Spotlight
The Shashoto look
It's a fact that women here look their best in saris. These six yards of fine cloth, worn pleated around the waist with a loose end thrown over the shoulder, have an age old appeal.
Saris cast an unexplained spell on the women, whenever they wear one; they feel like dressing up. A bindi, a few matching bangles, and a simple chain is the more traditional way of dressing up in a sari. As with almost every other thing, the current trend is to be a little bold with saris. You can either team yours with a couture blouse, or mix and match with a contrasting colour and complement it with big oxidised silver jewellery, for a more contemporary look.
This lovely outfit is worn by women all over South Asia, but each country maintains a particular style of wearing it. What is common among all the styles and ways of wearing a sari is that it makes you look alluring and very elegant.
For women in our country, the Dhakai jamdani is a must-have; no wardrobe is complete without one. This traditional piece has vintage value and if you buy one now, years later your daughter or daughter-in-law would thank you for being sophisticated. Jamdanis are available in almost all-upscale boutiques but did you ever think of owning one that is custom made just for you?
Dora Alamgir, who has been designing saris for quite a while now is offering you this unique opportunity of ordering personalised dhakais. You explain the colour combination of your choice or pick one from her readymade stock and place an order with her. She has her own weaver with whom she works closely with motifs and colour combinations and comes up with some amazing dhakais. All her saris come with matching blouse pieces which makes it more fun.
Alamgir has recently come up with a fusion piece in jamdani which is a potential collector's item. A turquoise base highlighted with dark blue in the traditional jamdani motif that spreads out in short intervals with each break striped out in blue and gold. The aanchal is totally done in a contemporary motif that has gold sequence work done on it. An elegant black jamdani in dirty-white polkas with a matching polka dot blouse piece is a sure show stopper. Olive green, mauve, red and other unusual colours bring out the best in her cotton jamdani collection.
Bibi Russell, the country's most celebrated designer and a true patron of local weaves specially jamdani, has recently inaugurated her show, which ended last Saturday at Alamgir's home.
Alamgir's jamdanis are of good quality, 100 percent cotton yarns and each of her creation is indeed exclusive. She also does cotton taat saris in block prints, tie-dye, embroidery, batiks and other styles. To place orders for jamdanis only or to check out her saris call 0175069363. Her home-based outlet is called Shashoto, which means age-old that aptly describes the tradition of wearing saris. This very traditional, elegantly dressed lady knows exactly what you crave for and how to wave the magic wand to make your dreams come true. She meets clients on request only.
By Raffat Binte Rashid
Photo: Zahedul I khan
News Flash
Project Bangladesh to orphanages
On August 23rd, 2005, The Project Bangladesh Foundation made a donation of over Tk. 1 LAKH to three orphanages including the Alim Uddin Orphanage and Bottomley Home Orphanage. Project Bangladesh's first initiative is the "AMRA BANGLADESH" wristbands which were created by the organization to raise awareness amongst Bangladeshis worldwide to tackle issues such as acid 
violence, flood devastation and orphans. The five founding members of the group are Nicole Mendes, Navine Mendes, Rafaan Seraj, Shayaan Seraj, and Salman Khan. Along with raising awareness, these green and red bands were made to increase patriotism.
The donation of over Tk. 1 LAKH to these orphanages included several items that they needed for the well-being of the children. Some of the items included clothes, rice, dahl, sugar, cheera, oil, toiletries, books, stationary, baby formula and diapers, linen, and biscuits, candies and pens courtesy of Olympic Industries Limited. Project Bangladesh member Rafaan Seraj said "We wanted to buy all the goods and give them to the children so that they saw what they were getting, instead of giving cash. Project Bangladesh always wants to ensure that all the donations reach those who we are helping." The organization is calling for all Bangladeshis to get involved by wearing an "AMRA BANGLADESH wristband. For more information, please visit www.project-bangladesh.com.
-LS Desk
A true taste of Asia
BY Tommy Miah
In the following pages are a few recipes with ample choice for the whole family.
Though the Asian palate is suited to a more spicier, more fuller taste and aroma these recipes are as tasty , and on the positive side being more of a healthy choice.
Simple to follow recipes ,be it a family get together or a garden barbeque!
Com'on get into the kitchen!
British Bangla Chicken
This is delicious! Chicken comes out very tender and sweet with a hint of curry.
Ingredients
1 cup honey
1/2 cup mustard
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp curry
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 lbs chicken leg with thigh, skinned
Method
Mix ingredients in a saucepan (except chicken) and heat stirring frequently to combine all ingredients. Bring to a rapid boil then dip chicken parts (skin removed patted dry) into the sauce. Bake ,covered with the rest of the sauce for one hour in a 350 degree oven basting once or twice.
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
3-lb. Frying Chicken, cut into serving pieces
Salt and Black Pepper to Taste
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
2 Tbs. fresh coriander , chopped
Dash of Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
20 cloves Garlic, peeled
2tsp cumin
2 stalks , sliced
Juice of 1 Lemon
Peel of 1 Lemon
Method
Remove the skin from the chicken pieces, if so desired. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Warm the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides, and remove to a platter when golden.
In a large mixing bowl, blend together spices, and red pepper flakes. Add the garlic and celery, and mix to coat. With a slotted spoon, transfer the coated vegetables to a slow cooker. Add the chicken pieces to the remaining herb and wine mixture and coat well.
Place the chicken on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the lemon juice and peel over the top of the chicken. Pour the rest of the wine and herb mixture over the top of the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or until the chicken is no long pink in the thickest cuts. Discard the celery and garlic and serve warm.
Desi Mango Chicken
Ingredients
1/4 cup green peppers, chopped
2 tsp shallots, chopped
2 tsp butter
1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled
1 cup mango chutney
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup water
1 tsp ginger, chopped
1 1/2 cups mango, cubed
4 boneless chicken breasts
Method
Pound chicken breasts to 1/4" thick. Saute green pepper and shallots in butter. Add chicken. Saute until done. Remove chicken from skillet. Add bouillon, mango chutney, orange juice, water and ginger. Stir. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until sauce thickens. Return chicken to skillet with cubed mango. Heat through.
