Mint Rice
Ingredients:
1 large bunch of fresh mint leaves
A few sprigs of fresh coriander leaves
4 bay leaves
1 chopped onion
3 green chillies, chopped
2 spoons Garam masala
Salt, to taste
2 spoons of oil (sunflower oil will do)
2.5-3 cups of cooked Basmati rice, depending on how green you'd like the dish to look!
Method:
1. Clean and wash the mint and coriander leaves.
2. Blend/grind the leaves and the chopped chillies finely to a paste, with a few drops of water.
3. In a pan, heat the oil, add the chopped onion and bay leaves.
4. When the onion turns golden, add the paste, garam masala and salt. Give it a good stir.
5. When the paste starts bubbling, lower the heat, and add the cooked rice. Mix thoroughly.
6. Alternately, you can refrigerate/freeze the prepared paste for use later. Do note that the rice needs to be freshly prepared for this dish.
7. If preferred, you can add fennel seeds (saunf, Hindi) to the paste while cooking, for an added zing. You might also want to add fried cashewnuts to posh up the rice!
I normally pair this Mint Rice with the following Carrot Raita, as the nutritious carrot provides a crunch to the meal while the yogurt soothes the palate after the spiciness of the chillies n masala:
Ingredients:
1 cup beaten low-fat natural yogurt
1/2 cup grated carrot
1 green chilli, slit
Salt, to taste
A few sprigs of coriander, for decoration
Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Leave to rest for half an hour before serving, decorated with coriander.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Sitting up all night, waiting for a crime to happen...
Its now 2am on a sunday morning, and I am probably the only one still awake in the entire neighbourhood! Well, there is a reason for this madness, I can happily declare. A few hours ago, as I left the supermarket with my weekly shopping bag, I realised there was a "dangerous dog" let loose by its owner, which was running madly along my usual path back home. So, I took a detour, along the car park - something I would normally never consider. I could sense someone watching me intently, and as I gazed up, I noticed the driver of a parked van staring straight at me. I thought no more of it, and walked past his van. A few minutes later, as I turned into the small road that leads to the cul-de-sac where I live, I noticed the same van hurrying past me, and turning into the very cul-de-sac where I live. Surely this was just a strange coincidence? Or so I thought at that time. However, within seconds of my entering my house and locking myself in, I heard the man drive off...
In the next half hour, I went about my usual chores - got my pizza toppings ready, switched on the oven, did the dishes while the pizza was getting fit for consumption. And then it struck me! I hit panic mode...what if the guy was a Registered Sex Offender? What if he planned to break in at night when everyone was asleep? What if I was murdered in bed? And finally, what if he was just visiting one of my neighbours? So, I went about knocking on my neighbours' doors. Spoke to 3 of them, all of whom advised me to "be careful and lock all doors and windows". A couple of other neighbours were away. And I trekked back to the supermarket, to see if I could speak to one of the Police Community Support Officers? Unfortunately, none of them were about. But, I did get to explain to the security officer, who took my concerns seriously and got me to speak to the Police department, who immediately logged the details on their system. I was asked a dozen questions...and finally told to go home, and call 999 if I hear any strange noises!
Back home, I promptly double-checked the latches on all windows, and bemoaned the lack of iron grills along windows, as is the case in the country of my birth. Glass can be broken easily by any determined burglar. I'd also switched on 2 lights in the house, and the telly, and my laptop. And then, there was a knock on my door. I was terrified! But the lady on the other side of the wooden door was a Police Community support officer, who had been told to check in on me by the operator. We had a long chat, and I received some really sensible advice. She suggested that another possibility could be that he had come this way accidentally and had stopped to check his SatNav or the map...Well, it somehow didn't sound convincing enough to me. I was also given phone numbers to call in case I hear unusual noises in the night.
That was three and a half hours ago...and here I am, waiting to see if there is any attempt to commit a crime tonight. The wait is long and agonising. There is a lot going on in my mind right now. But topmost among it all is the realisation that living in the countryside is not all that glamorous as it is made out to be:-)
In the next half hour, I went about my usual chores - got my pizza toppings ready, switched on the oven, did the dishes while the pizza was getting fit for consumption. And then it struck me! I hit panic mode...what if the guy was a Registered Sex Offender? What if he planned to break in at night when everyone was asleep? What if I was murdered in bed? And finally, what if he was just visiting one of my neighbours? So, I went about knocking on my neighbours' doors. Spoke to 3 of them, all of whom advised me to "be careful and lock all doors and windows". A couple of other neighbours were away. And I trekked back to the supermarket, to see if I could speak to one of the Police Community Support Officers? Unfortunately, none of them were about. But, I did get to explain to the security officer, who took my concerns seriously and got me to speak to the Police department, who immediately logged the details on their system. I was asked a dozen questions...and finally told to go home, and call 999 if I hear any strange noises!
