Mint Chicken

A few months back, my family and I went for shopping and stayed out all day, I mean it was almost 15 hours! We had left right after breakfast. 7 hours into shopping and we were starving. We started looking around the streets of Riyadh for an Indian restaurant.
You might be wondering why specifically Indian cuisine? I mean with all the multitudes of option obviously available why not try something new. Well because  my parents being desi and all think that there's no food better than desi food.
Anyhow, after almost an hour we finally ended up in front of a South Indian restaurant. Upon entering itself, the mouth-watering and delicious smell of fresh mint hit me, and just like that I was almost salivating! My very first concern was that delicious smell and on asking I  was told is Mint Chicken, a dish I was unfamiliar with but was highly popular with their regular customers. Being me, I ordered it without a second thought. 15 minutes after waiting patiently, it finally arrived and I finally got to feast my eyes on the beauty that was this dish. Brown, juicy & tender looking chicken in front of me, roasted to true perfection with mint and various other herbs. 'Twas beautiful, I tell you. It tasted like what Tandoori Chicken combined with Green Chutney tastes like. But this time the Green Chutney was in the chicken instead of being on the side as a dip.

Fast forward to last week when my brain finally got energized - after midnight that is - I decided to recreate my favorite roasted chicken. I roughly thought of what ingredients should be in it and luckily all of them were available at home. After mixing all the spices, I marinated the chicken for about 6 hours as sleep took over me at 3 a.m and I woke up around 9 am. The chicken was ready right in time for lunch, after being roasted for almost an hour. It wasn't exactly like the one I had at the restaurant but somewhat close.

Alhumdulillah this was another one of my food experiment that turned out great! 

Time for you to gather all your spices and learn how to make this Green Chicken I've been ranting about.

Ingredients:

• Chicken whole 900 grams
• Yogurt 1/2 cup
• Ginger paste 1 tsp
• Garlic paste 1 tsp 
• Coriander powder 1 tsp 
• Black pepper powder 2 tsp
• Whole black pepper 1 tsp
• Cloves 1/2 tsp
• Green chillis chopped 1/4 cup (depending on how spicy you want it)
• Coriander half bunch 
• Mint leaves 1/2 cup
• Bay leaves 
• Lemon juice 2 tbsp 
• Salt to taste

Directions:

• Rub chicken with salt. 
• Add yogurt, ginger & garlic paste, Coriander powder, green chillis, half bunch Coriander, 1/4 cup mint leaves, lemon juice and salt to a blender and make a paste.
• Now add the paste to the chicken. Make sure you get it under the skin and inside aswell.
• Marinate it for 3-4 hours or overnight.
• Remove the chicken from the fridge atleast 30 minutes before putting it in the oven. 
• Stuff it with the bay leaves, cloves, black pepper and the remaining mint leaves & Coriander, this will give your chicken a great aroma of fresh herbs and spices.
• Pre-heat the oven to 180°c. 
• Now put in the Chicken and roast it for 1 hour 15 minutes. The time might vary depending on your stove settings. 
• When the chicken is golden brown remove it and let it cool down for 10 mins before cutting. 
• Serve with your favorite chicken sauce and enjoy! 

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A Must Have Beauty Oil

Cactus oil - also known as Prickly Pear Seed Oil and Barbary Fig Oil - is not really a popular product among us. Infact, I didn't even know it existed, until last week when I came across it in the supermarket. 

The benefits of the oil were still unknown to me, but I liked how it smelled so I bought it. After coming home I did some research on it, turns out it is alot like Argan oil. Cactus oil contains the natural antioxidant Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Omega 6, Omega 9 and amino acids.
Vitamin E helps repair and build tissue. It helps in reducing inflammation and repair damage to the follicles which encourages hair growth. Omega 6 stimulates skin cell turnover. Amino acids stimulates collagen production, prevent hair loss,  boost up the hair growth, maintains a healthyj pH balance and hydrates your scalp. This saves you from having a dry flaky scalp. Where as Omega 9 balances sebum production. 

Cactus oil is not only good for your hair but your skin too! Using it regularly on your face will tighten your pores, get rid of acne & acne scars, prevent breakouts & wrinkles as it is anti-aging. The oil also evens out uneven skin pigmentation. Vitamin K will brighten your under-eye circles & dark spots.

Prickly Pear seed oil is a great alternative for Argan Oil, a must have beauty oil for your nightstand.

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The Easiest Gulab Jamun Recipe

Gulab Jamun, weakness of almost all desis. No shadi/dawat is complete without it. A picture of golden brown juicy jamuns enough to make you start craving it.

