Something Healthy: Bok Choy-Mushroom Stir Fry!!

This morning I woke up with an upset stomach and for this reason, I wanted to eat something light and healthy for lunch. Healthy does not sound yummy right? Well that is not always the case. The food that I ate for lunch was both good for my stomach as well as for my taste buds. Bok Choy-Mushroom Stir Fry is the dish that I often prepare whenever I feel eating light. It is so delicious and easy to make. So, below is the recipe for  you all to try :)

Yumtastic :)

Prep time: 5min(s) Cook time: 10min(s) Total time: 15min(s) 

Things you will need:

• Bok Choy (Chinese Cabbage): 1 and 1/2 lb. (Bok Choy can be substituted with any greens. Spinach will be best one in my opinion)
• Ginger-Garlic Paste: 1 table spoon
• Green Chilies (whole, 2-3)
• Mushroom (1 can; any kind will be fine)
• Oil (2 table spoons)
• Salt (according to the taste)
• Soy Sauce (1 table spoon)

Directions:

1. Wash Bok Choy thoroughly. Heat oil and add ginger-garlic paste and soy sauce and  fry it until golden brown.
2. Add mushroom and salt and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
3. Add Bok Choy and chilies and cook it on a high heat for 7 minutes or so. Make sure not to over cook it.
4. Done. Simple as that :D Enjoy it with plain white rice.

Radish Peas Salad (Pickle)!!

Every once in a while, I make this kind of Radish Peas Salad (pickle) because it is one my favorites and I especially enjoy it with flattened rice. If you ask me about the simplicity then you know the answer. I  never have and will bother to make complex dishes. And this particular one is so easy that you will only need two major ingredients to get yummy outcome. And most importantly it can be eaten right away, unlike Khadeko Mula ko Achar (Click here for recipe), for which you will have to wait at least two weeks.  So, without further rambling, here is the simple and quick yummy recipe for Radish Peas pickle.

Yummm.... :)

Prep time: 10min(s) Cook time: 10min(s) Total time: 20min(s)

Things you will need:

• Radish (1 large)
• Peas (2 cups roasted)
• Green chilies (4-5 thinly sliced, once again adjust your taste)
• Sesame seeds (1 cup roasted and grounded, white/black)
• Turmeric powder (2 tea spoons)
• Salt (according to the taste)
• Red chili powder (1 table spoon, optional)
• Oil (4 table spoon)
• Fenugreek Seeds (2 tea spoons)
• Lime Juice (2 table spoons)

Directions:

1. Cut radish into thin slices and sprinkle salt and give everything a good mix. Keep it aside for 5 minutes.
2. Add peas, sesame, and all other above mentioned ingredients except oil, fenugreek and lime juice.
3. Heat oil and add fenugreek seeds. Wait until its brownish black and once it is, pour it over the mixture.
4. Add lime juice and give everything a perfect mix.
5. Enjoy :D

Tihar 2070 fun in Nepal :)

Like Dashain, Tihar this year was full of fun and excitement. As a kid, Tihar used to be my favorite festival because of lights, firecrackers and deusi bhilo :) This year's Tihar was the same except the fact that firecrackers were deemed illegal :( Tihar in Nepal lasts for three days. On first day we worship Goddess Laxmi, second day (Maha Puja) we worship ourselves and on the third day we worship our brothers. Tihar is a festival of lights where we lit candles, lights (Christmas lights) and dio (cotton balls dipped in oil). There is a belief that doing so will make Goddess Laxmi (God of wealth) happy and will bestow good health and prosperity in the family.
I was so surprised to see people admiring and following our rituals so sincerely. Nothing was changed and I hope everything will remain the same, so that we younger generations will be able to continue to make our precious traditions lively for generations to come. Here are some pictures and please feel free to share your Tihar experiences in the comment box below :)

:) :)

 Mandal for Laxmi Puja. Made by my sister :)

 Kalash Puja :)

Laxmi Puja :)

 Parsad for Laxmi puja :)

 Second day: Maha Puja. Picture above shows people in Newari Culture celebrating Nepal Sambat 1134:D

 Dio :)

 Maha Puja Mandal :)

 Sagun :)

 Jajanka

 ita :) 

Mandal Puja :)

 Models of the night :D

 Self Worshipping :)

 Bhai Puja (The third day, Worshiping Brothers)

 Yes we do worship alcohol :D

 Different Colors of Tika :)

 Prasad.

 Mandal on bhai tika day :)

 Gift for my babu (brother)

My Gift :)

 Sweets for my babu :)

 Bhai tika day lunch.. yummiest thing in the world. So many different varieties :D

 Deusi bhailo: During tihar, people gather and go to different houses for singing and dancing. In return house owners are supposed to give them some money and sweets. They say doing so will bless the giving family with better life.

Happy deusi bhailo group :)

Dashian 2070 in Nepal!!

Finally after almost five years, I was able to celebrate my favorite and Nepal's biggest festival Dashain. Since, world is getting busier, I initially thought rituals for celebrating Dashain must have been changed as well. This time my expectation was quick and short cut Dashain with little touch of our old traditions. But I was totally wrong! Whole country and people were as excited as before, as happy as before, and as culturally conservative as before :) Culturally conservative because all of my family members and relatives ( I am talking about 50-60 families here) were following each and every ceremonial procedures as we used to do in the old days. I was mesmerized and happy at the same time because I was able to relive our culture after these many years. There were so many things I had already forgotten, thanks to Nepal and Nepali culture for staying so original and authentic :) 

For those who are not familiar with this festival, Dashain lasts for fifteen days and is the most anticipated festival by Nepalese in the world. Historical beliefs describes the celebrations being taking place for the victory of good over evil. So, during the fifteen days time period, Goddess Durga is worshipped as they say she defeated demons harming God's palaces as well as other innocent people in the ancient times. First day starts with worshipping Durga and putting jamara to grow (grown from Barley and Corn) and ends on day fifteen, which is a full moon day. Day one to nine is a worshipping period and ten to fifteen is the tika period.  

This year's Dashain was wonderful. I was enlightened with joy, love and care. Here are some pictures and I hope every Nepali around the globe had an amazing time in Dashain this year :)

Aww..I am going to miss this on next Dashain so bad :(

 Dashain Tika and Jamara :)

 Tika and Blessings from elders :)

 Jamara Necklace was a Surprise. Thank u mumy :)

:) :)

 I got Jamara Hair Clip :)

 Dashain Prasad :)

 Sagun dhau :)

 Sagun for first tika after wedding :D

  Sagun for first tika after wedding :D

 Culture :)

 luv u aji :x

 Food! of course the most important one ;)

 Little bit of everything for God before I eat!

Feel free to share your Dashain experiences this year in the comment box below >:D<