YOU ARE SO VALUABLE………

Let me take you through a beautiful thought

If your heart hurts, be thankful

At least you know that you will not inflict pain on others because you know how it feels.

You know that you will not love yourself if it means hurting someone else.

You know that you will not break someone else's back just to get to your destination.

If your heart hurts,

Love it back to peace - Najwa Zebian

What defines who you are? When you care about someone, you feel that you care too much and when you love, you drown them in your love. Could you please take a step back and remind yourself that what you give is an indication of what you own. So if you give too much of anything that really and truly comes from somewhere within you. The same is with love. If you love too sincerely, that love comes from somewhere within you. And this is what is defining you and your worth. Regardless of knowing that you might not get anything in return which is ultimately a sad truth. But a good soul with a clear heart doesn’t get offended by this. It was all by their willing heart, not to impress nor showcase it to the world.

What is more sensible and will raise up your standards? What if some has a disrespectful view about you? I would certainly not own a same view and be unkind to him/her. Why would you step down to a level where you do not belong to what so ever.

Never give up on what has once defined you. Whether it is love, respect, attention or understanding. If the other person is not giving you anything in return then it is certainly their problem. And this is in light of situations I have been through .

Sometimes your heart may hurt just because the other person has not come up to your expectations. But that is essentially not something to be heart broken about. You have been setting up standards and drawing up lines the other person is not even aware of. May it be the silliest of expectation you have kept.

The point everyone needs to be aware of and accept is do not love anybody for them to love you back with the same passion. Do not do good to them and expect them to do good to you. What you are doing whether it be loving or caring about someone is out of your own heart. And that is defining you.

It is okay if he/she doesn’t wants to open up. We do not know what he is going through. What it feels like to be him/her. And it is not right to aggravate a fight on why he/she is not discussing their problem. Girls should understand and act more sensible to give guys their space in a relationship and so is the case with guys. Behaving sensibly and not losing your cool will let you lead your path smoothly and save upon valuable relations. Respecting others, their views, their comfort zones will ultimately build up a place for you in their hearts.

Ofcourse everyone has valuable relations in life. Who would like to loose them. Not you right? It doesn’t matter they do not recognize you or your heart. But someday they will. Sooner or later they will learn to recognize your worth. And even if they don’t then you certainly know what you got to do. It is nothing to be sad about if someone doesn’t recognize your worth. It is their loss for they don’t value you. Our value isn’t anytime going to be less just because someone has an inability to see it.

Don’t let someone who did you wrong make you think there’s something wrong with you. Don’t devalue yourself because they didn’t value you. Know your worth even if they don’t.

Balance between our efforts and ALLAH’s help

                 

Every single success you achieve is a combination of two things: Allah’s help and your Effort. When you don’t put in effort, ALLAH does not give his barakah. And sometimes you might put in a lot of effort but you may not see the result you expected. That, also is ALLAH’s barakah –  Nouman Ali Khan

As muslims we are to completely trust ALLAH that means to have tawakkal for all our affairs. We also believe that ALLAH’s will can supersede our plans. 

By this I mean we should have complete faith in ALLAH to help us in our affairs because without his will and help no result can come to fulfillment. When we completely put our trust in ALLAH believing that all success can come only when he intends it to be so, we can earn ALLAH’s pleasure. And in parallel, we should use all our god granted faculties in every affair that we choose to pursue.

We are indeed the most blessed one’s. As ALLAH is individually concerned with each one of us and we are important to him. He is so close that he responds when we call upon him. It is mentioned in the book of guidance he is closer to you than your jugular vein.

Never never give up! Realize that the help of ALLAH is nearer than you think. When we are immersed in the dunya we tend to think we can do everything on our own. We forget ALLAH’s wisdom and might. Do we take in a moment to realize, if ALLAH is to help us no power in existence can overcome us, and if ALLAH leaves us who is there to help us.

