Crafts Around The World: India!

By guest author Smita of Little Food Junction

"India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world,
spanning a period of more than 4000 years and
witnessing the fusion of several customs and traditions.


It is a land of traditions, festivals and colors.
 

Blessed with mist clad mountains, deep blue seas,
enigmatic deserts and golden beaches on one hand and...


(Photo attributed to Dhirad)
exclusive architectural marvels and heritage sites on the
other, India is a land of all seasons, most exotic flora and
fauna and never the less the most diverse aromatic
cuisine. Modern India is a wonderful blend of tradition
and modernity."

Kite Sandwich


"Colorful Kites are an integral part of the Indian
culture, although kites are flown through out the year yet
the Spring season has its own charm - clear blue skies
and cool breeze makes it the favorite kite flying time of
the year. This theme of Kite Sandwich envelops the
traditional practice of kite flying with modern India's
favorite snack - sandwiches."

Ingredients: 2 slices of bread, lettuce, corn,
finely chopped cabbage, capsicum & carrots,
mayonnaise, salt & pepper

Remove the sides of both the slices, keep a slice
diagonally to make the base of the kite. Cut a small
triangular part from the corner of the second

slice to make the lower base.

 Lay the breads on a bed of lettuce and spread a
generous layer of mayo on both the parts. Smooth
the mayo with a butter knife and gently 

 engrave the basic structure on it.

Arrange the colorful veggies, sprinkle with salt
and pepper, and serve.

Rose Lassi

"Lassi is relished through out the Indian subcontinent.
This traditional yogurt-based beverage is very popular
during the hot summer days. The sweet version
is made by blending yogurt and sugar until frothy.
Sugar is substituted with salt and roasted cumin
powder to make the Salty Lassi. Fruits like mango,
strawberry, pineapple or kiwi can also be added
to make a Fruity version. 

 

Rose holds a very important place in the Indian culture.
The festivities are incomplete without the presence of
this sweet aromatic flower. Rose water and rose syrup
are important flavoring agents of Indian cuisine."

Ingredients: 1 cup natural yogurt, ½ cup cold water,
2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp rose syrup*, a few rose
petals for garnishing


Put all the ingredients (except rose petals) in a
big bowl and use a hand blender to blend the
mixture till smooth and frothy.

Splash a few drops of rose essence in the glass and

pour in the lassi. Garnish with rose petals and serve.

*Recipe for Homemade Rose Syrup

Ingredients 

1½ cups water 
3 cups sugar 

1½  cup organic rose petals (red petals will give
a natural reddish pink color )

2-3 drops of red food color (optional) 
Method 

Boil all the ingredients (except food color) for 15 minutes or until
thickened into syrup. Once cooled, add a few drops of food color. 

Strain through a filter or cheese cloth into a clean glass jar. 

Keeps up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
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India is brought to you by guest blogger, Smita,
of Little Food Junction. Smita lives in New Delhi with her
husband and daughter and specializes in creating
healthy meals that are visually irresistible to kids. You
will definitely be inspired after looking through
her blog so be sure to visit!

If you have any questions about India
please leave them in the comments by the
end of the week and Smita will answer them!
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Links of interest:

India at The World Factbook
India at Wikipedia
Mahatma Gandhi
Mother Theresa