05 November, 2007

Bihari Thali

Title: Food Blogger’s Kitchen
Characters: He (Hubby Dear), Me (Food Blogger)

Scene 1: Weekends at He & Me’s Home
He: What are we gonna have for lunch?
Me: Mmmm… Give me few mins and I’ll tell you.
~after Few+ mins~
He: Err… Have you decided on our lunch menu?
Me: Yeah, We are having XYZ cuisine.
He: Sounds interesting… I never knew you could cook XYZ dish.
Me: ~Chuckles~ Me neither ;) I got to Google for the recipes.
Me: ~Smiling sweetly~ I need few ingredients which are not in our pantry. We’ll need to shop for them NOW!
He: Why don’t we just cook something we know?
Me: ~Shaking her head~ Oh No!!! It’s for one of the Food Blog Events.
He: ~Rolls his eyes~ OK as you say.

Scene 2: For Super Market Scene, Click this Link;)

Scene 3: Back at Home
He: ~Puzzled~ Why are you adding XXX ingredient? It’s not listed in the ingredients list here!!!
Me: Oh!!! This ABC event calls for this XXX ingredient. That’s why I HAVE to add this ingredient.
He: ~More Puzzled and Confused~ I thought you were cooking XYZ cuisine.
Me: Of course I am cooking XYZ cuisine along with the ingredient required for ABC event. Mmm… Let me see if I can add DEF ingredient for DEF event and make it 3 in 1 post!!!
He: ~Screams and Faints~ SOS
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If you are among those people who are laughing at my so called joke, then you surely belong to Food Blogger community. And the one’s who are still confused about ABC, DEF, XYZ etc just forget it and check out the recipes. Today I am presenting my humble Bihari Thali containing Phulka, Aloo Choka, Subziyon Ka Panchranga Korma and Kheera Raita. This one obviously goes to this month’s RCI-Bihar hosted by lovely Sangeeta of Ghar Ka Khana. If it was not for Lakshmi’s Regional Cuisines of India I would have undoubtedly missed cooking and tasting fabulous food from different states of India. Apart from cooking and eating, RCI is one event which makes me do little research on that region and learn little about its amazing culture, wonderful people, and colourful history.

There is much more to Bihar than its colourful politicians. This is the state which had one of the greatest universities in recorded history, Nalanda University. It is the same sacred region where Buddha and Mahavira attained enlightenment and the birthplace of Sikh’s tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. With such glorious history, no wonder Bihar also boasts rich and colourful cuisine. Starting from Indus Valley civilization Bihari cuisine has evolved through Maurya Empire, Middle Kingdoms, Islamic Sultanates and Mughal Empire. Each and every Kingdom/Empires have left their marks on this rich Bihari cuisine and yet its simplicity makes it all the more enjoyable. For more information on Bihari Cuisine, click here, here and here.

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Bihari Thali: (R-L) Subziyon Ka Panchranga Korma, Aloo Chokha,
Kheera Raita, Gulab Jamoon, Phulka

Aloo Choka is a simple dry dish adapted from here. Chhonkna means tadka and here I have used Paanchforan/Paanchphoran (a mix of 5 spices: Saunf/Fennel Seeds, Sarson/Mustard Seeds, Methi/Fenugreek Seeds, Kalonji/Black Onion Seeds/Nigella Seeds and Jeera/Cumin Seeds). Cubed Potatoes are lightly fried (bhoonjana) with onions and whole spices to give it a distinct flavour.

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Aloo Chokha
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cooking Time: 15-20 mins
Serves: 3-4
Ingredients:
3 medium Potatoes, peeled and diced to 1 cm cubes
1 small onion, finely chopped
2-3 cloves Garlic, finely chopped
2-3 Green Chillies, finely chopped
1 tsp Amchur/Dry Mango Powder
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves, finely chopped
Salt to taste

For Chokha(Tempering):
1 tbsp Oil (Preferably Mustard Oil)
1 tsp Paanchforan
2 Dry Red Chillies, broken
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Aloo Chokha

Method:
Heat oil in a pan and add broken dry red chillies and paanchforan. Sauté till the spices starts to pop and splutter.
To this add chopped onions and sauté for a minute and half.
Now add chopped garlic and green chillies and sauté till onions turn golden brown.
Mix in cubed potatoes and sauté for 3-4 minutes till they turn light brown.
Add ½-¾ cups of water, salt to taste. Cover and cook till potatoes are cooked well. Keep mixing the potato pieces in between so that they don’t stick to the bottom of pan. Add little more water in between till potatoes are well cooked but take care not to add more water as it is a dry curry/subji.
Mix in amchur and chopped coriander leaves and cook uncovered for another 4-5 minutes. Serve hot with rice or roties and enjoy.

