Toddler series: Life with a toddler

Toddler: Tiny little human beings who are hyperactive and demanding and who can drain your energy level within minutes.

Life with a toddler literally means living your childhood again, when you are an ADULT!!!!

They will become your morning alarm which means your day starts when they wake up, maybe even as early as 5.30 am even on weekends :(

You cannot watch your favourite TV shows anymore, instead settle down for cartoons or Disney junior channel (you will start knowing names of all the cartoon characters). No more cosy couch time with a hot cup of tea (hmmmm), instead get ready to run behind your growing  toddler. No more afternoon movies, and even if you do get a chance to watch it, it would be on low volume or mute as you don't want wake up your toddler from their nap. In fact you will start tip-toeing around and also start cursing everything and anyone that makes any noise when your child is asleep.

You must learn to truthfully answer every question your toddler asks you and google it if you don't know. Also remember from your answer will raise the next round of questions.

When it comes to your social life, the only parties you will now attend is another kids birthday party and Oh , don't forget to get dressed in theme!!

When we become parents we love to buy all the best and fancy things for our kids.  In reality you spend 20 bucks for a toddler chair, but their favourite chair is your lap and they will end up squeezing you on the couch. So it's best to think twice before you invest in things which will be of no use once they outgrow of it.  

Toddlers try to copy adults, hence before you want them learn to do things, you must first learn them yourself (includes eating healthy and not junk food).

The place you can now spend hours shopping is ‘Toys r us’. But your super expensive smartphone or gadgets will end up in their hands as their toy, which will fly if they get bored (don't forget to insure them) :(. Finally during bedtime, we plan to finish all our pending work or watch a late night show after they sleep, but you will be drained yourself at the end of the day and be the first one to doze off.

Although they are very young, they teach you so many things in a very simple way and you will find all the reasons to live a healthy, happy life when you become a parent. They will make you go that extra mile in life, which you once thought was impossible. They teach you to be patient, polite, friendly and help you bring out the best in you.

In short, life will be super busy with over exhaustive days filled with fun and love. So cherish every moment because once they are all grown up you will miss every second of it.

 

Happy Parenting !!

Diet Pongal (khichdi)-from mom with love

There are some recipes which remain close to your heart because they are passed down from your mother. This is one of those recipes. Preparing such dishes reminds us of the time when we relished our mom’s cooking and now when we try to cook them it's nowhere close to what she does and it never can be :(

Most of us have those days when we want to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen or are lazy to cook an elaborate meal. This recipe holds good for that moment. This pongal/khichdi is an uncomplicated one pot meal (so lesser dishes for your dishwasher:)), it is healthy (www.livestrong.com/article/256333-what-are-the-benefits-of-bulgur-wheat/;google and see the benefits of bulgur wheat) and can be cooked quickly.

Prep time- 5 min, cooking time-10 min

Ingredients

Bulgur wheat- 1 cup

Moong dal* - ½ cup

Black pepper- 1 tbsp (mix whole and powdered)

Jeera*- 1 tsp

Green chillies- 2

Ginger- 1 tbsp

Curry leaves- one sprig

Broken Cashew nuts- 4-6

Ghee or oil- 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Method:

1.    In a pressure pan heat oil/ghee. Fry the cashews until they are golden brown and keep aside. Then add jeera, pepper, green chillies, and ginger.Saute for a few mins. Add curry leaves.

2.    Add washed moong dal and bulgur wheat and roast a little.

3.    Then add 4-5 cups of water (ratio of water:bulgur wheat 5:1). Add salt and pressure cook for 4-5 whistles. Add ghee and the cashews and serve hot.

It can be accompanied with coconut chutney or tomato ghotsu (chutney of sorts-we will share this recipe in our chutneys special shortly).

Serve hot on a cold wintery day and you’ll enjoy it. So whether you are nostalgic about your mother’s cooking or you are cooking to make memories for your own kids, try this recipe and you’ll not regret it.

