When you spend a lot of time cooking in the kitchen, it equates to a lot of time spent dishing out happiness. After all, didn’t I once write about the recipe for happiness? So, even though we had sick folks at home, we had visitors. We had marathon phone calls. We enjoyed watching movies together. We enjoyed lots of down time. Yes! And so, since my phone was nearby most of the time, I remembered to take photos of these. I really meant to post earlier, but just did not get around to it. Enjoy!
So I made my first ever marinated jalapenos. Used to buy the bottled version before, at a ridiculous cost. I was thrilled when I found a source for this, while shopping veggies. Ah, bliss. Coming along very nicely. Looking forward to homemade pizzas, burgers, salads, all with homemade jalapenos.
Happiness is a full stomach
Some open faced mushroom/onion / tomato sandwiches for Vidur. Even if we’re sick, we gotta eat. And when it looks appetizing, it goes down better!
This pizza saw the last of our store bought bottled jalapenos. Ah, the next one will see the homemade ones! Yay!
Raw plantain dry roast is a big favorite at home. We buy it often and I enjoy making it!
Here’s my Sunday lunch. In this dish, there is plantain curry, rice, spinach lentils gravy, rice and chickpea salad. Yes, I love to arrange my plate and gaze at it, then eat it. And don’t ask why I eat in a dish. Very long story. Short version. I like it.
And what good is a lunch without dessert? In our house, a head cold heralds this sweet that you see below. It is called besan halwa. Made of roasted gram flour, ghee and jaggery with a dash of cardamom for flavor, this is believed to help cure a cold. Raisins, dry fruits like cashew nuts, almonds, are all optional. My folks prefer to eat those separately. We also believe that filling a small cloth pillowcase with pigeon pea and using it as a pillow relieves a head cold. Ah, love my Grandmother’s home remedies. What a pleasure it used to be to fall sick! Ha ha.
Then I made a small chocolate cake. But by the time I thought of taking a pic, there were missing pieces. No prizes for guessing who caused those furrows! Hmm.
Two things to say:
Thing 1:
In my previous post, Walking on Sunshine I invited you to answer this question: “What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for?” and send me the answer via the comments here, or via email (vidya at vidyasury dot com). If you’ve authored an uplifting book or would like to recommend one, please let me know, with book title, a small blurb and link. I will feature all responses in my post on Thursday, August 8, 2013 along with some of my own favorites.
Looking forwards to hearing from you. (And a huge thanks to those who emailed. I’ve replied.) I am loving planning these collaborative posts! I absolutely love how the “Happiness is” post turned out. Thank you for making it happen!
Thing 2:
Remember I mentioned the Tree of Life Branching Out collaborative writing challenge, which is a continuing story collectively written over the course of 26 days? The writers find inspiration in a featured composition from the motion picture music production house, audiomachine’s new TREE OF LIFE album. They will spin the story in whatever direction they choose, picking up where the previous writer left off, resulting in the ultimate collaborative tale. This kicked off on July 15 and will conclude on August 9. Visit here to know about prizes to be won.
On a funny note, this is my closest brush with Hollywood so far, thanks to Audiomachine! The best part of this experience is the wonderful writers I’ve connected with. Total happiness hotspot for me.
By the time you are reading this, my post should be up over there! Just click “Vidya Sury, Hope and Glory” I am so excited about being a part of such a fabulous group of writers. I particularly loved my music excerpt “Hope and Glory” and you can listen to it in the sidebar as you read the story. I would love to know what you think!
So how is the coming week, or what is left of it, looking like for you?
Anything exciting?
Do share in the comments (with your answer to the question above.)
I am linking up with Unknown Mami for Sundays In My City because she’s amazing and I love world travel.
All the ‘recipes for happiness’ you shared here brought smiles and urges this side. The besan halwa with Vidur is simply awesome!!
The week ahead is hectic and exciting as I travel for work tonight and then we are off to Shimla to meet our sonny boy!
Tree of Life Branching Out is so cool and exciting!! Will definitely be a part of this to cheer and support you! Way to go, Vidya! 🙂
I loved the besan Halwa recipe Vidya. It looked REALLY tempting. Since my son and me were down with cold and a cough recently, I think this would have really helped us bounce back on our feet soon 🙂
Who would not be happy with all those yummy recipes:) Most inspiring book read lately- The Secret by Rhonda Byrne!
I’m really hungry now after seeing all your wonderful food photos. Love your grandmother’s recipe – I would be happy to be sick too with treat like that!
In response to you question What is the one thing I would like to be remembered for? Having time for people and making them feel that they mattered. 🙂
Hmm.. now I am hungry.. 😐
Your posts are like the proverbial ray of sunshine. Its a pleasure to read such unadulterated happy thoughts.