Subziyon Ka Panchranga Korma is another wonderful, aromatic dish adapted from here. Colourful mixed vegetables are simmered in sinfully delicious sweet, spicy and creamy gravy of cashews, almond, coriander leaves and coconut just leaves one craving for more.

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Subziyon Ka Panchranga Korma
Prep Time: 10-15 mins
Cooking Time: 20-30 mins
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:
4-5 cups Mixed Vegetables (I used Carrot, Cauliflower, Potato, Beans & Peas)
1 large Tomato/Tomato Puree
1 tsp Ginger & Garlic Paste
½ tsp Turmeric Powder
1-2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1 tbsp Oil (Preferably Mustard Oil)
1 tbsp Coriander Leaves, finely chopped
Salt to taste

Ground to Paste:
2½-3 tbsp Fresh/Frozen Coconut gratings
½ tbsp Poppy Seeds/Posta Daana
10 Cashew Nuts
5 Almonds
1 tsp Sugar
2-3 Green Chillies
¾-1 Packed Cup Coriander Leaves
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Subziyon Ka Panchranga Korma

Method:
Cook mixed vegetables in enough water and salt to taste for about 10 minutes and keep aside. Vegetables should be just tender. Drain the water from vegetables and keep aside. Also save 2-3 cups of drained water.
Heat oil in a pan and to this add ginger-garlic paste. Sauté for about 30 seconds till the raw smell disappears.
Now add ground paste and sauté continuously for about 2-3 minutes.
To this mix in chopped tomato or tomato puree, turmeric powder and chilli powder and sauté for another minute or two.
Mix cooked vegetables and drained water (vegetable stock) and mix well. Cook at a medium to low heat. Bring the korma to boil and simmer for another 5 minutes till the flavours blend well.
Serve hot garnished with finely chopped coriander leaves with rice or roties.


Refreshing cool-cool Kheera/Cucumber Raita is adapted from here.

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Kheera/Cucumber Raita
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cooking Time: -
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:
1 cup Cucumber, grated
2 cups Yogurt, beaten
¼ tsp Cumin-Coriander Powder
¼ tsp Chat Masala
A big Pinch of Kashmiri Chilli Powder
A big Pinch of Kaala Namak/Black Salt
A small Pinch Garam Masala (optional)
1 tsp Coriander Leaves, finely chopped
Salt to taste
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Kheera Raita

Method:
Wash, peel and grate the cucumber. I usually leave the peel as I like its crunchiness.
Squeeze excess water from grated cucumber and place it in a mixing bowl.
Put all the ingredients and mix them well.
Refrigerate raita for around 15 minutes before serving it garnished with coriander leaves.

Phulkas are light puffed up unleavended Indian bread. Although they look like Chapatties, Phulkas are very light in texture and are usually made and served at the time of the meal.

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Phulkas
Prep Time: 10-15 mins (excluding resting time)
Cooking Time: 10-15 mins
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:
2 cups Wheat Flour or 3:1 Wheat to Plain Flour
½ tsp Salt
1 tsp Ghee/Oil
Warm Water to knead
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Fluffy and Light Phulkas

Method:
Place the flour, oil and salt in a large bowl.
Adding just enough warm water knead well to make a soft, pliable dough. Keep kneading the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Set aside for 30 minutes.
Make golf sized balls and roll each ball into a 6 inch diameter by 1/8th inch thickness discs.
Heat griddle/skillet on a medium flame. Place the Phulkas and cook for about 45 secs, until the top starts to look dry and small bubbles are formed on the surface. Flip and cook the other side similarly.
Now Take the Phulka off the tawa and place it directly on the gas flame. The Phulka will start to balloon and puff up.
Take it off the flame and serve immediately smeared with little ghee if desired.