 

Tips:

*The quantity water and number of whistles can vary depending on the quality of the wheat. So try it once and see what works best for you.

 *You can use rice instead of bulgur wheat but it is not as healthy as wheat. Bulgur also called dalia in the northern part of India is frequently used in Middle Eastern cuisine.You can find it in turkish section of your local supermarkets.

Note: Avoid bulgur wheat if you are gluten-intolerant.

Bon apetite!!

 

Glossary:

Moong dal- Green gram (English), Pesar pappu (telugu), Paasi paruppu (tamil).

Jeera-Cumin seeds (English), Jeelakarra (telugu), jeeragam (tamil).

Malaysia - A city which is “Truly Asia”

The Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur’s cultural enclaves are some of the city’s most popular tourist hotspots and what better way to soak in local culture than by taking a walk on one of Malaysia’s heritage trails? Depending on the area you want to explore in Kuala Lumpur, there are many trails to choose from, covering areas like Merdeka Square, Chinatown, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Brickfields, Putrajaya, Historic museum, Legoland, Masjid Putra, or you could amble about with a map at your own leisurely pace. 

When it comes to sightseeing, first order of business in Kuala Lumpur is to swing by the Petronas Towers which till today is the world's tallest twin structure and fifth tallest skyscraper. You must catch a glimpse of them twinkling at night,and you will be equally impressed to return again the following day for a look at them in the daylight. Within the walking distance is the world-class Aquaria KLCC.  Menera towers also known as KL towers one can enjoy dinner @ Atmosphere 360, with a spectacular view of the city ☺

Other attractions:

Kuala Lumpur Bird park which is an enclosed free-flight aviary where majority of the birds roam free in an environment that closely resembles their natural habitat. The park is home to more than 3000 birds.

Petaling Street is an original Chinatown which maintains much of its authentic atmosphere. This Chinatown is a bustling cultural and shopping spot, with a number of heritage buildings, clan houses and temples. Food is in plenty. Petaling Street is primarily for bargain accessories and great Chinese food. So, go on, be brave - head down to Petaling Street with an empty stomach and an adventurous spirit. Even if you don't spend a penny, (which will be hard!), you are guaranteed to have an amazing experience.

Central Market  a prominent heritage landmark with its 1930s Art Deco style, is a great place to find local arts and crafts. You can witness colourful arts and cultural events. During the country’s main festivals, the area will be lit up in theme, reflecting the multiracial diversity of Malaysians. 

Lively Little India in Brickfields offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Indian community, from its colourful clothing to fiery curries.

After the sun goes down, the main cities in Malaysia take on a different shade of brilliance. Fashionable restaurants, cosy cafes and the ever-popular 24-hour mamak (buzzy and smart Malaysian restaurants with wooden benches, stools, and some shared tables) draw in the crowds with promises of a good night out. A popular night-time activity for Malaysians is eating, with hawkers open until the wee hours of the morning. Whether you’re hungry after a heady clubbing session, or just puckish after a midnight movie, many places around Kuala Lumpur  have venues open until dawn to cater to city folks who prefer jumping into the thick of action at night.

From neighbourhood pubs to vibrant clubs headlined by international deejays, nightlife in Malaysia’s urbanscape is not to be missed. In Kuala Lumpur, the partying is centred along Changkat Bukit Bintang, with other social hubs being Asian Heritage Row and Jalan P. Ramlee, Baan 26, Havana,Sutraa etc..

One can also visit the nearby islands as bus service is available round the clock .

Genting Highland: City of entertainment - for gaming enthusiasts, sports lovers, casino players, adventurers and fun seekers. Outdoor & Indoor theme park.

Langkawi, Kedah: Langkawi is also a popular duty-free destination where you also find water sports such as yachting, sailing and jet skiing. 

Melaka City, Melaka: Go on a heritage trail around Melaka City, visiting historical attractions such as Porta de Santiago, Stadthuys and the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum. Look out for great antique finds at Jonker Street and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and enjoy the beautiful riverside view and see parts of historical Melaka.

