Author: malika verma

Food And Festivities

Colorful, exuberating, cheering…festivals in India are not just to mark a day of significance, but are a much-needed break from the exhausting work schedule. India is a platter of all kind of spices from the world, representing a potpourri of a variety of cultures and religions. Thus, every day in India is celebrated somewhere or the other! When it comes to festivities, how can one forget the profusion of various delicacies prepared with a pinch of love in every kitchen on the special day? Innumerable sweets and pakwaans, so colorful and delighting, decorated in thalis, can be spotted in every street during the festive season.

Every festival seems to have its own signature food item. Let’s have a look on some of the major festivals and the foods prepared on them.

DIWALI: Diwali is a festival of sweets. Families and friends exchange mithai and consume various chatpata snacks. The choice of sweet depends on the taste and custom of the family. From north to south, from east to west, a large variety of food is prepared on this festival. Kesar kaju barfi, besan laddoo, kheer, badam phirni, gajar ka halwa, channar payesh, jalebi, gulab jamun, shakkarpare, ghatiya, etc. are some of the sweets prepared on this festival. Roads can be seen occupied by stalls of snacks like dahi-bhalle and gol-gappe. Diwali ‘mela’ is another noticeable site where foodies can be spotted.

HOLI: Any Indian festival is somewhat incomplete without a grand feast! Holi is another popular festival in the country with its own list of delicacies. Gujhia, the main sweet prepared on this fest, can be spotted in every shop, every street, every kitchen, rather in every mouth on this day! Apart from gujhia, we have bhang as the major refreshment served in every holi gathering. Jaljeera, papri chaat, kanji-vada, and thandai also top the menu for dishes to be prepared on holi.

CHRISTMAS:

Not only in India, Christmas is a festival celebrated all over the world with great pomp and show. So, when it comes to Christmas celebrations, how can one forget the gala feasts prepared to mark this day! Christmas cakes and cookies, among many other scrumptious recipes, are children’s favourite all over the world. Plum cakes, chocolate puddings, flavoured fudges, colourful mocktails, fruit bars etc. are some of the favourites among many others.

EID-UL-FITR:

This festival is celebrated among Muslim community with great zeal and gusto in the country. Mouth-watering dishes are prepared in no time with special traditional techniques on this day. Eid is a festival promising appetizing dishes to be remembered life-long. Badami gosht is a very much liked dish on Eid and otherwise. Seviyaan, equally famous among Hindus and Muslims, is another major dish prepared on this day. It is a sweet made with vermicelli and milk, savoured as a dessert. Phirni, mutton, biryani are other savouries that are consumed by family and friends.

NAVRATRI: Navratri is a fest celebrated for a long period of continuous nine days. People fast during these days. It is festival in which food is consumed with utter precautions, according to Hindu mythology. Yet, many special recipes prevail without onion and garlic during this period. Specifications also extend to choice of spices. Only rock salt is used in the preparations. Kuttu ke pakore(prepared with buckwheat flour) and aloo ki khichdi mark the one time meal for fasters. Boondi ka raita, saboodana vada are also consumed. The dishes prepared vary from place to place. The course is strictly vegetarian.

GURU NANAK JAYANTI: this festival marks the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. This festival is celebrated by Sikhs with enthusiasm. No festival is complete without lip-smacking food items! Umpteen delicious sweets are served on Guru Nanak Jayanti. Some of them are kaju barfi, malai ke laddoo and atte ka seera.

ONAM: It is a state festival of Kerala. It is celebrated by Malayalees with zest all over the country. The grand feast of onam is held in a specified manner. The dishes are served on a banana leaf. All the preparations reflect the essence of south indian cuisine. Masala dosa, idli, avail, are very popular recipes in south india. Numerous other dishes are also served- sambhar, vada, coconut chutney and banana halwa to name a few.

India is a blend of various other such festivals offering their own list of preparations. Festivals and foods are inseparably connected to each other. Each soul in this very celebrated country enjoys the days of fest which are incomplete without the serve of respective delicacies and flavors. Though these specially made food items are available all year long, but the fine taste and joy of having them is experienced in festive seasons most. That is the time when everyone unites in one color and together celebrating love and happiness!

