Betel Leaf (Paan) Creeper from my garden The Betel Leaf (Piper Betle) – Paan as it is popularly called in India is a perennial evergreen Herb, with beautiful heart shaped leaves. The one you see here in the photo is a betel leaf creeper from my garden. It grows as a slender creeper and hence is sometimes also called as Nagvelli- meaning Serpent like creeper in Sanskrit. It grows like wild fire… Betel leaf has been a part of the Indian culture for ages. Most of the Indian rituals, include offering Paan-Supari (Betel Leaf and Areca nuts) to God or…
Archives for August 2006
Monsoon Magic
They sure are enjoting their treat!!!
Tenga Vade (Rice flour -Coconut Fritters)
Janmashtami- celebrating the birth of lord Krishna, is one of the most popular festivals of India. This festival like most of the Indian festivals is celebrated with much fervor and zest. And the festivities are not complete without festive food. Tenga Vade (Rice Flour-Coconut Fritters) is my mother-in-laws recipe (most of the South Indian recipes I make ,I have learnt from her.), which we made for Janmashtami along with some sweets. These vadas stay for 5-6 days,that is if they are not over by then.
Carrot Soup
Still no respite from the incessant rains here! After a break of exactly 1 & ½days, Mr.Monsoon has reported back to work. I follow a food routine during this season: 1.This is the season, when I indulge in my favourite fries, bhajjis, samosas etc.. to brighten(???) these wet ,gloomy, lazy days( that’s my excuse). 2.Then Guilt visits me and I am suddenly reminded of words such as nutrition, fat,health etc… 3.Then I follow a strict diet of nutritious healthy foods like veggies, soups etc…to cancel out the not so healthy munchies.
Happy Independence Day
Tricolour courtesy -Indianchild 15th August 2006, The biggest democracy in the world celebrates Her Independence, Her freedom. Every year the preparations for this day begin well in advance… The atmosphere is all charged up with patriotic songs playing on loudspeakers and the dominant colours visible around are saffron,white and green-The Indian Tricolour. This year the preparations have begun in a very disturbing way!High Alert,tight security are the words being used for independence day preparations.I had to go through a metal detector and security check when I went shopping to the mall yesterday, just like they do at the airport! First…