Hope you have kickstarted your 2018 on a vibrant note and settled well into the routine as well. For me life has been swinging in different directions, for last few years, but coming back to my home, is what keeps me rooted and composed. Its my space of heaven!! Welcome and have a glimpse.
Yesterday was a special day for me. And for lots of other Shahrukh Khan fans in Dubai. The King Khan visited Bollywood Parks, Dubai for the promotion of his upcoming movie, 'Raees' and I was there for its press conference. Definitely a special day when you get to meet the king of romance in real.
Shahrukh Khan, dressed casually in jeans and t-shirt was his usual charming, warm and witty self. Even though the press conference was directed at the whole team - the director Rahul Dholakia, the producer - Ritesh Sidhwani and his co star - Nawazuddin Siddiqi, the superstar stole all the limelight. His friendly and easy banter with the media left everyone feeling excited about the movie.
He shared that Dubai was like his second home and his villa in Jumeirah is one of the most blissful place. And that he loves to simply chill and relax there with his friends and family. On being asked about his relationship with the Pakistani actress Mahira Khan and the heroine of the movie, he shared that due to lack of time, not much of personal exchange happened.
Nawazuddin Siddiqi, an acclaimed actor was his humble modest self and shared how he's intimidated by Shahrukh Khan in real life. At the end of the press conference, Sharukh Khan also shared the Arabic version of the popular song 'Zalima' from the movie.
After the media meet, Shahrukh and the team went to meet his fans waiting at Bollywood Park eagerly for him. The crowd were in their most excited form to see their superstar on satge.
Raees, an action thriller revolving around a clever bootlegger, played by Shahrukh Khan is a much awaited potboiler. Releasing on 25th January, go ahead and watch your favourite star in and as Raees.
With all the dwindling interests of mine, there’s only one that has stood the test of time. And that is my faithful sleep. It’s my favourite companion. In joy, in sorrow, when I’m tired or even I’m drunk, my love for sleep never leaves my side. Thankfully there’s lot of solace in knowing that.
Sometimes when I’m wide asleep I dream of waking up to hot breakfast served in bed, by my dear hubby. See I told you laziness has no limits. It even enters the domain of my dreams. But then even God knows when I’m being dreamy and when I’m being plain lazy, so anyways this desire has yet not been rewarded by hubby in this way. Though he has made breakfasts for me on many occasions, as and when I lovingly requested him to. I guess I should be happy for that!
So on such days when you desire for a simple breakfast in the bed or on dining table to start your day on good note, I would highly recommend trying ‘namkeen seviyan’. A delicious savoury Indian breakfast with a hint of sweetness and warmth of cardamom and nuts. Have it with green tea or ginger tea and your smile will be back for a great morning!
Namkeen Seviyan is vermicelli (a bit thicker variety) combined with mild spices and nuts or veggies to make a hearty breakfast or even a light lunch. Great for packing in lunchbox of kids or to serve when you have unexpected guests.
Namkeen Seviyan/ Vermicelli Pulao Recipe
Ingredients: Seviyan - 1/2 pack or 1 cup (I used MTR pack, which is bit thick and lightly toasted) Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp Curry leaves - 3-4 Green chilly - 1 slit Onion - 1 small, finely chopped Oil - 1/2 tbsp Boiled veggies - 1/4 cup (optional- like carrots, peas, potatao) Nuts - 1-2 tbsp (I used cashews, raisins and peanuts) Salt to taste Black pepper - to taste Cumin powder - 1/4 tsp Sugar - a pinch Lemon juice - 1/4 tsp Coriander leaves for garnishing
Method: 1. There are many ways the vemicelli is used for this. Some like to toast it before adding to spices. Since I use thicker mildly toasted one. I prefer to put it boiling water for 2 mins to soften it. And then drain it, just like regular pasta. 2. Heat a pan and add oil/ghee to it. Then add mustard seeds and let it splutter. Add curry leaves and green chilly. Now add the chopped onion and saute it for a min or two, till its translucent. No need to brown it.
3. Now add chopped veggies, if using. Let it cook for a while and when almost done add the drained vermicelli. Add salt, black pepper, sugar and cumin powder and toss it all nicely.
4. Add toasted peanuts and other nuts. Add little lemon juice (optional) and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Ready to serve . Relish it!
And next time teach your husband too to make this dish. You never know when you get woken up to this tasty breakfast in bed by him!
Urban Seafood came as a delectable surprise to me.
Being located right opposite the clinic where I take my kids for visit to the pediatric; I had noticed this outlet on many occasions. Then named as ‘Slapfish’. But not being a big lover of seafood, plus being tucked in the quieter corner of the mall, I didn’t get around to visiting it. Till recently, when I got invited to review‘Urban Seafood’restaurant in Ibn Batuta. And realized that it’s the same joint, which has been rebranded.
This time, I decided to cross the bridge & taste the grub, to know for real, what makes it ‘ modern seafood shack’. As claimed by the restaurant. And to get even more authentic review, I took along a hardcore seafood lover friend with me. Yes two to tango!
We visited the place on a weekday noon for lunch and it was very quiet. Not surprising for the timing of the day, week and location. We were welcomed pleasantly by the staff on arrival and were taken in to their bright modern style décor with some vibrant reds & warm yellows. The décor was bright & airy but lacked much of character or interest. The lack of crowd or music made the place much quieter too. Yet it gave us ample room to chatter freely, which many restaurants cannot boast of.
Soon we were busy scouring the menu, which had a nice variety with seafood as central ingredient. From ‘crab quinoa salad’, ‘fried calamari’ to ‘prawn kunafa’ in appetiser; ‘tandoori salmon’, ‘thai roasted seafood basket’, lasagna & crab in the main dishes. Alongside it also had ‘handheld food’ like ‘fish tacos’ & ‘grilled lobster cheese sandwich with fries’. Not to forget the fresh juices & drool worthy desserts that was showcased. The menu definitely was well thought of and offered tasteful variety and good mix.
We ordered very simple meal, since we wanted to try the freshness of ingredients and flavour of the dishes. For starters it was ‘crab cake’ & ‘fried calamari” and for mains it was ‘grilled barramundi fillet’ along with fresh orange juice & mojito. The dishes were served promptly, which always works great on a weekday. All the dishes were absolutely fresh and delicious. My favourite was the crab cake – it was extremely tender & flavourful. So was the grilled barramundi, a delightful light dish for lunch. And the 'fried calamiri' added the contrast in texture, though I would have liked even more crunch. The refreshing mojito made the perfect complement to my food. In the end I so wanted to try their sinful ‘chocolate cake in jar with caramel sauce & toasted nuts’, yet I felt highly satiated with the savory ones. But surely will do on my next visit. And I’m sure of one soon.
My friend too totally enjoyed the experience, and we felt we should have visited the place much earlier, specially since its located in the mall we frequent so often. Moderately priced, Urban Seafood can become a cooler place if they add some energy in the restaurant, in terms of warmer hospitality, cooler décor, music just to liven up the place a bit. I would recommend you all to try this place if you are around the area. And I’m sure you will not complain.
