I wake up after a peaceful sleep much later than the usual time so am feeling relaxed or is is yesterday's alcohol that has brought about that feeling of tranquility I wonder. Or probably it is weekend and I am home after a long time which has induced that feeling of peace. Doesn't matter... I am happy and that is it :D
Morning juice is plain orange juice... Opps, the oranges I got this time seem to be malta from the taste. I prefer the local Nagpur variety. They looked like the local ones but these are suely some hybrid :( Anyway, I try not to let this dampen my happy weekend mood. If that morning cup of chai or coffee that you are used to is not perfect, it does put you off na?
To make up for this I decide to make a fancy salad for lunch. I browse through a friend's blog called http://notwithoutmyskillet.in/ for some inspiration and zero down on the Mango Salsa and kanda kairichi chutney (which is a dip of onion & raw mango). This is how it goes...
Mango Salsa Ingredients:
1 full size mango, cut into 1-cm cubes
1/4 cup finely diced white onion
1/4 cup finely diced coloured capsicum (a minimum of 3 colours–red, green and yellow)
1/4 cup finely diced coriander
1/4 cup finely diced tomato
1/4 cup finely purple cabbage
1/4 raw mango
For Dressing: salt, pepper, vinegared jalapenos , garlic paste, lemon juice, dry herbs to taste
Method: Mix all the ingredients and add the dressing a few minutes before you have the salad
Kanda Kairichi Chutney is made by mixing grated raw mango, grated raw onion, some jaggery depending on the sourness of the raw mango, salt and some chilli powder. You can also add a bit of roasted cumin powder if you want.
I nibble on ice-apples (tadgolas) and jamuns before lunch. In the evening I munch on the makhana. Some friends drop in around 8 and we decide to go out for dinner. Since I am allowed drinks (yeah I know that is cheating too, but hey, I am meeting them after a long time and I think it is ok to slip occasionally ;) I have a Pinacolada and a turkish salad... this is without the mayonnaise but has a few shavings of cheese which I thoroughly enjoy.
The party continues at home with a small peg of gin and tonic water infused with mint after which we all decide to call it a day. Day 12 ends on a happy note, again without any cravings... but I am high on good company and old good time memories, not to forget the alcohol...hic!