm as people  open heartedly indulged in merrymaking.                   How a child looses his/her innocence? I think when he is  exposed to rough and complicated experiences.  My childhood was confined to my school, cousins and my friends  at the neighborhood.  That Asoka tree with big branches at my neighborhood, I remember , always had flowers...... and why not? They say that Asoka blossoms  at the touch of "Kanya" (virgin).  Sounds funny right? But it's an old belief better not to question it!  It is an important tree in the cultural traditions of the Indian  subcontinent and adjacent areas.) Me and my 4 girl friends along with my little brother played under  this tree.  We children made the model of temples and decorated  the stone deity with wild flowers.  There was a pond and lots of different varieties of mango trees. During summer vacations,we used to get three different varieties  of mangoes. Saraca Asoca (Ashoka Tree)           But I realize now that I always had an inner world,  much more colorful where I pretended myself to be different  characters from my favorite stories. I had my own secret place in the backyard of my house among  the coconut trees.  Near the Bamboo and the pineapple bushes I discovered a strange  tree with white trunk. I felt the place had a mystical charm.  I chose the place to sit and dream.  During November or early December, the place got dried up,  the wind was fierce, the leaves were rustling.  I had no objective dreams.  I enjoyed those days in ways that today's children can never fathom.  We had the sense  of existence of nature and of the super power  that  controls us.         Today human beings have forgotten the Nature and consider  themselves as creators of their own destiny. People want "big things"  now a days; but inside all are empty ,frustrated. You will know this from  their pretentious nature and from the topics they choose to converse. The nature even has turned unpredictable. November wind which used to  be the characteristic of my place, has subsided.  Monsoon is uncertain and untimely. Roads are crammed with vehicles.  People are competing with each other, temples are crowded with  grabby people who have come to please the God to get their work done. Incredible India!!! When the parents are minding their own business, we can not blame the young generation getting perverted.It's shocking to know that in the God's own country, using drugs is so common, even available near  schools.  It's a mockery that alcohol is banned here. School children buy  the  narcotic gum and parents are unable to find out.  Strict law should be enforced to stop the selling of these substances  and anyone violating this must get dreadful punishment.                        Today, children step into adulthood so fast without  enjoying the bliss of innocence. What can we do to protect this young generation from these  social malice? 1.  Primary schools can give strong awareness programs using movies  or any audio visual methods. We must enforce the values in children  at very young age. 2. Make groups and let school children make skits or dramas on  alcoholism and drug abuse. 3. Reward and appreciate those children who work for this good cause  so that others too get inspired. 4. Restrict the pocket money and try to keep good communication  with your teenager, as often as possible. Little bit of love and care can do wonders. 5.  Last suggestion is really tough to implement : include one subject  in the academics to provide insight and awareness about spirituality. Let our children live an insightful life rather than giving way to  momentary pleasures! But now one question remains. Who's responsible for all these degradation in values????? As a social being none of us can run away from this question.                                            ########                            ((This post is being written for the #BachpanWithFlinto blogger  contest. Flintobox creates award-winning discovery boxes filled with fun exploratory  activities  and games for children in the age group of 3-7. If you wish to gift Flintobox  to  your child, niece/nephew, or friend’s child, use the exclusive coupon code WELCOME  to avail Rs. 250/- off.))

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    Today, technology is growing exponentially. Smart phones are ruling the world and technology is expected to be embedded everywhere. Parenting is lot more fun today provided you are smart enough to control this new-wave rather than yielding to the spell of it.

        Being mother to an 11 year old boy, I have experienced the good and bad sides of technology. Here is some useful information for those parents who are anxious about this new trend.

       I know that some of those with traditional views may disagree with this new influence of technology in children. But we have left no choice other than finding the best method to take advantage from this.

       1.     Awareness is the key!

               First of all, we, parents must educate ourselves on how to monitor or supervise your children’s activities online. This is simple if you have genuine interest to learn and understand new things rather than shunning away from it.

·         Educate your child about the power of mankind especially his own potential to contribute to this world: I have seen many children growing in a very unconscious manner, blindly following others, copying and comparing themselves with neighbors or classmates. This attitude kills the dynamism in young children. Teach him/her that his life's purpose is much more than any sort of addiction, say gaming addiction. Slowly educate them to find the true purpose of their own life.

