Celebrating Blogiversary & You with Rice-Pudding Mango Parfait and a Giveaway!

By
Prerna Singh
-

Just a few months after my first baby was born I gave birth to another. I nurtured it and groomed it, and give it all I could so that it could grow and flourish. It slowly grew up and started to shine and reached out to the world and left me awestruck and wondering in disbelief. Today that baby is one year old and I still am not sure when that happened! Yes, today IndianSimmer is celebrating it first year anniversary. Today was the day when, after putting my six month old little girl to bed, I just opened a blogger account and posted something to get in touch with the outer world. That evening I had no idea how proud that little step would make me in an year. I can say that IndianSimmer has come a long way and I owe it all to your love, support and motivation that kept it going. So today from the deepest place in my heart, I just want to say THANK YOU. And today, I want to make it just all about you! Because I want to celebrate you and your love for IndianSimmer.

I have a lot of things that I am excited about and would love to share with you today. Let’s start with the GIVEAWAY.

CookBook Giveaway coming soon!

A while back I bought a book called Modern Spice by Monica Bhide. A great writer and a prominent cookbook author, Monica was born in India and now lives in the US with her beautiful family. What I love most about Monica is her art of storytelling, her ability to engage readers and take them on beautiful journeys. I’ve been to several trips with her – to her childhood, to the streets of India and to her kids’ childhood. To top that, she makes food that tells stories for her. That’s what she does in this cookbook of hers. I’d repeat the words of one of her reviewers: At once contemporary and rooted in tradition, sophisticated yet straightforward, creative but comforting, Modern Spice is perfectly suited to the times; it offers new directions, interpretations and ideas for taking Indian food to next level.

RicePudding-Mango-Parfait

Like this recipe for Rice Pudding Mango Parfait. The part of India where I come from, Kheer (rice pudding) is a symbol of happiness and celebration. If you pass an exam, you get to eat some kheer. If you are cooking for an old friend who is visiting after long, there will be kheer on the menu. You will get kheer (rice pudding) in some form or the other in every Indian celebration. So how could I stay away from it when celebrating a great milestone. And after seeing the twist that Monica gave to a traditional kheer, I had no doubt in my mind that I was making it for the anniversary post.

And the best part was that Monica was so kind to offer a copy of her cookbook to one of IndianSimmer’s readers to celebrate the completion of its first year! Yes, you have a chance to get your hands on this wonderful book which has taken a permanent place in my kitchen! How? you’ll know soon!

Collage1

Now the second announcement is inspired purely by your love and support that you show towards Indian Simmer. It fills my heart with joy every time I get an email or a tweet or a message on Facebook by you lovely people telling that you tried one of my recipes and it turned out good. Sometimes you are too kind to even post them on your blog like my wonderful friends Kulsum from Journey Kitchen who tried my molten chocolate liquor cake or like Sabera from One Life To Eat who blogged about my chocolate cake. Or sometimes you just can’t wait to eat the food and still manage to take a photo like beautiful Joy from Joylicious who sent this gorgeous photo of Palak Paneer:

Joy's-Paneer

Thanks so much guys! So I came up with this idea which I kind of stole from Ellie’s Recipe Shoutout series. But its mine now! The idea is that if you try any of Indian Simmer’s recipe then do let me know. Send me a link if you wrote a blog post on it or if you don’t have a blog then no problem, just take a photo and send it to me and I will post that here on my blog to share it with the rest of the world. We’ll call it Indian Simmer in Your Kitchen! Your blog post or photo will be featured just like the ones featured here today.

Karen'sNaan

Its kind of a coincidence that recently I’ve come closer to one of my friends who is gluten intolerant. At the same time I got to know Jenn from Jenncuisine who has a gorgeous blog and she shares gluten free recipes there. Both these ladies have opened my eyes about the whole topic and kind of inspired me to cook some gluten-free food too. Then a few days back Karen form Cooking Gluten Free tried a gluten free version of my Naan Recipe and sent photos of it posted above. They really inspired me to do something new on my blog as well.

So here’s the third announcement I would like to make today. I will be posting a Gluten Free recipe on IndianSimmer every month either featuring one of you gluten free cooks out there or one of my recipes. So if you have a gluten free recipe that you would like to share here on my blog just drop me a line and I’ll get back to you. The recipe doesn’t have to be of Indian food. It can be anything Gluten Free.

