“You're a song, written by the hands of God. Don't get me wrong cause this might sound to you a bit odd”

Monday, February 26, 2007

But you own the place
Where all my thoughts go hiding
And right under your clothes
Is where I find them
Underneath your clothes
There's an endless story
There's the man I chose there's my territory

Tag you’re it! I was going to blog about the weekend full of food, snow drama and the Oscars, but I have been tagged by Malamasala to complete the following list:

Three things that scare me:
1. Life without “real” love
2. Loneliness
3. Poor health and Death (I know that’s 2, but they are both equally scary)

Three people who make me laugh:
1. Amit
2. Neil & Ranju (they each make me laugh, but together they are hysterical!)
3. Swati

Three things I love:
1. My loved ones (Family and Friends)
2. Any performing arts: Dance, music, theater etc.
3. Little creatures: Puppies, kittens, babies, Oompa Loompas, munchkins, Tinkerbelle etc.

Three things I hate:
1. Inside jokes/humor that victimizes people
2. Rudeness
3. Hypocrisy

Three things I don't understand:
1. Anything with too much math (401K savings, taxes, federal budgets, Stock Market etc)
2. Why do nice guys always finish last or how malicious people end up successful?
3. Women. (I know I’m one but I cannot seem to understand my own species)

Three things on my desk:
1. Cell Phone
2. Water
3. Books

Three things I'm doing right now:
1. Motivating myself to get back to work
2. Trying to contact my car dealership
3. Responding to this list way too slowly (procrastination!)

Three things I want to do before I die:
1. Raise kids
2. Travel to the top 10 places on my list
3. Manage my own dance studio

Three things I can do:
1. Be goofy and make others laugh
2. Dance
3. Cook

Three things you should listen to:
1. Your instincts
2. Your parents/good advice
3. Music that comforts your soul

Three things you should never listen to:
1. Pessimists
2. Religious fanatics
3. Opinionated US news that claims to be world news

Three things I'd like to learn:
1. To sew..not just buttons and hem but to be able to create a whole outfit
2. To play an instrument preferably the piano or guitar
3. Walk gracefully in 3 inch and higher heels


Three favorite foods:
1. My moms cooking (Indian)
2. Thai
3. Sushi

Three beverages I drink regularly:
1. Water
2. Coffee
3. Orange juice

Three TV shows/Books I watched/read as a kid:
1. Muppet show
2. Sesame Street
3. When I was 5 years old I read Mr. Men series of books, by Roger Hargreaves (When I was about 9-10 years old I started reading a lot of classics; Black beauty, Little women, Jane Eyre etc. Thanks mom for getting me into reading)

Three people I am tagging
1. Swati
2. Amit
3. Neil

“Ek soorya hai, ek gagan hai, ek hi dharti mata. Dayaa karo Prabhu, ek bane sab...Dayaa kare Prabhu, ek bane sab”

