Monica Saigal Bhide's Blog, page 2

Join Monica Bhide as she dishes up a page-turning story of sacrifice and determination, with an honest exploration of the human spirit.

Copies of Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken are available on a first come, first-served basis at Cascades Library.

Date: Monday, November 6, 2017.

Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

LOCATION: Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, VA 20165

The post Cascades Library Event ~ November 6, 2017 appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.

Please click here to register for this fun event to be held at the Smithsonian on Oct 12, 2017 

 

S. Dillon Ripley Center

1100 Jefferson Dr SW

Metro: Smithsonian (Mall exit)

India has more than 35 different regional cuisines, offering dishes from the hottest curries to the mildest coconut sauces to aromatic desserts. Even a simple dish like chicken curry has multiple avatars depending on the region and the ethnic profile of the cook.

Join food writer Monica Bhide as she guides a deliciously informative tour of the wide range of the country’s foods. She delves deeply into topics including the secrets of curry; the karma of taste as expressed in the art and science of Ayurvedic cooking; traditional cooking utensils; the art of mixing spices; the concept of thali (plated meals) that serve all courses simultaneously; and unique techniques used in preparation of dishes like dum (a specialized form of steam cooking), tarka (tempering a dish with heated seasonings), talna (deep-frying). Bhide also discusses preparing the most famous and internationally best-loved dish of India: butter chicken, also known as chicken makhani.

The evening concludes with a buffet reception featuring a wide variety of dishes that reflect the regional styles and techniques discussed.

Bhide’s newest book—a food novel, Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken (Bodes Well Publishing)—is available for sale and signing.

Please click here to register for this fun event to be held at the Smithsonian on Oct 12, 2017 

 

RECEPTION MENU

Drink

Mango Lassi (yogurt drink)

Appetizers

Dhokla (savory steamed lentil cakes)

Papri Chat (flour crisps, potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt)

Main Dishes

Kerala Fish Curry (ginger, garlic, shallots, coconut, Malabar tamarind, curry leaves)

Chicken Tikka Makhani (boneless tandoori chicken, tomato gravy, fenugreek)

Lamb Nilgiri Korma (boneless lamb, cilantro, spinach, spices)

Hydrabadi Biryani (aromatic chicken, basmati rice, garam masala)

Baingan Bharta (eggplant, ginger, garlic, tomatoes)

Shallot Potatoes (shallots, ginger, curry leaves, crushed red pepper, coconut oil)

Dal Tadka (yellow lentils, tomatoes, ginger, garlic)

Accompaniments

Basmati Rice

Assorted Breads

Salad

Raita

Chutney

Lemon Pickle

Dessert

Mango Rice Pudding

Please click here to register for this fun event to be held at the Smithsonian on Oct 12, 2017 

S. Dillon Ripley Center

1100 Jefferson Dr SW

Metro: Smithsonian (Mall exit)

 

The post In the Indian Kitchen, Smithsonian Associates, Oct 12th, 2017 appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.

My dear readers – My fellow cookbook authors, talented chefs and dear friends Jennifer Farley and Domenica Marchetti have been kind enough to put together this campaign to help me create a book to help caregivers in their time of need. I never thought this would be a book I would write but, now, how can I not?

A big thank you to my talented friend and photographer, Simi Jois, for the image used here.

Inspiration Through Tragedy 

From Monica: “Today as I stand here at one of the most difficult points in my life, I am reminded of what my father has always said: to look at the problem in front of me and try to see the good in it—that is, to make the obstacle my message, to look at my path and know that these obstacles are not stumbling blocks but that they are the path.

“Staying true to that philosophy, I have decided to take the very difficult situation I am in and see how I can use it to help others. I have decided to write a book, an interactive journal to help families and primary caregivers in the ICU and in hospitals so that they may benefit from my experience. This interactive journal will be filled with inspiring and thought-provoking stories of what happened with us, how we managed our emotions and found meaning in the most impossible moments. It will also have sections for people to write down thoughts and feelings during their own difficult time. The book will become a keepsake; each person who writes in it will make the book their own.”

If you would be willing to support this book project please click here and do share with your friends.

My husband, of 24 years, is the love of my life – May I request you all to please continue to pray for his healing and health. (this photo of us was taken by Lucy Schaffer a few years ago)

The post Inspiration through tragedy appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.

 

I am not one for clichés but, at this moment, seems like every cliché in the book applies to my life, starting with: Your life can change drastically in one moment

At 7:00 a.m. on January 31, 2017, my husband and I were sipping coffee and talking about the day, grumbling at CNN about politics, and making dinner plans with the children.

