Our Long Sydney Weekend - Sights and Sounds

This was the first time in a long time that a long weekend was coming up in Sydney.So we made fantastic plans as all of us usually do.Saturday was reserved for Flemington Market for the weekly vegetable shopping, Sunday for sight seeing at the Royal Botanical Gardens and eating out and Monday for relaxation at home.As it always happens, the best laid plans seldom come to pass and this was so true in our case.With Saturday around the corner, I was feeling so tired and weak on Friday.However, despite my weakness or otherwise, work needs to get done during the week , so as not to upset the cycle.And so Saturday came, with me running a fever and aching all over.

Resting And Wondering: This was a day, when I was feeling very down, physically and emotionally after a very long time.It was also time spent in bed contemplating my foolishness in trying to plan every moment of my life, where there is  no guarantee of the next minute from this one.After a lot of rest, a dose of Paracetamol and a good nights sleep, everything came to normal on Sunday.By the way, Flemington plans got cancelled, as I was too weak to look after my daughter on my own.

Sunday - Man Proposes, God Disposes: Every outing requires enormous planning, especially with regard to the food.Since we are vegetarians by choice, there is not much by the way of food options.Having a kid who is fussy about what she eats, has a way of keeping you overly cautious and prepared with food options to satisfy her.So there was rice, rasam and beetroot for her and me as well, since I still had throat pain.There was Dosai and Kurma for my husband.All the food preparations and house cleaning done, we started out at about 11:30 AM as opposed to 10- 10:30AM, which had been the plan.By the time we had reached Central, it was almost 12/12:30.Since there was a bit of shopping to do for odd things like a hat, shorts etc we visited the Haymarket and loitered around for an hour or so.This place can be called the Ranganathan Street of Sydney.It is one of those shopping stops, where you find a variety of stuff  cheap and can shop for the odd souvenirs to give to your family and friends, after a visit to Sydney.

Haymarket At Noon

Inside Haymarket

It was almost 1:30/2:00, when we came out and  deciding to eat, went hunting for a place to do just that.With the sun burning over out heads, the best option was my husband's work place in the CBD, near  Darling Harbour.We went in and had food.My daughter did not eat much, having slept on the way.This was the first time, I had experienced the proper Sydney sun.Everyone was walking around with caps and hats to escape the blazing sunlight, accompanied by a hot breeze.By the time, the food sat in our stomachs, it was already 3:30, and with the sun still shining bright overhead, we did not have the heart to walk around to the Royal Botanical Gardens.

A View Of The Harbor From Above

Change of Plans to Hyde Park  : We decided to change our plans and pay a visit to the Hyde Park and relax.With beautiful statues gracing a sparkling fountain, big yellow snails and lush green lawns, surrounded by aged majestic trees, giving that much needed shade, this seemed like our small piece of heaven to chill out and unwind.There was also the view of the Saint Mary cathedral Church, with age old architecture preserved so beautifully, that it gave the place a feel of Europe.This park was so fantastic with couples, families and lovers gracing the lawn all over and having a good time.After lying in the grass, and staring at the skies for a long while, all that sleeping energy, came back in full force, and it seemed that we would be able to conquer the world, having rejuvenated the body and mind.

Hyde Park Entrance

Water Fountain At The Hyde Park

Saint Mary's Cathedral:Since we seemed to have abundant time in our hands, with  no plans to visit the Gardens, we decided to go in and look around the church.I do not know much about architecture and nor am I a Christian.But the church was this one beautiful construction with tall ceilings, beautifully stained glass with drawings depicting various scenes from the bible and life of Jesus.The statues of Lord Jesus and Mother Mary were so realistic and evoked emotions of the pain and suffering, as well as love and compassion that Christianity preaches.With Organ music in the back ground and lovely yellow light filtering through the windows, it was almost so easy to believe that we were loved and there was a savior , to listen to our troubles and shoulder our burdens.This was one of the times, when it felt that I was just a small dot in the vast universe filled with numerous fellow beings.

