Glutenfree Orange and Nigella loaf cake with ginger syrup

Happy, Merry, Jolly Christmas with An Orange Nigella Cake

December 25, 2015 in Dessert, Food & Drink

Here we are at the brink of yet another year in passing. Christmas to me marks a special time, beyond the festival itself. Sure, it is a celebration with friends and family and a time to relax and enjoy the good things in your life. For me, it is also the time I am in a forced unwind. I choose to spend this time of the year in the countryside of Ireland where I get a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday business in New York. The schedule of these few days could not be more removed from the routine of regular life.

o, here we go. I wish you a fabulous time of joy, laughter, merriment as well as courage to reflect and make good choices on the important things in your life, be it love, family or work!

Merry Christmas!

And, to celebrate the happy things in life, there must always be cake! This year, I baked you a Gluten Free Orange and Nigella Seed Loaf drenched in Ginger Syrup... I hope you make it soon and enjoy it as much as I did.

A Christmas Bounty

December 17, 2015 in round up

A round up recipes taht will delight any vegetarian this festive season!

Happy Jolly Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2014 in travel

By this time, I am sure the presents are wrapped, the menu for tomorrow set and prepped and you are relaxing with a glass of wine as I am! So, I'll just leave you with a lot of happy wishes, good cheer and few photos....

View of the Blue Mosque taken from inside the Aya Sophia. They look across at each other. It is a stunning sight at dusk

Photos in this post are from Turkey (taken on my phone). I chose them for a reason for Christmas. Everybody knows it has been an Islamic country since the Ottoman Empire but Christianity predates Islam here and vestiges of its Byzantine past blaze across the country in a stunning collage.

The infamous Hagya Sophia was a stunning cathedral before being washed over to become a mosque. Well in the middle of the country are traces of Christianity buried amidst caves of tribes of tester years, beautiful frescoes painted in vibrant colors that are a complete contrast to the surrounding region.

Entrance to one of the seven chapels carved into the rock during the early Cappadocian times. This dates back to as early as 3rd century. Inside Goreme Open Air Museum.

The original mosaic work that adorned the cathedral that once was Aya Sophia being recovered underneath the plaster that was laid over when it was converted to a mosque in the Ottoman times.

The stunning fresco of Christ inside a carved chapel within the Goreme Museum.  I was amazed at how perfectly arched the structure within the hill was and how vibrant the colors of the frescoes that has withstood at least 2000 years! — The stunning fresco of Christ inside a carved chapel within the Goreme Museum. I was amazed at how perfectly arched the structure within the hill was and how vibrant the colors of the frescoes that has withstood at least 2000 years!

At this time as we celebrate, I send out a hope for peace, love and togetherness despite our differences. For irrespective of the religion we practice we are united in faith beyond the human understanding yet grounded by very human joys and fallacies.

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Here is wishing you all a wonderful time with those you love and cherish this Holiday season!

The Christmas Table

December 18, 2013 in round up, Food & Drink

Christmas is family time. It is the time to relax, cherish, enjoy and indulge in the company as much as the food. It definitely helps to have a laden table to get the spirit going. So, here are are some ideas for the table from start to finish, from the first sip and nibble until a smooth finish with a glass of amber liquid.