Month: August 2017

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Recipe | Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum Thai)

Here is a special salad recipe from Thailand – a Green Papaya Salad called as ‘Som Tum Thai‘. It has a sweet and spicy taste, and is made of dried shrimps but can be prepared with fermented fish or crabs too. Usually served as a side dish and is equally mouth-watering for a savory snack! Ingredients: 1 whole green papaya (shredded) 4-5 red chillies 1-2 cloves of garlic 1 tsp of palm sugar (you may also use brown sugar) 2 tbsp of dried shrimp 1-2 long beans 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes 1.5 tbsp of lime juice 2 lime wedges 2 tbsp of tamarind juice 2 tbsp fish sauce Roasted peanuts Preparation: Wash and peel the papaya and shred it finely. Keep it aside. Now, in a mortal and pestle (hand grinder), put the chilli and garlic and grind them finely. Add in the dried shrimp, long beans, cherry tomatoes and grind it again. Next, add the lime juice, the lime wedges, tamarind juice, fish sauce and mix it all together. Add the shredded papaya …

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Praveen Khwairakpam | 23 Year Old Medical Student and Paper Craft Artist

Praveen Khwairakpam from Manipur is a 23 year old medical student at Sikkim Manipal University. About a year ago, this student-doctor discovered his talent and passion for paper art. He says, “Paper is a beautiful medium to work with. It is delicate and comes in various distinct shades. The most interesting thing about working with it is how versatile it can be – you can fold it, roll it, layer it and let it flow to suit your design!”  A doctor in the making or an artist? How do you identify yourself? Tell us something about this dual personality you balance.  It’s a bit of both. I grew up in Imphal, Manipur and attended a boarding school in Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh. That is where I figured my passion for art. It started with painting. Then, I moved to Delhi for my higher secondary education and my passion for painting and art continued there. Then I enrolled at the Sikkim Manipal Student, Gangtok and that is when my curiosity and creativity for paper art started. So …

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Travelling to Ozakho – An Unexplored Village in the Hills of Arunachal Pradesh

When one talks about Arunachal Pradesh, the mind instantly conjures up images of the lush green hills, the dense forests and the rich heritage. The largest in area of the North-East states, not many know this but Arunachal is home to thirteen ethnic tribes who live in harmony.  The land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains has hidden and unexplored jewels nestled between the peaks. Amidst the pristine landscape, is  a village Ozakho inhabited by a tribe called Wanchos.  Twelve hours away from Guwahati, I reached Ozakho, the unscathed hamlet in Arunachal Pradesh and had the opportunity to explore the lifestyle and the being of the Wancho tribe. My ignorance made me curious and their reality overwhelmed and gratified my curiosity. The tale of Ozakho: In an unexpected but delightful twist of fate, I met Ngamnon Joham, a student from Shillong who was well acquainted and had toured the regions around with her friends. As our conversation proceeded, I asked her to tell me her travel tales. That is when she narrated the unheard tale of Ozakho …

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Kids Surprising Visitors with Their Beautiful Self-Taught Song | Ungma Village, Nagaland

“Came across these singing kids during a visit to Ungma Village – one of the oldest villages in Nagaland. Four of them are siblings. I was awestruck by their beautiful song – and their strong voices! What they are singing is a song which is unknown to me. These kids learn songs of different dialects and tribes – on their own – as a fun activity. This is one such song they taught themselves.  They are from the Ao tribe, but this song is definitely not in Ao. Wonder which tribe’s song this is. I couldn’t walk away from their unusually beautiful song ; also look at how they sing it so effortlessly! Love their casual demeanor and their confidence!” ~ Toshiwapang O Longkumer (@toshi_soyimboy) A post shared by RootsandLeisure (@rootsandleisure) on Aug 26, 2017 at 12:40am PDT  

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Travel | Exploring Shilloi Lake: Nagaland’s Limpid Legend

The mountainous regions of North East India exude a remarkable harmony with its abundant flora and fauna. With picture-perfect scenery that resembles postcards, these regions are home to indigenous tribes and communities, leaving an indelible impression on all who venture there. The magic of this region is that it steers you out of your comfort zone and offers a beauty so raw and untouched that your adventurous spirit feels at home in these hills and valleys. One such destination is the Shilloi Lake in Nagaland. It is the largest natural lake in the State. About 290 km from the capital town of Kohima, Shilloi Lake is located in the Phek district,and takes about 10-12 hours by road (from Kohima). The water body is surrounded by mountains, a captivating skyline, green scapes, and wildflowers – a picturesque postcard image! Perhaps, that is why it is often considered a traveler’s haven. Legend of Shillo Lake Not only is the place a sight to behold but it speaks of an enchanting folktale that any local will be willing …

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An Artist and a Mom-In-Motion from Bangalore | Praaggya Sharma

