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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Itzhak Perlman - A Musician Who Sees Charity as a Moral Obligation

An accomplished fashion designer, Asha Pabla has worked for a number of major textile and apparel companies. Recreationally, Asha Pabla maintains a passion for the arts and is especially fond of violinist Itzhak Perlman.

Last year, Perlman won the Genesis Prize, an award that recognizes people who have made a major contribution to their professional fields while upholding a dedication to humanitarian service and Jewish values. During his acceptance speech, he talked about growing up in Tel Aviv.

Perlman comes from a poor family that struggled to get enough food. He remembers receiving care packages from an aunt living in Toronto, which consisted of fruit cocktail tins, jars of chicken soup, and a few dollars to spend on something fresh. Despite this dire situation, his family continued to give a couple of pennies at a time to the Jewish National Fund. For his family, tzedakah, the moral obligation to give, was a way of life.

While Perlman’s situation has changed dramatically since his ch…

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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