"GATTE KI SABZI" Recipe

-RAJASTHANI CUISINE                              

INGREDIENTS:

For Gatte (dumplings):

1 cup besan (gram flour)  

1/8 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)

1/2 tsp haldi (turmeric powder)

1 tsp dhania powder (coriander powder)

1 tsp dhania (chopped coriander)

1 tsp mirchi powder (chilli powder)

Salt to taste

2 tbsp oil
Water to make dough

For Gravy:

2 small cups dahi (curd), beaten

1 tbsp besan (gram flour)

4 to 6 kadi patta (curry leaves)

1 tsp jeera (cumin seeds)

1/2 tsp rai (mustard seeds)

1/2 tsp saunf (fennel seeds)

1/4 tsp hing (asafoetida)

1 tejpatta (bayleaf)

1 laung (clove) 

1/4 tsp haldi (turmeric powder)

2 tsp mirchi (chilli powder)

2 tsp dhania (coriander) powder

1 chopped onion (optional)

2 tbsp oil

salt to taste

METHOD:

1. Mix all the ingredients as mentioned for gatte or dumplings.

2. Knead smooth and stiff dough by gradually adding water.

3. Grease your palms with oil, divide the dough into 7-8 equal portions and roll each portion into long cylindrical shape.

4. Cut the rolls into small pieces.

5. Boil the pieces for 8-10 mins.

6. Strain it and keep aside.

7. Take curd in a bowl and add chilly powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, besan and salt.

8. Mix it. This mixture will be used for gravy.

9. Heat 1-tbsp oil (or ghee) in a pan. Add chopped pieces and shallow fry them for 2-minutes. Transfer them to a plate.

10. Heat 1-tbsp oil. Add mustard seeds. When it crackles add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, asafoetida, bayleaf and clove. Add chopped onion and saute it till it turns golden brown. Then pour the prepared mixture for gravy.

Mix well and cook untill the oil comes to the surface.

11. Add the fried gatte or dumplings to the gravy. Cook for 2-3 mins.

12. Garnish with coriander leaves. 

Serve it with roti, paratha, phulka or any type of Indian flat bread or rice in lunch or dinner. Enjoy! :-)

DEAR FEAR

O my dear fear,

I had never seen you, never met you

Still you were there..

Surrounding me in your arms

Protecting me in your cover..

This is what a bird thinks

Living inside a golden cage..

Outside she go, she will fall

That cage is her world and her all..

O fear O fear, I always wanted to meet you dear..

But when I met, you disappeared

You were an illusion, never truly here

Had been faking all these years..

Now I Live on the other side of you..

Facing you was the only thing I had to do

Beyond you I am Happy, Free and True

O fear O fear, my faith killed you dear!

-Himanshi

Thank You!

Punish Yourself for the Wrongs you do…

Praise Yourself for the Rights you do…

I have been doing the first part and left the second one for you…

Aah Darling! You Love me so much,

Never left me doing the first part alone… Thank you!

-Himanshi

"SHAKING REPUBLIC DAY"

26^th January 2001, Surat

One day before Republic day on 25^th Jan night I was discussing with my parents an incident narrated to me by my cousin. My cousin told me that sometimes it happens that the ground shakes, and when the shaking is very intense it can be hazardous as it can lead to collapsing of houses / buildings etc.  I never heard or saw anything like that before. I was just 8 years old. So I wanted to know does it really happen. My parents did not answer me clearly fearing that I will have unpleasant dreams. So I slept leaving my question unanswered.

