Roma's Space

Its a beautiful evening, the weather is fine and I’ve got some chirpy birds in my terrace. Last month has been particularly tough on me. With my cook’s disappearing act and the maid taking week after week off, I had trouble getting back on my feet. I’ve been wondering where they have all gone. Mass bunk to watch a movie or an unplanned trip to their Oor (native place) perhaps. Anyway, they inspired me to take a break too. I’ve relaxed all day without worrying about dinner or tomorrow’s dishes. I think as long as I have net connection, I’ll survive Here is something to munch on… (please scroll to view completely)

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I’ve received a mind-boggling response for the JFI-Wheat event. A big Thanks to you all for taking out time from your over marked calendars to participate in this event.

Jihva for Ingredients or JFI was started 3 years ago by Indira of Mahanandi. She needs no introduction, she has inspired many bloggers like me to actually start a blog of our own. JFI was primarily started so foodies could share their culinary expertise on a monthly basis. Today it has become one of the most awaited events of the month. Thanks Indira, for providing us with this platform.
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Ugadi Special Lunch '09

Happy Ugadi to you all! Just finished a sumptuous lunch. I am so stuffed and sleepy. Although Ugadi is not a part of the festivals we celebrate we manage to have a feast just to catch up with the festive spirit around us. I saw lots of little girls today wearing their traditional langa-blouse making the environment so colorful. Mayank took half a day off so he could be with us for lunch. Our lunch comprised of :

Radish Sambar, Bhindi Sabzi, tamarind rice, kosumbari, papad, payasam and vobattu.

(vobattu was not made at home. the Hot Chips guy owed me some money from last month,  I settled it today. Rest of the food is home-made guys, I didnt make him work all the way)

You can check out last years Ugadi Special Lunch here : Ugadi Lunch ‘08

Jihva for Ingredients  is a monthly food blog event that has become immensely popular over time. This event, started by Indira of Mahanandi, created a meeting point where food bloggers could share their expertise on a regular basis.

Its been an eventful 3 years since JFI has been around and its my priviledge to be hosting it for you this month. It also happens to be the birthday of a special person in my life, my baby doll turns two on 1st March. Its double celebration time for me.

I remember last year around this time I was running a bit late for the birthday preparations and I could not make the lemon tarts I wanted to send for JFI-Lemon. Speedily one year has gone by. We had the birthday celebrations yesterday.  About 50 kids running around and my dear friends helping me make some sense of it all.  Anyway, it was good fun, thankfully baby had completed her afternoon nap and enjoyed herself through the party.

Coming back to the ingredient of the month. Since JFI primarily focusses on Indian Ingredients I thought of picking Wheat, the staple food of Northern India. India is the second largest producer of wheat, first being China. We produce an average of 70 million tonnes of wheat per year! Now thats some serious food for thought. Either we provide that much internationally or we just eat that much

Rules :

1. Prepare a recipe featuring wheat or wheat based products

You can choose any of wheat’s forms :

• Wheat grass
• Wheat grains
• Coarsely ground wheat
• Broken wheat
• Wheat flour

Lets leave its refined version maida out.

2. Post the recipe on your blog by March 31st, 2009  ( sorry to shorten the deadline, I will be on vacation between Apr 1st – Apr 12th, 2009 )

3. Please link your entry back to the event announcement. You can use the logo provided.

4. Old posts can be re-posted and linked back to the event announcement. 

5. Please email – the link to your post and a photo of the entry , 175 pixels in width to romaspace@gmail.com with the  subject “JFI- Wheat”

You can find the nutrition value of this Golden Crop at Wheat Foods Council, interestingly Wheat is also used for decoration

Mayank and I met around the turn of the century. The day I met him I never thought I would be spending the rest of my life with him. Thats how life is, unpredictable. We’ve been married for four years today and I cant seem to remember how my life was when he wasnt a part of it.

Every year on our anniversary Mayank makes it a point to take me for dinner to an unknown destination. I am left wondering all day what dress code to follow, what kind of food we’ll be eating and how far this place is from home. As we set off from home I am constantly thinking of where the journey will end. Every time we pass by a restaurant I ask myself  ‘Is this the one?’ and soon we would have moved on. Anyway, I sort of enjoy this suspense, asking him questions whenever possible hoping the cat will be out of the bag!

Over the years having exchanged practically every possible gift, this year I was faced with the same question “What would be the perfect gift? What is it I havent gifted already?” I finally decided on making something myself. Here are the name plates I made for our anniversary. I wanted it to be a surprise so I havent been updating by Twitter page honestly. My husband follows my updates you know

Gift from Mayank - Poinsettia, Turns lush red in December

Poinsettia is a plant that serves as a gentle reminder. When its leaves turn beautiful red we know another year of marriage has passed.

Blooms from the Family