Sounds Like…

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Here’s me playing charades at the Kids Author Carnival last weekend. As you can see, I am very, very serious. Think you can guess which book title I’m acting out? Turn down the volume and guess! 🙂

Veera Hiranandani and me at KAC15

Veera Hiranandani and me at #KAC15

In other exciting news, I got to meet someone I’ve wanted to meet in person for a really long time — Veera Hiranandani, author of The Whole Story of Half a Girl and the great Phoebe G. Green series.

Kids Author Carnival 2015

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I’m soooo excited to participate in this year’s Kids Author Carnival on May 30 at the Jefferson Market Library in NYC. I mean, just look at this line-up of middle grade authors. Last year’s event looked like so much fun. I wonder how we’re going to top it! Mark your calendars for a fun night!

Kids Author Carnival
May 30, 2015, 6-8 p.m.
Jefferson Market Library
425 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY, 10011
http://kidsauthorcarnival.tumblr.com/
https://twitter.com/KidAuthCarnival

Not your mother’s matzoh ball soup

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Adventures in the test kitchen

Remember I was telling you about the Indian- and Jewish-inspired recipes that are featured in the paperback*? Well, feast your eyes on these pictures from our test kitchen. We must have been having some serious beginner’s luck because everything came out AMAZING the very first time. Take a look!

*Get the complete recipes in the paperback edition of My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, available April 21, 2015.

Matzoh Balls and Sambhar

Turmeric matzoh balls and sambhar... they're mm-mmm good.

Turmeric matzoh balls and sambhar… they’re mm-mmm good.
Warning: this recipe is NOT kosher l’pesach.

Not bad for my first attempt.

Not bad for my first attempt. This one was somewhat round, even.

Step up your soup game, and yes, those are red chilies.

Step up your soup game, and yes, those are red chilies. Oy!

Aloo Latkes Chaat

It’s a latke, it’s a tikki… it’s basically the same thing. Whichever way you shred it, it tastes great.

It’s a latke, it’s a tikki… it’s basically the same thing. Whichever way you shred it, it tastes great.

Desi-fied Mandel Toast

My mom's mandel toast recipe, but with chopped pistachios (top) and candied fennel seeds (bottom).

My mom’s mandel toast recipe, but with chopped pistachios (top) and candied fennel seeds (bottom).

Mango-Ginger Hamantaschen

Mango-ginger hamantaschen. Why in the world wouldn't you?

Mango-ginger hamantaschen. Because why in the world wouldn’t you?

Masala Popcorn

popcorn + chaat masala = simply amazing

popcorn + chaat masala = simply amazing

Secret Ingredient

That which makes everything taste delicious

That which makes everything taste delicious (because MANGO POWDER).

Get the complete recipes in the paperback edition of My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, available April 21, 2015.

Good things come to those who wait

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Okay, so… maybe you never got around to buying the hardcover. We’re still friends. Maybe you feel paperbacks are a better value. I hear you, I do. Maybe you’ve been invited to 47 bajillion bar mitzvahs this spring and you’re looking for just the perfect gift-check holder. Well, your patience has paid off handsomely because the new paperback edition of My Basmati Bat Mitzvah contains an exclusive feature you won’t find in the hardcover or the e-book: five-ish drool-inducing, Joshua “Daddy” Feinstein-worthy, my-mom’s-recipe-based, Jewish-and-Indian-inspired original recipes by yours truly! Learn to make matzoh ball sambhar, aloo latkes chaat, candied fennel seed mandel toast, mango-ginger hamantaschen and Tara’s favorite, easy-peasy masala popcorn. The official paperback release date is April 21, 2015. If you can’t wait that long, don’t worry, it’s available for pre-order at both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. But really, you’ve shown yourself to be a champion procrastinator (erm, I mean, you’ve been very patient so far…) so just mark your calendars and set your alarms for the crack of noon on April 21 and get yourself a copy at your local bookshop. It’ll be your mitzvah for the day. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to remind you. xxx