From the category archives:
During my childhood, mom had a great hobby — she loved collecting recipes either from books, newspaper & magazine clippings. She seriously has one of those self-made, huge & crammed food bible of all delicious recipes.
Over time, she have added some great collections to her kitchen as well, i.e fine china, cutlery’s etc.
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As part of my grand plan of setting new year resolutions, I have made some subtle improvements to our home interior. I am not an interior designer, mind you – considered warned if you need my advise in this department – If you have or given the right materials, tools, accessories, and theme, this task of re-decorating can be as simple as reciting your favorite song – without a tune, which is so much easier. The photos begins with the formal dining room, living room, kitchen and butler’s pantry. Butler’s pantry are commonly used for extra storage. Personally, I use it “buffet” style when we entertain family’s and friend’s. It’s very convenient when the dining table is not occupied with platters of food.
I have made some improvements in other areas of the house as well. Feast on the photos below:
We do not use the breakfast bar during meals – instead it is now a pedestal for my beloved indoor plants 
I love indoor plants! In fact, I am planning to salvage some of my pots and pans and turn it into planters. Very green and economical.
Our favorite venue, especially during the summers. Endless BBQ’ing. The planters are filled with seasonal fresh herbs such as basil, rosemary, mint and curry leaves. Sigh, I can never live without curry leaves 
Money plant! I heard many myths about money plant. So far, it fails to amuse me. People, stop spreading myths!
This is a very cute toilet placard My sister bought it for us from Amsterdam. We are so depended on Google Maps, and now we need a placard over the toilet door?
I need help on wall coloring as well. Do you think I need to paint different colors on my wall? Currently the walls are beige, all over the house! Suggestions on colors would be great
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Who doesn’t love food? Come on, you must be kidding! If you aren’t, please leave this blog immediately and return once you solemnly declare you love food as much as I do. Amen 🙂 Now, today it’s all about food. I am talking about serious cooking. Ahem.. The ones who prefer not to cook, have left this building (blog) by now for sure 🙂
OK, how many of you find it difficult to rustle up a meal or two after a hectic and long day? I know, it’s difficult and some times frustrating! The easiest way I’d imagine is ordering a takeout. But for how long? There were days when I did not have the luxury of time to prepare a hot meal. Takeout seems the only best option available. The cycle is something like this – placing the order, drive to pick the order and drive home. Now, the whole process of takeout basically takes me around 30-40 minutes, even with delivery services. In that amount of time or lesser, I could rustle two simple and delicious Chinese dishes accompanied with rice! Forgive me, for I am born with a tinge of Chinese cuisine 🙂 I love Indian cooking, but it can be a little heavy consuming it all the time — not that I am complaining 😉 I do try to balance our diet at home with variety of dishes ranging from Chinese-Indian-Indonesian-Thai influences.
This was last night’s menu and recipes. Simple, nothing too elaborate or culinary schoolmarmish 😀 If you still insist to put on an apron and a chef cap, I salute you 😀
String bean with Chicken
Cast: oil, minced garlic & ginger, boneless chicken, salt, string bean, Lee Kum Kee‘s Original Stir-Fry sauce & chinese rice cooking wine and fresh coriander.
Method: With a wok on high heat, add 2 tsp of cooking oil and stir fry boneless chicken for 2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt and string bean. Fry till beans are seared and almost done. Add ginger, garlic paste and 2 tbsp of Lee Kum Kee’s Original Stir Fry Sauce. Fry for a minute. Add a dash of Chinese cooking wine and done! Don’t forget to turn off stove and plate the dish in a serving bowl. Garnish it with fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with rice!
Try substituting meat with fresh mushrooms for a wholesome vegetarian dish. Yum!
Stir-fry Broccoli
Cast: oil, minced garlic, broccoli crowns, Lee Kum Kee’s Vegetarian stir fry sauce and salt.
Method: With a wok on medium low heat, add 2 tsp of cooking oil and stir in 1 tsp of garlic. Fry till garlic is fragrant and not burnt! If you’d burnt the garlic — trust me, you’ve not sinned. Just redo the whole process from scratch. You would dislike the taste of burnt garlic, for sure 😀 Add broccoli crowns and fry for 3minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp of Lee Kum Kee’s Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce and a dash of salt. Fry for another minute and done! Serve hot with rice!
Caution: You might have the urge of just dumping all the ingredients in one pot, fry it for a few minutes, and voila! the meal is done? Patience is virtue. You would be rewarded with flavorful meal without a stomach ache 🙂
Thanks for visiting my eKitchen and do join me again in exploring the wonder of food… *burp!* excuse me!
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The sky is clear! I could hear birds chirping happily. It must sense the freshness in the air. Beautiful, joy and peaceful surroundings. The garden has bloomed with much happy results! Since it is also the beginning of winter, the Red Maple tree in particular, blossomed with red and yellow leaves. I am hopeful that the beauty would linger on as season’s change.
*Kiran snaps out from a momentarily disjointed vision*
It is still winter… But?
Now, now.. wait a second? I rushed out of the house and I scanned around for confirmation. The sky isn’t clear, it’s as gloomy as yesterday! The construction is clearly not over, so what’s up with beautiful, joy and peaceful? Where are “they“?
Endless, mindless construction
Unfortunately, the sights did not last long. Neither did the Red Maple tree. I feel like a train wreck as I examine my beautiful, now bald, Maple Tree (the before and after pictures as shown) *sobs*! Even my green pastures are no longer green, sigh!
Before and after 🙁
But there is always HOPE.
Weather is gloomy. Sun is playing hide-and-seek between clouds for a few days now. But as I took my casual stroll equipped with a camera, I watched and gulped as I realized everything around me gave a sudden sense of easement and security. I started appreciating even the minute details. Suddenly, I sense a change. The sun rays shooting out from the sky and through the trees. And I know this is where I have found beauty. Duck’s are swimming happily in and around the pond. And I know this is where I found joy. The sounds of birds chirping, almost swallows the construction noises. And I know this is where I found peace. We some times get caught up at moments in life where we stop appreciating even the smallest blessings. Recalling memories in which Ma used to threaten if I did not finish eating my meals. She would talk about the poor and unfortunates that could barely go by a day with 1 meal. I do feel guilty till date. And here I am sitting and complaining about my surroundings. Well, I guess I am learning how to find and see beautiful, joy and peace in matters that bothers me. Cribbing is genetic, so I guess even if I try, I won’t be able to rid it 😉
Beautiful. Joy, Peace and HOPE
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Trust is an act or statement of what is otherwise unknown. Relying each other to some extent without knowing the actual truth. It’s almost like a prediction. Scenic view of our garden, facing the pond, with clear crisp sky, messages from heaven. That’s what I like to believe.
Papa enjoying his casual stroll.
Mum enjoying the grammar.
Mum and Papa were excited! This is a new experience for all of us. And the best part of it, we shared it together 🙂
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Hello and Welcome to KiranTarun.com! Ten years ago, I met Tarun, and we instantaneously fell in love. Our life so far, has been a roller coaster ride. From Malaysia and India, we begun our journey as husband and wife to America. Living abroad is like a new birth to life. Read More or Contact us.
