A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir

Synopsis:

A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir tells the story of two heroines, separated by time, but intriguingly linked by history's most famous murder mystery.

Lady Katherine Grey has already suffered more than her fair share of tragedy. Eight years ago, her older sister, Lady Jane Grey was beheaded for unlawfully accepting a crown that was not hers. Now, in risking all for love, Katherine incurs the worth of her formidable cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, ho sees her as a rival for her insecure throne.

Interlaced with Katherine's story is that of her distant kinswoman, Kate Plantagenet, the bastard daughter of Richard III. Kate loves her father but all is not well in the court, and before long she hears rumors that threaten all she holds dear. Like Katherine Grey, she falls in love with a man forbidden to her. Then she embarks on what will prove to be a dangerous quest, covertly seeking the truth about he fate of her cousins, the Princes in the Tower.

But time is not on Kate's side - or on Katherine's either...

Alison Weir's new novel skillfully mixes fact and fiction, telling a page turning story within the frame work of historical authenticity..

This is the first historical fiction book set in Britain that I have read and I found it really fascinating. Two stories run simultaneously in the novel, with each heroine trying to find the truth about the fate of the Princes in Tower. Kate is interested in their fate to clear her doubts about her father whereas Katherine chances upon some letters by Kate where she writes about her doubts and fears, and becomes intrigued and hence interested in the knowing the fate of the Princes.

Only draw back of the way the novel is written to me was the fact that both heroines were similarly named. It needed my constant effort to keep them separate in my mind. Once it was clear in my head, there was no looking back. The story kept me hooked till the end. I am definitely going to pick up more books by the author.

If you are interested in historical fiction, this is surely a book you should pick.

I received a review copy from the publishers, Random House.

To know more about the author and her works please visit http://alisonweir.org.uk/

Kaankari

There are some dishes that we have grown up eating, that sometimes it doesn't seem special to be have them to eat. One such dish is the one I am sharing today. It is a Rajasthani sweet dish and it is made regularly at home by my Mom and MIL. I had never given much thought to it until recently, when I had to make it myself. It is simple and yet delicious. The gum grains puff up in ghee (clarified butter) and the resultant dish has melt in mouth texture. Don't use ghee sparingly here other wise it will be dry and will not taste nice.

I tried to Google for this recipe, but didn't get a single hit! May be it is called by different names by different people. Do let me know if you know of anything similar to this one.

Serves 2:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup wheat flour/atta
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp edible gum grains
3tbsp powdered sugar
5-6 peppercorns, optional
5-6 almonds roughly chopped

Process:

1. Heat a pan and add ghee. Keep the flame on medium high and add the peppercorns and the wheat flour. Stir continuously till the colour is a shade or two darker and it emanates a nice flavor of being roasted. At this point if you feel that mixture is looking dry then add another spoonful of ghee.
2. Turn the heat on high and add the edible gum grains and stir slightly. The grains will puff up. It will take at the most 2 minutes. When all the grains have puffed up remove it from heat and let it cool.
3. Once cooled add the sugar and almonds and stir gently.
4. Serve it warm or cold. You can garnish it with thin almond slices.

Linking it to Walk Through Memory Lane . This event is the brain child of Gayathri

Skid Marks of Logic by Divya Diana Dias

Skid Marks of Logic by Divya Diana Dias is a collection of 3 stories each of them dealing with young women who are trying to deal with their sexual awakening and sensual desires. The author has tried to dwell on the moral, mental and societal issues modern Indian women faces when it comes to embracing their physical needs, given the fact that Indian society is not very open or liberal about it. The author takes us through the life of 3 women from different strata of society, passing though that phase of life.

I am just quoting the blurb to give you an insight about what the book is all about.

Synopsis quoted from the back cover of the book:


Some people stop themselves from doing what they want because of what their friends would think about them. Some people are too afraid to accept what is right in front of them. Some people regret their silly reasons, wondering why they did not succumb to their desires at the time.

Janvi, Danielle and Payal are some people. But now they want to change.

They want to shatter the chains that society has bound them with and win the war that rages within them, once and for all.

Will they succeed? ‘Skid Marks of Logic’ reveals... 

