Exam Tomorrow! [Kitchenware I Adore]

Hi hi Happy hump day!

It’s Wednesday morning at 2:23 AM, and I am writing this post from one of the cosiest coordinates I know, i.e. between my blanket and quilt and pillows and things.

What the hell am I doing at such an ungodly hour, you may ask?

No, the answer is not “I have been studying all this time for the exam tomorrow”.

But I guess the fact that I’m blogging right now is pretty much self-explanatory.

It’s true that I have an exam tomorrow though.

There is just not much to write about that today.

I rarely have moments when I’m like “I don’t want to talk about it” about an issue I am facing (as I’m sure you all know, I ramble quite a lot and I am never the silently brooding type), but I guess this is one of those moments.

On the uni front, there is this other decision I need to make, and promptly too, about what I will be doing research on next year (I will be doing ILP – Independent Learning Project – in my 3rd year).

We are given a list of supervisors and research fields to choose and negotiate from, and it is quite massive so there is something in there for everybody.

I do have a couple of fields that I am really interested in, but I haven’t been able to make up my mind yet!

I do have a number one preference though, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I would be able to finalise a project in it eventually.

I have been feeling like everything is a chore these days, but this is actually exciting for me. Finally, something to feel motivated about!!! I hope this will help push me forward and out of this slump.

Anyway, pre-exam time also calls for quite a lot of browsing through stuff online, and I have found a few several all these kitchenware I could have dreams about! (I mean that quite literally; I have been having some episodes of dreams about Nigella Lawson lately )

Silicone tea-cupcake molds. Found these angels in the mall a while back. Aren’t they the cutest idea ever? I rarely bake cupcakes anymore, but I still adore the idea of it

An oven and microwave safe baking dish. I’ve been looking for one that’s not too large for this single-living yours truly, and this one looked just perfect – simple, yet not too boring a design.

Mini Le Cruset pot. So colourful. So pretty.

Once again from Le Cruset, a cast iron grillet.

I have been contemplating upon the idea of getting a blender for quite a while now. I’m just not really sure which one to get, or if I should even get one at all! The thought of a food processor thrills me, but they’re even more expensive…aaaagh, I really wish I had one though.

Sigh. Okay, I should stop thinking about all these thiiiiiinnnggggsssss and get on with life. Not that the reality is any enticing for me at the moment…oh well.

Hope you’ll all have a Wednesday better than mine!

- Asuma

Cumin-ed Up Lentil and Spinach

Hello there

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend out there! I’ve sort of been in a funk lately (once again…what’s new), despite the fact that I have an exam coming up in only 3 days. Sort of in a “I don’t care about a single matter in the world” mood.

I’m not going to go into the details of my current slump in this post here, but one thing has been making me feel better, and that’s watching Nigella Lawson’s shows. So I took an inspiration from her recipe for chick peas and rocket with sherry and cumin and let my own spin turn on it.

Lentils and Baby Spinach with Cumin:

Makes 2-3 servings.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Garlic, 2-3 cloves, crushed
• Canned lentils, drained and rinsed
• Ground cumin, 1 tsp
• Cilantro paste, 1 tbsp (or use chopped fresh cilantro)
• Baby spinach, 250g (or just as much as you want)
• Lemon juice, 1 tbsp
• Salt, to taste.

1. Heat olive oil on a skillet on medium heat, add crushed garlic.

2. Tip in the lentils and saute.

3. Add in the cumin and cilantro paste. Stir to cover the lentils evenly.

4. Add the spinach, lemon juice and salt to taste. Saute only just to wilt the spinach.

And that’s that!

I had some of it immediately with a piece of toasted tortilla for lunch.

Alrighty, that’s all I have to offer for now.

Wish you all a good remainder of the weekend

- Asuma

Blogs & Posts I Liked

Hi hi

Today I thought I’d share some blog posts I read and liked recently, along with some of my staple favourite blogs that I read all the time.

• Pros and cons of dating a Yogi, by Heather from the view from my mat.

As the title suggests, it’s a fun little list of both the good and the not-so-great aspects for someone in a relationship with a Yogi. A light hearted, hilarious read.

• On our radar – The Better Body Image Book from Thick Dumpling Skin.

You can also read the above recommended book here.

• What Should We Call Me.

Practically every single post is just hilarious!!! I think I’ve mentioned it a while ago too, but this blog is absolutely fantabulous, it is bound to make you feel better in an instant even when you’re feeling down. It’s my little daily pick-me-up

• What I’ve Learned [from running], by Jamie from collegegirlcooking.

I think Jamie’s blog was one of the first few that I started following when I just started getting fascinated about reading various blogs. Many of her posts and recommendations have truly helped me in my life, and I could not thank her enough for that. Thank you so much, Jamie!! Always wishing you all the best from the bottom of my heart

• Check out this video about Nigella Lawson’s cover on the Stylist magazine! Even her photos are delicious….

There was a point when I was almost addicted to Nigella Lawson’s shows! And I think I’m having a kick out of it again these days.

Anyway, happy reading/watching!!

- Asuma