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Bihari Thali: (R-L) Subziyon Ka Panchranga Korma, Aloo Chokha,
Kheera Raita, Gulab Jamoon, Phulka


Tips:
For fluffy, light Phulkas knead the dough 2-3 hrs before to soft and pliable dough with a smooth texture.
Use gar burner if possible as they help in making fluffy and light phulkas.
Don’t lose heart if it don’t fluff up nicely at first attempt. Practice and patience is needed to get a fluffy, ballooned phulkas.

Update:
I never knew I thought till Camille of L’Assiette de Mimosa mailed me saying she has nominated me for Thinking Blogger Award. I am thrilled and honoured because there is someone who believes I do have tiny-mini anatomy called brain ;) Well, according to my dear ones I have been known to think a time or two in my life but never made a habit of it till now. Grr… This award will surely make them stop and think again ;)


Thank you Mimosa for this award. What can I say! I always felt French is one of the most romantic and beautiful languages and it felt really great to see nice things about my blog in your beautiful blog :) I am flattered. Now following the strict tradition/rules, I am supposed to pass this award to five bloggers who make me think (read who give me enough brain strain;). And believe me it took quite some time to think as whom I should nominate because everyone in my blogroll is a 'Thinking Blogger'. It was extremely difficult to choose just five bloggers. Well, if you have captured my attention enough to make it to my blogroll then there is a high chance of me thinking you as a Thinking Blogger right? Jokes(or PJ's?!) apart here are the 5 bloggers whom I would like to pass this awards (in alphabetical order).

1. Arun Shanbhag: Every time I visit his blog he has never failed me to provide me with very useful information covering wide range of topics. With his new book ‘Prarthana’ being published recently, he has got some of the most incredible and outstanding posts. And moreover he helps his lovely wife M in cooking ;)
2. Bee & Jai: Their provocative and insightful posts along with much needed dose of wit and humour is what we need in this busy world. They make it a point that I just don’t read but read, re-read and think before leaving a comment. So surely they are the Thinking Bloggers ;)
3. Desi Mom’s Club: Some of their posts did make me think of unthinkable ;) They make me laugh, makes me wonder and amaze me with their write-ups. If you haven’t already lurked around their site, be sure to swing by on a lazy afternoon with a cup of coffee and enjoy all there is to read. Each and every mommies rock!
4. Lotus Reads: Lotus is one of the most original and enjoyable writers in blogsphere. She has an incredible blog giving a great overview of the most happening books, movies and many more things. Visiting her blog has always impressed and amazed me. And darling, your blog header rocks ;)
5. VKN: VKN is a dreamer who not just dreams but works towards making it a reality. It’s his noble thought and hard work which made Feed A Hungry Child Campaign (FAHC) a huge success.

Congratulations to all you Thinking Bloggers. Please give them huge round of right mouse-clicks ;)
Should you choose to participate, please make sure you pass this list of rules. You don’t have to think a lot as thankfully the participation rules are quite simple.
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote.

82 comments :

  1. Nice looking Thali Sia.....Nice write-up...Liked the mapping u gave....Good idea......and its so true ;-)))
    Good post...enjoyed it :-))

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  2. Ohhh thats such a delicious looking thali. I love this RCI, got to learn so many things....
    I rarely participate in events these days, so hubby is happy with it, last year I had the same scenario as you mentioned at home and he used to look at me as if I am alien :D.

    I will have to make atleast few of these dishes....Good job dear

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  3. This food blogger has done really well...the thali looks great :-) ...and of course, I'm laughing at the joke :-D

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  4. Loved reading the post and had a nice laugh. But it is so true. Thali looks great as usual.

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  5. :-) hahaha that was good one Sups! I've given up on trying to participate on these events. I would love too but somehow with eevrything going on I never make it on time.
    The thali looks absolutetly yummylicious! (if thats a word!) I had a really "Bekaar" salad for lunch and i am hungry for u're thali... how far is UK to Omaha again?

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  6. LOL!!! the diagram is too good!! I can imagine ur hubby's reaxn!!! hehehehhe!!!!