This recipe of Gulab jamuns is made to satisfy your cravings and taste buds in every way. As it's easy, takes hardly an hour to make and  doesn't even need more than 6 ingredients! So make these Jamuns from scratch and brag about it to everyone. 

Ingredients:

For the Gulab Jamuns:

• Khoya 2 cups
• Flour 4 tbsp
• Cardamom powder 1 tsp 
• Baking powder 1 tsp
• Water as required
• Oil for frying

For the syrup:

• Sugar 1 cup
• Water 11/2 cup 

You can also make your own Khoya easily at home with just milk powder and cream.

Instructions:

• Combine sugar and water for the syrup. Heat the water until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool down.
• In a bowl add Khoya, Cardamom powder, baking powder and flour. Add water little by little until the mixture turns into a dough.
• Heat the oil on medium-low flame.
• While the oil is heating, divide the dough in 10-15 equal portions and roll it into smooth balls.
• Now fry the balls until they turn golden brown and then add them directly into the sugar syrup.

Enjoy and do share how your Gulab Jamuna turned out. 

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FALSE ADVERTISING!!

Hello beautiful people! Hope everyone's good and enjoying the end of winter. I personally don't want winter to end cause I love wearing oversized comfy sweaters, sitting in a blanket and binge watching tv shows on Netflix while sipping on hot chocolate. Surely going to miss all this. 

Today I will be reviewing two new liquid Lipsticks that broke my heart. My friend recently gifted me 2 gorgeous shades of Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipsticks, which I was really psyched about...that is until I put them on and ended up waiting  almost 20 minutes for them to dry. Not only that, despite the name of the product itself claiming it is matte, the Lipstick doesn't even dry down to be anywhere near matte but instead it's more of a highly pigmented and shiny lip. Maybelline should be ashamed of false advertising this product. This is especially heartbreaking as the colours are so mesmerizing, the scent is just incredible and the packaging is top-notch.

 Other than these let downs, there are a few good pointers too. You get a lot of product (0.26 oz) for the price you pay which is only $8! The formula would have been perfect for a lip gloss as it is very creamy, glides on smoothly and not sticky at all but it smudges easily.

Now moving on to the colours, I would personally have loved to wear Fuchsia Ecstasy 'cause the colour is so eye-catching and different, something you don't find that easily. It goes so well with my brown skin tone. Where as the other colour, Nude Thrill, is too light for me.

Fuchsia Ecstasy

Nude Thrill

Lastly, I wouldn't recommend this to  anyone who's not a fan of lip gloss or smudgy lipsticks. 

Till next time, bubye. 

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Korean Beauty Mini Haul + Review

Hi guyyysssss *Dina Tokio style*
Hope everyone's in good health and enjoying winters as much as I am. Its been so long since I've reviewed or posted anything :O feels like I've abandoned the blog.
Nywayz this post is going to be about Korean Beauty Products YAAAS.

A month or two back, I came across this YouTuber who had ahmazing skin! I then did what every other person would do,  started going through her videos and I found out that she uses Korean Skincare Products. And that's how, my friends, the obsession started and I got to work. I learnt everything I could about Korean products in an hour, found the products for my skin type, checked if they are available in my city and if its in my budget and what not. All this was done in about 3 hours 
So my skin-type basically is dry and acne prone, which is literally the worst skin-type out there. Finding products for this in Riyadh is very hard & even if you do find it, they're super expensive. You can't use the dry skin products either because they are really oily and end up clogging your pores, and any acne treatments and creams available are for oily/combination skin, which makes your face dryer than it already is. So yeah it was quiet a bit of a challenge to find a suitable product, and thankfully my effort wasn't wasted and I ended up finding quiet a lot of them.

Time to show y'all my mini haul!

Let's begin with the Skin Food's Egg White Pore Mask and Toner.

$15

As you can tell by the name, this product is made for minimizing the look of pores. The  ingredients are given in Korean so I can't really understand anything except that the main one is egg white. Egg whites are known for minimization of pores. Their Peel off masks are one of the best DIY masks out there.

The packaging is so cute. The box contains a peel off mask and a pore cooling toner. The mask removes all the dirt and blackheads, leaving your pores clean. Applying the toner cools your pores and minimizes them. The texture of the mask is quite thick and you need a lot of product to cover your nose or any other area. Hence, it can only be used 5 or 6 times. 

Pros:

Mask: Removes all the black and white heads
Makes nose soft and clean
Smells amazing
Toner: large quantity

Cons:

Mask: Pricey

Doesnt last very long 

Takes ages to dry 

Hard to peel off
Very thick
Toner: None

$8

The next product, probably the most well known among all the ones that I bought is the Nature Republic Aloe Vera gel.