Now lets talk about how you can make that wonderful Rice-Pudding Mango Parfait in your kitchen.
Ingredients: Serves 6

3 cups whole milk
2 to 4 table spoons sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup white basmati rice (rinsed and drained)
1 tsp cardamom seeds, crushed
1 ripe mango, peeled and diced.

Method:
In a deep saucepan, bring the whole milk and condensed milk to boil over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent scorching.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add rice and cardamom and mix well. Continue to cook for about 50 minutes, until the milk is reduced by half and you obtain a creamy consistency. Stir frequently while cooking.
Remove from heat and allow to come to room temperature.
Refrigerate, covered, for at least an hour.
When ready to serve, spoon some pudding into a wine glass, layer with some mango, and add another layer of rice pudding. Serve immediately.

Notes by the author:
Use 4 tbsp of condensed milk if you like your rice pudding really sweet. With 2 tbsp, its is sweet but not overwhelmingly so.
If you have a mango that is firm, peel it and then use a vegetable peeler to create thin mango slices. Arrange the slices on a plate and place a scoop of the rice pudding in the center of the mango “carpaccio”.

Rules for the giveaway:

  1. In the comments section, tell me why you would want to win this book.
  2. For an extra chance you can go follow Monica on twitter @mbhide and/or on Facebook, come back and tell me that you did.

Last date for entering the giveaway is 1st March 11:59 pm EST. A total of four winners will be chosen two from the US and two from India separately. And the results will be announced on my 2nd March post. So hurry! If you reside in the US or India or have an address in either of the countries then you are eligible for the prize.

Prerna Singh
http://www.indiansimmer.com

177 Comments

  2. Hello Prerna,
    We love your recipes, especially when its on Pudding.
    These are so delicious.
    I have always looked at your blog for the various pictures and the way you write.Just Love it!
    You have shared some nice information about Rice Pudding Mango Parfait in this post.
    The points you mentioned are genuine and perfect.
    The content completely describes about the topic you wanted to portray with us.
    Thanks for sharing such valuable post.

    Regards
    VentairIndia Team

  9. Prerna:
    I am a big fan of yours: your writing, your photography, your food, everything is so delicious here! Congratulations on your blog-iversary!

    I am a big fan of Monica’s too (already follow her!!!), and would love to win a copy of her book. Her writing is captivating, inspiring, her “life of spice” a true “spice of life”. I’d love to learn more about “modern” Indian cuisine, beyond the usual curries.

  11. I took a blog leave last week so my congratulations are a bit late. 🙁

    Cheers for a year of blogging well done. I’m so happy to have been introduced to your blog (via Twitter!) and I’m even more enthusiastic that we’ll be neighbors very soon, yay! Your writing and photography are superb–it’s always a joy to come here and visit. 🙂

  12. Congrats, honey! Lovely post! I must look up that chocolate lava cake! Yum! I love Monica’s blog, her writing, her recipes and what a delicious book to be able to curl up with….

  15. Oh wait! I didn’t miss it!!! Today is the 1st!!! I have been falling head over heels in love with Indian food and would love a cookbook so I can explore more recipes!!!

  17. I’d love to have this cookbook because I have NEVER had Indian food before! I’d love to make some and see how amazing it is! 🙂

  18. Congratulations on your one year blogiversary. I just had mine as well and was proud of my accomplishments until I saw what you and mommiecooks have done in just one year. Amazing.

    I would love a copy of Monica’s book – just read her article in Bon Appetit and it really touched me as I am on a mission to recreate and immortalize my grandmother’s cooking. I also have her spice app and love the easy resource for learning about new flavors in the kitchen. I’m sure her book would be equally wonderful especially with great photos to add to the mix!

    I already follow Monica and you on Twitter but will go click like on Facebook as well.

    Congratulations!

  20. I would like to win Monica’s book because I am an amateur cook who loves Indian food and am tired of having to pay someone else to make it for me! I want to be able to make a dish and cure my cravings at home, even when my local favorites for Indian fare are closed.

  21. i would love to win the book because i’m not indian, but i love indian food. so far, i’ve been too intimidated to really try cooking it myself. the cookbook would help me gain enough confidance to look to my own kitchen instead of the (not as local as i’d like) indian restaurant. congrats on the anniversary!

  22. Congrats Prerna…even my blog is completing 1 year ths mnth..Loved yr dal post the most as I have made it a gazillion times I guess 😉
    Yes and love mbhide and have been following her on twitter and would love to get that book as a gift!

