Popeyes recipe

          Nope it is not the KFC-rival fried chicken Recipe I am about to blog, I will leave that for the franchisee to sell that poison(I do like it I admit). This is about Palak Ghosht.
Spinach (Palak) has always been associated with Popeye the Sailor Man. Since my childhood Palak Ghost has been one of my favorite desi dishes partly because I was made to belief that my biceps and triceps will protrude instantly and I will go in to some sort of super hero transformation saving my 'Lilly' from Brut - kids imaginations are weird sometimes ; I finally realize it after my seeing my 6 year old son talk.
Ok so my wife and kids were coming back from Houston and I was suppose to pick them up from Buffalo on Saturday afternoon which means I had only few hours of window on Friday evening to restore the order of our place and prepare some food for dinner next day. I resisted catering from outside as they had it enough while there (It was my wife's cousin's wedding they went to attend) ; I also resisted my mom's food as I wanted to make something myself.
I did the grocery from a desi store after work and here how the events leading to Palak Gosht unfolded. I started at 11:30 pm on 13th June Friday - pretty daring to be in the kitchen cooking by myself on that day lol. Preparation time was almost an hour (I was making Karhai Chicken simultaneously as well). It was my first ever attempt and I used one helpline : calling my mom in the middle of the night for re-reinforcements.
- 1.5 lb of veal meat (washed ,cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Half Ginger - peeled, chopped and MB-ed*
- Few Garlic cloves - chopped and MB-ed*
- 2 onions - peeled, sliced
- Heat the oil in a Vessel ('Pateli' for Urdu and 'Bagona' for Hyderabadi) and put the above items and stir it
 - Generous pinch of Salt, light sprinkle of Turmeric Powder,  Coriandar Powder (1 teaspoon) and Red Chili Powder (1 teaspoon) and 2 cups of water and close the lid for 30 mins on medium-low heat
- Toss 2 diced tomatoes into the mix and keep stirring it
- Throw in frozen spinach pack in it and keep stirring it
- Dial down the ignition to low heat and keep stirring it
- Check if the meat is tender  (by sampling a random piece from the Vessel and try to dissect it)
- Add in a pinch of Garam masala and toss some whole green chillis and keep ...... (you know the drill)
- Keep the heat low and keep stirring, this painful and tedious step is called 'Bhoonna'
- Put it away from the oven and transfer it in a white dish with a green spoon (Yes , presentation is equally important as food preparation :) )
- Ready to devour. It tasted good and my wife and in-laws were amazed that I made it myself :)
Pretty sure made Popeye - the Sailor Man proud too (A)

*MB-ed - process involves making a paste by using Magic Bullet

Using Magic Bullet to make garlic paste

Chopped Ginger ready to feed Magic Bullet next

making the Onion 'golden brown'

The end result

Rejection before Approval

 
History is littered with examples of great personalities that were ridiculed, rejected, outclassed, ostracized or whatever adjective you can use to describe how they were treated not-one-of-them to one-of-them! Sheer belief and unyielding resoluteness in their struggle led them to taste success !
These obstacles arises to test us how bad we really want something, it by no means an end of the road.
Einstein said: "Genius is 1 percent talent and 99 percent is perspiration". The wisdom behind struggle before success , pain before gain and ....well...you get the point...is simply interleaved with simple philosphy : you expand your emotional, intellectual, and all other faculties to better equip for the bigger and better things out there. To make yourself more worthy and deserving, stumbling before will make you cherish your victory even more.
Had a fruitful discussion with a friend today and he said that failures are groundwork for our success later. Couldn't have summarized any better. We aka Hans Sapiens with limited range of senses with myopic views are totally unaware of the grand scheme of things that we fall under. We should just "Stay calm and work hard" and not fret to much about the fate of the end result. We can only be called 'Experienced' when we go through obstacles and pitfalls. It is okay to get knocked down, important is to get up !
Whenever you fail , remember success is around the corner. The taste of failure will only make the taste of success sweet and worth the wait. Never give up, keep trying till you 'click' at the end.
To end on a lighter note, I was rejected by dozen of girls before one said yes and I quickly married her before she ponders on her decision :)

