Retrospect-2013

My favourite time of the year has come…..the time where I sit in leisure and flip through the archive post of 2013…..soon a new year…’Year-2014’, will bang on….unleashing new challenges, new dreams, new hopes, new promises, new places and much more new things in line…..Though 2013 was not a magical year to me….lot more things happened on personal front…all I can say is 2013 was a bumpy ride….there were more downs than ups….but keeping myself in the good spirits all I could say is….Time ticks on….no matter what you are, how you are and where you are…..Jumping into see what how months unfolded in 2013…

JUBILANT JANUARY:

Started year’s first post with a sweet recipe, Microwave Makai Jajaria, Sweetcorn Pudding….I started experimenting more recipes in microwave by now and this was the result of one such recipe.  Next was a flavoursome Punjabi Lobia Masala, a perfect winter warming recipe, then came in two product reviews one of Gone Made ‘Choco Sticks’ along with Nutella-Banana Milkshake and other was Soulfull-100% Ragi Cereals….then came in Date-Walnut Truffles, my very first choice for homemade edible gifts….Finally a KIOSKS review of Five Star Chicken, in which my lil darling sister has tried her hands for the first time on camera and chipped her review on this kiosks too…

February, the month of love….I celebrated this month in a unique way…I blogged about my very favourite recipes all through this month along with giveaway of my favourite chef’s cookbook to one of the winner who answered correctly to my query  ‘what’s my last favourite recipe’….? Started with winter warming, comfort bowl of soup, my very favourite Nihari, then came in Gajar Ka Halwa, microwave version, then was a product review done for Britannia Masala Chaas, creating a picnic mood in the photo’s of the post, I made Burger with green mung bean and potato patty…reviewed Instant Dosa Mixes from Soulfull. Finally came in my very favourite recipe, which I grew eating and the first one which I started learning to master…..Chicken Dum Biryani – Hyderabadi Style…..

MARVELOUS MARCH:

Relishing on season’s best produce, I made Sem ki Phalli-Tamatar ki Sabzi, a very nutritious recipe that goes with rice or roti…..Then a magical moment of my life….got a chance to e-mail interview ‘Kate Bracks’, winner of 2011 Master Chef Australia…

Then I blogged much loved street food of Mumbai, Vada Pav….then came a afternoon to remember for lifetime….met Kate Bracks personally and attended Media master class at newly launched Whitefield Baking Company at Marriott….back to back went to review Mad Over Donuts outlet at Koramangala….a memorable review as we blog friends had good time over there….Then I posted a refreshing Fresh Strawberry Milkshake…

ASPRIRING APRIL:

April was turning point of the year, the month where we (me and my husband) took some important decisions, which at that time looked favourable to us….but later turned into big mistakes….sudden and quick carrier decisions made us leave Bangalore, which is still like illusion to me…attended golden Jubilee celebrations of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf….the last outing with blogger friends, had a gala time….we girls enjoyed to full….as somewhere down my heart I knew this time will never ever comeback…..so had full of it…IPL was on swing, made Eggless Strawberry Mousse for bunch of friends, who joined us to watch IPL….reviewed and enjoyed making different varieties of handmade green tea from Teaneer, the pics in the post are last clicks in Bangalore, before I left….Before the strawberry season leave, I made much loved Strawberry Trifle…..

MIGHTY MAY:

From buzzling city to puzzling town….life was not easy at that time…so many new changes in life kept me down most of the time….adapting to new environment, new climate, new people, new house, new surroundings,…squeezed out time and energy in me…. my only resolution of the year-2013 was to keep blogging…..and to keep it going….I blogged Butter Chicken, Watermelon Basil Salad with Lemon Dressing and Kylie Kwong’s Oraonge-Pomegranate-Coriander Salad to beat the horrible heat in May….

JUICY JUNE:

Longest and eye candy post of the year, Mango Falooda…a rich and royal indulgence of season’s best fruit mango was my first post of the month…. The summers are still hot and I blogged Fruit-Yogurt Parfait…celebrated my blog anniversary, your ‘Yummy Food’ turned ‘5’ this year….and I remarked the event with ‘Microwave Eggless Dates Cake with Chocolate Icing’…..blogged my and my kiddo favourite creamy Mac’n’Cheese which was stove top version.

JUST JULY:

Easy, simple and indulging Babycorn-Capsicum Stir Fry was the first to start this month. July being the month of
Ramadan, with the help of Muslim Food Bloggers around the world, I formulated posts to go on 30 day mission.

‘30 days-30 bloggers-30 posts’….in which I posted Dahi Vada, Tandoori Fried Chicken & Fruit and Cream Trifle. Homemade Garam Masala was added attraction of this month. The sudden dismissal of my dear grand mom made me soulless; she was my friend, my guardian, my strength beneath the wings…. May Allah SWT grant her Jannah tul Fidrous Ameen.

ADORABLE AUGUST:

Lil’M started her school and leaving her toddlership behind, she became pre-schooler….turning a new leaf of her life, though I had horrible experience of leaving her behind at school, teary eyes, runny nose, sweaty palms,…..finally I can say Alhamdulillah she is enjoying her school now….blogged Baigan ka Khatta Salan then reviewed mini cookbooks from Jehanne, The Cooking Doctor…and made Eggless Dark Chocolate Orange Mousse …from her book…..then giving twist to taste recipe…I blogged ‘Bhangra Burger’ and Peanut Brittle/Chikki.

SWEET SEPTEMBER:

For the first time I got a chance to publish my little sis’s writing on my blog….a very short and simple story….in the post of Babycorn Satay with Tomato Chutney, Instant Rasmali was next. Celebrating first event at lil’M’s school, Apple Day, I made Apple Muffins, which were eggless and made in microwave under 1 minute.…. blogged fading food recipe of Hyderabadi Weddings, Luqmi, then Curd Rice and finally Khajoor, Indian Deep Fried Cookies….with much adored childhood memories….

OVERDOSE OCTOBER:

Rains started to pour in by this month bringing in pleasant weather….for one such rainy night I made Dal Makhani in  dinner to go with roti’s….Bhendi-Gohst ka Salan, Kofta Biryani to celebrate Bakrid, Kheema-Aloo ka Salan, Eggless Microwave Strawberry Muffins & Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Icing and finally gave a gastronomical makeover to regular carrot and beets halwa…..

NOSTALGIC NOVEMBER:

On demand from lil’M made No-Bake Chocolate-Biscuit Mini Cakes for in house doll party….celebrated the month long with kid friendly recipes going with the theme of children’s day…..Vanilla Bean Milkshake and Oreo Milkshake, Eggless Microwave Chocolate Muffins with Cocoa Whipped Cream, Chocolate Covered Dry Fruit Truffles and Shredded Tandoori Chicken Club Sandwich…..

DASHING DECEMBER:

After school or snack box recipes played important role from mid of the year, the time when lil’M started her school….made Nutella-Banana Sandwiches for her snack box one day, Aloo-Biryani – my very favourite one pot meal, maa ke haath ke ‘Pyaaz ke Pakodae’, celebrating winters, Microwave Eggless Custard Powder Muffins, yet another snack box recipe, Mini Vada Sambar – My Winter Morning Breakfast and finally a fudge with Butterscotch & Dark Chocolate Chips, much loved edible gift for friends or colleagues….