FOOD: lazy girl's snack- POTATO CROQUTTES

I know for some of you it may seem inappropriate to see food post in crucial time like this when we still are getting aftershocks everyday & life still in tremor.But I guess its time we try switch out from the “quake mode”& start our lives normally don’t u think?And anyway if your one of those like my grandma who's still not ready to enter home despite how safe the house looks even after that MEGAEARTHQUAKE, this quick make and munch snack might just fill up your hungry tummy!

Today was just like the other days after the earthquake-still aftershocks and everyone too lazy to do anything.Literally it feels like the shake has shaked off the energy out of people,all you want is to sleep or just lie around in a safe place(well thats how i feel). Anyway we aint never too lazy to cook though,especially my mom.She just gets excited when it comes to cooking and whatever recipe you show her,she'l add her own personal touch & make extra tasty!lucky me i know,,but now u may have guessed where all the fat in my body comes from too haha

So getting back to how to make this absolutely easy,quick & deliiiiiicious potato croquttes:

Lets start :

all u need is boiled potatoes-mashed,breadcrumbs and that colourful mixture right there is chopped-onions,green chilles,spring onions & coriander

mix all the chopped items to the mashed potatoes 

add salt,chilli powder and black pepper to taste & mix well.

so,we have 3 steps here before the goodness hits the hot oil:
1.make small balls of the mix
2.coat them with egg wash(here i used 3 eggs)
3.roll them around in breadcrumbs

If you don’t have breadcrumbs,blend some beaten rice or suji and it will work the same as well.

drop the balls in very hot oil & fry until golden brown,if you overfry them,they might crumble to pieces,keep watch!

drain the excess oil & wola they are ready!

We made dipping sauce out of ketchup,little vinegar & chilli paste!

So here you go,easy & quick lazy girl's snack.ENJOY :)

#staystrongnepal #prayfornepal

the major hastag all around

I am writing this post in a post traumatic condition.

Its exactly one week after the GIANT earthquake hit Nepal!And it's the most heart wrenching feeling.The whole week went by in a state of shock,emotionally distressed by the plights of victims,tremors of aftershocks,panicking,terrifying. Last Saturday,I was in my room chilling,lying down recklessly,making plans for our upcoming pokhara trip.Who knew the ground below me had different plans!The seismograph read 7.8 richter scale that afternoon!And this saturday,I'm back home typing this blog post in my bed after spending all these days in the tent.Feels like a nightmare!

With all the tragedy that has stricken our nation,its been a really harsh week for all.You should have seen me the other night...I spent solid couple of hours going through all the photos of destructed heritages I once witnessed.Things wont be the same next time around when I’l be at that place.I'm still kind of in shock at how quickly all the things around me changed since the quake occurred!My grandma was still nervous to return home to sleep the night before yesterday,even the slightest swift movements in the room gives her a scare.

However,it still feels nice to be back home.....safe-alive.

Things are still crazy outside home and everyone's trying to make composure.I really cant think of any inspiring lines to share right now but want to heartly thank each and every single human who is donating,volunteering,supporting, leading,aiding.Also,facebooking and tweeting about the earthquake and CHANNELIZING people,organizations up and backing through the chaos my country is facing!All you people are doing mind-boggling jobs!Keep it up!

And right now,I wouldn't really ask for much else...except for quick recovery & peace restoration in the country & people's mind. 

I know we all are deep heartbroken and shattered.But we hold each other hands and will avail.No matter what,we will overcome;we will grow again and bounce back.Eventually we will be blessed.

So in the mean time lets reach out and help where needed,donate what we can and pray.

Grant eternal peace to those who lost their lives.Embrace the children who died in their innocence.Help those who are hurt and cure those who are sick.

Encourage those who suffer the destruction of their homes and properties and to once again stand up and rebuild their future.

Bless all those who extend their helping hands to those in need of food,shelter and clothing,who share their time,talents and resources with others.

Inspire more people to be men and women for their neighbors,convinced that the more they are for others,the taller they stand before you.

Spare us please from other natural disasters and devastations if this be according to Your will and for our own spiritual good and growth.

                                Amen!                                                         

                                        

                                                                                                                                                                            sending hugs to everyone :)

                                                                                

DIY: flower crown

Nothing fancy,nothing complicated!Lets just say this is a sort of reminiscence of my childhood play.A simple flower crown i used to make with my neighborhood kids when we were small.Still now,everytime i see these flowers in the field,I get pretty nostalgic.

cousin sister

And I’m not sure if u guys know the name of this flower,nevermind neither do i.But its plenty found in the open fields & meadows around Kathmandu.I remember when I was a kid,we would take our dogs for a walk in the fields and bring back home these flowers.We would make tiaras,bangles & all sort of bearings a princess would wear.The kind of feeling that made me think of The Princess & Frog Dog haha..That was a long time back and today when my little cousin brought home these flowers,i was back to being a kid again.