   2.     Discipline is as important too!

         Television and sport channels: Children can follow cricket, football or any sport- but never let the sport/hobby get into their head: Children especially boys must enjoy watching world cup or other tournaments but as a parent you must set an example in front of them. Convince them that their potential is equal to Messi’s or Sachin’s and this is their time to work hard and to improve their life in order to reach to their levels. Good marks in exams are very important as schooling is the first step to discipline. I often hear parents say that marks are not important, Bill Gates is a college dropout etc- But dear parents, do you know, Bill Gates was in Harvard and to enter there itself need high level of basic education! So even if your kid is a genius in sports, you must encourage him in getting good marks too as any sportsman needs discipline in the first hand.

        3.       Internet as an educational tool: Today, it is easy to prepare for any exam as all the resources are available at your finger tip. Make use of it.

          4.       Video Games- Any digital game, if used in a controlled manner, is helpful in child’s brain    development and for a fast thinking mind. A study says that video games can enhance the problem solving capabilities in children.

         5.       Good Movies – Movies are windows to outer world through which children learn and improve creatively.

         
          6.       Easy access to the world of Books- Internet is a great help if your child likes to read- You can buy books online or even download free books.

        7.       Surveillance cameras: Another digital invention for improved connectivity.

   Working moms who might be forced to leave their baby with nannies are finding the surveillance cameras as a boon. Even though they know that their love is all the child needs at this stage, sometimes it might be mandatory that both the parents work.

      Taboos

 Saying all these- there are certain areas where parents must tight the rules.

         1.       Strict time schedule for gadgets: Never let the gadget control your kid’s mind.

        2.       Strict kid safe filtering methods for internet: There are many kidsafe browsers and proxy’s available, educate yourself about it.

       3.       Never forget to set time for Outdoor games: Encourage your child to play outdoor almost every day.

       Conclusion.

            Never take these technologies as a substitute for your love and care. You must constantly have 

        a rapport with your children. Sit and read with them, watch their shows and movies. Your love must    be  powerful enough to guide and light their paths. 
        Don’t leave them alone in the so called  “sophisticated” world as long as 
         they are too young and too innocent to face it.

     

           This is an article written for womensweb.in

          “This blogger contest is supported by Kid Social Shell, a unique digital parenting platform with 11  gaming-learning         apps. Use it play 3D nursery rhymes, counting number games, shapes games, fun    math worksheets, coloring games and more!”

        

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Wishing all my friends a very happy and prosperous New Year 2015 !
Thank you for reading my blog .

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31st Dec 2014 : 

So it's time to say #Goodbye2014 !
I thank each one who took time to read my monologues, recipes and stuff...

This year was truly a roller coaster ride for me. I had set off on a particular journey back in 2007 and this year I can say that I am in the right path. It has been 7 years of struggle to find myself , my true aspirations and dreams. Some strong impacts from some unexpected sources came as some miracle, helping me out in this process. I bless them all who came as angels when in pain and uncertainty .
But life is really quirky with its own rules and plans ,so I am here to take up anything life has got in store for me.

I got a bundle of new friends and colleagues,  and lost a few . But I believe, that those who truly love me will stay there unshaken .
I got up today morning to find myself in a mood to write a poem.. yes, those who wanna run away can do it now before I start . It goes like this --------( Needless to tell u all that I am not a poet and I humbly seek my apologies to all real poets)

 An Ode to 2014

" Dear 2014, I never invited you but still you came ,
I wanted you to stay forever but you are leaving ,
painting a few graffitis on the wall of my heart
But let me ask you ?
You really came or I was just hallucinating ?
cuz, who named you 2014?
The unworthy human in his strenuous acts to acquire 
own will , money and power ,
named things as per his convenience ."

Deep Krishna

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Ingredients To Prepare Cracker topping

Any Italian Cracker-

Cream cheese spread

Mixed vegetables- cut into small chunks (I used cucumber and Bell peppers)

Strawberry /raspberry

Sugar- 1 tsp

Salt- a pinch

How To Prepare this easy starter ?  

 Whisk cream cheese with 1 tsp sugar and a pinch of salt.Mix in veggies and keep refrigerated.

Only at the time of serving, spread it on Crackers and arrange one piece of Strawberry /Raspberry on top.

I use Italian crackers as they are really thin and crisp .

Buon Appetito !

Eat. Pray. Love.

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Chicken in butter and cream with Mushroom

bonjour !

Inspired by chef Julia Child’s cooking that had well celebrated in the movie “Julie & Julia” ,I decided to plan a French combo meal. (Being my favorite cuisine, I  have plans to buy Julia Child’s cook book “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”) You know,how good movies affect us positively. :-)

So, as a result, here I am ,to share with you all, this recipe of ‘Chicken in butter and cream.’