    Awesome thatli!!! So much to learn from RCI!!!

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  7. This post is hilarious and sumptuous rolled into one :). The conversations and the diagram had me in splits :-D. And the thali is so inviting yaar! sweet torture for a hungry tummy!

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  8. The thali looks lovely. I am sure many would relate to that story:-)

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  9. haha :D what a lvely write up!!! could completely relate myself to it :)
    and you have a lovely spread out there!!! and the pics looks gr8, as usual!! :)

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  10. As usual!! You are fantastic! Love the post, love the food, love the pictures!! :)
    Diagrams and all...amazing.

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  11. Excellent post.

    That cute diagram...OMG you are just too much :D

    And the thali is so very yummy. I have spent a large part of my life in Bihar and I loved your Thali

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  12. I am sure by the time your husband "woke" up, he was surprised to one delicious Thali. All unique and delicious recipes

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  13. thats such a lovely spread.. i do the same too :D i mean, mix ingredients to suit various events!

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  14. Its always a treat coming here,bihari thali is delicious.Like reading me/he conversations. Very nice entry to RCI.

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  15. hahahahaaa ..I am still rolling at that diagram. OMG..I cook on the same line. Needless to say that you as a foodblogger have scored well. Full marks :) This reminds me that I need to google some recipes for today's dinner ;) Bihari food ofcourse..

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  16. Dear Sia, loved the (true) story narration.....reminds me of all the times K gets all excited when i cook something new and cant wait to dig in.... i warn him that he cant till i get some pics.... he rolls his eyes and claims that i dont cook for him anymore...its only for the blog!! and i say "what rubbish...since i made it anyways, i thought i'd take some pics!!" :)

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  17. I can't stop laughing... let's see if I can make it to this event :)

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  18. Sia enjoyed the writeup and recipes. As usual they rock. Viji

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  19. wow what a great looking thali :) Sia. happy deepavali kane !

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  20. wonderful thali sia...and loved your homely scene..happens all the time at our place..hubby dear keeps asking why I make so many trips to supermarket...:0)..at times I too end up mixing all the ingredients into one dish!..

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  21. I told you! Alphabet soup all the way, given all the events.

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  22. Love your story about he and ME
    I was hoping to see u running arounf in the supermarket when i clicked to the link, but then i saw the tomatoe ecips :-)
    Thali looks great

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  23. awesome!! can relate to shopping for events..i went once to 3 grocery stores..quite a distance too to look for lychees that were for an event!! insane huh...love all the recipes sia

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  24. hey heme story was fun!! I know soemtimes you just have to participate in foodevents. That thali looks incredible.I love to eat that right now!!!

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  25. Sia your bihari thali looks great! I'll come back later to read that and the drama between hubby and wife!:)
    Yes we can make khoa at home easily in the MW.
    In a large MW safe glass container, fill 2/3 milk. boil in MW high. 1 liter takes 6 minutes to boil. Now reduce the power level to 600 watts and MW for 45 minutes, stirring to break the cream layer once every 5 minutes.You can prepare khoa while cooking something in your gas stove.
    Happy Deepavali!:))

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  26. LOL! Great write up, diagrams and thali Sia. I saw all these recipes in a Bihari web site too, that's where I am getting my ideas from as well. No cookbooks for Bihar are with me!:))
    I cook only when Arvind is at work, no event cooking on weekend. So he doesn't have any clue what I go thru' except when I am making him drive to look for certain cans of veggies and fruits!;D
    Check out Aroma! Congratulations for the award!:))

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  27. Hahahaha Sia, U have an awesome sense of humor and I was laughing like crazy when I was reading the conversation between He and Me. and well said that - "If you are among those people who are laughing at my so called joke, then you surely belong to Food Blogger community."... thats what happens between me and by fiancee too. I still remember, for AFAM - peach event, we went for groceries late night.. as the next day was the last day for submission.. loved ur diagram too.. very very true..:D and u well deserve the AWARD dear..Congratulations !!!!