At 8:30 a.m., out of the blue, he was being wheeled in for a massive, completely unexpected, life-changing surgery, and the surgeon was telling me to “call the family” because he might not make it.  The next few nights, weeks, months were spent in ICU praying, praying, praying and more praying. At just 47, he suffered a devastating brain bleed, had to be operated on and is now, by God’s grace, healing. His long-term prognosis is very good. When he left the hospital to go to rehab, the doctor who discharged him said, “You are the miracle patient we will tell out other patients about.”

I strongly believe that prayers are the most powerful medication, and all your prayers helped us so much through this time.

(Three weeks after this event, I got into a massive car accident. Talk about the Universe resetting my perspective. I am all reset now!)

Through all of this, I was repeatedly reminded of how blessed we are as a family. Family, friends, colleagues surrounded us with prayers, love, support, guidance and, of course, deliciously cooked meals almost every night for two months. Every time I turned around, there was a friend in person, on the phone, or via text or email offering support and help. It felt like the Universe gave us a big hug and surrounded us with so much love that our cup of gratitude overflows.

So many of you, my readers, friends and fans have repeatedly reached out to ask how you can help. As you all know, medical situations come with financial concerns. To that end, as a writer, words and books are how I make a living. Sameer will need 24-hour care as he heals and recovers, and I will not be able to work full-time for a while, other than just completing a few writing projects here and there.

 

So this is how you can help: If you have enjoyed my work and want to support me through this, all I request is that you buy a book or two or more to share with your friends. The sales of the books will help keep our dream alive. I say “our dream” as my writing career is not just my dream. It is a dream that Sameer and I created together and we don’t want it to die.

You can order the books here and if you feel compelled to do so, I would love for you to share this post and these links.

Ordering the books from —- Amazon

Ordering the books from – BN

Ordering the books from – Itunes

Ordering the books from KOBO

And, even during dark times, the Universe sent a small wink: The Library of Virginia has nominated Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken for an award in fiction. Barbara Kingsolver was among the previous winners of this prestigious award. I am so honored. It was a small bit of brightness in a tough, tough time.

Thank you for your continued support, love, prayers and good wishes. We are so thankful.

 

 

The post Of dreams and devastation appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.

My reality and my longing tango again. The longing inside my heart, which I often describe as an ache, is strong, ever present. It won’t let me be. It isn’t a pain, it isn’t sadness, it isn’t melancholy, I don’t know how to describe it except that this ache is what keeps me alive, keeps me going. It is this ache that wakes me up in the middle of the night to make furious notes in my bedside notebook. Nine out of ten times, the notes help me find the characters for my fiction, the topics for my essays, the themes for my spiritual writing. The ache makes me constantly long for an unseen dream, search toward an unknown destination. I am looking for something, not quite sure what it is, but something in the back of my mind keeps nagging, pushing, nudging me toward an undefined future.

I talk to a friend who suggests visualizing my longing, in hopes that it will settle the ache. After all, argues my friend, there have been studies proving that the subconscious brain cannot differentiate between reality and imagined reality—meaning that if you visualize yourself succeeding at something, you can trick your brain into thinking that you truly are succeeding.

I try for months: yoga, meditation, deep breathing. I try to visualize the ache—I see muted colors, I hear high winds, I see storms, I see waves, I see dark skies, it is all foggy, it is all so far away. It takes a while and then the fog begins to clear. My longing begins to take shape. I can see the vision that my heart has for me. It is clearly an impossible dream. It is big, it is wild, it is terrific and terrifying at the same time. It is the highest of the high, and yet as I see the truth of the longing in my heart, I am suddenly hit with a thought: If the crazy, impossible dream does materialize, then what? Will I have nothing to aspire to, nothing to look forward to? Do I even deserve to think I can do this? What makes me think that this longing can be my reality?

During the visualizations the ache disappears but then, just like that, as soon as I stop it is back.

The more I try to tame it, the stronger the ache grows. The tango between my reality and my longing is almost violent right now. They are both pushing to define me. It is a scary proposition for me no matter how I look at it. I am content where I am and yet I am totally dissatisfied. The dichotomy of the human mind—or am I just insane?

I begin to stop resisting the longing. I begin to see it as my friend instead of something I need to tame into a more practical reality. Perhaps my longing is a sign of hope, a sign that I need to keep doing what I am doing, and that I should not try to lose the ache. Perhaps the ache exists to remind me that I have a lot to be grateful for right now.

Perhaps not every dream, however defined or undefined, needs to come true to have value.

And for now as I keep going on my creative journey, that is just fine.

Your thoughts? Does every dream need to come true?

The post Does every dream need to come true? appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.

I have no words! So here you go —  Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken at the National Press Club in DC!