  24. Just came across your post and found my husband’s favorite Indian dish – dal makhani. He ate that in India many moons ago and couldn’t find any thing close to what he has eaten until I saw your recipe for Naan and dal makhani. I made it for his birthday which was last Saturday (Feb 26) and he loves it – said it is exactly what he has eaten in India!

    What better gift can a wife give to her husband than his favorite dish that he thought he will never savor again!

    thanks so much for both the authentic recipes. I want to send you the photo of my naan and dal makhani inspired by your recipes.

  25. I would love to win Monica’s cook book as I am sure it will help me in rediscovering the food I grew up with, by cooking it! Thanks for the giveaway and for your lovely blog!
    I am a new mom too so totally identify with finding the time in between taking care of one baby to nurture the other!

  26. Awesome! I was looking for recopies online and fortunately i came across your blog. Thanks for sharing it all. (Also very impressive photography.)

  28. I love Monica and her work. So, this cookbook would be wonderful addition Prerna. and Congratulations on your 1st blog-o-anniversary. Cheers to many more.

    Siri

  29. Happy 1st Blog Birthday! I have been hooked to your blog since stumbling upon it a couple of months ago. I wish you many more years of amazing food and mouthwatering photography.

    I would love to win the giveaway, since I am a just beginning to learn how to cook Indian food. Your recipes have been a wonderful start and I would love keep learning how to best use all these new spices.

  30. A 146 comments already!! Doesn’t that tell you how popular your blog is? Happy Blogiversary, Prerna. I’m sure you’re going to come out with your own cookbook sometime in the near future too! I could definitely do with a copy of Monica’s cookbook! I need to expand my repertoire of recipes and I’m sure Monica’s book would be very helpful. I’m also following her on Twitter. Congratulations again and great going!

  31. You know how I feel about your blog – inspiring recipes, stunning photos, and personable writing. Congratulations on celebrating your one-year anniversary!

    Monica’s cookbook looks wonderful!

  33. Well, for one thing, your comments about this lady have aroused my curiosity and now i would like to read her book!
    It is funny today I was planning to make a pudding (rice) with mango bits in it! and now I see it! Your photos are so beautiful and dreamy.

  34. This book has been on my wish list for ages now, ever since my cousin-in-law’s family introduced me to their traditional North Indian food at her wedding to my cousin. I would love to own a copy and expand my repertoire of Indian dishes!

  39. Happy Blogoversary, Prerna. I’m sort of new to your site, and can’t believe it’s just been a year! You’re amazing. That adapted kheer looks real good too, and I so know what you mean when you say kheer is celebratory food!!

    I’d love to win that book, mainly because I’ve only been a baker uptil now, but since I hope to be living alone soon, am beginning to learn how to cook [I don’t even know how to make rice yet], it’ll be a great help!!

  41. Prerna, I am so proud of you and everything you have accomplished in one year. Amazing how we start our blogs to be “nothing much” and they turn into great passions. You are a hard worker and it shows in all of your wonderful recipes, photography, writing and everything you do. I am so happy we have become online friends and I can’t wait to meet you for real 🙂
    I have heard about Monica and I would love her book. xo

  42. Happy Anniversary. I am fond of any international cuisine, and normally get recipes from blogs, but this cookbook looks fabulous. I like how you describe it as a storybook. I’m fascinated with other cultures as well as their food.

  43. Happy Blogaversary to IndianSimmer – and may we have many, many more years to enjoy this beautiful blog!! i love, love, love indian food and don’t cook it often enough simply because i don’t have recipes stashed away. i usually check this blog or Shulie’s for inspiration. i am a cookbook collector and this one would be fantastic to add to my collection BUT i’d also love to have this to familiarize myself more with Indian foods!

  44. My husband and I miss the Indian food we ate regularly while living in Southeast Asia. Anything with hints of ghee or curry or cardamom makes us start drooling! Thanks for the giveaway!

  45. Congrats Prerna ! Wish you many many year of happy blogging.. I have read the book and it is very nice.. So i really wish i could have…
    and yes, i added monica bhide on facebook. Wish that she accepts me as a friend…

  47. I’m just getting into Indian cuisine, and have been inspired by the exotic flavors. I’d love to start bringing them into my home. I am adding Monica on facebook and twitter right now

  48. congrats behna… infact i should be the most deserving person to win this cook book.. bcos i dont know any thing abt cooking food & now i m really sick of eating and experimenting with only rice.
    last thing i’ve cooked was a boiled rice with some onion and caret. but that didn’t tasted good.
    so i should be having this book bcos it will give some good food to a needy.