Next day was holiday as it was 26^th January i.e. Republic day. I woke up at 8, came to the drawing hall and started watching cartoon with my brother who was already there. My mom was making breakfast for us in the kitchen. Suddenly we heard some noise. We saw that the spoons stand on the dining table was shaking. In a second or two the sofa on which I was sitting started shaking. My brother opened the door and saw that all the people were shouting “Bhukamp!! Bhukamp!!” and running down the building. My mom asked us to run and she went inside to wake my dad up. He was busy sleeping, enjoying his break from office. My dad in sleep was shouting on my brother “Let me sleep, don’t jump on the bed” hahaha my dad thought that the bed was shaking because of my brother.  Till that time my brother saved his life by reaching on the ground. And where was I??? I was still there in the drawing hall waiting for my mom and dad to come. My mom and dad came out running, dad picked me up and we ran down the stairs and finally got out of the building.

After we got out, my mom dad and my brother started staring at me with wide open shocked eyes. What I was talking yesterday was in front of us live today.  Was it some kind of coincidence? Or Do I have a “Kali zubaan” as they call in Hindi? I don’t know.

I got the answer of my question. “Answer with experience”. :-x 

From tomorrow "Navratri" is starting. Its a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity "Godess Durga".

"Nav-ratri" means "Nine-Nights". 

Navratri is celebrated in myriad ways, by the Hindus across India.
While in the western state of Gujarat, its a nine-day carnival, with glowing city lights, scintillating dance performances and grooving music. The performance of Garba, a popular folk dance of Gujarat, is the highlight of the celebrations of Navratri in the state.

I have always loved dancing to the beats of garba and dandiya since my childhood. :D

After Navratri we have many festivals coming in October like Dussehra, Diwali and Bhai-Dooj.

So, I thought of sharing Sevaiyan/Vermicelli Kheer Recipe, a Indian dessert made during festive occasion!

So here we go....

"SEVAIYAN or VERMICELLI KHEER" RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

Sevaiyan/ Vermicelli- 1/2 cup

Milk- ½ L

Mithai Mate- 2 tsp

Sugar- 4 tbsp or ½ cup

Clarified butter/ Desi ghee- 1 tbsp
Cardamom Powder- 1½ tsp

Dryfuits of your choice:

Cashew nuts- 8 (roasted and chopped)

Almonds- 8-10 (roasted and chopped)

Chironjee/ Buchanania lanzan- 2 tsp

Dates- 1-2 or 1tsp (deseeded and chopped small)

Raisins- 2 tsp (soaked in lukewarm water. This helps in swelling them up)

METHOD:

1. Heat clarified butter/ghee in a pan. Now add the sevaiyan (vermicelli) and roast it on a medium flame till it turn golden brown.
2. Pour milk in the pan and let it come to a boil first.
3. Then lower the flame and let it simmer, add sugar, cardamom powder and mix well.
4. Let the seviyan(vermicelli) kheer simmer for 5-7 minutes till it gets cooked and the milk thickens a little. Mithai mate or condensed milk can be added to enhance the taste and thickness.
5. Add the roasted chopped dryfruits and switch off the gas.

Serve the sevaiyan/vermicelli kheer hot, warm or cold. In anyway you like :)

RECIPE

"CHOCOLATE SPONGE CAKE" 

BAKED IN HOSTEL :) :)

INGREDIENTS:

1. EGGS- 4

2. CHOCOLATE POWDER- 2 tbsp

3. SUGAR- 500gm

4. FLOUR/MAIDA- 500gm

5. Chocolate bars, gems, dry fruits etc for decoration

6. BUTTER- 1 tbsp

7. MILK- 50ml

8. BAKING POWDER- 1 tbsp

METHOD:

1. Beat all the eggs nicely in a bowl.

2. Add sugar, butter and milk in the beaten eggs and blend it again.

3. Now, add baking powder, chocolate powder and flour in the blended mixture and gently fold it. (The mixture should be of a dropping consistency).

