Nokia Apptasting: Where Tech meets Food!

Firstly, Let me tell u a secret(which is not a secret anymore). This event was my first one in the city & i loved every bit of it. So thought to capture the moments by writing. :)

Last Saturday, around 300 pink dressed women, fantastic venue @Diwan-I-Khas, Taj Mahal Hotel, fun filled events & 2 Hot and Handsome Man, Celebrity Chef Vikas Khanna & Tech Guru Rajiv Makhni..what could I ask for more awesome evening.
But Tech & Food..combination doesn't make sense, right!? Even i was confused at first, I cannot even imagine a foodie for App show or a Tech savvy in a food event. All these confusion were cleared when both the Hot Anchors took over the stage and cruise over the jolly rides of fun, quiz and apps of  Lumia with Wow wanderers.

Sumitra Senapaty the woman behind WoW club was first on stage to say how women are breaking rules to travel alone, without man, but with wine & dine and with awesome apps. A lady came on stage who have taken 18 trips with WoW till date & second one who came from Lucknow to attend this event took 14 trip with WoW. 

Rajiv Makhni & Vikas Khanna randomly choose few females & played quiz, we laughed our heart out, with all their witty talks. Every female who walked on stage walked back with Nokia goodies to their seat. Vikas Khanna even sang "Tujhe dekha to yeh - DDLJ" with a participate. With the random Quiz they showed the Lumia Apps for Photo bombing, City Lens- searching nearby place by just moving the phone, Alcohol meter- how drunken are you? and a special app to locate your important stuff, it buzz off if you forget :)... how cool ..isn't it ...definitely i am going to try when i am travelling next.

Vikas Khanna recited a poem from his new book World Feast & signed each and every copy for us with love :). The only distraction i got from Vikas Khanna was from my toddler who accompanied me & yes even both the Hot Anchors saw this ...I am glad!

People were enjoying some awesome wines from around the word with appetizers then followed by dinner. I meet few bloggers & some others people too. Ayesha Mahanti it was nice meeting u girl..Hope to see you soon :)

I would specially thank Vidya Raja(Gurgoan Moms) for taking initiative and posting it on the group. 
Thanks to Microsoft, WoW & 2 Hot Anchors for Super Saturday Night.!

Exploring Long Weekend Destinations!

I am a person who almost travel everyday with Google.....sigh*...wish i could in reality!

I enjoy all types of vacation - beach, hills, offbeat, relaxing, exploring...any... means any, it should be vacation ;)

So, the upcoming long weekend is on mind... but where to go is the big question..which I ask myself & hubby everyday?  When the answer is nearby destination...it takes away your mind! Yes, literally....staying in capital from last 7 years I have done almost all the nearby destination which a dilli-walla can think about. If you are on the same boat...come join me & let think little different....because many times we miss the opportunity of travel, because of the lack of exciting options. I don't want to visit those places which are overcrowded,  its simply waste of time, money & energy for me. Please, don't feel hurt, if you travelling to one of the overcrowded places.

Nearby destinations means relaxing vacation for us. Since my hubby doesn't like doing physical work(read here too much of trekking,walking)  ;) Now, that i have a toddler who enjoys doing various activities.... I have to keep that in mind too...

Now, that its monsoon time.....enjoy the cloud play, the dew drops, the saundhi mitti ki khusbu(smell of wet land), book while sipping hot coffee/tea with hot pakoras(fritters) or just get drench in rains. Here, are few options.....which i thought would be great to explore..

Mashobra is only 10 km away from Shimla on Shimla-Naldehra road, yet a different world. Surrounded by towering pine & cedar trees, with its amazing view & serenity all over, the lovely hill spot in an ideal gift of nature. This place is still unexplored by many tourist. Perfect for long holidays were one can unwind, relax & explore.

Kasauli We have already visited this place. Dense fog, rains, sunshine with chilled weather welcomed us. But, its on my list again. It's pretty small town where one can walk ....walk...& do more of walks...just admiring nature. Sit & watch cloud play while you sip your hot beverage. A mixed forest of pine, oak & huge horse chestnut encircles the town. This colonial sleepy town is perfect for long holidays.

Kanatal I witnessed my first snow here. This place has given memorable moments to me, though it was just 1 night stay at this beautiful place. So, its on my list again. It offers a spectacular view of snow-clad Garhwal Himalayas & lush green forest. It's on Chamba-Mussoorie highway. Enjoy your resort stay or just walk down to discover apple orchards, fruit trees, wild flowers, pine forests, tiny temples and smiling locals.

Kanjojodi Its almost 500 kms from Delhi on Nahan-Shimla Highway. A camping place with river streams & rocky terrains. Google is not telling me much about this place...But i am pretty sure this seems to be a perfect offbeat destination.

Neemrana Fort palace The nearest of all the above places with its own heritage charm. 122 km from Delhi on Delhi-Jaipur highway. Just drive down to one of the heritage hotels/ resorts and enjoy the spectacular view of Arravali hills. Relax, enjoy the hospitality of Rajasthani culture.

All the above information & pictures are sourced from Google. What are your travel plans for the bada-wala weekend? Do share/comment about offbeat or unexplored places you know about.

Prakruti Resorts....paradise in its own way!

Drive of 4 - 4 n half hours would take you in another world, far from city, far from hustle-bustle of life. A place where you can relax, splash water or just admire the Nature..... if you are still thinking what i am talking about.. Let me tell you i told you why i didn't visited the beaches in Mumbai.... this is the reason. We had planned a mini-vacation in Kashid.