Back home, I promptly double-checked the latches on all windows, and bemoaned the lack of iron grills along windows, as is the case in the country of my birth. Glass can be broken easily by any determined burglar. I'd also switched on 2 lights in the house, and the telly, and my laptop. And then, there was a knock on my door. I was terrified! But the lady on the other side of the wooden door was a Police Community support officer, who had been told to check in on me by the operator. We had a long chat, and I received some really sensible advice. She suggested that another possibility could be that he had come this way accidentally and had stopped to check his SatNav or the map...Well, it somehow didn't sound convincing enough to me. I was also given phone numbers to call in case I hear unusual noises in the night.
That was three and a half hours ago...and here I am, waiting to see if there is any attempt to commit a crime tonight. The wait is long and agonising. There is a lot going on in my mind right now. But topmost among it all is the realisation that living in the countryside is not all that glamorous as it is made out to be:-)
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Starbucks inside a public library...
Monday's Newsnight programme (BBC2) featured a discussion on the state of Britain's public libraries and their future. The Culture Minister opined that more Public-Private-Partnerships were needed, and that one way of increasing the footfall numbers would be to introduce more coffee shops INSIDE failing libraries. Well, as someone who has been using public libraries here in the UK since 2003, I do not see this as a very sensible suggestion.
I have analysed the situation in two north London public libraries over a period of 5 years, from 2004/5 to 2009 and there has been a dramatic change in the scene over these five years. Earlier, there were only the very seriously-motivated who came in to the library; some on a daily basis, others who dropped in only over the weekend. The libraries were oases of calm: a rare feat, considering one was bang in the middle of a busy shopping area, while the other was one street away from yet another busy main road. It was perfectly possible to work undisturbed for hours together, be it learning a new language or researching for a work of fiction...All this changed gradually. First came the new sections reserved only for "Teens" and "Children". Needless to say, the Children's area was a noisy one - with occasional singalong events for toddlers and mums alike! It got worse as months passed by - on some mornings, it was virtually impossible to make one's way to the issue desk, due to the baby buggies abandoned haphazardly. And in the afternoons, the library was mobbed by loud teenagers who dropped in after school. Whatever happened to discipline and silence inside libraries, for heavens' sake???
More recently, these libraries have become popular "hangouts" for yobs. On several occasions, I have witnessed Community Police Officers making their way to the upper floors of these two libraries, to reprimand the unruly gangs. Announcements over the public system, imploring these young people to keep calm were made in vain. The situation deteriorated even more, as drugs were openly peddled just a few feet away from these libraries...
Its all very well to say that libraries need to reinvent themselves, to become more attractive to today's generation. To increase the number of members, and thereby the revenue, libraries do have to improve the range and quality of services offered. The initiative to have special events for toddlers and younger children (and the Mums) has been applauded by all. So too, the range of short courses in IT and Business support services. All these are commendable efforts. Yet, by having coffee shops inside libraries, aren't we damaging the very essence of "the library"??? One is talking of open spaces on the main floor of the library, not specially demarcated areas of libraries that would be converted into "coffee shops". I honestly think the authorities and the people of Britain need to appreciate what they truly have in this country.
I come from a country where "free" public libraries were almost unheard of. Till the turn of this century, only the privileged had access to libraries outside their academic institutions. Circulating libraries as well as those run by foreign missions like the British Council and the USIS (United States Information Service) libraries had fairly steep membership fees. In comparison, public libraries in Britain today offer much more to their non-fee-paying members. To change these into "coffee shops, with additional book lending facilities" would be a real shame.
I have analysed the situation in two north London public libraries over a period of 5 years, from 2004/5 to 2009 and there has been a dramatic change in the scene over these five years. Earlier, there were only the very seriously-motivated who came in to the library; some on a daily basis, others who dropped in only over the weekend. The libraries were oases of calm: a rare feat, considering one was bang in the middle of a busy shopping area, while the other was one street away from yet another busy main road. It was perfectly possible to work undisturbed for hours together, be it learning a new language or researching for a work of fiction...All this changed gradually. First came the new sections reserved only for "Teens" and "Children". Needless to say, the Children's area was a noisy one - with occasional singalong events for toddlers and mums alike! It got worse as months passed by - on some mornings, it was virtually impossible to make one's way to the issue desk, due to the baby buggies abandoned haphazardly. And in the afternoons, the library was mobbed by loud teenagers who dropped in after school. Whatever happened to discipline and silence inside libraries, for heavens' sake???
