Lip smacking Singaporean cuisine

Every cuisine carries with it a flavour of its culture that brings you close to its ethnicity. In Singapore, food is viewed as crucial to national identity and also it is a unifying cultural thread; Singaporean literature too declares eating as a national pastime and food as a national obsession. It's a popular take that when in Singapore, be sure to try the 'fish head curry' and 'chilli crab' that will keep your taste buds relishing for a long time.

If you love sea food, you must try what Singapore offers in terms of its seafood cuisine. Their popular seafood dishes include - 'sambal stingray', 'black pepper crab', 'fried Chinese buns', 'oyster omelette', etc. In addition, they have a many different versions of Prata too.

Image Source: http://memegenerator.net/Takeaway

Before heading to some restaurant, if you want try cooking some Singaporean cuisine at home, here's a recipe that will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Laksa Pulao - These are aromatic rice made from french beans, almonds, herbs, masalas, veggies and laksa leaves (they are spicy and very common in Singapore). If you can't get your hands onto laksa leaves, just use mint or coriander leaves.

Ingredients: 300 gm fresh French beans
                    50  gm almonds
                    500 gm basmati rice
                    60  gm desi ghee (clarified butter)
                    30  gm laksa leaves, chopped (or mint or coriander leaves)
                    20  gm fresh turmeric, chopped
                    20  gm ginger, chopped
                    20  gm garlic, chopped
                    40  gm onion, chopped
                    3-4 fresh green chilli, chopped
                    A pinch of pepper powder for seasoning
                    A pinch of salt for seasoning

For Garnishing: Sliced golden fried onions
                          Slit green chilli
                          Chopped laksa leaves

Method: 1) Clean the french beans and boil until they turn tender. Remove and place them into ice cold water to maintain their crispiness and color.
2) Blanch the almonds and then peel and slit them in half from the center.
3) Clean and the soak the rice in water for 20 minutes.
4) Heat the desi ghee in a pan, add the garlic, onion, ginger, and saute till onions are translucent.
5) Add fresh turmeric and green chilli and stir fry. Then, add the beans and laksa leaves. Cook till the beans are done.
6) Season with salt and pepper powder.
7) Take a flat, thick bottomed  pan, add oil and heat it to saute the rice for a minute. Add 500 ml of water, the sauteed vegetables, almonds and some chopped laksa leaves. Place over a very low flame till the rice is cooked (all the water should have evaporated from the pan)
8) Spoon the pulao onto a platter, garnish with fried onions and green chilli. Serve hot with raita.

Bon appétit!

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#FarMoreSingapore

#ChooseToStart with Moto E

First is a first after all, and that is why they are so special to us... the first travel experience, the first crush, the first friend, the first school, and of course that first mobile phone that we all seem to cherish for an eternity. Why do we do that? Well, because we made a lot of efforts to get our parents' permission to buy one. *wink*

So, my first phone happened when I was in class eleventh. Coincidentally, it was a Motorola W220 and I confess, I chose it because of its stylish look and yes the flap cover. I used it for almost one year before going for more advanced options. I remember how I took extra care of that phone, not letting it go out of my sight, and the fun of exchanging messages in that self developed SMS language is unforgettable. How I miss those days when I sneaked the phone in my coaching classes and all my friends crowded around me as we switched to the FM to hear the latest songs. Soon, as school got over, the market kept filling with newer technologies. Android phones flooded the market and as the choices increased, my confusion kept fuming up too.

Every phone looked attractive but the price tag kept me wondering... Until many companies started launching phones at an affordable price. In the midst of this, Motorola launched Moto G, Moto E, and many more smartphones that have a variety of features and are user friendly too.

Now, as I am doing my masters, if I get a chance to #ChooseToStart with Moto E, I would obviously be keen on exploring some of its features like the selfie cam. The love for selfies has overpowered me off late and the first thing that I would want with Moto E would be a selfie test. Then, comes the navigation as I never happen to remember routes. The app certainly comes in handy at the time of traveling at odd hours, esp. being a girl in a city like delhi.

I love reading on the go, and the 4.5 inch display of Moto E would be perfect to open my documents and read or even edit while sitting for long hours in the metro. In today's world, hardly any one can imagine a phone without wi-fi and the need to be active on social networking sites is there too. So much so, that couple of mail ids are always open and the facebook and twitter are logged in. When I will #ChooseToStart with Moto E, I will make sure that I explore all its features to the hilt and give a direction to the world of possibilities.

I am not a gaming fan but when it comes to passing time, a few games pre-installed on the handset are a relief. Its quad core processor makes sure the phone runs at a super fast speed all the time. I am quite vivacious in my moods and choices and therefore the vibrancy that Moto E offers is super tempting - yes the phone can be personalized to match your style as there are 6 colorful bands to choose from. Now, battery life has always been an issue making us cringe all the time, but yahoo Moto E is here to bring a smile on your face. This phone doesn't consume much battery while running all the apps, so one can enjoy the smartphone experience without the battery issue coming in way.

I don't want to compromise with the quality, experience, or style and that is why I #ChooseToStart with Moto E as soon as possible.

Garnier Pure Active Neem Face Wash #Review

Oily Skin? Pimples troubles? Are you always hiding and avoiding hangouts? Never confident in public? Do you feel embarrassed of your looks? Well... not anymore!