Friday, February 23, 2007

Sab ka ek se naata
Satyam Shivam sundaram, satyam Shivam sundaram

I’m in a very forlorn mood. I know I shouldn’t be, especially after the wonderful long weekend spent indulging in good food and great friends. But I can’t help it. Maybe I just woke up tired or perhaps the shocking and infuriating incident that took place over the weekend has affected my mood.
Jaas, Dish and Colleen visited us this past weekend. It was a lot of fun showing Jaas around DC and taking him to numerous restaurants, among which one of our favs is Jaleo in Chinatown, Washington DC. We knew the Jaleo would be crowded on a Friday night, especially at 10.00 PM since it has a great bar where you can pre-game and head out to other local bars and clubs which are all walking distance. But we lucked out when our host had a 5 person table ready to go when we walked in…our only qualm was that it was near the door and every time it opened we would feel the gust winds blow in. We went ahead ordered our Tapas, drank yummy sangria and immersed ourselves in brilliant conversation. After we paid our bill and waited for our waiter to bring our credit cards we continued our conversation and did not expect what was about to happen next. Now this is how we were seated…If you walked into the restaurant, you would first see 2 hosts and to the right there were smaller tables meant for 2 and on the left of the hosts was our table and behind us was the rest of the restaurant and bar…full of people walking around. Jass is on my left, Bhatji is on my right and Colleen is on the right of Bhatji and Dish is on the right of Colleen and left of Jaas…to complete our 5some at this table. I was facing the door and my back was to the bar and other tables. This one guy, judging by his clothes and smell was a bum off the street (lets call him guy A) comes from behind me and bends down to talk to Jaas…whispering something, so naturally we all turn towards them (to my left) to see what’s going on. It was a short 15 sec interruption and Jaas says something back to him but gives us all a quizzical look. So obviously all of us ask Jaas, what that man asked him. While Jaas proceeds to tell us what he said, guy A is talking to someone who is standing behind me...almost in between me and Bhatji. That’s when we realized that there was guy B behind me. But we were all so engrossed in what guy A had asked Jaas that we did not think to really notice was guy B was doing. Apparently guy A had asked Jaas “is the food good here?” to which Jaas responded “ummm yea sure” Then guy A and guy B (who also was a bum) started walking towards the door. It was all so bizarre. Then something made me check for my purse...this weird feeling that something was so off about the guy standing behind me. Well anyway it was gone! I had kept the purse under my jacket on the handle of the chair so it wouldn’t fall off as people kept walking by. I checked to be sure and yes it had disappeared. I let out a frenzied shriek to anyone who was listened that my purse was gone. Without hesitation Bhatji ran out to catch up to the 2 guys. Guy b was still at the door on his way out and guy A was on the street maybe 2 steps out the door. Bhatji didn’t stop at guy B since he knew that Jaas and Dish and I were following him and would seize guy B. He caught up with guy A and stood in front of him blocking him and screaming at him to give us the purse. I caught up to the guy B at the door and yelled at him for my purse and he just calmly put his hands up and said “I aint got your purse!” By then Jaas and Dish were out and at his side and I said to Jaas…”Make sure he stays here. I’m going over to Bhatji and guy A” as I walked over to guy A who looked bewildered...perhaps because he didn’t expect us to catch on to their plans so soon. But he was fumbling with something in his coat. I didn’t stop to think that this guy could be armed or just violent...because I started cursing at him and hit him on his arm asking him to give me my purse back. Bhatji was in front of him and I was on his side and behind him was the resturaunt with guy B still at the door, jaas and dish who was out on the street. Guy A was cornered, he knew it. He kept saying “I aint got your purse!” still fumbling with something in his jacket. Bhatji screamed “give us the purse or we’ll call the cops” and then screamed to Dish “just call the cops….Call 911!” When guy A heard “cops” and “911” he got scared and dropped the purse from his jacket! And then the nerve of this guy, he proceeds to say “See I aint got your purse!!” Bhatji scooped up the purse real quick and handed over to me and I did a quick check to make sure everything was in there. Cell phone, keys, wallet, credit cards etc. and everything was...probably because this guy had no time to go through it at all. I noticed he had dropped his glove along with my purse, I picked it up and smacked it in his face and cursed him out some more! I was shaking with anger and I think I would have kicked him if it wasn’t for Bhatji pushing me back towards the resturaunt…saying that it was over and we go the purse back and he wasn’t worth it. Guy B who accosted by Jaas till now started walking away and so did guy A. Once inside the resturaunt, people who were sitting around us were in shock that it happened and one of the waiters told us that we all had excellent reflexes. I was still shaking….maybe from the adrenaline rush or just the fact that something like this had happened to me! And at such a nice resturaunt!! Colleen then told us that she had host to call the cops while we were all outside and the manager told him not to! Then the manager came out to tell us that he was sorry that this happened and that it happens all the time in this neighborhood and that we should be more careful with our bags. That’s it! I told him that they really should keep an eye out to see who is walking into their restaurants, to which he said “we cant do that coz it would be a full time job you know” and I said “No I don’t” We got our credit cards back and left the restaurant still mystified…Did that really happen?? Situations like this make me realize that there is a higher power looking down on us...for me to check for my purse randomly, for Bhatji not stopping to check but just taking my word that my purse was missing, for us to catch those guys in time, and for me to get my purse back safely. But more anything else that those guys weren’t armed and none of us got hurt! I called Jaleo after our guests left after the weekend and told the manager that his response to this incident was unacceptable! I told him “Do you know why this happens often...it’s because managers like you don’t do anything about it. I understand that calling the cops would look bad for you business, but having bums walk into your resturaunt and take your patrons purses, wallets is not good for your business either! I want you to report this event to the cops and I will check to make sure you have” It makes me think...who is the bigger evil, homeless bums who believe that stealing is the way to make quick money or managers that don’t give 2 hoots about their patrons..Because after all we did get the purse back and no one was hurt…alls well that ends well. No I think not…believe you me I will make this as public as possible starting with my blog and then making its way to the paper (hopefully) not out of spite but so that more ladies aware of their belongings. Keep an eye on your purse and coats etc. make sure your better half or your group is aware of all your belongings before you leave them in an area. Last but not least…do not let some jerk manager that it’s ok that it happened. It’s not ok! It’s never ok. Let your local authorities know so that they can increase patrol in those areas that need it and always make sure that you never resort to violence. Although coming from me its almost hypocritical and I wont lie...smacking that guy twice felt damn good :o) But I wouldn’t recommend doing it.
Sorry for the super long blog. I know I haven’t added any recipes but patience my sweets, for I have more yummy blog entries coming you way. Until then stay warm and SAFE!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MZSWATS!!

