... these easy-to-prepare, tasty Indian foods! A recent discussion with my fellow Guides on the Food Channel on About.com was about how kids have more sensitive taste buds and therefore often tend to be fussy about certain foods. This discussion was close to my heart as I have two finicky little eaters in my home! I am always looking out for healthy foods to give them. Some just never fail to hit the mark and always have my boys saying "Yummy Mummy"!

All these have mild tastes that kids love. Here they are:

• Aaloo Paratha
• Idli with South Indian Coconut Chutney
• Lemon Rice
• Tomato Rice and
• Dosa (pictured above with Sambar and South Indian Coconut Chutney)

_{Image © 2009 Petrina Verma Sarkar, Licensed to About.com}

I can't believe how the year has flown by! It has been so action packed, there were often times I wished I could just stand still and do nothing. Anyway, now that it is coming to an end, I can't think of a better way to say goodbye to it than throw a huge party. So that's what I am doing.

I have invited all my best friends to my house. We are having a Retro theme costume party and everybody is bringing along some food. To make it easy I sent everybody my list of Top 10 Indian Finger Foods and asked them to pick one each to bring along. That's the food sorted! Now for the music and party games...

No Indian meal would be complete without something sweet. Like any other festival, Christmas is the perfect excuse for making lot of sweets and desserts. Often two or three will be prepared for the occasion!

In my home my Mom and I have made Chocolate Walnut Fudge, Gulab Jamun and Gaajar Ka Halwa! The perfect finishing touch to the grand meal, full of family favorites, that my Mom has cooked for us.

As you celebrate, let me take this opportunity to wish you the very best for this festive season. May the year ahead be everything you dreamed of and more. Enjoy!

_{Image © 2008 Petrina Verma Sarkar, Licensed to About.com}

Having grown up in North India, I am very familiar with the foods people serve at their Christmas table. However, since everyone has their own preferences and family traditions, it is hard to pin down a few as 'the' North Indian Christmas meal. So if you love North Indian food (like millions of others around the world) and are looking to treat your family and friends to it over Christmas here are a few menu suggestions:

• Butter Chicken (pictured above) with Kaali Daal, Mutter Paneer and Naans. Add a green salad if you like. Serve Gaajar Ka Halwa with vanilla ice-cream, as dessert.
• Sumptuous Mughlai Biryani with Lauki Raita and Kachumbar. Serve Kulfi for dessert!
• For a 'regal' vegetarian option, try Malai Kofta, Shahi Daal, Achaari Baingan and serve with Lachcha Paratha! For dessert, you could have Rabdi-Rasgulla (Rabgulla).

No matter which of these delicious meal combos you decide to cook, your family and friends are sure to love you for it! Guaranteed! Enjoy.