Artist Praaggya Sharma had been moving from one city to another from the time she was born at her uncle’s house in Bareilly, U.P until in 2010, she settled down in Bangalore. While her literal transition had come to a halt with her husband and a family of her own, she found a medium of metaphormosis- colours on a canvas! Painting, she realized was something that would keep her evolving constantly. Before you got into the world of painting and art, what did you do? I have lived over many states, cities and small towns as my family kept moving. I was born in Uttar Pradesh and we moved to Rajasthan because of my father’s work. However we made another move to Delhi  where I did my schooling and my two siblings were born. After I was done with school, we moved to Ahmedabad for a year.  In 2004, my family moved again to Chandigarh where I finished my college. Then, I went to IMT Nagpur for my MBA. After that, for a year, I …

RootsandLeisure_MushroomFry

Recipe | Homemade Button Mushrooms Stir Fry

Today we are sharing a tasty recipe of homemade style button mushrooms stir fried and sautéed with pepper and butter. With simple ingredients, you can cook it instantly at home and enjoy it as a side-dish! Ingredients: 1 cup of button mushrooms (cleaned and cut into halves) 1 large onion (chopped into cubes) 1 bulb of garlic 1 tbsp of olive oil/vegetable oil 2 tbsp of butter 1 tsp of freshly grounded pepper Salt to taste Directions to cook: Firstly, heat the oil over high heat in a skillet or pan. Now, add the chopped mushrooms, onion and garlic. Let it stay until they have caramelized on the bottom. When done, toss them and continue to cook for another 3 mins. Next, add the butter and grounded pepper and toss it for 5 mins, until beautifully brown. Finally, season with salt as per your taste. Garnish with fresh coriander or celery, if required. Serve it as starter or appetizer before a main course meal! Recipe contributed by Sochonphy Lunghar.

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Dili Khekho of D’Cafe, Nagaland | Coffee Lover and Biker turned Cafe Owner

Biker and adventure seeker, Dili Khekho is now busy running his own cafe -D’Cafe in Kohima. The coffeephile was trained under the Americans at Bodh Gaya. Having acquired the knowledge about the popular umber beverage, he decided to start a cafe that served the drink while making the customers lounge on bean bags with the crisp aftertaste (finish) of the crema lingering on their tongue. Hi Dili, tell us how a biker who’s travelled around comes to open a cafe – in a place like Kohima? Whenever anyone uses the word, biker, it’s evident that he/she is someone who enjoys moving from one place to another but also finding pit stops for food and drinks. These pit stops are essential to refuel, regenerate and refresh. What better beverage to refuel your mind and body than a dose of caffeine? D’Cafe is more than your refueling point, it is your temporary home. Most customers who visit the cafe, always tell me that the cafe is “A place like home.” And how did it all fall into …

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Where the Love for Food and Books Meet | Bibliothequé Cafe, Sikkim

The food culture in Sikkim, particularly in Gangtok is moving at an accelerating pace. New food joints have sprung up not only at the main market, M.G Marg but all around the capital town. Gone are the days when Sikkimese people stuck to momo, chow mein and chopsuey for their food outings. The palate has evolved for the food enthusiasts and today, the new restaurants offer a wide range of cuisine from Italian to Korean. Even the Chinese restaurants have broken away from the usual Chilli Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup to Lo Mein, Moo Shu and Mein Fun. One food joint/cafe that stands out for many reasons is the Bibliothèque Cafe at Tharo Line. Kunzang Chuki Denzongpa, fondly called ‘Pamu’ by her friends and family is an English Honors Graduate from Delhi University. She hopped from law school into the world of Beckett and Chaucer because her love for literature overpowered her comprehension of the judiciary. After returning from Delhi in 2015,  she worked as a content editor in a corporate house, thinking that …

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Recipe | Assamese Style Pork in a Bamboo Tube

Presenting another delectable recipe for all the pork lovers, cooked in the traditional Assamese style using bamboo tubes. The fresh raw essence and aroma of the bamboo gives the dish a very local smoky flavor, with the use of fresh garden herbs, cooked over the traditional Assamese mud stove. So let’s try it out! Pork cooked in bamboo tubes in traditional Assamese style. Ingredients : Pork – 1 kg Ginger- Garlic paste – 3 tbsp A handful of mint leaves Cilantro 3-4 leaves Red chilli (5-6) or king chilli (bhoot jolokia) 1 nos. Salt according to taste Raw bamboo shoot 50-100g (optional) Two bamboo tubes (better if the bamboo is from hilly region) Banana leaves Directions to cook : Chop the pork into medium sized pieces, wash thoroughly and keep it aside. Crush the mint into a paste type consistency. Next, mix the pork with ginger-garlic paste, mint paste, chillies and cilantro and keep aside for 10 mins (bamboo shoot can also be mixed). The marinated pork is now ready to be stuffed inside the …