bhel puri

stylish serendipity photo

I just made bhel puri for lunch, it is a perfect summer dish, a delicious combination of crunchy, salty, sweet, healthy, spicy and fresh. The only negative it that it requires two items from the Indian grocery that you must have on hand... bhel puri snack mix and tamarind chutney. The other ingredients are potato, tomato, onions, cilantro and chick peas if you want protein. Also can drizzle plain yogurt on it if you like. 

It is a Mumbai street food that almost everybody loves. I used to take it to picnics when our kids were little and was always asked for the recipe. Men seem to like it especially.  Here is an official recipe.  I just wing it every time with whatever we have on hand and tend to keep several bags of mix and jars of the chutney on hand in the summer months. The mix and chutney looks like this at the Indian grocery:

Have you tried it? I think you would like it!

block print bargains

Are you a fan of block printed fabrics from India? They are everywhere lately... John Robshaw, Les Indiennes, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma and  Rikshaw sell beautiful products made with block prints.  Full Moon Loom, a store on Ebay,  has authentic 100% cotton block print linens at very affordable prices.  We have been using the 60 x 60" Bagru tablecloth on our kitchen table for the last few years. The cost was $29! I have thrown it in the washer and dryer over and over. No ironing either. They are perfect for casual summer meals on the patio too.

They also sell napkins, tapestries, bedspreads and duvet covers. It would be easy to make pillow covers from the napkins or cut one of the tablecloths. You would end up with several pillow covers for under $30!

from PB last year

Shop Full Moon Loom here.

movie alert

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is out this weekend. Even though my husband was born in India, I will have to drag him to this movie! The previews look good and scenery will of course be fascinating!

mehndi

is the ancient Sanskrit practice of applying a henna paste design to the skin of women's hands and feet, most often for an Indian or Pakistani bride.  It has now become popular around the world as a means of self expression.

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It is usually applied by a female member of the bride's family, often a sister or cousin, or by a professional.  The henna is a natural vegetable paste made from ground henna leaves.  It is sold in prepackaged cones, similar to cake frosting applicators.

typical mehndi cone

Every mehndi is unique.  The designs are mostly florals and paisleys, accented with  swirls, flourishes and dots. Sentimental images important to the bride and groom are sometimes included in the designs.  Mehndi lasts on the skin for one to three weeks.

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Mehndi designs have now made their way onto cakes and cookies for Hindu weddings and holiday celebrations.

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inlay furniture

Bone and mother of pearl inlay furniture and accessories add whimsy and craftsmanship to a room.  They are exotic statement pieces, hand crafted  in northern India and are popping up everywhere lately.

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schuyler samperton

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martyn lawrence bullard

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 for inlay furniture in the USA, go here