invisible apple cake
2 days ago
Thanksgiving Dinner - Finale
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, we all have plenty of reasons to be thankful for and its time to recall a few. We go around the table and each one says what he or she is thankful for. Its been one fabulous year and I enjoyed TG dinner with my family. I hope you had a great time with your friends and family as well.
Have fun shopping on Black Friday or/and on Cyber Monday.
----------------------------------------------------------
Turkey Recipe
My husband cleaned the turkey and smeared the inside with a mixture of paprika, salt, dried oregano, basil and a tsp of cumin powder. What's the point in cooking an entrée for 3 hours without any mirch-masala?
Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees and bake the turkey for 3.5 hours and voila!!!
Labels:
Celebrate Life,
From my Kitchen,
Home Decor
Thanksgiving Dinner - Green Beans
You take a perfectly healthy vegetable; load it with fat and turn it into an unhealthy dish. Alton Brown said something close to this on one of his shows on green bean casserole and I totally agree with his comment. Here is my recipe inspired from a time when I was addicted to Chinese buffets.
Wash the beans and trim the ends.
Boil water in a large pan and blanch the beans. Once cooked, move the beans to cold water with ice to stop cooking and to preserve the green color.
Chop an onion, ginger and a few cloves of garlic. Sautee it with store bought chilli-garlic sauce and a teaspoon of brown sugar. Mix the beans and switch off. Right before serving, heat the oven to 350 degrees and warm the beans for 15 minutes.
Green Bean Recipe
Wash the beans and trim the ends.
Boil water in a large pan and blanch the beans. Once cooked, move the beans to cold water with ice to stop cooking and to preserve the green color.
Chop an onion, ginger and a few cloves of garlic. Sautee it with store bought chilli-garlic sauce and a teaspoon of brown sugar. Mix the beans and switch off. Right before serving, heat the oven to 350 degrees and warm the beans for 15 minutes.
Labels:
Celebrate Life,
From my Kitchen
Thanksgiving Dinner - Cranberry Sauce
Ina Garten's recipes are out there on the Google's doodle link. That's how I came across the recipe for the cranberry sauce. I am not having any guests over but that can change any minute. This Thanksgiving is family only and its been relaxing so far. So relaxing that I am posting recipes as I cook.
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Cook 12 oz fresh cranberries in 1 cup water with 3/4th cup sugar, chopped green apple and 1/4 cup raisins. Rohan chopped the raisins, not that the recipe needed it, but that's the only way I could keep him occupied.
Simmer for 15 - 20 minutes on medium-low heat until it thickens. Switch off the heat and add the juice of a whole lemon. Refrigerate before serving. As I am not going to be making any lunch today, we relished it with some crackers and low-fat cream cheese rolled in chopped walnuts and chopped raisins.
Labels:
Celebrate Life,
From my Kitchen
Florals
The weather in Dallas is gorgeous and the temperatures are in mid to high 70s. It almost like we are in the Southern hemisphere instead. Last night one of our friends turned 40. What's a big number birthday without a humor card that can't give the birthday boy a hard time, even if it lasted only a few seconds. Seriously guys, now those big 30s hardly seem big anymore. We went to Samui Thai in Legacy Village for dinner.
I like to think of fashion rules as recommendations than hard and fast rules. To wear an outfit right and to accessorize is only part of the act. The key is how well you carry yourself with poise.
I like to think of fashion rules as recommendations than hard and fast rules. To wear an outfit right and to accessorize is only part of the act. The key is how well you carry yourself with poise.
If there is a huge voice inside your head telling you not to wear florals in Fall, just listen to it than to be uncomfortable all night. If not, have fun exploring and breaking the so-called-fashion-rules.
Labels:
Celebrate Life
of Louis Vuitton and Diwali
I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner and for some reason my head is struck in Diwali mood. School's out next week and I foresee a lot of cooking, board games and movie watching. The next few days, I will be busy googling menu ideas for Thanksgiving dinner and other easy bake recipes with less or no sugar.
On another note, did any of you get to check out the window display of Louis Vuitton on Diwali day? If not, just scroll down for some pictures here.
Indian artist Rajeev Sethi designed the window display with a combination of lights, trunks and clothes inspired by Indian motifs. Here is a closer picture of the trunks.
I am more interested(as in appreciating not to be mistaken for interest in buying) in their Vintage Saris inspired collection. Don't those shorts remind you of vintage silk sarees of the 70s?
On another note, did any of you get to check out the window display of Louis Vuitton on Diwali day? If not, just scroll down for some pictures here.
Indian artist Rajeev Sethi designed the window display with a combination of lights, trunks and clothes inspired by Indian motifs. Here is a closer picture of the trunks.
I am more interested(as in appreciating not to be mistaken for interest in buying) in their Vintage Saris inspired collection. Don't those shorts remind you of vintage silk sarees of the 70s?
Image sources : Source - Here
Labels:
Style
Collectables
One of my neighbors in India collects bells. They possibly have bells from all over the world. When I got married I wanted to start my own collection of souvenirs from our travels. Very soon realized I could get the same, sitting in front of my computer. I know we can buy anything ( I mean there was one guy selling his spit and people were bidding on it ...sorry for the diversion there. Had to share that piece of info) on eBay or Amazon, but the magic of finding a beauty unexpectedly and bringing it home has not worn off for me.