MMMmmmmmm. Everything looks devour able & delectable!
I sooo much adore Vidur’s cake made w/ LOVE.
Vidya, I love you more than butterscotch ice cream. xx
Vidya,
I always wish I could come over to your house for dinner!! Looks delicious!
xoxo
Betsy
Food is also an integral part of me esp for happiness and peace 😉
I loved your various food clicks and I am sure your family relished it.
Vidya, I had no clue about Tree of life–audiobook. I would love to be a part of this creativity jungle. Will be clicking to read your take on this very intrinsic yet deep rooted topic….namaste!
Aww this pictures look so yummmmyyy now am hungry :/
I would like to be remembered for touching a heart, making a difference and leaving behind a smile!
Vidya, your Tree Of Life excerpt is something else… beautiful doesn’t begin to describe it…
I love the way in which your piece unfolds, and the closing line just seals the deal… a special and unique tribute to women!
Nourishment is so fundamental to a good life! You are clearly an expert at this. I loved seeing what your “dish” looks like!
When happiness is bundled in such delightful sights and aromatic smell and lip smacking taste, one’s soul smiles!! Past midnight and I’m craving for these yummy eats!
Okay, now I’m really coming to visit Vidya…not only for the pleasure of meeting you face to face, but for the added delight in tasting one of your goodies. You would give me a bite wouldn’t you?
e-hugs
You can dish out some of that delightfully delicious happiness anytime!
Your beautifully constructed words for the Tree of Life story are an inspiring tribute to the power of women, of which you are a shining example my dear, Vidya.
Cheers!
Sam
Wonderful food. You know, I don’t want to be in any particular way. Just being remembered is an honor.
Vidya,
You made me happy just seeing these wonderful dishes! I wish I could reach across the screen and eat! Thanks for sharing!
-Victor
This post made me hungry. More importantly it reminded me of the joy I am having while cooking. I just started eating healthier and have found cooking with friends and loved ones is a great way to spend quality time together. Thank you for this.
I love that lunch and the dish! I so wish I could dig into that chocolate cake NOW! Hope you are feeling better. 🙂
My week is being spent trying to figure out why my blogs are acting up. Finally created a brand new one. 😀
Welcome back, Jyothi! Good to see you again. Love your new blog url. And yes, when you visit, cake guaranteed for you!
your pizza will look so much nicer with your jalapenos. i want your halwa recipe man.i only know one person who makes it and she won’t give me the recipe. wants me to come visit, sit in her house, listen to her and the old man bicker and then give me a portion. if i could visit you for halwa i would. love this post sis. your posts always brighten my day.
Oh wow! This is so good. The whole cooking experiences with pictures. They together made me put on a kilo I believe. A mommy who cooks well is a mommy well cherished (speaking from experience). I know Vidur is a lucky boy in all cases. Your tree of life branching out I need to sit and go through it. Without it also I can say it must be a great one!
Vidya,
I wish I was your neighbor. You’d have to put an extra chair at your table. I have a missing gene. The one that has to do with the love of cooking!
Hi Vidya! Your dishes look fantastic! Really want to try that pizza! Sounds like your family experiences that happiness all the time!
All those food pics made me hungry! And there’s still an hour and 15 mins for lunch!! 😛
And I loved your dish!
I hope everyone at home feels better soon! 🙂
I absolutely LOVED your Tree of life post and I am SO happy to have discovered you and this wonderful blog because of it! Your positivity is so humbling, as are your cooking abilities ^_^
This post made me hungry, I love baking cookies when I’ve had a stressful day. It helps remind me of the happiness in my life.
Hi Vidya
Your sandwiches and h;alwa look yummy . We have a really long weekend here (4 days ) so looking for ways to spend it !
Hi Vidya
Hmmm….I could use a little chocolate cake to sooth the wounds this week! Definitely not the best week I have had. I wrote about in this week’s post, so needed a subject to write about but not this one. May be I will need to indulge in something chocolate at least.
I think you are right about dishing out some happiness, it does make you feel better.
Mary
Great advice. 😉
As always, a very uplifting post full of energy from you, dear Vidya! Love the photos of the homemade jalapenos (did you soak them in vinegar?), sandwiches and halwa!
Happiness is indeed a full stomach and all the food you’ve shown is so yummy – chillies however are not my friends. But chocolate cake – oh my I want one now!
Yummy!!!
What a delicious treat!!!
Lovely pics too!!!
Mouth watering indeed!!!
Yes, Yes, No doubt, “Happiness is a full stomach” !!!
Lol.
very tempting pieces here!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Here comes a five star….. ***** 🙂
[…] the A to Z Challenge in 2013 and we visited each other’s blog. We were also part of the Tree of Life collaboration last […]