Awesome Blogger Award

I am absolutely delighted to share that I have been chosen as one of the awesome bloggers for the “Awesome Blogger Award”. Recognition in every small and big way is a great encouragement and a reminder that we are doing something good.

Thank you very much Sunita (thehomechef) for nominating me for this blogger award. Sunita is a food enthusiast in Indian contemporary cooking style. You can visit her blog and learn exciting recipes on https://thehomechef.com.au/ .

About the Award –

“This is an award for the absolutely wonderful writers all across the blogging world. They have beautiful blogs, are kind and lovely, and always find a way to add happiness and laughter to the lives of their readers. That is what truly defines an awesome blogger.”

My responses to Homechef’s questions:

How did you chose the name of your blog?

To be honest, it’s my daughter who suggested to begin blogging as she thought my cooking should be shared with everyone. She is the person behind the name of my blog ‘Chitra’s Recipes’. I should thank her for motivating me to start this wonderful journey.

How does your Guest menu usually look like when you invite people over to your place?

It really depends on the guests who come over, if they are my girlfriends coming over for lunch or dinner the menu would consist of the dishes they love eating from my recipes for example- I would start from having a simple entree (veggie fritters) which will be served with some fresh home squeezed juices. For the main course I would generally try to have a balance of both South Indian and North Indian dishes such as Idiappam with sodhi and roti with a simple sabzi along with rice and dal/ sambar. The most exciting part for me to is to prepare the dessert- the dessert varies according to the seasons- I love making mango pudding, mango phirni, during the mango season or a simple payasam (kheer) to end the meal with.

What is the one thing you want to do always but keep postponing?

To be honest, I have been trying to start my YouTube channel with videos and live sessions of my dishes but I have been postponing for a really long time. I should be starting this really soon! Guilty!

How do you rate yourself in terms of eating healthy in a scale of 1 -10 (10 being the healthiest) ?

My husband plays a very important role when it comes to being healthy and eating healthy on a regular basis. We as a family try our level best to be healthy and would rate myself a 7 on 10. There are cheat days and meals at times but relatively lesser than the previous years.

Which is the country you first visited outside your home country?

This was in 1999 when my husband was transferred to Nairobi, Kenya. I resided in Kenya for almost 5 years of my life. This is where I have the most memories from as my youngest son began his schooling for the first time. It was very memorable time for us as a family.

What are your favorite cuisines?

Being a vegetarian my favorite cuisine would be Punjabi cuisine. But at the same time, nothing like having your comfort food.

If you like to change one thing about your life what would it be?

Honestly, I can’ think of anything that I would like to change about my life. I am happy the way things have taken shape for me.

Which is your favorite book?

I used to read a lot of Malayalam books. ‘Chememeen by Tahakazhi Sivasankara Pillai’ would be one of my favorite. It is one of the very famous love story that was written.

Which is your favorite joke or puzzle?

This one always cracks me up. Q: How do you know carrots are good for your eyes? A: Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses? My son used to tell me this when I fed him carrots.

Who is the best cook apart from you and name your favorite dish they cook?

My mother. I have learnt everything from her, the reason I cook well is because of her. My favourite dish that she makes is ‘aravana payasam’ (type of kheer made with rice and jaggery).