Why we blog and Recipe of Okra made with mango mustard sauce
We are almost there . Its nearing 100 posts and we are in nervous nineties like a batsman in a cricket match . We tried looking back towards all the recipes that we have put up and do a little bit of introspection. Most often we receive complains that we dont put up enough vegetarian posts or recipes . The reason for that and a recipe of Okra made with mango mustard sauce
Durga Puja 2015 – Bijaya Doshomi memories and Mutton Keema Chili
Some special dishes have so many memories attached to it . Keema Ghoogni at my uncles place is one such .. If the taste of the dish still lingers on my mouth the memories of my aunt who used to make it still brings smile on my face . We tried to relook at the traditional ghoogni with Mutton keema chili . My eternal keema ghoogni in a new look and some more memories to be created . Shubho Bijaya Dashami .
Durga Puja 2015 – Reasons and places to eat out in Kolkata
The biggest festival of Bengalis is also the biggest festival of foods . The debate remains is whether to eat out or cook at home . This season I try to find out the reasons of eating out in DurgaPuja and places to eat out in Kolkata . Happy DurgaPuja 2015
Durga Puja 2015 – The sponsors are here . Guest post by Antara
Across 3 continents , 5 bloggers and more importantly foodies plan to celebrate Durga Puja 2015 . Read the entire story here and also how the sponsors were kind enough to extend hand of help for us . The first guest post of Pikturenama
Spreading the smile with Vivel Pujo Love by ITC
In all the lights of hope and noises of celebration we tend to forget them . Those who are underprivileged and really need a hand to enjoy the festivities . Vivel by ITC is coming up with an initiative this year where Dev the superstar will accompany these children for a day long pandal hopping , good food and fun throughout the day .
Durga Puja 2015 – Nabami and grilled fish with red capsicum butter
How would the diary pages of a 35 year old working professional look like ? That too during the Pujas ? I stumbled upon one such where it speaks about friendship , family , the mother who is no longer there and Durga Puja . A recipe of Grilled fish for the big gala party on Nabami with his MBA batchmates
Durga Puja 2015 how many days more ? Pujo aschhe
A nostalgic trip down the memory lane as what actually defines the fact “Pujo Aschhe ? Yes we bengalees love to call it Pujo instead of Puja . A year long wait with promises to be kept and new promises to be made – Its this time of the year when all the sadness , grief , misunderstandings are kept away for 5 days . Yes the Durgapuja is knocking on the door …
Chef Saransh Goila – 10 unknown facts about him
The hands behind the food has attracted me equally as much as the good food they prepare . This meeting with Chef Saransh Goila was destined when he visited Kolkata for the launch of his book – India on my Plate . On a Sunday morning when we meet over tea – its a journey of a life time from a kid to a confused youth to a chef to a celebrity TV chef .. Join the journey here
Quiche Lorraine – our working evening snack
Our office is in such a place in Kolkata that when it comes to evening snacks we are spoilt with choices for deep fried and oily food . Its almost like committing a sin knowingly . We tried different options but ending up inevitably going back to the sinful tasty delicious food . One of the better options can be Quiche Lorraine .. check out the recipe here
Flirting with Fire
Since I started photography , I always wanted to do a theme based series . Fire is one of them . When large flames of fire burn there are so many shapes and forms which get formed . Is it the way we look at those flames or they have their own pattern ? I dont have an answer but I have pictures ..
Durga Puja 2015 – The advertisements hide my face
The hoarding war has started in Kolkata . As Durgapuja is near a month away , the city gets a facelift . The ageless beauty who looks even more beautiful with every passing year with all wrinles on her face takes resort to an artificial facelift where the colourful hoardings cover her up . Do we really want this Kolkata ?
Indiblogger BergerXp Kolkata bloggers meet 2015 – It was one of those Saturdays
After a long gap of almost 4 years – Indiblogger held a bloggers meet in association with BergerXp . Almost whos who of blogging in Kolkata were present . Yours truly was also invited . Heres why I want it to happen more in Kolkata and lesser intervals
Fried chicken drumstick
How do you lift up the spirit on a sunday evening when it has been a bad week ? Son has been unwell , work has been erratic and hectic and the weather has left you burnt and exhausted . One of my all time fav – fried chicken drumstick which is mouthwatering and lip smacking too .