For any tourist visiting Sydney, I would recommend The Church as well as Hyde Park among the top ten places to visit and enjoy.

A Walk Along Darling Harbor : Its strange how a change of plan can leave you with so much free time.We decided to take a small walk along the harbor through the wharf.With a view of the Opera House, surrounded by food, drink and entertainment, and the vast blue sea on the side, Darling harbor was a sight to behold.The best thing for us though was that there were various events going on in different parts of the sidewalk, absolutely free.

And Finally Some Fun: Our first stop was near the  entrance of the walkway where a gentleman was playing a Didgeridoo.We got ourselves some ice cream and settled down to enjoy this uniquely Australian experience.Just as each and every place has its speciality,  listening to the Didgeridoo is great fun.The best part was watching the awe and contagious excitement of the young ones around, who seemed fascinated by the sight and sound of a strange looking man playing a strange instrument.

Didgeridoo Player In Action

On various corners of the sidewalk, there were talented musicians playing their instruments.You could get a CD of their music if you were impressed for a cheap 10$.I got a CD of Sax music played by one of the gentlemen along the shore.I have a sample here, if you would like to enjoy.

Then , there was the air juggler, who attracted quite a crowd for his performance.Stand on a bicycle fixed in a stand held in place by three ropes held by three men, the juggler entertained the crowd with his humor and performance.

The Juggler: " Please watch my show and contribute something.If you are an American, please contribute a 100$. I love America.No seriously, I request you to spare me 50$ or 20$. If you do not wish to spend that much, please give me 10$ or even 5$. I know that you will all leave me something for being stupid enough to stand in the air, because you are all Angels."

The Juggler

The act started with the gentleman standing/ balancing on the bike and juggling a stick of fire, a knife and an apple.
In the end, when some of  us started leaving, he even humorously added - " Please don't leave without contributing something, like that lady over there.Please Please, I am tired of eating apples.I love you for your kindness.Please leave a little something for enjoying my show."

By the time we had walked around for a while, it was 6:30 and we had to catch a train back home to Parramatta.It had been a fun and exciting day and since our daughter had not eaten properly, we cancelled our eating out plans and came home early to make something for everyone for the night.

 What We Missed: It was around this time that Parramasala, a cultural event was taking place in Alfred Park near Church Street from 4th October to 7th October.Though I started out on Monday evening to see what it was, unfortunately it ended just that afternoon by 4:30.So we missed out on that.There would have been delicious food and cultural events such as songs and dance. Though the weekend did not pass according to our plans, we enjoyed those unplanned moments more, and became more acquainted with the fine sights and sounds of the Darling Harbor.There are still many more attractions along the harbor side like the Maritime Museum, Madam Tussauds Wax Museum, Water life Aquarium and many more, which we have kept aside for another day, along with the Royal Botanical Gardens.
For anyone planning to visit Sydney, a visit to the Darling harbor is a must to see the city in all its nighttime glory.

Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions.

Making Some Anjappar Style Egg Biriyani

It is funny how life gives us the chance to create so many wonderful memories.We moved to Sydney back in May 2013 and so much time has passed by.It only feels like yesterday that we came here.When you are not in India, the fondest memories are always of good food served in famous restaurants.Fortunately, in Parramatta Sydney, there is a newly started Anjappar Restaurant to cater to the South Indian palette.It is not everyday that one is able to go to the Anjappar Restaurant to savor their delicious  Dum Biriyani.

Delicious Steaming Home Made Anjappar Style Biriyani

For the many Indians abroad, who do not have good Indian Restaurants nearby, everyday is spent looking for good food.How nice it would be, if you could conjure up some delicious Biriyani in your own kitchen.Just recently, I got a delicious recipe from my neighbor and friend Surya, who is very well versed in Chettinad specials.The best thing which I like about this recipe is its simplicity and guaranteed great taste.While Surya tried her Biriyani with chicken, I tried it with eggs since I do not eat meat.

Without further ado,I present to you my tested version of Anjappar Style Egg Biriyani.

