Evening tea with khakhra

This was today's evening tea😊

Thought I will share it with all my blogger friends😊

The crispy Chappathy (wheat roti) like bread on the plate is 'Khakhra'. I bought this the other day when I shopped at the mall nearby. Not familiar in South India, so I thought let me give a try when I saw this new item displayed on the shelf along with 'pappadoms'.
 
Khakhra is actually a Gujarati dish. It is made with wheat flour. The dough is prepared with water, a little salt, oil and masala, a handful it is then taken, which is spread just like chappati but pressed again in low heat using wooden press until it gets flattened into pappad like thickness. This is its difference from chappati; Chappathies are thicker than Khakhras. Khakhras are crispy, thin and very tasty.

Beautifully packed! Could see khakhra inside looking golden brown.
We bought 'Punjabi masala khakhra'. It was a little spicy. Yummy!
http://www.jabsons.com

The dip that you see on the picture was tomato puree with red chilly and a little salt. We prepare it at home with chopped tomatoes warming in a pan with a little salt and red chilly powder; the mixture then blended well in a blender. No oil needed. (Name of the dish? Is it passata? Is it simple tomato puree? Salsa? Tomato sauce? I don't know, really!) Ok, let it be chilly tomato dip 😊

We buy Pomegranate whenever they are available in shops. Love it😊

Green tea is my favorite drink😊. Please check this post, I have written a poem about Green tea http://magicalpresent.blogspot.in/2013/07/green-tea.html

This is about Moroccan tea😊. Wow, a must enjoy tea! Awesome drink!
http://magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.in/2013/03/i-enjoyed-moroccan-tea-while-visiting.html

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Art and food, a brilliant combination - Kashi art cafe, fort kochi

Hope you have got already the gist of what I am going to blog about 😊

Welcome to the Kashi art cafe at Fort Kochi in Kerala where you will experience a perfect, unique combination of delicious, lip-smacking food and amazing art in all forms by the talented artists from here and abroad in a zen-like ambiance of natural greenery!

The corridor is paved with old (/antique, yes, who thought those chunky logs could be artistically laid like this!) wooden railway sleepers interspersed with pebbles, used in the olden times on railway tracks replaced with concrete slabs in modern times, awesome creativity!

Outside the cafe at the intersection with the Burgher street this graffiti created during the Kochi-Muziris biennale will stop you for a snap for sure!

Yes, all those are real! A plantain that you will see commonly in Kerala grows peacefully here. Hope it will bear fruit soon!

Taste their famous chocolate cake immersed in sweet chocolate sauce, sipping hot chocolate on top of which there is a beautiful latte art of flowers, occasionally biting gently the cheese sandwich, meditating, immersed in the beauty of nature that engulfs while glancing at the various art forms all around that ignites the imagination of even the ordinary, casual art lover!

A perfect place to unwind, have a good conversation about art, read a book peacefully, study the art exhibited, enjoy the art at the gallery, meet, chat and get to know the artists and art lovers locally and internationally, update that travel journal unleashing your creativity in the perfect setting with those historic sites in the vicinity!

This place will not burn your pocket; the portions are generous. 

What more you want for today 😊?

Oh, well, here is the link to this amazing destination http://www.kashiartgallery.com

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The world in my pocket by James Hadley Chase - a review

'The world in my pocket' is a mystery thriller written by James Hadley Chase. I became a fan of this brilliant writer when I was a teenager and his books were a craze among us in India too. I have a good number of his books in my library. 

James Hadley Chase is a pseudonym he used among others like James L. Docherty, R. Raymond, Raymond Marshall, and Ambrose Grant. René Lodge Brabazon Raymond (1906 - 1985) was an English writer who penned numerous thrillers, almost all of them became best sellers. 

This book has a gripping plot about a group of men and a woman who try to steal an armored truck containing a huge amount of money. The group became tempted to execute this risky theft because of the enormous sum involved and they will become rich if everything goes well according to the plan, well..if everything goes well! Things went wrong, like in most of his books, with twists and turn to reach a very peculiar ending. 