The post SOLD OUT – The National Press Club celebrates Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken! appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.

Thank you for all your support for my novel,  Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken! I am so delighted to report that the book has found a home in the heart of so many readers! If you enjoyed the book, a huge thank you to YOU for reading it! Very grateful!

Here are some quick reviews and interviews and then I have included some fun photos from all the events this year for  Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken ! More good stuff coming your way in 2017 including two new books!

An interview in Washington City Paper with Laura Hayes 
A Day in the life on a farm reviewed Karma 
Spiceroots reviewed Karma and provides a great recipe for Insta Pot Butter Chicken!! 
A really fun interview with Globavore! 
I was featured in an Indian book titled Dare to Be. Here is a quick review 
Whisk and Quill did a review of the book that warmed by heart!
So happy to be on this list by the amazing Rebecca Katz
Eat Your Books created this fantastic profile! 
Here I am on Kojo talking about Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken! 
Lisa wrote such an amazing review!!! 
A sweet mention! 
A lovely review by Salmon at Seven! 

 

The post Karma in the media! appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.

I am sharing a few things I love –  books, foods, appliances, services etc! I hope you will find something useful here as well. Link on the image to go to the sales page

 

Gifts for the book lovers in your life

Books – Cookbooks

This book, by Ramin Ganeshram, releases in early Dec — I love the recipes!

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Asha Gomez’s book has hit every bestseller list there is!

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Jennifer Farley’s book is practical and stunning!

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Highly recommend this book as a staple in the kitchen. Pati is rocking it with her PBS show as well.

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This gorgeous book by Kara Newman is getting rave reviews including one by the NYT

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Nancie McDermott does it again with this beautiful book!

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I love Dorie. That is all.

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Amy Riolo has written many wonderful books but this one really helped me eat right!

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Aviva Goldfarb shows you how to get your family to eat right and not scramble before dinner!

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I am eagerly waiting for this one by Nancy Baggett

Books – Fiction

Diana Abu Jaber does it again! If you loved her last books, you will love this one!

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Vaddey Ratner remains my most fav writer of all time.

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Chitra Banerjee’s wonderful book just rocks!

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Yamina Khadra is an amazing novelist. Gut-wrenching, gorgeous writing.

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This is one of Mollie Cox Bryan’s best books. My first cosy mystery favorite!

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Books — Writing

Chuck Wendig’s blog (terribleminds.com) and his books are just superb!

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When I grow up, I want to be Joanna Penn! Amazing books on publishing and her podcasts rock!

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Gifts for the creatives in your life 

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Know a budding entrepreneur? Perfect book for her!

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This wonderful book by Kathleen Flinn is a must for the food lover in your life!

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Gifts for the cook in your life

These items have made life in my kitchen easier and more fun!!

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My books!

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(There are affiliate links in this post.)

The post Holiday Gifts 2016 appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.

I am so excited to let you know about these fun upcoming events for my debut novel – Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken. 

I hope to see some of you at these fun events!!

Jura Salon — Nov 28th – Dinner and book signing.
 Culinary Women in Words – Book signing  Dec 4th
Fountain Books – A lovely ticketed Indian dinner in Richmond! Dec 6th
The National Press Club — Exclusive Indian dinner based on the novel and book signing, Dec 12th
The Smithsonian Associates – A talk about Indian cuisine and book signing, Feb 9th 2017

And a HUGE thank you to BookWorks for picking Karma as their book of the week!!

 

The post Upcoming events: Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken book tour continues appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.

I am so delighted to share that the National Press Club is hosting a special dinner for Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken. Chef Susan has designed a custom menu for the meal and, I have to say, it looks amazing! I would love to see all of you there!! REGISTER HERE 

A friend of mine was walking outside the National Press Club yesterday and spotted this

I was in NYC this week for a book tour and before I share pictures of that, I have to tell you this!! I was on the train and found a lovely lady on the train who was reading my book! She had been to an event about ten days earlier and had purchased the book! What are the odds?! I took a picture of her and it warms my heart to share this with you

 

Here are some photos from my NYC book tour! I spoke at Columbia School of Journalism. The book talk was sponsored and hosted by SAJA. I did a public signing at Awadh restaurant (they are amazing, you guys should try them out!!) and then a private book event at the home of a dear friend. I was delighted to meet my current readers and make new friends, and I hope, find some new readers!!

 

  

 

Again – The National Press Club is hosting a special dinner for Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken. Chef Susan has designed a custom menu for the meal and, I have to say, it looks amazing! I would love to see all of you there!! REGISTER HERE 

The post National Press Club hosts Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken Dinner!! appeared first on Monica Bhide | Recipes, Stories, Inspiration.