No I am not writing another book. I wrote one last year and I still get nightmares of those days so I’m fine for now.
No I’m not in jail or run by a truck or trying to quit blogging.
I’ve just been busy with life.
Busy folding laundry, reading a book, taking the kid to the zoo or to the park or the museum, chatting with my mum for hours planning my only brother’s wedding, taking a long walk with the husband followed by some cuddling.
You know things that do not really count but actually they do? Yes that.
And some work in between. The never ending work which almost felt like writing a book, or being pregnant or being in jail. Yes that!
I can give you countless reasons why I was away from blogging all this while but let me tell you the truth.
I started my food blog, Indian Simmer to get away from the craziness. It was like my mental spa. A spiritual retreat. A place where I could come, talk to the unknown and feel relaxed. Its other thing that the “unknown” became one of the most important parts of the journey. But never for once I wrote a post in order to land a book deal, or score an award or gather hits. Whatever followed was out of pure luck. I believe that and want to keep it that way.
For me fingers just do not move on the keyboard until I feel I have a good enough story. Photographs never come out decent until I feel that all the components are willing to play. I can not write a post or put something out here just for the heck of it. Just to keep the blog going and keep my readers occupied with just about anything. I am sure its the same for a lot of us. So I could not blog for all this while because something was not right and I did not feel like.
Well, until a few days back when we as a family went for a picnic by the ocean. Deep in the Muir woods, by the Stinson beach, barbequing with my almost four year old, while my husband was standing on top on a picnic table trying to take top shot of the cilantro I was chopping. For the first time in months I regretted not blogging for so long. After a long time I felt like telling you a story about this quiet, fun and Ah, so relaxing family time that we were having.
Felt like telling you about how my butterfly was trying to clean the grill for her Maa and ended up bathing herself in ashes from head to toe. How the charcoal just won’t burn and Abhishek and I argued hopelessly about who was doing it all wrong. Then the little one dipping bamboo skewers in a bottle of water, prepping them patiently one at a time while I mix minced chili pepper, onion and spices into ground meat. Grill finally decided to light up. All of us wet our hands and packed meat on the skewers. He grilled while the girls lay plates on the table. There were a lot of chuckles and laughter filling up the gaps in conversation. Food was finally on the table and everyone went quiet for a moment making room for Mmm and Umms.
It was a nice evening, perfect to be shared here. So I came back!
Ingredients:
1/2 lb ground meat of your choice. I used turkey.
1 1/2 teaspoon thai green chili (minced)
1/2 cup onion (chopped)
1 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste (fresh)
3 tablespoon chickpea flour (besan)
1 1/2 tsp whole coriander seeds (coarsely crushed)
1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin (powder)
Salt to taste
2 teaspoon butter/olive oil/ ghee
Things needed:
8 bamboo or metal skewers
basting brush
grill (any kind)
Method:
Soak bamboo skewers (if using) in water for 30 minutes.
Mix the first eight ingredients in a mixing bowl.Divide into 8 parts.
Lightly wet your hands. One portion meat mixture at a time, pack layer on the length of the skewer. Set aside.
Heat the grill to medium high heat.
Line skewers on the grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Turn the skewer, grill marks facing up. Baste with butter/oil/ghee. Continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes until kababs are cooked through and clear liquid drains on cutting.
Serve with choice of salad, raita and your favorite beer.
All the images in this blog post are taken by Abhishek Singh.
Thanks for the yummy recipes!!! I’m always on the lookout for new recipes. Thanks so much 🙂
What a fabulous story. And I’ve been “away” as well, so I wholeheartedly agree that it is a very good thing for creativity. I came looking for a great recipe and found it, but also found the lovely voice in your writing. Remembering the old Twitter days!
I’ll be honest – I didn’t go through your recipe. I simply read the story. Resonates to how I feel… started blogging without ‘knowing’ exactly where I was headed. And now I know, but am in that phase where I’m letting the stress free blogging into something that’s keeping me on the edge. I guess, I need to sit back and enjoy.
Welcome back Prerna:)
Can you please share a good rajama masala recipe?
I have tried almost all the rajama recipes but need some more coz it’s my husband’s faviourte and it’s his B’day. 🙂
some variations of this: http://bestfoodrecepies.in/rajama-masala/
SO glad you guys were enjoying summer to the fullest! I took a break in between too. So much needed 🙂
Pinned!
Oh P you just made me SO old home sick! Hard not to think of Marin as home, part of me is still there! Love what you said about the things that actually count 🙂
That’s really yummy dish..my mother made similar dish and is earning money by selling it over khanawal.com , you can also post your dishes and earn money.
I’ve been through the same blogging struggles. Good to see you again.
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These kebabs look amazing,Your pictures are inspiring.am planning to buy an oven toaster griller (OTG) or a convection microwave, but I’ve no idea which would be better. I want to bake cakes, cookies and cook meat dishes-indian resturant
Life takes over….folding sweetly scented laundry can be very fulfilling, spending time with our little ones and seeing life from their perspective is enlightening. The excitement of a siblings wedding is invigorating and a quiet moment or two alone with our mate is a most secure, peaceful feeling.