Catchy titles, crisp writing style, thoroughly researched plot were some of the reasons his books became super sellers.  

His books are still popular here. 

Hats off to this great writer! May his soul rest in peace!

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Global village, Dubai

The Global village in Dubai is an awesome attraction for tourists and residents alike. Started in 1997 at the Dubai creek modestly it has emerged as a destination of great global importance attracting millions to Dubai in December until April every year during the time of Dubai shopping festival.

From 2005, it had found a permanent location on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Exit 37.

The abra ( traditional boat ) ride along the canal traversing the village was fantastic!

These pictures were shot in 2013 during the shopping festival season.

The Sunset was awesome!

Pavilions of many countries like Germany, Turkey, China, Kingdom of Thailand, India and all middle eastern countries are present. Visit here and you will see the unique attractions of those countries.

http://globalvillage.ae

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Lulu mall, Kochi, a world of happiness - an update

This is an update about Lulu mall, here in Kochi, Kerala. So many top brands in the world have made their presence here recently.

I have already blogged about this beautiful mall. It is only walking distance from where I live. This huge mall has changed the entire infrastructure of this metro city.

http://www.lulumall.in

Check old posts:

http://magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.in/2013/07/lulu-mall-kerala-july-2013.html

http://magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.in/2013/08/lulu-mall-edappally-kochi-on-eve-of-eid.html

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Costa coffee outlet in Kochi, Kerala

Enjoyed Costa coffee during one of the weekends recently.

I liked their hot chocolate. Cool drink!

                

The panini was yummy 😊

Costa opened their outlet in Lulu mall in January 2014. So it is within walking distance from my home 😊
http://lulumall.in
https://www.facebook.com/CostaCoffeeIndia

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Backwaters of Kerala

 Backwaters of Kerala 😊

Kerala, in India, is known as ' God's own country'. The state is blessed with lush greenery all over, with coconut trees, rivers, backwaters and a beautiful coastline with awesome beaches!

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Vishu - a popular festival in Kerala

Today we people in Kerala in India celebrated Vishu. 

The day of Vishu is considered as the first day in the Malayalam calendar, akin to the new year, according to the astrological calculations based on the movements of Sun. The most important event is Vishukkani, the arrangement of items like rice, fruits, vegetables, coins, religious texts etc. in a rounded vessel called 'Uruli' in front of the Gods and goddesses in the prayer room in households and viewing these as the first thing in the morning signifying 'all the very best' in the year throughout. The state flower of Kerala, Kanikkonna ( Cassia fistula ) depicted in the picture is an essential part of this auspicious occasion. 

A visit to temples is considered sacred and some offer their prayers to Gods and have darshan, as vishukkani, of their favorite deity as the first thing in the early hours of the morning. 

A grand feast on banana leaves follows at noon. Crackers and sparklers are common accompaniments of this festival almost everywhere.

Elders give vishukkaineettam, a gift in the form of money and new clothes to the young on the day of Vishu. 

In many parts of the world especially in Burma, Nepal, and Thailand as well, similar festivals take place. The popular Songkran in Thailand also falls during this period.

Check my post about last year's Vishu: http://magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.in/2013/04/vishu-time-of-joy-hope-and-celebration.html

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Vishu 😊

Let you all be blessed with luck, prosperity, happiness and love all throughout each day in the coming year 😊

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Anti-slip pad for car dashboard - a cool utility!

           

While shopping the local mall the other day I happened to notice this cool utility - Non-slip car dashboard pad - useful in keeping digital accessories on the dashboard. They just remain stuck on the sticky surface of this pad and will not fall off!

Anytime, phones can be just peeled off from the sticky pad. The pad can be re-positioned too. The sticky surface will not stain or damage the dashboard, it will not damage the gadgets also.

An ideal non-slip, car dashboard pad for all the gadgets 😊

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Some of the most beautiful beaches around the world

Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Negombo beach, Colombo, Srilanka

Muzhappilangad, longest drive-in beach, Kerala, India

Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

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