Sunday, January 24, 2010

weekend foodie.

There are two things that are easier when you are frustrated with the world and people around you: reading the Bible and writing. Blogs (especially mine) depict people as being so angry, opinionated, and aggressive because people write the most when life throws lemons at them. Likewise, I've also felt the need to write today. The reason will remain unrevealed...but I do have a good recipe.

I made Cauliflower Masala this weekend to take to a friend's house for dinner. I was a bit nervous...firstly being in my MIL's kitchen, secondly battling with her many years of experience, and finally to have an audience to present my food to.

My mom makes this dish, not very often since it takes a few extra steps to get it just right...but whenever she does it is everyone's favorite.

For one medium head of cauliflower, first cut it into bite size flowerettes. peel and cut 1 large potato into similar size pieces. in about 3 tblspn oil, sautee and almost fry the veggies until its translucent and brownish. then transfer to another plate. in the previous pan saute onions, ginger and garlic until soft then add 3 tbsp coriander pwd, 2 tbsp chilli pwd, and 1 tsp turmeric. toast the spices and add a pinch of whole cumin. put the veggies back in and add 3 medium juicy tomatoes. add 2 tbsp of yogurt and cover and cook for about 10-15 mins. at the end add coriander leaves.


delicious.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

easy peasy fruit tartlettes


i actually made food today. a dessert nonetheless which is very rare for me. but it was a practice round for another day when it has to be perfect--so u can tell how much baking scares me. this was easy though-more like assembling, less baking.

they were cute little fruit tartlettes. EASY PEASY! First you buy pre made pie crust... which come in all sorts of sizes. big and medium. i chose eensy weensy ones--individual servings. then place these crusts on a baking sheet and bake for about 12-15 mins at 375 degrees. take them out and let them cool. while they are baking you can make custard with bird's custard powder. be careful of how much you make, the tartlette cups are tiny...and a few tablespoons of custard powder can go a long way. the proportions are 1:1 custard powder to sugar, and then add milk (one cup for every tbsp of custard). whisk and let cool. once everything is cooled...fill the crust with custard and top with beautiful fruit assortment.

i just kept it in the fridge until we were ready to gobble it down. it was quite good.

we have been wii obsessed in my new house and spend hours playing it everyday. its really quite sad how fast the evenings go by and how slowwww my days are. i'm always so anxious to see my husband but the evening goes so fast i feel like i only see him for 15 mins.

we looked at dogs again today...we've done that a lot. 3 times so far out of the few times we meant physically. I don't think we'll ever buy one...but the process makes me feel good. it feels good to plan a future...a future for our family... just me and him. we are both so close with our families that it has been hard to distinguish our new family life from me being added onto his old family. so puppies remind me that we are a family as well.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

bored bored bored. i'm so bored. i'm feeling left out from my own family and haven't completely connected with the new one.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

lingering.

hello world. my new life is sooo slow. i don't know if i'm frustrated by it... or just bored of it. its funny how the things you crave the most can irritate you later. ie. time and relaxation is driving me nuts now. I think some of it has to do with the MIL being here. I feel awkwardness like we should both we hanging out with each other, but we both like to do our own things.

regardless i've been watching tons of tv that i didn't get to watch before since i didnt have cable. i've also been eating more fruits. I thought i'd lose weight here, but with a MIL that loves spoiling her children and with strong indian background, we are always eating. i gotta stop.

i'm impressed by her style of cooking. its very fast and simple. she doesn't slave over the stove like my mom. my mom needs everything to be perfect, each piece cut exactly the same, and everything should taste absolutely perfect. she also cooks in larger quantities which takes longer to cook. here we only cook for a day so small quantities are made, but we have new dishes every day. they are also a prominently vegetarian family, so each meal is full of delicious, numerous vegetable dishes. The meat on the other hand is whipped together in a couple of minutes.

its interesting to see how different each family is. I married into a christian, malayalee family just like mine, but they are still so different. they think im very quiet but i am. i just don't have much to say anymore, i dont do much, and don't have any new adventures.

i've been counting down the days but im not sure til what. im going home next month and i am looking forward to that. and then.. counting down to a new life? maybe till i can get my old life back? impossible. and indefinate.

Monday, January 4, 2010

To be or not to be productive!

AH! blogposts are swimming in my head. The end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 has been so new and so crazy, full of ideas for new blogs. But I feel like I'm in a rut where there is too much to write and too little organization. Today though I am going to be productive.

I like how my productive consists of blogging, laundry, yoga, and watching tv. Out of all the things that has happened so far, I am so glad I am done with school. Which means productivity does not equal homework, essays, reading, studying. EW.

LOVEE it.

Let me rewind and unwind my last few weeks.

I GOT MARRIED! To C!! My bestest friend for the last 5 years, whom I've had so many butterflies for and so many fights with and in the end will always love. =)

We had a beautiful wedding, in India like I've always dreamt of. Full of family and food, and beautiful clothes and church and love.

We spent a couple beautiful days in Dubai which was absolutely amazing. What a wonderful place it is. Too bad I didn't keep up with my 365 days of pictures because I have some beauuttifful pictures I'd like to share.

I have a husband! It is so wonderful having someone to sleep next to. My favorite part of the day is when we get into bed. The hugs are so tight we just become a pile of arms and legs.

Now we are back in Toronto. Snowy, cold Toronto. I miss home, and my family and warmth. But the weather back home is pretty much the same.

My new husband has gone to work and I'm left by myself to be productive.

The first thing I've ever cooked for my husband: Kerala Style Chicken Curry.
His sister said he never remarks on if food is good or not so i shouldn't be concerned with that. But my baby came and told me he liked it. Without me even asking :)

He's so different in person, and so different with his family. This is so exciting learning to love a whole new person.