It comes in a sizable round plastic jar. The ingredients consist of 92% Aloe Vera as stated on the lid itself.

 Alcohol is the second main ingredient which would explain why its soo drying on the skin.

The gel makes your skin super soft and is a perfect moisturizer for the summer, with a very light feel to it. Only problem is that it didn't really help with my acne as many of the reviewers only claimed which was frankly quite disappointing as it was the feature I was most excited about.

Pros:
Makes your skin soft
Light
Pleasant Scent
Affordable

Cons:

High percentage of alcohol

Drying

No significant effect on acne

$8

To start of the packaging for this Nature Republic Friends Hand Cream in Fruity is to die for. It is the most adorable packaging I personally have ever seen. The jar doesn't have a cheap plastic feel and does have some weight to it.

I don't have much to say about this considering its only a hand cream. I haven't tried many hand creams before so I cant honestly make a good comparison, but as far as hand creams go it is a pretty good one. It sinks well into the skin right after use and doesn't just sit on the surface like some I have previously used. It is very moisturizing without being oily or leaving a sticky feeling or any residue on the skin. The price is also pretty decent and you get a fair amount of product for it.

Pros:

Cute packaging

moisturizing

no residue/oily feel

Cons:

NONE

$18

This last item is by far by favorite of all that i purchased.The Innisfree Green Tea Sleeping Pack is designed to be used in the very last steps of your nighttime routine right after any serums or masks. It comes in a sturdy green plastic container.

The texture of the product is very gel like and thin with little white beads in it that dissolve when you rub them around. The mask, when applied on the skin, gives a cooling sensation which is very relaxing especially after spending the day in a full face of makeup.

If you have dry skin then I would definitely recommended purchasing this mask as it works wonders and holds to all of its claims. I myself have incorporated it in my daily night time routine.
Trust me when I say that you'll be blown away with how it can help change your skin from dry and flaky to soft as a baby's butt.

Pros:
Affordable
Great quantity 

Not Sticky

Smells good
Brightens your skin

Cons:
NONE


Final Verdict: I wouldn't really recommend the pore set or the Aloe Vera gel as the Pore set is pricey and you don't really get much product for the price you pay. Aloe Vera gel didn't really show any difference on my face so, I don't think it's worth it either. While the other 2 products are something you should definitely own. 

That's it for this post, happy reading :D 

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The Best Star Wars Household Gadgets

Star Wars fanatics can be found all over the world. A fandom popular among kids and adults! Even if you haven't watched it, you know who Jar Jar Binks is. Back in the days you didn't have much choice when it came to the Star Wars merch, but now, there are shower heads, music box, tea-pot etc. Sometimes, it gets so hard for you to decide what to buy and what not to buy without going broke. To make things easier for ya'll I've made a list of some household gadgets you can buy to geek-up your house without spending a fortune. Let's get started!

• Darth Vader Toaster                                           
                               This Darth Vader Toaster will make a remarkable addition to any kitchen counter. You can toast 2 breads, frozen pancakes, pop tarts or english muffins at a time. It comes out with a Star Wars logo on them. You will start your day by feeling like you're ready to take over the planet. 

• Death Star Kitchen Timer with Lights and Sounds                                                                 

                                                                 

This Death Star timer works upto 60 minutes. It makes a sound and emits green laser when the time runs out. Perfect for a Star Wars fan who loves to cook or bake!

                                   

• BB8 Waffle Maker                                             

                           

Complete your meal by adding the newest droid in the Star Wars Saga. This waffle maker makes perfect tender and golden  BB8 waffles.  Another striking addition to any house!                 

                               

• Darth Vader Handheld Shower Head               

                          

Want to have a shower that's out of this galaxy? Then this shower head is perfect for you! Bring the force into the shower and make the place into your empire. 

• Millennium Falcon Bluetooth Speaker                 

                         

This bluetooth speaker makes your music boom upto 30 feet. It lights up when in use and you can also answer your calls with it.      

                                 

• R2-D2 Hot Air Popcorn Popper                        

                                                          As ya'll know, nothing is impossible for our fav R2-D2. It will come as a surprise but he can also make popcorns! Now watch your fav show munching on these delicious popcorns made with love by your one and only R2-D2.                                     

• Lightsaber Ice Pop Maker                                      

                           

Want to eat your popsicle with a lightsaber? Then grab this Lightsaber ice pop maker. This pack of 4 has 2 Luke and 2 Vader hilts. In 4 hours you get your favorite liquid frozen and ready to be eaten. The lightsabers also light up!!                                                   

• Star Wars Salt & Pepper Shakers                        

                            

Salt & Pepper Shakers that scream AWESOME! A perfect addition for your dining table and an ideal gift for everyone who loves the Dark Side.                            

