cocktail

Blueberry Mango Fizz – Blueberry Aam Panna

April 6, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Spiced Blueberry Mango Fizz or Blueberry Aam Panna, a simple water spritz that’s a cooling drink with mango puree and blackberry-fresh mint leaves. Made with or without alcohol, this bubbly beverage is a warm weather favorite!

Summers in Southern Part of India might not be unbearable, but it is above normal temperatures, accompanied by hazy conditions. April and May are quite uncomfortable and it’s also the months we celebrate New Year and Rath Yatra. Crazy rigtht?! Sweat beads on our foreheads and the feeling of flushed pink cheeks makes you lethargic and you start wondering if it shall pass. You feel closer to Sun god, and have the urge to take perpetual baths. But, turn on the cold shower and warm water from hot water tanks gets too hot to handle. So in this situation, the only thing to do is to pray and to sit in a room, curtains pulled in, a cold bubbly fizzy drink and relax.

What helps during this season is: buttermilk drink/mor, aam panna, chikoo, mangoes(the best), and my favorite Asian palmyra palm. Bangalore fruits feel like sugar was added when growing them. …

Marinated Greek style Gigantes

January 12, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Greek style Gigantes has few ingredients with bold flavors. This easy Greek style Marinated Gigantes is so moreish and makes for a perfect appetizer or a light lunch.

“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.

Just keep going.

No feeling is final.”

~Rainer Maria ~

I think of happiness as being something that we’re always chasing — the right person, the right job — external things. To me, joy is quieter, more internal, and we often find it in simple moments along the way. Like i read somewhere: the author writes about her mother, who experienced so much disappointment and loneliness in her life, yet finds solace in the little things….

Spicy Bhadang/Kaara Pori

November 12, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Traditional Maharashtrian spicy Bhadang or Kaara Pori is a quintessential snack with chai and for every occasion. It’s spicy, filled with goodness of peanuts, curry leaves, asafoetida and lot more. Few key steps and you get the perfect Bhadang or Kaara Pori.

It’s no secret that I love celebrations. Celebrations of all kinds.

August arrives, bringing along a long festive season for Indians. We have something every month until January. It’s DIWALI: where Goodness reins over evil.

I’ve always wondered why we celebrate festivals. Festivals are celebrated for many reasons by people. Of course, a huge reason for most is religious beliefs.

For me as an adult who’s seen life’s ups and downs on earth, Diwali means a lot more to me than food, clothes, parties and fun. It means: time to release the old and welcoming the new. Letting go of things, bad feelings, heartaches, judgemental attitude, disagreements, and welcoming peace, love and harmony. Festivals also provide a break from the routine, a festive atmosphere, camaraderie, a time when family gets together, reflections, relaxation. Sometimes, it breaks vicious cycles of negative emotions, stress, and helps bring the positive emotions back. Whatever the reason might be, how big or small the celebration might be, the fact that we take a step back from the routine to celebrate a special day is so important. It also reminds us of our heritage and culture. It’s almost like you press a reset button for whatever you want it to be. This is also the time to GIVE, give back to the society. Many are not fortunate as we are. I am an ardent believer in giving back. Let’s do our part, let’s make this world a better place to live in….

Leeks and Spinach Phyllo Triangles with Feta Sauce

December 26, 2019 By Asha Shivakumar

Spanakopita Triangles filled with spinach and three cheeses take your cocktail party from semi-homemade to gourmet. Spinach and feta cheese belong together! These Leeks and Spinach Phyllo Triangles with Feta Sauce taste delicious in this healthy, hearty, and wholesome breakfast wrap!

Friends, you have been very, very good to me. For the past few years, you’ve been stopping by to see me on a regular basis, cooked from the blog and you’ve said some pretty nice things about the contents of my kitchen and my dinner plate.

I can hardly believe it’s the end of December. It’s the time of year we begin planning and looking back on this year, large and small achievements. We start planning our small gatherings. Before we know it, we’ll be gathering in our circles, engaging in every kind of conversation under the sun. We’ll awkwardly small talk with co-worker’s families. We’ll ring in the new year with joyful anticipation.

