A sweet corn soup story

Sweet corn soup was my favourite dish at Chinese restaurants when I visited with my family two decades ago. There was something about the soup that appealed to my cousins and me- it wasn’t spicy but it wasn’t bland either, it didn’t look intimidating like some other Indian Chinese(?) dishes, it was served at most restaurants we went to, it tasted perfect, and most importantly, our parents approved of it.

But alas, the yummy sweet corn soup run ended a few years ago. Almost everywhere I went, a well-made vegetable sweet corn soup became elusive. Our favourite restaurants shut down, chefs changed, or perhaps nobody cared about the humble sweet corn soup anymore. I had to switch to manchow soup with the fried noodles, which isn’t bad, but it isn’t as comforting as my favourite sweet corn soup. And, hot and sour soup is too strong on flavour for me.

Sweet corn soup chicken and veg

Anyways, when I began to cook early 2014, I realized the world was my oyster (heh!), and I could cook (almost) everything I wanted at home. When the Mumbai monsoon arrived few months later, I began seeking out soups again (no fried pakoras for me, please!). And when I stumbled across a can of cream-style corn in the supermarket one day, I knew it was time to cook myself sweet corn soup just the way I liked it.

So one rainy Saturday S and I set out to cook sweet corn soup for the first time. The ingredients were all gathered, the preps were done (chopped veggies for me, chicken pieces for him), and the kitchen set-up all ready (separate dishes for cooking my vegetarian and his chicken version). Time to begin. S was tasked with opening the can of cream-style corn. We didn’t have a can opener at the time, so he used a knife to prise it open. BIG MISTAKE. A tiny slip led to a nasty cut, and soon S’s hand turned red, and his gushing blood was making tiny puddles on the kitchen counter.

First, I tried not to throw up (luckily I didn’t), then I panicked. Finally I called S’s dad (he’s a doctor) and we were on our way to his clinic, both in our chappals and wrinkled shorts, my uncombed hair tied up in an ugly knot, and just enough money in hand for the rickshaw ride. Meanwhile, it continued to rain, and the cut continued to ooze, and I continued to feel sick, but managed to hold on to my breakfast.

After a thorough cleaning, a roll of bandage and a tetanus shot, we were finally done. We got hold of a can opener on the way home. With so much loss of time (and S’s blood), neither of us were in the mood for sweet corn soup anymore. And neither of us wanted to cook. But lunch had to be had, even if it was terribly late. And so we used the can opener, poured out the cream-style corn, and began to cook. While I insisted S not bother with the cooking, he hovered around, and our first attempt at homemade sweet corn soup was delicious.

Sweet corn soup chicken and veg

The first sip transported me back to Chinese Room, an Indian Chinese restaurant we loved. The only things missing were a light brown tablecloth, fading upholstery and kindly waiters. Ah, sheer nostalgia!

Sweet Corn Soup (Vegetarian and chicken versions)

Ingredients:

1 tin sweet corn (cream style)

Vegetable or chicken stock (400 ml)

A large handful of chopped veggies of your choice (I used carrots, french beans, spring onions)

OR 200 grams boneless chicken, chopped into pieces

1 egg (optional)

1 tablespoon white vinegar*

1 teaspoon light soy sauce*

3 tablespoon corn flour

1 tablespoon of cooking oil (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Serves 4-6

Method:

Pour out the contents of the sweet corn tin, add two glasses of water and bring to a boil. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then add your vegetable or chicken stock with chopped chicken or vegetables (except spring onions) and let it cook.

Chicken will take at least 15-20 minutes to cook, while the vegetables will be done quicker (they should still have a bite and not be completely soft).

Ten minutes after adding the chicken, break an egg over the pot and quickly stir it through the soup.

Add vinegar and soy sauce, and add oil gradually.

Meanwhile, mix cornflour with a small bowl of water. When the chicken and vegetables are almost cooked (put a fork through them to determine), add the cornflour-water mixture and let the soup cook for another five minutes. The soup will then thicken. (You can add water or the cornflour mixture to thin or thicken the soup to your liking.)

Add salt and pepper to taste, along with spring onions. Serve hot.

Notes and Tips:

  1. Add vinegar and soy sauce according to your taste- some folks like it sour, some like it more umami.
  2. Be careful with the amount of salt you use, since soy sauce already has a salty flavour (umami).
  3. Those who like it spicy can add a dash of Chinese chilli or schezuan sauce.
  4. You can make this without cream-style corn, if it’s not available or you prefer using fresh ingredients. Replace the cream-style corn with 1.5 cups of fresh corn kernels (aka American corn).

