Celebrating Cake!

It’s a haunting question in my mind too. Ideally there’s a lot of things that can embark or mark the beginning of a celebration. But be it a birth, marriage, graduation or congratulation, a cake is always the star of the evening. I pondered upon this for a lot of time and wondered just this ; is it traditional and old fashioned or are there other reasons. And guess what?? I found too many answers. But the best ones were too simple to be true.

Cakes or Gateaux or Pastries are foods of the heavens. They are cravings and soul foods. I pity people who cannot connect yet alone like cake for one reason. They do not know how magical it is. Seriously even when I think of cake, I get this broad smile on my face and I know its something I would prefer to any gift in the world. Not that it’s the case with everyone. For me a cake is the epitome of making someone feel special. Think about it. When you buy a cake or gift someone a cake or even cut a cake of your own, you get this feeling of dominance and happiness. You know that what ever the outcome, that cake will bring a smile. I haven’t heard of a cake that’s ever depressed someone actually. I know of a lot of cakes that have got people out of depression though.

Celebration. Of any kind. You have cake, you are celebrating. Even in solitude if you have cake. You are celebrating an unending feeling of contentment and happiness. Cakes symbolize occasions. They are cut to either mark the beginning of a celebration or the end. That’s why the occasions where a cake isn’t cut are incomplete. I know of a time when an uncle of mine decided not to bring a cake for my aunt’s birthday because he felt it was a “waste” (yea whatever!!). when he said that to me I felt like someone had ripped me apart. How could you deprive someone of their celebration cake?? Its mortal sin! We immediately went to the nearest department store and picked up a tin cake and a few “smarties” and strewed them all over the cake and pinned candles everywhere. My aunt saw that and took us to an “all-you-can-eat” pizza buffet at Ponderosa that night. See the perks it has?

Finally a cake is your first flash in the head to a special memory. Think of any memory that makes you feel so happy that you could dance and a cake will be there somewhere at those times. You will always have a moment in life where the cake was what gave that “oomph” factor to the entire celebration. My dad had send my mom a pink heart shaped cake with a ring right on the centre on their 15^th Valentines. My brother’s first tooth break. My first date at the most perfect place.

I adore, respect and applaud any and everybody who can make a good cake for someone. It is one of the most heart filled gifts you could give someone. And it is definitely the reason you make someone feel the star of the evening.

To all you cake lovers…. Glutton away!!!

Pakoras and Rains!

It rains! And it rains as I speak! I write I mean… Its time for one seasons end and the beginning of a new food episode! Not that summer for me is gone completely but yaya! Rain! It wont be long before I start to feel irritated about the rains again though. They say too much off anything aint any good right? I feel so about the rains. There comes a time where Ive had enough of it actually. Too many wet clothes, too much breeze and too many pakoras and chai sessions!

Pakoras and Chai are the Romeo and Juliet of the Monsoon theatre. While one is incomplete without the other, kill the taste in one and you’ve murdered the other too. On a rainy day, pakoras with a cup of hot adraki (ginger) chai comes as a perfect blessing. Interestingly, even high-end hotels are offering special menu of pakoras and tea in this rainy season. Pakoras are made with different vegetables, which are dipped in a besan (gram flour) batter and deep-fried. Of course, if you are calorie-conscious then pakoras are not for you. But how about giving calorie thoughts a miss once in a while? And if you are still adamant, then there will be a time in these monsoons when you wont get your precious rickshaw from the station and that time you will have to walk home. Will it be worth it then? Why fuss so much and enjoy it before hand only.

The best pakoras are the ones accompanied with tea. I don’t think the chutneys that come with it make much of a difference. Ill tell you why. And ironically this was told to me by one of my favourite uncles, Naveen Shetty. His logic was simple. Pakoras are doused in oil. And when you eat too many of them, you tend to feel a little uneasy and heavy on the digestive system. This is because the oil on the pakoras manages to stick on your food pipe (I know you are grossed out but don’t worry ill pull you out of your misery). The tea, since it is piping hot, melts the fat in the way and clears your system out so that you don’t feel as uneasy as before. That is the reason if you have a few pakoras with tea, you don’t feel like you’ve swallowed an entire bucket of oil in the bargain (may be a tiny tub in the bargain).

My dad makes the best pakoras in town. By far they beat my mom too sometimes. We used to make them on Thursdays in Kuwait when I was young. It was like a welcome home present for my mom and symbolized the beginning of the weekend. 6 of us on a round table with tubs of tea and dad dishing out hot onion bhajiyas and potato pakoras at the same time. Yum! I never understood the secret of his recipe. They had this one distinct taste that even mom couldn’t decipher initially. But gradually and once I joined culinary school I got the hint. It was a pinch of Ajwain (bishops weed). That just lifted them to another level. You should give it a try.

