Nuit Blanche 2012

It's one night and all night!

This one of the coolest events Hash and I have attended in Toronto. The streets of down town are cordoned off and artist take the street to set up their work. There was something for everyone at every corner. Hash and I started of at around 9 p.m. thinking we'd be home early, we had a great time and stayed till about 2 a.m. The streets were packed with people. I haven't seen so many people out together on a night. 

A few things we came across...

Laundry Dilema?!?

I didn't know the do's and don't of laundry until....................................... shame on me!

When I moved to London,UK to complete my undergrad I never bothered to read the labels. I just followed what others were doing. Separate the dark, light and white and wash separately. At the end of three years my clothes looked totally worn out and faded... I thought  three years is long enough, its time to get some new things.

When I moved in with Hashim I realized I was definitely doing something wrong. He has things from 8 yrs. ago, that look as good as new.  (He been reading the labels!!!! )

Since I'm not working I have a lot of spare time on my hands and I've been doing some research. Yes Laundry research! I needed to find out what was going wrong. I ended up watching a TV show that introduced me to Charles Mac Pherson better known as Charles the Butler. When it comes to household management he knows it all. He regularly make an appearance on the Marilyn dennis show and I have learnt a thing or two. :)

Recently they did a segment on laundry and Charles talked about tips and tricks to do things right. Here it is The Butler Series.  

Another link that is very helpful is Label Talk, and a symbol chart can be downloader here.

Will try to find some more deets and post again..

~Faree

Erachi Varattiyathu

A.K.A Meat Masala curry is a really yummy recipe from the book Malabar Muslim cookery by Ummi Abdulla

Ingredients:

1lb Beef/Mutton

2 tsp Coriander powder

1 tsp Chili Powder

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

3 Onions, big, finely sliced

4 Green chili

4 cm Ginger, crushed

1 pod Garlic, crushed

1 tsp Aniseed

2 Tomato

1 tsp Garam masala powder

1/2 bunch Coriander leaves

3-4 tbsp Oil/Ghee

2 tsp Sugar

1/2 Lime

Water

Instructions:

Grind the green chilies, ginger, garlic, coriander pwd, and aniseed separately.

Heat oil and fry onions till lightly brown.

Add the ground ingredients, Chili pwd, Turmeric pwd, and fry for about 5 mins.

Add the meat and fry until for a few minutes or until the oil comes out.

Ass just enough water to cook the meat.

Add chopped tomato and salt. cook until the meat is soft.

Add sugar, garam masalas, lime juice and coriander leaves. Give it a god mix and let simmer until the gravy is thick.

* Note

This can get super spicy. So adjust it to suite your taste.

~ Bon Appétit 

Cookie Love ♥

Making cookies makes me happy. I've been baking for ages now.. and everyone loves this cookie. I love the cookie dough. yummy!!!


Instructions:
1/2 C Butter (1 stick)
1/2 C Brown sugar
1/2 C White Sugar
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Vanilla Essence
1C & 2Tbs Flour
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C Chocolate chips.
1/2 C Nuts, Optional

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
If your not using a cookie tray, you need to lightly oil the tray your using to bake.
In a bowl sift together flour, baking powder & salt and set aside.
In a separate bowl beat the butter until it is soft and creamy.
Add little at a time the brown sugar and white sugar.
Add the egg and beat.
Add the vanilla essence and mix well.
Fold in the sifted ingredients. This will make it doughy.
Stir in Chocolate chips and nuts.

Using a table spoon scoop out the dough and place on the baking tray at 3" intervals. The dough will melt and spread so you need to leave enough space. bake for about 8 - 10 mins. Once done take out and let it cool.

*Note
You can do this the old fashioned way (like me) use some muscle power and a wooden spoon to do all the beating and mixing. Or you can use a mixer on medium speed. Don't over beat when using a mixer.

If you like your cookies a little crunchy and not chewy bake then for 3 extra mins. The cookies get hard as they cool so don't over bake them. Cool them on a wrack or a plate, not on the baking tray.

~ Bon Appétit 

Meat Curry

This has to be my favorite recipe. You can use it to cook chicken or beef or mutton and it GOOD.  It really reminds me of home.

Ingredients:
1 kg Chicken/beef/lamb
2 Onions, sliced
2" Cinnamon
4 Cardamom
4 Cloves
2 Bay leaves
1 tsp Turmeric
2 tsp Garlic paste
2 tsp Ginger paste
1 tsp Red chili powder
1 tsp Coriander powder
1 tsp Cumin Powder
Salt to taste
1 C Water
2 Tb oil

Instructions:
Heat oil, and fry the onions until light brow.
Add all the spices, ginger, garlic, bay leaves and salt and fry for a while. Now I like to add 1-2 Tbs of water and bhuno the spices for a while. I repeat the process at least 2 -3 times.
Then add the meat and mix well. Fry on med heat.
Cover and cook until the water released is reduced.

* Note
When using chicken, cook until the meat is done, simmer until oil emerges.

When using beef/ mutton, add 1 cup of water and mix well. Let the meat simmer on low heat until the meat is tender and the water is down to a thick gravy.

Battling dry lips...

Since moving to Canada in Dec 2011, i've been exposed to the extreme cold weather that i'm not fond of at all. Yet!!!

The cold has made my skin very very dry, my hair is fizzy and dry and my lips are always chapped. Not such a great look...

So here are a few things i have been trying and that seem to be working wonders....

For my lips i use plenty of limp balm, the best is Burts bees and Aveeno Lip Conditioner

Sugar is great for exfoliation. Make a mixture with equal parts of Olive oil/ Almond oil/ Honey and sugar and apply to lips. Leave it on for a few minutes and remove with a damp cloth. Do this for a few days and you will have beautiful soft lips..

Petroleum jelly is also great. Apply on lips generously. Place a hot towel over the lips for a few minutes. Then rub the lips with the towel softly in circular motion. This will remove the dead dry skin on your lips. Works wonders.  Not of caution - Be careful while using hot towel you can burn your lips if its toooo hot.

Using a night cream has done wonders.. I don't look pale all all dried up...YUCK!!!
My recommendation is this Aveeno night cream

If you have very dry skin like mine :| You should lather your body with a good moisturizer right after your bath. I alternate this with baby oil which is great. Try to oil your hair once a week or use a hair treatment to give your hair that shine and life it needs in this dull gloomy weather.

That's all for now...

The Begining

Here's to a new beginning. Little do I know about it, I welcome myself into the world of blogging. 

I love food, love design, love music. So bare with me as i journey through life, while trying to make the most of it :) 

Hello to you all!