Start of new chapter

After nearly 8 years of academic drought, I have finally enrolled in a Master’s program! Yes, I didn't believe in that at first. I came across the ad on LinkedIn about this brand new program and it was just an instinct yes. Masters that would complement my current skills yet take me to new levels still within my area of (desired) expertise. The program name is Masters of Management Analytics (MMA) – sounds much ‘cooler’ than the dull and ubiquitous MBA. After all the grinding rituals (Application, Resume, Transcripts, References, Skype interview) I got accepted end of last year! [My GMAT was waived – yes suckers !!! ]

I will be endeavoring this part time for one year program starting in June. Our 2-day workshop just concluded last weekend. Now I realize what I have put myself into! Morning till late in the afternoon – stats workshops! Although Math is my strong area (I am a Brown after all) but stats was my weakest (and lowest) link.

I am looking for many take-a-ways from the program besides the three letters next to my name. The habit of getting out of my comfort zone and explore new terrain is definitely I will be focusing on. Negotiations, Collaboration, resolving conflicts, solving problem, presentation and much more!

I will look up to various people for motivation, beside the students, my mom – she did her 2^nd degree in ECE after coming to Canada while working and taking care of the house. My uncle – who studied for his USMLE while working and supporting family with 2 teenagers. My friends (Hisham , Hasham (not related lol) ,Asif and Nauman Abbasi ) who pursued their MBAs part-time while working and supporting their respected families.My other motivation will be my kids; to hold them in my arms while posing for a picture at my graduation ceremony IA.  (you can laugh I get it lol)

This of course comes with a price; balancing academics with work and young-and-growing family and having more energy and planning time effectively will be the biggest challenges! With parent’s prayers and wishes I can overcome the anxiety. Oh almost forgot, not to mention my wife’s unfaltering support (I will chew my words later for this lol).

Woh humsafar tha

Re-visited the song after ages and alas it still holds its magic ! The 'thunderousique' voice of QB, the charm of Mr. Ashar, the innocence of Khizr flash in your mind. After 'Dhoop Kinarey' this is the next Pakistani Urdu Drama that has been etched in my soul for the longest time to come (woah !)
Most watched Pakistani Urdu Drama of all times is certainly a big achievement; considering it fended off challenges from Indian Saas-Bahu soap operas and Imran Khan rallies.
Brief mention needs to be mentioned about the song; it was originally sung by the legendary Abida Parveen. It was written by Naseer Turabi in 1971 depicting the tragic separation of East and West Pakistan:

                Keh Dhoop aur chaon ka alam raha..Judai na they
               Woh Hamsafar tha...haan...woh humsafar thaa...

The lead pair + QB became household names, they cashed in by asking over-the-roof price.

'Happy' - Pharrell Williams

At this point not a living soul might not have either listened,chimed and danced on this one (Confession: I have done 2 of the three). This worldwide viral song has unique DNA that makes it an infectious one! In more than 18 countries it has reached number one song for the week(s).

This song is written, produced and sang by Pharrell Williams. This song was also nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar at the Academy Awards after being featured in the film Despicable Me 2 last year. It was forgettable when I first watched it as I was getting amused by Minions rather than paying heed to the song. Later, same song was played in a public place where my son (5.5 years) exclaimed proudly that he recognizes the song. I again shrugged it off and smiled back acknowledging his observation.

What is the 'recipe' of this amazing song? Simple lyrics, upbeat music, unique voice. Another contributing factor is the people! The audience which after 'consuming' it are 'contributing' to the value of the song by recording joyously their own city and miming along and sharing it ! A wonderful place where we live where psychological factor such as Collaboration meets Social web. Better put - Human Social Web spreading happiness !