…how Payal cons Xerxus into kissing her

Stuck in Ahmedabad, in a sad life surrounded by sadder people, the only saving grace in Payal’s life is her two best friends. Known as the ‘Timid Mouse’ for her strangely quiet ways and shy demeanor, she longs for a guy to steal her away from her life of drudgery and enforced hypocrisy. Then she meets Xerxus at her cousin’s sangeet practice and her heart stops. And she knows she can’t rest till she’s found a way to be with him...

…Danielle’s answer to Satya’s preposterous question
 
Dani is 21. She’s never been kissed. She’s never dated. No guy has even asked her out. Seeking ways to satisfy her curious void, she writes a scene that’s hot enough to burn the page. It’s naughty and fantastic and she is ever so proud of it. However, she hasn’t counted on her best friend Satya reading it nor the scandalous question he proposes… 
 

…the results of Janvi’s face off with Rhys

Janvi is at her wits’ end trying to manage the company her dad left her. Then an employee goes behind her back and commits a crime that could put the company at risk. If that weren’t enough, Mr. High and Mighty Rhys Callahan comes demanding vindication for said crime… Janvi wants to say ‘to hell with men’, but how does one say ‘to hell with the Devil?’


The book deals with a topic that is not discussed very openly in our Indian society. So, I was expecting the author to treat the subject adroitly. However, to me that is the not the case. The narration is very vocal about the subject. The book started well, I loved reading about Payal, it was interesting and to some extent hilarious. But, then I found the second and third story monotonous and somewhat repetitive. The stories were too long for short stories. It would have been better if they had been edited to a little shorter version. I found the narration childish at some points and the stories a little over spiced up. Over all it was an OK read.


I received a review e-copy from the author.



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Papdi Chaat Recipe | How to make Papdi Chaat at home | Indian Street Food Recipes

Papdi Chaat #Recipe

Papdi Chaat is one of the famous Indian street foods. Crispy Papdis are topped with chopped veggies like tomato, onion, boiled potatoes, sweetened yoghurt, tamarind chutney, green chutney, chaat masala, and is liberally garnished with nylon sev. 

It is one of my favourite Indian street foods too. When the weather is dull and gloomy, a plate of this crunchy, spicy delicacy can do all to make your day and perk your mood. Most of the time I have papdis made well in advance. They can be stored and keep well for a month or so and as in most Indian households, I always have a jar of tamarind chutney and green chutney in my fridge. With these things readily available, making 'Papdi Chaat' is just a matter of chopping some veggies and assembling them. It can be made in under 10 minutes.

Papdi Chaat Recipe

Ingredients:

15 papdi
2 medium potatoes, boiled.
1 large onion.
1 large tomatoes.
1/2 cup yoghurt beaten with 1/4 cup water, salt and sugar to taste.
2 tbsp chat masala
¼ cup nylon sev.
¼ cup tamarind chutney.
¼ cup green chutney
Juice of 1 lemon.

Process:

Assembling the papdi chat:

1.Peel the potatoes and dice them into small pieces. Keep them in a bowl and drizzle lemon juice over it.

2. Chop tomatoes and onions into small pieces.

3. Arrange the papdi on a large plate. Place a teaspoon of potato over each papdi. Then add a teaspoon of chopped tomatoes and onions.

4. Drizzle 2 teaspoons of yoghurt on each papdi. Sprinkle a pinch of chat masala and add teaspoon tamarind chutney and half a teaspoon of coriander chutney. Sprinkle sev over it and chopped coriander over it.

Devour one papdi at a time... Ah, Bliss!

If you think that is too much of work, then crush the papdis and place them on a plate and heap all the ingredients over it one by one! It won't look that beautiful, but I tell you it is as delicious as the other one! My DH likes it this way while I prefer to have it the other way.

Linking it to Priya's Olympics Games Event.

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Saturday Snapshot ~ Ranakpur Jain Temple

For Saturday Snapshot, I am sharing few pictures of Ranakpur Jain Temple. A few days back I was going through my old pictures folder and thought to share a few pictures here. I had been to Ranakpur, Rajasthan during our 2010 India Trip. Ranakpur is famous for its Jain temple. It is exquisitely carved and is a destination for many tourists and pilgrims. To know about it more follow this link to Wikipedia

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. It’s easy to participate – just post a picture that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member and add your link on Alyce’s site.

 There are around 1444 pillars in the temple and not two of them are same!

 This design is carved in a single piece of rock.

Isn't it exquisite!

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