A Handful of Must-Try Dishes When Traveling in Brazil

Asha Pabla has worked for a number of leading textile and fashion companies in the United States. When not working, Asha Pabla enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures, especially through food. One of her most recent trips was to Brazil, which has a number of incredible traditional dishes.

When by the water, moqueca is a must. This fish stew features fresh tomatoes and onions combined with cilantro and one of two broth variations, one of which is flavored with annatto seeds, and the other which is a bit heavier with peppers and coconut milk.

For an appetizer, travelers should try pao de queijo, which literally means “cheese bread.” The bread balls are crispy on the outside and filled with cow’s milk cheese on the inside. Because the bread is made from tapioca flour, it has a unique, light texture.

People with a sweet tooth should find brigadeiro, which are chocolate truffles covered in sprinkles. Some variations come with strawberry in the middle. Another traditional dessert that is quite interesting is canjica, a bowl of white corn with condensed milk and coconut milk that is topped with a bit of cinnamon.

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The Traditional Northern Indian Dish Saag Paneer

A respected fashion designer, Asha Tabla has a passion for travel and trying out new types of local foods. Among the regions Asha Tabla has visited are Europe and South Asia, and she has sampled a number of cuisines across India. One of the distinctive dishes of the subcontinent is saag paneer, which originally comes from the Northern Indian state of Punjab and combines spinach with mild cheese.

Preparing the dish begins with combining ginger, garlic, and chilies in a blender and puréeing them into paste that is placed in a skillet heated with ghee. After a half minute at medium high, spinach is added along with salt and stirred for a minute. The heat is then reduced to medium low in the pot and covered to retain moisture.

After about 15 minutes, the mixture should be soft and creamy. At this point, add garam masala, heavy cream, cayenne, and the paneer and cook it for an additional 15 minutes. Saag paneer is typically served either with fragrant rice or a flat bread such as naan.

SAYA's Leadership and Identity Development Programs

Asha Pabla is an experienced fashion professional with a passion for art and design. In addition to her design career, Asha Pabla serves as a board member of the South Asian Youth Association (SAYA).

One of the main missions of SAYA is identity development. SAYA works with high school-age boys and girls by mentoring them in an environment that reinforces their cultural values and identity while guiding them in the development of healthy mental and physical habits.

SAYA helps South Asian youth deal with the unique challenges of life in the United States. SAYA provides a safe space for South Asian youth to interact and support one another as the young people craft their identities in a diverse society.

SAYA exposes South Asian youth to guest speakers and opportunities to observe many different work environments. SAYA’s leadership and identity development programs have the goal of developing critical thinking skills and the ability to make sound decisions. SAYA's programs are key elem…

American India Foundation Raises Money for Disability in India

A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Asha Pabla has built a successful career in fashion design. Outside of work, Asha Pabla remains involved with the global community through organizations like the American India Foundation (AIF), where she sits on the board of directors.

AIF works to accelerate both social and economic change in India. Recently, the organization announced that it had raised $150,000 to help people in the country who are struggling with disabilities, noting that less than 2 percent of the 70 million people with disabilities in India are gainfully employed.

The funds will go directly to the AIF initiative Ability-Based Livelihood Empowerment (ABLE), through which people with disabilities are connected to inclusive job opportunities so that they can earn dignified livelihoods. The $150,000 was generated through a fundraising gala held in Maryland and organized by Aruna Miller, a member of the state’s House of Delegates. Since its inception, AIF has raised more than $…

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