Hidden Gem Greenwood Cemetery for cherry blossom in the NYC

      In the hustle and bustle and in the bustling corners of NYC the 1st time I visited the city, I wondered where the people in the city go for a quiet corner! Do the people have any place to escape where they want to enjoy nature or some quiet corner? Then I visited the central park, the greenery of the park was quite different and what bliss to come from the city of sky scrappers and to enter into the world of greenery.

       And a few weeks back when I visited the city, I discovered Greenwood cemetery. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it was a great find to see the nature and spend some time alone or with family, lines of green trees, swiping view of the city, lakes, flowers, sculptures and what not. Most amazingly you can see the city showering in the pink cherry blossom. Greenwood cemetery could be your great destination to see the spring blossom and cherry blossom, not just a solace for your eyes but for your heart and mind. Enjoy the flowery walk.

Happy mother's day

Motherhood, as if the word sums up the whole world in one's life nevertheless today's women responsibilities shouldn't be limited to just one or define by one role in life. Responsibility reminds motherhood comes up with all responsibilities and contributions inspirations and encouragement. Responsibility of preparing kids for their future, teaching them good or bad and right or wrong, as today's kids are tomorrow's future maker.

At the same, while taking care of family and kids we mothers tend to forget taking care of ourselves not just in external ways but internal ways too. It's important to take care of our health as well our internal ways like doing things we love after all mothers are the mirror of a child's life.
      How are you mommy's celebrating mother's day? My kids are excited with their little surprises and never-ending plans of making me happy, made my day. Wish you all a very happy mother's day, including mine which is very precious to my life.

Hubbard Park, Meriden, CT a serene treat

In my home state winter's splendid Silver Night and spring's dreamy Daffodil Fest Hubbard Park is a go-to park in any season. Sheltered in hills, greens, water streams and flower gardens consisting approximately 1,800 acres of land is love at first sight. Visit for a picnic, playground, a hike or soaking in the sun with natural esthetics. Personally more than festivity or any occasion, I love to visit the park when it's less crowded and you can absolutely feel the true essence of the park's serene scene especially in spring when nature strokes the earth and make its own canvas. Let's do a visual
walk with me

Tamarind Tribeca NYC review

      Every time I visit NYC my expectation gets higher and higher whether people watching, exploring a new restaurant or new entertainment, the city amazed me with a new zeal and zest. Not a new restaurant in the city but for me exploring Tamarind Tribeca, NYC was a new experience. A fine Indian Dining, located in the most bustling location in the city with an understated yet elegant interior makes one of the best choices in the city when it comes to Indian fine dining.

      We opted for early dinner and entered around 5.30 pm and we were gladly greeted that made us instantly comfortable. As you might guess "Tamarind" has a huge influence in Indian culinary the tangy, sweet and flavorsome, we obviously expected the same character in the dishes too.
A great part of Tamarind is when it comes to cocktail menu you can choose anything you like and if you are sober they can omit the alcohol, this gives you more option to explore all the cocktails without compromising only because you are sober. While going through the cocktail, I stuck with the teekhi cocktail and let me tell you it was quite refreshing with the good kick of jalapeno and a bit of cucumber medley made it extra desirable.

    Now coming to the appetizer. I opted for Hara Kebab a spinach and potato patty stuffed with mild cream. The taste and flavor were perfect, but if you know Kabab you expect a crunchy outside and soft inside. Here the outside was not as firm as one expected.

Then my kids oped for malai kabab. The delicately cooked kabab with cream and Indian spice mix. A soft kabab was perfectly cooked and a hint of spices made it so delectable.

       My husband opted for Rajasthani lamb kabab. It was spicy and surely perfect for one who loves spicy and flavorful meat. Ah, it was succulent.

      We love the way our server knew the dishes not just by mouth by heart. His knowledge about food made us chose the right dishes.

      Now coming to the main course our server suggested us Tamarind signature dishes and we opted for Masaledar Chop - a spicy lamb chop coated with all flavorsome Indian spices. Perfectly coated spices infused a wonderful flavor.

      Then we opted for Bhagrey Baingan- Japanese eggplant coated and cooked with peanut and spicy sauce. A delectable eggplant with creamy peanut sauce just went great with Lemon Rice. We also opted for Tamarind chili chicken. We expected little more, unfortunately, the chili chicken tasted like chicken curry, not chili chicken.

      Tamarind portion sizes are great, price is a bit more expensive compared to any other fine Indian dining.  Its presentation will win your heart but I wish the chef showed innovation in the taste as much as the presentation.

Bihu Outfit of the day vibrant mekhela chadar

You know my love affair with mekhela chadar is never-ending. With the growing age it is growing even more and I am more at ease wearing it. Last weekend the Greater Boston Assamese community celebrated Bihu with prompt and enthusiasm. Like last year we attended this year as well and I got one more opportunity to wear mekhela chadar.