August 1, 2014
Ramadan

Sweet and savoury delights, evening get togethers, group prayers, sighting sunrise at the dawn and sunset at dusk and thirty days of being peculiarly polite and gentle in all the dealings, Ramadan, the holy month of Islam is celebrated annually across the world. It is the ninth month according to Islamic Calender, which marks as the most sacred period of the year. In this month all the muslims over the world fast, from dawn till dusk. The significance of fasting is ‘purifucation of one’s soul’ and thus, a manner through which the devotees connect better with Allah.

Every person who has faith in Islam and has hit puberty, is morally and spiritually constraint to fast in Ramadan. Each day 1/30th part of ‘Quraan Sharif’ is read/recited, hence, till the end of month the whole of Holy book is completed and people put efforts in implementing all the teachings of Quran in their respective lives. Since in these days, people engage in prayers and kindness more and thus, help themselves to get free from moral defilement, so as to get better treat ‘after life’. Though, the pregnant ladies, menstrual hit women, extremely ill, who are always monitored for medical issues, travelers and sole feeders of infants are exempted from fasting. But they are better asked to make up for the left times afterwards.

Everyday of Ramadan is the day of hard fasting, i.e., no drinking and eating. Therefore, the devotees wake up early before the sunrises and have heavy and abundant breakfast, to keep them going for the whole day. The breakfast is called ‘Sehri’ or ‘Suhoor’. After this, Muslims begin their fasting with first morning prayer, called ‘fajr’. Here lies another important teaching of Ramadan, that is, self-control, self-discipline and sacrificial traits. The all day fasting keep Muslims aware of the hardships and other difficulties faced by the poor and unprivileged ones. Hence empathizing with them and thus performing good deeds.

When sun sets in the evening, Muslims break their fast usually by eating dates or simply drinking water. After the long day of fasting, a good and great amount of meal is prepared. This is called ‘Iftar’. They offer another prayer, and then after it the main meal is served. Iftar is chiefly organised in gatherings at mosques. But nowadays, iftar parties are also conducted by hosts for their respective guests, at banquets or at homes. A large buffet styled meal is served to the invitees. A wide range of delicacies is plated on. Traditional, as well as bit modern blended dishes. A few most sighted dishes in India are shammi kebabs, meat samose, bread pakoras, fruit chaat, chicken rolls, spring rolls, rosuba (pancake filled with cheese), etc.

In beverages too, a lot of varieties are served. Rooh Afza, being the most prefered choice amongst all. Other than it there is lemonade sharbat, which is evenly liked. Apart from them, flavored milk, fruit juices and tea are also a great deal to sight.

Most portion of iftar is sweet and dessert like. A few to name, sheer, shahi piece, fruit custard, jalebi-rabdi, milk falooda, buttered noodles pastries with cheese, etc are a common delight to see.

Offering of iftar to poors and needy ones is a divine deed. Feeding them with love and affection, who share similar faith in divinity, is considered to be a fortunate chance to compensate for your wrong doings.

Though iftar is enough for one to end his meal need of the day. But many a times people also dine at night, again, after iftar to abide the ‘three times meal a day’ cogitation. Once the sun has been set and the fourth prayer of the day has been offered, Muslims are free to eat whenever they feel like until next day’s suhoor.

There is a large variety and diversity in food which is ingested, across the world. Due to the regional differences, muslims spread over various countries, enjoy eating largely assorted meals during Ramadan. A few famed ones are, Qatayef, Haleem, Kolak, Laghman soup, Balochis, Es boua, etc.

Also, during this period, muslims avoid engaging in bad habits such as using abusive language or having malicious intent for others. Even they refrain from having any kind of physical intercourse. Listening to music and watching tv is also considered to be offensive, as nowadays tv commercials and tv programs come with unethical and immoral scenes, which are not to be observed, in this sacred month of Islam.

After completion of 30 days (or 29, as the case may be), Eid-ul-fitr is celebrated, which is marked as the most awited and happiest festival among muslim community. A three day long celebrated festival, brings happiness and rebuilds faith in Allah, among the devotees. And yet another reason to enjoy world class delicacies and savor the joy of togetherness.

