Bryce Canyon

I'm on holiday! I'm in Tulsa right now, at my brother-in-law's. Last weekend, Ankit and I went exploring Southern Utah. Our first stop was Bryce Canyon National Park. It was about a five hours drive from South Ogden, where we live. 

Bryce Canyon is open 24 hours a day, all year round. The shuttle service however ended on October 7. It is recommended to travel by shuttle here because it is very convenient and takes you to all the view points. The entrance fee is $25. We purchased the $80 annual pass to all national parks because we figured we'd be exploring a lot more. 

Here, you will find a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters. They say that this place has been eroded over the years, along with frost weathering and the rainfall's dissolving effects  shaping this colorful limestone rock. We saw many bizarre shapes, slot canyons, and other geological structures. These are called hoodoos.

Sunrise Point

Bryce Canyon became a national monument in 1923 and was designated a national park in 1928. It lies within the Colorado Plateau, along the southeastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. A central stream eroded over several years have shaped the Cenozoic-aged rocks of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. 

Sunset Point

We drove through many scenic drives and there are thirteen view points for sightseeing. 

Thor's Hammer

There are four very popular view points: Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. The most famous of all views is Thor's Hammer. Thor's Hammer can be reached from Sunset Point. I had seen many pictures of Thor's Hammer before coming here and made it a point to find it while I was in Bryce Canyon. 

The picture on the left is a hoodoo shaped like Thor's Hammer. It is a five minute walk into the  Wall Street Trail. We, however, never actually ended up finding Wall Street Trail. We could see this hoodoo from the top but I wanted to do the trail and get a closer view. We decided to do the Navajo loop instead and found Thor's Hammer just as we were about to complete the loop. So, it worked out. It was a brilliant trail. It felt like another country. 

The Navajo Loop -- view from the top

The hike down from here was slightly tricky because of the loose rocks and sand, but coming back up was a struggle. We did the entire loop so it took us back up, crossing Thor's Hammer which is on the other side of this canyon. 

My poser hubbie

This is at the very bottom of the hike, surrounded by limestone, deep inside the canyon. We thought that the sunset point was the best of all the view points. There are many trails to do. If you have time and energy, you can start a trail at sunrise point and walk all the way to sunset point. Trail information can be found in the Bryce Canyon newsletter which is provided at the entrance. 

Inspiration Point

Bryce Canyon is beautiful. They say that the best time to see it is either during sunrise or sunset because the hoodoos turn into a gorgeous color of red and orange. The weather was just perfect. I'd say October is the best time to visit because it's not too hot and not too cold. It's better to hike in a cooler climate without completely exhausting yourself. Only remember to carry plenty of water with you and keep hydrated. This is the desert, after all :)

Happy Halloween!

x

Snow in Ogden

It snowed again last night. This morning when I woke up, I saw a lot more snow than I did last time and within a few minutes, it started to snow again (much more heavily this time). Here are a few pictures from this morning.

Snow fall

Ankit and I, out in the balcony to see the snow fall - 8 am

Afterwards

Pretty view

...And the sun shines

Clouds move in lower

Ankit is now making a call to Zion National Park to see if the highways are open. This morning he couldn't go to work because the road to this office was blocked. We are leaving early tomorrow morning; first stop to Bryce Canyon. Let's hope it doesn't snow there tomorrow or it'll be hard to drive.

Okay, I think it hasn't snowed there, yet. He's still on the phone but by the sounds of his voice, it seems it's all good :)

Well, catch you later!

x

Aloo ka Parantha

Aloo ka Parantha is a staple Punjabi breakfast. My sister (Anjali) cooks it almost everyday because that's what my brother-in-law (Dinesh) likes to eat for breakfast. According to him, it's not breakfast if there are no paranthas. And we are Himachali!

Everyone in India loves paranthas. They're just so darn delicious.

Here is a recipe I learned from my sister (husband's brother's wife), Astha, in the early days of my marriage. I had never cooked paranthas before and I had the privilege of having Astha teach it to me when she and Ankur Bhaiyya (my brother-in-law) came to Utah to visit us. She is an incredible cook. I'll be seeing her soon at the end of this month and hopefully learn more cool things to cook. 