Sweet corn soup chicken recipe

Chic Guide: How to update your wardrobe for the monsoon

Chic Guide: How to update your wardrobe for the monsoon

The rain gods are here! And while we don’t have a “Monsoon/ Rain” Collection in India (why not I wonder?), a new season always calls for a wardrobe update. So here’s how I’m sprucing up my wardrobe for the four-month season. Hope my wardrobe transition tips help you too!

Add: Dark florals

Since the rains usher in lush greenery and blooming flowers, floral prints are monsoon-appropriate. But I’m restricting my florals during the monsoon to darker colours- like dark blues, black and deep reds. Florals have been big this season so there’s plenty to choose from.

Floral print blouse from Mango.

Mango floral print blouse

Delete: White and pastel-hued florals

Keep: Georgettes, polyester blends and knits

No more chiffons, cottons and sheers, please! Polyester and silk blends keep are stronger fabrics that provide a bit of warmth in the rains. Light knits (as tops or cardigans) are useful when the mercury drops after a long spell of rain.

Sarah Silk Top from French Connection.

FC-Sarah SIlk Top

Blouse from Calvin Klein Jeans.

CWI126-YB82T-R07 yes 3599

Delete: Chiffons, cottons and sheers. Wet chiffon sari, Mandakini in Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Get the drift?

Hold on to: Shorter lengths

If you hate mud stains on your jeans and trousers as much as I do, then continue wearing your favourite capris in the rains. And given the fabulous colour choices we have this season, you won’t run out of cool capris to wear! Of course, if you dare to go shorter, you can wear shorts and skirts too (midi-length ones are still around).

Capris from Zara.

Zara Twill Capri Pants

Don’t discard: Full-length trousers and jeans – you need these wardrobe classics for meetings, events, and the next season!

Add: No and low heeled shoes

On rainy days, I prefer closed shoes with non-slip soles and kitten heels for special days. I wore my Charles & Keith loafers yesterday during a drizzle, and they kept away the murky water and had a good grip on the ground. Even though I’m not a Crocs fan, a lot of people swear by them.

New Love Loafers from Tresmode.

tresmode NEWLV1

Hold on to: Stilettos- need them for parties and dance nights!

How are you updating your wardrobe for the monsoon?

Chic Alert: It’s sales season again!

It’s July, and it’s time for bargain hunting at the monsoon sales in almost every store across India. So break your piggybank, demand a salary/ pocket money hike, and hit the mall like there’s no tomorrow.

For our shopaholics’ convenience, here’s a list of fashion stores/ brands on sale. Print it out, mark your preferences and carry it with you to the mall. Tick off your list as you dole out the cash.

Clothes (stand-alone brands/ designers)

  1. AND
  2. Global Desi
  3. Anita Dongre
  4. Ranna Gill
  5. Globus: 40% off
  6. Ed Hardy: Up to 50% off
  7. Zara
  8. H&A
  9. Chemistry: up to 50% off
  10.   Promod: up to 50% off
  11.   Latin Quarters: up to 60% off
  12. French Connection: flat 30% off for men, up to 50% off for women

Lingerie

  1. La Senza: up to 50% off

Accessories

  1. Nine West: 40-60% off
  2. Charles & Keith: up to 30% off
  3. Reebok: Flat 40% off
  4. Citywalk: 50% off

reebok sale

Multi-brand/ designer stores

  1. Mogra: up to 80% off
  2. Re: up to 70% off
  3. Ensemble: up to 70% off; from July 7-9, 2011

Jeans/ casual wear

  1. Lee: up to 50% off
  2. Pepe Jeans: up to 60% off
  3. Levi’s

Beauty (Special Offer)

b:blunt’s Monsoon Manicure Madness: every new customer gets a complimentary manicure. Existing customers can recommend a friend and get a free mani.

Have a great shopping weekend!

Chic ideas: Monsoon must-haves, rainy day accessories

The moody south-west monsoon seems to have finally settled down, and has promised to bring with it plenty of shower spells. So now that rainy days are here to stay (for a while at least), gear yourself up with Speaking Chic’s monsoon must-haves.

Rain wear

Umbrellas should be your best friends for the next few months. Those who can’t deal with upturned and flyaway umbrellas can opt for stylish windcheaters instead. Stay safe and odour-free with quick-dry fabrics, especially at office.

And if you’re in a fun/ romantic/ playful/ brave mood, don a chiffon sari and dance in the rain with your special someone. 😉

rain wear- umbrella, windcheater

1- Windcheater jacket with biker elements and utility flaps from Kunal Rawal.

