Christmas is just around the corner. It will come by, before we know it and will pass by in a blur. The journey during December is a beautiful one.
Amidst all these you guys, it’s been a tough last 4 weeks for a place very dear to my hubby and a lot of people who belong to Chennai.
I met my husband in Chennai Airport for the first time. A memorable moment that I will never forget. What Chennai and the 6 million people in it won’t forget is, what they saw and experienced in the last few weeks.
Chennai a south Indian city in India, boasts of the best infrastructure. Be it the metro rail, the suburban rail or the mainstream railways, they had the best. The food the city has offered the world is un-paralleled. The city is lined with temples rich in heritage and architecture the witnesses of age old royal ruling of the Pallavas and Cholas, carrying mighty tales of heroism and warriors.
Chennai has been in turmoil after this year’s North East monsoons and incessant heavy down pours. There’s so much to re- build and restore. Can faith be restored? Did we not see that people had homes but could not be safe, people had food but lost it, people had money but ATMS were flooded, people had cars but were stranded. What are our strengths to help ourselves in such days of hopelessness and fear?
Amidst all the losses, it was human kindness and the willingness to help that saved some of the suffering. Fishermen out on little ferries, on the waters filling up all the roads, moving stranded people to safer locations, young men carrying ladies and wailing children on their backs wading in chest deep waters, moving them to safety. Lots of people in drier places and food banks preparing truck loads of food. A cry goes out from the truck “Saapaad, vaango”. Food, come get it!
Although we are unable to address everybody’s loss, being together, willing to help, prayers and sharing what we have can to a large extent reduce the emotional stress of dealing with losses alone, I think. So I guess slowly and steadily faith can be restored. Faith for every step forward to be positive.
Coming from India, I just felt I had to write what I have, this is my way to reach out, my way to connect and my way to share what is happening in my hubby’s neck of the woods.
Well to move on, its Christmassy every where! Tis the season to be Jolly, falalalala lalalala….Deck the halls with boughs of holly!
What better spice to share than Madras Curry powder in this post dedicated to Chennai(formerly known as Madras).
Nuts are a quintessential part of any party. So many ways to adorn it and packaging it just makes for the best gift. Here, it’s one of my favorite ways to spice up the nuts, with curry powder, a good quality curry powder. I have a post with candied balsamic cashews HERE and used it on Focaccia. Here I used some butter, you can completely make it vegan by adding vegetable oil or some coconut oil. This can be slow roasted in a pan for someone who doesn’t own an oven too.
Happy roasting and enjoy your Christmas baking! Can’t wait to visit your blogs to see your creations.
- 1 cup each of cashews, walnuts, almonds
- 2 garlic finely grated
- ½ teaspoon Curry powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Sea salt
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2-3 tbsp brown sugar
- thyme, rosemary, dill are all alternatives
- Preheat oven to 325 or even 300 degrees if your oven is hot. Bake in the middle rack of the oven.
- In a bowl add the nuts and all the spices.
- Pour the melted butter, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
- Mix everything really well and pour everything on to baking sheet lined with a parchment paper and bake for about 15-20 minutes tossing every few minutes. Do not let it burn or darken a lot.
- Take it out and let cool very well before bottling it.
- Makes great gifts.
So thoughtful and kind words…I also have a soft corner for Chennai….btw u are simply fabulous…love all your recipes
Thanks so much sis. I know how much Chennai means to you. Hugs and thanks always for your sweetest words and support.
Love you tons.
xoxo
Just beautiful, Ash! Such a mindful and kind post, my dear. People helping people…with kindness that comes from the heart, a willingness to touch a life when there is a need and to make the world a better place. This is what life and this holiday season is all about…giving from the heart. Your scrumptious nut recipe certainly does that! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, my sweet friend! xo
Stacy, I did tone the post down quite a bit. The devastation is a lot, it’s beyond our imagination. God bless them.
Ultimately as you said, the kindness is what makes this world a better place.
Thanks to you my friend. Happy week! xoxo
Such a sweet post dear. What a beautiful way to shed light on what’s going on in the city you met your hubs in.
BTW – I saw these nuts on IG and wow – they sound as fantastic as they look – perfect for gifting this holiday season.