…

Creamy Pistachio Cardamom Horchata & A letter to grads

June 19, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Insanely rich and creamy. This is the best creamy pistachio cardamom horchata you’ll ever make. Spiked with some rum or served on some ice, it’s the perfect summer dessert or drink for parties.

We reached a milestone last week. My teen graduated from high school!

It is jarring to find out that he is an adult. A few of our friends’ kids, who we cradled in our arms, are now beautiful grown men and women, graduating high school. Gone are the days of Wii games and children’s books, and now comes the time where we ask them what they’d like to take to their dorm. A toaster maybe, or an instant pot….

Blood Orange Fizz

January 28, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

The vibrant color of blood oranges makes this blood orange fizz a beautiful drink and absolutely delicious and special.

It’s January and there is an abundance of blood oranges in my farmers market and I cannot get enough of it. Even better when a friend who has a major green thumb, with a large yard who grows all sorts of citrus trees shares some of her precious stash. She is like, I better get to it before my squirrels. I get lucky because she doesn’t know what to do with all the beauties. It’s probably my favorite citrus fruit, so I happily offer to take any amount she gives:).

Few weeks and it’s gone. POOF. And we have to wait a year for blood orange season….

Mango and Peach Margarita Pops with Vodka & Sparkling Wine by Master of Mixes

July 25, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These Mango and Peach Margarita frozen pops, topped with some wine and vodka, are easy to make and perfect for entertaining. I’m so happy to partner with Master of Mixes to bring you this amazing recipe.

The sun is shining through our large windows, and the mid afternoon heat is draining. The fan is on, and the windows are drawn in to let the heat settle outside. Waffles is by my feet, huffing a bit, the teen is on the sofa with his headphones, and the little one is with a book. I am parked in between papers, a cocktail party to plan, but wondering what will cool us. We all, every few minutes, look at each other for some sort of cooling comfort….

Melon Noodles-Blueberry Sorbet Float

February 12, 2016 By Asha Shivakumar

Do you bookmark and pin a lot of recipes to try?

A few days ago, I saw an Indonesian Melon drink posted by the very talented Lorraine from Not Quite Nigella. It looked so fancy, simple and so different, I couldn’t wait to make my version and it went right on top of my ‘to-make’ list. I am sure most of you know her by now, if not please do check her out, you will love her. I am always amazed at how much great food she puts out on her blog. Apart from her fabulous food, I admire her sense of humor and she is such wonderful person.

I am a big fan of fancy looking food, which requires less fussing around and this cocktail/dessert is just that. So here is an inspired float. Simple, stunning and bombdiggity, if I may say so myself:).

…

Cocktail and Nuts Edible Gift for Christmas

December 11, 2015 By Asha Shivakumar

For a few minutes, delve into the past with me. Come with me into the 3rd grade classroom…

There she was, with a bright beautiful smile, blueish green eyes and the warmest personality I had seen. Modestly dressed and with no trace of makeup, she was a new teacher for this school. Instantly, I took a deep breath and knew this year would be a great one for my soft, gentle, and timid son. She got down to his level, welcomed him and gave him a hug. I watched everything standing outside the door. He looked back at me and gave me a smile. That was when I knew he will be alright. She came towards us with an inviting smile on her face. She introduced herself and told me, “Don’t worry, go have some coffee. He is safe with me.” With tears, I turned back to walk towards the car. Tears of happiness that my boy was well taken care of.

…

Pomegranate-Ginger Syrup – Pomegranate Vodka Fizz

December 3, 2015 By Asha Shivakumar

Happy December my friends!!!

We are less than 4 weeks away from 2016. Really, how did that happen?!! I don’t know if we say this every year, but for some reason this year seems to have flown by a little bit too quickly.

Lets raise our glasses to cheer a good year. I am sure we all have had our good days and not-so-good ones, we all went through that and we are here. Glad for that.

…