       I got this mekhela chadar at Assam Convention where one of the designers Jahnavi Swargiyari showcased her designs. A simple yet elegant mulberry silk mekhela chadar in bright yellow color, just great to celebrate Bihu and Spring. The mekhela chadar has both silver and gold design in it. The bright yellow reminded me of Assam, especially the dotted mustard fields of Majuli and dreamy daffodils in New England. I chose muted antique finish gold jewelry for earring, a stack of bangles and added a few turquoise enamel bangles with it, a turquoise bindi and turquoise potli bag for a splash of blue on yellow you can say. A red lipstick, call my make up a bit loud but can't help when it's a festival and loose curls on my hair. Colorful and vibrant just to keep up with the spirit of Bihu. Please share your thoughts and ideas.  Hopefully, I will continue with more spring outfits. Please stay tuned.

Top five Assamese bihu food or festive food

If I see my everyday life it is nothing sort of an army battle, two kids, home and my blogging. Sometimes I feel 24 hours are not just enough. I am sure every parent feel that way. However, special occasion festivities brings a smile to our faces to cherish, festive food, fun with family and friends. If you follow my blog you know during this time back home we celebrate the biggest festival of Assam Bohag Bihu also the Assamese New Year. A festivity always brings great food to the table.

The top five must-have Assamese food in Bihu

1. Pitha:  You just name it, it can be sweet, savory or salty and from dry to oily. Yes, pitha will cover every taste bud. By the way, pitha is like a small pancake sometimes stuffed sometimes without. Pitha comes in different shape long oval to flat, in fact, some shapes are inspired from Assamese instruments, unlike Assamese motifs. You can't think of Assamese festivity without eating pitha.
   
   
   

   
   
   
2. Laru or Sweet Ball: Sometimes Sesame balls, sometimes coconut or sometimes just with sugar and rice powder. Here is the absolute fix for your sweet tooth.
   
   
   
3. Masor Tanga or Assamese Sour fish curry: Once you taste it, you will almost forget every kind of fish curry you have ever tasted. Light, Healthy and Hearty.
4. Jolpan: A cereal but with an Assamese twist. Always served with thick velvety yogurt and sweetened jaggery. A must-have in your festive list for sure.
   
   
   
5. Luchi bhaji:  Assamese fried dough served with vegetables, it can potatoes to eggs, beans to eggplants. No matter how much I swear of not eating anything unhealthy but a sight of it can be empowering enough to break my rule. One and only decadent and sinful luchi bhaji.

Raw mango saree and Manish Arora earring in lovely spring day

      After 4 months of brown winter when you finally see the spring bloom with wonderful weather, it almost feels like some Artist painted a blank canvas with color. It was exactly the same feeling when I discovered raw mango by Sanjay Garg creation. With all the bling designs in the market raw mango is a new kinda traditional take yet the feel is contemporary.

      I bought this parrot green chanderi saree long time back when raw mango sarees are not easily accessible as today. Every time I wear this saree, I fall in love with it all over again. This is the signature of Raw mango sarees. If I want I can go for more shuttle look, but opted for a more bright look, added Manish Arora colorful large earing and blue blouse and blue silk potli. Brown Smokey eyes, bright lips, and a loose bun. Do let me know how you like it.

Maasor tenga or Assamese style sour fish curry

You can't imagine a soulful Assamese meal without a fish curry. The fish curry transports me to my Grandmother's kitchen. I tiptoed entered the kitchen and wearing mekhela chadar the affectionate lady a few dots of turmeric here and there on her clothes, frying fish and making curry, and she caught me and trying to feed me bite by bite and from our garden night jasmine exuding fall fragrance what a soulful sight. It was more than 30 years those smell, place, gestures felt like yesterday.  Let me tell you my grandmother made the world best curry and then my mom.  Lost my grandmother at the age of five. I was so little that I couldn’t learn my grandmother's recipe but my mom taught me how to make a good fish curry. In my assamese household as a child, we used to eat fish way more often than chicken. As an expert cook my mom made fish with all kinds of veggies. Her fish curry is very delicately prepared. She always says, to make a good fish curry you have to be really patient and good food very much depends on how you fry the fish, neither deep fry nor sallow, it must be in between. It is like a proper rendition of music a bit of mistake can spoil the curry. If you follow the right steps it is very easy to make.

My home state Assam is a land of beautiful rivers. We get the abundance of freshwater fish. Usually freshwater fish is really good for making Assamese fish curry. As Assamese cuisine is very mild and healthy, we don’t use too many spices. The taste of freshwater fish makes a soulful fish curry.  A fish curry. As Assamese cuisine is very mild and healthy, we don’t use too many spices. The taste of freshwater fish makes a soulful fish curry.  A fish sour curry can be made with different vegetables. Here in the US, we don't get fresh water fish like Assam. However, that does not stop me from making fish curry. For the fish curry, you can use buffalo fish, tilapia or any other fish. Today I wanted to share my sour fish curry
Ingredients
1. Fish 8 pieces
2. Tomatoes 3
3. Half cup oil for frying
5. For seasoning  1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds, black cumin seeds
6. Dry green chilies
7. 1 teaspoon turmeric
8. 1/2 teaspoon chili powder optional
9. A slice of lemon
10. Salt for taste