Here's how to make aloo ka parantha:

Ingredients:

2 cups Atta (whole-grain wheat flour)

6 medium Potatoes boiled

1 tsp Ajwain (carom seeds or bishop's weed)

Half an onion finely chopped (you may omit this if you don't like onions)

1 tsp Garam Masala

1 tsp Chili Powder

1 tsp Anardana Powder (ground dried pomegranate) -- (it's okay if you don't have this)

1 tsp Chaat Masala

1 tsp Aamchur Powder

Salt to taste

Method:

For Potato Mix:

1. Peel and boil potatoes. Once they are properly boiled, use a potato masher and mash them well. 

2. Once you have your mashed potatoes, add the chopped onions and all the spices (ajwain, garam masala, chili powder, anardana powder, chaat masala, aamchur powder, salt). Mix everything together to have a nice blend of spiced mashed potatoes. You should taste check at this point to make sure the mix tastes good. Add ingredients accordingly. 

For Atta:

1. Take your atta flour in a big bowl, add water accordingly and knead to make a dough. If you've ever made pizza dough, you'll get the idea. If not, you'll know when the dough is workable. If it gets too soft, add more atta. If it's too hard, put a little more water. 

For Parantha:

1. Make two small (3 inch) balls out of the dough. 

2. Cover in more atta to keep it from sticking to hands and on surface.

3. One a clean surface, use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into two small discs (about 6 in.).

4. Now put a sufficient amount of the mashed potatoes mix onto one of the circles.

This is how it should look.

5. Now put the empty disc on top of the circle with the potatoes and press the sides to seal it completely.

6. With the rolling pin, roll the discs out to make one big circle.

...Into one big circle (now called parantha)

Start rolling out the small circles...

Note: Make sure the sides have been rolled out well; try to even it out. We don't want too much flour on the sides because then it won't cook evenly. Also, before rolling it out into a big circle, make sure you've sprinkled some atta flour onto the surface to keep the dough from sticking.

7. Put the parantha on a hot flat cast iron skillet (tawa). Once you start seeing bumps on the top, flip the parantha to cook the opposite side of it.

8. Now start putting butter (or oil), on top of the parantha (especially on the edges) and flip again. 

9. Butter the other side and press with a spatula to cook properly.

This is how it should start to look in a little bit. Once it starts to brown on both sides and starts to look crispy, it's done. Be generous with the amount of butter you put -- it will be yummy!

But if you feel like being healthy, don't cook it with butter. Cook it dry and then use a little bit of butter when you eat.

I'd say cook it once a month with a lot of butter. That won't hurt anyone (tee hee hee). 

Have your paranthas with some raita (spiced yogurt) and mango pickle! 

Enjoy!

x

Dussehra -- 10/24/2012

Dussehra (also known as Vijya Dashami) is almost here. The day that marks the triumph of good over evil. It is believed that on this day Lord Rama (the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu) killed Ravana (the demon and king of Lanka) and rescued his wife, Sita (who was abducted by Ravana). This legendary victory is re-enacted till this day at the Ram Leela (short version of the epic, Ramayana). Plays are held all over the Northern parts of India. Actors dress as Rama, Sita, Laxman (Rama's brother) and enact the final moments of the battle at the Ram Leela grounds. Huge effigies of the demon Ravana are burned (as well as Ravana's giant brother Kumbhkarna and son, Meghnath) as Lord Rama shoots his arrow towards the demon's ten heads. Lots of firecrackers are placed inside these effigies and the crowd cheers and raves as they are burned. 

Photo by Youth ki Awaz

Photo by Press Information Bureau of India

In West Bengal and other North-Eastern states, Dussehra is the day when idols of Goddess Durga are immersed into the river after nine days of festivities. It is believed that on this day, the Goddess killed the demon, Mahishasura and freed the world from his terror. They believe that the Goddess visits them in their house during the last four days of Navratri and on Dussehra, she has to go back after blessing everyone. 

Photo by Press Information Bureau of India

In the Southern states, Dussehra holds a special significance and is auspicious for starting education or any form of art. Even though Dussehra is celebrated differently across different states in India, the purpose  remains to spread happiness and celebrate the victory of good over evil. All over India, Dussehra is celebrated with a fanfare and huge processions can be seen in all states. 

