Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen

In love with the sari

2012-02-16T18:55:00.000-08:00

Here in America, almost all Indian men have moved on to wearing Western attire, whereas Indian women are still holding on to the tradition of wearing a sari. Even though Indian women who join the work force wear Western attire during the week days, their love affair with the sari is unblemished. They never let go of tradition to ware a sari for a occasion such as a wedding, party or a simple get together.There is even a friendly competition among Indian women at the weddings and parties to ware an unique saree to stand out in the crowd or a show off one's new stash of sarees that they brought back from their previous trip to India. What ever the reason is Indian women love sarees and jewelry and they can't get enough of them.

I remember growing up in Southern India, (where there is no winter, only summer and severe summer only), most of the weddings happens during summer months. Even in that unbearable sultry summer heat, every women wares a silk saree and attends the wedding. Can't argue with the tradition i guess.

Waring a sari is epitome to Indian culture. Every state in India wares the sari in their unique way. Sari is nothing but six yards of unstitched fabric. You just wrap the fabric over a patticoat and a blouse. There is a wide range of saris available from very simple to most elaborate. Price of the saree can range few hundreds to few thousand dollars.

Here are some of the images of my friends at a wedding.

Trying to be just like mom..

Thi

This is called half sari. Girls before graduating to sari, they ware skirt and half sari.

Part of my collection of sari's end up being part of my tablescapes

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.
I am joining French Country Cottage, Common Ground
and Show and Tell.

Valentine's day tea table

2012-02-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

The seductive aroma from the pink jasmine adds a romantic touch to the table.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.
I am joining Tablescape Thursday, The charm of home, Show and Tell, French Country Cottage, Pink Saturday, Seasonal Sundays, and Colours Dekor.

Centerpiece from the orchard

2012-01-30T18:17:00.000-08:00

These adorable kumquats make a beautiful centerpiece during the winter months. I am liking this centerpiece even more right next to my favorite maiden fern. Don't you love the contrasting between the bright green and orange?
For those of you who have never eaten a kumquat, it is a tiny citrus fruit. The entire fruit is edible and the best part of the fruit is the rind. During the season, I keep popping them in the mouth all day.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining A stroll thru life, Savvy Southern Style, Patty's Weekly Story, Tablescape Thursday, The style sisters, Common Ground, The charm of home and Show and Tell.

Spice up your meals

2012-01-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

This morning while I was eating my chili toast for breakfast, I was thinking about an article I read on MSNBC last week. You can read about the article here: Spice up your meals.

This article says that new research indicates that spicing up your meals can help reduce your weight and increase your metabolism. For me, spicing up my meals begins with breakfast. Yes, you heard me right, with breakfast. I grew up in India. Spices are in my blood.

Now you too can enjoy chili toast for breakfast or as a snack anytime. Here is the recipe. Enjoy!

Chili Toast
Yield : 2 pieces

2 Slices of bread ( I prefer Trader Joe's cracked wheat or multigrain sourdough bread)
1 small tomato, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons chopped red onion
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh green chili such as serrano
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese
Generous pinch of ground cumin
Pinch of cayenne or to your taste

Preheat oven to 375 F.
Mix all the ingredients together except for the bread. Place bread on the baking sheet. Pile the cheese mixture on the bread, evenly dividing it on two slices. Bake the toast in the oven for 5 -7 minutes.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Foodie Friday, Common Ground, French Country Cottage, Show and Tell and How Sweet the Sound.

Mom's love

2012-01-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite piece of accessory in my house at the moment. Don't you love the expression on her face, not to mention the elegant curves of her body?

Miniature arrangement

2012-01-13T14:34:00.000-08:00

When flowers are not in abundance in the garden, I try to stretch my blooms by making miniature flower arrangements. Even a single bloom can brighten any corner of the house, don't you think?

Breakfast table

2012-01-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

My breakfast table showcases whatever is growing in my garden. Needless to say, tangerines are in season. These tangerines are so sweet, I eat them with the peel on. Weird, huh?