And sometimes you might put in a lot of effort but you may not see the result you expected. That, also is ALLAH’s barakah. ALLAH knows the best. He knows what’s behind us. Whenever we make an appeal to him, we express it by keeping faith in his wisdom and might, and we believe that ALLAH will always provide us the best solution. Sometimes it may be in favour of us and at other times a disappointment for us, but whatever the decision taken b ALLAH is the best for us.

Seek help from ALLAH and do not loose heart, and if anything in the form of trouble comes to you, don’t say if I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say ALLAH did that what he had ordained to do , and your IF opens the gate for the shaitan.

TAWAKKAL AL ALLAH

                                          

                                                                                                                                      AMAL ANSARI.

VEGGIE FINGERS

                  VEGGIE FINGERS

Hello people, I’m here with yet another yummy treat. It is a wonderful blend of all the veggies and the texture is to die for. It is soft creamy inside and the outside being crunchy. So let’s get started with these veggie fingers.

All you need is some veggies and the hero of the treat being potato. We need some potatoes which have been pressure cooked until soft. Once cooked the potatoes are to be peeled and mashed.

For the other components I am using the left over mixture prepared for the sambosa’s. You could totally make your own.

   

Keeping it very simple we just have to start by heating up 2-3 tablespoons of oil. Drop in the beans and carrots. Sauté it for a while and add in salt. So that it fastens the cooking up of the veggies. For the flavours add in coriander powder, some sought of meat masala (be it mutton or chicken really doesn’t matter), red chilli powder (I used garlic infused chilli powder which I bought from a local store) and a pinch of nutmeg and mace pounded and made into powder.

After the spices are well combined with beans and carrots add in a bit of water and cook it on medium heat for about 10 mins. Remember not to add in lots of water. Once the veggies have cooked through add in the cabbage and bell peppers and let it simmer for about 5 mins. We don’t want the bell peppers and cabbage to cook thoroughly. We want them to be crunchy yet flavorful.

Once we have both parts ready. Start mixing in the mashed potatoes and the other veggies. Its time to mould them into fingers. Make sure to grease your hands otherwise it gets quite messy. Once happy with the shape continue making fingers until whole of the mixture is utilized.

As it has potato it is quite soft and fragile to handle. To ease handling I like to freeze them for a good 2-3 hours.

1-2 hours before serving we need to accomplish the most important step. Breading the veggie fingers so that it gets the crunch.

Once the fingers are freezed dip each of the fingers in the egg mixture and then coat them with bread crumbs. Pop them into the fridge to make sure the bread crumbs are completely firm.

Now its time fry them. On a medium high heat fry these veggie fingers until they are golden brown. Do not fry them on a low heat. This makes them soggy. And do not fry them on very high heat as they easily get burnt.

And there you have crispy veggie fingers. Serve them with garlic mayo and ketchup and enjoy!!!

Ramadan Iftar Ideas – Samosa/Sambosa

Ramadan Iftar Ideas – Samosa/Sambosa

Hello everybody, I am here with yet another favorite of our family. It is such a popular iftar item in every household and in many countries across the world. so it is samosa or sambosa which can be prepared with any filling of your choice or whatever is available in your pantry.

I am here to share with you people my take on the very popular samosa with a mixed filling ( veg & non-veg ). Everybody across my family loves it and I’m pretty sure you will love it too..

Starting off with the veggies I prefer to use carrots, beans, cabbage and bell peppers. Now you can customize it according to your taste. I have been making sambosas with these veggies for years now and I do swear by the taste.

Keeping it very simple we just have to start by heating up 2-3 tablespoons of oil. Drop in the beans and carrots. Sauté it for a while and add in salt. So that it fastens the cooking up of the veggies. For the flavours add in coriander powder, some sought of meat masala (be it mutton or chicken really doesn’t matter), red chilli powder ( I used garlic infused chilli powder which I bought from a local store) and a pinch of nutmeg and mace pounded and made into powder.

After the spices are well combined with beans and carrots add in a bit of water and cook it on medium heat for about 10 mins. Remember not to add in lots of water. Once the veggies have cooked through add in the cabbage and bell peppers and let it simmer for about 5 mins. We don’t want the bell peppers and cabbage to cook thoroughly. We want them to be crunchy yet flavorful.