Fasts will officially end for everyone today and tomorrow will be a day to celebrate. Fairs will be held all over India and I'll be missing out on the fun. Guess I'll have to watch the show on YouTube :)

Happy Dussehra everyone!

x


WFVKKG559F5F

First Snow of the Season

It started raining pretty heavily in the evening yesterday. This morning, we woke up at 6 am to wish our parents 'happy anniversary'. I was half asleep and could hear the rainfall. Barely opening my eyes, I said "Wow, it's still raining." Ankit was already up, ordering pizza and stuff for our parents in India. He got out of bed for some work and peeked out of the window and said "It's snowing, too." I said "Nah...not possible. It's too early for snow." It was like 60 degrees fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) yesterday, so it couldn't possibly snow at that temperature. Ankit rolled up the blinds and sure enough, I could see white dots in the air. I immediately sprang out of bed. My eyes (which were droopy and sleepy before) widened and there it was, the first snow of the season. 

And the temperature is no longer 16 degrees Celsius. 

Yesterday, I was clicking pictures of the fall and colorful leaves on the ground and today, it's all white. Amazing. Fall snow, that's a first for me.

The snow started to fall quite heavily by the time I decided to fully wake up and head for shower. The mountains behind were completely invisible and covered by fog.

 The snow has stopped now and the mountains are visible again, covered in white. Fabulous.

I'm in love. It took me forever to cook breakfast today because I couldn't keep my eyes off the window. The view is unbelievable and as I always say, the camera can never do justice to the beauty of nature. I feel like singing Christmas songs (haha) and dancing. They say Utah has the best snow in the world. I guess I'll find out. 

Have a lovely day :)
x

Maha Navami -- 10/23/2012

Tomorrow is Navami, the last day and the culmination of the Navratri festival. The rituals performed on Navami are the same as the ones on Ashtami. Some people do kanjake on Navmi instead of Ashtami. We've already done that so tomorrow we will simply pray to the Goddess. In India, the temples are usually full of devotees on the last two days. This period of Navratri is a time for the purification of our mind and body; that is why we fast and pray regularly in these days.

On this day, tools, instruments, vehicles, machines, etc. are cleaned and worshiped. Books and musical instruments are kept on a pedestal and worshiped, too . These are not to be disturbed on this day.  The day is spent on worship and contemplation. The next day is supposed to be auspicious to start new ventures and work starts afresh. 

In West Bengal and East India, the last four days are celebrated as Durga Puja. Durga Puja is celebrated lavishly in large scales and is the biggest festival of the year in these states. Exquisitely crafted and ornate life-size clay idols of Goddess Durga slaying the demon, Mahishasura are set up in temples and other places. These idols are worshiped for five days and then immersed in the river on the final day. 

Photo by IBN Live

The city is lit up with lights and it is literally a carnival for five days. People from all different backgrounds, regardless of their religious beliefs, take part in this carnival. Durga Puja is the most important event of the year in Bengal and on this day, everyone wears new clothes and exchanges gifts. Traffic comes to a standstill and thousands of people go pandal hopping on foot. Pandals are the ornate statues of the Goddess which are set up all over the city. It is said that over 2000 pandals are set up in Kolkata. 

Durga puja is considered the Rio Carnival of the Eastern Hemisphere. 

Hope this Navratri brings you lots of health, wealth, wisdom, luck and success.
May the Goddess shower her blessings on you.
x

Puri -- Unleavened and Puffed Flatbread

Puri (pronounced poori) is an unleavened flatbread that is very common in India and is cooked especially during festivals and special occasions. This is the final part of our Ashtami meal. 

Ingredients:

1 cup atta (whole wheat flour)
Half cup water 
1 tbsp ajwain (carom seeds)
Half tsp salt
1 tbsp oil
Vegetable oil to deep fry

Method:

1. In a large bowl, put atta, salt, ajwain, oil and add water as needed to make a firm dough. The dough should be slightly tighter than usual but smooth. Put oil in your hands and knead the dough. 

2. Cover the dough with a damn cloth and let it rest for half an hour. 

3. Make small round balls of the dough (a little smaller than golf balls). In the picture above, I've made two small balls out of the dough.

4. Use a rolling pin to roll out about 6 inch disks. Put a few drops of oil on the surface and rolling pin to keep it from sticking.

Note: You can roll out 4-5 puris. Don't roll all together because they will start to dry and won't puff later. The dough should yield at least 10 puris.

5. Now in a frying pan, heat oil for deep frying. 

6. Place one puri at a time in the oil and press it down on one side of the disk. It should puff up.

Note: Remember to press it from one side of the disc otherwise it won't puff up. 

7. Now turn it over to cook the other side. It should be very light brown in color.

8. Remove from the pan and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. 

Serve puri with the black chickpeas sundal and sooji ka halva. All three taste great when eaten together. 

We made an offering (Bhog) of the meal I cooked to the Goddess and later ate it as prashad. The prashad is considered to have the diety's blessings residing within it.