So,im guessing you want to make one of this too,right?Its easy-pisy.see below:

beautiful pattern init?

1.Make a little bunch & take a flower or two
2.Place the flower just below the adjacent flowers on top
3.Wrap the stem around the bunch
4.Bring the stem back to the same place after running the stem above the same flower & continue the same.

 

TADA!

You could also try with more colourful & big flowers,just remember cut the stem long if you are making by this version ok?

Talking of which,almost everyone is rocking the flower crowns this spring & It was seen plenty in this years coachella festival in palm springs,CA.I could write a whole post dedicated to the street style in that festival! hmm..looks like i found topic for my next post haha

These two friends rocked flower crowns w/ dreamy makeup looks — & smudgy eye shadow.Now thats what im talking 'bout!

So whether your going for a music festival or a trip for a day or so,,spend some bucks on the flower crowns or get crafty!Tuck it in your hair,wear your summer dress,feel like a princess & definitely be ready for some long glares ;) Who would have thought a mere childhood fantasy would turn to be a fashion staple!

& did i tell u iv been watching Dexter season1 a lot lately,i dont miss an episode!As said a bloody good man w/ a bloody good plan!

Here's to a bloddy long week lol

                                                                        xx,

                                                                   punam

Mom's Chicken Gravy

Its mother’s day & you’v brought her gifts & sweets,well that’s pretty obvious don’t u think?So how bout you cook dinner for her tonight?(here,im specifically trying to point out the boys).Most of the boys i know including my younger brother for them cooking isn’t their forte.I remember once my brother cooked us noodle & though it was salty,my grandma was so happy,she finished it all.

I was cooking meal this morning & while I was preparing this chicken curry I thought I should write a post about this too.I mean who doesnot love chicken curry & rice(yeah I know vegeterians don’t) but Im sure they would too if they tried some of this.

Every family has their own versions of chicken curry.This is my quick & simple version.I call it Mom’s Chicken Gravy because my mom taught me most of the dishes including this one.And those who have no idea of cooking,it may look quite dense but its really easy-pisy,trust me!

Still don’t?see for urselves :

First heat up some vegetable oil,after it gets hot add methi,corainder & jeera seeds.Add chopped onions & let it turn slighty brown,add bay leaves(tejpatta),ginger-garlic paste & turmeric.

Toss the chicken in the pan & close the lid.(Im using 1/2 kilo chicken chunks).Keep checking in every 2 minutes or so,dont let the meat stick in the pan.

The chicken will release some water in some minutes,then take some cardamom(sukmel),cloves(lwang),cinnamon stick(dalchini) crush it & throw in the pan.Also add salt to taste.Cook for some more minutes until the chicken turns slighty brown.

Add chopped tomatoes,chillies & spring onions.Stir.Then add chilli powder,jeera powder,coriander powder(optional),meat masala,pinch of black pepper & add a little water & let the spices cook.

Add more water or chicken stock & let it come to boil.Turn down the heat & let it come to thick consistency,thats what we call gravy.

Turn off the heat,chop some corainder leaves & garnish on top.Serve hot w/ rice!

This portion serves 4-5 people.Your mom will absolutely love it.And dont worry even if u make it slighty salty or doensot turn out perfect,well its the thought that counts.GOOD LUCK!

Here's to all the beautiful moms out there.Happy Mother's Day!

                                                                                  xx,

                                                                                  Punam

New Year,Old Me

Its Nepali New Year in next couple of hours & im finding it really overwhelming to summarize the whole year in one post & i feel like im at loss for words.I am in the terrace as yesterday,the sun hits the same way it did last year,during the same month.The new year isn't new.It isn't real.It's a way to re-imagine myself.To re-imagine the things I've imagined:to be thinner, to be happier and to be farther along in my career.And while there's still some time for sunset,im anxiously writing in the last few hours of Chaitra 30.

Let me first start off by saying I would not change anything about this past year.Even though there are lots of memories,I want to erase(yes,there are more than few),It made me who I am today & my outlooks.Along with those memories made,there were lots of emotions involved:feeling of uncertainty,feeling of loneliness,feeling of anxiety,feeling of new found independence.This all cummulatively has made me closer to myself & my perception on things & people.

