सलाम नमस्ते INDIA

There is life beyond Tunday’s in the beautiful heritage town on the banks of river Gomti. We take you kebab hopping in the bylanes of Lucknow to discover some amazing stuff. A gourmet dream come true! Ask anyone what is Lucknow famous for and they’ll answer in two words kebabs and nawabs! Formerly and famously known as Awadh, Lucknow is famous for its Avadhi cuisine ranging from Lucknowi biryani replete with melt-in-the-mouth soft pieces of mutton and a rich aromatic flavour, to the world famous  Galauti Kebabs  made so popular by Tunday Kebabi, that it is on every non-vegetarian lover’s to-do list! But being a Lucknowite and a huge foodie, I feel it is my absolute obligation to expose all kebab lovers to life beyond Tunday’s in Lucknow. Do remember Avadhi cooking favours mutton, with chicken being a new age addition, so when in Lucknow choose goat meat for really traditional and amazing flavours. Let’s go hunting for mouth watering  Lucknow ke...

Banana Flower or Kele Ka Phool: How to Cook this Marvelous Vegetable The sight of our cook prepping  banana flower /banana blossom was one to behold. She would spread a few sheets of newspaper on the floor, take two large bowls, one filled with  water , and sit down to begin the routine. Rubbing mustard  oil  generously on both her hands, a step that prevents staining of the hands, she would begin by removing the dark purple outer layer first, detaching the florets attached to the base carefully, and soaking them in  water . She did that with every single layer, checking to make sure she does not waste any floret. Going all the way in, she’d remove the heart of the flower. All the florets, including the heart, are soaked in cold  water , with a little lemon juice squeezed in so as to prevent them from turning dark. But that was nothing. Cleaning each of these florets is a task in itself. One has to gently remove the outer  skin  o...

Kapalbhati Pranayam: How to Do It, Steps and Benefits " Yoga  is not just repetition of few postures - it is more about the exploration and discovery of the subtle energies of life." - Amit Ray, Yoga and Vipassana: An Integrated Life Style These "subtle energies" can be felt just by sitting in silence, amid lush green  trees , focusing at the center of your forehead with your eyes closed. I am a huge fan of yoga, a great believer and propagator of its efficacy. There is no better way to unite the trinity of body, mind and soul as practicing  yoga . It is interesting how one can evolve - both in mind and  body  - just by practicing stillness and immobility. Immobility, as you get into a pose and aim to hold it for the longest that your body can handle and in the process you  heal and become stronger. A Delhi-based  fitness  expert and Yoga guru Seema Sondhi once shared with me the importance of breathing in yogic practice. According to he...