Ria's Collection: 2011
Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts

Friday, September 23, 2011

POSTCARD FROM KASHMIR - LAKE NAGEEN

IMG_4282

Iam back home,in Kannur. Got here late last night and I still feel that I am moving even if I sit on a chair :) The whole trip of ours (Amma & myself) was so much fun! We had a wedding to attend in Goa and then the reception in Delhi, so we thought of visiting our relatives and family who lived in between :) So for the last 2 weeks we travelled from Kannur to Goa to Delhi to Haryana to Agra to Gwalior to Kashmir back to Delhi and finally back to Kannur.

It definately feels good to be back home, to stretch your legs and to sleep on the same bed you have been sleeping for years together.I didn't know we missed our home much until Amma started making lunch this afternoon. She was sauteeing Tindoora/Kovakka for a  Mezhukkupuratti and our home was filled with the aroma of coconut oil! Seriously, there's no place like home!

So here's a photograph I took from Lake Nageen. Please do not mistake it for the Dal lake which is the most popular one among the Indian tourists. Lake Nageen is less crowded and therefore is preferred more amongst the foreign tourists.We decided to go there because of it being less crowded. Actually we were the only tourists who were there at that time therefore it was a very pleasant experience.The 'shikara' (the boat you see in the photograph)is very comfortably done up that we can actually sleep in it :)

I shall be back with some more photographs for all those who haven't been to the 'Paradise On Earth' - Kashmir.

Till then,

Thursday, September 15, 2011

THE 'TITLE' I EARNED...PACHAKARANI 2011


There's so much to tell you all, so very much! Sadly that will have to wait as I'm travelling right now covering 3-4 states in a day's time, in India.I'm off to Kashmir tomorrow to spend sometime with my family, Jobin's sisters family. So when I return, I shall update you with some pictures that I took from here and there during my small trip. Also, I must tell you that I am so badly tanned by the Goa sun! It seems it was raining there all this while but the days we were there, the sun was shining gloriously and I feared I would look like a pakora in my bestest cousin's bridesmaid dress, which I did in the end :-)

Okay, now about the picture you just saw above. Some of you must have read it on newspaper or read about it on Facebook There was a competition that me and Amma had enrolled  for and we were lucky enough to be selected together. It was such a happy moment for the two of us ! There was a preliminary round where I baked a Triple Veggie Quiche & BBQ Chicken Meat balls. I came first in the 'Malabar' zone and was qualified for the finals at the State level. Amma came second. Then the finals were held in Kottayam on Sept. 6th at Windsor Castle. I made my forever favourite Chatti Pathiri & Mocha Chocolate Mascarpone Verrine. Those were my winning dishes. I never thought I'd win. I just wanted to participate along with Amma as it's very rare for a mother-daughter duo to reach finals together. All these dishes were made on the spot so we really have to prove it to them that we can do it :)

The title I earned is 'Pachakarani 2011' which means I'm the Queen of Cooking for 2011 at the Kerala state level. It was conducted by a very popular Malayalam magazine 'Vanitha' in collaboration with Whirlpool.It's such a huge honor for me as there were so many seasoned cooks competing along with me for that title. We were judged by the Executive Chefs of Taj & Dietitians. I've been to the finals of the same 4 years ago in 2008 where I came 5th. This time, I was able to prove better :-) I am so happy for Amma too since she bagged the 2nd place :) We were the most happiest souls on earth that day.

When this photograph came on the newspaper, we were travelling so Appan had to scan and send it to me yesterday once he reached home :)

Will be back with more updates,shortly! I hope all of you are doing well! Thanks to all who wrote to me after seeing this article on the newspaper :-) You guys make me feel so loved & special!! Thank you :)

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

WILL YOU BAKE WITH ME?

After all the queries and requests from Amma's students and my wonderful readers & friends, especially in Kannur, I am finally giving into it. I will be using some of my precious days in Kannur to impart some simple baking skills for all those who are interested. It will be an informal session where we can chit chat over the silliest of doubts and at the same time learn something new, from each other. I can also tell you about 'sourcing ingredients' in Kerala :-)
I know that not all can afford to have sweets all the time, so I am having a session of savoury baking too!
Garden-3

Come, join me as I would  love to share what I know,with you! Sweet & Savoury baking will be held on different days.

Tentative Date : 1st week of August
Venue:My home!
Time: 10 am  onwards

There will be goodie bags!! :-)

If you like to participate in both, please let me know. Seats (for both) are limited .
For more details & registrations  please e-mail me : airmathew AT gmail DOT com

Here's some more happy news:  I am conducting an Indian Cooking Class at the Kicthen Window in Minneapolis on July 8 from 6pm-9pm. You can find more details here. If you can make it, it would be awesome!

How is your week so far?

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

jOBIN


I made his childhood favourite, Lamingtons as his 1st cake for the day. The 2nd cake for the day will follow :)

For the recipe,click here

Friday, April 22, 2011

EASTER SPECIAL - A Menu

This post is just a 'blast from the past' sorts and not a new recipe post. I know, most of you are gearing towards breaking the fast and gorging on non-veg curries and desserts so I thought I could put two and two together and create a small menu for you, just in case you are here looking for 'Easter Special'  recipes :)






Haven't found what you are looking for, yet? Check out my ever growing Recipe Index!

Wishing you all a Happy Easter!
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