  49. I just discovered your blog last week via Tasty Kitchen, and I am so excited to learn more delicious Indian cuisine! I know it’s a little different, but my husband is from Pakistan and his mother has begun to teach me things like biryani and seviyaan. I’m half Cuban, so I grew up with flavors like cumin, mango, guava, etc., and my grandmother thinks that since my husband grew up with these flavors, too, that he’s really part Cuban himself!

  50. Heyyyy Prerna…. great blog and awesome yummmy pics….

    I love cookbooks… and always cook with a recipe aside….

    Would love to own this book… looks great and interesting… I already follow Mbhide…. and I am chandhanarao

  51. Happy blogging anniversary and you are one of the rocking bloggers I have ever come across. Love all the pics in your blog and I really admire the way you write too 🙂 Hugs Prerna 🙂

    And about the cookbook. It would just be wonderful to follow experts recipes and retry them. I don’t own much of cook books, so would love to start off my collection from here, if I win it 😉

    And I am already her friend on fb. Count me in for that too :)Let me see my luck.

  53. Congrats on this milestone once again Prerna.Wish you all the very best and success.The first picture is enticing..what beautiful lightining!

  54. I would love to win the book because I don’t know that much about Indian cusine. I have only eaten Indian twice, but both times I just wanted more. If I could do Indian at home that would be great and I think that this book could help me do so.
    ~thechildcooks

  55. yay…..now i can enter!!!!!!!!!have address in india.*happy dancing*happy dancing*
    was sad when i couldnt enter and had mailed why i would love getting this book…now that i can enter,
    followed monica in twitter ….and added her as friend in facebook.:-)
    -SREE (from singapore)

  58. I’m having naan and chana masala for supper and love trying new spices and styles of cooking. Thanks for the giveaway and congratulations on your “blogiversary!”

  59. Lovely blog and lovely pictures…. everytime i come to your blog, the pics impress a lot :).

    I love cookbooks and have just started to collect them…. so i will consider myself lucky if i geta chance to win this one 🙂

  61. I would LOVE to win the cookbook! I’m fairly new to eating and cooking Indian food, but I find that by creating dishes at home and being a part of the process I’m able to really hone in on the flavors that I love.

    Happy Blogiversary!

  62. Prerna, Congratulations & Happy Blogiversary!
    Ever since I found your blog, I have been glued to it. Love your endearing persona which is reflected in your writing, picture perfect photography and scrumptious recipes.
    You inspire me through your beautiful blog.

    And, I loved reading Monica Bhide’s article on Goodhousekeeping as well as on her own blog.
    No doubts, I would love to win her cookbook.

    And once again, wish you many more sweet successes ahead…

  63. Happy Blog Anniversary! You have a beautiful blog with gorgeous pictures!

    And, what a great giveaway to boot! I’m also Indian (not that I’m using it as a reason to pick me, of course – unless it works!), and I love to learn how to cook Indian food. I don’t always have my mom or his mom to help me so I would love a guide to help me feel more comfortable with Indian food!

  64. we have a blogiversary on the same day?! Ok, I have to admit that’s pretty cool. You have an amazing blog and killer talent Prerna. Not only are your recipes beautiful, but your photography is stunning. Your personality shines through in your writing and people can’t help but like you.

    Here’s to many more years of success for you. I can’t wait to see where you take us next!

  66. I love Indian food even though cooking it intimidates me! I’d like to incorporate more recipes into our everyday menu.
    Thank you for the opportunity!

  67. Thank you! It’s great to see how in a year’s time you can take care of two babies! this baby of your motivates me to work on my own too. Thank you also for your photography page. I’m learning a lot. and I like your white board 😉 (by the way, something trivial, in your ingredients list, it seems that you left out the word “milk” after “3 cup whole”…) Anyway, I followed Monica on twitter and I also added her on facebook! Hopefully I can learn a bit more about Indian cooking. My grandma’s brother actually lived there…so a bit of a tie! Thank you again!

  68. Congrats!!! Wanted to comment on a Wednesday… So it would have been a WORDLESS comment! Super posts and amazing snaps! I learn a lot from Prerna.. Also following @mbhide on twitter. Guess she promised to mail a MODERN SPICE copy here in INDIA! I want it…
    (twitter handle : @sohamsabnis

  71. I would LOVE to win this book – I adore indian food, but am so often at sea as to where to begin. Which spices to purchase, where to get them, process, process, process…! I’m sure this cookbook would increase my confidence and send me off with mouth-watering delights.

