For those of you who have blogs, website or write freelance, what is your biggest challenge? And for those of you who have other careers, where do you get a little uninspired?
As you might have noticed, I’ve been a bit absent from this blog…again. Oh, I’ve been doing plenty of cooking, baking and eating; I just haven’t been able to write. There’s been more than a day that I’ve opened up my notebook or iPad and sat down to write a post; nothing. Continue reading
Grilling season is here and with it, a slew of delicious meats, and verdant and vibrant salads. There are skewers of luscious meats; chunks and velvety ground meat, charred and juicy from the high heat of a blazing fire. Pieces of golden, glistening tandoori chicken, cubes of marinated lamb and even meaty, satisfying mushrooms. Summer salads are bowls of individual creativity. Each one is different and never the same a second time. Throw in fresh salad leaves, springtime vegetables or seasonal fruit, top off with a handful of nuts or seeds, and a crumbling of cheese, if desired. There’s no recipe needed; just imagination. Continue reading
I had intended this post to publish last week with the idea that I could write it on our Spring Break road trip. We were planning a trip to Portland and Seattle and I figured I’d have about 18 hours of time, a little less maybe because I would be driving some of the time, but still enough to get down a post. Continue reading
I have managed to eke out another post! To say that getting to the blog has been difficult is an understatement. Life doesn’t stop. What worries me a bit is that we don’t celebrate Christmas; I couldn’t imagine the craziness if we did. I have to applaud all my blogger friends who are posting regularly with fabulously, delicious dishes and getting ready for their biggest holiday of the year. I am in awe of your organisation, planning and perseverance!
I haven’t been able to get really back in the kitchen yet. The winter times don’t help either. The sun goes down at 4.44 here and I have barely picked up the kids from school and got them home when I have to start with dinner. By the time I finish cooking, it’s time to eat and get ready for bed; no time to set up a studio with hungry children staring you down.
Last week was difficult anyway with one stray event for work still remaining. I psyched myself up to plan and cook after having about 3 weeks of downtime. It was a bit difficult to walk back in the kitchen at work and be peppy about it! It sure is easy to get lazy. This week isn’t any easier, I have a private client who is holding a holiday party and would like me to cater it. I just finished with his menu today and emailed it off. Hopefully, he likes what he sees and I can get to work.
This past weekend was a good one. The appliance company where my husband works and where I do the demos and classes, had their Christmas party. It was at a fancy, schmancy hotel in downtown Denver. Many of our coworkers were getting a room and spending the night there so we too jumped on that idea. It was so nice to get away from the daily home grind, the children (though I love them, they can be quite challenging) and just the usual parent responsibilities even it was for just one night. It was a great evening filled with food, music and dancing with good friends and coworkers. To know that at the end of the evening, all we had to do was take the lift up to our very comfortable room made it all that more special.
We slept in the next morning, had a leisurely coffee and headed out for breakfast. Here the wonderful weekend kind of ended. We arrived at the restaurant and gave our name so we could be called for a table once one was available. In the meantime, we headed towards a couple of chairs that were arranged with two others as a grouping of four. Two of the chairs were taken by a young couple who were decked out in sports gear and ready to head over to the stadium to watch the Broncos play the Raiders. Incidentally, the Oakland Raiders were staying at the same hotel we were and we happened to bump into a few of the players. Of course, I was dressed in my bright orange Broncos jersey 🙂
Back to these young folk; as I was about to sit down, I asked if the seats were taken, they didn’t answer so I assumed they hadn’t heard me. They didn’t really smile or say hi. As my husband sat down, he said hello and asked if they were here to watch the game. They said yes, and a whole conversation then ensued. They were from California (Raiders fan, but the wife was a Bronco fan) So, I listened to the conversation going on with my husband, and tried to chirp in, but their behaviour was non inclusive. I thought I was imagining the fact they were obviously not including me in the conversation but the lady kind of turned her body away from me. She only talked to my husband. Her husband, who was sitting across from me made no eye contact and just talked to my husband as well. As the conversation continued, I was now sure they were not talking to me. Maybe they thought we weren’t together, I don’t know. But as the clock ticked, I got more and more mad, hurt and upset.
