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Showing posts from March, 2013

Zanskar Trek in the Himalayas

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I embarked on a trek to Zanskar in the Himalayas, the mountain range dreamed of by any hiker one day in his life. Just back from this fantastic adventure in the Himalayan mountains in India, images and meetings fill the head. I take my keyboard to try to transmit you this extraordinary experience! In Zanskar is a Tibet in a quite pure state. There are monasteries on top of the mountains, where religious festivals full of symbolism and colors are held. There are villages that maintain traditional Tibetan architecture and, above all, culture. One of the most characteristic aspects of the Tibetan culture, closely linked to rural areas is polyandry. What would happen if the little land, which is too little fertile, had to be divided into inheritance among all the brothers? Here the concept of the heir does not apply. All the boys of a family marry the same woman. The children (of any husband) call the elder brother father and the rest of the parents as uncle! It is possible to trek in the ...

Punjabi Chole Bhature Recipe

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Chole bhature is a typical dish of north Indian cuisine. It is a combination of chana masala or spiced chickpeas and fried bread which is called bhatura, made with maida flour. The dish can be found in the regions of Punjab and is widely consumed in the northwest of India, in the regions of Gujarat and Sind. In Gujarat and in areas of Rajasthan dry cooking is usually done with strong spices. Along with the chole masala, it is available at street stalls selling food like chaat or snacks and in restaurants, usually served as breakfast along with a Lassi of fruit flavors. In Indian gastronomy, it is very easy to find vegetarian or vegan dishes, since it is the country with the largest vegetarian population. It is easy and much lighter than other dishes of vegetables that we usually eat, so it is ideal for those who are on a diet or prefer a less caloric option. It is a very spicy dish with a rather acidic citrus flavor. The ingredients that you cannot miss in this dish are onion, chop...

Dahi Vada Recipe - North Indian Style Dahi Bhalla

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The Dahi Vada is a Indian recipe, very popular in India and Pakistan. In fact typical of the south of the country, Dahi Vada is softened by allowing them to soak in water and then they are typically covered by the cream of yoghurt, to which is added red chutney, green ketchup, a sprinkling of coriander leaves, chilli powder and chaat masala. The spongy texture can be a bit heavy but it goes well with the cream to temper the spicy yoghurt. It is obtained by mixing a chutney made ​​from mint and onions and mixed with yogurt, a kind of Indian made ​​cheese with cow milk. It is usually served as an accompaniment after food which helps in digestion. There are several ways to describe and define the Dahi Vada but the most correct is that this is a classic fast food dish found on the streets of India. The dahi vada is a signature dish for some of the major festivals in India, especially Holi and Dussehra. The preparation is very simple and the result is good and is a really great meal and...

Microwave Vegetable Pulao Recipe

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Pulao is an south asian rice dish cooked in various styles across India. Pulao is the most comforting one pot meal in its self and it also makes a healthy and delicious main course rice preparation. People make pulao in so many different ways and there are many recipes and versions to it. Vegetable Pulao is one of the popular rice dishes of India. Vegetable pulao is very healthy option to put in kids lunch box. It is one of the best savior dishes in many kitchens during many occasions. Pulao is fragrant because of spices used. Cook up delicious pulao like Paneer Pulao, Coconut Pulao and many more. Basmati rice plays an important role in this rich and exotic rice dish. The flavorful aroma makes this pulav very inviting. This is a really easy rice and lentil dish to prepare. It is perfect for days when you want a quick, hot meal. Basmati rice, widely used in oriental cuisine, especially in India and South East Asia, is also an excellent solution for Chinese dishes; although in China ...

Book Review: Priya In Incredible Indyaa

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In Priya in Incredible Indyaa, Namita Gokhale revisits several beloved characters from her 1984 unconventional hit Paro. In this narrative, Priya Kaushal's parents arrange her marriage to Suresh Kaushal, a lawyer known for his ascetic lifestyle. Now in her fifties, Priya has evolved into a sophisticated homemaker, yet she is not a typical satisfied mother. Her husband serves as a Minister, which elevates her status to that of a woman of consequence, a role she embraces while residing in her expansive, elegant residence in Lutyens’ Delhi. This lifestyle starkly contrasts with her modest upbringing in bustling Mumbai, where she was surrounded by the city's elite. She is fiercely determined to maintain this new life, even as she consciously overlooks the fact that her husband frequently takes advantage of her. To further complicate matters, she has named her twins Luv and Kush. In response to her friends' real and imagined infidelities, she chooses to turn a blind eye. Howev...