For the non-veg part, I prepared the regular minced meat as it is done in regular Indian-cum-hyderabadi households (kheema). Cooking the minced meat with onion and basic spices and topping it off with cilantro.

Then we complete the filling for our samosa by combining the veggies and the kheema and simmering it for another 5 mins until all the flavours are well combined.

Now coming on to the pastry sheets we can either make it at home or get it from a store. Store bought pastry sheets are lot easier to handle and give good results. I prefer using the switz pastry sheets which are probably available at any local store.

I hope this was of some help to you guys. see you again with yet an other idea for iftar in Ramadan.
                                                              Amal ansari
                                                             xoxo

Ramadan Iftar Ideas – Falafel Sandwich

Ramadan Iftar Ideas – Falafel Sandwich

Woohooo!! There’s an absolute treat for all those sandwich lovers. Here is a way to spice up the plain falafel patties with the creamy garlic tahini sauce and a spiced up version of regular tomato ketchup.

The bun or the sandwich bread is to be flavoured a bit. I did it my favourite way. Toasting it with garlic butter. It instantly brings life to a regular piece of loaf.

Now comes the creamy part of the sandwich. Just take in some regular hung curd 2-3 tablespoons of mayo and 1-2 tablespoons of tahini. And in half a tablespoon of garlic paste and season it with salt and white pepper. And voilaaa!!you have most flavorful garlic treat.

Now comes spicing up the regular tomato ketchup. Add in a bit of schezwan  sauce and any pasta or pizza seasoning. I used the all purpose seasoning from keya. I swear by this brand. It has some really amazing spice mixes. And then season it with garlic flavored red chilli…and yayy we have a magical sauce at our table.

Add in another layer of tahini sauce and add in cabbage and other veggies which you like as cucumber and other stuff. 

Just grill in a bit and we are done. Impress anybody with this amazing falafel sandwich which takes in minimal efforts and can be served in suhoor as well as it is pretty substantial.

Ramadan Iftar Ideas – Falafel

Ramadan Iftar Ideas – Falafel 

I have been waiting so long to share this with you people out there. I have never had falafel before at any restaurant. I came across falafel randomly checking out lebanese cuisine. It is basically chickpea/garbanzo bean fritters which surprisingly turned out so yummy.

 The garbanzo beans are soaked overnight.

It is basically processing garbanzo beans with onions, coriander, garlic and other powdered spices. It depends upon an individual whether he likes it gritty or more paste like consistency. I prefer more gritty because it adds in a bit more texture which feels great.

 It is best served hot with tahini sauce.  I tried it out for the first time and completely loved it. Hope you guys try it out and love it.

For a more detailed recipe you can check out the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foB6bxhZYF0&index=2&list=PLV_-ibpbFPCfQCFLci3QCVGck3erq3Ntj

                                                                                                                                          Amal Ansari

                                                                                                                                      xoxo

RAMADAN IFTAR IDEAS - THE TRIPLE BEAN SALAD

Triple Bean Salad

When it comes to ramadan be it iftar or sehar time we want something healthy and something substantial enough to help us avoid that slump.Today we gonna talk about a healthy triple bean salad that will keep you full.

A colorful spicy and refreshing bean salad has been flattering my palate since I have had it. Besides being healthy it’s also very easy to make. We just need any three beans which you like or may be which are available at your place for convenience. 

    

                                    

I made my salad with kidney beans, black eyed beans and black chickpeas. It is very important that we soak the beans overnight which helps in cutting down the time it takes to cook them. All of the seasoning and veggies that goes into the salad can be customised according to an individual’s liking.

I personally like cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro and onions with a dash of lemon. It gives the salad that extra tangy flavor when sprinkled with some chat masala. Just a dash of coriander and red chilli powder and voilaaa!! We are good to go.

I hope you give this yumminess a try....!