  72. Working with spices is something I don’t do enough of (I grew up in a Chinese household where it’s all ginger, scallions, garlic, soy sauce and oyster sauce), so I’d love to have a book which might inspire me to experiment more!

    TC
    counting_shipwrecks at yahoo dot com

  74. We homeschool our 2 children and as we are studying the history and geography of the countries of the Eastern Hemisphere, we try and find recipes that reflect the cuisine. It’s home ec rolled into learning about people’s culture and food. We love it and have collected a few recipe books that we’ve come to enjoy. In a few more weeks we’ll be studying India! I love Indian food and hope my children will come to enjoy it as well. It would be wonderful to have a cookbook that someone already gave the ‘thumbs up’ on! Thanks for offering it and congrats on the Blogiversary! Unfortunately we don’t have a facebook or twitter account so we can’t follow you, but if we did, we would!

  75. I LOVE Indian food but have absolutely no idea how to cook it! I can use all the help I can get!

    Oh and I just followed Monica on twitter … thanks for the heads-up!

  78. Just came across your beautiful blog! I LOVE Indian food and was lucky enough to eat lots when I went to India on a study abroad. Your recipes are perfect for reminding me when I start to get nostalgic about the country.

    I’d love this book, it will make me branch out!

  79. I recently found your blog and am so happy I did. I enjoy Indian cuisine and would love to continue adding great recipes to my rotation (i.e. I need this book!) Congrats on the milestone!

  80. Congratulations Prerna!! Way to go!!
    Here’s to mannnyyyy more to come!!
    I am your big fan!! Absolutely love your photography and I also tried some of your recipes, no need to say it was awesome!!
    You really make it happen although you have a beautiful kid! You inspire me!!
    Keep it up!! And why I am interested in this giveaway?? hmmm..because you are giving it away and it has to be good!! Worth to try out!!

    P.S: I am also following Monica on FB 🙂

  82. Happy Birthday! You look like you’ve been doing this for far longer than one year – I adore your photography 🙂 Love the giveaway to celebrate your blogversary – for me, I would love a copy so I *could* explore more vibrant flavors!

  84. Happy blogiversary! You have done so so well in the first year! I am very lucky to have stumbled into your blog. You are truly a blogger with a lot of colors! Literally and not so literally. 🙂

  86. Happy Blogiversary! Yes, I would love to win this book. Why? Because I LOVE Indian cuisine, and I don’t own one Indian Cookbook, no.idea.why. This one looks to be superb. Knock wood 🙂

  88. Congrats to IndianSimmer on this first Anniversary. Sliceofmylyfe celebrated its first yesterday with a warm loaf of bread.

    I admire your blog and often come back for inspiration.
    Wishing you and your blog the very best.

  89. Hi dear…..happy celebration……iam always amazed by the food photography, which takes me here very often…..love the variation of recipes…choice of recipes….Congrats on celebration of blog b’day….wish u all the very best and wishing u many more yum blog b’day’s. Variety is spice of life and Modern spice is like pampering with modern variety of spice to the pallet….:-)

  90. Sad I can’t win the book, but happy for you on your first anniversary! It’s a big milestone in blogland. This pudding looks like just the thing to use the summer mangoes on my side of the world – and it’s one of my favourite fruits too! Win-win.

  91. Hi, Prerna! Happy birthday to your blog! I would like to tell you that I have tested some of your recipes and I got wonderful results. By the way, most o the recipes in your blog (except baking) are already gluten free. I tried a gluten free version of your naan (with some necessary adjustments) and it has been a complete success! Thank you so much!
    By the way, I would love to read the book to know how to combine spices, being non Indian I do not have this gift “in my fingers” and I have problems when I have to substitute spice or choose the most appropriate ones.
    Thank you for considering me!

  92. Congratulations for the lovely year spent in Blogosphere!! Wish you well for many more years to add 🙂
    Have been following you and loved all the Indianness you bring to your blog and recipes.

    Now why whould I not want this Book!! Well I have no reason not to want and would enjoy learning more from all the beautiful recipes..

