J's thoughts

 Products: Rimmel the only one matte lipstick 'The matte factor'                  Rimmel Scandal Eyes waterproof kohl kajal (001 black)                  Rimmel soft kohl (011 sable brown) The lipstick in encased in an attractive red tube. There is a band around the tube to indicate the color of the lipstick inside. The slanted lipstick bullet makes it easier to apply. The lipstick has a fruity smell of water melon but it just goes away once you have applied the lipstick. This is one lippie which although being matte, does not dry the lips. It is also highly pigmented and I didn't have to reapply for a good 5 hours. The lipstick can settle into the fine lines of the lips at the end of the day but it isn't so bad either [just rub the lips together and you are ok]. The lipstick costs 4 KD. So this is one lipstick which is affordable,pigmented, nondrying and long las...

Ease of preparation: very easy Taste: Delicious I didn't have heavy cream at hand so I just used an equal amount of cow milk :) An ideal dish during christmas lent and the winter season. Recipe adapted from  http://atastychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/paneer-masala.html

Milk Peda I saw my friends Instagram post on Diwali and then realisation dawned that pedas can be made at home too :). A search on the internet and stumbled upon this easy recipe from Sharmispassions . She has very clearly written down the step by step instructions and also pics to guide the cooking process. My pedas were a tiny bit sticky but tasted good...as good as store bought ones. Ah well, it was the first time for me. This is definitely a keeper recipe.

This is an easy and tasty dip recipe.  Goes awesomely well with any chips. Nachos are my favourite. Ingredients: 1. Labneh - 1 packet 2. Cream cheese - 3 or 4 tbsp 3. Garlic pods - 2 or 3 4. Pepper - as per taste 5. Salt- as required 6. Tabasco sauce -1/4 tsp {optional; add before serving} Blend. Pour the mixture into a small bowl.  Dip the chips in it. Enjoy. Recipe courtesy:  a friend

Dynamite Shrimp Lemon with mint Rainbow Sushi Kids Lo Mein Mongolian Beef and rice Tiramisu A very tasty and satisfying lunch at P.F. Chang's.  The sushi is a new addition to their menu and it indeed was tasty. You should never miss trying out the dynamite shrimp [it is a must have on our list when ever we visit].It is served in a tall glass and if you look around, dynamite shrimp is one dish common to all the tables. lol The restaurant is always packed and it is an indication of the good food they serve :)

Recipe courtesy: Mrs. Lakshmi Nair's cookery show Ingredients: 1. Beetroot - 1 2. Coconut (grated) - 1.5 cup     Cumin seeds - 3/4 tsp     green chillies -3 3. Curd - 1.5 cups 4. Mustard seeds- 1 tsp 5. Dry red chilli - 2 6. Curry leaves -  a sprig 7. Oil - 3 tbsp Method: Boil the beetroot in lots of water and grate it. Make a paste of items in 2. Combine the beetroot and the coconut paste in a bowl.  Add salt to taste. To this add 1.5 cups of curd and mix well. In a small pan, add oil, splutter the mustard seeds,add red chilli and curry leaves.  Pour this over the beetroot-coconut-curd mixture.

Ingredients: 1. Beetroot(grated) - 1 cup 2. Yoghurt - 1.5 cups 3. Shallots - 5 4. Green chilli - 3 5. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp 6. Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp 7. Coconut oil (preferably) - 3 tbsp 8. Curry leaves - a sprig 9. Salt - as required Method: In a deep pan, add the oil and when it is warm add the mustard seeds. When it splutters, add the cumin seeds, then the green chilli and the curry leaves. Give a stir and add the shallots. When the shallots turn translucent, add the beetroot and saute it till its 90% cooked. Allow the whole mixture to cool down and add the yoghurt and salt and mix well.