Redang Island, Terengganu: Go swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear waters. Its clear waters contain hundreds of live coral species ranked as some of the best in the world and thousands of marine species including manta rays, stingrays and sharks. Part Marine Park, this island has 31 spectacular dive sites, which include two World War II historic shipwreck sites and a black coral garden.

 

And of course, no visit to Kuala Lumpur can be complete without taking the train to the outskirts of town for a look at the Batu Caves. These impressive limestone caves which are home to a popular Hindu shrine are located 13 kilometers north of the city. You can watch the morning prayers take place at one of the shrines inside the cave and then come down for a bite at one of the many vegetarian restaurants located at the base of the cave.

Tips

• Worth trying the local delicacy roti canai (Roti canai is a type of Indian-influenced flatbread - similar to the Indian Kerala porotta served with malaysian curry ) with hot cup of spicy chai  and nasi lemak (fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk), served 24 Hrs
• Make sure you carry some cash as street food hawker do not accept credit cards.
• Best way to get around the city is LRT – light rail transit.
• The mass public transport system stops operating around midnight, so be prepared to take a taxi back to your hotel if you are out late. A midnight surcharge applies.
• Hop on Hop Off – city tour bus is available @KLCC center.

Malaysia has something to offer to every traveller from the dense urban jungle of Kuala Lumpur to the pristine beaches of the Perhentian Islands, so pack your bags and get ready to soak yourself in city of prehistoric culture & a unique travel experience.

Terima Kashi (Thank You in malay )!!

Homemade Pizza

Baking pizza brings back wonderful memories of our teenage . We baked our first pizza on a sleepover during our summer vacation. Back then we used store bought pizza base, but now we want to share a homemade pizza recipe, made from scratch.Though this is a basic pizza recipe, once you master this, you can try different types of pizzas. The method is the same for any pizza, only difference is the topping. So lets get started.

Prep time - 1 hr, Cooking time - 15 min

INGREDIENTS (measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)

For the pizza bread base:

2.5 to 3 cups all purpose flour/maida

1 cup warm water

2 tsp dry yeast(7 gm)

¼ tsp sugar

2 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp salt

Olive oil for brushing

Flour for dusting

 

Toppings for 2 medium sized pizzas:

Pasta or pizza sauce 1/2 cup

1 onion, sliced

1 capsicum/bell pepper, sliced

1 tomato deseeded and diced

Grated mozzarella cheese as required

Fresh or dried herbs

 

Method:

Making the pizza base:

• Mix yeast with sugar in lukewarm water and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 10-15 mins till it becomes frothy.
• In a bowl add flour, salt, olive oil and the frothy yeast mixture.
• Mix well until it turns into a sticky dough ball.
• Knead the dough into a smooth and springy ball.
• Apply some olive oil all over the dough.
• Cover the bowl with a wet towel or clingfilm and keep at room temperature for minimum 2 hours.
• The dough will double in size.
• Punch it down and knead the dough for another 5 mins.

Assembling the pizza:

• Divide the dough into two portions.
• On a floured surface roll one portion of the dough.
• Place the dough onto a greased and dusted pan.
• Brush some olive oil on the pizza base.
• Spread the tomato sauce on the pizza.
• Top with the veggies and sprinkle the herbs.
• Spread the grated cheese.

Bake the pizza in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes at 200℃.

Serve hot.

TIPS:

1. We mixed the dough with hand. It can also be made in a food processor or electric mixer.

2. You can freeze the leftover dough and use it later.

3. Toppings are purely your choice, you could add paneer, olives or cooked chicken pieces or any meat as per your preference.

4. To make a thin crust , roll the dough more flat

5. For a healthier option you can use wholemeal or wheat flour.

6.You can also use rapid yeast  to  make the dough quicker.

So we hope you’ll make your own memories while making your homemade pizza.

Happy Baking!!