    Cheers,
    Reshmi

  94. Oh Happy Blog Anniversary! And what a great giveaway! I am a huge fan of Indian food and i have some great restaurants here in Seattle that i go to at least once a month. But as far as cooking Indian at home i have only tried a few things. So this book would be great. But i know i have a to do’s on your blog too 🙂

  95. Hi prerana….have been following your blog from singapore for only just over a month.Even though i cant enter the contest,being indian and having eaten indian food almost for 31years,i would like to see how spices can be used in different ways than th traditional ones…and am sure this book would help in that.
    Wnt to add,that i really love your blog and food photography…inspires me to try something like this in my kitchen also.:-)
    HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY….
    -SREE

  96. Simply because I enjoy Indian food and spices – I wish to know more 🙂

    I love how your line the mangoes at the bottom of the glass in your parfait! Beautiful and elegant!

  98. Happy Blogoversery! I would love to win a copy of Monica Bhide’s cookbook because I absolutely adore Indian spices, not only are they delicious, they offer so many health benefits!The cookbook would be great because I still need to learn more about how to put the spices to good use!

    P.S. I am gluten free, so I’m very excited about the g-free recipes to come!!!

  100. Congratulations Prerna. I love everything about your blog. Your style of writing, recipes and amazing pictures and you do all these managing a toddler at home. Hats off to you. That’s a wonderful recipe you have chose for the blog’s anniversary. Nothing shouts celebration more than the simple Indian Kheer.

    I wouldlove to get a copy of Monica Bhide’s book. Being an Indian, I cook Indian food most of the time and I love Monica Bhide’s recipes.

    I just followed her on twitter. My twitter id @F00dZ0ne

  106. I would love to win this book because I just made Chicken tikka masala for the first time, and would love to learn how to use spices to create more of those wonderful, warm tastes.

  107. Nice to meet you Prerna! and Happy Anniversary to your blog! Great minds must think alike. I made mango rice pudding last night for my family, but i have to say I love Indian food and can’t find good Indian food near home, so I’d love to win the giveaway! I will have to try your recipe. It looks simply amazing!

  110. I love all of your ideas, especially the one about readers sharing their blog posts and/or pics regarding your recipes. Hmmmm, I might just have to employ that idea over on West of Persia 😉

    Can’t wait to learn more about the giveaway.

    Happy Blogiversary!

  113. Happy blog anniversary! What a great giveaway 🙂 I’ve just started to dabble in Indian recipes and would love to expand me repertoire. Monica Bhide seems to be queen of the Indian cuisine world now, so I would love to learn from her!

  115. I’ve never been a huge fan of Indian food, but then my friend, who grew up in India, cooked for me one day and it was delicious! I want to give it a second chance.

  118. I’d love to have this book because I love fresh Indian food and love to make it for my family. I can’t reason myself into buying special spices for the few Indian recipes I have so the book would be a great excuse to head to my favorite spice store for a new adventure!

  119. You have certainly become one of my favorite blogs to read. I’m so sad that I just found you recently… need to spend some time going back to look at old posts.

    But I’m so thankful I met you… my talented friend.

    Now, why do I want to win this book? Because I’ve been saying for months now that I need to learn more about Indian spices and start to play around with them in the kitchen. But I’m scared!!! I know, I know… there’s nothing to be frightened of. But something about it is really intimidating. So, this book will help me get over this ridiculous fear.

  120. Congratulations on one year of blogging! I was just recently introduced to your blog via Tasty kitchen and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’m originally from India (now a student in the US). Living alone and cooking for myself has been a challenge and a a book with a bunch of Indian recipes would certainly be very helpful! 🙂

  121. Prerna – CONGRATULATIONS on finishing a year blogging and photographing and doing such a FANTASTIC job! I admire your innovative thinking and taking the blog to the next level by introducing gluten free recipes and a recipe shoutout series. I’ll be a regular participant in that for sure :)I have been following Monica for a while and curious as I always am, did some research on how she got into food writing. Monica has taken Indian food to a whole new level and has introduced it to the western world in a real, authentic manner. That is what I love about her and her writing. Her book would totally make my day!

    Once again congrats babes and all the very best to you and Indiansimmer 🙂

  123. How wonderful! Such beautiful photos and I love the new ideas! Your first year of blogging has obviously been fantastic, I’m excited to see what your next year brings!! Congratulations!

  124. Congratulations on the first blog anniversary Prerna! Farida had first told me about your blog and have been following it for quite some time. You’ve done great in this one year – with recipes, connecting to other bloggers, and sharing some amazing food techniques and photographs 🙂
    Why I want the book – my blog is named similarly to what Monica Bhide does. My blog’s called ‘Contemporary Thoughts meet Traditional Values’. So I value traditions, but love experimenting also. This goes for my food also. Would love to know what recipes are there in that book. The way I have been learning from your and other food blogs, would love to expand my culinary skills through her book.
    Congratulations once again – you’re doing great!

