• Home
  • About
  • Contact
Search for
A blog on halal lifestyle, travel and food.
Menu
A blog on halal lifestyle, travel and food.
  • About
  • Contact
Newport
  • July 31, 2017
  • 6200
  • 6
  • 8

The 124-Year-Old Summer Cottage that Took Our Breath Away

Princeton
  • October 10, 2016
  • 1682
  • 6
  • 11

An Evening Stroll in Princeton University Campus

Bangalore
  • May 21, 2018
  • 4048
  • 4
  • 2

What to Expect When Visiting Bangalore’s Famous Lal Bagh

Langkawi
  • December 27, 2016
  • 2516
  • 13
  • 16

Our Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge Experience

Dubai

Farzi Cafe: Bringing Indian Cuisine back “in-Vogue”

  • August 14, 2016
  • 1852
  • 6
  • 12
Chicago

Tips for Getting Better Pictures From a Train

  • July 15, 2016
  • 6278
  • 7
  • 4
Langkawi

Our Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge Experience

  • December 27, 2016
  • 2516
  • 13
  • 16
Guangzhou

A First Timer’s Guide to the Canton Fair

  • June 4, 2017
  • 8057
  • 2
  • 10
Reviews
Hajj & Umrah
Recipes
Reviews

10 Tips to Help You Travel During Corona Outbreak

The world wakes up to the news that the new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, is declared pandemic by WHO. So what does it mean to…

  • March 13, 2020
  • 1557
  • 2
  • 2
Adoni

The Jinn That Lived Near Maasaheba Masjid

He looked and couldn’t stop staring. It was the most unusual thing to witness. He might have dismissed it as a figment of his imagination,…

  • November 4, 2019
  • 1611
  • 6
  • 1
Adoni

Shahi Jamia Masjid

A woman clad in a colourful sari sits on the roadside. Spread in front her are carefully arranged bunches of freshly-harvested coriander, mint, and fenugreek…

  • October 28, 2019
  • 1795
  • 5
  • 2
London

How to Spend the Day at Warwick Castle

I am assuming the reason for the conflicting reviews online for Warwick Castle is that it has been commercialized into some sort of a theme…

  • January 12, 2019
  • 3901
  • 1
  • 2
London

The House Where Shakespeare was Born

During the warm summer months in Karachi many years ago, my cousins and I would spend the afternoon reading. To be honest, the responsibility of…

  • November 18, 2018
  • 2738
  • 0
  • 1
London

On a Clear Day from the Top of the London Eye, You Can See Forever.

It is the fourth-largest Ferris wheel in the world at 443 feet high. On a bright, clear day from the top of the London Eye,…

  • August 5, 2018
  • 4453
  • 5
  • 1
London

Summer In London

It’s another sunny and hot afternoon. The windows are wide open, the fans are on most part of the day, and we are eating homemade…

  • July 23, 2018
  • 3715
  • 8
  • 2
Bangalore

What to Expect When Visiting Bangalore’s Famous Lal Bagh

The Mughal-inspired botanical garden is located in the midst of a bustling city. Thousands of local and foreign tourists visit Lal Bagh each year. But is…

  • May 21, 2018
  • 4048
  • 4
  • 2
Bangalore

Why You Should Visit the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, One of the Most Powerful Rulers of India

Tipu Sultan was the most feared Indian of his time in Britain. When he died there were jubilant celebrations in Britain, with authors, playwrights and painters creating…

  • April 21, 2018
  • 4713
  • 1
  • 3
Bangalore

Recommended Halal Restaurants in Koramangala

Luxury apartments, posh bungalows, Instagram-worthy restaurants, and commercial structures line the wide, tree-lined boulevards of Koramangala. This is one of the largest neighborhoods in Bangalore. I…

  • April 17, 2018
  • 4846
  • 2
  • 3
Surat

This Post Isn’t a Tribute to the Rickshaw

If you look closely, you’ll see a self-portrait in the picture above. Masood and I were in Surat, Gujarat, and we took the auto-rickshaw because…

  • March 7, 2018
  • 3333
  • 3
  • 3
Guangzhou

Halal Restaurants We’ve Tried in Guangzhou

Chinese food outside mainland China is usually modified to suit the palate of the people where it is served. In Pakistan and India, for example,…