July 15, 2014
A walk in Satya Niketan, Delhi!

Delhi, being the capital of exceptionally cultured country, India, is a one place destination where you get to see all religions, festivals, cultures, cuisines of the diversified land. There are hundreds of places to sight in Delhi. Be it the old monuments, market places, Delhi Metro service or street food, Delhi has got all to please and entertain people of any age. One such attractive element is Food! Around every corner of Delhi you will definitely find one famous food item which a person should and must try.

One among many lively food hubs in Delhi is ‘Satya Niketan market’ located on Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi, opposite Tirupati Tirumala Devasthana’s Sri Venkateswara College. The place is always very much occupied by the college students of various universities and institutions nearby. With a good number of outlets covering the whole market, Satya Niketan offers great and innovative dishes, which is well popular among the youngsters.

Chowringhee Rolls is an outlet that serves tens of different rolls, vegetarian & Non-vegetarian, which is popular across Delhi. The hot rolls on plate leave the customer satisfied with its admirable taste and sound pocket.
Another is a recently opened yet high-famed fast food restaurant, ‘Big Yellow Door’. A funky styled inclosing, giving a very poppy atmosphere to sit in, is a big hit among youth. With its differently styled way of service, this café stands out. Cheese baked nachos, bomb burger, veg &non-veg pasta, grilled ‘Sand-witches’, etc are a few favorites on its menu.
Next on list is ‘Dude Food’. A restaurant which comes up with various creative ideas to play with. A few of its best offerings are pesto pasta, thin crust pizza, dude food special burger etc. The offers it place are enough for getting the youth attracted. Once, on International Women’s Day, they put up a special offer, asking ladies their age and then providing with same digit discount. Cool, right?

Next! Have you ever tried Pizza- the Desi style? May be yes, but majority wouldn’t have. What they have got on menu is thin crust pizzas, with exceptionally fun toppings to go with. Imagine a pizza with a topping of Shahi Paneer or may be Afghani curry. Strange, no? But that is the specialty ‘Desi Pizzas’ offers to its customers. It provides the customers with a wide range of toppings to choose from. Also, they give an option either to order a full pizza or just a slice or two of it. Not so heavy on pocket, it has nice and fine taste. The unique selling proposition of it is the fusion of Indian and Italian cuisine, which makes it worth going atleast once.

Excited to know, what is next? Next on list is ‘Café 101’. With a good ambience provided, it is a fine sitting place with a good list of food items on its menu. A fast food restaurant is famous for its sound range of pasta to offer. A good place to visit at.

Next is a special outlet only for Burger biggies. It’s ‘High on Burgers’. It’s a small shop sort of a thing providing a few benches to sit, with a nice range of burgers to serve. With new tastes, like Manchurian, aloo tikki, soya, spinach, paneer tikka etc, vegetarians are always left with a happy mouth. For non-vegetarians, too, it has got special chicken, meat, kebab etc fillings to go with.

Since, Satya Niketan is just on the opposite lane of SVC, ‘Idli King’ restaurant is a big hit among students. A restaurant with a South Indian menu serves wonderful dishes in wide range. Paper dosa, uthapam, rawa masala, idli special, vada sambhar are a few items on list.

There is one other café which is very much admired for its ambience. It is ‘Falcon Riders Café’. A café great in interiors complementing well with its name. Dim lit and black-reddish walls adds to the spooky cool look. The café have also arranged for a guitar and drum set to come and play, if anyone wishes to. Everything is well taken care of, to match the theme. Thus, making it a ‘should be’ visited place.
Not just the restaurants are successful, even the bakeries are a talk of the place. ‘Chocolate Square’ is one such bakery in Satya Niketan. Any birthday cake which is to be arranged quickly, is easily available here. Fruit, truffle, chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, black current, mango, pineapple, name any flavor and you will be sight-freezed with the prepared ones in the display. Not only mastered in baking cakes, it also sells a good variety of candies and chocolates, all home-made. Thus, adding to its uniqueness. The rum balls so tempting, the pastries so delighting, the chocolate mousse so yummy, Chocolate Square is just awesome.
And last but definitely big, is ‘QD’s. It is a restaurant which also deals with fast food but one dish which makes it outstanding is its ‘tandoori momos’, something which you don’t get to see on every other menu. And it is actually a great treat to have it. Any group which goes in there orders this one pop, which nobody drops!

