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Good morning everyone…Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Curried Cranberry & Almond Quinoa adds some subtle Indian flavours to the holiday table.

On Christmas day my family like everyone else’s celebrates with a big meal – but one that’s definitely free of curries! Some years we like to switch things up. One year I had an Italian themed Christmas celebration—everything from the wine to baked pasta stuffed with spinach and ricotta, to the panettone for dessert was eaten with some Italian flair. Buon Natale!

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Holiday Garam Masala Cake makes a great hostess gift.

It’s hard to believe it’s time to plan Christmas baking once again. I’ve scheduled my cookie bake-off this weekend just in time for sharing during the holiday festivities.

I’m all about hostess gifts from the kitchen. It’s a lovely gesture that comes from the heart and you can never go wrong with bringing food to a party!

Not only amazing in this cake, but try garam masala in your spiced holiday cookies, fruit cake and my favourite – hot chocolate!

The garam masala in a cake is warming and reminiscent of the holidays.

The savoury Indian spice blend really compliments any sweet with fruit, rum or dark chocolate—think of a salted caramel or dark chocolate with chili–it’s a similar combination.

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Indian Spiced Classic French Macarons: Chai Spiced Coconut Cream Cheese Macaron (front) and Garam Masala Chocolate Macaron (back).

Last year during the holiday season everyone was talking French Macarons. After watching the film Kings of Pastry, I was overwhelmingly inspired to take on the challenge to serve my guests at a holiday dinner party Classic French Macarons—but Indian-style!

If you saw Kings of Pastry you too would be aroused by their mouth-watering utterly majestic and artful hand-crafted sweets and be inspired to take on a feat of your own in the kitchen. These genius pastry chefs pour their hearts and souls into the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France competition putting their lives and loves on hold to win the title of Best Craftsman in France.

That film was enough inspiration to keep me up till midnight slaving over a hot oven in my first attempt at making my Indian-spiced macarons. A complete failure that was!

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I stayed up for this week's lunar eclipse - it was spectacular! And this shot of the eclipse is amazing. Unfortunately, my photos did not turn out! Photo source: lawrence.com


The lunar eclipse this week was as fantastic as anticipated. Luckily the skies were clear, the stars were shining and the moon was a blazing deep red hue. My sleepy eyes stayed up to see the eclipse (yikes!) and in a dream-like state I gazed upon the red moon in amazement. It truly was spectacular.

That plus all the Christmas holiday festivities has left us with an exciting end to 2010!

My holiday dinner table is set. This is something I usually do way in advance of any dinner, as the day of entertaining should be all about the food.

The table is set...


Of course there is red and green on the table…

And there is a different shade of red and green...


And we can’t forget our beloved little elephant!

...we love elephants!


For our Christmas holiday feast traditions, we avoid curries of any sort. This is the time of year we embrace the traditional Christmas dinner along with the full array of trimmings, from oven roasted garlic potatoes to brussel sprout salad, gingered maple glazed green beans and carrots, cranberry chutney to homemade stuffing with toasted almonds. Dessert is a Sticky Date Toffee Pudding with a hint of garam masala.

The dinner table always gets set way in advance to avoid stress.


HOWEVER, there is usually at least one dish on our holiday table that has Indian flavours. Myself especially having a palette for spicy and bolder flavours needs one dish with intense Indian spices.

This year it will be Curried Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Curried Mashed Sweet Potatoes is a side that can satisfy guests with a palette for intense flavours.


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Curried Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:
1 lb. sweet potatoes (about 4 small), peeled and cubed
½ lb. potatoes (about 2 medium), peeled and cubed
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. ghee or butter
1 tbsp. Arvinda’s Curry Masala (I use 2 tbsp. but the flavour is intense)
1/8 cup heavy cream
sea salt, to taste
¼ tsp. Arvinda’s Garam Masala or chili powder, to garnish

Method: In a pressure cooker, add sweet potatoes, potatoes and salt. Cover with water and cook for 10 minutes until they are tender enough to mash. (If you don’t own a pressure cooker, boil on stovetop – this should take around 20 minutes).

Drain water. Using a potato masher (or fork) mash sweet potatoes and potatoes.

In a large skillet, melt ghee on medium heat. Add Arvinda’s Curry Masala and mix. Fold in mashed sweet potatoes and potatoes and coat with masala. Fold in heavy cream.

Serve in a bowl and garnish with Arvinda’s Garam Masala or chili powder. Serves 2-4.
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There, that’s more like it, now we have some spice!

The lovely Danielle, a fellow blogger, Holistic Nutritionist-to-be of Body By Nature blog just posted an amazing Apple-Curried Quinoa with Toasted Almonds – I think I’m now making this tomorrow too!

Thank you to all for your wonderful support and for reading A Teaspoon Of Turmeric. I wish you and yours a Happy Christmas!

What is on your holiday dinner table this year – either food or décor?

A teaspoon of: The Reindeer Section. Listening to: You Are My Joy.