Desi Weddings -Part 1: Mehndi

                   Last night watched my cousin's 'Wedding' DVD held in Karachi,Pakistan. By Wedding I mean extended wedding with 3 DVDs for each occasion.

I will blog one for each occasion to maintain the mood (and interest hopefully) as well do justice to each event instead of summarizing all the events in one blog.

'Mehndi' is pre-wedding ceremony which serves as the primer or ice-breaker for the heavy ceremonies that follows typically on consecutive days.Mehndi has typically yellow color theme signifying the color of Mehndi or Henna. The Bride-to-be embraces a yellow/orange/green shalwar kameez or some variant - choridaar or a gharghra with colored-braid following and adorned with fresh flower bangles and ear-rings. She typically wears minimal makeup and head is mounted either straight or downward direction depending on the liberal factor of both the parties. The event is also primarily a Bride-to-be event but with changing times , the invitation is extend to the Groom-to-be as well.

Groom-to-be wears a designer shalwar kameez of white color usually with Peshawari Chappal (not the infamously Paul Smith designed shoe)  and dons a shawl wrapped around his neck and flowing sideways as well. He will typically have a stubble or a light beard with intention to shave it off on Wedding day.
 Mehndi has the 'rustic' feel with stage decorated with hand painted pots and instead of a couch you have a swing to seat the couple-to-be - again trying to create a rural world in an urban world.

Special mention needs to be made about the 'entry' of the Bride-to-be. She is carried in a cart type of structure with window carvings on the side and closed from front,back and top. It is carried by 4 people holding the extended wood logs protruding from the base of the cart and placing it on the shoulder. It is a very responsible job as the life of the Bride-to-be is in your hands - or shoulder rather  The Groom-to-be enters subsequently walking under the roof of chadar/dupatta held by his siblings.

After the couple-to-be are all settled and placed in the swing separated by 0.01mm distance; what ritual comes next is to unsettle their gastronomical endurance. Married women and close family members feed them with gamut of sweets and apply Mehndi on their hands. The couple try to consume as little as possible as feeders try to be generous in their feed. The matter is really tested when kids join the feeding party.

Appropriate songs are sang from both sides which usually serves as tit-for-tat song competition teasing each party - all in good humor. Keeping family sensitivities in mind - an elaborate dance performances also takes place with songs from famous Bollywood movies.

Mehndi is the event where 'sky is the limit' - in terms of decoration (stage,hall , cart,center pieces) finer decorations (from the spoon in which they are fed to dinner theme) , exhaustive dance and song practice. Since there is no 'protocol' - people usually enjoy Mehndi the most. I will reserve my opinion after the completion of the subsequent blogs but I think I have already given away ;)

B-Day

       So a year older, wiser (Ahemm) and richer (Cough). Another weekend has passed and another birthday has passed! Yes, it was another of my 30+ birthday on 4th April which I share with my twin.
With one more line etched on my face, receding hair line, growing gut and hair sprouting from unusual places - official entry into the mid-life crisis! Besides New Year's eve , this is the second time in a year when I try to self-reflect and muster courage to walk on the untrodden path and be a role model albeit without a plan !

"30s is the new 20s" - seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy where you can let a decade pass and continue your usual life without reflecting deeply upon the changing relationship between you and the people around you. More importantly, the changes happening inside you! What is brewing inside your body (no pun intended) is what you are outside not the other way around.
As time is ticking so is our potential clock - the opportunities as they might be limitless but our faculty of sense are limited, our resources are limited and our life span is - limited. Act before you wonder why you are getting 20-30% discount at your next haircut or a visit to BulkBarn - that is your Senior's Discount :-)
The desire to be healthy is burning like never before. Hope to play squash more regularly, eat healthy (except for Popeyes Chicken :D), immerse in spiritual acts, engage in volunteer work, enroll in classes/course,  travel more, cook (my wife's nightmare if I step into the kitchen), read, listen to more podcasts and watch more TED videos. How would I do it - no plan !


http://www.ted.com/talks/meg_jay_why_30_is_not_the_new_20