  • December 7, 2017
  • 10408
  • 10
  • 6
Beijing

The Great Wall of China: An Iconic Travel Experience

“They surely have the air-conditioning on high around here,” I told Masood as we stood outside the arrivals gate at Beijing airport waiting for a…

  • November 25, 2017
  • 6463
  • 12
  • 8
Dubai

Asateer Scarves: An Online Boutique for Premium Scarves

“Don’t start a company unless it’s an obsession and something you love. If you have an exit strategy, it’s not an obsession.” –Mark Cuban, serial entrepreneur and…

  • October 22, 2017
  • 5936
  • 5
  • 8
Newport

The 124-Year-Old Summer Cottage that Took Our Breath Away

About 119 kilometres from downtown Boston stands a palatial summer cottage. When Masood and I were in US last spring, our colleague and good friend,…

  • July 31, 2017
  • 6200
  • 6
  • 8
Guangzhou

Huaisheng Mosque: One of the Oldest Masjid in China

It’s been drizzling on and off since morning. The clouds are thick and the sky overcast, the spring breeze cool. The taxi takes us to Guangta…

  • July 3, 2017
  • 8158
  • 4
  • 9
Guangzhou

A First Timer’s Guide to the Canton Fair

One of the world’s biggest import and export trade fair is held bi-annually in Guangzhou, China. It was my first time at the Canton Fair,…

  • June 4, 2017
  • 8057
  • 2
  • 10
Hong Kong

A 9-Hour Stopover in Hong Kong

Flying Cathay Pacific means stopping in Hong Kong, and we picked one that gave a 9-hour stopover. Time constraint did not allow us the chance to…

  • May 13, 2017
  • 1725
  • 5
  • 11
Dubai

Carnival by Tresind, Dubai

How often do you get welcomed in a restaurant by getting bubbles blown at you? Having had a good impression with Trèsind, I looked forward to…

  • April 15, 2017
  • 6929
  • 1
  • 8
Kuala Lumpur

Jalan Bellamy: Where the Locals Make Excellent Ikan Bakar

“Go to Jalan Bellamy and don’t forget to try the ikan bakar!” the taxi driver cheerfully suggested. He seemed pretty excited about suggesting the place, therefore…

  • March 19, 2017
  • 2843
  • 9
  • 13
Cebu

Cebu & Oslob: Pictures from Our Very Short Trip

We’ve been planning to visit the Philippines for years, however, little did we know that it’s my father who will be the reason for us…

  • March 14, 2017
  • 1485
  • 9
  • 13
Airbnb Apartment in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur

Why Staying in an Airbnb Apartment in Kuala Lumpur is a Good Idea

Tourists in Kuala Lumpur would find it best to stay in the city center where famous landmarks, malls, restaurants, and hotels are nearby. The traffic…

  • March 5, 2017
  • 1966
  • 6
  • 11
Bulacan

On to a Lifetime Filled With Fond Memories of My Father

I wake up to the phone ringing at 3:20 am. The screen shows Abbu’s name. Just as I was about to swipe on the screen, the call…

  • February 28, 2017
  • 1535
  • 12
  • 15
Dubai

Bollywood Park: The First Theme Park in the World Dedicated to All Things Bollywood

Several leisure and theme parks opened in Dubai late last year, one of which is Bollywood Park. It is the smallest property within Dubai Parks and Resorts, a…

  • February 11, 2017
  • 1586
  • 14
  • 16
Ipoh

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

It was a choice between an upscale hotel in the middle of the city with a very famous infinity pool on the 57th level that one shares…

  • February 9, 2017
  • 8655
  • 6
  • 18
Langkawi

D’Grill Seafood Restaurant: Beachside Dining

The ambiance in Malaysia’s Langkawi island is laid-back, lazy, relaxed, humid, and friendly. Afternoons are mostly quiet, with people either napping, reading, or relaxing by…

  • January 2, 2017
  • 1238
  • 5
  • 16
Langkawi

Aseana Resort & Spa

Langkawi—an archipelago made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast—is surrounded by turquoise sea, while the interior of the main island is a mixture…

