Cauliflower Kurma Recipe | How to Make Simple Vegetable Kurma

Cauliflower Kurma 

As soon as the early sunrays caressed the chubby cheeks of little girl with pigtails she opened her eyes slowly, rubbing it fast to kick the slumber still clinging to it in a hope of catching few more minutes of sleep… It was Sunday, a special day filled with promise of long hours of play time, favourite food and undivided attention of parents… Happily she climbed down from her bed and burst into the kitchen where her mother was cooking. She watched with fascination as her mother selected few spices from glass jars, a cinnamon, few green cardamoms and cloves grown in their farm along with other spices. The small cast iron pan was taken out from the top shelf and then her mother started roasting the spices… Within couple of minutes the whole house was filled with a heady aroma of spices. 

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Simple & Quick Stuffed Baby Eggplants/Brinjal/Aubergine Recipe | Baby Eggplants in Peanut and Coconut Gravy

Stuffed Baby Eggplants/Brinjal/Aubergine

It was one of those rare days of reflection where I sat in my favourite corner of our home, my small yet cosy reading room, on low divan dressed with a beautiful and colourful handmade throw and plump cushions in bright royal shades of red and maroons, gifted by my hubby’s brother and sister-in-law. On one side is the low side table I found in my neighbours skip, the items piled for discarding, now holding a small lamp, a family portrait, small vase of my favourite flowers daisies, and couple of books I love… Opposite wall has a tall book shelf housing my book collection, some important files and my most favourite treasures, art and crafts by Lil Dumpling. My amateur but colourful watercolours are displayed proudly on two walls which compliment and complete the room. None of the things match one another, but surprisingly when put together they somehow seems to work and complement each other…

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They Inspire Me!

A bunch of blogs/website I love to visit… I found them to be really inspiring and visit them whenever I can… Some for wonderful recipes, some for soul touching narrations, some for good humour and laugh, some for brilliant food photography, some for larger than life photography and other for just being themselves without any frills and pretence!!! This is a work-in-progress list and I will update it as and when I come across the websites that touch my heart, make me think, makes me speak out, inspires me and make me weak at knees :D

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Semiya Kheer or Semige Payasa Recipe | How to make simple Semiya Kheer/Vermicelli Pudding

Semige Payasa or Semiya Kheer 

I am fond of sleeping. Period. 

Long gone are the days when I could sleep when I wished, where I wished and for how ever long I wished! ~sigh~ A sleep which I took for granted has become such a luxury these days! But at last I had undisturbed (well, kind of) and very much deserved good night’s sleep. After series of serious bouts of coughing sessions from Lil Dumpling to HD, I was the latest victim of chesty cough that caught me in its wicked, painful grip! After 2 successive nights and days of coughing till my guts threatened to tore apart, my throat and chest felt like they have been rubbed with sand paper! It was  high doses of antibiotics that came to my rescue and I am happy to announce (for whoever cares or not cares!) that I am still alive and kicking! 

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Low Fat Oven Roasted Potato Wedges Recipe ~ Roasted Cumin and Sea Salt Flavoued

Low Fat Oven Roasted Potato Wedges ~ Roasted Cumin Flavoued

I had major plans for Easter break! A trip to pet farm for Lil Dumpling followed by a canal side walk to show little duckies following their Mamma ducks and then visit to local library with some spring and summer wardrobe shopping thrown in! Thursday evening I left the office little early, eagerly looking forward to spend next four days with my two men outside in open air, breathing fresh air and creating new sweet memories along…

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

With many queries/comments pouring in to my mail box everyday, I thought its time Monsoon Spice had separate FAQs page. So here we go…

Q: Who updates/runs this blog?

Q: How do I find a specific recipe or post?

Q: I didn’t find the recipe I was looking for in your blog, even after using all the methods?

Q: Why do you post only vegetarian and/or vegan recipes?

Q: Can you post more recipes for kids, gluten-free, vegan and/or bachelor friendly?

Q: I made/cooked following your recipe from Monsoon Spice. Can I post it in my blog?

Q: I tried the xyz recipe but it looked different from the photos you have posted! What went wrong?

Q: Your xyz recipe looks just like ABC’s recipe from UWV website/magazine/cookbook!

Q: Can you mention or tell me the exact calories in every recipe you post?

Q: I like/love your food photographs? What camera do you use?

Q: Do you use Adobe Photoshop to edit your photos?

Q: Are you active on social networks?

Q: How do I find you on Twitter?

Q: How do I join the Facebook page?

Q: How do I share your posts of Facebook?

Q: How do I share your posts on Twitter?

Q: How do I subscribe to “Monsoon Spice” by email?

Q: I left a comment but it hasn’t appeared. What happened to it?

Q: What are your favourite blogs to read?

Q: Do you do link exchanges?

Q: Do you accept guest posts from freelance writers, company/organisation PRs, bloggers etc?

Q: I want you to do guest post for my blog/website. How do I contact you?

Q: How do I contact you for suggestions or other matters? 

Q: Why haven’t you replied to my email?

Q: Who updates/runs this blog?

A: Hello… It’s me… Here… No, not there… Look here… Right here… Yeah! I am Sia and read About page to know more.

Q: How do I find a specific recipe or post? 

A: Please read the Recipe Index page which explains different ways to find the recipe you want.

Q: I didn’t find the recipe I was looking for in your blog, even after using all the methods?

A: Please leave your recipe request at Ask Sia page. Most of the Recipes blogged in Monsoon Spice are the one’s which we cook regularly at home or whatever we fancy eating. If it is simple Rasam/Dal Rice one day then other day it is something I learned from my Amma, Relatives and Friends, Web, Cookbook or TV show. There is no particular rule I follow while posting these recipes. 

The recipes blogged are something which we ate, loved and want to replicate the same in future. Monsoon Spice is our treasure box of recipes which satisfies both our tummy and soul which I am sharing with you now. There are few recipes which I am not too fond of or haven’t got the right ingredients or just forgot about it all together or just don’t have enough time to cook. So if you are looking for a particular Vegetarian Recipe in Monsoon Spice please mail me a request, or even better, just drop a line at Ask Sia page.

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Broccoli Paratha Recipe | How to Make Simple Stuffed Parathas

Broccoli Paratha ~ Whole wheat flat breads stuffed with spicy grated broccoli

We have experienced warm to hot to cold to chilling cold weather in the past one week. And tonight, it’s going to snow heavily!!! This sudden change in weather resulted in Lil Dumpling falling ill with dry, chesty cough followed by wheezing, something I always dread whenever there is extreme change in temperature as he is still developing his immunity to fight against nasty virus and bad germs!

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