Some people still fail to understand what Arzoo Mag is. Please also refer to the previous blog so you know what we’re not. Arzoo Mag is an online magazine. We publish articles on South Asian culture, fashion, weddings, bollywood, food, and more.

What can you do at ArzooMag.com? You can read articles and comment on them and enjoy browsing through some of our picture galleries. No you may not steal our articles and pictures. Using without permission is stealing.

What else can’t you do? You can’t order clothes and jewelry from us as mentioned previously. Arzoo Mag is very similar to any magazine you may pick up at a stand. One difference…we don’t have a print edition at this time. Please enjoy the free online version and happy reading

Murgh makhani, more commonly referred to as butter chicken, is an Indian dish that has gained popularity all over the world, especially in restaurants. The dish can be traced back to Kundan Lal Gujral, who ran a (more…)

People often comment on our articles asking where they can purchase a particular necklace, sari, etc. In order to make a purchase you can email us directly at info@arzoomag.com. Before contacting us to order something or leaving a comment read the article. Sometimes we post designs that are available only from a particular retailer or designer and we post their contact information in our article. If this is the case you cannot purchase that through us and must go through that retailer yourself.

Also, as a friendly reminder, we are not an online store, we don’t have a catalog, and nor do we have a physical location where you can come in to make purchases on clothing and jewelry. We are an online magazine dedicated to preserving culture. Our primary focus is on bringing informational articles to our readers. Our main topics are fashion, beauty, weddings, and culture. In addition we also have lifestyle, Bollywood, and food sections. Check out the BLOG! for daily updates.

If you are interested in advertising with us please contact us at info@arzoomag.com. We welcome comments and suggestions. Arzoo Mag is always looking for new writers. If you are interested in writing for us or would like to submit something for review please do so at the above email address.

At this time Arzoo Mag is an online magazine only and we do not have a print version. We hope to bring you a print version some time in the future. Here’s some of the services Arzoo will be offering in the near future: bridal hair and makeup, mehndi, and wedding planning. For more information please email Arzoo at info@arzoomag.com

Indian Food Made Easy is hosted by Anjum Anand on the Cooking Channel. Anjum grew up in London but has also lived and studied in Geneva, Paris and Madrid. After gaining a European business degree she (more…)

I watched the first episode of Aarti Party today. In two words I would describe the show as “British Indian.” British Indian food is not authentic Indian food but rather a Westernized version of it. When Aarti mentions (more…)

So glad to finally see an Indian cooking show on Food Network! Looking forward to watching Aarti Sequeira’s Aarti Party, that premieres this Sunday! After noticing that the Cooking Channel was one step ahead of Food Network with Anjum Anand’s Indian Food Made Easy, I more than ever wished for an Indian show on the Food Network itself. I guess my prayers are finally answered but not quite…why you ask? Well, as much as I am looking forward to checking out this show, I doubt that it will actually feature authentic “Indian” food. It will rather consist more of fusion/eclectic types of dishes. This will give viewers a wrong impression of what Indian food really is. Either way, check out the show this Sunday, August 22nd at Noon ET and let us know what you think!

To learn more about the show click here: http://www.arzoomag.com/food/aarti-party-premieres-soon/

As you may have heard Aarti Sequeira won “The Next Food Network Star” and will be hosting a new Indian-inspired cooking show. Aarti, a Los Angeles food blogger, competed along with others in a 10 week heated (more…)

Wedding season, of course, and it’s in full swing! With July, being the popular month to get married, about to begin so does everything that comes with it. Shopping, selecting outfits for each event, buying gifts, the stress, food, and attending all these weddings are some of the important tasks we become engrossed in during this time which make summer pass by in a glimpse! For some people the fun turns into a drag after a long wedding season but for others, like me, who can’t get enough wedding season just isn’t long enough!