More recently, these libraries have become popular "hangouts" for yobs. On several occasions, I have witnessed Community Police Officers making their way to the upper floors of these two libraries, to reprimand the unruly gangs. Announcements over the public system, imploring these young people to keep calm were made in vain. The situation deteriorated even more, as drugs were openly peddled just a few feet away from these libraries...
Its all very well to say that libraries need to reinvent themselves, to become more attractive to today's generation. To increase the number of members, and thereby the revenue, libraries do have to improve the range and quality of services offered. The initiative to have special events for toddlers and younger children (and the Mums) has been applauded by all. So too, the range of short courses in IT and Business support services. All these are commendable efforts. Yet, by having coffee shops inside libraries, aren't we damaging the very essence of "the library"??? One is talking of open spaces on the main floor of the library, not specially demarcated areas of libraries that would be converted into "coffee shops". I honestly think the authorities and the people of Britain need to appreciate what they truly have in this country.
I come from a country where "free" public libraries were almost unheard of. Till the turn of this century, only the privileged had access to libraries outside their academic institutions. Circulating libraries as well as those run by foreign missions like the British Council and the USIS (United States Information Service) libraries had fairly steep membership fees. In comparison, public libraries in Britain today offer much more to their non-fee-paying members. To change these into "coffee shops, with additional book lending facilities" would be a real shame.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Quick n Easy Chocolate-Hazelnut cake
Hi everyone!
Was beginning to get a bit tired of my current efforts at job-searching, so I decided to bake something with the ingredients I have at home. The final product surprised me greatly...and how!
So, here goes:
Ingredients:
2 cups flour (I didn't use self-raising, ordinary flour will do)
1 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate powder (again, drinking chocolate will do, no need for 70% luxury chocolate, this IS a recession, remember?)
Chopped/crushed hazelnuts (buy them from any self-respecting supermarket, no trek to a health store)
2 spoons baking powder
0.5 cup yogurt (low fat, natural)
1-2 cups milk
Low-fat spread (5-6 spoons at least, I'd advice against butter)
Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 Degrees Centigrade. Line an oven-proof dish with aluminium foil, then butter this foil. Keep aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, chocolate powder, baking powder and sugar.
3. Heat (not boil) the low-fat spread in a pan.
4. Add the chopped hazelnuts to the mix. Then, slowly add the melted spread/butter and mix well.
5. Add the yogurt, then 1 cup of milk. Depending on the consistency, you might want to add another cup of milk.
6. Beat well with a spoon:-) Told you, no patience with a whisk! Besides, this works wonders on the arms as far as exercising goes.
7. Pour the entire batter into the lined dish, and pop into the oven.
8. After about 20 minutes, do check on the cake...This quick cake takes roughly about 25-28 minutes.
Apologies for the lack of photos to accompany this post. Will arrange for them eventually!
Bye for now,
G
Was beginning to get a bit tired of my current efforts at job-searching, so I decided to bake something with the ingredients I have at home. The final product surprised me greatly...and how!
So, here goes:
Ingredients:
2 cups flour (I didn't use self-raising, ordinary flour will do)
1 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate powder (again, drinking chocolate will do, no need for 70% luxury chocolate, this IS a recession, remember?)
Chopped/crushed hazelnuts (buy them from any self-respecting supermarket, no trek to a health store)
2 spoons baking powder
0.5 cup yogurt (low fat, natural)
1-2 cups milk
Low-fat spread (5-6 spoons at least, I'd advice against butter)
Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 Degrees Centigrade. Line an oven-proof dish with aluminium foil, then butter this foil. Keep aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, chocolate powder, baking powder and sugar.
3. Heat (not boil) the low-fat spread in a pan.
4. Add the chopped hazelnuts to the mix. Then, slowly add the melted spread/butter and mix well.
5. Add the yogurt, then 1 cup of milk. Depending on the consistency, you might want to add another cup of milk.
6. Beat well with a spoon:-) Told you, no patience with a whisk! Besides, this works wonders on the arms as far as exercising goes.
7. Pour the entire batter into the lined dish, and pop into the oven.
8. After about 20 minutes, do check on the cake...This quick cake takes roughly about 25-28 minutes.
Apologies for the lack of photos to accompany this post. Will arrange for them eventually!
Bye for now,
G
Monday, 15 March 2010
A new beginning...
Hello everyone!
After months of procrastination, I have decided to join the bandwagon of bloggers...Of course, I am assuming here that I do have something to say, and that there would be readers willing to be put through the torturous motions of not only reading my diverse posts, but being invited to comment on them, and engaging in meaningful analyses!
I hope to make you think, laugh, smile, pause and take a breath, and indeed cook as well!
Wish me luck,
Gina
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