The yellow-ornamental kettle is my new find and like any thing new, gets my at most attention and is out on the foyer. What do you think? Do you have a collection you are proud of? Let me know, I might start off a new collection. It does not take too much to influence me... how long it will last, that I can't promise.
Linking this post to Pat's weekend party.
Labels:
Home Decor
Sweet Spot
My photographer is back in town and I am off of my single-mom duties. Double Yay !!! I was on a mission this weekend to find a belt. Let me put it this way, the search was not easy and I tried all shapes, sizes and material before I found this. Right after my husband took that picture he asked me, "Is that where you are supposed to wear a belt?"
...and I wanted to tell him, "Have you really stopped looking at other women around you?"
My Tips for Wearing a Belt for the not-so-skinny Women:
- If you are heavy in the mid-section like me, a broader belt works well
- I am wearing the belt above my actual waist to create the waist I once knew before my pregnancies.
- I was more comfortable with the belt under the cardigan but would use a thinner belt if I had to wear it over my cardigan.
- The key is to find your own sweet spot to adorn the belt.
- Be adventurous, try out different belts and make your own rules.
Labels:
Style
Tawny, Pecan and Berry Reds
"Wearing too little can diminish your credibility as much as wearing too much" is an excerpt taken from Lois P. Frankel's book "Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office 101", where she talks about 'Make Up' and it sure fits right in with my work place.
For an everyday look I like to keep my skin/face as natural as possible with an even skin tone and un-chapped lips made possible by applying and re-applying lip gloss. If I can't get to the cup of Joe, then its mascara to the rescue to wake my eyes up.
Here is my detailed facial morning routine in 5 easy steps
Apply Loreal's Age Perfect Moisturizer right after shower
Dab and spread Aveda's concealer (shade : Pecan) under the eyes
5 dots of Estee Lauder's Double Wear (Tawny 05) concealer to spread all over my face.
Add Victoria Secret's Beauty Rush Mascara if needed
Finish it off with any of Victoria Secret's Beauty Rush Lip Gloss.
Let me know what your morning facial routine is and the products you use.
Image Sources : here, here, here and here.
Labels:
Style
Outsourced
 |
| (Img source nbc.com) |
Next on my list to check out is 30 Rock. I am a big fan of Tina Fey.
Labels:
Random Ramblings
Office Romance
Hubby dear and I work for the same firm. We pretend we don't know each other at work but every now and then we would sneak out for lunch dates at near by restaurants. We do this quite often as there are many many days we find no time for tete-a-tete at home. It was a gorgeous day in the low 70s. Just perfect for a lovely lunch date. Now that's how Texas weather pays us back for putting up with its scorching summers.
Labels:
All in the Family
Good Morning
After all the festivities, we woke up to a breakfast of beta carotene, vitamin A and E and other minerals aka carrot juice. Here is my recipe
Wash and peel a big bunch of carrots (20-25 carrots)
3 apples, peeled.
Run the carrots and apples through your juicer and voila, the drink is ready.
Right after the party was over on Diwali day, I packed most of the sweets in decorative boxes and gave it away. My home is now sweets free and I can't wait to get back to my Vinyasa class this evening. Are you back on track?
In between, did you watch our President and the First Lady dance to Indian folk tunes?
Labels:
From my Kitchen
Count Down To The Festival Of Lights - Part 2
Is there something called too many candles? If there is one, that's not for me. More candles go up, as the days get shorter and gloomier ...and some more for Diwali. Nothing says holidays and festivities more than a home smelling of freshly harvested apples, cinnamon or warm hearth.
I will be ordering the sweets today and take some for friends at work as the burfi is all gone. I am linking this to the Key Bunch's Diwali Dhamaka.
Happy Diwali !
May The Holidays Fill Your Homes With Joy & Happiness !!!
Labels:
Celebrate Life,
Home Decor
Women in Pumps
Are there days, when certain incidents or thoughts reverberates in your head long after you packed up from work? If yes, it is time to take a few minutes to focus on something you like and unleash those creative neurons. Be it dressing up or arranging flowers or even setting up a dinner table. The key however is not be judgmental or critical and to simply enjoy those moments.
I wore this outfit to work yesterday. I know that mini bag almost looks invisible on my frame, but I love it as I can pull out what I need in less than 5 seconds. On another note, one of my favorite style blogger made it to the Forbes list of top 20 fashion blogs for professional women. Check her site out. I am sure you will like it.
Labels:
Style
Count Down To The Festival Of Lights - Part 1
Have you heard about Destination Imagination? It is an amazing way to instill creativity in young minds. I volunteered again this year to manage a team for Riya's grade. We made sure it was an all girls team. Go Girl Power!
While the girls thought through various mythological characters for their Destination Imagination project, I made coconut burfis for Diwali and the girls gladly volunteered to be my official tasters. Tomorrow I plan to take a few to my team at work.
But that's it guys, the reminder of the sweets and snacks will be courtesy the Indian stores or sweet stalls. I ingest way too many calories in the pretext of tasting, to get it right. Not worth it and I know there is a word out there in the dictionary that means self-control. I just can't seem to practice it, if I am in the vicinity of the object of my liking.
I am linking it to Patty's Weekend Party. Its always fun to jump into her virtual parties.
Labels:
Celebrate Life,
Home Decor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