Kashid is a beach town on the shores of Arabian sea, in the North Konkan region of Maharashtra,India. It's popular because of its white sand beaches. Beaches are very clear...more than the popular beaches of Goa.
We stayed at Prakruti Beach resort...which is paradise in its own way.! It's a four star luxury beach property spread over 100 acres. It have its own private beach which takes 5 minutes in bullock cart or you can just walk down. The cottages are pretty well done with minimal amenities but very airy. The balcony view either open to swimming pool or golf area.. Every apartment have a small little garden where hammocks are there for relaxing. You can find abundant of greenery around.....nature all around. The resort have swimming pool, kids area, mini golf, table tennis, pool & carom table, Spa.....& many other activities. All in all its a great place to relax your mind, body & soul.
We visited in April when it was little humid, but i guess its a year around place to travel. Monsoon will have its own charm.!

Its a picture heavy post... :)

Welcome to Paradise .....in its own way!

 This path will take me inside the resort..

 Pool view-1

 Pool view -2

Let's take a walk!

 Spa time!

 Buffet area facing park..

 The Bullock Cart takes you to & fro from beach!

A place to admire Mother Nature!

 Enjoy the beautiful surrounding.....

 Kashid beach...

Let's go for camel ride!

 View sunset from Prakruti's private beach....

Just relaxing!

Please note its not a paid review & all the pictures are mine. Thanks!

Mumbai Diary!

When you have half day and a city a explore....what you do ...explore the best things one can. Exactly, i did same. Though i was in city for 3 days but i thought to chitchat with my friend & let both the babies play, rather than moving out in humidity.

I started with a visit to temple, the famous Siddhi Vinayak Mandir(Lord Ganesha), i felt nostalgic....because i came here with my friends a decade ago...*sigh*. Best part about this day was, it was a voting day, so i didn't met any traffic. Took cab and traveled, picked hubby from his meeting point and then we went to Colaba Causeway... A shopper's paradise, especially for junk jewellery. We walked through the lanes but before that we had a quick bite at Cafe Mondegar (which marks the beginning of Colaba Causway, with Taj Hotel as Background)... Yummy chilli-cheese-toast... & cold coffee. U can even try Cafe Leopold, we heard good reviews about that too...but its 1st floor sitting is only air-conditioned, but where kids are not allowed & both my babies were not in a mood to sit between people under fans..so we avoided this place.

After exploring the place ,watching the beautiful architecture, a while you can forget you are in Mumbai- it could be any old European city. We walked till Gateway of India...took a horse ride....very touristy.. but very calming... Taj & other  on one side & Arabian sea on other side.!

Marine Drive....its walking distance only, since we had baby & walked too much we decided to take cab. Its also called "Queen's necklace", as the street light gives the illusion of necklace when viewed at night from any elevated point.

We tried Pizza by the Bay for dinner ...Its very chic with white interiors. A must visit from my side. Ended our day with Naturals Icecream, which is again walking distance from there. I don't even remember how many scoops & what all flavor we tried. :)

This is how our half day... or you can say my evening in Mumbai went.... What you do when you have few hours to explore a place ??

Now, if you think why we didn't go to any of the beaches....Stay tuned here...& you will find out soon! :)

Shaam Savera

As the name suggests, its opposite to each each other shaam(evening) savera(morning)...so as the dish. This dish is full of different flavors....opposite to each other yet together... Spinach & Panner Balls in Red Tomato Gravy. It's Sanjeev Kappor recipe ...I had this dish many times at his resturant... but tried for first time. Since i didn't had few ingredients as needed, i mended the recipe accordingly.

Hubby, the best critic for every situation gave thumbs up for the taste.... believe me, he has got some awesome taste :)

Ingredients:-
For the balls- 
1/2 cup of paneer grated/mashed, add little salt & a pinch of cardamon powder. Make small balls,around 5 & keep aside(since i prepared little early, i kept in fridge)

Bunch of spinach- washed, boiled, drained & pureed. Take pan, heat 1tbsp of oil, add 2 tbsp of besan/gram flour. Fry till golden brown, add the pureed spinach, salt & stir well till all the water evaporates. Turn off the gas when done... Let it cool. Make 5 balls. Take little oil in palm, flatten the spinach ball, put the paneer ball in between & cover it properly. Once all done.... dip them in a mixture of cornflour + water & fry in hot oil. Please handle carefully, I fried 2 at a time... It will take few seconds or a minute to fry.
Keep aside.

For the gravy-
Grind 2 large tomatoes, 1 green chillies, 1/2 inch ginger, 2tbsp of melon seeds, red chilli pwd as per taste, coriander pwd1 tsp, turmeric pwd 1/2 tsp.
3-4 bay leaf
1 cardamon
1 clove
Malai/ fresh cream -1 cup.
fenugreek leaves/kasuri methi

Method-
Heat oil in kadhai, add bay leaves, cardamon, clove & the tomato puree. Mix well till oil leaves its sides.Add salt as per taste. Add cream ,shimmer for a minute or two. Crush kasuri methi ...sprinkle it n cover it(I believe if we cover the kadhai, the smells of leaves stay in it). Turn off the gas.

Now...pour the gravy in serving bowl, halves the balls, place on the gravy & serve immediately. Enjoy!!

I noticed its a no-onion, no-garlic recipe....yet it came out very yummy!
Till next time...
Hv fn..Tk cr :)