Flowers for the table

2012-01-05T17:14:00.000-08:00

In loving memory of Maria

2012-01-04T17:58:00.000-08:00

The reason I have been absent from blogging for a while is because on New Year's Eve, I lost one of my best friends, Maria, after her two-year battle against pancreatic cancer. Before she got sick, I used to talk about turmeric and other spices and their antioxidant properties. She used to laugh about my home remedies. When she come to know about the disease, I went to visit her. It was an emotional visit as expected, but in the middle of all those emotions, I couldn't help laughing after seeing turmeric tablets in her medicine arsenals. If this many pundits are raving about turmeric and spices why not include them in your daily intake?

During her two years of battle with cancer, I used to visit her regularly. Each time before I visit, I would call her and ask what I could bring. The answer was always the same, lemon rice. From time to time, I would joke saying that I published a cookbook with more than 260 recipes and lemon rice is not the only thing I can make. But her request would be the same each time- lemon rice. After going through all that radiation and chemotherapy, she would lose all of her appetite, but when she saw the lemon rice she always had a little appetite for lemon rice. It might be because of the sharp taste of lime flavor was stimulating her taste buds, or the anti nausea effect of ginger, and other spices used in this recipe. Whatever reason might have been, lemon rice always brought back her appetite and a smile on her face.

Towards the end of her life, I used to cut down on chilies to make this recipe.
You can read about turmeric and get the recipe for lemon rice here.

I don't know what causes cancer exactly, we can blame it on pollution, over processed food or lack of fiber in our diet and so on.

For now, how about eating a low fat, high fiber diet and exercising regularly for better health?

Needless to say I will miss making lemon rice for my sweet friend, Maria.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday.

Pink Christmas Table

2011-12-21T17:32:00.000-08:00

Instead of using traditional Christmas colors, I decided to go with pink for my table this year.

Centerpiece is made of a pewter bowl filled with California pepper berry foliage and Christmas ornaments

A Christmas ornament at each place setting serves as a party favor.

Candlelight adds a warm glow to the table

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday, French Country Cottage,
Show and Tell, The Charm of Home, Common Ground and Pink Saturday.

Put a personal stamp on your decorating

2011-12-20T17:23:00.000-08:00

I like when people put their personal stamp on decorating their Christmas trees. My friend Barbara did exactly that when she decorated her tabletop Christmas tree. She loves to sew and make lace. Her tabletop Christmas tree reflects her love for sewing. I fell in love with this little tree. I thought I would share it with you all.

Holiday Flowers

2011-12-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

This morning while I was walking, I collected some pine cones and branches and incorporated them into my flower arrangements to bring holiday cheer into the house.

I am joining Seasonal Sunday, Metamorphosis Monday, Pattys weekly story and A Stroll Through Life.

Getting ready for Christmas

2011-12-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

For me, getting ready for Christmas begins with getting ready to make homemade gift baskets. My homemade gift baskets are never without my signature pomegranate jelly. My daughter will be coming home soon from college for winter break. We both will be baking all the goodies that go into the baskets. Can't wait!

I like to decorate the house for Christmas with natural elements from the garden whenever possible.

Pomegranates and berries from the garden make a stunning centerpiece.

Pomegranate jellies are all labelled and ready. I like to have homemade jellies and jams on hand for last minute gifts and for hostess gifts.

If you don't know what to buy for the people on your Christmas list, think of my book as a gift that will make a lasting impression.

You can get an autographed copy of my book here.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday, French Country Cottage, Common Ground, The Charm Of Home, Show and Tell, Foodie Friday, How Sweet the Sound and Ivy and Elephants.

Celebrate Christmas with global flavors

2011-12-08T18:55:00.000-08:00

How about celebrating this Christmas with global flavors? Raan, the Indian spiced leg of lamb is a perfect dish to serve at your Christmas dinner. Raan is a leg of lamb marinated in tandoori spices and then completely encased with a spicy almond crust and roasted in the oven. While it is roasting, your house will be filled with an exotic spicy aroma. When you serve this dish to the table, be ready for all the ooooohs and ahhhs from your guests!

This dish is part of my Christmas dinner menu from my book. The image has been adopted from my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen. You can get autographed copy of my book, here.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Show and Tell, Foodie Friday and French Country Cottage.

Flower Arranging

2011-11-30T18:02:00.000-08:00

Now that the Thanksgiving chaos is over, the house has gotten very quiet. Before the holiday madness begins, I am relaxing with my favorite hobby, cutting flowers from the garden and arranging them for the house. My pink proteas are still blooming profusely.