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  28. Oh forgot to mention about ur colorful thali.. all the dishes were so yummy and delish.. will make them for sure.. thanks dear..:)

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  29. I got an Award! Yaay!
    *jumping up and down*
    and that too a Thinking Award! :-))
    OMG! Thank you so very much Sia!
    and feel honored that my posts have been useful to you.
    heh, I am getting ready to travel again (for work); so give me a few days to post about it, ok.

    And
    Overjoyed!
    :-))

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  30. Looks like this scenario happens at ur place quite often as I remember reading a similar story line here sometime back, but the diagram did give a kick this time :))) I have never tasted Bihari food....so no clue at all ..but i would be happy to help myself with that gulab jamoons , so yum and perfect they look!!!

    Btw, you do think and u have brains :D

    Shn

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  31. The thaali looks so good Sia. Every dish looks perfect. I wish I could taste them all.

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  32. that's a very enticing thali. i so hear ya about the events logistics. you deserve the thinking blogger award, and are flatteed that it is passed on to us. thank you.

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  33. Yummy thali... everything looks delicious. After sandeepa's ur's make me laugh...Cute flow chart:),
    congrats on ur new award. You deserve it.

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  34. Lovely lovely lovely post. Couldn't stop laughing, cause I'm in the food bloggers community. Loved the recipes and pics. Again incredible post.

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  35. What a great post, Sia!!! You have such a great sense of humor! And the dishes, oh the dishes, you've got me hankering for some Aloo Chokha, I think I am going to make some tomorrow (I'm always weak for anything with aloo).

    Thank you for the award...I'm so honored! What a lovely write-up you gave me Sia, it is truly very generous of you, thank you! Glad you like the header, I have been collecting those pictures for a while so I'm glad I got a chance to use them. I'm going to visit some of the other nominees now.

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  36. Thali looks so yummy!!! so true...how creative one has to get to participate in all the events going on.

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  37. Very funny!
    Start an event for maximizing number of events participated and credit bloggers based on their creativity. Nice Bihari thali --jai

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  38. Thanks Dear, you know how Mommies need to think an err think real hard too :D

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  39. Sia!

    This looks delightful. I haven't had dinner yet and am totally drooling all over this. Can't wait to try these recipes out.

    And congratulations on the award - I totally love your blog and your style of writing :)

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  40. Sia,
    Great post, I was laugh out loud. Everything you said rang true in my household. The thali is awesome. I love the combo.

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  41. Lovely recipes! And so much information on Bihar!:) Your dialogue with hubby is very homely!We really need to shop for the events!:D

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  42. @jaden,
    now, thats a compliment ;)

    @sirisha,
    thankx girl. i know we food blogger can easily relate to it;)

    @shilpa,
    i know... what all we do in the name of blogging and food events;) my hubby is quite happy with these blog events coz of them we get to cook and learn new recipes from differnt regions. as long as it turns out edible he will not complain;)
    try these recipes shilpa. they r simple to make and very tasty.

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  43. Hi Sia,

    Beautiful looking thali.
    Enjoyed reading your write-up.
    Thanks, Wishing you and your family members Happy Diwali:-)

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  44. @sunita,
    aha... so u surely belong to food blogger's community then;) he he...

    @kribha,
    glad to know someone is really laughing at my so called joke;) thanks darling:)

    @latha,
    i know...too many events and too little time:)
    oh yeah, u can use yummilicious. we bloggers have knack for creating new words..what with blog hopping and all;)
    goegraphy was not my fav subject in school latha. so why dont u just hop into next plane and come here w/o thinking abt distance;)

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  45. @manasi,
    i guess its a same situation @ most of food blogger's home;)
    thanks sweetie. well, i am still waiting for some leftovers ur aayi sent;)

    @musie,
    sweet torture han? what abt the one's u post in ur blog and somehow i hop to ur blog when i am really really hungry!!!
    come to UK girl. i will make everything u want:)

    @tbc,
    thank u dear:)

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  46. @ramya,
    hey girl, gald to see u after looooooong time:) and thank you.

    @m & m's,
    thank you ~blushing~

    @sandeepa,
    coming from u is a gr8 compliment:) he he..
    now why dont u cook some authentic bihari food for us san. looks like u r quite busy with other things. haven't seen any new post in ur blog recently.