       

• LED Lightsaber Umbrella                                  

                     

An umbrealla perfect for a dark and rainy day. The LED flashing colours help you see in the dark clearly and also makes you look super cool!                                    

• Star Wars Theme Silicone Molds                          

                           

How tempting does these chocolates look? Now you can turn your favorite Star Wars Character into chocolates, ice, soaps, jellies or candies. So get these molds to liven up a party or your everyday life!                             

• R2-D2 Measuring Cup Set                                  

                                             Your favorite driod is now more useful than ever! It has every standard measure; from a quarter teaspoon to a cup.                               

• R2-D2 and C-3PO Ceramic Bowl Set                     

                                    

R2-D2 and C-3PO aren't be complete without each other. They are the best of friends. Because of this Duo, their set of bowls are called Chips & Dip. Use them for milk and cookies or cheese and Crackers.                                                             

• Star Wars 3D Desk Lamp                                      

                                       

This lamp will be a game changer for your work space or your bedside table. It has an automatic colour changing mode, saved energy and doesnt heat up. Perfect for every fan!                                               

• Lightsaber Flatware Utensil Set                        

                                                            These adult sized Lightsaber flatware makes you meal more fun. Imagine eating spaghetti with Luke's lightsaber, or ice-cream with Yoda's spoon.. This set of silverware complements any dish and any style.                                                                                          

• Death Star Vinyl Record Design Wall Clock   

                              

A masterpiece perfect for your home.  This wall clock can be customized to match your room. Make an striking addition to a boring wall by getting this for yourself or a die-hard fan.                            

• Darth Vader Cookie Jar                                     

                              

Store cookies or any food in this Darth Vader Jar. Makes sounds from the movies when it's opened or closed. Bring the Dark Side Vibes into your home with this iconic jar.                         

• R2D2 Teapot                                                            

                                       

A must-have for anyone who likes tea and nerdy kitchenware. Made of the highest quality ceramic, the geometric decal design transforms the teapot into the head of the highly resourceful astromech robot!                       

• Chewie We're Home Door Mat                                

                               

Chewie fans NEED this mat to give their home a more homey feeling. It will surely bring smile to your guests face.                                                         

• Star Wars Mini-Figure Alarm Clock                 

                                             

Want to be woken up by the dark side of the force? Then get this Lego Alarm Clock. It brings out the inner child in you and you wake-up ready to take over the planet.                     

 

• Lightsaber BBQ Tongs                                     

Feel like a Jedi while you BBQ with this Lightsaber tongs. It also has sound effects to make you feel like you're fighting the Dark Side. 

                                                              

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Cheezy Doritos Croquette

Doritos, Cheese and Fried food: three things I'm a sucker for. And what do you do when you're on Sem break and have nothing to do?  You find a way to pair these things up to create a masterpiece. Which is how I ended up with these Cheezy Doritos Croquettes. I don't think I need to tell you but they taste heavenly!
 Croquettes are very fun to work with. You can add anything inside, make it veg or non-veg, can have it for dessert, brunch or dinner, the possibilities are endless! These cheezy spicy goodness are perfect for anytime of the day. You can enjoy them as a snack or serve them with a side dish with another dish. They're gorgeous golden coloured, crunchy, kinda spicy and a fluffy treat. This is surely going to step-up your croquette game! ;)

Ingredients: 

• Chicken (Boiled & Shredded) 1 Cup
• Cheddar Cheese (Shredded) 1/2 Cup
• Flour 5 tbsp and etc for coating
• Milk 3/4 Cup
• Salt 
• Lemon Juice 1 Tbsp
• Paprika 1/2 tsp
• Black Pepper 1/2 tsp
• Garlic Powder 1/2 tsp
• Doritos (Cheese flavor crushed) for coating
• Butter 1 tbsp
• Egg 1 (beaten) for coating                                                          

Directions:

1. In a pan, heat the butter and add in the flour. Saute the flour until it changes colour to light yellow or golden.
2. Then add the milk, little by little and keep whisking to avoid any lumps. 
3. Turn off the heat and add in the seasoning, including lemon juice, cheese and chicken.
4.  Now shape the dough to your desire.
5. After you're done, roll the balls in the flour, then dip it in the egg and lastly coat it with doritos. 
6. When you're ready, deep fry it until it turns golden. 
7. Then remove and place it on a tissue and let it cool down for a few minutes.

And now you're all done! Place it on the plate and serve with a sauce or chutney of your choice. 

If you try these mouth watering croquettes, then share you picture with me on IG and let me know how it turned out. 

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