Well, this is it for my Ashtami posts. I love eating this meal and look forward to it every year. Try to make it at home. All three recipes are fairly simple and don't take very long to make. Give it a shot. 

The day after tomorrow is Navmi. The ninth and final day of Navratri. 

Until then. 

Hope everyone had a nice day.  

Lovelove!

x

Sooji ka Halva

The second thing we make on Ashtami is for those with a sweet tooth. It's an Indian dessert called sooji ka halva (or halwa). Sooji is semolina. This is the second time I've made halva but I think I'm pretty decent at it :)

Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sooji (semolina flour)
1/4 cup ghee (or unsalted butter)
1/3 cup sugar
1.5 cup water
Pinch of cardamom powder
1 tablespoon sliced almonds and raisins for garnish

Method:

1. In a pan, heat water, add sugar and cardamom powder and bring it to a boil. Set it aside.

2. In another pan, heat ghee (I used unsalted butter because I didn't have ghee).

3. Once the ghee or butter is hot, put sooji and keep stirring it constantly.

4. Soon, the sooji will begin to turn golden brown and release a light sweet aroma. This will take 5-8 minutes.

Note: Keep stirring the entire time or sooji may burn.

5. Slowly start to pour the sugar syrup. Bring the heat down while you do this because as soon as you pour the syrup, the water will being to splutter. You must stir constantly.

6. Bring the heat to medium and let it cook for another 5 minutes. The sooji will absorb the water. Keep stirring. When you see the sooji begin to thicken, decrease the heat to medium low and stir it until it becomes thick and chunky like in the picture below.

This is how your halva should look once it's cooked properly. Garnish with sliced almonds and raisins. Halva is a very common form of offering to the Gods. 

Enjoy!

x

Black Chickpeas Sundal (Kaaley Chaney)

On Ashtami, for Kanjake (worshipping young girls as Goddess Durga), we make a black chickpeas sundal. It's a pretty simple recipe.

Ingredients:

2 cups Black Chickpeas boiled
1 Green Chili finely chopped
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1.5 tsp Garam Masala
Half tsp Red Chili Powder
1.5 tsp Coriander Powder (dhaniya)
1 tsp Cumin Powder (jeera)
1.5 tsp Curry Powder
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash the chickpeas and soak over night. Next day, boil them until tender. I pressure cooked mine for 15 minutes. They should be firm and not too mushy (but cooked properly). 
2. Then in a pan, put 1 tbsp olive oil. 
3. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped green chili and cumin powder. You can even put cumin seeds if you don't feel like grinding it into a powder. It will taste just the same.
4. Cook the chili and cumin for about 20 seconds and add the chickpeas. Mix everything in the oil and chili. 
5. Now add all the spices (garam masala, coriander powder, chili powder, curry powder, salt).
6. Cook for five minutes and let the spices cover all the chickpeas and it's done!

This is how it should look once cooked with all the spices. It's super delicious. Eat with halva and poori (will be explained in future posts).

Have a nice day!
x

Golf at Toad's Fun Zone

Yesterday, Ankit and I went golfing with a few of his work colleagues. We bought this deal from Groupon for $14 which included a large bucket of golf balls to practice with and a golf cart to drive around in. I cannot play golf to save my life but Ankit is a pretty decent player. I went along with him because it was such a beautiful day and I wanted to drive the cart around :)

Here I am, driving. Driving! Haha. For all those who don't know, I've serious driving issues. I don't have a driver's license and I cannot drive anything! Not even a bicycle. I know. Don't ask. 

But this cart wasn't so bad :) I enjoyed myself driving around and clicking pictures of the golf course. The weather was lovely, too.

Here is Ankit, playing golf with his buddies. 

Pretty pretty! :)

Teeing Off. I'm learning, too ;)

Putting. There's Brian waiting for his turn.

Such a pretty and relaxing day. The golf course had a lot of ponds. A lot of the balls fell into the pond.   

We even saw a frog just chilling in the pond with its head out. It's having fun, too.

Playing the last round of golf before it got too dark.

And then it got dark and the sunset reflecting on the pond looked sooo beautiful. Even though I wasn't playing, it was still such a fun day. I'd love to do it again someday. 

Here is a picture of the play card and the address of Toad's Fun Zone. They have a go-karting track and mini golf as well if you just want to chill on a weekend. It's a nice place to go and hang out.

Have a nice weekend!
x