Pinku-Enchanted Life

Two years ago we were invited to a 2 year olds birthday party at home. We went with our own totally excited toddler to whom the high point of a birthday was the cake and balloons expecting to share a few words with adults over the head of shouting kids and  generally being happy watching the kids interact.  To our delight the gathering was a small one which meant the din was reasonable and some conversation possible.  Post the cake cutting and settling down of the kids the host said let me treat you to something special and brought out a hunk of roasted pork. It glistened with fat the way only pork can and the aroma was amazing. I had a forkful and I was entrapped in its magic. The dish got over in no time and I didn't get the oppurtunity to linger over it longer. Though the intention was to return to the dish at the earliest possible two years and more passed before I could again taste it. The wait was well worth it cause this time it was cooked in my own home and apart ...

The four year old fancies herself as Suzuka the intelligent girl friend of the ever whining Nobita from the Doraemon series. Amongst the many abilities of Suzuka who is a brave, compassionate and intelligent girl is her ability to bake cookies. So when Aarini decides she wants to do an activity she has to but of course choose cookie making as the ideal activity to indulge in.  I picked a simple recipe I have been meaning to try out for a while now and provided her the ingredients and stayed with her as my lil baker went about with full zeal. Waiting for the cookies to bake 18 minutes is a long time for a 4 year old. Recipe: 1 cup whole wheat (atta) 1/2 cup powdered sugar 2 tsp cardamom powder 1/2 cup ghee and olive oil ( I mixed both as I was short on ghee) Some chopped almonds for garnishing  Sieve the atta and cardamom powder together and keep aside.  In a separate vessel mix the oil-ghee combo with the powdered sugar and whisk till a creamy consistency is achieved....

In a country being governed by the Parivar as the BJP and its allies are called it is obvious that the religion I was born into would be a matter of great importance. Not that it ever is anything but important, being the religion of the majority of people in India. However in the past year or so Hinduism has crept up in news and views far more frequently than before. One or the other leader of the so called parivar and even parliamentarians have been remarking on various aspects from how many childrena Hindu ought to have , to eating habits , to the patriotism quotient of Hindus versus any other faith etc. Incidentally parivar is how the ancient Hindus looked at the entire world enshrined in the phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam i.e. “the world is one family” Nowhere did they say that every member of this gigantic family has to follow the same belief system.   All of this has made me feel amused, harassed, furious and most of all disgusted. These so called guardians of my religi...

Each Day there is a new story, a new tantrum and new dimension that gets added to the fun and depth you add to our lives. A few random pics of you and yours. Selfie Queen Water Baby Acting coy...or trying to Happiness spills through Best friend Anoushka My hug is the tightest Modelling Mom's earrings Hope you can spot my lipstick too Ready to party...all the time I take care of my toys too Lounging Early morning shoot with Brownie

Our gang of girls at work is forever into planning the next fun thing to do. From being dressed in sync to shopping sprees to sneaking out for a lunch or movie or even at times planning a socially relevant protest - we are upto it all and more. Last weekend bored with the office canteen food and craving something nice talk started about doing a pot luck. Most of us being non-veg lovers the food of course was going to be predominantly non veg we did decide on a couple of veg dishes as well keeping in mind the token vegetarian in the group and also to provide ourselves from the overload of non veg. I was told to get a fish dish and it better be finger licking good I was told. Monday was set as the D day. The weekend being ample prep time. Now Sunday was also Jamai shoshti or the Day of the Son in Law in Bengali households. Mom was getting ready to cook up a storm in the kitchen. With outside temperatures already hitting 45 degree plus I managed to dissuade her and instead opted for a lun...

For a long time now every story of abuse against women has boiled my blood. Four years ago becoming the mother of a girl child added a few more notches to the temperature as I became more acutely aware of the inequalities and challenges a woman faces at every step of her life. Media reports on the brutality being meted out, the growing gap in gender ratios and the total lack of empathy amongst the powers that be coupled with remarks too often heard - what can we do....and the helplessness echoed in that statement, propelled me to think of something WE COULD DO. We can go on STRIKE and force men and the society to realize our importance and the need to treat us with understanding and respect as fellow human beings. So here is what I have started and I hope you will join in, for without you it wont work. #WomenOnStrike

The partner got a box of lovely looking strawberries and demanded a whipped cream and strawberries dessert. He sliced and soaked the strawberries in sugar. I decided to better it with a Strawberry cheese cake sans the cheese (that's why the healthy tag) Here is what I did. Used a clean cloth to hang up a cup and half of curd for about 6 hours getting smooth hung curd (one cup) in the process. Once I had the hung curd in place I started assembling the rest of the ingredients. 1 packet Amul's whipping cream (200 ml) 1 packet marie biscuit (large) 125 gms butter 3 tablespoon powdered sugar coloured balls for decor 1. Crush the biscuits in a mixie jar, once finely crushed pour out into a bowl and add melted butter.  2. Mix with a spoon till its evenly mixed with no lumps 3. Spoon about 3 spoons of biscuit butter mix into individual glasses and lightly tap with the bottom of the spoon to straighten it up into a uniform base - these quantities work for about 6 portions. Put the glass...