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  47. @red chillies,
    awww... thats such a sweet thing to say:) oh yes, he licked his plate clean;)

    @nags,
    thanks girl. i know with so many events we have to be little more creative ;) he he he...

    @madhu,
    thats so sweet of u madhu. thank you:)

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  48. @lakshmi,
    ha ha ha... i am laughing imagining u rolling on the floor ;)
    so did u decide on what to cook for rci?

    @arundati,
    LOL... well, when they get to eat so many yummy and new dishes they shouldn't be complaining ;) 5 mins of wait shouldn't hurt anyone;) he he he... (hope my hubby is not reading this;)

    @raaga,
    u seems to be getting busier with work. take it easy girl. if not this event then may be the next one:)

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  49. @viji,
    thank u viji:)

    @roopa,
    thank u and wish u the same:)

    @srivalli,
    LOL... we all are sailing in a same boat (or i should say ship with so many bloggers here:)

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  50. @sra,
    ROFL...

    @happy cook,
    LOL... i am camara shy to post the video of me running up and down in supermarket;)

    @rajitha,
    LOL... i won't call u insane coz i too am used to doing the same;) i can't call myself insane, not yet;) he he he...

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  51. @padmaja,
    thanks padma. well, why dont u make a trip with neol to our place? :) we would love to have u guys here.

    @latha,
    thanks maami for the recipe. i have been wanting to make few sweets which calls for khoa but hesitated till now. ur MW method sounds quite do-able.

    @ashakka,
    what??? u dont have bihari cookbook? now thats some news;)
    oh!!! now i know ur secret but it'll not work for me. krish is always with me when cooking:) i am waiting to see ur bihari thali. is is gonna be today???

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  52. HAPPY DEEPAVALI TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SIA!:))

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  53. @siri,
    oh yes... u do belong to food blogger's community ;) LOL... its easy to identity food bloggers as we will be hunting for one ingredient at odd hours ;)

    @arun,
    yayyyyyyyy... now i am jumping up and down :) i am really gald u accepted this award. u r truely a thinking blogger :)

    @mishy,
    oh yeah!!! it happens but not that often these days:)
    and thanks for reminding me abt my own brain;) i feel i have lost it somewhere;)

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  54. @laavanya,
    thank u lav. come and digg in:)

    @bee,
    thanku thanku for showering me with compliments ;) i feel refreshed now;)
    and u guys deserve this award.

    @shivapriya,
    awww... thats such a sweet compliment. thankyou:)

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  55. Happy Diwali to you and urs, sweetie!
    after all the flowcharting u sent it just to one event????????? ;)
    thali looks gorgeous, very tempting :)
    yeah, i'm not able to post as frequently now a days, thanks for asking. There are so many to post but somehow it's not happening, hopefully should get around to it after Diwali. Have a fun time & enjoy the sweets. so what all r u planning to make? any flow charts for that??? :) congrats on the award. hugs to ya!

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  56. @rina,
    he he... thanks:) glad i could spread little smile around :)

    @lotus,
    awww... u r really sweet u know ( i am sure u know that already;)
    u reminded me of my sis. she is one aloo freak and she was the first one to have food whenever amma made some aloo dish. and yes, by the time we sat for food, half the aloo pieces would have had dissappered. argh...
    i am really glad u accepted this award lotus. i enjoy coming to ur blog. and i adore that header. from where did u collect those pics? i got to google for them:)

    @pravs,
    thanks pravs. oh yes! these blog events are testing our creativity to zenth;) he he he...

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  57. @jai,
    LOL... why noone has thought of that!!! i wonder ;)

    @san,
    oh yes!!! i know that(not by experience but looking at other mommies;) i am glad u girls accepted this award:)

    @kaykat,
    do u want me to parcel some food? :)
    u r making me blush. thanku for ur lovely words.