Here I was, wearing a sports jersey and I was excluded in a conversation about sports. If there is one thing that unites people, it’s rooting for the same team, especially here in Denver. I sat there in disbelief. I guess it doesn’t matter if you wear a sports jersey, if you were a scarf on your head that proclaims a belief you don’t agree with, it’s ok to totally ignore that person.
I have never experienced it that obviously before. Maybe other people have avoided me or made comments that I didn’t hear, but the fact is, I’ve never dwelled on those people. I have always gravitated towards people who have shown no bigotry or racism. I have always been more Western than Eastern because of where I grew up and my thinking in general. I can’t be something I don’t know. I’m not denying my ancestry, I am Indian, but that’s just it, it’s my ancestry.
Lately, there is so much negativity about Islam and Muslims, and thanks to Donald Trump, an increase in hate attacks against Muslims. I have been horrified to hear so many stories and yet, my experience has been nothing short of wonderful, that is, until the other day. I guess it was a lesson in reality. A lesson telling me to not be so over-confident; that in the end the colour of my skin and the scarf on my head gives me away. A lesson that I may never fully be accepted in any Western country, even though, that’s all I have ever known.
Something that hurt maybe more than the couple’s behaviour is my husband’s oblivion to what was going on. Of course, I can’t blame him, he’s never experienced racism or bigotry. He was just talking and being polite and not realising how rude the couple were being. It didn’t help that he really only mentioned “I” or “me” and not “we”. He himself, unknowingly, excluded me. But like I said, I can’t blame him because he’s never been in that position and never had to experience not belonging.
I have always chosen to look at the good side of people; I’ve even made excuses to myself over their questionable behaviours. I have concentrated on the good people; my friends, coworkers and the wonderful clients who never stop complimenting my food and are always so gracious. So this experience hurt, a lot. When we made it to the table (which happened to be diagonally from the couple’s) my husband could see I was visibly upset. He still didn’t get it. I then proceeded to tell him and to point out that he too, took part in it. He was mortified. I couldn’t hold back my tears, I was upset and so hurt. He realised only then what I have experienced and continue do so on a regular basis and how difficult it is.
As sad and hurt as I was, I didn’t let an ignorant couple ruin my perfect weekend away with my husband. I shook it off and enjoyed the rest of the day. But, you know? I couldn’t help but think back on that all day, and it hurt all over again. I guess in time, I’ll find a way to get rid of that feeling I had sitting there being totally overlooked, thought of as sub-human and excluded.
Anyway, I just wanted to share that experience with you. Also, with all that’s going on in this world right now, if you see a Muslim or someone wearing a scarf, please show your support. It means so much to us to know that we are accepted and belong here. Because we women wear a headscarf, we are the ones targeted. The cowards will attack women. So, please, say “hello” or just smile, it means the world to us.
In the next few weeks, I will be sharing recipes that I use regularly in my cooking class demos. Many clients ask for the recipes and it’s easier to direct them to my website. Since I cook on many brands, I may be name dropping but know that I am not paid to push any brand in particular, and these are not sponsored posts. It’s a way to help my clients out, and provide technique help and a delicious recipe proven to work.
I have it on authority from many people that this Chicken Limone is pretty awesome. I have cooked this on almost all the brands; Thermador, JennAir, Dacor and Wolf, and it comes out perfect every time. It’s also pretty quick, especially if the chicken breasts are cutlets; nice and thin ones.
I’m going to provide the oven recipe because it’s really easy and fuss free. It can also be made on the stove top. Since I cook for 12-15 people for the classes, it saves me a lot of time to throw it in the oven and at the same time, highlight the advantages of convection fan cooking.
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Serves: 4-6 servings
Hope you’re all well. I’m sure it’s been busy with all of you with the holidays on the horizon.
I am hoping that my posts are making it to your inbox, if they are not, could you comment and let me know? I’m having a hard time with the posts going into spam folders. I have adjusted everything I need to so they will deliver but I think there are still issues. Thank you for your help!
I have visited some of you but not everyone. I haven’t forgotten you! I’ll be by soon.
NOTE: The temperature for the convection oven is 350F, somehow it got omitted and it won’t let me edit the recipe. Another issue to add to the others…ugh.
