The stage is set, notes being prepared, slides are done and there’s no turning back.
Yikes!
I would be co-speaking about photography at Central Florida Bloggers Conference tomorrow. I am so excited, at the same time as nervous.
Just the idea of public speaking makes my head spin.
I need pointers, directions, tips… whatever you have to help me calm my nerves. This whole journey floods my high-school “debate” memories where I had to stand in front of many students and teachers, making my case on impact of green gas in the atmosphere.
I was almost green with panic. It wasn’t a good sight at all. I couldn’t speak for the first few minutes.
But I want to concur my fear and hopefully would ace tomorrow. Just pray I don’t go “green-face” again.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup raw cashews
- Hot water
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 12 oz white mushrooms, quartered
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 whole cloves
- 1/2 tsp garlic paste
- pinch of turmeric powder
- pinch of cinnamon powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 2/3 cup hot water
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
Directions:
- Soak raw cashews with enough hot water for a minimum of an hour.
- Heat a nonstick skillet on medium. Once pan is hot, add 2 tbsp olive oil and chopped red onions. Fry until onions are lightly browned and fragrant.
- Remove browned onions into a blender. Let stand until slightly cooled. Add raw cashews, some water and blend everything into a smooth paste.
- In the same nonstick skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Once skillet is heated, throw in cloves, garlic paste and turmeric powder. Fry for half a minute.
- Add quartered mushrooms and salt. Cook till mushroom releases some moisture.
- Sprinkle in cinnamon, red chili, cardamom and curry powder. Cook until fragrant, around 2 minutes.
- Add cashew paste and stir to coat everything.
- Depending on sauce thickness preference, add hot water accordingly. Stir in between.
- To finish, add lemon juice and garam masala. Cook for 2 minutes and remove from heat.
- Serve hot with chapati’s, paratha’s or cumin scented rice.
Off to find a spot, meditate and try to work on my notes for tomorrow. Wish me luck!
How would you rate yourself in public speaking?
Comments on this entry are closed.
So scrumptious looking! That dish is marvelous. I love mushrooms in creamy/smooth sauces…
Cheers,
Rosa
Rosa — thanks love 🙂
This recipe is up to my ally, indeed. Mushrooms, cashew nuts, and all these aromatic Indian spices, one spoonful, I will be in the heaven. Love it!
Recipeland — it’s such a fun and easy recipe, with tons of flavor 🙂
Congrats and I am sure you will do fine. Just talk from your heart 🙂 And that is one lovely curry presented beautifully!
Kankana recently posted..A Healthy Breakfast Muffin
Kankana — thanks love 🙂
congrats and all the best. i would also go blank during my initial days in public speaking in college, but now am fine. thanks to my experience in corporate training.
the curry recipe is too good with browned onion & cashew paste and looks delicious too.
dassana recently posted..besan ladoo | ganesh chaturthi recipe
Dassana — thanks for the advise, so sweet!
Best of luck, Kiran!! I hear ya re public speaking–definitely not my thing. I’m sure you will do wonderful though. This mushroom dish sounds delicious, and very unique. 🙂
Caroline recently posted..stuffed. [jalapeno chicken wraps]
Caroline — thanks a lot sweets 🙂
Your photos are so stunning. This sounds so flavorful, too! Love it!
Cassie recently posted..Sriracha Balsamic Vinaigrette | Sriracha Week Roundup
Cassie — thanks a lot dear 🙂
My best to you my friend, it will be so exciting 😀
And what delicious looking dish!
Cheers
CCU
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Guest Post #6: A Double Whammy
Uru — thanks a lot dear friend 🙂
Good luck with your talk. Public speaking is not my thing either. I dont mind sharing stories and hints with a small number of people but no a hall full. This recipe looks fantastic. I will definitely be making this, this week. Cashew cream is fantastic.
lizzie – strayed from the table recently posted..Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Lizzie — thanks dear. Let me know how it tastes 🙂
Just made this for dinner, it was fabulous, did not look as good as yours though. The taste sure made up for it.
lizzie – strayed from the table recently posted..Surfcoast Seafood, Alexandra Headland
Good Luck, Kiran! Can’t imagine you being anything less than awesome! You’re a great photographer, and that is half the battle done..when you know your subject and are good at it. That curry looks and sounds like its going to be so good!
Tadka Pasta recently posted..Crackling Churmuri
Tadka Pasta — thank you so much for such comforting encouragements. You made my day, dear friend 🙂
Good luck! Public speaking is terrifying for me, too. Just have faith in your work ( which is awesome!) and deep breaths, let us know how it goes, sure you’ll nail it!