If you don't know what to buy for the people on your Christmas list, think of my book as a gift that will make a lasting impression.

You can get an autographed copy of my book, here.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday, No minimalist here, Common ground, French country cottage, Show and Tell, Rose Vignettes, Pink Saturday and Tootsie time.

Weekend recap

2011-11-27T17:42:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. I had wonderful Thanksgiving because I have lot to thankful for, my family. My children visited from the east coast for Thanksgiving. We celebrated our Thanksgiving with forty of my family members and friends.

Thanksgiving dessert table: Along with my persimmon date coconut pudding (featured in my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen), pecan pie, and pumpkin halwa, I made two of Martha Stewart's recipes, pumpkin mousse cheese cake and pumpkin pecan tart.

After all the fuss of Thanksgiving baking, chopping, cooking, cleaning and decorating, I got to lounge around the house with my kids and husband, eating leftovers for the next couple of days.

The day after Thanksgiving, my leftover roasted root vegetables turned into a delectable soup.

Leftover mashed potatoes transformed into potato tikkis

Thanksgiving is officially over. Now it is time to organize for Christmas.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.
I am joining Menu Monday, Seasonal Sunday, Metamorphosis Monday, Pattys weekly story, Table Time Tuesday , Savvy Southern Style and Foodie Friday.

Thanksgiving Inspiration

2011-11-20T17:51:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Thanksgiving with a touch of my cultural heritage.

Image adopted from my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen. You can get autographed copy of my book, here.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Menu Monday, Seasonal Sunday, Metamorphosis Monday, Patty's Weekly Story, Tabletop Tuesday, Savvy southern Style and Tablescape Thursday.

Pomegranates

2011-11-18T13:43:00.000-08:00

To my liking, nowadays, you can't walk into the fruit section of a supermarkets without coming across my favorite pomegranates. How about celebrating this Thanksgiving with the antioxidant rich super fruit, pomegranates?

You can find the recipe for pomegranate glazed turkey in my book Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen.

Autumn Harvest

2011-11-14T15:12:00.000-08:00

Autumn has arrived at the Nunna farm with the seasonal bounty of fruits. For me, autumn brings an endless supply of fruit from my orchard. Both my husband and I love to harvest bounty from our garden. Today, we harvested persimmons and pomegranates. We both were like two kids in a candy store, trying to pick as much fruit as possible. It was a fun and fruitful day.

Autumn colors at the farm

This week's flower arrangements featuring persimmons

Persimmons and nandina berries make a statement in the arrangement

At my Thanksgiving table, seasonal fruit takes center stage

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Patty's Weekly Story, Table top Tuesday, Show off your Cottage, Savvy Southern Style , A Beach Cottage, Tablescape Thursday, French Country Cottage, The Charm of Home and Common Ground.

Cilantro Chutney

2011-11-13T17:46:00.000-08:00

This is my most favorite chutney from Northern India. The fragrant cilantro is blended into a smooth chutney along with spices such as chilies, garlic, and lime juice. It is an ultimate dip/sauce for most of the finger foods in India. Don't limit this chutney for Indian food alone. This is a very versatile chutney in my kitchen I use it with sandwiches, paninis, pastas and soups. Once you get used to this chutney, it can become very addictive.

This is the basic recipe. Many variations for this recipe can be found all over India.

The Recipe:
Yield about 1 cup
• 2 cups cilantro leaves
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into small pieces
• 1 - 3 fresh green chilies such as serrano. cut into pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
Place all the ingredients into blender. Grind every thing into smooth paste, while stopping and pushing with the wooden spoon when necessary.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.
I am joining Menu Monday, Seasonal Sunday and Metamorphosis Monday.

Flower Arranging

2011-11-07T17:09:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite chores of the weekend is arranging flowers for the house. Right now, pink proteas are in full bloom in my garden. This arrangement for the side table has pink proteas with end of the season hydrangeas.

My all-time favorite votive candle holder

On the next day, the morning sun lit the flowers

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.
I am joining Patty's Weekly Story, Table Top Tuesday, Saavy Southern Style, Tablescape Thursday, French Country Cottage, The Charm of Home, Show and Tell and How Sweet the Sound.