Assam 1860 – The latest from James Warren Tea ltd .
The first product review of pikturenama . Assam 1860 – the latest from James Warren tea ltd is fresh , unblended and rich in taste . Read the story here .
Chili’s is now at South City Mall Kolkata
Kolkata always embraces something new when it comes to food . Chili’s the international Tex Mex Chain opens up in SOuth city mall Kolkata – second one after the flagship joint in Quest Mall . Here’s the review .
Raksha Bandhan – some memories
This is a story of Raksha Bandhan and that too between a brother and a sister not tied by blood relations but the sacrifice and dedication is more than any blood ties . Read the story here
A taste of Tuscany at Afraa Restaurant
Its taste of Tuscany at Afraa Restaurant kolkata . Some delicious authentic Tuscan dishes with Olive oil tasting session , gorgeous antipasti , Risotto, lamb shanks and many more made with imported parma ham , pepperoni along with imported wines make this festival a must attend for Italian food lovers . Dont miss out the Affogato or the Mango Zabaglione as desserts .
The Lalit Great Eastern Tea Treasures
The tea treasures organised by The Lalit Great Eastern was a wonderful experience and praiseworthy effort to bring all tea lovers , tea connoisseurs , tea merchants and traders , reputed tea estates in Eastern part of the country together . We attended the same on the last day . Our experience ..
Dimer devil or Scotch eggs desi style and the railway book stall in chandannagore
There are some book stalls which are like windows to an evolving mind . There was one such in Chandannagore my home town . When it comes to Chandannagore no one can ignore the sweets and the deep fried snacks of the place . Reinventing one such over here – Dimer devil or Scotch eggs desi style
Varanasi Diaries IV – Ghats by the night
Varanasi ghats are worth exploring once and perhaps thousand times in the nights . A journey which started at 10 in the night went upto midnight and the memories stayed forever . Varanasi ghats in the nights – a photostory
Grilled prawns with guacamole and decade of togetherness with her
It has been a decade of togetherness . The ups and downs, the gains and losses, the moments of joy and the agonies of pains . Food was the common link and prawn was the missing link – however that also got solved with time . A story about us and a wonderful quick recipe of grilled prawns with Guacamole .
Rain Rain go away
When it rains endlessly its not always bad . There are so many memories attached with rain – rainy day in schools , colourful raincoats, sounds of pitter patter while going to sleep and waking up with a cloudy sky – whats your fondest memory of monsoon ?
ITC Sonar Kolkata says good morning with signature mornings breakfast
The local fresh produce incorporated into 4 main dishes forms the pillars of ITC signature morning breakfast . Cold press juices are added attraction at Pavilion Pure where unique interesting combinations of juices are available . This is in addition to the normal buffet spread – Why dont you check out ?
The Lalit Great Eastern Bakery – History and memories
I have frequented Waterloo Street on a daily basis for two years . The heritage building which was a distant representation of its past stood there with its lost glory . Heard from elders that the then Great Eastern Bakery used to be the best in the city and was a jewel in the crown . When we recently visited The Lalit Great Eastern Bakery – we were pleasantly surprised and happy as well .
Doi Ilish and the story of a newly wed couple | Hilsa cooked in a yogurt sauce
The Hilsa and monsoon in Eastern part of the country is inseparable . This is the story of a newly wed couple connected by common thread of love and food, experiencing their first monsoon and Hilsa and also how Doi Ilish or Hilsa in Yogurt and mustard sauce got passed on to the daughter in law from Mother in Law
Varanasi diaries III – The wedding and an over enthusiastic photographer
In continuation with my Varanasi Diaries – before I could reach the ghats in night I fulfilled my long time wish of capturing a band baaja baraat – . A photostory where I let the pictures tell you the story
Peanut butter cookies – Tugga the baker .