The only curry Americans know is “curry” not “kadhi.” Both curry and curry “powder” have become synonymous with Indian cooking. It is a HUGE misconception that curry powder is a key ingredient in curry (more…)

Check out the Feb/Mar issue of the Food Network Magazine for these spicy, Indian inspired Bollywood Fries. (more…)

They may not think they are insulting and they may not think that they are causing any offense but they are. I love Food Network but they cannot cook Indian food! Before they show Indian recipes they should really learn how to prepare them properly. They should also learn to pronounce the names right. It’s not buzmati rice; it’s basmati. It’s not sam bosas; it’s sambosas. So that’s the first thing they need to work on is their pronounciation. Next they need to start preparing dishes the authentic Indian way if they are going to call them Indian. Sandra Lee’s semi-homemade naan is not naan! Putting curry powder in something doesn’t make it Indian. Curry powder isn’t even Indian in the first place. Bobby Flay made some garam masala hens but then topped them with a maple glaze. HUH?? Since when did maple syrup become Indian. And by the way, it’s garam masala not gerum masala. So there you go…I’ve presented a few examples but nonetheless I still love Food Network and will continue to watch it. I just believe that they should stop putting forth false Indian food and seriously make it more authentic and traditional like it should be! Now on the other hand if they want to present fusion style cooking then it should clearly be labeled FUSION.

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So the other day I mentioned that as I was watching Food Network I heard that Indian food is the hot new cuisine of the year. It makes sense as I’ve been seeing a lot of episodes featuring Indian cuisine. Although I must say they don’t do a very good job! They can’t even pronounce the names right and most of the time the dishes they make are not really authentic Indian. Anyway, I’ll save that discussion for next time.

Coming back to the topic. I picked up a copy of the Feb/Mar issue of Food Network Magazine and sat down to peruse through it. Now I had not been very pleased with their previous and first issue but this seemed a bit more promising and I must commend them for it because indeed it was! I found some great general ideas but the best part is they had a couple of Indian inspired dishes that seemed to have some potential. One was popcorn with an Indian twist which I will share with you a little later but the most appealing to me was BOLLYWOOD FRIES!

Ok, so they have nothing to do with Bollywood but they are fries made with some traditional Indian spices and I must commend Food Network on the catchy name! Don’t forget to check out our Bollywood section to find out how to make them

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We see Indian influences everywhere nowadays. Whether it’s your Chai “Tea” Latte at Starbucks or a kajal eyeliner at Sephora, the craze for everything Indian has taken over. The other day I even heard on Food Network that the “hot” new cuisine of the year is Indian food! Check out a few of my favorite finds:

Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl Liner by Guerlain

This ultra fine, loose powder can be applied as an eyeliner using a wand applicator or as an eyeshadow using the brush. Thousands of years old kohl gets transformed.

Sephora, Laura Mercier, Makeup Forever, and many others have kohl liners as well. Stila even has a kajal eyeliner and Givenchy has a kajal eye pencil as well. Remember when everyone left kajal behind for the modern eyeliners? It seems like some of these big cosmetic companies are now taking something of ours and turning it into their own! I would check the ingredients before using any of these though.

Starbucks’ Chai is a big loser for it’s fake ingredients such as a “chai” syrup but their Black Tea Latte is worth trying with some modifications! Try ordering it like this next time: (your size) Unsweetened Black Tea Latte with less water and more milk! Add the amount of sugar to your taste and it comes pretty close to the chais made in most Indian homes! Why order it unsweetened though? The sweetener they use is their “Classic” sugar and water concoction that gives it an artificial taste.

Nature’s Gate’s Henna Shine Enhancing Shampoo and Conditioners are worth a try! Once again the mehndi plays an important role in the west. This formula is perfect for dull and lifeless hair. The henna helps impart shine to hair.

Not to worry because the henna used in this formula is of the non-coloring type and won’t dye your hair!

One of the most important tasks involved when planning a wedding is determining the menu. You not only want your guests to enjoy the beauty of the ceremonies, but you also want to ensure that you dine them (more…)

Take advantage of the summer mangoes and make your own fresh mango pulp. Then mix it with milk and check for sweetness. Pour it into miniature molds and there you go! All you have to do is freeze your (more…)

One of the simplest desserts to make is Besan Halwa. The best part about it is that it’s made using a popular and basic Indian staple, besan. It can be made in a hurry when you need a last minute sweet dish. (more…)