So, here we come to an end. With a lot more cafes and restaurants Satya Niketan will always be on the list of ‘places to visit’ of a foodie. And if not, then surely after this you won’t mind visiting it and trying out a few of these

June 15, 2014
It’s about chocolate!

Chocolate always have been the most loved flavor in the world. Chocolate has got such a taste that no matter how old you are in numbers you cannot ignore the essence and joy of having it. Wherever may you live or wherever you currently at, you would definitely find a pinch of chocolate in some form or the other.

But have you ever given a thought that when and where did it come from? What is its origination? And who discovered such a delighting flavor? Is the flavor we savor today in its purest form? Well, it is that one tasteful thing which has an equally mesmerizing and spellbound journey as it tastes. Let’s discuss about the long about journey of Chocolate and how it evolved till today.

Like a fairy tale, chocolate also have a cherishing journey of its beginning and through. Not on calculators, but it is believed that ‘cacao’ (pronounced as ‘kah kow’) tree was discovered some 2500 years ago in the tropical rain forests of Americas. Botanically, a certain pouch like substance of this ‘cacao’ tree contains seeds that are used for the processing of chocolate. According to archaeologists, Mayans and Aztecs were the discoverers of this famed flavor. Mayans had divine relation with cacao tree, they used to worship this tree and Aztecs used to offer the processed cacao beans that is, chocolate, to the God. They used to call this special drink as “Xocalatl”, which means warm or bitter liquid. As per the ancient history of chocolate and its origination, chocolate was consumed as a drink of holy. Aztecs usually had it in a way, mixing up these cacao beans with maize and capsicum and thus getting themselves a spicy drink to sip down. It was a special drink which was used and consumed on high and elevated ceremonies of that age.
The cacao beans were of great value for Aztecs, they even valued it as currency against which trade can be done. Though the cacao beans were not produced there, still it was treated as of great importance.

A Spanish explorer, Don Hernan Cortes, was the soul behind who introduced ‘chocolate’ to Europe, in 16^th century. However, a few historians argue that chocolate actually came to Europe with Christopher Columbus, who carried a bag full of cacao on his trip back to Americas. Well, whosoever brought these beans in Europe had made a mark of his sequence, as it made the world view an exquisite flavor. Since, chocolate traveled all way long from Americas to Europe, the habit and manner of its consumption too changed among different people. The Spaniards had their own way of its consumption. They used to make a paste of the beans and then mix it up with vanilla and honey and finally brewing and serving it by pouring into cups from heights to make it frothy and even more amusing. It was their fashion of drinking it and experiencing its excellence.
Within a time span of less than a century, chocolate spread its aroma to all corners of the big continent. Historians unanimously give the credit of popularizing the drink, to Don Cortes. French, being one of the creative nation from its very commencement, have played a greater role in popularizing the drink across the world. It was French only, who came up with idea of coffee houses, which we see today also, to serve the magical taste of cacao beans.

In 17^th century, Sir Hans Sloane (England) added milk to the pure drink of cocoa, and thus making it taste a different and afresh. Initially this drink was rather used as a medicine for apothecaries. This recipe of drinking chocolate was then taken over by Cadbury’s presenting it in the form we consume today.

The year 1765 is considered a time of major term in the good history of chocolate. It was in this year when the world got to see the first Chocolate factory in its kind. The factory introduced chocolate in a solid form. Chocolate rolls and cakes and bars were introduced to the world, more like what we have today. It was served in the chocolate emporiums. During the harsh times of World War II, the US soldiers were sent these chocolate bars as it provided enough energy to stay upon. And soon Swiss Chocolate factory was established manufacturing the famous good Swiss chocolate.