My weekend table

2011-10-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

The table was set with Martha Stewart's Wedgwood china.

Lace edge table cloth

Garden zinnias arranged in Victorian bird gracie china teapot

My favorite salt cellar

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Patty's Weekly Story, Savvy Southern Style, Tablescape Thursday, Show and Tell, The Charm of Home, Freanch country cottage, How Sweet the Sound and Rose Vignettes.

Deepawali Rangoli

2011-10-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

Today is Indian Deepawali (festival of lights). You can read about Deepawali and my Deepawali Table here. During this festival, traditional designs called rangolis are drawn in the house with different colored powders to welcome guests. These rangolis bring warmth and comfort of traditions during this festive season.

Happy Deepawali to all of you!

Image is adopted from my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday and Show and Tell, French Country Cottage, The Charm of Home and Pink Saturday

Happy Deepawali

2011-10-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Wish you all a very happy Deepawali!

You can read about Deepawali and my Deepawali Table here.

I am joining Savvy Southern Style and Out door Wednesday.

Indian Wedding - The ceremony 2

2011-10-17T18:45:00.000-07:00

This post is a continuation of my previous post (Indian wedding - The ceremony 1).

The ceremony was conducted in Sanskrit, an ancient language from the Indo-Aryan language group and the language from which most of the Indian languages were derived.

Megan reentering the mandap after a change of attire while everyone is admiring her poise. She carries a coconut to signify fertility.

Sree, looking at his blushing bride

Mangalya Sutram(necklace ritual):
Just as women in the Western world wear wedding rings, married women in India wear a wedding necklace(Mangala Sutra). The necklace represents the couple's togetherness, love and their sacred union.
In the view of the sacred fire, Sree ties the sacred necklace around Megan's neck. This signifies their unbreakable union of life.

Sree first blesses Megan by putting vermillion powder on her forehead...

...and with turmeric tinted rice on her head

Ritual prayer

Exchanging rings...

...and garlands

Homam(Holy fire):

The priest sets up a small fire in a sacred bowl and invokes the presence of God, who is manifested in the divine fire.The sacred fire represents a divine witness that sanctifies the ceremony.

Sree and Megan pray for their future prosperity by offering ghee to the sacred fire.

Saptapadi(seven steps ritual):

Sree and Megan take seven steps together around the holy fire toward a long and happy union with each other representing a different blessing of marriage

The first step: for togetherness, respect and honor
The second step: to develop physical and emotional health
The third step: to increase spiritual health
The fourth step: to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony
The fifth step: to be blessed with happy family
The sixth step: to be rewarded with a healthy family
The seventh step: for mutual love, friendship, and companionship

As they are taking their seven steps, they take the following vows:

By walking these seven steps together, we have become friends forever and I am blessed with your friendship. We shall always be together. We shall love and live together.

Thalambralu:
This is an another very traditional Andhra Pradesh wedding ritual. The bride and groom shower flowers and turmeric tinted rice on each other's heads.This is meant to be a fun ritual, a cause for great merriment and laughter. With rice being staple food, it is poured in abundance over each other's heads by the couple in a joyful manner, conveying health and abundance in their years together.

The guests watching

The couple are blessed with Aarti (traditional blessing with lamp) by family members.

The couple seeks blessings from the family and friends. Flower petals and rice are then given to family and friends to shower upon them. With the blessings, the wedding ceremony has now concluded.

The couple left the mandap as Mr. & Mrs. Chaguturu. Congratulations to the bride and groom!

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.
I am joining Patty's Weekly Story, Table Top Tuesday, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Show and Tell and How Sweet the Sound.

Indian Wedding - The ceremony 1

2011-10-13T18:12:00.000-07:00

As the continuation of the Baraat and the mandap at my nephew's wedding, this post is all about the actual Hindu wedding ceremony.

Here comes the bride! Megan, beautifully dressed in her bridal attire is led to the Mandap by none other than her proud father.

