Hobbies to indulge into...

Indian Crab Curry

2009-04-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

Ingredients used

1. Crabs – 7
2. Grated coconut – 2 cups
3. Small Red chillies – 6
4. Long Red Chillies – 4
5. Coriander seeds – 1 tablespoon heapful
6. Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
7. Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
8. Fenugreek seeds – ½ teaspoon
9. Garlic – 6/7 Cloves
10. Ginger - ¾ inch
11. Onion – 1 Medium size
12. Turmeric ½ teaspoon
13. One small raw mango (You can also use tamarind 2 inch)
14. Salt as per taste

Method

Grind together item 2 – 12, use only half onion.

In a vessel add about 1/2 cup water and raw mango, let it boil for 10/15 mins in medium heat. To this add the ground masala and water as required (for thick gravy less water) followed by the remaining half onion, finely cut. Now add salt as per taste.
Let this first boil in high flame for 5 mins and then reduce the flame to minimum and boil for 5 mins.

Finally add the crabs, properly cleaned and cut. The crabs with gravy needs to be boiled in high flame for 5 mins and the slow heat for about 20/25 mins.

How to cut and stitch a 3/4 pant

2009-03-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

Even as a teenager, I wished I could stitch my own clothes. It was never so easy because no one in my family knew tailoring and moreover I was never encouraged with my desire to learn tailoring. Last year I joined a tailoring class however, I was not too happy with the way they taught, hardly understood why I am doing what I am asked to do. So I quit soon after.

Later, I searched on the net and found few good sites, youtube videos and tailoring books to get me started. After a lot of trial and error I have managed to learn a good deal. nd this time I have tried to make a ¾ pant with an attached skirt. This is the easiest, ideal for all those who are in the learning stage. I have given the maximum information, but if there is any question still unanswered, ask and will try to answer. After all, I have got so much from this online medium, its just fair enough that I give back something now.

Measurements (in Inches)

First fold the material twice first lengthwise then widthwise. Mark the measurements as per your requirements.

0-1 : Length +1 ½”
0-2 : From waist to seat
0-5 : 1/4 of waist +1/4”
2-4 : same as 0-5
Make a square joining 0-2-4-5
4-6 : 1”
Join 6 and 5
6-7 : 1/6 of seat
6-8 : 1/12 if seat less ½ “
6-9: ½ of 6-8
Make a curve joining 8-9-7
1-10 : ½ of bottom
10-11 bottom to knee length

Finally make a curve joining 10-11-8

Now cut from 1-10-11-8-7-5.

From the remaining piece of the material cut (2) 1 1/2'” width and waist length strips for the waistband. And 4 pieces of strips of about 5” long and 1” wide for the bottom of legs.

Instructions:
Start with the bottom of the leg, fold them in about 1/4'” and stitch. Always stitch such rough edges to give a nice finishing. Once both the legs’ bottom has been stitched, start stitching from point 10 to 8 on both the legs separately. This stitches are done on the wrong side of the material put the right side out after stitching from point 10 – 8 and bring together the inside middle seam and stitch them this will join both the legs.

This completes the basic stitching of the pant. Take the waist band cloth, properly stitch its rough edges and stitch each waist band to each side of the pant. Before that, stitch the rough edges of the waist area of the pant. While you can join one of the waist band keep one of it open to insert an elastic or drawstrings.

4 strips that we had cut earlier, we will give them a good arrow shape and stitch it on the wrong side of the pant about 1” above the bottom area. Take its other end on the right side of the pant’s bottom and sew a button on it. The ¾ pant is now ready, you can stop it here if you so wish. However, I have done something more to the pant.

Take some more cloth from the unused material. The length of the material will be as long as to cover the pant and the width can be about 10”. After stitching all the rough edges of the cloth, stitch it on the waist area of the pant or a little above the waist area. You can finish it with a button on the end of this cloth and a button hole on the other end of the cloth.

Your ¾ pant with skirt attached is done.

To understand better check this video;

Blogging, the new age hobby...

2009-03-01T07:12:00.000-08:00

Blogging has grown in the recent years so much that for many it’s become the choicest hobby. So it would not be wrong to say Blogging is the new age hobby. The percentage of educated people who love to write is huge and so for every net savvy person blogging is a passion. What does it take to start a blog? A blogger account and lots of topics to write upon, and there begins your new hobby.

Blogging is fun however, make sure what exactly you are trying to achieve by blogging or you may end up disinterested. There are people who blog because of one of the following reasons;

Because their friends are blogging...
Because they have something to say...
Because they want to gain attention...

If you want to have a successful blog, first think about a niche you want to write on, and once that’s decided, regularly update you website with useful content. Doing this there is nothing to stop you from getting the title of a successful Blogger. If you are thinking what you can write about... simple, what you like the most. Fashion, current affairs (be careful while writing about current affairs don't take any names because there are hypersensitive journalists who may sue you for writing your opinion, plus now there are some laws for blogging that may sound scary), technology, sports etc.

You will be surprised how, while blogging you will learn so much yourself about something that interests you.