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

“For there is no friend like a sister, in calm or stormy weather, to cheer one on the tedious way, to fetch one if one goes astray, to lift one if one totters down, to strengthen whilst one stands.”

Christina G. Rossetti

Happy birthday to one of favorite people..my Baby sis: Swats.

In honor of her bday I have radio blogged one of her childhood songs: Kim Carnes - Bette David eyes.

“I lose all control when I see you standing there in front of me. De way you wine and, de way you dance and de way that you twist and turn your waist"

Friday, February 16, 2007

Before the end of the night
I wanna hold you so tight
You know I want you so much
And I'm so tempted to touch
Tempted to touch, tempted to touch

BRRR! I know I have ranted and raved about how cold it is out there, but Geez can I ask “IS IT SPRING YET?” It snowed this past Tuesday and early Wednesday morning the snow turned into hail and icy rain. The temperature hasn’t risen above 30 degrees since, and so there are layers and layers of thick ice everywhere. We had early release on Tuesday and a 2 hour delay on Wednesday. Needless to say walking to the metro and from the metro was extremely treacherous. I am actually shocked that I haven’t slipped and fallen on my arse…especially because I am extremely accident prone (for the sake of saving me from embarrassment I refuse to share stories) I realized how Washington DC doesn’t know how to deal with snow and ice. I mean it has been 2 days since the icy chaos and the roads are barely clean and street parking is non existent. It’s almost sad that I am praying for this..but I just want the weather to be above freezing at this point. Anyway, enough of this livid whining regarding the weather… on to my V-day story.
So as I had mentioned in my earlier posts, Bhatji and I had plans to have an early dinner at Della Notte in little Italy of Baltimore and then off to “Wicked” the musical playing at the Hippodrome. I managed to make it into work by 11.00 (due to the 2 hour delay opening) and the walk to the metro and to work made me really nervous. The roads were barely paved and the ice was really thick. I was worried that the drive to Baltimore was going to be very slow and dangerous. I was also nervous that the theater might close and the show wouldn’t take place. But as the day progressed the temperature did increased and the snow plows managed to clean up a little more. To be on the safe side, Bhatiji and I decided to leave an hour and half early so we could be sure to make it on time for our reservations. Amazingly enough, there was no traffic on the road since many people didn’t leave their homes to make it into work, and the weather Gods were kind to keep clam. We got to Della Notte a full 20 minutes early and I think because of that we got a great booth by the window. The minute we sat down and ordered our wine, it started to snow a little and we were happy that we weren’t caught in any bad weather. The food was exquisite and the service was very good! I absolutely recommend Della Notte to people who plan on visiting Baltimore for authentic Italian food and beautiful setting. And the best part was that It wasn’t ridiculously expensive. All in all, Bhatji and I were very happy. After dinner we drove to the hippodrome theater which was about 5 minutes from the restaurant and made it to the show on time. Now I can honestly say I know what the hype was about this show. “Wicked” had a great story line and it was fast moving. Even though Bhatji isn’t the biggest fan of musicals (so he says hehe) he actually said he found very entertaining. I only wish our seats were better, since I had to shell out quite a bit. But I guess I should be happy that we were able to see it. By the way the hall was packed. I mean there wasn’t a single seat empty! All in all our first V-day as a married couple ended up being fantastic and I know we will have many, many more to come :o)

“I’m lost without u, can’t help myself. How does it feel to know that I love u baby”