I can hear the sizzle of the oil as the batter hit it right now in my house! We are having spinach and cauliflower today. My job is to make the tea and we will sit and reminiscence of our lives in a while at our window sill . Pakoras and chai are ordinary but when you sit to have them you have some of the best gossip and conversations around in hand. Think about the last time and you’ll break into the most randomest and broadest smile in town! It is also preferred in the rains solely because you wont sweat and soil in the summers to make them in the kitchen. And winters are the time for comfort food. Not pakoras. Pakoras are foods that bring memories and start chats with. They are shared to forget the inhibitions and to make you feel better even if you have an extra one.  I have my brother wanting to explain to me a new card game in some time. What is your conversation excuse? For a plate of pakoras ofcourse!

DADA'S PAKORAS!

Ingredients:
1 cup besan (gram flour)
1 tablespoon of coriander powder
1 teaspoon of red chilli powder 
2 chopped green chillies
2 tablespoons chopped hara dhania (coriander leaves)
2 large onions chopped
½ tsp jeera (cumin)

A pinch of ajwain
Salt as per taste
3/4 cup of water (Use water as needed)
Oil to fry

Method:
- Mix all the dry ingredients together: besan, coriander powder, and salt
- Add the water slowly to make a smooth batter
- Next, add the green chillies, onions and dhania patta. Mix well.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium high heat (if the oil is too hot, pakoras will not be crispy)
- Make small balls of batters and slowly put in the frying pan
- Fry the pakoras in small batches and turn them occasionally. Wait till both sides are golden-brown.
- Pakoras taste the best when they are served hot. With tea of course!

Golgappe Paape!!!!

What is with this edible crisp pocket filled with some meagre flavored concoction that has the whole nation “ooohhhh”ing and “mmmmppphhh”ing every time you even speak about it. I don’t get the fuss behind it. Personally because I am not a very ardent fan of this snack. Its too sloppy for my liking. But it’s a family favorite in the D’souza and Rego household. Being from Mumbai presently, people consider it close to blasphemy if you say “I don’t like pani puri”. And their humble cousins up north and east also hold the same repertoire. I am yet to taste the “phuchka” but I have had the north waale “golgappe” twice. It’s the same people. There was no way I was convinced that it was “stark” different. I do prefer the “maide waale” (flour based) golgappe instead of “suji”(semolina based) ones. They are more dainty I guess. But for some people I know, you say “pani…” and they are salivating! My mom and sister will head out for a walk in vengeance to try and pull down a few grams and the next thing I know is they have paid visit to their “pani puri” temple. And no guilt what so ever ha! I say lets go for a Frankie and I get stares that look like I'm asking them to participate with me in a gluttony fair!

I don’t get the idea behind why it is soooo life saving this humble snack. But I am assured one of the reason is patriotism. You go abroad and say “pani puri” and “vada pao” and “dosa” and you’ll hear quite a few muffled cries and sniffs in the room. It’s available in the smallest of lanes with the single stand “bhaiyas” putting up a show literally while making it to being served in shot glasses with numerous fusion forms in 5 star hotels. In fact when me and my girl friends were assisting in the catering of the Good Food launch in India, “Guacamole Stuffed puris with a South scented Jal jeera” shot was the much praised amuse bouche for the evening. Courtesey Chef Aarti. And yes I swear by that one because it was a divine celebration in my mouth that beauty. Even though it sounds so grotesque on a reading basis.

During college life, our annual college charity event would have a huuge chaat stall. Yes, this would feature on the menu too but with a very interesting twist. Lets just say that it was one of the main selling points of the entire fest. Other college guys would book themselves for the event clearly just for this one aspect. There was a point at which we had once ran out between 2 hours of the festival opening. Yes. The “Vodka/Whiskey Golgappas” were the brainchild of my seniors and was a monster success for that fest. It was an even bigger success when I made it for a party once at home and got my entire family high! I had a lot of my uncles shake a leg to “Munni” and “Chikni Chameli” that night.

But a pani puri experience etched in my mind is the one that we as a family used to have in Kuwait. Still standing proud is the flagship chaat restaurant “Amman” restaurant in Salmiya,Kuwait. I don’t know what it is about that place. Whether it was memories of the “owner uncle” or the sweet n spicy tamarind chutney or for the fact that after 7 in the night you have no place to stand there, but they were the best. The best for me at least. Whether it was friendship day, a time to make new year resolutions (over one puri each ofcouse), mom’s office return surprise, Mother’s day celebration or even a break up, that was our adda! And pani puri was the need of the hour! 

Drooling over the laptop are you? Well that was my purpose! Hehehhe… Now you know what you want while returning from work/college atleast. Kudos to you guys who swear by this dish. I regard it for 2 reasons only: I adore the smiles and laughter associated with this dish. Mainly because its so messy!! (you can never eat pani puri with a serious face!! Im serious!!) and because it’s a favourite of a lot of important people in my life… ;)

Use this recipe to be the next “Show Stopper” in town!!

