Make chai, not war

Haha!!!! I so need to get this...

Vintage Indian utensils

When my sister was down visiting from Texas, we took a quick trip to a quaint little town in southern Virginia to visit my uncle and his family. It's a college town, but they are also famous for some of the state's best bed & breakfasts. I was poking around my aunts pantry and almost screamed in delight when I saw these. The first one is used to make gathiya, an Indian breakfast street food. It is made using besan (chickpea flour or gram flour). It is mixed with water, oil, baking soda, salt and Tellicherry peppercorns. The batter is then slid across by hand through the holes and dropped into hot oil. The result is slightly puffy savory delight. If I had to compare them to something, I would say they are like a savory Indian churro. Instead of serving them with hot chocolate, you would offer up some hot masala chai. The second utensil is a hand held grater that once belonged to my grandmother. My aunt told me I could take it if I wanted to. And I REALLY wanted to, but I left it with her, undeniably in good hands.

Pineapple & Habanero vodka

I hardly have time to breathe these days or so it feels. Working full time and then going to school is not fun. I don't know how people do it. That too, with kids and family! I have a new appreciation for all the single moms that raise their kids while going to school and work. It's just amazing how they are able to do that. So, as it is right now, I have hardly been cooking. Sometimes I want to, but then don't want to worry about the clean up. That's just how it's been of late. Anyways, look what I found at this Mexican place in Greensboro! The bartender said it is reserved for straight shots only. I would love to try this at home soon!

Bananas Foster pancakes

Happy New Year everyone! Seems like the older you get, the faster time flies. This past year has been a lot of fun, way too much drama, busy and busier, and not to mention, a lot of restaurant eating.

I really don't want to make any resolutions, but rather goals for the year. The first one is just to cook at home more. This past year it was difficult with both work and grad school, but I will try to plan ahead better.

So that brings me to my favorite meal of the day, breakfast! I made these Bananas Foster pancakes using the whole grain baking mix from Trader Joe's and adding a ripe banana to the batter. Then I melted about two good knobs of butter and added brown sugar and let it caramelize with some cream and after that just slice up a banana and let it come together for a couple of minutes. So easy and fast and delicious! Easy dish to impress with!

Linda's black bean burger & sweet potato tots

I just went to Linda's on Franklin St. for a pickup order. It was my first time there, so I wasn't sure how my burger would end up. I heard really great things about their amazing cheese fries though. So I brought it back to my desk and was so excited to see the pretzel roll bun! It is delicious y'all!!! This is by far, the best black bean burger I've ever had. It's not hard or glumpy like a lot of other places where the black beans are not fully cooked through. Oh, and those sweet potato tots! OMG. So so good!! They hit the spot with the jalapeno ranch sauce. I also heard they have live jazz on Thursday nights, so I might have to go check that out.

Magic Hat

Having lived in Burlington in my childhood is probably the reason for my unnatural affinity towards one of my favorite microbreweries. Enter, Magic Hat of Burlington, VT. Besides the delicious offerings, they are a humorous bunch over there. They always has the most awesome bottle top sayings.

I love Magic Hat #9 of course, but I really dig Circus Boy & Winter Howl. The summer variety, Wacko is really excellent too! It's a little hard to find anything other than #9 in these parts unfortunately!

I would LOVE to try their Hocus Pocus, Fat Angel & Night of the Living Dead. Has anyone tried those? If any of you work there, I would be willing to do a review!!

Gujarati ghugra

My aunt made these when I was over celebrating Diwaali. They are filled with sweetened semolina, raisins and cardamom.