  • December 29, 2016
  • 5520
  • 2
  • 17
Langkawi

Tips from Our Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge Experience

“I think we’re going the wrong way.” The midday sun shines brightly on a nice and warm day. There are a few scattered clouds but,…

  • December 27, 2016
  • 2516
  • 13
  • 16
Langkawi

Mangrove Tour, Feeding the Eagles & Floating Restaurants

Langkawi’s cozy airport houses several companies that offer cars for rent as well as tours. I highly suggest renting a car, specially if you’re visiting…

  • November 28, 2016
  • 1391
  • 0
  • 16
Langkawi

Telaga Seafood Restaurant: Fresh Grilled Fish, Good Customer Service

When the planned lunch at Seashells Restaurant did not work out—because they do not have fish available—we turn the car around and head back to…

  • November 22, 2016
  • 1575
  • 2
  • 15
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • ...
  • 11

Subscribe to receive the latest posts & updates in your inbox.
No spams. Promise.

Places

nadiamasood

Moved to India on Feb 2019. Love travel & food. I mostly share pictures & stories from Hyderabad, my new home.
🧕 @asateerscarves
🐝 @thenawabees

Nadia Masood
What’s your favourite shake or smoothie? For us What’s your favourite shake or smoothie?

For us, using seasonal, locally-grown fruits is important. Not only do they taste better, they are healthier.

Seasonal, locally-grown fruits are fresher and often harvested at peak nutrition and ripeness. This also leads to better flavour, whereas produce grown elsewhere during off-season is picked days (even weeks!) prior to consumption and ripens on the shelf or is force-ripened by artificial methods.

When we buy seasonal produce, we also support our local farmers!

Pictured above is a banana-mango smoothie by @masoodxb. He is inspired by the countless tiny ‘cafeterias’ in the UAE that serve a variety of fresh juice and shakes (named ‘Burj al Arab’ and ‘Internet’ etc) even at 2 am. Most of them deliver at your doorstep too. 
So what’s your favourite smoothie? I’d like to have some ideas. I mean, I need help thinking beyond mangoes 😂
Is it wrong to enjoy the day when others are hurti Is it wrong to enjoy the day when others are hurting?

Eid is a celebration that I like to think of as a reward for fasting for an entire month of Ramadan. And all my memories of Eid are filled with joy, laughter, family gatherings, Eidi, and Sheer Khurma.

This year, Muslims around the world experienced a different kind of Eid. Given the current pandemic situation, we couldn’t go out to offer the mandatory congregational prayer, for example. We prayed at home instead.

There are so many COVID-19 related deaths worldwide. There are natural calamities. In India, we have a list of issues that leaves so many people hurt and frustrated. In Karachi, a plane which had 99 people aboard, crashed into a crowded residential district after twice trying to land at the airport.

Recently, I’ve taken a few days off social media because I felt overwhelmed with everything that’s going on.

Then comes Eid. To celebrate or not? Is it wrong to enjoy the day when others are hurting?

Then I look at my family, the people I love and cherish. There’s @masoodxb’s grandmother. She’s almost 90 and is bedridden.

Life is uncertain. The current situation reminds us of this every day. This is why I celebrate Eid.

I celebrate Eid as a way to be grateful for what I’m blessed with, to bring the family together and create happy memories to cherish ... because problems will always exist and life is uncertain.

So we make Sheer Khurma on Eid day, a tradition that goes back several generations. This rich vermicelli milk pudding not only evokes so many happy memories, but also reassures me that everything is going to be alright Inshaa’Allah.

Lots of love and prayers, from my family to yours.
If you’re a jalebi lover, I found just the perfe If you’re a jalebi lover, I found just the perfect recipe for you! It’s better than store-bought ones because a) you can totally control the level of sweetness, and b) you really don’t know when the sweet shops are going to reopen 😁

Let me know and I’ll send you the link to the recipe. It’s simple and requires few ingredients!
If you could have any breakfast tomorrow, what wou If you could have any breakfast tomorrow, what would you eat?

This is salmon and egg Benedict with capers, raspberries, slices of oranges, chives - everything coming together to make such a delicious breakfast.