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I’m glued to Men’s Figure Skating. This Olympics has been an epic collection of creativity and drama in the men’s figure skating world, especially when you throw in some Johnny Weir and all that sparkles with some Plushenko Russian rivalry.

I think I mentioned I don’t do the Bollywood circuit all that often. Here and there, yes, but quiz me on the latest and greatest and I’d come up spotty. Being known to be out of the Bollywood loop, I was forwarded this clip of US figure skating duo Davis & White’s Indian music skate number. Somebody had to do it! Look out for theirs and Virtue and Moir’s performance on Friday’s schedule.


Thursday night’s shining gold-medal performance by US’s Evan Lysacek was stunning, and of course we’re proud of Patrick Chan, our Canadian hero who did fantastic, placing fifth. See you in four years in all your glory, Patrick!

Before a skate or a day of winter fun, warm up with a cup of Arvinda’s authentic Masala Chai. Apparently somewhere in Johnny Weir’s breakfast is a cup of chai!

Anytime I feel a little bummed, a steamy cup of masala chai indefinitely warms me up and always seems to do the trick of lifting my spirits high. Here’s the recipe.

Arvinda's Masala Chai is sure to warm you up!

Sorry about Japanese skater Oda’s broken lace last night, which melted our hearts – hopefully he’ll get a new pair of skates (or laces) soon!

A teaspoon of: USS. Listening to: Laces Out.

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Jal Mahal Palace, Jaipur

After a month of being away, there is a lot to share about my recent trip to India. This time around I had a real ‘taste’ of village life in the western state of Gujarat, the trip highlight. I visited my great grandfather’s village and my grandfather and grandmother’s homes while touring the small cities, towns and villages. Eating and cooking was usually the main topic of the day, hence I have lots of new recipes and photos to share. Did I mention we did a lot of eating?!

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Ring in the New Year with this elegant and beautifully spiced cocktail.

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If you still have any leftovers from your holiday dinner it’s not too late to turn it into a good lunch. The Toronto Star featured Arvinda’s Curry Powder in their Curried Turkey Sandwich recipe a few days ago.

Curried Turkey Sandwich - perfect for the holiday leftovers!

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Arvinda’s Garam Masala contains a lot of the spices you would find in a mulled wine, namely cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and bay leaves. Mulled wine is the perfect warming festive drink to serve during the colder months, paired with appetizers or sweets. We’re still in ‘holiday-mode’ right?!

Arvinda's Garam Masala Mulled Wine

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I typically choose music over movies most of the time. But during the holidays, one of my favourite traditions is to make different spreads of bitings and appetizers to enjoy in front of the fireplace to accompany a couple of good films that come highly recommended. Keyword is good because like most people, I dislike bad movies.

Here is an easy snack perfect with some drinks in front of the fireplace – Madras Maple Walnuts, ready in 10-15 minutes.

Madras Maple Walnuts

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Madras Maple Walnuts

Ingredients:
1 cup walnuts halves, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp. butter
¼ cup pure Canadian maple syrup
1 ½ tsp. Arvinda’s Madras Masala

Method: Preheat oven to 275F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a saucepan, melt butter. Add maple syrup and Arvinda’s Madras Masala and mix together. Cook for 3-5 minutes on medium-high or until maple syrup slightly bubbles and reduces. Add walnuts and coat well. Spread walnuts onto baking sheet and bake in oven for 10-15 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Be careful not to burn walnuts. Serve with drinks or on a cheese plate.
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As for movies, here are three of my selections:

Something political – SHARKWATER (2006)
Toronto native Rob Stewart, activist and filmmaker uncovers the truth about one of the earth’s most beautiful and fascinating creatures, the elusive shark. Sharkwater is stunning visually and displays Stewart’s love and passion for sharks, awakening emotions within us to also join in his journey to protect the world’s sharks and appreciate their true beauty and innocence. Moving yet gutwrenching.

Something whimsy – GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1998)
This modern take on Charles Dicken’s classic novel Great Expectations starring Gwyneth Paltrow (Estelle), Ethan Hawke (Finn) and Robert De Niro, is set in the Florida Keys then moves to contrasting, sophisticated and cultured New York City. Character development, cinematography, and visually beautiful setting make this a worthwhile watch. Director Alfonso Cuarón adds a splash of various shades of green in the backdrop and cast wardrobe, evoking feelings of a whimsical and almost dream-like setting. This is an annual holiday must-see for me.

Something good-hearted – AMAL (2007)
Local talent,  Toronto native, award-winning film director Richie Mehta brings us the humble story of Amal, a poor and deeply honest auto rickshaw driver in New Delhi, India. Mehta’s story shows us, “sometimes the poorest of men are the richest” and that happiness in life can be achieved and found in the purest and most simple things. Definitely a must-see for anyone who circuits the film fests — great performances and stellar film direction. The feel-good storyline and greater life messages in this film is the cherry on the top!

Those are my holiday film pics; if you have any good recommendations please drop me a line!

A teaspoon of: Mono. Listening to: Life of Mono.

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