  125. Started reading your blog about a month ago and have really enjoyed it! Beautiful pictures and delicious food! Would love to try more Indian recipes. The cookbook sounds great! Happy Blogiversary and thank your for a wonderful giveaway!!

  126. Congratulations on your 1st year of blogging! I’ve only been a subscriber for about a week now, but I LOVE everything I’ve seen. And I love this recipe you just shared–rice pudding is such a comfort food! I will definitely be making food from your blog, and I’ll make sure to let you know when I do. =)
    I would love this cookbook because I adore Indian food. I love trying new recipes, and based on your recommendation of this book I’m sure I wouldn’t be disappointed.

  127. Congratulations Prerna for a fine accomplishment! Time flies so fast, doesn’t it? I’m so glad to have found you, your blog, and your lovely photography through the web. Best wishes and looking forward to more deliciousness in Indian Simmer.

  130. Yay for so many reasons! Congratulations on your blogiversary, I only discovered your blog recently but I love it. And I am so excited about the gluten-free news–I’ve been gluten-free for a number of years now and I cook/eat a lot of Indian food because it is naturally gluten-free and I don’t have to find substitutes!

  131. I envy my father who spent almost a month in India quite a few years ago. My parents now have many Indian friends, and whenever they’re all over at their house and we’ve promised to cook for them, they end up cooking for us. It’s really not unexpected anymore, and to be honest, we are giddy like school kids when it happens. What fantastic smells, laughs, stories, love! So until I can get to India myself, I’d love to have more recipes and stories to use on my own, and to share with my fiancée who’s falling as hard for Indian food as I once did.

    Cheers and congratulations on one amazing year,

    *Heather*

  133. I got to spend some time with Monica last weekend, at IACP conference in NYC. I love her writing… and that she’s bringing new life to Indian cooking.

    After the conference, I finally broke down and started tweeting (I’m sanscravat on Twitter)… and Monica was one of the first people I’m following!

  137. Congratulations Prerna and a very Happy One Year Blog Anniversary to you! Reading this post made me smile, I am so happy for you and all that you have accomplished in the past year. I am very glad that we became friends this past year, it’s been so much fun and I am excited that you will be close by very soon! I love everything that you have in store for the blog, can’t wait to see!

  138. Unfortunatelly I can not enter the competition because I live in Europe! But congratulations on your one year! Your blog is wonderful and I’ll definitely try to make this rice pudding but first your naan bread! 😉

  140. Happy Blog Anniversary 🙂 I soo love your photos and your post and your recipes.

    I am not a great cook, just learning. There was a time when I used to read a lot of novels and have a huge collection of them and now I am obsessed with food and yet to buy or own my first cook book. If i win this book through this give way I will be super super thankful and super super happy and I know I will probably cook all the recipes from that book 🙂

    I am already following Monica in Twitter!

  141. Congratulations on a full year with your most wonderful blog, IndianSimmer. Your blog is truly a delight, from its enticing name to the pictures, recipes and references to “A” and “little monster”! I am never disappointed when I peek into your life in the kitchen.

    Yes, I must join you in celebration by making your mango Kheer. It looks delicious! I may even share some with my grandkids.

    I will have to go find that book! Modern Spice, First because I am interested in Indian cooking and want to learn from a woman from India. Second, because I LOVE the stories that go with the food!

    Also, I want to thank you for your interest in gluten-free recipes. My grandson and 2 daughter-in-laws must live on a gluten-free diet. So, these are very helpful in making treats for them. Gluten-free Naan! Now we can have a full Indian meal!

  143. Hey Prerna. Happy Blog anniversary sweetheart. I have seen your hard work and dedication from the early days and we all know you have a very bright future. But the best part is you are darling of a person. Best wishes.

    I’m one of Monica’s avid fans and I have already ordered the book but I know people I can gift it to 😉 So I want it to gift it (does tht sound cheap?)

    P.S. – Thank you for the mention 🙂

  146. I found your blog through WFAEats – and I’m so glad I did.

    As a vegetarian, I love Indian food and think this book would be a valued addition to my collection.

    I know follow Monica on Twitter and look forward to learning more.

    Happy Anniversary!

  147. I love your blog and I’m so glad I met you last September. Happy Blogiversary to you!

    And I would love to win this book because I would love to learn even more about Indian cooking. Your blog has inspired me to try even more new things. I have some of your recipes bookmarked and will definitely will try one day!