2070 was the second time landing on my full time job & working the 9-6 routine & during busy weekends 9-7.It wasn't as easy as i thought it would be.But at the same time,Its been fun as well.Life doesn't end after college.Especially when you're lucky enough to have best friends to rule this uncharted territory with you.In fact,there was something liberating about this newfound independence.As challenging as working full-time can be,it can be just as fulfilling & paying Big Girl bills yourself is also kind of rewarding—especially when you finally accept that you have no actual concept of personal finance and that that's OK, at least for the time being

I decided to post the photo of this beautiful evening sky i took perhaps the day before yesterday from my terrace.This place's been a little refuge for me for the past half year.I feel my ownself & centered here.Having siblings at home & relatives next door,the privacy & own space idea gets doomed & invaded.Also,if u need a remedy for a broken heart,going up the terrace & watching the sunset helps.

I'm not very good at making resolutions &even the ones I do make are too vague to keep.But there is a kind of resolution I do want to keep this year since whether I want to admit it or not,a lot of this year felt dictated by a number of personal relationships.So for 2072,I want to be the one in command of my own happiness.

So, cheers to 2072!It's a new year,but it's the same me.This time,actively taking control of my own well-being.



                                                                         xx,
                                                                         punam

Alexander McQueen Gala's savage styles

Alexander McQueen has been one of my favourite designers ever since i got interested into this whole fashion thing.The thing that fascinates me the most about him is how he breaks the traditional mold of successful designer & creates unique couture designs.I am a covet for haute couture design(now u know my little secret)So you have preety much guessed why this all tickles my interest.If you are one of those like me,you must be well aware about the(Alexander McQueen:Savage Beauty Gala)touring  Europe & even if u havenot,dont worry my friend,,uv made a right choice stubbling here.Im documenting it in this little blog of mine.

The retrospective exhibit is first and largest to be presented in Europe paying homage to the most innovative designer of all times:Alexander McQueen.The exhibit includes his very early post graduate collection from 1992 to his final collection which hit the runway in february 2010,following his death.His designs have finally reached home.It was showcased in the London’s Victoria & Albert Museum on March 14 & will run till 2 August,2015.

The fashion world came out to fete the opening of Alexander McQueen:Savage Gala in London.And with a muster of friends and devout followers in attendance,this was one night of style.I couldnot resist admiring the butterfly-print chiffon gown worn by FKA twigs & plenty other from top models like Kate Moss to A-listers like Victoria Beckham,there were plenty of stars in epic outfits to behold.But who truly captured the savage beauty of McQueen?Anyway,here are those savage outfits i absolutely loved:

FKA twigs

Victoria Beckham in a cutout textured floral dress w/ her hubby David Beckham

Salma Hayek in McQueen's fall 2008 collection

 source:gettyimages

A true fashion icon,Kate Moss in a jet-black embroidered-lace tulle dress from McQueen's pre-Fall 2015 collection.

Which savage beauty captured your eye?
To know more about the exhibition click here. 

Ciao!

First Weeks Of Spring

Its been a while hasn’t it?The long chilly winter passed by & spring is here while my life’s still in the state of hibernation.Everyone around just seems to be happier though(maybe it’s the anticipation of summer or maybe everyone’s seasonal affective disorder is finally wearing off).But for whatsoever reason,I haven’t had the energy & motivation to blog lately.Iv been jailing myself in my room for last two months.If im going to be completely honest,iv only ventured outside my house just a few times mainly just to meet up with my bestfriends.I spend most of time jumping from one url to another,reading archives of my favourite bloggers,listening songs,watching the new episodes of ‘melisa & joe’ & other times running errands at home.
Last weekend I helped out  my old aunt with the gardening.And the highlight of the week was visting my old workplace.One of my closest friend(more like sister)who worked with me had come over to my place & after spending the half of the afternoon chatting & watching episodes of ‘sawadhan india’ we thought we make a sneak visit to our used-to-be-workplace & say hello to our fellow mates.Its funny how the same place I worked for a long time seemed like a new place with memories stitched beforehand.I had a very nostalgic feeling the whole time.A part of me missed working there while I also knew I have to move on & explore new things that are still ahead of me.We ended up hanging there the whole evening.

These are some photos i took last week while we were gardening at our terrace.Since our backyard is concretely cemented,we have to raise these babies up here.Let me tell u my old aunt is so obsessed about gardening.She looked like a little kid smiling at the new toys while she was unwrapping plastic sheets from the flower saps.

new pots!

my neighbour planted theirs just a week before.

from my terrace

Im getting good vibes about this spring and see im making progresses already(tiny ones).Like I came out of my cave & lounged around doing these stuffs.So here's to the spring arrival & hopefully more blogging in coming weeks.Lets take this as a excuse to start fresh & get motivated again to do the things that we kept putting off till “tomorrow”.Happy weekend ya'll.

ps. who’s excited about release of ‘fifty shades of grey’ in Nepal?haha im.