Monthly Digest- Nov 17

November has been the most underwhelming month so far. In the preamble to Christmas, it’s a pretty “bleh” few weeks. The temperatures have dipped and that means it’s time to hibernate! I’ve stocked up on candles and fleece lined blankets, with no intention of leaving the warmth of my home unless absolutely necessary.

I did, however, manage to host my first ever Bengali dawat by myself! I asked a lot of my Instagram followers how I was supposed to whip up a midday meal without breaking out in too much of a sweat. Firstly, I learnt that gruelling manual labour is expected and you should probably start preparing the night before. My husband being the gem that he is, helped me on the day as sous chef. I’m glad to say that the hour I spent grating carrots for the gajar ka halwa was definitely worth it!

Binge Watching
I managed to watch the entire first season of The Crown in one sitting. Some may call me boring but I do love a bit of period drama! It’s a far cry from my usual crime/law related programmes but I do love thinking that the monarchy could be just as scandalous…

Latest Post
I wrote about my favourite food spots in Mauritius with a breakdown of what to expect when you’re there. Have a read if you’re thinking of catching some winter sun!

Recipe On Repeat
Aloo dum is an old favourite that never fails when you need comfort food. Spicy and carby and most importantly, quick to make! As much as I love cooking, some days are just too miserable to spend faffing around with lots of ingredients and utensils.

Lusting Over
I am no interior design expert. I don’t know the first thing about what’s “in”. These Jonathan Adler canisters are some that I’ve been eyeing up for years. I have no purpose for them other than to collect as tongue in cheek humour. I may just wait for a sale when I can take advantage of a discount as I’m not sure there’s ever a way to justify the price for something so cute but kitsch!

Current Read
I’m ashamed to say that it’s been months since I’ve read a hearty novel. I’ve slowly been working through Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies as it comprises of nine or so short stories- more manageable in between preparing for lessons and making time for myself. I have always loved Lahiri’s works and this is no exception. Some of the stories are based in India, others are in the US. The stories start off downbeat and eventually become optimistic, displaying clear comparisons about the impact of the Western world on people of Indian descent who experience it. Lahiri is quite good at making characters seem believable, although she seems to be obsessed with academics. They all accomplish what any decent short story should- they make you feel like you’ve had a small glimpse into a snippet of a life which is not yours.