Spotted these beautiful self-portraits displayed at my daughter’s preschool made by four year olds. I was struck with how every face was smiling. That’s how these children view themselves: happy and smiling. We as adults smile at our family, neighbors or even a kind stranger, but when was the last time you gave yourselfContinue reading “When was the last time you smiled at yourself?”
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
“Dekha Eik Khawab To Ye Silsilay Hoay, Door Tak Nigahon Mein Hain Gul Khilay Hoay” (Loose) Translation: This happened because I saw a dream, Flowers flow infront of me like an endless stream. These famous verses from the movie “Silsila“, are engraved in the mind of any 80s child exposed to Bollywood. The young handsomeContinue reading Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Spices 101: How to make Garam Masala, Cumin and Coriander Powder
Making Garam Masala, Zeera (cumin) and Dhaniya (corriander) is quite simple and gives a unqiue taste to home-cooking that can not be matched by store-bought spices. Read this blog and follow the video to learn to do makes these spices at home!
Potato Cutlets Recipe
A simple and delicious potato cutlets recipe that goes great as a side dish or to serve over tea to your guests with some chutni.Continue reading Potato Cutlets Recipe
Butter Chicken Recipe
Name the number one item on any Southasian/Indian/Pakistani menu in the western world? Yes, you guessed right! It’s Butter Chicken! Having lived 28 years in Pakistan before I moved to Canada, this always amazed me, because we had never cooked butter chicken in our house or seen it on restaurant menus. Chicken Karhai wasContinue reading Butter Chicken Recipe
“Kapoor & Sons”: Siblings with Rivalry
I went to see the movie rooting for the Pakistani hero Fawad Khan. But found myself relating to the Indian hero, Sadharth Malhotra more. How did that happen? I was still carrying the bitter taste of another cricket loss by Pakistan from India in my mouth. I had not watched a Bollywood movie in ages,Continue reading “Kapoor & Sons”: Siblings with Rivalry
Chicken and Vegetable Pasta
Zubaida Tariq’s cookbook is one of the first ones I bought when I was moving from Pakistan to Canada. That was eight years ago and I still refer to this cookbook for quick recipes, although I make changes now based on our family preferences and what I have on hand. Made some yummy ChickenContinue reading Chicken and Vegetable Pasta
Around the world and we are back!
Two months around the world and we are back! We left Calgary on a cold winter morning, stopped in Seattle, had a layover in Dubai, went back home to Islamabad, had a layover in Bangkok, stayed in Manila, hopped over to beautiful Palawan islands and visited the grandparents in Brunei. It was long, literallyContinue reading Around the world and we are back!
Chicken Masala Recipe
Some days just call for a lazy day recipe and this is my go-to one for a spicy chicken dish that goes great with a piece of naan or some plain white rice. My sister gave me an amazing book, “Heirloom Recipes from Pakistan”, compiled by the Pakistan Women’s Association of the Philippines, Inc.Continue reading Chicken Masala Recipe
Muharram from my Childhood
I was born and raised in a Shia Muslim household in Pakistan. For me Muharram, Ashura and Azadari are part of my life and childhood. However if you were raised in the subcontinent or had Shia Muslim friends you might have some insights into the observation of this month. Sharing memories of Muharram from myContinue reading Muharram from my Childhood