TALLI PANI PURI!

• 30 puris(you get them in the local supermarkets/at any pani puri stall)
• 2 medium potatoes,boiled and mashed
• 100gms sprouted moong or grams

For chutney:

• 200 gms tamarind
• 1’’ inch ginger
• 1 tsp jeera powder
• 1 tbsp jaggery
• A pinch of garam masala and salt

For Pani:

• 4 cups water
• 1 bunch mint
• 3 green chillies
• Juice of 4 lemons
• 1 tbsp jeera
• 1 tbsp jaggery
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp Chaat masala
• 150 ml Vodka/Whiskey of your choic

METHOD-

• Prepare puris first by stuffing them with boiled mashed potatoes/sprouted moong dal/boiled grams and keep aside
• Take half a cup tamarind. Wash it and boil it along with some water for two minutes. Reduce the heat and then simmer it further for another five mins. Let it cool. Clean it (remove the fibre and seeds) and then grind it in the blender along with some ginger, cumin powder, a tablespoon of jaggery and some garam masala. Adjust seasoning as per taste (add more jaggery if you want it sweeter, more salt if it’s too sweet, etc).
• Take 4 cups cold water (add more of needed). In a blender, blend 1 cup fresh mint (pudina) leaves, 3-4 green chillies (adjust to taste), 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp rock salt (adjust to taste), 1 tbsp Jeera (roasted cumin) powder, 1 tbsp jaggery (adjust to taste), 1/2 tsp black pepper and some chaat masala or aamchur masala. Add 4 cups (or more) water and adjust seasonings. Just before serving, add two tablespoons of salted boondi, some fresh coriander for garnishing and alcohol of your choice! Serve spiked paani individually in shot glasses or bowls so that guests can adjust the quantity of alcohol.
• Add ice to the paani and refrigerate before serving.

The "King" of Good Times!!!

Come this life moving event, and I am running helter skelter formulating  it! While the world prepares themselves for the kind of outfits and themes they wish to have, whether the cake would reflect what they want, I am busy preparing a menu to suit the theme of my birthday! Being blessed with a big family has perks in these things more than any thing else. We have 6 birthdays in the year! And we are pigging all those 6 birthdays too!

My mom is credited to be the mastermind behind this. From donkeys years, she’s ensured that unless and until there is a life threatening event on that fateful day, we will always make a big deal about birthdays. She will toil and turn in the kitchen a day in advance, preparing all the ingredients, matching the upholstery to the birthday (yes she does that EVERY TIME) and cooking mountains of food to feed the entire city of Bombay if they are invited.

She follows one thumb rule-On a birthday, you cook the birthday persons food. Period. You can suggest all the fancy shamancy stuff but NO. Its bearable when its us kids but come my dads birthday and voila!! We have the animals. And the “eat-from-head-to-tail” policy! In fact when we have additional people coming over for dinner and they see the quantity of food prepared, they suffer a minor stroke. Inevitably their first question is “are you’ll expecting others over too??”  And there comes the eye popping when you nod a “NO, its just us”. Its scared the day lights of most of the new comers(in-laws) in our house too!!

But even today, if its birthdays in our house and my mom hasn't cooked (like her normal times), you bring Marco Pierre over but it wont be good enough. My entire family would still eat like they haven’t been fed from birth and then would complain. Also we never had giveaways for our birthdays as such. But no one ever leaves empty handed. My mom packs them portions of the food to take home every time there is a party in our house. And those little parcels bring happiness equivalent to receiving a Dairy Milk on an ordinary day! Bliss!!

My most vivid memories were of our 13^th birthday celebrations in our house. Each of us have had a unique one every time. And that would include my childhood friends too!! Apart from the exaggerated invitations, the endless hunt of the perfect birthday dress, favors designing etc., my mom would make 13 of our favorite foods that day! There would be platters of the most exquisite junk and unhealthy teenage foods! We would invite 13 friends and have 13 types of small games running through the party. It was the best birthday of all times! This strategy first took place with my elder sister and was adopted by all my friends and classmates too eventually. The food was all homemade and we ate like there was no tomorrow! I don’t think there has been any restaurant party that has appealed to me or my family ever after we’ve had one of these for ourselves. If we’ve not being the ones organizing it, we convince the others too. That’s why till date, what we miss the most are the birthday celebrations we had when we were kids. And trust me, ask one of us from the lot that has grown up together and the most vibrant birthday memories we would have wouldn’t be the theme, or gift or even the cake. But the food. That’s what I miss the most and look forward to every 11^th November at least!

