The mini Basu princess is a month old. A tiny terror. Unsurprising given her fine genetic pool.
Let’s just say motherhood is much like cooking a biryani, naked, on a patio, in the middle of a blizzard.
Still, I’ve had plenty to keep me going. My personal favourite is the card that reads: “When I grow up I wan to be a total bitch, just like my mother”. A close tie with the one featuring a designer-clad mummy whispering “Gucci, Gucci” into her stroller.
Oh and the bottle of yet-to-be-opened gold-encased limited edition Armand De Brignac champagne.
Mini Basu is sampling the delights of Baby Dior, the farmer’s market and the cultural hotspot of South Bank. While I snatch precious moments for a spot of shopping, beauty sleep and cooking.
Thank God for quick Indian cooking.
My first recipe back had to be a light and healthy chicken curry steeped in fresh coriander – Dhaniya Murgh. It took care of dinner. Suitably impressed visitors. And launched my comeback in half an hour.
Here’s to life’s next phase…
PS = Thanks SO much for all the wishes, emails and love you’ve sent my way. Mini Basu will wield a wooden spoon as soon as possible.
Feeds 2:
500gm chicken thighs and drumsticks
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp ginger paste
Half tsp chilli powder
Half tsp turmeric powder
Half tsp coriander powder
2 tbsp natural Greek (thick) yogurt
15gm fresh coriander
1 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
Skin the chicken and marinate it in the yogurt, chilli, turmeric, ginger and garlic pastes. I did this in between painting my nails and baby stuff in the morning and left the chicken out covered with some clear film.
When you’re ready to cook, bring the oil to heat over a high flame in a small pot. When it’s sizzling, fry the chicken with the coriander powder for 10 minutes until evenly brown all over. Add half a cup of hot water, lower the flame to a gentle boil, cover and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes until the chicken is well cooked. You’ll know it’s done because the meat will separate from the bone on the drumsticks.
To finish, chop up the coriander leaves and stir into the chicken along with the salt. It should have a light, moist curry. Perfect to mop up with some readymade naan and a serving of thick yogurt.
38 Comments
Congratulations! dear Mallika and Hugs to Mini Basu. I bet she has you all wrapped around her little finger.
As for the chicken, just the right dish for any successful comeback!
Heeeeeeeey, you’re back! Congratulations to the new parents. Do you think you’ll share just a tiny picture of the little one with us? (I’m a sucker for baby pictures, so sue me.)
Congratulations on your wee one! Loved your description of motherhood…!
The chicken curry dish looks wonderful – I will have to try it!
I smiled at the witty cards.
And the chicken recipe sounds really simple too. gotta try that out sometime!
congratulations for the little girl. baby pics? pleeeez?
Congratulations Mallika…Lots of love to the mini Basu princess
This is from one of your silent readers/admirers!!!!
YAAAHHHHOOOO!!! Welcome to blog World to Ms.Basu and so glad you are enjoying the mommy tiara, M!
LOL @ the cards, great friends you have! ;D
Chicken of course is a welcome change for you, enjoy. As always best wishes from me!
See motherhood has not diminished your sense of humour. You really do crack me up. Welcome back. And welcome to the world to Mini Basu!
Congragulations with your little one.
welcome bck,..so its a gurl child…congrats,…;-) now ur posts gonna be more interestin with baby stuff nd all,…btw whts her name,..??
Congratulations Mallika, can’t wait to hear many more adventures of Mini Basu.
and a great recipe for a successful comeback too!
It’s great to have you back, Mallika. Welcome to your little lady!
I missed your wicked humor! Congrats on your doll and welcome back!
Congratulations on your wee one!!!! Yahoooo. And a fantastic new post/recipe! Rock on.
Welcome back Mallika! It is so great to hear from you and to hear about the little one! Congrats again – big hugs!
Congratulations, Mallika!
It is so nice to have you back.
Hey Mallika,
Welcome back! Mommyhood takes a little getting used to, but is wonderfully rewarding!
Rinku
So it’s a girl! *Doing happy jig* Excellent! Welcome back, Mallika, and best of luck to you both! Enjoyed reading the post.
Congratulations
, and it’s sooo nice to have u back. Not a day passed without me checking to find out if u are back. Yeah.. a pic of mummy basu with princess basu would be great.
Congrats dear Mallika and a huge welcome to Mini basu with the rattle errrrr wooden spoon
That sums up motherhood pretty nice
Hi Mallika, I’ve enjoyed your website and recipes for months. Each recipe that I tried has been a resounding success, so thanks a million—I love your recipes and wit and I just wanted to let you how glad I am to see you back. Welcome back and Congratulations. I look forward to being more of a regular with my comments.:-)
Hi Mallika, I’ve enjoyed your website and recipes for months. Each recipe that I tried has been a resounding success, so thanks a million—I love your recipes and wit and I just wanted to let you know how glad I am to see you back. Welcome back and Congratulations. I look forward to being more of a regular with my comments.:-)
Yay, you are back!! Congratulations!
hey Mallika,
Many congratulations for your little one…i hope you are having a blast being a new mommy!! Well done,
Love
Harshika
Dubai
This looks and sounds beautiful. I love cooking desi food, but most of the time theres so much oil used, this stuff is perfect- its like all the taste without all the added calories from excess oil! my parents use sooo much oil in their cooking! It’s a pakistani thing i guess!Will have to try this, i’m just recently on a healthy eating kick- wish me luck!
Oh congratulations Mallika. So lovely to hear that your bub is in the world and you are all well . . . if somewhat shell-shocked. And of course you’ve come back with a corker of a recipe. You’ve never needed quick Indian cooking more I suspect!
Well, sure missed you and the blog a lot! Welcome to this roller-coaster world of motherhood! There is no feeling like it in the world!
As always, cracked up at your jokes. Glad you’re back and a big big hug for the tiny tiny princess!
Take care!
Well, sure missed you and the blog a lot! Welcome to this roller-coaster world of motherhood! There is no feeling quite like it in the world!
As always, cracked up at your jokes. Glad you’re back and a big big hug for the tiny tiny princess!
Take care!
Popping back to say that I had a chance today to make this recipe, and it was fantastic. Eaten with great enjoyment by everyone in the household. Thank you for another winner! You rock! Enjoy your little one.
btw: please tell me that your cookbook will be available in the States when its published! Please!
Welcome back- Congratulations! Glad to hear there’s a princess to keep you company in the kitchen.
congrats !!
Yay! You’re back! Seeing your updated site really made my day!
Congrats and welcome back, Mallika. Your daughter is a princess — and you are the Queen of Indian Cooking! xxxx
Looks delicious! Will try it out this weekend!!
I made this last night!! So simple and sooooooo tasty…thanks for a great recipe again.
Oh and a heartfelt congrats on your new arrival!!
Congrats darling on the mini Basu princess…love what I see in the future with a tiny hand weilding spoons!! Did I miss a picture? xoxoxo
Babes, you have a babes. Well done!
And blogging like a dream four weeks into new motherhood.
Much love to you, Mallika and your husband,
and welcome, beautiful baby princess.
XXX
Babes, you have a babes! Well done!
And blogging like a dream only weeks into new motherhood.
Congratulations to you both
and welcome beautiful princess Basu.
What a great site! Just discovered it today! Congratulations on your baby girl.
Margot
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[...] if you fancy before you ladle it over steaming hot rice. For a simple, complete meal, try it with Dhaniya Murgh. This entry was written by Mallika, posted on September 24, 2009 at 4:51 am, filed under Home [...]