The Jillakara Bellam ceremony is a traditional Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Pradesh being a state in India) wedding ritual. The actual marriage is considered to have commenced at this auspicious moment. Jillakara(cumin seeds) and Bellam (brown sugar) are mixed together to form a paste. The idea of the whole ceremony is that when these two ingredients are mixed together, they forge an amazingly strong bond. Once mixed, it is impossible to separate the two ingredients, signifying that the Sree and Megan will have strength in their marriage. This paste is then put on each other's heads at the same moment while taking an oath that they will be together not matter what circumstance they encounter.

So in love!

Here the bride and groom are presented with new white clothes for the continuation of the ceremony. They will be changing into the new attire for the rest of the ceremony

Ceremony continues...

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Show and Tell, French Country Cottage, TheCharm of Home, At the Picket Fence and Common Ground.

Indian Wedding - The Mandap

2011-10-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

This post is the continuation of my previous post, the Baraat at my nephew's wedding.

Mandap:

The majority of a Hindu wedding ceremony takes place in a Mandap which is the four-pole canopy on an elevated platform (at center stage), decorated with flower garlands.The ceremony itself is a collection of rituals performed by the bride, bridegroom and their respective parents.

The following are rituals in Hindu wedding ceremonies:

1. Fresh flowers - to signify beauty and innocence
2. Rice, brown sugar and other grains - to signify the food necessary for sustenance of human life
3. Ghee (purified butter) - to feed the sacred fire
4. Kumkum (vermilion) - red powder used for marking the forehead to signify good luck and to show you that your soul (husband) is with you everywhere you go.

Mandap: Hanging torans of mango leaves and garlands of marigold flowers around the mandap is unique to Andhra weddings

Beautiful flowers everywhere. The bride chose the traditional Indian colors (gold, red and orange) for the wedding.

The stage is set for the groom to enter along with his parents

Notice the garlands of flowers draping the backdrop, typical of any Indian wedding

The groom takes the stage along with his parents and takes part in the ritual prayer.

Attending guests, eagerly waiting for the bride's procession

Tomorrow's post is about the actual wedding ceremony.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday.

Indian Wedding

2011-10-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

It isn’t very often that I get to feature an entire traditional Hindu wedding on this blog. Hindu weddings are made up of vibrant colors and beautiful traditions.

On September 24th, my nephew, Sree, got married in Boston to the most beautiful girl, Megan. Even though the bride is an Irish American, they both opted for a Hindu marriage ceremony. Although Hindu wedding itself is held on one day, there are a number of ceremonies that take place before and after the actual wedding ceremony. These ceremonies can take 3- 5 days depending on the opulence of the wedding party.

Morning of the wedding:

The bride gets ready for the most important day in her life. She is wearing a traditional south Indian silk sari and is adorned with fine jewels.

Going over the details of the ceremony with her mother and future father-in-law.

All the bridesmaids are ready in their saris

All prayers in Hindu ceremonies start with invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha, who, unlike any other Hindu deity, has an elephant head.

Meanwhile, the groom, Sree, is getting ready for the Baraat, away from the wedding hall. At this point, the bride and groom haven't see each other yet. Sree is dressed in a shewani (long jacket) and chudidar (pants). On his head he wears a safa (turban). He wears traditional Indian shoes for the ceremony.

My daughter, Silpa, with her cousin, Sree.

Baraat (The Wedding Procession):
Baraat is a colorful and vibrant ceremony where the elegantly adorned groom arrives to the marriage hall riding on a bejeweled, decorated horse.

Bridesmaids joining the crowd to welcome the groom

Groomsmen

Glowing groom

Two cousins at the wedding

Friends and family enjoying the Baraat.

Here comes the groom, along with his family and friends, arriving at the wedding site with fanfare.

The groom gets down from the horse and joins the party and dancing

Groom's parents dancing away with their son

The bride's parents and groom's parents enjoying a moment together.

The company rejoice by dancing along the way

Megan's mother then welcomes Sree with Aarti (traditional Indian welcome ritual with a lamp) and feeds him a sweet, inviting her future son-in-law to the wedding Mandap.

Stay tune for more ohhss and ahhhhs in future posts about the actual ceremony. Yep, It was that beautiful!

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Saavy Southern Style and Outdoor Wednesday.