                              Freshly caught river fish in Assam

First, marinate the fish pieces with turmeric and salt. Let it sit for half an hour.
Now let the gas on and place the pan. Add the oil let it become hot, once it is hot put the gas on medium flame and fry the fish pieces. Flip the pieces occasionally. Too much stir can break the fish. It takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Once it is cooked put it aside in tissue paper. Now grind the tomatoes or you can chop it. I like to grind as it makes my job easier. In a separate pan put one teaspoon oil, once it gets hot add dry red chilies, fenugreek seeds, black cumin seeds. Add the turmeric and little bit of salt and chili powder which is optional. Then add the ground tomatoes. Let it cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Once it is cooked properly, add two cups of hot water. Let it shimmer and now slowly add the fish pieces. Put it in a slow flame, let it cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Now squeeze the hint of lemon. Finally, garnish with a few cilantro. Serve with steamed Rice.

Indian Spring outfit

      We are officially in spring. However, the temperature and wind chill does not adorn the spring that much. Last week one day, when the temperature went till the 60s, rose high hopes of spring. Here I'm all game for, spring the wonderful weather, beautiful blooms and to match with it is a feathery soft outfit. Yes, I already did wear Indian spring outfit.

      Pastels are always in for Spring and I love the feminine and that soft vibe every time you wear it. Wore a pastel Kurta and pant set with a tad bit of silver embroidery on it. The fabric of the outfit is chanderi a handwoven feathery soft fabric and is known for it's flowy and easy to wear quality. You can see another chanderi outfit here. Teamed it up with a basic pearl strand, a silver mojri (flat shoes), a pearl-adorned off white potli and bright lips. As the whole outfit has a mild vibe the bright lipstick plays a great role. How do you like it? What is your favorite spring trend? Have a wonderful weekend.

Payash or Assamese Rice pudding in instant pot

Sometimes certain aroma, fragments of a song brings back the myriads of memories. Whenever I prepare payash it brings back lovely memories of home and childhood. In our assamese household, every occasion and celebration always asks for preparing payash. Whether someone got a promotion or passed an exam or its a birthday, ah here you go the delightful delicious payash. Sometimes you don't need any occasion, just make payash and make yourself entertain. A special occasion payash is always little elaborate, pound the cardamom, chop the nuts and dry fruits, add the bay leaf and soak the rice for half an hour before cooking luscious flavor. But when guest come over without notice or you just crave for it, it does not require elaborate preparation.
I thought today I will share the Assamese payash or rice pudding recipe. In this recipe, I used jaggery instead of sugar for more rustic and healthy aspects. I used my instant pot, the traditional payash requires so much patience and stirring which I lack a little.

Ingredients

1. Rice 1/4  cup
2. Milk  3 cups
3. Jaggery Powder 1/4 cup
4. 1 cardamom
5. A handful of dry fruits of your choice optional ( raisin, cashew, pistachio, and almond). Save some for garnishing.

Process 
Soak the rice for half an hour before you cook.
Then boil the milk and once it is boiled, add the rice stir slowly don't let it stick at the bottom. Add the pounded cardamom and dry fruits and set the instant pot to porridge setting and let it cook. After it is cooked slowly open the lid and let it cool down for at least 15 minutes. Now time to add the sweetness add jaggery powder.  Let it cool down before you do. If you add the jaggery while payash is hot milk might get curdled.  Now serve in a bowl and garnish it with nuts.

Rain Snow and myriads of memories

     

About 17 years back when I moved to the USA, the same year in one December winter morning I experienced the snow for the 1st time. My husband made it like a surprise. He called me to the window and open the blinds for me. I was awestruck by the beauty of nature's confetti with a little silver sparkle. It was like a dream. I remember how I spent the whole watching natures snow wonder, how the rooftops, tree grounds everything filled with snow. Slowly, I got used to the snow. Until I got my driver's license, I never realized how difficult it is to drive on snow. Probably even now driving in snow is my biggest fear. At the same time, we often take a beautiful drive to see snow-covered surroundings.  A few years back, proving the weather forecast wrong a massive snowstorm hit when we were on our way from NewJersey to Connecticut. It was one of the scariest drives ever with whiteout and back to back traffic.  In 2011, an untimely snowstorm hit New England when fall color leaves were still there. Electric lines collapsed, and in some places, roads were blocked by fallen trees and snow and experienced the 11 days of power outage. It made us realize how untimely snow can cause such terror in lives.

      As my children grew, they love playing in the snow. Making a snowman, they brought back memories of my childhood days in Assam. The state I come from, we experience rain very often. Rain also helps us to be the highest tea producing state in the world, known as Assam tea. As a child, it was fun to see how rain filled the small potholes and drains with water. We placed buckets and toys to fill with rainwater, and here my 6-year-old sometimes sets her toys to fill with snow. How childhood fun and joy bridges two generations together and how we relate things irrespective of place and time. What a wonderful feeling.
I  often hear the giggles of making a paper boat and sailing it in rainwater with my brother brings me 20 years back and merges with the same giggles when my kids are making snowman putting carrots as a nose.