The relentless sound echoes through the darkness; deafening, reverberating and incomprehensible. My eyes awaken, breaking the chains of sleep, it is only my phone alarm.
2:00 am, with muddy eyes and heavy arms I reach for the phone and silence it for a few more minutes. Falling back into sweet slumber, I’m shocked into awareness a second time and this time there’s no slipping into oblivion.
My God is calling me. Calling on me to ask of Him anything that I desire; for me to rest my head in prostration in the depths of the night and to seek His forgiveness and favour, to show my gratitude.
These are the last ten days of Ramadan. God descends to the lowest heavens to hear the prayers of the faithful. He says ask and it shall be granted.
The angels are on Earth and they mingle amongst the gatherings that glorify His name. They note the faithful in prayer, in prostration, or with their hands held up to the heavens, repenting, grateful and humble.
The last few days have been heavy on the heart and the soul. I have put my head on the ground and wept. I am thankful for all that I have because so many struggle everyday without the basics. I am thankful for the roof over my head because so many tonight, in this country and all over the world, are homeless. I am thankful of the food in my fridge and pantry because so many will be going to bed hungry tonight, and maybe even tomorrow night.
I am ashamed to think of my complaining and my bad attitude at times when all I should be is grateful, my problems are trivial. I complain about my aches and pains even though I have access to healthcare and medication, there are so many who suffer so much more than I do and survive without sufficient medication.
This week has also been emotional because when you pray and reflect in the silence of the night, everything is so much more clearer. I see my behaviours, I see my shortcomings, I see what I have to be grateful for. I reflect on my life and the life of others. I am reminded of the suffering of the many people of this world.
This time last year, over 2200 people were massacred in Gaza, of which over 500 were children. I pray that they are granted the highest heaven. The plight of the Gazans continues, they live without power, clean water and food shortage every day. None of the infrastructures destroyed last year have been rebuilt and any aid or help sent, is not allowed in. I pray that they one day know a life without war and oppression, and that one day they will enjoy the basic freedoms that I am so lucky to have.
This time 20 years ago, over 8000 Bosnians were massacred in Srebrenica. I pray that their souls are granted peace and a way to heaven. I pray that their family members, any who survived, are able to live in some semblance of peace, even though their hearts and souls are irreparably broken.
As we speak, there is ethnic cleansing happening in Burma by the Burmese government, and the Rohingya people are being savagely killed. When they flee their oppressors, no one will take them in.
We know about the refugees of Syria, who are homeless and country-less.
We have terrorists killing through countries in the name of their religion, but their religion is not my religion. I refuse to call them by the name that the media has labelled them. They insult my Islam, my religion of peace, with their actions.
We have our own homegrown idiots, who in the name of free speech, will insult a whole group of people.
We have savages who will kill innocent church goers in cold blood while sitting with them studying the Bible.
We have racists who will burn down the churches which are the cornerstones of the African American community.
I pray, pray for unity amongst the difference races, I pray for tolerance in our religious beliefs, I pray for freedom for the oppressed, food for the hungry, a home for the homeless, a cure for the sick and wisdom for everyone to understand.
When the last days and night of Ramadan are here, the increase in worship and reflection, the long nights and early mornings, all take a toll emotionally and physically. My comfort food is always based around rice and usually a warming curry of some kind, that and lots of dessert.
This is a wonderful curry, warming spices, tender chicken and fresh spinach all in a light gravy. Enjoy with a steaming bowl of fragrant Basmati rice or some fluffy naan.
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Serves: 6 servings
The end of Ramadan festivities will be officially on either Friday or Saturday (depending on the sighting of the new moon). Eid ul Fitr is one of the two Islamic holidays that is celebrated with gusto. Food, friends, family and more food are the important matters of the day. I am lucky to celebrating with my lovely friends starting with a congregational prayer service at the mosque, followed by a breakfast and then meeting up again for some quality friendship and food time.
Ramadan and the end of Ramadan hold a lot of importance to Muslims. In that spirit, I would like to wish all my readers and friends peace, prosperity and much happiness. I am grateful for your friendship and support, and truly appreciative that you visit and read my ravings. I know I’ve been super busy this month and haven’t been able to read all your posts diligently, but I promise that I will be back on regular programming soon.