New Year Eve !!

This being my first year in Hyderabad, husband planned to go out on 31st for a new year party close to our place. He had received a lot of reviews about the event and some of his friends were also planning to attend.

The event was HITEX BITE on 2011 and its highlights were -

·         BITE ON 2011 will be the biggest open air new year event in Hyderabad
·         The event will have estimated gathering of 4000 upwardly mobile people from the twin city.
·         Fabulous live performances by Jassi and his troop.
·         Surprise female international DJ and Live Bollywood Performers from Mumbai.
·         4 dance floors, flying sound of 1,00,000 Watts, dazzling DJ, bollywood/techno/house remixes, pulsating lights with celebrative ambience.
·         Unlimited food and cocktail

Husband brought 2 passes for us and we reached the venue at 9. The party was just getting started. The host welcomed us and spoke for some time with us. He then asked us to help ourselves with the starters.
With less people at that time the place was quiet. So we were chatting and talking and enjoying starters. Slowly more people joined in and the music started. 

In sometime the place was full and music was played. Then we had the singers playing and lot of other music orchestras being performed. Music was good and we were enjoying the place. As we were headed for main course, people started coming on the dance floor for DJ. I got excited by that and asked husband to join. So we quickly completed our dinner and had a blast on the dance floor. It was an amazing experience and we had a wonderful time. 

Then as the clock struck 12, there were some more special performances by the singers after which they continued the DJ for sometime more. We then left the place by 00:30 having thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Karthigai !!

Karthigai Deeepam is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Karthigai (November-December) in Tamil Nadu. 

This being our first Karthigai after marriage, we received new set of traditional earthen oil lamps from my place as 'Thalai Karthikai' gift.

On this day, people clean the houses in the morning and and decorate with rangoli to place lamps on it. In the evening, hundreds of lamps are lit using a main lamp in pooja room. The lamps are placed  around the house, on the windows, outside the door, and also in the balconies welcoming the festival. At our place, we have a main lamp called the elephant lamp which was given by mother-in-law.

The festival is then celebrated by preparing Flattened Rice balls mixed with jaggery, Nei-Appam or Athirasam , vella seedai and Adai. 

Bursting of crackers marks the occasion which is then followed by a nice peaceful dinner.

Garam Masala !!

I use Garam Masala mostly in making any gravy with Chapatis. I used to purchase ready made Garam Masala from supermarkets. My mother-in-law uses home made garam masala and always praises the special flavor that comes from them. Then I decided to give a try and it came out really good. Unlike other powders, this requires more time grinding in the mixer to ensure we get a smooth powder. 

Ingredients
Coriander seeds - 3 tablespoon
Cardamom - 2 tablespoon
Pepper - 2 tablespoon
Cloves - 2 tablespoon
Fennel seeds - 1 tablespoon
Star anise - 3 to 5 pieces
Cinnamon - 5 sticks
Nutmeg - Quarter to half 
Bay leaves - 2 

Method
1) Dry roast all the above ingredients in a pan
2) Allow it to cool
3) Grind it to a nice powder 
4) Optionally you may also want to sieve it through a big metal strainer to make smooth powder.
5) Store it in a airtight container.

Birthday Celebration !!

Last Sunday happened to be my birthday. Husband had planned for a small cake cutting and dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. So husband and I decided to celebrate my birthday at our favorite Hard Rock Cafe in GVK mall. This place happens to be favorites for both of us. Also this is one of the few place here serving excellent food along with great music.

So we went there in evening and this was the first time I was visiting Hard Rock Cafe in Hyderabad. I had been a regular visitor to this cafe in Mumbai but after moving to Hyderabad this was my first visit. 

As we entered, we were given a warm welcome. On our right was the Rock Shop, which had its own unique modern retail look and feel. This shop provides a huge array of products ranging from t-shirts to unique patterns to their signature pins.

We then moved in to our table which was in a quiet little corner. From there we were able to have a good view of the entire cafe. The cafe was good enough to seat around 180 people.

The interior was classic and as always unique. There was a band that was playing Alternative Rock when we were in. This is again a genre which both of us like.

The food was the best part. We started with Fish and Chips. This was my ultimate favorite in Mumbai and I wanted to try this here. It is seasoned & breaded fillet of Basa fish served with seasoned fries & tartare sauce. The taste was just so yummy. The fish was really tender, and it almost melted in my mouth.

Then we had my husband's favorite Jumbo combo along with Pina Colada. The jumbo combo includes spring rolls, Onion Rings,Potato Skins and Tomato Bruschetta  served along with four different sauces such as mustard, mayonnaise, BBQ and cheese. The potato skins were totally lip-smacking! The onion rings were good too. We were completely filled with this and loved it. 

Along with the food, we had Pina Colada. It was really very refreshing. The service was excellent and the food was on time without any long waiting. 

We completely loved the ambiance there and the staff were also very cooperative and friendly. It was evening well spent. 

Thank you Hard Rock Cafe Hyderabad for giving me memorable moments on my birthday. 

Diwali !!

This year we celebrated Diwali together as a married couple. It’s supposed to be very special occasion since it is out first Diwali as husband and wife. 

Diwali is termed as festival of lights. It is a happy occasion with firecrackers and  lamps illuminating the ambiance in our homes along with sweet delicacies and new attires. 

My husband and I had been looking forward for this occasion for a long time. After wedding this is the first time we will be meeting our parents.The first Diwali is being hosted by the bride’s family for the newlyweds. 

We reached Chennai two days before Diwali so that we could spend time with my parents and help them on the preparation and decorations around the house. We also had some shopping being planned. We also went to purchase the crackers of our choice.

On Diwali morning, we got up early to have our oil bath. After that we put on our new attires, said our prayers and then went outside to burst crackers. Once we were done with initial crackers celeberation, it was then time to enjoy the sweet delicacies.We then distribute the sweets to our neighbors and relatives and this is a good time to also bond with them.

The next day we left to Trichy to spend time with his parents. In a way we will be celebrating Diwali with both our parents. we reached their place for lunch enjoyed the company. At night we had all my husbands relatives come over for dinner. We burst crackers too and had a good time chatting with them. A Diwali to remember! 

It was a fantastic day and I had a great time with my husband and family.Happy Diwali once again!

Rasam Powder !!

Rasam is very frequently made in Iyengar household. My husband likes to have Rasam almost every other day. My mother-in-law prepares Rasam powder at home. So i borrowed the recipe from her and tried my version of it which came out good.

There are many variations in making this powder. This is the recipe i used. 

Ingredients:
Red Chillies - 1/4kg
Coriander seeds - 1 cup
Toor Dal - 1/2 cup
Black pepper - 2 teaspoon
Cumin Seeds - 2 teaspoon

Method:
1) Dry roast all the above ingredients in a pan.
2) Allow it to cool
3) Grind it to a fine powder in a mixer.
4) Store the ground rasam powder in a air tight container

Sambar Powder !!

Sambar is very frequently made at my place. Earlier i used to purchase ready made sambar powder from supermarkets. My husband gave me the idea of making it at home and i decided to give a try. But it came out good and gave an awesome aroma to the sambar :)

There are many variations in making this powder. This is the recipe i used. 

Ingredients:
Red Chillies - 1/4kg 
Coriander seeds - 2 cups
Urad Dal - 1/2 cup
Channa Dal - 1/2 cup
Toor Dal - 1/2 cup
Fenugeek seeds - 1 teaspoon
Turmeric Powder - 1 teaspoon

Method:
1) Dry roast all the above ingredients in a pan without adding oil
2) Allow it to cool
3) Grind it to a nice powder 
4) Store it in a airtight container.