Hence we see that, the chocolate has been through various transformations. From a bitter sweet drink of the Emperors to cool and solidified bars and cakes. Chocolate is that one flavor which have been loved and admired at every heart and place. From being through old and even older times, chocolate still has its founding and a popular dear for all ages. In the good old and interesting coming of chocolate in existence, chocolate always makes the mouth happy. Today chocolate is not just a drink or solid bar to consume as, it has found place in every industry of modern world. Be it a perfume spray, an icy affair or fountain decoration, all is chocolaty and thus luring and enticing.

June 15, 2014
Eat Dessert First?

Any meal is incomplete without dessert. After tasting all the spices of the main course served, you need a refreshing and delightful dessert, calming down all your opened taste buds. Similarly, life of an individual is full of spices and at the end of each story we want a soft and delighting climax. Today keeping all your thoughts away spare a time to connect yourself with a calmer ‘You’!

Imagine a day, you waking up at 7 am, doing a little stretching exercises, taking a bath, dressing up for college/office, having the breakfast, driving your car to office/college or taking up a bus, attending lectures or doing at the office desk, having lunch, coming back home tired, changing clothes, having supper and finally again on bed. Doesn’t it sound monotonous?
Now again, imagine a day, with the same routine but some lively moments added to it. For example, when dressing up you see that your t-shirt/shirt isn’t matching your trousers and you then scanning your wardrobe finding some other. Or while attending lectures jokes cracked in between or the teacher himself cancelling the class. Or on the way back to home you meet an old acquaintance at the bus stop, and you getting engaged in a long conversation on how-about of that friend’s life. And so on. Life is supposed to be made a happening journey by experiencing the joy of liveliness with people sharing the Earth with you. Life cannot be lived alone, an individual needs a support at his/her low and high points.

Life offers a great variety of emotions to witness; happy, sad, content, love, anger, delightedness, fineness, rejection, care, beauty, fun etcetera. A person when truly living his life will definitely experience all such moods and emotions. The three basic amenities of this journey: Food, Shelter and vesture, is a fortune to have. One can easily relate to all these, but today let’s put the emphasis on Food and see how can we relate this voyage with it. So we have Food and Life on our minds now! If you tickle with your imagination, you will see that food and the life has a great junction. Initially, you as an infant, always under the protection of your parents, they seeing you growing up as a beautiful kid, a kid with a kind heart and carefree mind, just as a farmer taking care of his wheat crops which someday will process into a bread, satisfying the hunger of a needy.

Now entering into a new stage, stage of adulthood and extremities. A fully grown body with a mild brain. A grown up soul who believes that all he needs is freedom to stand on his feet but soon realizes that he’s still like freshly baked bread which needs a wrapping around to keep it preserved. And then comes the stage of a soldier, who is all set to face the challenges of life. Just like starters, which juice up your mouth, inclining the craving for the main course. After this, one jumps onto the main course, the stage of opening of the taste buds to undergo the spices and sweetness of every piece lacerated. And with this comes the spiciest yet sweet sequence of every individual’s life, LOVE! The purest form of divinity. In this phase, all gestures done or sensations felt are pleasantly attractive. And soon the person ties a knot with the one whom he/she loves and makes a new beginning. Facing each day along with the support of your soul mate, the life changes and continues adding spices to make you feel alive. This is definitely the most crucial part of your lifetime where you sense the feel of self-contentment, self-actualization and esteemer. Having your stomach almost full and you processing your thoughts with the idea that you’ve had the best you could but still longing for a delighting end. Here’s the dessert comes in the picture. After a face off with all bad and meet with all good, the curtain call should be calm and rejoicing. A life as a young at heart but old at look takes on its roll. That is the time when you have the chance to go down the memory lane and recalling the making of your story. A time to feel complete and satisfied for making it big.
Like a dessert, in the end of a concluded meal, puts you in a state of pleasurable feeling, life story’s end route also gives you the gratification of becoming and experiencing such time. In an attempt to collect all happiness and leaving the rest of motions of life, you will end up with a crying stomach, groaning. So, try and go with the pace, balancing all the acts and keeping eye on the targets with a heart filled with kindness and freshness, like a sweet and nourishing service of last course. With this, even a course meal teaches us the lessons of life that just have a taste of what comes in your way and wait because at the end you will be served with a slice of the cake, with a contest of whom winning the cherry. Since life is uncertain, go and win the dessert! 😉