I had this in San Francisco, at a restaurant that I woke up super early for (since it gets crowded real quick). I miss this every time I see this picture.

What is your dream breakfast?
Few things we added to the regular vanilla fruit c Few things we added to the regular vanilla fruit custard: fresh mango purée, thin slices of almonds, and little cubes of ruby-red raspberry jelly. Served chilled, of course.

What makes your fruit custard special?
Do you know the best health benefits of kombucha? Do you know the best health benefits of kombucha?

It contains probiotics that can help your gut. Because it’s fermented, you get probiotics, aka good gut bacteria. This helps improve the health of your intestines.

It contains antioxidants that help you stay healthy. Do check labels to make sure you’re choosing ‘kombucha’ and not kombucha-like product. And look for actual tea in the ingredients.

It helps detoxify the body, which may improve your liver health.

It can help you cut back on drinks with high sugar content. Bazzinga kombucha contains 5gm of sugar compared to 28gm you’d find in the same-sized commercial Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte, for example.

Please Note:

Kombucha is a fermented drink. This means it has a sweet-tart (vinegary) taste. I suggest first-timers try flavoured ones. I personally like @bazzinga_brew Pineapple Pie flavour.

Since kombucha is made through fermentation process, there’s going to be sugar in the drink. Check the label to make sure the sugar content isn’t too high.

Pregnant, breastfeeding women, and children should seek medical advice first.

Also, this is not a paid sponsorship. This company is owned by a good family friend so I can vouch for the excellent quality of this product.

Please tag someone who loves healthy drinks!
Frere Hall. This 155-year-old structure was origi Frere Hall.

This 155-year-old structure was originally intended to serve as Karachi's town hall, and now serves as an exhibition space and library.

When I visited, the library was closed without any notice and nobody seemed to have any information. Furthermore, it’s quite heartbreaking to see how the building is being neglected.
An old structure within Deccan Park, Hyderabad. Th An old structure within Deccan Park, Hyderabad. This park has been embroiled in controversies and legal battles for almost 15 years.

There were court cases related to the land’s ownership, there was also dispute over what the park should be named, then some argued it was too close to the historically-significant 400+ year old Qutb Shahi Tombs.

Finally in July 2017, Deccan Park was inaugurated and officially open to public. My favourite spot is the top of the hill, where you can see a section of the city in the distance, the domes of Qutb Shahi tombs, and even the Golconda Fort (used to be a trade centre of large diamonds).
Chicken daleem with cashew and boiled egg, Hyderab Chicken daleem with cashew and boiled egg, Hyderabadi style.

This is originally an Arabic dish, made with meat, ghee, wheat, rice and whole pulses. It is said to have come to Hyderabad during the Mughal period via Iran and Afghanistan.

Daleem is traditionally prepared in 'Bhattis' or brick-and-mud ovens, during Ramadan. It is a slow-cooked delicacy, often cooked for 7-8 hours and is done on firewood.

Around 2,000 restaurants and hotels across Hyderabad usually prepare and sell daleem of different varieties during Ramadan, and people look forward to this months before Ramadan. However due to the ongoing lockdown, the only daleem available this year is homemade.
Deep-fried, crispy, savoury South Indian lentil-ba Deep-fried, crispy, savoury South Indian lentil-based doughnuts called medu vada.

Early in the morning, when you go visit the restaurants in Hyderabad, you’ll almost always find medu vada in the menu. These are served with sambar and coconut chutney.

I find it challenging to shape these vada by hand. It’s messy and I never get them right. So if you’ve seen my IG stories (see ‘Lockdown’ highlights), you’ll find that I’ve used a vada maker, which makes my life easier.
You no longer need to buy jams because it’s so e You no longer need to buy jams because it’s so easy to make them at home!

The mango season has come to an end, and I want to make something that would last a couple of months - mango jam.

You only really need 3 ingredients! It’s super easy to make but tastes so much better than store-bought ones.

It’s like having sunshine and happy memories sealed in a jar.

Swipe left for the recipe and some tips to help you make the perfect mango jam.
When authorities deem bakeries ‘non-essential’ When authorities deem bakeries ‘non-essential’ and close them down, is when I feel the need of bread in my life even more.

