The festival of colors continues.......

See what I mean?  Two days in a row, we have had such beautiful skies now.  Let's see if this will continue tomorrow.

Beautiful Skies: There is something about Texas clouds!

Who doesn't like beautiful skies.   They come in so much variety, not one is like another.  Clear blue skies, blue skies with white clouds, a gazillion shapes thereof, pink clouds, red clouds, and shades too numerous to count.

Archana thinks I am crazy because I shoot skies every single chance I get.  They have this remarkable ability to take me to a different world.  It's like a fantasy every time the sun sets and rises over the horizon.  Some of you may have seen photos of early morning Tennessee skies in one of my orkut.com albums.  With airplane smoke lines filling entire skylines, the view was almost like from another planet, something you'd see in an artist's rendition of celestial scenes.

Recently, on a trip to India, I happened to witness some of the most beautiful skies I had ever seen.  At 35,000 ft., the perspective is totally different.  You're used to seeing clouds against the backdrop of blue sky.  And now suddenly you're seeing them against the backdrop of the earth.

It is marvellous to say the least!  Tiny clumps of white clouds, with a backdrop divided almost halfway between a landscape full of farms, rivers, interstate highways, scattered houses and bright blue sky.  Take  a sip of coffee, relax and enjoy the scene.

Ever since we moved to Texas, I have been noticing how much different Texas sky is from anywhere else I have been to.  The numerous patterns of clouds you see here are just breathtaking.  Every single day (unless it's raining of course), I wish  I had my Rebel with me.  This evening I got the perfect opportunity.  I was just getting ready to pour the sparking Lambrusco in two glasses, when I peeked outside the study window and immediately noticed the festival of colors that was happening that very moment across the sky.  You know what they say.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  So without getting into a detailed description, I will let you all devour the beautiful Texas sky.  Enjoy!!!

Holy Molly, Guacamole!!!

Guacamole! One Word! Enough to tantalize your taste buds. How many of you had your mouth watering the moment you read that. Me too guys. And gals.

If you are like me, you also don't like the store bought Guacamole. I first tasted Avocados after I came to US and did not like them initially. But slowly they closed in and got me. Now I love them so much that I have started wondering why doesn't India have commercial production of these fruits. They are just too good to pass up. So here is my version of the spicy Guacamole. Enjoy! Drop me a line if you like the recipe.

Ingredients:

Avocados 2
Cilantro
Ripe tomato 1
Mint 2 large leaves
Garlic clove 1 or 2
Black pepper
One large lime
Salt to taste

1. Fine chop Cilantro leaves and the tomato. Set aside.
2. Grind the garlic cloves and mint leaves together in a paste using morter/pastle if you have one.
3. Chop or mash ripe Avocados depending upon how you like them.
4. Mix Avocado paste/pieces, tomato, cilantro and mint+garlic paste together in a bowl.
5. Add black pepper and salt to taste. Squeeze half a lime in the bowl. This will add some tangy flavor to it.



6. Add two tablespoons of olive oil. This adds a very rich flavor to the guacamole. It's just not the same without olive oil.
7. Garnish with some leftover cilantro leaves and serve with potato or corn chips. My favorite is Kettle's Salt and Crushed Black Pepper Potato Chips.

Archana's Shahi Pulao

Mix 1:

Ginger & Garlic: 10-12 cloves and lots of ginger
Green chillies 5-6
Coriander
Spinach
Grind into a paste


Chopped veggies:

Shimla mirch
Flower


Saute 1:

Cashews & Raisins
only in ghee


Mix 4:

Cinnamon stick small 1
Bay leaf or curry leaves
2-3 cloves
4-5 black peppers
1 cardamom
1 tablespoon cumin


Take 2 tablespoons of ghee
Add mix 4 except cumin & curry leaves which are to be added at the end
Add chopped vegetables and saute for few mins
Add green mix masala.
Once garlic starts smelling good, add rice