Wedding cards used to make a old file look new

2009-02-04T11:43:00.000-08:00

It was always difficult for me to throw away such good wedding cards. I was thinking of ways to keep these cards without making it look like some clutter in the house. And one way I found was to cover old files with these cards in a creative manner. The color coordination should be proper. Except for the cards you will need glue and scissors... that's all.

File before the work started

Cards Used --- Aren't they lovely?

Both front and back side

Behind

Front side

Write write till you succeed

2008-12-08T03:16:00.000-08:00

According to a recent research, writing is a good stress buster. I completely agree and discovered this fact long back. Whether or not anyone is reading what you write, after writing about whatever is bothering you or your feelings, your mind does relax a lot.

No wonder Blogging is taking by storm the internet world, everyone wants to blog whether a celebrity or a common person like me, almost everyone who knows about blogging, blog or have thought about blogging. But this kind of writing is for the world to see. It’s not necessary to relieve you from your stress you have to blog you can even rely on the old diary/journal writing method.

It will not only make you feel better but also open your mind to better ideas or ways of tackling a difficult situation. Good luck!

The better side of Orkut

2007-10-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

The better side of Orkut

Networking sites has been in news for all the wrong reasons. It is strange why these news makers don’t see what so many millions of people see and understand. I am a big fan of networking sites, particularly Orkut.

It has only made me happier, found long lost friends, got jobs and a chance to re-discover myself. But of course the golden rule of Orkut, ‘Discover more than you disclose’ should always be followed.

The kind of benefits I have mentioned above, many people must have experienced, however apart from it there are some other lesser known advantages too. Like the following;

1. Attain the Celebrity status, by making your own videos and uploading them in orkut. Let the world see your entertaining skills. Who knows, soon you too will grow popular like the movie actors.
2. Write testimonials for your friends and hone your writing skills.
3. Check out the albums of frequent travelers and see the beautiful places around the world without spending for it.
4. Regularly read scraps by people good with the English language to improve your vocabulary and verbal communication.

I’m not sure if this post belongs to the hobbies category, but to think of it I know so many people who knowingly or unknowingly have made orkut as their favorite hobby. So I guess Orkut should come under the Hobbies section.:)

How to put to good use embroidery items

2007-09-11T23:42:00.000-07:00

Some months back I had got a silver thread spool for embroidering. When I saw it in the shop I liked it, but when I tried using them they were kind of stiff and not moving like ordinary thread does. And it was there lying almost unused all this time.

I was thinking of ways to use them as they looked great, just then my eyes went to on some unused beads and golden lace. Now I will tell you how I used these three to give a new look to my plain footwear.

I took the silver string, tied a knot, put the white tiny bead into the string again tied a knot. Repeated this procedure till, I got the required length. Next, I glued this string and bead combination, on the middle strap of the scandal. For those with more time in hand can cover the top and bottom strap similarly with the string. Cover the center vertical bit with the golden lace.

With a little creativity you can give a designer look to any of your accessories or outfits with items left unused in your embroidery kit.

Final touch...!

Free greeting cards

2007-08-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

Make your own greetings cards with Microsoft Powerpoint.

I have discovered a very easy and fun way of preparing greeting cards with the help of Powerpoint. All you need is creativity, colour and placement sense. To start with open a New slide and select a blank layout. Think of an occasion on which you would like to create the card eg Birthdays, festival etc. On the bottom there is a horizontal tool bar from which you can pick a specific shape and begin. I will now demonstrate how I prepared this card.

METHOD

First choose the rectangle shape and cover the white area with an attractive colour. Double click on it and you will have the colouring option open. Select a suitable colour, here I have settled on a combination.

I got the heart shape background for V-Day card from Clipart in Powerpoint. I have used some images; can use your own pics too, to add that personal touch. You can insert some texts and add them vertically, horizontally or just slant them.

Once it’s ready, do a CTRL+A and paste it on a New page of Paint, save it using the .jpg extension.

It’s that simple. A quick and easy way to test your creativity and to add personal touch to your cards

Cooking Craft

2007-06-25T04:32:00.000-07:00

Progress of women in today’s fast world is limited not only to her career but has also extended to her handling kitchen issues more efficiently. Her cooking task may have shifted to the domestic help however the supervision still remains her responsibility.

I remember once my senior at my previous office, was telling us how she used her brilliant presence of mind to save from sending the over cooked vegetables to garbage. She made her maid to fry some onions, tomatoes, Pav bhaji masala powder, coriander leaves and added the vegetables into it; and served it with Pau (Bread).

To save food without compromising on the taste is an art by itself. All it takes is some creative --- out of box thinking. I have found some ways to save food from getting wasted and am sure there will be many more such tricks that needs to be explored.
If there are excess vegetables with gravy of the previous day, one can keep only the vegetable and throw the gravy. Mix these vegetables with Maggi noodles and it would taste good too. Fry some onions till they are golden brown. Add maggi noodles, taste maker and water. Let it boil then add the leftover vegetables and a pinch of salt.

