tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349980022008-05-15T13:29:57.227+01:00Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-54014303412249460222008-05-15T08:57:00.002+01:002008-05-15T09:50:45.043+01:00

Mangoes here, mangoes there, and mangoes every where! There they are swinging along on a laden tree; Here they are tightly packed in a wooden cartoon. There they are neatly sliced and piled on a plate, Here they are pickled and brined to perfection. It’s a season of Mango Mania. - By Yours Truly Sia Wordsworth ;) It is and it will always be mangoes that rule my world and my childhood

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-17913011908964000502008-05-13T08:58:00.001+01:002008-05-13T15:49:46.118+01:00

Every time I come back from India I kind of go under emotional roller coaster ride. There you are, surrounded by your loved ones at any odd time of the day or night sipping a cup of filter Kaapi and talking about everything under this sky and it feels like time just flies without you knowing. And here you are, with only your partner to talk to (that to when he is not busy giving bubble bath to

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-4908763691059575932008-05-09T08:50:00.001+01:002008-05-13T15:46:15.009+01:00

I was a typical headstrong, independent, strongly opinionated teenager who never hesitated to say “NO” for food cooked using particular vegetable or greens. With 90%+ vegetables and greens which belonged to my black list, it was not an easy task for my Amma to cook something which every family member loved. For me Green Leafy Vegetables were simply horrible to look at let alone taste it. Root

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-31407126234158301852008-05-06T12:09:00.003+01:002008-05-09T08:47:11.191+01:00

We are back from short yet wonderful vacation from India and already missing home! Here I am in my office, feeling sleepy and jetlagged and terribly homesick. Each and every minute of those 18 days were filled with excitement and fun and our ears are still buzzing. It feels strange to be here away from all buzz and excitement. The two big family weddings in two weeks of our vacation kept us on

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-72046075310342868282008-04-14T23:49:00.011+01:002008-05-07T09:59:50.826+01:00

Looks like new posts of Monsoon spice are not showing up at Sailu’s Taste of India. Please click on the RSS image or Click Here to subscribe and get notification on any new posts posted on Monsoon Spice. Or you can get e-mail notifications by entering your e-mail on the top left hand sidebar. Can of Red Kidney Beans – Check Two Cubes of Frozen Spinach – Check One each Red & Green wrinkled Peppers

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-39029533460108244992008-04-12T13:59:00.001+01:002008-05-07T09:55:24.636+01:00

Today I was composing an official mail to my colleague and pressed spell check just before hitting the send button. Horrors of horror the whole mail had red highlights which surely had given heart attack to my English teacher. No, I am not talking about spelling mistakes but more serious matter than that. Without realising I have been using too many internet slang/lingo in my day to day life. LHM

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-31820223369905833612008-04-09T23:59:00.000+01:002008-04-09T19:18:34.162+01:00

Ajji, my paternal grandma was the most beautiful lady I have had ever seen. Whenever I think of her, the aroma of fragrant Jasmine wafts away which she would wear on her scented oiled hair combed back in a knotted bun. Most of the times she was seen wearing silk sarees with half a dozen of green and red glass bangles in between lovely gold bangles. While the brightest of bright shade of Kumkum on

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-70694484277640419312008-04-07T23:17:00.004+01:002008-04-06T21:30:24.368+01:00

As the New Year Dawns May it Bring Happiness and Prosperity To You and Your Loved Ones Happy Ugadi ಉಗಾದಿಯ ಹಾರ್ದಿಕ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು Warm Regards Sia & Krish

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-52930534031558372242008-04-05T23:59:00.003+01:002008-04-09T15:53:53.043+01:00

Aunt S: Are you sure this is what you want to eat. Me: Absolutely. This looks like a spicy dish. This is exactly what I want to eat. I am tired of eating tasteless hostel food. Aunt S: This one is really spicy. Do you think you can handle it? Me: That’s what my taste buds are begging for after eating bland food all these days. Please Aunt S. Cook this one for me. Aunt S: Ok, as you wish. Then don

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-81276792129876334102008-04-03T10:59:00.001+01:002008-04-04T10:26:40.719+01:00

It was time… It was time for me to say good bye…. It was my last day in my hostel… It was the time for the final cleanup of my room and I knew I will be fined by warden if I don’t do it right. Actually, I had more important things on my mind… Everything seemed secondary… The thought of never being able to participate in any of birthday bashes and midnight parties, never having to pay fines for

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-34893210285132739902008-04-01T10:56:00.001+01:002008-03-31T21:39:32.757+01:00

It's been more than year and a half since I wrote my first post in this blog and it's been one roller coaster ride. I had my ups and downs. Made many good friends with whom I share wonderful friendship not just online but offline too. My heartfelt thanks to each and every readers of Monsoon Spice who made this blogging experience worth to be cherished. But now the time has come to say Good Bye to

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-21807838781191610252008-03-30T15:42:00.003+01:002008-03-30T19:54:24.686+01:00

Yes, another last minute entry for Click-Metal hosted by Jai & Bee of Jugalbandi. This is an antique brass Havan/Yajna Spoon and my priced possession. According to Wiki, "A Havan is a sacred purifying ritual (yajna) in Hinduism that involves a fire ceremony. It is a ritual of sacrifice made to the fire god Agni. After lighting a Havan Kund (sacrificial fire), objects such as fruits, honey, or

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-26918052175301129832008-03-28T23:59:00.012Z2008-05-08T15:14:36.734+01:00