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  58. @saju,
    thank u. he he... looks like there r many who second my thoughts;)

    @latha,
    thank you:) oh maami, we have separate shopping list dedicated to food events ;)

    @MT,
    thank you dear:) wishing ur family and friends a very happy diwali:)

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  59. @latha,
    thank you and wish you the same :) looking at the goodies u r making it looks like u r having a blast:)

    @richa,
    hehe... yup, after all that drama i made all this for just one event. shows how big drama queen i am;)
    take ur own time. i know it happens to me many times when i have too many things in my draft but dont feel like blogging. will wait for ur post whenever u r ready:)
    haven't planned anything for this diwali not even diwali menu. i got to sit back amke a flow chart for that;) i need flow chart before i can implement any;)

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  60. hi the flow chart was good...i liked ur thali and the way u presented it

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  61. He...he...he...same at my home.though i participate i very less events and miss so many of them. In my house same discussions i am doing this to post in my blog.And yes hubby's are happy with all these wonderful food we stuff into them. I enjoyed reading the post.

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  62. very funny illustration.loved the flow chart too.

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  63. This may seem odd for non-bloggers. But for we bloggers, its an usual deal :)

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  64. hmm.. let me guess, u r an engineer? :) Love the flowchart... and congrats on the award... well deserved :) Oh and Happy Deepavali :)

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  65. It's just lovely Sia, really gorgeous! I haven't even started looking for Bihar dishes yet, eek! Now it's after midnight and I'm hungry looking at yours :)

    Loved the diagram -- are you a systems analyst by any chance? That looks like flow charts I remember from a course long ago ;)

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  66. LOL :) I will have to keep that flow diagram handy, I keep missing events :) Thali is awesome and Congrats! The proof is in the pudding with the flow chart and the thali in front who can deny you are a thinking blogger :) :)

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  67. Wish you both a very happy Diwali Supriya.

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  68. Lovely bihari thali sia. Gulab jamuns are looking so tempting :)

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  69. sia, thali looks so inviting! beautiful pictures!! congrats on winning the award!!!

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  70. ha...familiar scene...
    however a neat thali..

    and by the way why does your text seem incomplete on the screen and the fonts seem enlarged..is it the same for everyone or is somehting wrong with my browser now?

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  71. loved the diagram and the thali too..

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  72. Loved the diagram..:)

    ...and sia..no worries and regrets that you couldnt come up with the Diwali goodies..you turn up with a feast,always!!:)

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  73. Oh so funny, you had me laughing away to myself. A great post - and congratulations on the award.

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  74. Hi Sia,

    that opening dialogue is so hillarious. This is exactly how I cook at home. My Tompa is not surprised at my dinner ideas any more. He just asks, what´s the theme this time? Let me guess. ABC ..? :-)

    Talking about events, how about a gift idea for my Spoonful of Christmas? Looking forward ;-)

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  75. @shanti,
    thank u shanti:)

    @ramya,
    i know..@ many food blogger's place its a same scenario:)
    r u gonna post on this as well? will look forward to it.

    @swaroopa,
    thank u:)

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  76. @suganya,
    u bet :)

    @sig,
    not bad... u r 50% correct in guessing though;)

    @linda,
    i am sure u will find something wonderful for the event:)
    LOL... i like it... system analyst;) i may be the one;)

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  77. KS,
    thank u:)

    @ISG,
    i feel its better to refer to asha's blog coz she hardly misses any events;)
    and thanks for the compliment... i am all red now;)

    @shivapriya,
    thank u dear:)

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  78. @hima,
    thank u hima:) do u want me to send some gulab jamuns? :)

    @lissie,
    thank u dear:)

    @rachel,
    thank u:)
    i am not sure why its happening to u. nobody seems to have any prob as i have not got any comments abt it yet. may be its to do with ur screen resolution or may be something else. i have tried checking in different PCs with different resolutions and operating systems. but it seemed working fine.

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  79. @smn,
    thank u:)

    @bharathy,
    thats really sweet of u to say that:) thank u:)

    @vegeyum,
    a warm welcome to monsoon spice. i am glad to know i can make someone laugh at my poor jokes;)

    @zlamushka,
    LOL... thats us... food bloggers;)
    i will think of something for ur event:)

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  80. Hey Sia,
    Inspired by your kurma, I made my own version. Will post when I get a chance.
    Thanks so much!:-)

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Namaste! I am Sia and welcome to Monsoon Spice, my virtual home. Thank you for all your comments, inputs and feedback. I really appreciate the valuable time you spent browsing through my recipe repertoire.

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