No, you didn't read that incorrectly, it does say chicken khichri/khichdi. Most people associate khichri with that luscious yellow, fragrant lentils and rice dish. The famously vegetarian one. One of my favourites.This dish is one of my lazy inventions. I don't know if this exists really. I know I never ate this meat version growing up. It came about one day in Houston when I was craving khichri. I crave this stuff. It has to be the flavours and how they meld together so harmoniously; the caramelised onions, the fragrant cloves, cinnamon and cardamom, the heat from the fiery red and green chilli and the freshness of the cilantro, and finally, ceremoniously topped with some cool cucumber and red onion raita, oh my goodness. However, that day, I had a packet of boneless chicken breast defrosting and was planning on making my version of, (not truly authentic) karahi chicken. So, as my cravings are duking it out, the time is ticking by, and now, it's too late to make both. Then I think about a way of maybe combining the flavours of the khichri with chicken and since, now, it really was crunch time, this would be a huge time saver. Off I went to work. I think it turned out quite well ... continue reading...
Random Thoughts and Pictures
A robin in our apple treeThe Robinby Thomas HardyWhen up aloftI fly and fly,I see in poolsThe shining sky,And a happy birdAm I, am I!When I descendToward the brinkI stand and lookAnd stop and drinkAnd bathe my wings,And chink, and prink.When winter frostMakes earth as steel,I search and searchBut find no meal,And most unhappyThen I feel.But when it lasts,And snows still fall,I get to feelNo grief at allFor I turn to a cold, stiffFeathery ball!This poem came to my mind when I was looking out of my kitchen windows and saw about twenty robins just hanging out in our trees in the back yard. I had missed robins. They were a rare sight in Houston. They are fascinating to watch, beautiful round balls with their jewel red breasts. They like to come and eat the apples that are on the ground around the apple tree and, in the snow, you can see their tiny little hop prints. I know this isn't a food post, but I wanted to share this and some of the pictures of this winter season. Aspen buds, waiting for spring.Our winter storm left us a beautiful winter wonderland. I took these pictures on a Sunday morning when everyone was still in bed, I think. The snow was ... continue reading...
Pear Clafoutis
When I started this blog last month, I kept it on the down low. I wanted to get a good selection of posts and recipes on here before I told all my friends and family. I told just a handful of people whose opinion I greatly value so they could give me some input. One of these wonderful persons, my cousin, Abrar, decided to advertise my blog on my own Facebook page! So, the cat is now out of the bag. Thankfully, everyone seems to have positive things to say, so I am happy and to everyone who has visited my blog, I thank you and look forward to your continued interest and support. Please, leave a comment because I do value your input. Now, the one downside to this sudden fame has been that everyone is insisting that I post more recipes. I am working as quickly as I can! I think the problem is that I don't do my day to day cooking using recipes. However, when you have to write down a recipe, you have to make sure of quantities etc, for those who maybe preparing it for the first time. That's where my delay is, I have to consciously note every thing down. I will get on the ball though and start posting!I do have one recipe ready to go. It's an incredibly easy and yummy dessert. I make ... continue reading...
"That Pasta Thing"
My husband is really funny. When I ask him what he would like for dinner on any given day, his answer is always the same; out of the million things I can make he always comes up with, "How about Chicken Corn Soup?" or "I like that pasta thing you make with meat, and peas and sauce." I don't know why he only remembers those two things or maybe he just loves them that much? The unfortunate thing is, I never have the stuff for Chicken Corn Soup half the time, and only some components of "that pasta thing", so needless to say, he hardly ever gets his choice! However, yesterday was his lucky day. I had made sure to buy all the required stuff for "that pasta thing." This dish has no name. It's something I made up a few years back from a memory of a dish I had eaten at some luncheon. It was the summer my oldest sister got married in Pakistan. My grandparents were there for the wedding also, and one of my grandfather's relatives had invited them for lunch. He made us go with them. I loved my grandfather. He was an amazing man and the one man I admire the most in my life. Just a couple of words in my pasta post does not do him justice, so I will stop now and dedicate an entire post to ... continue reading...
Colorado Local
Just recently, we got an opportunity to move back to Colorado, from Texas, and we jumped on it (the kids, not so much). I love it here. The majestic Rockies, the beautiful blue skies, the parks and lakes, they are all breathtaking. It's not just the obvious beauty of the State I appreciate, but also the strong commitment and responsibility of its residents towards the environment and all things local. We have easy access to recycling, alternative fuel sources, local farms and products. We are encouraged to always shop local and help our community, our county and our city. I am enjoying all the perks of living in Colorado and buying local. I am surrounded by farms and dairies and intend to utilise them all.I love having our milk delivered by a local dairy. Every Friday the milk miraculously appears in my blue cooler outside, along with anything else I ordered from them. Last week it was organic raisin bread, juice, lemonade and milk. This week, just milk and raspberry juice drink. Its fun to wake up and find the goodies waiting for us. We use Royal Crest Dairy for our milk, but there are a couple of other ones around too.As for the farms and farmers ... continue reading...