A recipe inspired by Masterclass in Masterchef Australia season 6 , this is your Peanut butter cookies by Matt Preston . Our son joins the baking as he wishes to remain engaged and spend sometime with his mom
The Lalit Great Eastern Iftar dinner
When its Eid around you cannot simply cannot miss the Iftar spread . The festival has got some dishes , some flavours and some smells attached to it . The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata is offering Iftar dinner on every friday till 17th July – Here’s our account of how it turned out
Taj Gateway Kolkata presents – Hilsa Festival
When its monsoon it has to be hilsha or Ilish as popularly called in the Eastern part of the country . Taj Gateway Kolkata presents Hilsha festival – where handpicked dishes from West Bengal and Bangladesh with some continental variation made the lunch a memorable experience
Varanasi diaries II – Zostel Varanasi -7 reasons why you shouldn’t be there ??
We were headed towards Rihand in UP with an overnight stopover at Varanasi . We found out a rare experience of staying in Zostel – the first branded hostel chain in India .
Bali,Indonesia,Indian Railways and Rendang Curry with Mutton
If Bali reminds most of you of Indonesia, then let me tell you there is another world where Bally means a railway station also in West Bengal . From Bali to bally rediscovering a classic Indonesian dish – Rendang Curry with Mutton
Rasgulla enters the team for sweethandi
Any dream line up of Kolkata sweets is incomplete without the legendary Rasgullas in it . Its like a Top 10 songs of the year list of 70s and 80 s without a Kishore Kumar song in it . Sweethandi has been selling all other famous sweets which are legendary in their own way however the inclusion of Rasgulla in that line up makes it a dream team
Spaghetti Kitchen Kolkata launches new menu
The famous Italian restaurant Spaghetti Kitchen Kolkata launches its new menu . A must visit for all Italian food lovers and food lovers in general . Read to know why
Varanasi Diaries – Graffiti on the ghats
While a lot of people may have lot of to do things in Varanasi – I found something which is offbeat yet very interesting . When you are in Varanasi – spend some time on these Graffiti on the walls – I could not decipher most of them – Let me know if you could
Mango Chicken Salad with zesty coriander and chili dressing
As monsoon starts making inroads to Kolkata, its time to bod goodbye to the king of fruits and emperor of summer – Mangoes . This is the latest avatar in which mango appeared on our dining table on a sunday – Mango chicken salad with zesty coriander chili dressing . The recipe and story .
Park Plaza Kolkata presents – Kolkata Street Food festival
We were excited when we were called for Kolkata Street food festival at park Plaza kolkata but the taste buds werent after the tasting the food . Reasons why this festival could have been better
Chocolate Sandesh and Sweethandi
The evolution of chocolate sandesh in last 10 years and last 3 years in particular with Cadbury coming in to the picture, is noteworthy . Every year theme based new innovations have changed the sandesh and hence the mishti landscape of Kolkata . Read of two such innovations here –
Version 1.0 turns 3 – Peppa pig , George and dinosaur cake
It was our son’s 3rd birthday and version 1.0 requested for a Dinosaur Cake . Madhushree the super mom who can never say no to any challenge accepted it gleefully . I played the second fiddle . Madly march in office with financial year end made us have some sleepless nights to research and come up with this . Happy birthday Tugga
Afraa Lounge Kolkata presents – Wednesday Fairytale
How often do you get a chance to experiment with cocktails and make cocktails as per your choice . How often you get a chance to make a cocktail which is named after you ? Afraa Lounge kolkata is offering -Fairy tale wednesdays where you select your ingredients , make the cocktail and also name it as per your wish . Ladies and gentlemen the new two cocktails in town are – Analytic Anindya and Mad Madhushree – Wanna check them out ?
Cold Crab Salad in cucumber boats and my tryst with salads
Summer throws up real challenge in finding food which is summer savvy . All of sudden the normal comfort tasty foods also start tasting bland . In our quest to present summer delicacies – this time cold crab salad in Cucumber boats . This is not only healthy with the presence of bell peppers and cucumber but its tasty too with presence of the crab meat and mayonnaise . This summer this is a must have for all