Travel | A Fulfilling Trip to Pondicherry, Mangrove Forest and Mamallapuram

“Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer." It surely is a much needed break from the monotonous life, we all look forward to. I love the feeling of getting disoriented from the comforts of home and trusting total strangers for living in a new place. 
Most of our travel trips are unplanned which are decided instantly. Somehow I am not convinced with booking a holiday trough a travel agent where we need to do things as per their itinerary. 

Recipe | Quick Chickpea Sundal with Flax seed powder - A Spicy Festive Snack

If Navaratri is a time for playing Dandia in Western and Northern part of India, it is a time to showcase your culinary skills down South. A very popular recipe Sundal is made in most of the houses and shared with neighbors and family during Navaratri evenings after it has been offered to God. 
Many use coconut and spices to make savory Sundal while others opt for jaggery and make sweet versions of it. 
My children love the entire process of decorating the small dolls, making gardens with sand and calling friends to visit the same each day. Each day my MIL prepares a different Sundal alternating with a sweet and savory recipe. 
I came up with the idea of adding flax seed powder to this healthy and filling Sundal recipe and make it more nutritious. You can omit the same if you wish to, it will not make any difference. 

Recipe | Eggless Apricot & Carrot Cake and A Pineapple Trifle

You don't need a reason to indulge in a dessert if you like all that is sweet and which brings you closer to your family on a Sunday! A scrumptious dessert always brings smile on every face. I baked this fruity cake last week and found that a few slices were left in the box. I packed the slices in a zip-lock and refrigerated so that I can use the same for the weekend.
And this delicious fruity Trilfe is what was out after dinner treat during one such weekend while playing a board game together.

Baking | Eggless Pineapple & Orange Cookies - A Flavorful Chewy Cookie

I have always used Pineapple to bake a cake or to make desserts, but never tried baking cookies with it. I feel the watery consistency of pineapple will make it difficult to bake perfect crispy cookies. But after baking these chewy cinnamon cookies canned Pineapple I am sure I will be baking these more often.
The small chunks of pineapple in every bite make these cookies a real treat. You can call these cookies a cross between cookie and scones.