AMAL ANSARI

      XOXO

A PERSONS WORLD - ONLY AS BIG AS THEIR HEART!!

A PERSONS WORLD - ONLY AS BIG AS THEIR HEART!!

Did any one of you in life wonder about a person’s behaviour or any gesture towards you? Of course wondering because it is weird and you would not expect it any time from that particular person. And ponder how come they did this and reach to conclusions if I were in their place, I would never ever do that. What if the person has a clear and thoughtful intention and you are being unaware of it?

It is mean but its true right? We have been doing this and seeing it all day around. We don’t even take a minute to think about what circumstances the person is in?  Does he really intend to do that? And moreover what is the meanest thing we tend to do. Change your behaviour towards that person. Change your perspective towards that person. The person who was so good in your eyes a few days earlier tends to be a bad person all of a sudden. You never know what’s in a person’s heart until they’re tested, do you? And it’s a lot of responsibility to hold a person’s heart in your hands.

I've learned over the years that sooner or later a person’s physical appearance comes to resemble whatever is in their heart. A beautiful face cannot hide an ugly heart for long. Who you are on the inside will eventually show up on the outside. If we are pure at heart, we would not wish one person well and not another. We never see any difference between two of our friends. And surely by this our pure thoughts can be evenly spread between all people.

A persons most beautiful asset is not head full of knowledge, but a beautiful heart which is bound to love, an ear which is ready to listen and a hand willing to help others. When we start looking at people’s hearts instead of their face, life becomes clear. But most importantly to know in my heart what kind of person I am, and you are happy, thats good enough.

XOXO,
AMAL ANSARI

Are you ready for your journey?

We are on a journey of life.

"LIFE IS JUST A JOURNEY" - Princess Diana

To get going in life the most important thing we need to understand and practice is loving ourselves. We need to understand our true self. There is a need to find a goal in life. Our goal will give us direction in life. The major no-no thing in life is stop measuring yourself against others. It serves as a frustration in life. Do not tend to imitate or copy other persons. Everyone as an individual is unique. No one can be exactly the same as you are.

Life is about finding our own journey and moving on it without being stuck for anybody else. People come in our life, walk with us on our journey for a certain period of time and then go; often without informing us. However, as time doesn’t stop ticking so it’s our life journey. People come in our life for a certain reason and once the purpose is fulfilled; they are bound to move away from our life, no matter how much we like and love them. So halting our life journey for anybody else is not wise because everyone is around for a certain reason which we may not necessarily understand.

At every stage, different people come in our life and for a different period of time. Some people come in our life for a particular reason; some people stay with us for a season and there are some people with whom our relationship lasts for the maximum period of time. But I must say the role of each and every person is very much important in our life irrespective of how long they are going to stay with us because for a simple yet deep reason that everyone enhances the growth of our life. And I’m so much grateful to each and every person who exist my life and who don’t anymore. Every person was important to me at a certain point of time and has helped me grow by some means or other.

NOT EVERYONE IN LIFE WILL UNDERSTAND MY JOURNEY. THAT'S FINE. ITS NOT THEIR JOURNEY TO MAKE SENSE OF. IT'S MINE!

                                                                              

                                                                                         Amal Ansari,

                                                                                              XOXO

JUST TAKE IN A MOMENT TO THINK ...WHAT IF........??

Can we ever enumerate the countless blessings which the almighty has bestowed upon us? I mean just think about it. What if we didn’t have a house to live in? What if we couldn’t afford to eat once….Not even thrice…just once? What if we were physically challenged? What if you were not bestowed with good health? What if you were not the same person as you are today? What if u didn’t have the luxuries you are enjoying today? What if everything you have in life just flies off within a second? What if there was no one you knew in the world? What would you do? Where would you go? Whom would you ask for help? Having somewhere to go is HOME. Having someone to love is FAMILY. Having both is such a BLESSING. What if you didn’t have them?