Thanks Sashi, I felt the urge to write it out.
thanks girl, love these and so addictive.
xx
Such a thoughtful write up and our prayers to Chennai’s recovery. Nuts receipe sounds so wonderful!!
My small contribution to sharing and spreading the news my dear.
Hugs.
What a beautiful and eloquently written post, my dear! My heart goes out to everyone in Chennai. On a different note, these nuts look fabulous! LOVE the spices and the balsamic-sugar glaze! I bet these are crazy addictive! Pinned! Cheers! >3
It is quite heartbreaking Cheyanne. God bless your kind words.
Thanks and i absolutely love these and thank you so much for pinning my friend.
xx
Beautifully written post, Ash, and I feel for the people in Chennai. These nuts are perfect for Christmas snacking — I love the sound of these flavors!
Yes Marcie, it’s really sad to see what happening there.
This is one of the things that’s going into my gift basket for teachers. xx
A very touching post, Asha. I hear from friends that things are getting somewhat better now.
Your pictures are beautiful as always and this really brings on the festive spirit!
I am so glad we have the power of Social media to share news which is not be highlighted really well.
Thanks and I loved shooting for this post. xx
Heartfelt post! I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know the extent of the devastation in Chennai. Thank you for sharing. And as you brought to light, it’s human kindness that brings humanity together. And isn’t that what the holiday is all about?!
As for these lovely nuts, I have to say I tried making them from one of your previous posts and pretty much failed. and I’ve made candied nuts before! I didn’t put it on a baking sheet but into a cast iron skillet (stove top) instead. Probably in a hurry (so what else is new) doing 5 things at once, I turned my head for one second too long when some of them burned. I’m going to try it this as instructed here. Still gotta watch!!!! 🙂
Oh no don’t be embarrassed at all. We are all truly trying to do our best. The sad thing is, I toned it down a lot, had to. It’s really really bad. I agree, sharing and kindness is what it is all about Em. I really do pray and hope things settle down.
To our nuts, oh Nooo.. it burnt. The thing with balsamic as you might know,the dark color just speeds up the process of caramalising. So have to keep an eye on them. Stove top can be tricky, I agree. Hope this turns out. Please let me know when you do.
Thanks hun.
OMG – these nut packets look amazing, like the kind you’d find from street vendors in India. I love all the flavors in this recipe. I must try this! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Chennai. It seems the US news cycle is focused on its internal crises right now so I haven’t really been seeing as many personal posts about this in my newsfeed or elsewhere. So far I know all my friends/acquaintances are safe. I hope yours are too. But there’s nothing like the human spirit to remind you of the good in the world in the face of so many tragedies 🙂
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
To be honest, it’s quite shocking to not see this on many grounds. A lot have died, a lot has happened. It is sad that this news might not be that important to some right?!
I am glad your friends are doing good. My friends and their families are well, blessed.
On to the nuts…Oh yes, they look like packets from street vendors. So much fun. Hope you get to try it and thanks as usual for your nice and supportive words.
So beautifully written and so heartfelt! I could feel you crying, while writing this post. The situation is bad, but I did not know the extent of it being so bad… I hope your hubby’s family is all safe and sound. It is amazing how people unite so lovingly in these times and the power of mankind shines!
Your nuts look gorgeous, and the pictures look so wintry and amazing! Bravo! 🙂
Amisha, it’s quite a subtle version. It is quite bad, beyond imagination. Everyone is fine. For them to get out of this calamity will for sure take a while. God be on their side.
Something that’s pretty positive in all this is the Unity among people.
Thanks Amisha for stopping. This post was a fun shoot, although it was a dark rainy day when I shot it.
xo
So sad about it all…I hope their faith and good spirit prevails. I do want to visit Indian some time in the near future. It has always been a dream of mine so I will make it happen. This recipe is dreamy. I could eat all the nuts by myself. I need to make something like this for us!!
Faith and Positivity is what helps in moments like this.
Miryam, you will love India with so much culture and color. Every part of India is unique in a way and I am sure you will enjoy it.
Thanks my dear.
My heart goes out to people suffering in Chennai and everywhere. It’s saddening to turn ON the news and see the human suffering in wars, hate, refugees and natural disasters. Hug your loved ones tighter, reassuring how much one loves them. Life and time is fragile and unpredictable. BTW the nuts look very festive and delicious, need to make a new batch. Will try your recipe, it looks fantastic.