I have followed the traditional recipe (courtesy: videojug) in all the ways, except for the measurements of ingredients.This recipe,I found is divine,with rich, creamy sauce with tender juicy boneless chicken. 

Recipe demands a lot of butter and cream, so if you are trying this, you have to forget your diet rules for one day.

Mushroom is really nutritious though some people are allergic to this fungus.

 I recommend a special method of cleaning for Mushrooms.

• Wash mushrooms under running water, carefully, not allowing them to disintegrate.
• Now coat mushrooms with salt, turmeric and all purpose flour. Keep aside for 5 minutes. Wash them with fresh water and Voilà, there you are! Mushrooms are ready to go into any gravy.

Ingredients for Chicken in butter and cream with Mushroom

• Chicken Breast – 200 g
• Mushrooms- 100g
• Fresh cooking cream- 5 tbsp
• Butter- 2 tbsp
• Thyme- 1 tsp
• Salt & Pepper
• Shallots- 4 no’s
• Garlic- 2 cloves chopped
• Parsley- To garnish
• Mustard paste- 1 tsp
• Sherry wine- 2-3 drops 

How to prepare Chicken in butter and cream with mushroom sauce?

In a sauce pan,add butter .Add  chicken breast in to this ,sprinkle salt and pepper .After 2 minutes flip the chicken pieces and sprinkle  salt and pepper on the other side too.

After 3-4 minutes,remove chicken into another tray.Yes,I know, chicken is not done yet. We will cook it in the sauce later.

Now to the same pan, add mushrooms sliced and cook for 2 minutes. Add thyme, Shallots and garlic.

Now stir in cream and let it boil for a minute. Add mustard paste and mix well. Add Sherry then add lightly browned chicken breast pieces into this gravy and simmer and allow to cook until chicken is fork tender.

Garnish with Parsley and serve with French Spaghetti and Crostini.

bon appétit !

 

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History has got many strange stories.Macau old town is the Historical center of Macau with the unexceptional architecture of the Ruins Of Saint Paul's Cathedral.17th-century Portuguese cathedral-a perfect fusion of western and eastern cultures(church was caught fire for the third time when a violent typhoon hit Macau in 1835)
Really quirky,right?

Sharing some pictures...

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Breath taking panorama with the divine presence of Buddha .The giant Tian Tan Buddha statue was covered with mist.
Lantau Island in Hong Kong is a must visit place for a serene and spiritual experience.
This majestic statue symbolizes the stability of Hong Kong, prosperity of China and peace on earth.

Below the Big Buddha statue , there is Po Lin monastery main temple.
Tian Tan Buddha, a giant Buddha statue completed in 1993, is an extension of the monastery.

Vegetarian food is available near the temple. But if you are not a big fan of traditional Cantonese delicacies, it is better to avoid eating out here.

Visiting the temple was an intriguing experience . The main temple houses three bronze statues of the Buddha – representing his past, present and future lives – as well as many Buddhist scriptures.
Nature was at it's best with heavy showers .What more can one ask for?

The place displayed a unique tranquility as the majestic Buddha statue slowly got covered by thick mist . It was one of my life's memorable moments.

At the MTR station ,Hong Kong.

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Original recipe from Chef Mehboob Alam Khan

Ingredients For Special Hydrabadi Chicken Biriyani (No Ghee) recipe

Rice - Tilda Basmati rice- 2 cups

Saffron in Milk - 1/4 cup

Chicken - 500 g (medium sized pieces)

For Marinade

Fried Onions- 1 cup

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 heaped table spoon (for 500 gm chicken)

Turmeric Powder - 3-4 tsp

Chilly Powder-  2 heaped Tb spoons 

Hydrabadi Biriyani Masala - 1 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Yogurt - 2 tbsp

Green Chilly Paste - 2 tsp

Lemon juice- 2 tsp

Coriander leaves -

Use 1 tbsp oil to fry onions(2 nos) and add fried onion along with the oil to the chicken.

How To cook Hydrabadi Biriyani?

1. Marinate chicken after adding all the ingredients .Keep refrigerated for 1 hour.

2. Add 1 cup water to 2 cups rice .Cook this until water is evaporated. Rice should be raw ,only 30 % cooked.

3. Now heat a heavy bottom vessel (non stick) or big  copper vessel if available.

4.Add 2 tsp oil and layer raw ,marinated chicken .