Autumn harvest arrangement

2011-10-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

I am always looking for a natural and creative way to dress up my table. Figs, pears and pomegranates from my orchard make a beautiful display on the table. I used faux grapes in the arrangement for added interest.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.
I am joining Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Patty's Weekly Story, Seasonal Sundays, and Table Top Tuesday.

Event Planning

2011-10-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the yoga center in my town celebrated its 10th anniversary. Proceeds from the event benefited the RAIN community, a local transitional living center for homeless families. Entertainment was provided by the very special guest, singer/songwriter Donna DeLory (www.donnadelory.com), who sang kirtans all evening.

I was honored to be chosen as the event coordinator, responsible for a 200 people dessert buffet.

Platters were assembled on the kitchen counter at the event site

Mango mousse with pomegranate-berry sauce was a great hit at the party

Savory spanakopitas were added to the menu to offset all the sweet dishes

The stage was set for the buffet and was made ready to assemble the food. Ornate risers were used to display the desserts.

Since it was a yoga celebration, I wanted to bring serenity to the table with garden flowers and Eastern figurine candle holders.

Arranging platters on the table

The recipe for fruit tarts and mango mousse can be found in my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen. Sorry for the blurry pictures. It was hard to photograph, while the crowd was impatiently waiting to dig into these pastries.

I was grateful to be part of a meaningful celebration.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Patty's Weekly Story, Table top Tuesday, Saavy Southern Style, Tablescape Thursday, Show and Tell, Foodie Friday, and Pink Saturday.

Weekend Harvest

2011-09-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Patty's Weekly Story, Seasonal Sundays, Table Top Tuesday, Savvy Southern Style, Tablescape Thursday, Foodie Friday, The Charm of Home, Show and Tell, French Country Cottage and How Sweet the Sound.

Dessert is served

2011-09-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

Dessert is served, come and help yourselves. Here are some of the images from last weekend's entertaining.

Fruit tarts

Pineapple - mango upside down cakelets

Cashew baklava rolls are another crowd pleaser

Almost all these recipes can be found in my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Foodie Friday, Show and Tell, French Country Cottage, Common Ground, Savvy Southern Style and Tablescape Thursday.

Party tablescape and more

2011-09-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

If you missed my post about getting ready for the party, click here. Pears and zinnias are in season in my garden. My tablescapes reflect what is growing in my garden. Here are more images from the party.

Getting ready for the party

2011-09-19T04:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I hosted a party for 35 of my neighbors and friends. I wanted to host a candle light dinner before the summer ends. The theme of the party was candle light dinner at the Nunna farm. The day of the party began with harvesting flowers from my garden to make arrangements for the party. Since it is a candle light dinner, I pulled out the candles that I wanted to use.

The flowers were arranged and the candles were gathered in the morning for the party.

Recycled bottles were used to serve beverages. I dressed up these bottles with raffia and a leaf cutout (I used a Martha Stewart leaf punch). I am a sucker for any leaf motif. Even my company logo was designed with a leaf motif.

Guests enjoying meyer lemon lemonade

I have a lot more to share about the party in future posts.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Patty's Weekly Story, Seasonal Sundays, Table top Tuesday and Savvy Southern Style.

Flowers for the table

2011-09-14T18:04:00.000-07:00

Zinnias in the garden

2011-09-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

This is part of my summer cutting garden.

Dessert from the Orchard

2011-09-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

My favorite dessert changes with the season. At the moment, my favorite dessert is tree ripened figs. I think they are nature's perfect candy. I roast them and serve it with cheese and make fig-ginger jam to go with morning toast. Most of all, I prefer to eat warm figs right out of the tree.

I use a ceramic egg cartoon to serve figs.

Figs on the tree

Friends visit

2011-09-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, my friends Shobha and Surinder were visiting from Boston. She is the friend with whom I share similar interests and hobbies. We both love flower arranging, cooking, baking and have a special love for china. This is the time of the year that my garden is overflowing with fresh vegetables (especially the tomatoes), fruit and herbs. For every lunch and dinner, the menu was planned around garden bounty. We cooked, arranged flowers and shopped. What a fun and exciting weekend it was!

Arranged flowers

Set the table

Made assorted salads for one of the lunches using garden vegetables

Roasted butternut squash and pear salad. Abundance of butternut squash and pears in the garden inspired us to prepare this salad.