4. Grease your container, and pour the mixture in it.

5. Bake it in convection mode for 40-45 mins at 180°C.

-HIMANSHI

"We will Reunite"

I wonder what you dream when you smile in sleep,

Whatever the reason is, I find my peace of mind in it

Although you are resting the same way today, I weep

Coz you have gone into your never ending dreams; dreams too deep

Breaking and fearing inside, I was comforting you
Holding your hand, telling you not to worry was not an easy thing to do
And even in your weakest hour you tried to comfort me too,
Caressing my face, and calming my soul as only a mother can do

You have always been there through all my ups and downs

And all I gave you is hundreds of reasons to frown

I made mistakes and told you about my downfall

You simply nodded and gently replied “so have we all”

Even being hurt, you constantly motivated and strengthened me

Pushing me to be the best that you know I can be

With you around, I flied brave and free

I never felt alone because it was always WE

I miss you more than these words could ever say
I wish you stayed with me forever, so hard I pray

Resting in God's arms now, watching your children here below

He needed a beautiful angel in Heaven and so you had to go

I dream of the day when Heaven's gates open to receive me
with your smiling face and loving eyes, reunited once again we will be

Have a peaceful sleep Momma on that heavens cozy cloud

Coz when I will come, I’ll pamper you and we will laugh out loud..!!

-Himanshi

Worst Year of my Life...

Pl wake me up and say it was a dream

I still cant believe

What this year brought to me

It seems like a dream sad

This year was so bad

Loneliness, pain.. I was so Lost

My mistakes turned my love to frost

Insane I, my mind was fused

the loyal soul was misused

I made my loved ones, hurted ones

And lost those few I had

There is no happiness i deserve

Will die starving for love

I miss you so much Momma

You were my Good Luck charm

No one protects me from this trauma

Some come and they just harm

I wish i could erase this year

and live with my loved ones without fear

with my beautiful Momma back in my life

and also with one, of whom I want to be wife..!

-Himanshi

ADDICTION TO MILK BOTTLE

In Surat we lived in COSMOS- the township built for Reliance employees. It was obvious to have many friends as we lived at the same place, we used to go for company picnics, and even went to same school. 

I remember my beautiful milk bottle with yellow and white flower prints on it. I loved it. Generally children hate milk as most of my friends did but I liked it because for me it came from my attractive baby feeding bottle. 

I was so addicted to it that I have used it till the age of 5. I was resistant to switch to any other mug or glass. 

I remember when my friends used to come home in the evening to call me for playing outdoors, I had no shame in sipping milk from that bottle in front of all. One day in a fight or I say war between me and my brother that bottle accidentally broke. I cried a lot. 

And after that incident, finally in 2^nd standard I switched to mug. Trust me it was very hard. But today I thank god that it broke, otherwise I guess I would have still continued and might have been writing my blog with laptop in front and my milk bottle beside. :D

And this is how i would have partied..! ;) :p (Kidding)

Sharing a collage of photos I clicked in my Hostel.

Hope you like it :) :)

Express Love and Kindness to animals too... We are their Guardians..!
There are so many lovely creatures all around us. Take care of them. These are few who live in my college. I play with them, spend time with them and feed them. I also try to take care that dogs don't remain thirsty because its very very hot in here. 

Also I love my college for having tied clay bowls filled with water on each and every tree which help birds and squirrels to beat summer heat!

I am doing my bit. Are you?

Adorable Argument for Cupcakes. Must Watch! :) :)

DAYS OF ENDLESS SUNSHINE

My father Mr Pradeep Singh was working as an executive in Hindustan Packaging Company Ltd. in Vadodara, Gujarat. He gave an interview in Reliance private ltd situated in Surat Hazira and got selected for the post of manager in Polyethylene (PE) Plant. In Jan 1993, we left Vadodara and shifted to Surat.