Dol, Holi, Basanta Utsav and Rabindranath Tagore in Santiniketan

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In February, I had a wonderful trip to West Bengal, to Kolkata (which for my generation is still Calcutta) and to Shantiniketan. On the occasion of Basanta Utsav, we took a train at the Howrah station and went to Santiniketan to enjoy Holi , the festival of colors in Bengal. The celebration of Basanta Utsav was started by the famous Bengali poet and Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore. Inspired by the spring and colors of Holi, he presented the occasion as an annual event at his Vishva Bharati University. During our entire stay in Calcutta, we were full of adrenaline, with the body loaded with so much excitement and new experiences. We arrived at the station, all crowded with people. We sat on the floor, while people looked at us with curious eyes and smiles of admiration. It was fun! Day 1 - Holika Dahan In the train, we travel in first class. The train finally started, and there are no stops until Santiniketan. We continue without any problem while standing on the platform o...

Egg Fried Rice Recipe

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An oriental rice preparation made with assorted vegetables and scrambled egg Egg fried rice is easy to prepare and tastes great as a meal on its own that can be made very quickly if you have leftover rice at home. For the best result, make sure the rice is cooked and cooled beforehand. Healthy Chinese Egg Fried Rice is an quick one pot meal for those busy bees. Egg fried rice is easy to prepare and tastes great as a meal on its own. Its quick, simple and tasty, and can be used as a main meal or served with other foods. Chinese Egg Fried Rice is a very popular dish. Rice has carrots, french beans, capsicum, celery and spring onions. Egg Fried Rice is fully packed with vegetables and add-on option Egg's Protein in it. The secret to the best Chinese fried rice is onions, garlic and sesame oil. This is the Chinese method of preparing egg fried rice. The Cantonese rice is a typical dish belonging to Chinese cuisine. It is one of the most known and appreciated Chinese recipes, along ...

Review: Davidoff – Cool Water for Woman

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I present you a fragrance from my collection and today I would like to talk about a proposal that I think is perfect for the summer season that we are already enjoying. I would like to tell you that normally in summer I go for fragrances in which tropical and fruity notes stand out, but the one I am going to show you today is totally different, since its protagonists are aquatic notes. However, it is an ideal cologne to wear in summer. By the way, it is not a novelty, on the contrary, the fragrance that I am going to present to you today is already 27 years old, but it is still popular today. In addition, it is a scent that despite being so old and with so many new ones that I have discovered during these years, I still love it and it brings back very good memories. It is Cool Water Woman by DAVIDOFF. Cool Water Woman by DAVIDOFF is an eau de cologne for women launched in 1996, ten years after the successful launch of Cool Water for men. It is an iconic and intensely refreshing frag...

Images of Holi: The Colours of India

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Italian Mushroom Pickle Recipe

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If from time to time you get a craving for some snack that makes you vibrate, you can either go to the pantry and resort to the typical mango pickles, or you can prepare some mushroom pickle like these ones I made and that I want to present to you today. We have chosen mushrooms, firm, meaty and easy to find but, alternatively, you can also opt for Italian Porcini Mushrooms or a mix of fresh Indian mushrooms. Once cleaned and sliced, all you have to do is blanch the mushrooms on the stove in a solution of water, salt and vinegar, then drain them on a clean cotton cloth and season them with pink peppercorns and chopped garlic and parsley. At this point, all you have to do is place the mushrooms inside sterilized glass jars, cover them completely with mustard oil, pressing lightly with the back of a spoon to avoid the formation of air bubbles, and finally close the jars hermetically, taking care to store them in a cool, dry place away from light. If necessary, they will be excellent t...

Puran Poli Recipe

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Puran Poli is a delicious Indian flatbread filled with a sweet lentil mixture known as Puran. This recipe is traditionally prepared during festivals like Holi and Diwali and is especially popular in the Maharashtra and Gujarat regions of India. The combination of the soft dough and the sweet filling make this dish a real treat that you won't want to miss out on. Puran Poli has a rich history in Indian cuisine, especially in the western region of the country. It is a festive dish that is served during special occasions and celebrations. The recipe has been passed down from generation to generation and each family has their own version and secrets to making it perfect. Puran Poli is an Indian bread that resembles a flatbread which may be accompanied by any kind of dish or be stuffed to taste and is a most delicious breakfast you can do in India to start your day with the right boost and a savory snack appetizing to be enjoyed alone, or maybe with a good yoghurt. Also great as a sna...