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Chicken and sweet corn soup
Carolyn — thank you so much for the encouragements my friend. I’ll definitely recap the whole event soon 🙂
Mushrooms are one of favorites…love them any dish. As a young girl I too had a fear about public speaking , but after being married to a fauji, life has presented me with many oppertunities for public speaking and once I made it through few events, it started coming better and naturally 🙂 All the best for your Conference !
Rekha Kakkar recently posted..Online reputation for bloggers| How and why to measure it
Rekha — my salute to you and your family! And thank you for the words of encouragements and tips!
Dont worry, you will be fine. I am a catastrophe too when speaking in front of crowds, u should have seen me on my graduation work about development aid.
It’s a bit late for me to give you some tips cause I guess u ll be there. Let me know how u fared Kiran. All the best, sending you courage form goa!!
Love your mushroom gravy and I am going to try it out for myself, cause the ingredients are just around. yum!
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb recently posted..Comment on The Breadfruit and a simple tasty and quick Recipe by Helene Dsouza
Helene — thank you for the words of encouragement, Helene. I hope to put up a recap of the event soon 🙂
I’m a terrible public speaker! I had social anxiety for years and used to visibly shake when I spoke in front of others. But I’ve gotten much better by throwing myself right into the fire. Take deep breaths and remember that they have no idea you’re nervous. Fake it till you make it 🙂
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Spicy Pappardelle with Sausage and Shiitake Mushrooms
Jen — Thanks for the tips and words of encouragement, my friend. I couldn’t fake my nervousness, but the crowd was so fun and supportive. I’d write all about it soon 🙂
I am sure you did great! Your pics are always as beautiful as your recipes are good!
Polam — oh, thanks a lot dear 🙂
Wishing you all the luck in the world – but you won’t need it, you’ll be fabulous!!
the wicked noodle recently posted..Caprese Salad with Burrata Cheese {family style}
Kristy — thanks my dear friend 🙂
I wish you the best! When you begin speaking with passion and about a subject you love, your heart will calm your nerves. You will succeed!
Deb — thank you so much dear 🙂
You will do wonderful! 🙂 Best of luck to you. And this mushroom dish looks so lovely.
Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious recently posted..Beef Barley Soup
Yudith — thanks a lot, friend 🙂
Break a leg Kiran, I know you would do fine! Great spiced cashew sauce my friend. Love the photos of the mushrooms!
foodwanderings recently posted..Apple Bourbon Bundt Cake
Shulie — thanks dear, and I love your phrase, “break the leg!”.. Hope I did 😉
We dont eat mushrooms, but I loved the gravy of this recipe. Gonna try it with potatoes or cauliflower. Which one would be the best?
I hope your presentations was good. I am the worst at public speaking, I start stammering and sweating and shivering and what not! Although, finding a familiar face in the audience and sticking to staring at that one helps me to some extent. Some people say that it looks like you are presenting to that one person only. But hey, I am presenting at least. And thats all that matters!
Charul @ Tadka Masala recently posted..Munnar and more!
Charul — I think you should try it with cauliflower. Let me know how it tastes. And thanks a lot for the words of encouragement, dear friend 🙂
good luck~~ I dread public apeaking!!
vianney recently posted..Enchiladas en Salsa Roja
Vianney — thanks a lot honey 😉
I completely dread giving presentations or speaking but I’m sure you’ll do great! The mushroom is cashew sauce is such a lovely recipe, K! Thanks for sharing.
Baker Street recently posted..#MuffinMonday: Pumpkin Zucchini Muffins
Anu — you are welcome, and thanks for the words of encouragement!
That looks so good! And congratulations on being a speaker, good luck
Raymund recently posted..Fish and Pak Choy in Black Bean Sauce
Raymund — thanks so much!
This look utterly delicious and the photos more so. Congratulations… I am sure you have spoken now and I am sure that you did well. How wonderful for you… you deserve to feel good
tania@mykitchenstories.com.au recently posted..Cowbell 808
Tania — oh, thanks a lot for believing in me, my dear friend 🙂
thats awesome! great going Kiran.. and the sauce looks ahmazing!
its just the first 2 minutes you have to get through… the initial jitters fade really quickly.. start with some incidents or something and then your photography will take over:) allthe best and i am sure you will do super!
Richa recently posted..Chili Eggplant Stacks. vegan glutenfree recipe and a Giveaway!
Richa — thanks so much my dear friend, it went well 🙂
This looks scrumptious! Love that flavourful and creamy sauce .