Asha,
Well written . Reflects the thoughts of every Chennaities who are residing outside of chennai .
Mahadevan.L
Asha, you always express yourself beautifully, in writing as well as in your food.
I love roasting nuts for the holidays for gatherings as well as to make for gifts. I’m loving these curry spiced ones. What a wonderful idea!
Although I am not from Chennai, I have been to that city countless number of times..When I was in school, my dad used to take me every year to Chennai for some medical issues. So it always has a special place in my heart. You echoed my sentiments..I’m glad things are little better now but so heartbreaking to read what all people went through. Thoughts and prayers with everyone. That aside these nuts sound fantastic, I love balsamic anything!
A lovely post Asha. I may not be from Chennai but I have read about the devastation and my heart goes out to the people that are in the middle of it. Maybe God give them strength to weather this storm. There is rarely anything that does as much good as kindness does, in any situation.
Love the nuts. <3
I wish the people in Chennai the very best and I hope they are all ok. I love reading about moments of kindness out of it though. It makes me happy that kindness triumphs over tragedy.
You write and express yourself so well, Asha. God bless people in Chennai!
Those balsamic nuts look terrific!
I saw this the other day on IG, and I was like “She can’t be serious!”
This looks amazing Ash and i LOVE the last picture, what a great shot that is!
Super post. Awful what’s happening in Chennai. So much pain for so many people. Anyway, love spiced nuts. Make them often. Never with balsamic, though — but I will!
Nice post Asha. God bless Chennai people and give me them more strength to come back.Loved your spiced nuts and awesome picture.
I’ve read some about this tragedy. Knowing how it effects someone in my circle brings into sharp focus. I wish you peace and strength. GREG
Oh Asha… so much suffering and change. So hard to wrap my brain around when things like this happen. We live on a dynamic and changing planet, yes, but the toll it takes is hard to see and accept. No doubt Chennai was a vibrant city. It is my hope that it will be again with hope and resiliency. My heart to you my dear.. and thank you for bringing this to light. xo
These nuts are absolutely glorious and delicious. No doubt they make the perfect homemade gift. My grandmother used to give food gifts every year. It was the best gift out of them all, that I received. I miss her and them now. But always remember the love I felt from receiving her homemade gifts. Thank you for this my dear. Peace to you xox.
Helpful information. Now I require some time to digest it.Super post with good info for the experienced as well as the aspiring blogger!
Thank you.
Thank you for brining the heartache in Chennai to my attention! Sending my prayers ??
It’s hard to hear about loss and devastation happening to an area that means so much to you and your hubby. But, I love when people are able to rally together in the hardship and support and help one another in a time of dire need. It truly is in the spirit of Christmas. I truly hope they are able to restore the city back to its former glory again one day soon 🙂
On a lighter note, these look like the perfect party snack for the holidays! My hubby and I love roasted nuts and the spices in this sound mouthwateringly delicious! I love the way you served them in cones too…such a great idea! Thanks for always inspiring, my friend!
So so true, it’s the spirit of Christmas. Giving back and helping is so important right?! We are all quite glad that they are waddling back to normalcy, it is a long way though.
Thank you for the lovely kind words, you are truly a gentle soul.
xoxo
Those are so beautiful! They make an excellent antioxidant snack as well! Especially if you add something like molasses;)
We’re so excited as I (Mirella) use roasted nuts as a snack each and every day. Panos likes almonds and walnuts mostly.
Yum yum, can’t wait to try them.
As for Chennai, isn’t it a shame that we had to learn this tragedy from your wonderful post. Why wasn’t this reported by the international media? Our best wishes for a quick rebuilt effort. And to those who lost their loved ones, our condolences, may the time bring some peace to their hearts.
Lots of hugs,
Panos and Mirella
I should have left this comment when I first read your touching post. It is sad that we need to hear about the troubles such as in Chennai from you and not from the media. Mind you, from you, comes the heart and hopefulness that the news media is often lacking. Hoping for as quick a restoration as possible under the circumstances.
On a lighter note, thank you for such a tasty post. I only had pecans and walnuts in the house, but they took to the spices beautifully. I still want to try this recipe with cashews and pistachios since I think their sweetness will be a great contrast to the spice. I am so enjoying your blog and the insights to your family and culture.
luv, Jen