Monday, February 12, 2007

I’m lost without u
Can’t help myself
How does it feel
To know that I love u baby

Valentines Day is coming up! When I was grocery shopping this weekend, I was in awe at the amount of balloons, chocolates and roses on sale. And by sale, I mean super expensive hehe. Well because I am a planner by nature, I made plans for hubby and me a few months ago. We will be dining in little Italy and catching a Broadway show in Baltimore. I would love to give details, but I think that should be a blog entry in itself, so I’ll hold off till Thursday. This is our first valentines day as a married couple..so I wanted it to be special. I hope hubby isn’t stressing about school work and actually enjoy the evening. Well this past weekend the pipes in our building burst…and apparently the problem stemmed from the apt above ours. Even though we did not have waters leaking or anything…on early Sunday morning..around 2-3 am, the plumbers and engineers were working on the pipes and needless to say, hubs and I did not get any sleep! It was very frustrating..so on Sunday we just made it into a lazy weekend and watched a movie. We saw “employee of the month”. It was a pretty funny movie..nothing too much to think about but perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon. I also watched the Grammy’s. I wished JT actually performed a dance routine…but he still looked great. How many awards did Dixie Chicks win? Lots!! The performance by John Mayer, Corrine Bailey Rae and John Legend was wonderful. Chris Brown did not sing much…but the stepping was great! I loved the Police reunion! And Beyonce and Christina…ummm yea blonde hair galore! Not really cute. All in all…an entertaining award ceremony.
This past Friday, I did not feel like cooking anything too elaborate. I checked my fridge, noticed that we had leftover plain white rice. So I decided to make fried rice. I made it according to Meena’s recipe. The only thing I added was cut green beans to add more veggie proteins.
I also made sweet corn soup. Bhatji (Hubby) loves it and it was cold so I figured best way to keep warm is hot soup! So here is simple recipe for sweet corn soup:

Ingredients:
1 can of corn kernels
3 cups Water
Corn flour 2 tbsps
Sugar 1 ½ tbsp
Soya sauce 2 tsp.
Any Chilli sauce 2 tsp.
Vinegar 1 tbsp

To Make:
Empty the can of corn kernels into a bowl. Grind the corn kernels with a mortar and make sure you don’t grind into a complete paste. Pour the mashed corn kernels into a pan cook it on medium heat. Mix corn flour in the 3 cups of water. Bring the soup to boil and then cook on low heat. Slowly the soup starts getting thick. Continuously stir it so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Add sugar, salt, soya sauce, chilli sauce, vinegar and heat for about 2 minutes, take off heat and serve.
The soup went great with the fried rice. A very healthy, yummy veggie meal.

Last night Bhatji and I had Paani puris for dinner. I bought the puris from the store and made the chutneys at home. I was planning on blogging about those too, but I got so hungry that as soon the as the chutneys were made, we started eating and I have no pics. Maybe next time I’ll have a little more self control.
They’re predicting snow and ice during the day tomorrow…I’m praying for the day off! And if we do get a day off…I’m going to stay home and try out a few more recipes. Think snow people…think snow!

PS ( I heart Robin Thickes song! It makes me swoooooon)

“Do you got what it takes to set me free…Oh you could mean everything to me”

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

I can't say that I'm not lost and at fault
I can't say that I don't love the light and the dark
I can't say that I don't know that I am alive
And all of what I feel I could show
You tonite

Last night after enduring the frigid temperature on my commute home from my work, all I wanted to do was lay on the sofa with a blankey and drink soup. Alas that was not possible, since I had taken Sunday and Monday as my days off from working out, I had to visit the gym, followed by 20 mins of Denise Austin. By the way, I recommend Denise Austin’s “Hit the spot Pilates” to all my female friends. The Pilates exercises are great for trouble areas for most women such as abs, waist, hips, buns and thighs. Anyway by the time I finished my grueling long work out, it was 8.15 PM! And I had a hungry husband to feed who was studying away for his countless upcoming tests and papers. I figured that I whatever I would cook would have to be quick…Lord knew that soon enough his hunger pangs would start to show. So after looking through the fridge I decided to make Beans saru upkari and Potato and bell pepper upkari. This would not only be easy but a very healthy, vegetarian meal. And did I mention a very Konkani meal:o)

Ingredient for Beans saru upkari:
1) Canned black beans
2) 4-5 cloves of peeled garlic cloves
3) 3-4 dry red chillies
4) One can of water (you can use the same can as the black beans)
5) 2 tsp of oil
6) Salt to taste

To make:
Heat the oil in a sauce pan. Add garlic and fry till a little brown. Then add the red chillies and fry for about a minute. Add the can of black beans, followed by a can of water, add salt to taste. When it comes to a boil, turn off heat and serve on white rice.