2- Stormwear chinos from Marks & Spencer

3- Red umbrella from Zara

4- Animal print umbrella from Marks & Spencer

5- Polka dot umbrella from Zara

6- Kareena Kapoor and Aamir Khan in a still from 3 Idiots

Monsoon accessories

Whether you manage to stay dry or not, your Blackberry needs to be moisture-free at all times. So carry waterproof bags and purses at all times. Glossy finishes are especially trendy this monsoon. Your shoes must be comfy and non-slip, and get into cute gum boots for a few fun splashes.

Monsoon accessories- bags and shoes

1-Frame bag from Esbeda (Color Splash collection)

2- Shoes from Catwalk (Drops of Joy collection)

3- Beach crocs in lime

4- Bag from Marks & Spencer

5- Clutch from Miss Sixty

6- Gum boots from Tresmode

What’s your monsoon must-have?

Chic guide: Quick fashion updates for the monsoon

OMG, it’s a whole new season! Which means it’s time for a teeny-tiny wardrobe update. Here’s a look at our quick picks to help deal with the rains:

Clothes
What you need: Lightweight and quick dry jeans
Try: Stormwear jeans from Marks & Spencer (below)

Stormwear Denims from Marks & Spencer

Accessories
What you need: Waterproof bag, non-slip and comfy shoes or sandals
Try: Catwalk’s Drops of Joy collection (below)

Catwalk Drops of Joy sandals

Beauty
What you need: Waterproof mascara… need we say more? 🙂
Try: Lancome’s Hypnose waterproof mascara (below)

Lancome Hypnose waterproof mascara

 

Coming soon: Speaking Chic’s monsoon essentials

Advice: It’s raining sales!

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It’s the Independence Day weekend, and even after a long month of sales, it’s raining sales all around. (Is it just me or has the monsoon sales run lasted longer than usual?)

I’m sure there are plenty of us who are in the mood to empty their pockets this weekend, what with the apparently irresistible offers by our favourite stores. But here’s the big question—with so many awesome great deals and bargain prices, what’s a girl (or guy) to do?

DSC02135

Speaking Chic has put together some simple questions pointers to help you go easy on the sales shopping so that you don’t regret your purchases later.

  • What do I need? Make a mental note of what you really need before you head to the mall. Check your wardrobe, shoe rack and jewellery box; and assess your life. Maybe you’re being invited to lots of parties, so you need an LBD. Or you don’t have the very trendy statement rings.
  • Will I wear this in the next three months? Ok, so an awesome tee’s on sales for Rs 300 only! Ask yourself: will I wear this t-shirt? If your cupboard is bursting with unworn tees, then keep it back on the rack. 
  • Who else is wearing this? When I was shopping a few months ago, my friend pointed out a great Zara bejewelled tshirt at a great price. Wearable, comfortable, convenient, the works. But did I buy it? No! Why not? Because every Pooja, Priyanka and Payal is wearing it! Do you really want to wear exactly what everyone else is wearing?
  • Can I experiment with this? Always look for one garment or accessory that can overhaul your wardrobe, something you’ve never worn before. It could be a new silhouette (slouchy pants), colour (electric blue) or garment (pencil skirt). Word of caution: Experiment, but don’t look like a clown.
  • Can this item replace something in my wardrobe? If you’re throwing away your office shirts, you need new ones. If your favourite office bag is in tatters, you need a replacement. Look specifically for these about-to-be-discarded garments and shoes while sale-shopping.
  • Does it fit/ suit me? Get real, everyone has a different shape and size. You don’t want to look like you’re wearing someone else’s tunic, or get painful blisters, do you? If it’s not in your size, or it makes you uncomfortable, move on. You’ll find something better.

Do you have any more sales shopping tips? Share them with us! Have a great Independence Day!

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Fashion Qs: White to wear?

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Speaking Chic launches a new series: Fashion Qs. In this series, we answer readers’ style and fashion queries. Here’s a pertinent question from a reader:

White Lies

Hi Speaking Chic, recently I read that  white is the colour of the season—little white dresses, white blouses, white pants etc. But it’s the monsoon here, and I want to avoid wearing whites for obvious reasons. But then I a celeb watch story that said pop colours are in. That’s in complete contradiction to whites! So what colours do I wear the next next couple months? And what do I do with my whites?

— Shaili, Mumbai

Dear Shaili, fashion trends are ever so confusing, especially when you like to read a number of mags or websites. Here’s the bad news: each editor has her own view of what to wear and what not to. But you’re right about the whites and the pop colours—both are in. High fashion stores were teeming with whites, while some some are brimming over with colours like electric blue, green and red.

And the good news: white is almost as timeless as black (especially in seasonless Mumbai). So it would be good to wear them on non-rainy days (you don’t want to be the next Zeenat Aman in Pukar), you could also keep them aside for later use. Or you could wear your whites during the day, saving the pop colours for night. Or team your white blouse with a dark jacket or fancy shrug for a dinner out with friends. And ride the bright colour trend with an eye-catching bag or clutch.