There is a land that is drenched by five rivers, their shimmering magical water making it India’s ‘bread basket’. It’s the land that has its own colour, aroma and unique life style with cheerful and most lively people. In this same magical land there is one beautiful farm house with white washed walls and a large courtyard right in a centre of lively, lovely, golden mustard farm with delicate

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-77222670990602544722008-03-26T23:59:00.006Z2008-03-27T17:23:29.832Z

Bowl of popcorns, soda, crisps and pakodas, thick pillows and duvet and we are all set to watch one movie after another… Most of the Sundays are spent this way and last weekend we decided to roll back the time and go to 60’s and 70’s Bollywood movies. Boy, why don’t we have those kinds of movies with great storylines anymore!!! Watching them is like travelling through kaleidoscope of colours and

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-28792409523751223532008-03-25T23:45:00.000Z2008-03-24T13:44:37.181Z

"Shikishima no Yamato-gokoro wo Hito-towaba, Asahi ni niou Yamazakura bana." (If one should ask you concerning the heart of a true Japanese, point to the wild cherry flower glowing in the sun.) – Norinaga Motoori (1730-1801) "Could I die under a cherry blossom tree in full bloom on a full- moon night of spring?"

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-62700373730605926752008-03-21T23:59:00.002Z2008-03-26T13:30:10.496Z

Ladies Finger… such an elegant name for Okra/Bhindi. Considered as the queen of vegetables with its slender shape and crown on top, it is one of my favourite vegetable to cook with. Not many people prefer it because of its sliminess. When cut into pieces this queen likes to cling to anything it touches, knife, chopping board, your fingers. Well, no wonder that it’s not everyone’s favourite

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-76504440082174915152008-03-16T23:58:00.000Z2008-03-19T11:22:19.311Z

“A man who prides himself on his ancestry is like the potato plant, the best part of which is underground” - Spanish Proverb quotes The humble, modest and unassuming Tuber grows out of sight, underground and when pulled up it looks like a part of earth. Have you ever seen it competing with any of the vegetables? Have you ever heard a vegetable vendor calling attention to this humble Tuber? When

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-90848609713544173522008-03-14T23:59:00.007Z2008-05-13T15:36:39.728+01:00

Me: Eiks… What’s that ugly green thing Amma? Mom: Its spinach. I am making spinach curry for tonight’s dinner. Me: Eww… Don’t bother! I had rather eat plain rice than eating that yucky green thing! Mom: Why don't you taste little and see if you like it. Me: I don’t want to taste it because I know I won’t like it. So why tasting it when I already know I am not gonna like it? Mom: Because it’s good

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-79748099468142451932008-03-12T23:43:00.009Z2008-03-19T10:23:48.978Z

Warm, cold, cold, cold, warm, warm, cold, warm, cold… No, I am not chanting some mantra nor I have gone mad. Well, it’s my usual grumbling about the weather here in Britain. I guess I can write a thesis on changing weather and still be left with much more thing to talk about. Two weeks back it was earthquake and now its flood warning!!! Mother Earth is really angry at us and I am not surprised!

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-81617240894058115762008-03-09T23:14:00.000Z2008-03-08T21:22:42.561Z

Come on people move For childhood is calling time to get up and groove there is no time for stalling Enjoy the warm sunny day and chase all of your blues away this is a day that is so enthralling listen, as your childhood is calling old men sit and are soon recalling and slowly as their hair is graying they hear the siren song of youth playing saying that their childhood is calling the time

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-55522955041736169932008-03-06T23:08:00.008Z2008-03-07T07:55:57.583Z

There lived a house wife in some part of Karnataka with her husband, kids, in-laws and other family members. Every morning, be it on weekday or weekend, she would get up early before the golden sun rays caressed the mother earth. With pearls of water adorning her long curly hair and the diamond studded nose ring sparkling from the golden glow of Diyas she entered her humble kitchen to prepare

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-70702018573941485902008-03-03T23:51:00.001Z2008-03-06T10:45:46.121Z

Question: How to make Badane Ennegai? Person #1: Oh, it’s very simple. You take little bit of fresh coconut, and then… Person #2: No, you don’t use fresh coconut for Ennegai. You need desiccated coconut and you grind it with … Person #3: Hey, hey… Aren’t you forgetting something? The authentic recipe calls for roasting the spices and coconut. Person #4: Yes, roast dry chilli preferably Byadagi

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-44813626679708317222008-02-29T23:55:00.003Z2008-05-08T15:15:31.308+01:00

Have u ever been obsessed with anything? Something you can’t stop thinking about it. You see it everywhere even with your eyes closed. You dream of it when you fall asleep and still day dream about it when you are wide awake. Yes, that type of obsession and my current obsession is rolling Parathas. Not just plain parathas but some mean stuffed parathas. It feels good when you master (no place for

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-48372725461016337862008-02-25T23:59:00.004Z2008-03-06T10:46:30.073Z

Indian cooking is not all about curries, biriyanis and spices. Indian home food also benefits from the combination of Ayurvedic knowledge with day to day ingredients. In Ayurveda, India's ancient science of life, health and longevity, food plays a prominent role in promoting health and is therefore considered medicine. Dating back over five thousand years, Ayurveda is still a highly respected

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34998002.post-27556475492699316932008-02-20T23:59:00.001Z2008-03-06T10:47:07.676Z

Where else could you catch a massive cold, if not in wet and cold Britain? I was surprised to see how I survived from Jan to mid Feb from the clutches of cold and flu when colleagues in my office were walking around with a tissue stuck to their nostrils!! Just when it seemed like we are going to celebrate early springs with daffodils smiling at clear blue skies, the temperature plunged to -10

Siahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874841151742437150noreply@blogger.com