Of all things baking related, bread intimidates me the most. It’s because one needs to take so many factors into consideration in order to make decent bread. One tiny mistake, and the end result suffers drastically.

Fortunately, these pav (dinner rolls) turn out well. Not bakery-perfect, but good enough. If you have bread-making related questions, please reach out to my expert friend @didipaterno 🍞
My first attempt at making khandvi, a Gujarati sna My first attempt at making khandvi, a Gujarati snack made of gram flour and buttermilk.

I find the rolling process fun, more than actually eating it. But disappointed at how I didn’t get the perfect cylindrical shapes. I almost didn’t post this picture, but you know what, it’s okay. This is real life, and it’s not perfect.

And as far as taste is concerned, khandvi is savoury and mildly hot. We had it with mint chutney.
Satisfy your sweet tooth & impress your family & f Satisfy your sweet tooth & impress your family & friends with this dessert!

I took inspiration from the traditional doodh peda (milk fudge) and added fresh mango purée and saffron for added flavour and taste.

You guys, these taste so good! Obviously, it’s rich and sweet, and that’s how most South Asian desserts are supposed to be.

It took me less than 30 minutes to make these.

Don’t forget to share or save this recipe!
Freshly-squeezed orange juice, courtesy of @masood Freshly-squeezed orange juice,
courtesy of @masoodxb. He is kind enough to share the recipe as well.

Recipe: Cut oranges in half. Squeeze into a clean bowl. Pour into glasses. Enjoy 😀

He wants me to tell you that the secret ingredient is 🍊🤣
They’re finally in season! For me, black plums, They’re finally in season! For me, black plums, or jamun, are one of the most anticipated fruits of the year (the other is mango). These little purple fruits are packed with antioxidant property, display antidiabetic property, may help reduce bad cholesterols and triglycerides in the blood, anti-inflammatory property, and may also help strengthen the immune system.
This is the resting place of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, This is the resting place of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

The mausoleum was completed in 1970, and is an iconic symbol of Karachi.

I’ve been driving past this monument since I was a child, but it’s only now that I actually got a closer look.

Please note: cameras are strictly prohibited, although you may take photos and videos with your smartphone.
Mango-banana milkshake with saffron. Yet another d Mango-banana milkshake with saffron. Yet another delicious shake by @masoodxb.

I can totally get used to this!

What are you having for Iftar tonight?
This is the syrup that has been adding depth to Pe This is the syrup that has been adding depth to Persian and Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries.

Pomegranate molasses, or Dibs Rumman in Arabic, is simply pomegranate juice that is reduced to about a quarter of its initial volume.

The thick, deeply red syrup has an intensely rich, fruity, sweet-tart flavor with underlying dark bitter notes. It pairs surprisingly well with salads and savory dishes, especially grilled meats.

I’ve gone the traditional way and squeezed the juice out of pomegranate arils. This gives a brighter, more radiant red color when compared to pomegranate molasses made with store-bought juice.

Also, keep a close watch while simmering the molasses, especially after 40 minutes or so, or it will end up very hard.

Now I’m excited to find ways on how to use this syrup! Any suggestions?
What’s your go-to photo editing app for Instagra What’s your go-to photo editing app for Instagram?

Mine is Snapseed. I use it for almost all my photos. I rarely post unedited photos (because I like my feed to look pretty). For this particular image (taken using my phone camera), I first edited the colours on Snapseed so they appear more saturated.

And then I used Pixaloop to make the clouds move. So cool, right? This app has been sitting in my phone since forever, and I now wonder why I’ve never used it!

I’d love to know what you use to edit your photos!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Enter your email address to subscribe to new posts:

A blog on halal lifestyle, travel and food.
© 2021 nadiamasood.com

Thank you for visiting, but before you go...

Stay in touch! Subscribe to receive posts & updates in your inbox.

{"cookieName":"wBounce","isAggressive":false,"isSitewide":true,"hesitation":"","openAnimation":false,"exitAnimation":false,"timer":"","sensitivity":"","cookieExpire":"4","cookieDomain":"","autoFire":"","isAnalyticsEnabled":false}