DSC02097 DSC02097

Stuck in a fashion dilemma? Write to us at speakingchic [at] gmail [dot] com or leave a comment below.

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Monsoon mini-guide: Part 2

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After part 1 of our monsoon mini-guide, Speaking Chic readers wrote in asking for more monsoon makeup and accessory tips. So here we go:

Makeup

  • Rule of thumb: Monsoon means minimum makeup. You don’t want your pancake getting washed away on your way to a meeting. So avoid the base if you can, and keep it basic.
  • Highlight your eyes with a white eyeshadow (very, very little) or one that is a shade lighter than your skin tone. You can dab some of it on your undereye circles if you don’t use a concealer. 
  • Use waterproof mascara. Try Maybelline or MAC—they really are water-resistant.
  • For lips, use a gloss that stays long, like Lancome Juicy Tubes. For an evening out, use a darker colour of gloss. And how about giving nude lipstick a shot?
  • An alternate evening look: nude look but with eye-catching lip colour (dare to use the red!).
  • If there’s one trend you don’t want to miss this season, it’s the pop colour everywhere, especially the nails! Try out pinks, purples and even blues! Yum!
  • pop colours nail polish

Hair

  • We can’t say this enough—anti-frizz is a must! Try L’Oreal’s anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner, or hunt for serums at your favourite imported goods store. If it suits your budget, ask for Kerastase Oleo Relax Anti-Frizz Serum (available at B:blunt and other salons).
  • On the days you don’t want to tame your mane, ditch the serum and let your hair behave the way it wants. After all, uncombed hair looks great this season, so if you’ve got a natural wave or loose curls in humid weather, use a dot of gel to take it a notch ahead.
  • For formal looks, try casual updos, for a more formal look. A few loose strands, a cute hair accessory like studded hair clips, and you’re all set.
  • If you’re having a hair cut this season, don’t go too short, or your mane won’t be long enough to for the upcoming festive season.

Accessories

  • Believe it or yawn, chunky is still in. Hunt for great bargains for chunky wooden/ lac bangles at local markets. These won’t strain your budget and will last the season.aldo_big ring
  • For a more sophisticated look, slip on an oversized ring. Guaranteed to draw attention to your bright nails. We like Aldo Accessories, trendy and complete VFM.
  • If you haven’t caught on to the chain reaction, now is the time. Multiple chains with charms and small crystals smarten up any outfit. BTW, all moms have long gold chains, so make sure your borrow those! Aldo_chain

What do you think of our mini-guide? Share your suggestions and tips in the comments box, or write to us at speakingchic [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Monsoon mini-guide: Must-haves and must-gags

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The rain gods have arrived, and they’re showering their love on us. It’s time to show some R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to them and to ourselves, overhauling our wardrobes for the next coupla months.

Here’s a handy tip: Come monsoon, and what you wear is not a question of trends, but of comfort and practicality with a chic factor. After all, no one wants to wade through knee-high water in six-inch stilettos.

So here’s our guide to monsoon wear must-haves and must-gags, with some super chic options marked with an *:

Clothes

Must-haves

  • Capris, foldable jeans for omniscient shallow puddles
  • Comfy blouses and shirts that don’t cling to you
  • Kurtas and churidars in georgettes (minus the dupatta)

Must-gags

  • Extra-long trousers
  • Transparent and translucent tops
  • Loose-flowing skirts (remember the strong winds?)

Don’t forget

  • To carry your windcheater. Umbrellas are useless in gusts of wind.
  • To bring out your boleros  and shrugs. They’re perfect for the now-hot-now-cold weather*
Shoes

Must-haves

Gum boots(if you can!) or non-slippery ballet shoes

Crocs* (not the ones with the holes, but the comfy chic styles; they’re a tad expensive, but worth every paisa)

Crocs for monsoon 

Must-gags

  • High heels
  • Your brand-new or old Jimmy Choos, Manolos etc

Don’t forget

  • You can always do what the New Yorkers do—change into your heels/ formal leather shoes in office*
Hair, Makeup and Accessories

Must-haves

  • Hair clips and pins to keep your hair in place*
  • Moisturiser

Must-gags

  • Layers of makeup
  • Too many hair products

Don’t forget

  • To use a good anti-frizz serum after washing your hair. It works wonders!*
  • To carry a comb with you, to smoothen our messy hair. Wet hair rarely looks good in real life.

What do you think of this mini-guide? Share your suggestions and tips in the comments box, or write to us at speakingchic [at] gmail [dot] com.

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