Mango, black bean and pepper salad

Tomato and mozzarella salad

How cool it would be if we can spend time with all our friends like that every weekend!

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday, Foodie Friday, Show and Tell, French Country Cottage, Common Ground and Pattys Weekly Story.

Arrangement from the orchard

2011-09-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

Gifts from the garden

2011-08-28T18:19:00.000-07:00

When I go out to dinner parties, I like to give the hostess gifts from my house or from my garden. Last weekend, I made a gift basket for a friend from my garden.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Patty's Weekly Story, Seasonal Sundays and a A Stroll Thru Life.

From the Garden

2011-08-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

Martha Washington geranium from my garden.

Favorite Summer Lunch

2011-08-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

As you can tell, I am totally obsessed with garden tomatoes. My favorite lunch at the moment is assorted garden tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, chiffonode of sweet basil with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Having Tea with Friends

2011-08-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

I love it when my friends drop by and have a cup of tea informally. This morning I had tea with a couple of my girlfriends after yoga. When I bake, I freeze some tea cakes for guests who drop in. When friends drop by, I usually pull out a tea cake from the freezer and quickly thaw it in the microwave oven and serve it with tea. Since it is tomato season I had to serve some sun gold tomatoes with tea, whether they go well with the tea or not. This is my favorite way to spend time with my friends, talking and laughing while sipping tea.

The following images are from last Friday evening tea with friends.

Golden Harvest

2011-08-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

Even though I grow a lot of varieties of tomatoes, my favorite cherry tomato is called Sun gold. Every summer, I look forward to harvesting these golden gems. I think these are the sweetest and tastiest tomatoes on earth. When I harvest them, I think I pop more into my mouth than into my basket. At each harvest, I promise myself not to fill up my stomach so much, but once I taste one, I can't resist. I don't know which is better, the taste or the look of the tomatoes. If you have never grown them, give it a try next year. Even if you don't have a garden, try to grow them in a pot. You will be glad you did it. Once you taste them, you will be addicted to these gems like I am.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Patty's Weekly Story, Seasonal Sundays and Savvy Southern Style.

Orchard in mid August

2011-08-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

Apples are getting ready to harvest

Jujubi

Jujubi closeup

Asian pears

Figs look beautiful on the tree

Persimmons are getting ready for fall

Pomegranates

Pomelo

Pears

Thanks for joining me for a walk in my orchard.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.
I am joining Outdoor Wednesday, Savvy Southern Style, Foodie Friday and Show and Tell.

Floating Centerpiece

2011-08-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

I always set the table for my cooking classes. I want my students to learn not only how to cook Indian food, but also how to create an atmosphere to sit and dine with people. For yesterday's class, I didn't have time to make an arrangement for the table. I quickly went to my dahlia garden, plucked some blooms and floated them in a crystal bowl along with geranium leaves. Voila! My floating centerpiece was ready.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Patty's Weekly Story, Seasonal Sundays, Table top Tuesday and Tablescape Thursday.

Matar Paneer

2011-08-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

Matar Paneer is a hearty vegetarian dish from North India. Paneer(Indian cheese) is available at Indian super markets. If you cannot find paneer, you can use queso fresco(Mexican cheese) as a substitution. To make this recipe vegan, use tofu in place of paneer and replace the cream with almond milk. Any way you make it, matar paneer will be utterly delicious. It is sure to become one of your most favorite recipes of your repertoire.

Recipe:
Serves 4 - 6
• 12 ounces fried paneer pieces

Gravy
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onions
• 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1 ½ cups hot water
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro/coriander

Have paneer ready and set aside.

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions. Sauté until onions are translucent and the edges begin to brown. Add ginger garlic paste and stir fry for 1 minute. Stir in coriander powder, cumin powder, cayenne and turmeric and fry for about 2 minutes until all the spices are fried with the onion mixture. Add tomato sauce and salt. Cook for another 2 - 3 minutes while stirring occasionally. Add hot water and peas. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for about 10 minutes until peas are tender. Stir in garam masala and cream and cook for 2–3 minutes. Stir the paneer into the gravy and heat through. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

This recipe is adapted from my cookbook, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including gluten free recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Cindy for Show and Tell, Foodie Friday, The Charm of Home and French Country Cottage.