If you are wondering why to throw away the gravy and not add them as well, it’s because sometimes spices used to prepare the gravy may not go well with the ready made noodles taste-maker.

2006-12-14T11:49:00.000-08:00

Try this healthy and yummy paratha, the best thing is it doesnt require too much of time to prepare this and not even much ingredients.

Ingredients:
100 gms Grated Paneer
Coriander leaves chopped fine
Salt, Red Chili powder, Turmeric powderand Garam masala as per taste
Butter / Oil for frying
Whole wheat flour (atta)

Method:

In a pan put paneer fry for a min on high flames reduce the heat and add red chilli powder, turmeric powder and Garam Masala powder and fry.
Finally add coriander leaves and fry till you can smell the garam masala fragrance.

Make dough out of whole wheat flour (atta), as with any paratha.

Make two medium size chapati, add the filling to the one chapati and cover it with the second one. Now roll it slightly.

Fry on a pre-heated Tawa.

Turn it over and pour half tablespoon oil or butter.

Spread it on paratha and shallow fry over low heat. Turn it and again pour oil or butter on the other side.

Cook on a low heat till golden brown.

Tastes yummy even without anything else.

2006-09-02T02:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick to make and good to eat recipe of Egg Biryani. I have taken 6 eggs, if you like you may increase the quantity of eggs.

Egg Biryani

Basmati rice 2 cups
Water 3-1/2 cups
Eggs 6
Onion finely cut 1
Ginger paste 1 tsp.
Garlic paste 1 tsp.
Biryani Masala powder 2 tsp
Red chilli powder 1 tsp.
Coriander powder 1 tsp.
Cinnamon sticks (thin) 3-4 (1/2 inch each)
Black Pepper powdered 1/2 tsp
Vegetable oil 4 tbsp.
Salt to taste
Chopped coriander leaves

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan. Add Ginger-garlic paste, followed by Cinnamon sticks and Onion. Fry on a
medium flame, till onions change to a golden brown colour.
2. Add Biryani Masala powder and fry for a min.
3. Put red chilli powder and mix well.
4. Add rice, salt and water. Stir well. Cover it and cook until most of the water evaporates. Put off the gas while there is some moisture remaining in the rice. Gently, turn the rice upside down once.
5. Boil three eggs and slice them.
6. Beat the remaining three eggs in a bowl. Add salt and powdered pepper to it and beat again.
7. Heat oil in a pan. Pour the beaten eggs. Continuously stir it and cook until golden brown.
8. Cut the boiled eggs into thin slices.
9. Slightly grease a heavy bottom vessel with some oil, Add a layer of boiled rice then a layer of scrambled eggs. Repeat a layer of rice and finally put the cut boiled eggs.
10. Add some coriander leaves and Cook for 2mins on slow flame. Mix it gently without crushing the rice.
11. Serve the rice hot.

2006-08-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

Mushroom Magic

Recently I tried a new recipe, which to my surprise turned out to be good. I think, there is creativity in cooking also... so here comes my latest creation "Mushroom Magic".

Ingredients

Mushrooms 500gms.
Onions 2 nos
Whole red chillies 8-10
Garlic 2 flakes
Pepper 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds 1 tsp
Coriander seeds 1/4 tsp
Fresh cream 2 tbsp
Lemon juice 2tsp
Oil 2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method :

1. Wash, clean and slice the Mushrooms. Boil the mushroom in 1cup water.
2. Slice the onions. Crush the Garlic
3. Grind and make powder of red chillies, cumin seeds,pepper and coriander seeds.
4. Heat Oil in a Kadai, saute onions and garlic on medium fire for a minute then add Red chillies, cumin seeds, coriander pepper powder and turmeric powder till you can smell the fragrance of the masala. Then add the sliced Mushrooms with the water.
5. Immediately add Lemon juice and salt to taste. Let it cook for a few mins.
6. Finally add the cream and stir well. Let it cook for 10 to 15 mins on slow fire.

Serve hot with Chapattis (Indian Bread), Puris, etc....

2006-08-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

Chicken Tandoori...

Here's how you can make Chicken tandoori on stove-top. It comes out very well.

Ingredients:
Chicken (whole) 1 ( about 1-1/2 Kg)
Red chilly powder 1 tsp.
Garam Masala Powder 1 tsp.
Ginger paste 1 tsp.
Garlic paste 1 tsp.
Green chilly paste 1 tsp.
Yogurt (curd) 1/2 cup
Lemon juice 2 tbsp.
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil

Method:
1. Thoroughly clean the chicken. Slit it slightly with a knife.
2. Apply a mixture of red chilly powder, salt and lemon juice all over the body and marinate it for 30-45 minutes.
3. Churn the yogurt and add ginger, garlic and green chilly paste, garam masala and mix well.
4. Add yogurt mixture on chicken and toss until the mixture is adequately spread on all the pieces. Marinate it for 6-7 hours. I kept it overnight in fridge.
5. On a flat pan fry it on slow fire. Show all sides of chicken to pan on intervals of 2mins. After about 15mins of frying its done. If you like, you can squeeze some lemon juice on it.

Serve hot with rice.