Ingredients for Potato and Bell pepper upkari:
1) 3-4 medium sized potatoes
2) 2 green and/or red bell peppers
3) Sambhar powder 1 tsp
4) Oil 1 tsp
5) Cumin seeds(jeera) 1 tsp
6) Turmeric a pinch
7) Tamarind pulp 1 tsp
8) Chilli powder ½ tsp
9) Garlic power ½ tsp
10) Salt to taste


To make:
Boil the potatoes in a microwave for about 6-8 mins. Cut the potatoes and bell peppers into long thin pieces. Heat the oil and the cumin seeds. When you hear the jeera splutter add the potatoes and fry for about 3-4 mins. Then add the bell peppers and turmeric close the pan with a lid and cook for about 8 mins. Once the vegetables appear a little brown and tender, add the sambhar powder, tamarind pulp, chilli powder, garlic powder and salt. Cook for another 4-5 mins, remove from heat and serve as a side dish with the saru upkari.

I serve Limbiya nonche (lemon pickle) with dinner and it was absolutely yummy! While relaxing and watching TV during dinner, we happened to look out and it was snowing! Don’t you love winter? I love winter when I am indoors, eating a hot meal under some blankets with the husband :o)

“I, I'm so in love with you… Whatever you want to do is all right with me”

Monday, February 5, 2007

'Cause you make me feel so brand new
And I want to spend my life with you

Man oh man...its soooo cold!!! I mean with wind chill factor it feels like -2 degrees right now! I mean I know I was missing winter..but geez it’s too cold to even sit near a window. BRRR. But instead of sitting indoors all weekend, I decided to endure the cold and get a little retail therapy. Ms. Pai and I went to tysons corner, got a hearty meal and then we got down to business. On sat night, Hubby dear and I met with some JHU friends at Play for some drinking and dancing. The big negative of the night…paying $30 to get in! and the place was wayyy to crowded. All in all…both of us have decided never to go back to Play. The positive…we both had a great buzz going and then we got PRINCE! YUMMS!
And I got SOME time on the dance floor. Super bowl Sunday we went to my mama’s house for pizza and beer. My lil cousins and I made plans to watch “The sisterhood of traveling pants” a very cute coming of age movie. And oh yea the colts won….I don’t know much, but I know that Hubby was rooting for them and their winning put a big cheesy smile on his face…or maybe that was the beer. Regardless, we had a fun super bowl Sunday. Let’s wind back to Friday so I can share my kati roll recipe with you folks! Yep another recipe that put a smile on hubbys face. I combine part of Nupur's recipe and my moms chutney recipe to make these similar to the NYC style kati rolls.

Ingredients for the wrap:
4 wheat tortillas
2 eggs

Ingredients for the filling:
1 red pepper
2 small onions
1 cup of cooked pre cooked chicken (got from Costco)
2 tsp chaat masala
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp red chilli powder
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Ingredients for the chutney:
½ bunch mint
½ bunch of cilantro
juice of two lemons
½ small red onion
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
¼ cup of water
2 tsp garlic & ginger paste
2 small green chilies chopped

To make the chutney:
Take all the ingredients that I have listed for the chutney except the water and make a paste in the blender. Add the water and once it starts to have a chutney like consistency, the chutney is ready.

To make the filling:
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan. Fry the pepper and chicken till browned and crispy.
Remove pan from heat. To the pepper and chicken, add the chopped onion, lemon juice, chaat masala, red chilli powder, salt, pepper and mix well.

To make the wrap:
Beat the eggs with some salt and pepper and set aside
Heat a tortilla in a non-stick pan
Ladle some egg on the tortilla and spread on only one side of the tortilla.
Overturn the tortilla to cook the egg
Remove from pan
With the eggy side of the tortilla facing upwards, ladle the chutney all around the tortilla
Position the filling in the center of the tortilla and roll like a burrito.

This amount in this recipe makes 4 kati rolls. For those who are vegetarian, you can replace the chicken with 2 boiled potatoes. You can do without the eggs too but the authentic kati roll places including the famous Kati roll in NYC uses eggs on their parathas/tortillas.

