Thoughts For The Day...

For those who are destined to persevere through all obstacles that come in the way:

"It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of someone else's life with perfection."

and never forget....

"The mind acts like an enemy for those who do not control it."

Yamashiro Garden Market

During my most recent quest of seeking out the hidden treasures of Los Angeles, I came across Yamashiro Garden Market located on the Hollywood Hills overlooking the city of numerous wonders.

For starters, there is FREE parking & shuttle service! Common folks, when was the last time you visited a place in the middle of L.A. that offered that type of convenience? Umm...probably... NEVER! Once you park your car at the Christian Science Church, on La Brea and Hollywood Blvd., grab a shuttle that will take you and your fellow adventurers up a narrow twisty hill (about a 15 min. ride - kind of like a mini school field trip).

Upon reaching the entry gates, you will be flooded with the various aromas of cuisines from around the world along with the scents of fresh fruits and veggies. (My personal fav is Brothers Products' hummus spreads. One word to describe them "amazing!" Frankly, I don't think I can ever visit Yamashiro Farmers Market without picking up some hummus ever again.) To add to the mouth watering aromas, was the pleasing sound of a small band playing swing music while we overlooked the fantastic view of the City of Angels.

This location will definitely have to open their doors to let me back in soon!


http://yamashirorestaurant.com/market_ad_ver5.pdf

Leaders vs. Workers

According to Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, a leader is defined as a person who has commanding authority or influence while a worker is referred to as one that works especially at manual or industrial labor. Sadly, in a colony of social ants, bees, wasps, or termites workers are sexually underdeveloped and usually sterile members that perform most of the labor and protective duties of the colony.

In the U.S., the traditional definitions of these terms are taught as early as second grade. So why is it that we strive throughout our childhood and most of our adult lives to be a worker? The minute we step off of the podium during our high school graduation, we immediately establish we will dedicate the next four years to get an education hence "training." To do what? To fast forward four more years of life to step off yet another podium. But this time, we will have accomplished our goal: to be a "worker."

Spicy Spaghetti

This modified Italian recipe is my all time favorite. I started making this during my college days and have altered it over the years. It is quick, tasty, filling and most important, yummy for my tummy!

Ingredients:
-Whole Grain Spaghetti
-3 cups Prego Roasted Garlic & Herb Sauce or any tomato based sauce
-2 cups chopped vegetables (Capsicum, Tomato, Red Pepper, Black Olive, Mushroom, Jalapenos)
-1/2 cup Corn
-1 chopped Onion
-3 flakes crushed Garlic
-2 tablespoon Olive Oil
-1 teaspoon Black Pepper
-1 teaspoon Italian Herbs
-1 teaspoon dried Oregano
-1/2 teaspoon dried Parsley
-Garlic Salt to taste
-1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
-Crushed Red Pepper optional

Method:
1. In medium pot, add Whole Grain Spaghetti to water and cook for approximately 20 minutes on high
2. In a large saucepan, heat Olive Oil and add Onion and Garlic. Let it fry until translucent
3. Add mixed vegetables and fry approximately 5 minutes.
4. Add Prego Roasted Garlic and Herb Sauce
5. Add Black Pepper, Italian Herbs, dried Oregano & Parsley
6. Add Garlic Salt & Crushed Red Pepper to taste and stir well
7. Toss cooked Spaghetti with Spicy Sauce and add Parmesan Cheese evenly

Spicy Spaghetti can be complemented with Garlic Bread and Greek Salad. Those recipes are to come so keep posted!

Navratan Korma

This is a semi-sweet dish I made without ever having tried it myself! Since the result and feedback were quite pleasing , I wanted to share it.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
-3 cups chopped mixed vegetables (Carrots, Green Beans, Cauliflower, Potato)
-1 cup Green Peas
-2 cups Milk
-Salt & Sugar to taste
-3 tablespoon Ghee
-1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
-2 Bay Leaves
-1" Cinnamon Stick
-4 Cloves
-2 Green Cardomoms
-4 tablespoon Cashew (ground to paste)
-1 cup Pineapple cubes (1 cup seedless Grapes as addition or optional)
-1 cup Paneer
-2 tablespoon fresh Cream
-1 cup fresh coriander

Ingredients to Ground to Paste:
-3 Onions
-6 Green Chilies
-1" Ginger
-6 flakes garlic
-1/2 teaspoon Tumeric Powder
-1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala

Method:
1. Place mixed vegetables in heavy bottom pan and pour 1/2 of the milk. Mix in Salt & Sugar to taste. Cover and cook on medium level for approximately 15 minutes or until vegetables are cooked.
2. Heat Ghee. Add Cumin Seeds, Bay Leaves, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardomoms. Fry briefly till aromatic.
3. Add ground paste and fry on medium level and stir about 4 minutes until Ghee oozes out.
4. Mix Cashew paste and saute briefly.
5. Add remaining Milk and the cooked vegetables along with the Pineapple (and/or Grapes).
6. Mix well and bring to boil.
7. Add Salt & Sugar if required and simmer for few minutes.
8. Stir in cream and garnish with Coriander Leaves.

My "Inner-Cook"

Okay, so a little about me: I absolutely love to cook! This has not always been the case. About a year and four months ago, I married into a traditional Indian family, having unknowingly committed one of the deadly sins: NOT KNOWING HOW TO COOK! It was not that I did not know how to simply combine different ingredients to create an edible dish .... I did not know the name of the any of the ingredients to create a dish!

Luckily for my husband, I have come a long ways now and have discovered my "inner-cook." Many thanks to my dear mother in-law. She taught me the many tools of cooking which I live by and continue to progress with today. She blessed me with a wonderful gift and it is in her loving memory I continuously search for new recipes to entertain my family with culinary delights.

Amazing Lessons & Quotes from Albert Einstein

It is with the following lessons, I will be sharing my new life adventures
Happy Reading!

Follow Your Curiosity“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.
Perseverance is Priceless“It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
Focus on the Present“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”
The Imagination is Powerful“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Make Mistakes“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
Live in the Moment“I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.”
Create Value“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
Don’t Expect Different Results“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Knowledge Comes From Experience“Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”
Learn the Rules and Then Play Better“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”