[New Year's Special Recipe] Easy Scrambled Eggs with Black-Eyed Peas and Potatoes

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"Tomorrow [January 1st] is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one." ~ Brad Paisley

I simply love making new (plus some old) resolutions on New Year's eve, even though am unsure on how many I would be completing by the end of that year. But, the tiny things-I-wanna-change jotted down in my little book gives me that much needed kick - to be happy and hopeful for coming times. This year though, instead of clinking champagne glasses or letting the colorful confetti shower down from the roof, I have decided on a quite New Year's Eve with a book by my side. That is how I envisioned the night of December 31st few days ago as one of my goals for the year 2014 is to - read more and blog more!.

While I was in US, I learnt from my office colleagues that eating black-eyed peas as a part of the Southern Tradition on New Year’s brings in good fortune for the coming year. Well, we wouldn't want to miss that. Isn't it? Since then, it has become kind of a tradition on this blog as well to kick off the year with a black-eyed-peas recipe. Last year, I made these fritters and the year before this curry with coconut.

Will 2014 be lucky for me? Only time will tell. But, meanwhile make this this scrumptious Scrambled Eggs with Black-Eyed Peas and Potatoes, for that perfect January 1st morning. Serve with a toast and coffee/orange juice to make it a filling breakfast. Before I jump into the recipe, I just want to -

"Thank you for the love & support in the past year. May the coming times bring in lots of joy and beautiful moments that can be cherished long after the year is gone! Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy 2014."

... the lucky winner who won the $25 Amazon Gift Card giveaway is announced at the end of this post.

Enjoy.

Top Twelve Favorite Recipes of 2013

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Has an year passed already? It feels like yesterday I shared 2012's twelve favorite recipes. I have always had a fascination for the first day of an year as it is a perfect time to shrug off  an year’s worth of worries, start over again with a new, renewed hope and is an another chance to get things right! But before we prepare ourselves to welcome 2014 with enthusiasm, let's have a peek at the Top 12 recipes you all loved in the year 2013. These are the recipes you, readers have visited, re-visited and pinned/shared numerous times. A Big Thank You for your immense support and love. :-)

Raising a toast to new beginnings, scrumptious recipes and beautiful moments destined for all on us in the coming year.

Wishing you a very Happy and Joyous 2014. 

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[Photography] Christmas Baking Workshop | Escapades Culinary Studio | Hyderabad

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I had decided a month ago that this post will be my last for the year 2013 and am going to start 2014 afresh with brand new recipes and be consistent about their postings. An outing to my lovely friend  Arundati's  (of Escapades) Christmas Baking Workshop changed everything. I took a bunch of photographs while I was there and I loved them so much that couldn't stop myself to blog about the whole experience!

But, first a word on blogger friendships which let me tell you can be quite intriguing and pleasantly surprising (in a good way). They don't magically happen out of the blue. It all starts when you stumble upon a blog which hooks you on for more than 7 seconds. Yes my friends, that is the deal. 7 seconds is all it takes to convert a random stranger into a reader and later may be an acquaintance then someone whom you can call a "friend". Not all manage to stick on with the journey. They get lost in time but you learn a bit from their posts, get wiser, thank them secretly and move on. The important thing that strings together is a common passion and in my case it is usually the "food". Blogger meets are one other way where people bond over a cup of coffee and conversations.

At the end of the day, it is all about with whom you manage to strike a chord. It forms a sense of community and motivates in more than ways you can ever think.

“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” ~ Charles M. Schulz | How about a cake?

Black and White Wednesdays | So, Hyderabad

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If there is one place where we managed to grab a bite most often, that would be So restaurant in Film Nagar, here in Hyderabad. The terrace garden, candle lit tables and soothing music set a perfect picture for an lovely romantic dinner. We love almost all vegetarian offerings on their menu but our absolute favorites are - Tomato Mozza Platter, Sun dried tomato soup + perfect thin crust pizzas! Give it a try if you are in town.

50 Sweet and Savory Holiday Recipes + Add yours to win a $25 Amazon gift card Giveaway!

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"There is only one thing more exasperating than a wife who can cook and won't, and that's a wife who can't cook and will". This cheeky quote by Robert Frost always manage to bring a smile on my face. It just shows how perseverance can will help and play an important role in the kitchen and elsewhere.

Learning and experimenting on my own in a tiny kitchen (Why do I end up with tiny kitchens, always! Sigh.), I learnt many tips and tricks. Most of them were a 'trial and error' process, except for my mother's recipes which I follow to the tee even today. Sometimes I swooned at a bread that came out perfectly and at times completely dismissed a recipe which I have been working for a few hours. I believe that a fair & square attempt is all it needs to get anything right.

[Photography] Sunday Snapshots

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“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”  ~ Ansel Adams

This shot was taken at Vaidehi Ashram. Click here if you wish to do your bit to preserve these innocent smiles.