(via tagihan)

(via skeletonized)

(via okaythatwasfunny)

happythings:

kari-shma: Colorful Wall of Crocheted Everyday Items

(via daphneemarie)

I WANT NOW!!

(via c-arlay)

Five simple rules for happiness

(via tagihan)

(via tagihan)

(via youwish--jellyfish)

(Picture Courtesy: TLD Facebook page)

Reema Venkat explains why ‘The Little Door’ has become one of her favourite spots in Mumbai. Apart from being one of the most fun people I know, Reema is an HR professional and a seasoned baker. She first visited the place a couple of months back and she fell in love with it. She tells us why here:

A mélange of calm and madness, food and fun, contemporary and traditional; that was my first impression about ‘The Little Door’. I have to admit it has become one of my favourite places to hang out in Mumbai. Leaving the hustle and bustle of this fast paced city a road away, this is an oasis of fashion and gourmet.

The stream of people that come into the little restaurant are hard not to notice, more so because of the clothes and smiles than anything else. It reminds me of a waterhole in the jungle. All kinds of animals gather at one common waterhole not just for the water. Carnivores, herbivores and then the omnivores who are there to enjoy the show.

The plethora of drinks served there teases everyone to be a part of it. If you are a person who would like to sip on something that looks and tastes fancy you can take your pick from the fruity sangrias or the innovative cocktails. If you are the kind who likes to stick to your beer or standard drink, that is available too! Entertainment is provided by the good music but more importantly the drinking games. Beer pong and the chug fest will not allow you to get enough. Adrenaline runs high when these games are started. The competition between players is hilarious and so much fun to be a part of. The yelling and screaming that goes along with the pitchers and pitchers of beers that get served make you feel like everyone is there together.  

Satiety is not far behind the 15 minute wait for the food. Every time I am faced with the challenge of ‘what to order?’. Should I stick with the food that I know and like or should I take the plunge and explore the menu further. This dilemma always ends in the same way. I order one of each. Something that I know I won’t go wrong with and something that intrigues my palette.

The French fries have become a standard order. Why, you ask? Because these deep fried pieces of heaven tingle my taste buds in a way that is close to orgasmic. Something as simple as French fries? Is that even possible that they could be? YES! I would swear by them. Served with the tzatziki youghurt based sauce and sprinkled with different spices, they are absolutely delightful.

Almost all of the dishes have gotten me thinking about something wonderful. Do you remember the little mouse, Remy, in Ratatouille? When he takes a bite of a grape and the cheese he is holding there are explosions of taste. I feel like him. The Beef Burger was one such gamble. Each flavor enveloped the next. As they opened up slowly in my mouth I could not help the feeling of happiness that washed over me. The soft bread followed by the mayonnaise and lettuce and tomatoes and finally the fulfilling meaty perfectly done beef patty. Oh my, what an experience that was. Now, I am one of those meat eaters who doesn’t look at the vegetables on my plate when I have something to eat that is “substantial”. The little door changed that for me. The assorted vegetables that I got to taste were so interesting that I took my break from burger bonanza to finish the stir fried zucchini and bell peppers seasoned to the T.

The thing that pulls all of these aspects together is the servers. They are friendly, spontaneous, interesting people that add that special touch to the entire evening. They always tend to surprise me.

As you can probably see, I am pretty much smitten by The Little Door and would recommend it to everyone out there.  

The Little Door

B31, Ground Floor,

Shree Siddhivinayak Plaza

New Link Road

Andheri West, Mumbai

Simply put, Pizza makes me happy. I can have it at any time of the day. Today Neha shares with me (aaall the way from Canada) one of her famous and favorite working girl recipe – the Bread Pizza. I first tasted it when she made it for us in Mumbai, and I was smitten. This is also a great idea as a starter / finger food. So simple, so easy, so filling - that is Neha’s pizza for you!

She says:

 ‘Sometimes, I come back after a long day at work and I am so drained out. After a tiring 40 minute drive from work, I need some cheese and healthy veggies. I don’t have the energy or the desire to take my car for another spin just to get some dinner. I’d rather make something simple at home and this is precisely when this recipe comes to my rescue. I curl up in bed, watch a sloppy rom-com and have this delicious pizza for company. Also, I make sure I munch on some chocolate–y dessert afterward. Cheese, chocolate and the satisfaction of a good homemade meal can make any working weekday infinitely better.’                               

Neha’s Pizza

Ingredients:

1)      Onions

2)      Mushrooms

3)      Green and/or yellow and/or red Pepper (Capsicum)

4)      Cucumbers

5)      Tomatoes

6)      Grated mozzarella cheese

7)      Mayonnaise

8)      Bread

9)      Any dressing (lemon, oregano, salt, pepper, chilli powder/hot sauce)

Slice onions and fresh mushrooms. Add a little oil to a non-stick pan and sauté the onions and mushrooms till the ingredients caramelize.

 Add chopped peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. (Additionally, you could add any fresh vegetables you like!)

Add your favorite dressing (I am very loyal to my lemon oregano dressing). If you are in a hurry, you can add lemon, salt, pepper and hot sauce to the mixture and sauté till they are cooked.

Veggies are ready! Now to the pizza bread base. Take ANY bread or bun –and spread a gracious amount of mayonnaise on it.

Add the veggies and grate a very, very generous amount of mozzarella cheese on top of it. Today, I’ve used a blend of mozzarella and jalapeno - cheddar cheese. 

Place your pizzas in the oven. Watch some TV. Check BBM/Facebook/Twitter for 3 to 5 minutes.

Keep in the oven till the cheese is brown and bubbling.

IT IS READY! Serve with a side like spicy potato wedges!

 NEHA’S TIPS

•  If you don’t want to add all the veggies, you don’t have to! Simply slice fresh onions and tomatoes and spread it on the bread along with mayonnaise and toast it with cheese
•  Do not try this with a microwave oven; it will make the bread dreadfully soggy
• I tried using the same veggies with maggi noodles, and added some cream cheese (picture below) and it was deliciously satisfying.

A must-have item in your fridge

You can follow Neha on twitter here: https://twitter.com/#!/NehaRatti