5. Now add rice (30% cooked ) . Mix well with chicken .Now pour in 1/4 cup of milk and saffron mixture.

6. Cook it on slow fire with a tight lid on for about 45 minutes.

Serve hot with your preferred side dishes.

Ramadan Kareem!

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Vegetarian Cacciatore

Cacciatore is a classic Italian Sauce..( basic recipe Courtesy : Laura Vitale.)

Ingredients

Bell pepper : (Yellow) -1 no
Onion -1 big cut into cubes
Egg Plant- Cubes 1 cup
Garlic- 4 cloves
Red Wine/veg.stock - 2 tbsp
Italian Tomato pureed- 1 cup (I used  Sacla Italia )
If it is not available,just puree 2 big red tomatoes.
Fresh Basil-
Salt & Pepper-
Olive Oil

How To prepare this tangy nutritious sauce?

Heat a sauce pan and add 2 tbsp Olive oil and lightly fry eggplant pieces and onion slices. You can add some salt and basil at this stage.
Once it is half cooked add garlic and bell pepper cubes.
Once everything is browned add red wine,if you are using.Or else you can add the tomato puree.
Mix well and allow to cook with out lid.Add salt and pepper as required.When the sauce is thickened ,it is ready.GArnish with chopped basil.

Boil water with salt and cook your favorite pasta/spaghetti.
Serve veg Cacciatore with spaghetti.

Buon Appetito!

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Movie Review

Eat Pray Love (2010)

"Awareness of the need to change is the beginning of change”.

This apparently is the situation of the center character Liz Gilbert starring Julia Roberts in the movie Eat.Pray.Love. 

The movie is the story of a woman's personal growth, how she finds herself after getting out of the safe cocoon.

 The movie starts with Liz Gilbert and her family leading a fast-paced life as any other New Yorker. One night, as she feels empty inside, she decides to pray to GOD, for the first time in her entire life. She feels like, her life lacks something. At that phase of her life, she decides to quit her somewhat perfect life; prepares to get separated from her husband, and to find the true purpose of her life. 

Bored of her stagnant married life, she even tries extra marital affair. But failed miserably since she was not very good at it and identifies herself that she needed something else; needed to recharge and rejuvenate and to pursue her passion to travel. She realizes that leading a passionless life is dreary and decides to get divorced.

She goes to Italy, where she finds food as an addictive. Good food and learning Italian language become her routine there. But it is from Italy, that, for the first time, she learns to enjoy her solitude, doing nothing or not worrying about anything. 

So this movie is all about Liz Gilbert’s travel and life to find her inner self. Looking into the story, in a more spiritual way, we see that even her boyfriend had a vital role in solving her life’s quest, as he was the one who introduced her with his Guru, an Indian Yogini, the reason she later travels to India.

But after her experience with meditation and Ashram life in India she understands

"GOD DWELLS WITHIN YOU AS YOU". So she decides to go back to her routine life, more content this time.

From India, finally, she heads off to Bali, Indonesia, where she finds her true love and the movie ends on a happy note. 


Overall, the movie 'Eat.Pray.Love' gives a touch of mysticism and it is a bold story of a woman who has decided to live her life in her own terms, guiltlessly. The fact that this is the memoir of Elizabeth Gilbert's travel around the world makes it believable to the sceptic, who may otherwise feel how only good things happen to the protagonist.

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Wish You All A Very Happy Easter...
The spirit of Easter is all about Hope,Love and compassion.

Today's recipe is a very simple but so very a delicious dessert.
Chocolate and Strawberries..!!! This combination itself is so divine .

How To Prepare Chocolate Coated Strawberries??

Strawberries-
Good quality baking Chocolate-
Butter-1 tsp
Liquid Glucose-1 tsp

1.Wash strawberries under  running  water.Pat dry.
2. In a double boiler,melt  chocolate and butter and add in 1 tsp liquid glucose to this.
3.Dip strawberries in melted chocolate.Dip only 1/3rd of the strawberries.
If you don't get strawberries with the stem,you can use toothpicks for holding  them.
4.Freeze for 30 minutes.

That's it...Enjoy the rich,chocolaty  heart shaped Strawberry is the best dessert on your special day.Roll them in crushed nuts for a different variety.Also you can use white chocolate as an option.

If you want another Easter recipes  you can check out Appam recipe and Mutton Masala recipe.For delicious Mutton Cutlet recipe also check this blog.

Palappam and Mutton Masala

Hope you all will try these recipes .

ENJOY.........!!!!!

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