In June 1995, I 3 years and a month old was admitted to J.H Ambani School. Full name is Jamnaben Hirachand Ambani Saraswati Vidya Mandir. This school was built in the memory of parents of the business tycoon Mr. Dhirubhai Ambani, founder of Reliance group. J.H Ambani is Reliance Company’s school where only employees’ children studied. I recall our little KG uniform, tunic with red and white checks. It was the first day to school. My mom pinned a handkerchief on my collar, kissed me on my cheek and waved me goodbye. I was very happy to sit inside a beautiful yellow school bus with my brother. Unlike other little ones I was not nervous. It is so because my brother was with me. He was in Sr. KG. And I was going for my first class in Jr. KG. Yeah! I was excited! :)  My class teacher was a short-haired, short-height and slightly heavy lady. Her name was Mrs. Agnes. I remember how at the time of break our class teacher used to line all of us nicely in a queue before taking us to washroom.  Then we all used to sit down forming a circle to have lunch. Our teacher always accompanied us. Some of us used to fight for sitting on teachers lap. Recesses, Saturdays and Sundays were the times we enjoyed to the fullest. Mostly at weekends our whole family would go out for dinner or to some park.  Sometimes we used to go to park with two three more families of my friends. Our parents used to relax sitting on the grass, talking with each other while we all kids had fun running and playing in the park with sand, on slides, see-saw, swings, merry go rounds and many more. 

Those were the days of endless sunshine. I had a happy childhood. :)

TURNING FAKE

From old pics to what I see now,

I wonder why it happened and how?

My smile is not the same

Got trapped in some game

 

World out is so unreal

Filled with faces cruel

Now I also smile for name sake

Oh god it makes me so fake!

 

Only thing which is same

Is tear rolling down my eyes

Earlier it was coz of excess laugh and fame

Now it’s all my dead silent cries...

-Himanshi

WON'T LET YOU GO..!!

It kills me to say this but one day I know

Will come a time when I must let you go
The time will come and I always knew it
And no matter how it hurts me I must do it

I must smile and let you walk away
But I don’t want to think about that day
I want to love you all I can
Want to dream you’ll always be my man

Want to hold you every night

Want to pretend it’s all alright

So I put on my blinkers and do not see

I just want to hold you close to me

Want to make memories we never forget

Want to take off you all I can get

Want to look back one day on this time spent with you

And smile and remember that I once loved you

And when I remember I want to be glad

That this was the best time that I ever had

I will treasure each moment, every kiss, every touch

So that when you are gone I won’t miss you as much.

-Himanshi

NAAMKARAN

In Hindus, the traditional ceremony of naming the baby is known as Naamkaran.

After 45 days of my birth on the day of Naamkaran ceremony, pandit ji gave two alphabets D and H by which my name was to be decided. My parents named me “Heena” which means Mehendi. But in couple of days after consulting with other friends and relatives they decided to change my name because they thought Heena is not a Hindu name. So they named me “Himanshi”. This lovely and unique name was thought by my father. “Himanshi” means part of Himalaya or snow. In Sanskrit another meaning of Himanshi is Godess Parvati.

Namkaran was not over yet. My brother Dhiraj who is one and half years elder to me continued the tradition. He gave me one more name. The story behind receiving a new name from my brother is that my parents used to teach me that I should call my brother “Bhaiya”(means elder brother). They used to repeat the word Bhaiya by pointing towards him. But I guess I never understood. But somebody did; my brother. Because of looping of the word again and again it got stuck in my brothers’ head and he started calling me “Bhaiya”. And now I had one more name “Bhaiya”. Even aunty living in our neighbourhood used to call my mom by shouting “Bhaiyas mother!!!” which sounded weird and funny. :)

Was our friendship a burden for you?

I saw a dream

and heard her name

remembered those days

when we were same

Our friendship train

wasn't a game

then why you left me

in the midst of pain

I miss you

and miss my smile

which now for you

is no more worthwhile

Months have passed

Years will go

I will wait for your love

which you will never show!!!

- Himanshi

YOU ARE SPECIAL..!!!

You bring me a feeling

I have never felt before

Feeling of contentment

Happiness and more...

Always and forever

I will love you this long

My heart, My soul

only to you it belongs...

I will be beside you

be a friend or a lover

Let all rain of pains fall on me

I will be your cover...

Being here far from you 

I shrink every minute, die every day

for a moment with you 

of happiness and gay...!!

-Himanshi