It seems to me (and I have no scientific evidence to back this, just my frozen toes), that with every passing year, the world is becoming a colder, wetter place. The other day it even snowed in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates and temperatures plunged to zero degrees! So much for global warming!

Is it cold in your neck of the woods? Snuggle up with a cup of Preeti's Spiced Apple Cider. It is named after my dear friend Preeti Verghese (who gave me the recipe) and in her own words, "... feels like a warm blanket on your insides!" Oh and while you're about it, grab a good book too... and hang a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door.

_{© Photographer: Karin Lau; Agency: Dreamstime.com}

When I was at University in Pune, Maharashtra (popularly known as 'the Oxford of India') and in my early years as a journalist in Mumbai, my brother was at University in Delhi. I would make an annual trip to see him, shop and enjoy the culinary delights of the Delhi! My brother and I are 'thick as thieves' and these trips were always memorable... in large part due to the major amounts of eating we did. We ferreted out numerous amazing little eateries, and even checked out most of the famous ones. Some like Nirula's and Dilli Haat though, were annual traditions.

Dilli Haat is a market-style, cultural experience featuring handicraft and food stalls galore. Our favorite haunt, once we'd finished shopping, was always the Momo shack! There we would order ourselves (what felt like) a mountain of Steamed Momos, bowls of hot steaming Thukpa, spicy Sikkim Tomato Achaar and settle down to devour them. Everything was then washed down with a bottle of fruit beer! Happy memories!

Make some Steamed Momos and Thukpa at your's and you'll see why we were so taken with them. Enjoy!

_{Image of Momos being steamed © Photographer: Shariff Che' Lah; Agency: Dreamstime.com}

In India, goat meat is commonly (if erroneously) known as Mutton. It is hugely popular because unlike beef which the Hindus don't eat and pork which the Muslims avoid, goat meat has no taboos attached to it and is enjoyed by most people who eat meat.

Goat meat can be made into kababs, minced and prepared as Kheema (minced meat dish) or cooked as chunks on or off the bone. My favorite cut is the leg as it has a nice balance of bones and meat. I prefer to buy goat meat on the bone as I find it more flavorful that way. My favorite preparation with goat meat is Goat Curry or Mutton Curry. The recipe is based on my Mother's Meat Curry. Some interesting variations of Goat Curry or Mutton Curry are...

• Makkai Mutton Curry made with corn cobs in which the cobs are added as the curry cooks and soak up the gravy, turning deliciously juicy and
• Methi Mutton Curry which has fresh fenugreek leaves in it that add a delicious, earthy flavor to the gravy.

_{Image © Ppy2010ha | Dreamstime.com}

Barfi is an Indian style of dessert in which the finished sweet is cut into cubes, triangles or diamond shapes before serving. Barfi is often but not always, made by thickening milk with sugar and other ingredients. It is then spread in a flat, shallow dish and cut into bite-sized pieces. These pieces are sometimes decorated with edible silver leaf!

Make a batch of one of my yummy Barfis today. You'll be glad you did.

• Quick and Easy Milk Barfi
• Badam Barfi
• Coconut Barfi
• Chocolate Walnut Barfi (pictured)
• Kaajoo Barfi

_{Image © Andrea Skjold | Dreamstime.com}