Serves: 2 People

Ingredients:

Eggs - 2-3
Basmati Rice - 1.5 cups
Water -  3 cups( Ratio 1:2)
Onion - 1(Medium/Big) finely chopped
Tomato - 1 Big
Ginger-garlic Paste - 2 Tsp
Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp
Dhania Powder - A little
Fennel Seed Powder( saunf powder) - A little
Jeera Powder - A little
Curd - 1/2 Cup
Salt -  1.5 tsp Adjust as per taste.
Mint Leaves - 1 Small Cup finely chopped
Corriander Leaves - A Small Bunch finely chopped

Basmati Rice 1.5 Cups

Onion and Tomato Chopped fine

Mint and Coriander Finely Chopped

 For Seasoning:

 Ghee - 2 Tsp
 Oil - 2 Tsp
 Bay Leaf - 1
 Clove- 1
 Saunf - 1 Tsp
 Elaichi - 1
 Kalpaasi - Little
 Cinnamon - 1 Inch piece
 Green Chillies - 2-3( For Mild)

Spices To Season

Method:

1.Soak the Basmati Rice in water for 1/2 hour.Drain and roast well in Ghee and keep aside in a bowl.

Basmati Rice Soaked In Water

Basmati Rice Roasted in Ghee

                                                        

Roasted Rice In A Bowl

2.Boil the eggs in a vessel with a bit of salt for 5-7 minutes and keep aside.You can remove the egg shell later and keep.

Keeping The Eggs to Boil with Salt

Boiled eggs With Shells Removed

3.In a kadai or pressure cooker, add the ghee and oil and all the ingredients for seasoning

Heat Oil And Ghee In A Kadai

Add The Seasonings

4.Next add the ginger garlic paste and finely chopped onion and saute well.

5.Add the finely chopped tomato and cover with a lid for 2 minutes for it to be well cooked and mashed

Adding Tomatoes

Cover With Lid

 








6.Add the Mint, coriander leaves, the salt ,chilli powder, dhania powder, fennel and cumin powder as well.Add in the curd as well.Saute for 2 minutes for the flavors to get absorbed.

8.Add in the water and allow to come to a boil.

9.Next add in the Basmati rice and stir for 2 minutes.Add a small dollop of ghee in the end.

10.Transfer to pressure cooker, if using a vessel and pressure cook for 3 whistles and 3-4 minutes in sim( low flame) after that.

 

11.Once the gas is switched off, open the cooker after ten minutes and add the boiled eggs.Your delicious Egg Biriyani is ready.

Notes:

• The measurement of the water to rice depends on the Basmati rice used.Some require only 1.5 cup water for 1 cup of rice.If you would like your grains of rice to be a bit moist, use a bit more water.I personally use 2 and a quarter cup water for 1 cup of rice as my husband prefers it a bit overcooked.This part requires a bit of experimentation for you to find your own perfect way with the water and rice.
• Soaking the rice in water and draining and roasting it in ghee ensures that the strands of rice stay apart and fluffy.
• Adding a bit of salt when boiling eggs help in easy removal of the shell, while keeping the boiled egg intact.
• Good Biriyani requires a generous dose of oil and ghee.While using the said measurements will give satisfactory results.Just a bit more will ensure the delicious taste.
• Adding Mint and coriander leaves are very important.It is one of the main ingredients for the authentic taste of the biriyani.
• Ginger and garlic freshly pounded, gives a fresher taste.You can use the ginger garlic paste available from stores as well.
• 2-3 chillies is for mild.If you would like very spicy Biriyani, the amount can be increased between 4-5 and a bit more of chilli powder can be added.
• Too much masala spoils the taste.So be cautious.
• I have not tried this Biriyani in the usual rice cooker.I find that Pressure cooker works best. 
• Actually , now I make the whole biriyani process in the Hawkins pressure cooker and cook it direct.This avoids the need to transfer from a vessel to the cooker.

Please feel free to write in your comments and suggestions.