Yes! Those are the “things in life that don’t count, but actually do”! (What a great quote!) Those are the little things in life that are remembered by those important to us.
Thank you for sharing your lovely picnic, (I love picnics) deep in the Muir woods, with your little Butterfly and the Man beside you. I can hear him telling you how to light the coals and you disagreeing, so like a married couple, then he is up on the table, kindly taking wonderful pictures of his “beautiful girls” preparing food together! What a perfectly memorable day together!
Oh, yes, this Seekh Kabob will definitely be on my menu soon!
I know exactly what you mean – sometimes you just need to take a break from blogging and live your life. It can really help to fuel your creativity. 🙂 These kebabs look amazing – thank you for sharing!
Inspiration as well as desperation needs passion.
Your pictures are inspiring.
I love Asian cuisine especially healthier ones like Indian and Chinese dishes. I typically order takeouts from a nearby Chinese Restaurant in the Capalaba area because they have healthier options but I suppose prepping meal from home is always best. The food looked absolutely scrumptious!
Completely agree with you when you say that “the “unknown” became one of the most important parts of the journey”…and I love my extended family of food blogger friends which always makes me feel wanted. Lovely clicks, Prerna.
Thanks Sanjeeta!
So glad to see this post and it’s heart warming as expected. Now if only, we could picnic and I could have all those kebabs!
Another reason for you to visit! 😉
Hi! You have a superb blog with gorgeous pictures. I need some advice though. I’m just starting to cook and am planning to buy an oven toaster griller (OTG) or a convection microwave, but I’ve no idea which would be better. I want to bake cakes, cookies and cook meat dishes. Please help!
Leez what country do you live in?
Welcome Back! Love the photos and your words.
Artists need inspiration! Glad you got yours back!
Thanks Archana!
Lovely kababs… enjoyed the post. 🙂
Thanks Ramona!
Good to see you back. Love to read your blog and see your beautiful photography. Keep the good work coming….
Thanks for the support Nikita!
What a lovely day that must have been, and such luscious food! It’s good to see you again, as I’ve missed you voice and yummy recipes. Muri Woods was one of my favorite places to go with my parents when I was your daughters age, and seeing these pictures makes me want to get back there again as soon as possible!
Get back there as soon as you can Kathy! You will relive that time. I promise.
It feels great to be back!
That looks delicious, great recipe 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Thanks 🙂
My 2 year 3 month old just informed me she wants all this for dinner. What can I say, my kids have good palates 😉 wonderful pics, may actually have all ingredients to complete the toddlers request tonight!
This dish is definitely a great hit with the little ones. I have tried and tested 🙂
Let me know how the kids liked it.
I really want to say you it make me feel good to be on your side, I love to read your blog every time i found something new on your site, kabab is my favorite and I love to have it, enjoy your time with your kiddos.
Glad to have you here Alina!
This is my first time commenting Prerna but I have been following your beautiful blog for a year now. I just love your writing and your photographs..Glad to see you after some time and looking forward for more..
Thanks for your first comment Asha! Please keep in touch 🙂
Beer and Kebab picnic! What better setting to write about.:) I have had long periods of silence… Words don’t flow.. The camera is tucked away in it’s bag.. Everything is waiting for something to trigger because somehow I feel frozen. One of my very close friend says, it’s that perfectionist attitude which makes things the way they are. Every time I have given in and done a half-hearted job, I haven’t felt good about it. So, the moral of the story I guess is to do something only when I can give it my best… You’ve done a brilliant post, as beautiful as the previous ones, if not better. Cheers!:)
I hear you Vishakha when you talk about giving in to get a job done but not feeling good about it. I feel its better to wait and always try and give your best because I’m sure thats what your readers feel good about too.
Beautiful pictures Prerna, I love your writing style. This is one of my favorite kababs. Your daughter is so pretty, that’s so sweet of her to help you out. Looks like she will be in your kitchen soon and will surprise you by making something for you. I love your blog. I tried your chicken curry, it turned out delicious.
Thanks Shaweta! Oh, yes she loves being in the kitchen. Love her there with me 🙂
Yay, glad the chicken curry came out good. Keep coming!
Beautiful. … sometime I feel I need a break from myself… I can drive my own self to insanity..lol
We all need sometime to ourself n im glad you got a bit of it babe…
My favorite kabab.. aarahi houn anyday now 😉
I’ve said this several times before Reem- mere darwaze aaoke liye khule hain! 🙂
It’s good to take a break from time to time and good to see you back.
Its good to be back Marta. Thanks!
Prerna, I am so glad your back but the break must have been nice. As always fantastic photos and great writing! I have never tried making seekh kebabs on the grill and I will definitely give this a try soon!
Oh thanks Nik! BTW you are slowly making me fall in love with you with your gorgeous photography, so stop it! 🙂
Gorgeous food and fabulous landscapes! Those kebabs look mouthwateringly good.
Cheers,
Rosa
You are always the first one to comment Rosa! Thanks so much 🙂