Until the next blather…Stay Warm.

“I wonder How it's going to be, when you don't know me; How's it going to be…”

Friday, February 2, 2007

"When you're sure I'm not there
How's it going to be
When there is no one to talk to, between you and me
'Cause I don't care
How's it going to be"

I’m really tired today. I am tired of feeling disparaged. The thing that is the most frustrating is, I don’t know if I am being patronized or if it is all in my head. Swatz and I talk about this quite a bit; about how certain humors and tones irk us. I have been told by a few close friends that I tend to be overtly sensitive. Maybe...maybe not. I feel though the things that annoy me the most are a fairly basic list of impolite norm.
1) Humor that picks on peoples flaws, mistakes; victimizing someone for a joke is just not funny.
2) Talking down to a grown up as if they were children. Age has no barrier when it comes to giving a little respect during conversations.
3) Projecting work or personal frustration towards someone who should not be dealing with it. In fact no one should be dealing with it but you.
4) Tuning a person out who is trying to have a genuine conversation with you…that’s just disrespectful. Don’t waste your time and don’t waste theirs.
Who knows maybe the list above is not considered bad manners at all. And perhaps I do need to grow a thicker skin. After all that was one of my resolutions this year; to be more positive and not host ill feelings towards people who have their own way of expressing themselves…no matter how indecorous. I’ll say this much though…it is damn hard to be the bigger person.

On a more non-rant topic…Finally, it’s the weekend. Not just any weekend but the Super Bowl weekend. I will be running more errands and I have planned to cook up a storm. What does this mean for you? It means you will be reading foodie entries (including pics) the next few days. I am also looking forward to hang out with my young cousins during the game (I couldn’t care less who wins. Yes that’s right, I said it. Please send your comments to: I don’t care dotcom) and soak up some much needed Disney movie marathon. Super bowl to me is just about the food and the commercials. Yep I am indeed mentally 5 years old. Thanks!

“I don't care what you might think about me; you can vibe without me if you want”

Thursday, February 1, 2007

“If we never get down it wouldn't be a let down
But sugar don't forget what you already know
I could be the one to turn you on
We could be the talk across the town
Don't judge me by the color, confuse it for another
You might regret what you let slip away”

I was just telling the husband that I have lost all concepts of weekdays and weekends. Why, you ask? Well....during the weekdays I work and the weekends too I work. No, I did not get a second job. Running a household is a job! And don’t you forget it. I am beginning to realize, never to undermine a true housewife’s work. I guess I would categorize myself as a modern day woman, living a blended lifestyle of a career woman and a housewife. I work 40 hours a week, give or take a few hours between the low and high govt. budget periods. I come home and I have someone to feed, I have laundry to do, the dishes won’t clean themselves and neither will the apt. In the midst of all the chaos of house chores, there are bills that need to be paid, social obligations with friends and family and I have to somehow maintain my good streak of working out. Whew! Even with the few free minutes that Amit gets in between his demanding school schedule and work days to help out around the house, I still spend my weekend’s grocery shopping, cleaning the house etc. There was a time when I would dance my weekend away; Dance was my passion, my escape; Of course my new life called for a new passion and it looks like cooking has turned into my new fervor. Looking up recipes, altering it to my taste and playing spices have become my new obsession. It is the best feeling when the dish turns out lip-smacking and leaves Amit wanting more. I must say the old adage “A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” is in fact factual. One great meal = attention showering, errands running, TLC giving, one very happy man! Here is a very easy and yummy Konkani breakfast/snack. One of Amit’s and my favorites:

Bread Upkari

Ingredients:
1) 6 – 8 slices of bread (wheat bread is healthier)
2) 2-3 tsp of ghee
3) 1 tsp mustard seeds
4) 1 tsp urad daal
5) 1 tsp red chilli powder
6) 1 spring curry leaves
7) 3 green chillies chopped
8) 1 tbsp sugar
9) Salt to taste

To make:
Tear bread slides into pieces
In a pan heat ghee and add the mustard seeds, urad daal, curry leaves, green chillies and fry for about 1-2 mins
Add the bread pieces, ½ tsp of ghee, red chilli powder, sugar and salt.
Once the bread pieces start browning, mix well and serve with tea or coffee.

Until the next ranting...Happy Cooking :o)

PS (Yay! Ilan wins Top Chef. Swati must be rejoicing)