Here's a fab solution to almost all your skin problems - Garnier Pure Active Neem Face Wash

I carry it in my pocket :)

I have an oily skin too but off late I'm regularly using this face wash and the results are evident. My skin remains fresh throughout the day, oil glands have lessened too. No new pimple emerges on my skin, and this face wash will also help lightening the previous marks. I have been using this for about a year now, so I can confidently say this is the best thing that I have come across for a sure shot solution for all skin worries.

It comes in a beautiful tube and every time you have to squeeze just a tiny bit of quantity, gently massage on damp face using your fingertips in a circular motion. Avoid the eye area. Rinse thoroughly, pat dry with a towel and fall in love with your skin all over again. I don't feel the need to apply anything after using this face wash as it perfectly balances the oils and you are done for the day. So my skin doesn't look too dry and at the same time, it gets non-oily too. Sounds good, doesn't it?

My skin looks radiant and I don't have to bother about trying out different treatments. The packaging says that for best results, you should use this twice a day. Also, wasting money on hundred different products will only worsen the skin troubles. This face wash is anti-pimple formula that comes in as a handy solution. The compact packaging makes it easier to carry it during your trips and travels, so that you can keep your skin dirt-free all the time.

It's gel base makes it easier to apply on your face and heals faster too. It fights the harm done to your skin by pollution, bacteria and excess oil. With gradual regular use, it also brightens up the skin. How can I say that? Because I have only used this for months (and no other skin lightening products) and felt my skin glowing by the day. You can also refer to so many tips to stay oil free by Garnier Team - http://www.nopimplesnomarks.com/

It contains real Neem Leaf and Tree Tea Oil extracts:

1) Fights Germs: Washes away problem causing germs.

2) Fights Pollution: Deep cleans the pores to remove impurities caused by pollution.

3) Removes Oil: Washes away excess oil which attracts dirt and germs.

It prevents breakouts and makes the skin feel clean, fresh and clearer. The ingredients are carefully chosen and work best on an oily skin. It is dermatologically tested and purifies skin and washes away germs. Tree Tea Extracts in itself has amazing healing powers. It offers an excellent treatment for acne. One study found tea tree oil to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide, but without the negative side effects like redness and peeling. All the more reasons to grab this face wash by Garnier. For best results, use it with Garnier PureActive Exfoliating Face Scrub.

It is also available in a small pack of 50 g quantity priced at Rs. 55 for people who aren't too sure about it and want to try it.

I have the 100 g pack since it is a must product for me. This one is priced at Rs. 90 and is available readily (online and offline).

So, finally time to say no to pimples with Garnier is here!

Get it here: Flipkart

Check out the wide range of Garnier products, here: Snapdeal | Nykaa

Follow me on Instagram for regular updates: Here :)

And I felt like a Magician!

It was an ordinary day, which suddenly turned extraordinary as I held the magic wand in my hand. I reached my workplace in time and started my work tasks for the day, when I remembered that I had to go on a photo walk that evening and I had forgotten my camera at home. I somehow accomplished all my tasks for the day and left office.

I met my friend Riya at the decided venue and told her that I will not be able to go further as I don't have my camera. She assured me that it won't be a problem and winking at me she gave me her phone. She told me it would serve better than a camera, I just stared at her dumbfounded. I remember calling her insane and how can she even think this will beat a camera. She just smiled and taking my hand she literally dragged me. 

We started clicking pictures once the whole team had reached the venue. I was amazed at the camera quality of this phone - ASUS Zenfone 5. I was awestruck as I continued to use this new PixelMaster that captured perfect professional pictures.

Soon, it got dark and I could see my helplessness getting back. The whole team was now using flashes and I was feeling weird, looking at the phone. 

'Okay then, that's it for me, I guess! I should call it a day and head back home', I told the team. 

'Leaving already? But the night photography is the best part of this photo walk. How can you just miss it?' Varun tried to stop me and lure in the plan. 

My friend, Riya convinced me once again by showing some incredible features of the Zenfone - Low Light Photography.

Added to that, with Time Rewind feature in the phone, I was just too intrigued to click more. I enabled Time Rewind, and the PixelMaster camera automatically started recording images two seconds before and one second after pressing the shutter button. During this three-second period, 31 photos were recorded for me to choose, meaning that the perfect moment is never missed if you click from this phone.

I felt like a magician capturing shots that added to my memories. That night, I decided to stay at Riya's and explore this incredible phone. 

It was fun, 'this phone has super powers', Riya hushed at me. I eyed her and told her she should not exaggerate. 

'I know this is wonderful, has a powerful extraordinary camera, but super powers? No, please! Let's be realistic', I said to her.

She laughed it off and showed me the super power for real. 'Okay so this is called The Incredible Searchathon - this is like WOW! It can help you trace any of your friend just by imputing some information', she opened the feature. 

I simply drooled and gasped, curious to discover how it works. 

She continued, 'With this feature, you can see what others can't see and do what others can't do. Do you wanna try?'

'Of course!'

'Okay, so look all you have to do is open this Incredible Searchathon and start filling in the details - the phone number, name, and link of his/her Facebook profile and click on 'GO'. Simple, isn't? And then it simply traces your friend's phone location and takes you along with him on this map.'

'Oh well, it's superb. Almost like the magical map from Harry Potter!'

'Yeah. Isn't it fun? You know what, its 5 inch screen has an amazing display that will help you writing and editing docs on the go. You being a writer can utilize it to the fullest. It has multiple themes and fonts too.'

'I am just speechless.... My search for incredible ends here! - ASUS Zenfone 5. Thanks Riya for introducing me to this simple, peaceful, and beautiful phone.'