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Pumpkin Spelt Muffins with Peanuts and Ginger
That’s a great news 1 waiting to hear how did it go 🙂
The mushroom looks so creamy! Love cashew based gravies
Namitha recently posted..Whole Wheat Blueberry Crisp
Namitha — thanks dear friend. I am writing a recap of the event and hope to have it up soon 🙂
I also am a big fan of cashews, but you knew that! 🙂 What a lovely fragrant, tasty & truly creamy dish! Yummy Yum, I reckon!! xxx
Sophie recently posted..Vegan pear & cashew cheese spread! Yeah!
Sophie — I knew you would love this recipe 😉
Congratulations and all the best!
Your curry looks so creamy and delicious! I love mushrooms and this will go so well with roti.
Asmita recently posted..Guest Post “Modak” or Sweet Dumpling
Asmita — thanks love, and you are right about roti 🙂
Oh I’m sure you’re going to do great! I would love to learn from you! Hope you give us an update on how it went!
Simply Life recently posted..Homemade Tomato Sauce on Spaghetti Squash: Inspired by My Italian Grandmother
Gina — I am writing an update as we speak. Hope to put it up soon 🙂
So how did it go? I am sure you rocked on stage 🙂
I am ok with public speaking but I suck in front of the camera 🙁 I feel terribly conscious and my mind goes blank!
This mushroom curry looks terrific! Like restaurant style 🙂
chinmayie @ love food eat recently posted..Bok Choy with Shiitake Mushrooms
Chin — thanks a lot dear. It went well, without much drama. I’d have the recap up soonish, promise 😉
Ohhh how delicious! I love the cashew cream sauce, mushrooms and curry – a perfect combination!
Ina gawne recently posted..DAIRY FREE CASHEW CREAM SAUCE
cashew cream sauce? Going on the top of my to do list. I heart cashews so anything involving them I am a sucker to try! It looks stunning
I love speaking about writing and food and culture but as much as I love it it freaks me out. Teeth chatter, palms sweat and I have to read directly from my notes or I’ll wander off into a long-winded rambling blather. But imparting knowledge and inspiring others is worth the stress every time. I’m sure you’ll be wonderful. And I wish I was in Florida….
Love the sauce for this mushroom curry. Beautiful.
Jamie recently posted..SEPTEMBER 15 – SEPTEMBER 18
Jamie — I went through the exact same jitters my friend. Thanks for the encouragement, and wish you were here too!
The spiced cashew cream sauce looks amazing! Wow! So much flavour and so creamy. I cannot wait to make this! 🙂 Mmmm!
Courtney Jones recently posted..Curried Autumn Squash Lentil Stew
Courtney — thanks a lot dear, and do let me know how it tastes 🙂
I wish I could’ve been there. I’m sure you did a fantastic job, Kiran:) Love this cashew sauce with the mushrooms. I could eat it for lunch with some flat bread:) xx
Lora — thanks a lot honey. And I love your idea with flat bread. Great accompaniment 🙂
These mushrooms look divine! I love mushrooms as a side but you don’t see it much. Love the seasoning! Hope your presentation went well! I’m sure you did great!!!! Having been an instructor, trainer and conference speaker for many years my advice would be to know your stuff and have fun!
I got diverted after seeing your featured recipe on my friend’s blog (your cookery book).
Your recipe is really mouthwatering. I can’t wait try it out. I am a fan of curries.
this looks heavenly. never thought of making mushrooms in a cashew sauce… chicken yes, but not mushrooms. very nice job!
Honey What’s Cooking recently posted..Healthier Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookies (101 calories)
WOW, looks amazing 🙂 Love your blog
מתכונים recently posted..מתכון לקרפצ’יו
Beautiful photos of an amazing dish! This recipe incorporates some of my favourite spices and flavours, thanks for sharing!!
-Shannon
Mushrooms Canada recently posted..Mushrooms are Going PINK!
Ugh, I couldn’t congratulate and say good luck before you are going to the conference. I’m sorry to visit you so late. How did it go? I’ve been so busy that I’m not up to date on a lot of things. Hope everything went well, and so wish that I could have been there to listen to your advice! We love mushrooms and this looks really delicious! Not to mention the photography is stunning as always, Kiran!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Mentaiko Pasta | Spicy Cod Roe Pasta 明太子パスタ
This recipe looks wonderful, I can’t wait to make it. I have some friends coming over next week and would love to try it out on them–do you know how much this makes/how many it would serve, either as a side dish or a main?
Glad to hear your event went well.
Hi Evan — thank you for your comment 🙂
This recipe serves 4 people as a side dish. I hope you’d enjoy it with your guests. Bon apetito!
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