  148. I am following as KimVesarapu. BTW, husband just strolled through asking what I am cooking for dinner tomorrow…Toss me the Modern Spice Cook Book!

  149. It’s midnight and this southern belle is once again navigating every cook book I have to come up with a meal for my hubby who is from South India. He is a no beef, no cheese, no sweets man and loves spice and sauces (in my south that equals salt, pepper, butter, and gravy). I NEED MODERN SPICE AND I NEED SLEEP! Congratulations on reaching this milestone! Great blog!

  150. Congrats on a great year! Your photos are stunning and I know you have a great talent and future in the whole world of food photography/blogging.

    I do enjoy Indian cooking and tend to eat it out more than at home, so I think it would be fun to own this cookbook. I would love to try more dishes in my own kitchen.

  151. I read your post and did not want to leave the fist comment:) I go and eat, and you already have a ton of love! I love the recipe (rice pudding is a quintessential comfort food) and the color of mango is just amazing. Thanks fro sharing your beautiful photography and opening your heart to us. Looking forward to many more wonderful posts:)
    BTW, I “followed” Monica since I started lurking on e-gullet. I love her writing and as an immigrant, I can relate to her stories of raising a family in a new world:)
    And both of you are already on my Twitter follow list:)

  153. Your blog is great, thanks for writing it! I am really excited about cooking more indian food, and I made your Tomato Dal the other day. Yum!

  154. you have gorgeous pix and great recipes!

    I’d love to win Monica’s book; I too am familiar with traditional Indian recipes, but I am always looking for interesting twists to change things up!

    I love Monica’s writing, and now follow her on twitter and facebook

  156. Congrats! That’s so exciting for you! I would like to win this book because I have always been afraid to dip into the Indian spice recipes. I think this would help me overcome that beautifully!

  159. The mango rice pudding looks WONDERFUL! I’ll have to try it.

    I just started following you yesterday – what a coincidence! But Happy Anniversary!

  161. I would love to win this because I love Indian food, but I don’t have a cookbook for that cuisine yet. I love eating out, and trying to guess how to make it at home, but I never succeed! I just found your blog recently, and have been peeking over at your beautiful pictures. Happy blogiversary!

  163. I love collecting cookbooks, especially on Indian cooking by authors with International influence. Monica fits the bill perfectly! I have often borrowed books of her from the library but don’t own one! 🙂

    Congrats on completing a year Prerna. Your photography is a true inspiration to me and its amazing how much you have “grown” in one year! Keep it up!

  164. Happy Blogiversary!!! You certainly have a beautiful blog and I am sure we will be celebrating many, many more blog birthdays with you.

    I’m only a recent follower of your blog, but I am so glad I found it because it’s simply beautiful.

  165. Happy Blogiversary! Mine’s this week, too! I spotted you on TK, and I’ve been a follower ever since. I love your recipes and photography. What a gorgeous, gorgeous site!

    I would love to have that book because I adore Indian food and would like to learn more about spice combinations and being more flexible cooking Indian on the fly.

    perrysplate@gmail.com

  166. Krissy@Dainty Chef-I would love to win this book because my husband has an obsession with spices, I would love to wow him with some of the recipes!

  167. Happy first blog birthday, Prerna! I am so happy to have found your blog this year. You’ve been a true inspiration – your writing, your photography, and YOU as a person. I’m looking forward to meeting you in person one day soon, hopefully. 🙂

  171. I LOVE your blog. I have not found many blogs centered on Indian Cuisine. I am constantly looking for new dishes to try and I’m very lucky to have a family that supports creativity in the kitchen. 🙂 I absolutely love Indian food. Seriously, I think I could eat it every day. 🙂

    Happy Birthday to your Blog!

  173. Prerna your space is splendid and you have accomplished so much in this one year that you do need to celebrate and be proud of yourself. I am glad I came to know you and found you blog. Keep entertaining us …

    xoxo

  176. I am making my first Indian dish this evening off your blog! Fingers crossed for the Matar Paneer, with my homemade Paneer. I would love to learn more recipes and experiment more.
    Beautiful blog and Happy Birthday!

    schramm.mary at gmail.com

  177. Congratulations Prerna! I’ve been following you for some time now and I LOVE your blog.

    And yes, I’d love to win the the giveaway! Being Indian, I am familiar with traditional recipes, but would love to learn from Monica’s eclectic style!

    And Yes, I just followed her on twitter. I’m tntrunner31.

    You rock!

Leave A Reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.