June 15, 2014
Friends out for Food

Friend 1, “Hey! Have you tried that new Veg. Burger at XYZ?”
Friend 2, “yes! I have. It is so awesome! In love with it! A new addition to my favorite’s list.”
Friend 3, “How come I haven’t heard of it?”
Friend 2, “Come on! We’ll take you there. You won’t tire talking of it. It’s that good.”
Friend 3, “Oh! Let’s go then. I can’t wait anymore.”

Such conversations among friends are very common to hear. Friendship has always been a sweet relationship, a sweet duty, a sweet responsibility to take care of. Friends have all time to discuss about their tit-bits, and major events happening in their lives. Food is one such a topic on which friends talk a lot. You’d usually hear a group discussing about a new restaurant opened nearby, or they discussing about a new recipe which they tried at home, and many more endless things related to food. There could be thousands of moments where ‘friends & food’ come together. As it is said, “Friends, who buy you food, are your real friends”. Any outing with friends is incomplete without sharing a bite together. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say, if you have friends you with you out, you won’t return home with an empty stomach.
A college going group of friends planning to try out the new Chinese platter introduced in one of their favorite café after lectures. Twenty of classmates planning a short trip to an amusement park and then thinking where to have their stomachs full. Two colony friends meekly moving out at night and tasting the joy of having something at 24×7 outlets. Friends on a scooty ride, having an ice-cream and eating it up on the way to their homes. The idea of having to go out and try new food items at different places is itself so amusing that the actual experience of it would automatically be of great fun. And the pleasure of having the meal always doubles when you have friends with whom you share similar thinking and taste.

There are various communities also formed, thanks to internet and social media, which give the food updates to their following members and even arrange food trips to various destinations, in their respective cities, to some of the famous outlets and serving their most popular dish on menu. Just with one click you can easily join certain communities and become a member, and thus communicating with people of same interest. This not only provides you with food updates, they even bring you an opportunity to exchange a few words with unknown people with whom you share a common trait, i.e. food love! This all might even get you some really good friends because the fact that, “similarities create friendship” holds true.

We all have that memory of hanging out with friends and eating the street food all day long. Sharing each moment of joy with laughter and gratification and an inevitable object, Food! Be it bad or good, we love going out with those caring souls and enjoying the taste of an enriching, may or may not be healthy, meal. When out with friends ‘health’ is that one matter which comes the last. What matters the most at those times is Fun and Food. The friendly and favorable dines at restaurants can be done in the most wild ways with no one around whom you have to act formal, and starting and ending your meal obediently following the table manners learned at school and home. You can be ‘you’ without being hesitant of the thought that what people will think. Friends are super cool creatures who make you learn that ‘you are actually one of a kind and definitely in its best version’.
Food can actually do wonders when it is about friends. A slight gesture of offering your lunch at school can create a darling feeling for you in the heart of the receiver. Giving a birthday treat to your fast friends at one of their suggested places might bring you a lot of memories that you will cherish all your life. An upset friend can be made cool by getting him/her his/her favorite pasta or may be a sandwich prepared by you, and it is even more happening when your friend is aware of the fact that how bad you are in the kitchen. So many hands on that one pizza slice which nobody took notice of at first, breaking a piece of chocolate into two halves when the shopkeeper is out of stock of that particular brand or buying just one pack of lays of a new flavor, all such remembrances will always earn you a tear of joy when recalling them on a future date.
On such calls, it can be made that ‘friends and food’ together is an evident base of life. One would definitely have those silly but yet worthy to remember moments of ‘food joy’ with the unmatchable and adorable intimate associates. Friendship is a relation which demands your attention and at the same time prospects you nothing but a feeling of oneness. The way we have meal together with our families, in friendship also, we, at few portions of time spend such happy hours. Very thoughtfully said, “Friends are the family whom we choose ourselves.” 

June 15, 2014