If ever you find a person who is ready to help you, he could help you for that moment. Will he be taking continuous responsibility of how you are for the rest of your life? No he wouldn’t because he wouldn’t know who you are. You are not so important to him. You are just a random guy to him. But for my ALLAH you are so special. He wants to help you; however bad you have been to him .Why wouldn’t you just take in a moment and call on to ALLAH. Why wouldn’t you weep like a baby in front of your creator? Do you think anybody in the world knows you better than ALLAH? Do you think anybody understands your condition better than ALLAH?

No one in the world understands you as much ALLAH does. Ask him for everything even the silliest of things in life. Thank him for everything. Just take in a moment, say ALHUMDULILLAH. Why do you think ALLAH doesn’t has time to listen? Take in a moment to realize do we have time to pray on to him? Do we have time to praise and please him? And if you ever find it hard to appreciate what ALLAH has blessed you with, spend a day with someone who doesn’t have the things you have. When you see a person who has been given more than you in money and beauty, look to those, who have been given less. Praise him; praise him for his boundless pleasures.

Wish not for the people of the world to be pleased with you. Wish for the creator to be pleased with you. Wish not for company of people in  this world. Wish for the company of the most beneficial, most merciful ALLAH.

No amount of guilt can change your past; no amount of worry can change your future. But trusting in almighty and having tawakkal that he alone is enough for us…..can make our paths easier.

Ya ALLAH, Alhumdulillah for all the pleasures you have granted us. Alhumdulillah for all the difficulties we have been into. Alhumdulillah for everything and we seek guidance from you and only you in every step of life. And we believe only you are sufficient for us. May all our dua’s and prayers be accepted. Ameen

                                                                                           Amal Ansari.

YOUR LIFE IS YOUR ULTIMATE TEACHER.

YOUR LIFE IS YOUR ULTIMATE TEACHER

We fall, we rise, we make mistakes, we live, we learn. We are human, not perfect. We have been hurt, but we are alive. What we thought to be our ultimate future will change in a matter of time. But this is LIFE. It is ought to be this way.  Remember the road to success is always under construction.

Think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive- to breathe, to think, to enjoy and to chase the thing you love. It is such a blessing from our almighty. Regardless of what came before or of what has yet to come, what matters right now is how I choose to respond to the challenge before me. Will I lie down or will I fight? The choice is mine and I choose to finish strong. The soul will always know what to do to heal itself. The real challenge what comes in is to silence the mind.

Life in every aspect is teaching you something which we need to understand. Anything that annoys you is teaching you patience. Anyone who abandons you is teaching you how to stand up on your two feet. Anything that angers you is teaching you forgiveness and compassion. 

Anything you can’t control is teaching you how to let go.

Never assume people to have an easy life with no serious problems. You will not understand it unless you put yourself in their position and really see what their life is like. Do not tell someone has an easy life. No one does. Life at sometimes will throw some tough blows. You have to learn how to roll with punches and keep fighting. There will always be someone who will break your heart. You may be so depressed that you just sit in the corner and cry for hours. But you just have to remember LIFE GOES ON.

Life is seriously too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don’t. And believe in the almighty he will never do wrong on to you. Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance – take it, if it changes your life – let it. Almighty doesn't give us what we can handle; he helps us handle what we are given. The irony is we don’t understand our strength’s. I would probably say if there is some difficulty upon it is such a blessing. No matter how grave it is. No matter your life would take a 360° angle turn. But at the end it will teach you to be stronger. It will let you know who you are. At the end you will have what you deserve to have.

It is from the four unbreakable promises from the almighty. Remember him, HE will always remember you. Call upon him, he will respond to you. Then where does the worry lie. Have a problem speak directly to the creator. No one has a better understanding of your situation. Not even you. But yes, HE does understand and verily you ask for guidance he will guide you. For he is the most merciful.

Do not blame a person for a simple reason that nothing is going right in your life. Or what you have wished for is not happening just because he doesn't wish for it to happen. everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. be kind like always always in your life. do not judge people. even if they have done so much wrong onto you. It wasn't from him. It was from the almighty.

                           Always believe in him and have tawakkal.                      

 Amal ansari