Take a break from the bundles you empty every birthday over liquids now a days and go old school people. Or else, I’ve just rendered a kickass birthday plan for you to adopt the next time you are throwing one for a family member or friend. Themed on their favorite foods! And take my word for it. There’ll be no other birthday gift that’ll be able to compensate this gesture. Something they will never forget. Otherwise cake stuffed in the ears also will also serve the same purpose!

LOLITA'S CELEBRATION PUDDING

And I present to you today as a gift in advance a recipe very close to a lot of my Kuwait family friends and relatives. A pudding my mom christened and will always be something we’ve missed once we left there. It is dead simple. No cooking apart from the jellies. Eat it on any ordinary day to get the birthday feeling every time!!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 liter KDD fruit n nut ice cream melted (Amul vanilla with a few chopped dry fruits will suffice)
• 2 Big bars grated Dairy Milk chocolate
• 300 gms each of strawberry and lime green jelly (set and cut in cubes)
• 2 tiny tins milkmaid
• 400 gms lightly whipped cream
• 300gms mixed fruits, chopped (pineapple, apple, grapes, mango)

METHOD

• Take a flat bottomed long bowl and put it in the freezer for 10 mins.
• Lightly fold the whipped cream and milkmaid to form ripples. Do not over mix.
• To assemble, first layer the bottom of the bowl with the cream mixture. Add a good layer of fruits. Scatter jelly cubes in random but ensure you don’t use the whole lot.
• Put half the ice cream mixture and lay it out evenly. Add the remaining jelly and half the quantity of grated chocolate.
• Add the final layer of melted cream and top with extra lots grated chocolate! Set in the fridge for atleast an hour before you dive in this divine masterpiece… and share and have this… it always tastes better that way. cheers!!!

Lights!! Camera!! Samosa!!

Food and Cinema are the Jack and Jill of the Indian subcontinent. You cannot have one fetching the pail without the other. For me movies and food have always had a special connection. I am well assured that come a time to watch movies and the worlds funk(not junk... you cannot call it junk if you eat it!) food crops right instantly in your head! She says tickets and I say popcorn. She asks for balcony seats, I want a side of nachos too.!! They aren't fancy foods are they? Cinema foods have been designed to be fattening and absolutely and exactly what you want at movies. Why you ask? Today I shall unravel the mystery myself. 

It is confirmed that even in my most drunk state of mine(and in yours), I cannot imagine crunching down a bucket of popcorn corn or a pair of not-so-very-tasty-yet-extremely-expensive cinema samosas. But give me one yash raj flick on the big screen or let Disney build another one of its classics and my next question to the person coming with me to the movies is:




"kaunsa combo le? there's a bourbon biscuit free with the one costing 350 bucks!"(yea right!! tell me you haven't done that ever!!)

And that is the selling point behind these goods. You will not pay if you don't crave.  And THEY WILL MAKE YOU CRAVE!!! What with all the creative LEDs, the numerous number of flavors you can create from the one dish that was born with the movies(POPCORN!!) and the beautiful number of times the servers come and tempt you with their offers to literally feed you while you are seated watching the movies. Those guys are like Devil's prodigies!! How are you suppose to survive!!
Needless to say I am eyes goggling and gobbling away to glory and I am down half a tub of caramel divine corn and a samosa and a cauldron full of Pepsi... And I don't care a hoots of whether the movie went great or not, my purpose was solved. I am satiated beyond belief. 

And for the rest of you that are of the same race as me, you won't agree with me now. But Man of Steel is yet to release! And Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani was the recent baby in the market. Your mind will pull you far away behind those glittering fairy like counters.. But then you'll suddenly find yourself curling in the cinema with a tub or mosa in hand and then the company that you've come with can go to hell! You are sorrrtttedd boss!!!

Konkan Klassiks.....

Its the weekend in some parts of the world today and for the rest, its the eve. I am suuuuuper excited because my weekend comes with great tidings! To start off,  a maternal family outing for a movie!! And I got to cook today!! A divine combination of simple food that will always be a signature in the Mangalorean and Goan households. Infact, in all the years that I have been one and also of all the various ones I've visited in this life of mine, this meal is a family favorite, for the ones in the gulf and abroad-a sheer craving, and in the natives-a staple of an everyday meal. I am not kidding but if u have even ONE Mangalorean or Goan friend(or if u dont then u can ask me), Just say these three magical words and you'll hear a slurp!! So much suspense and I'm irritated too! lol.

Boiled rice, Dal(Specifically of semi watery consistancy) and Fish fry/Masala....

Yes dal, rice and fish!!!

Surprised? Why? It sounds too simple to be true??

You go all the way to the blue blood Shettys and Rais to the loud D'souzas and Fernandes's.. They will run back to their home every time this is cooked. In fact my best girl friend, Nidhi Shetty, and me, have had the most amazing times while devouring this meal every single time in college.You offer us the most divine looking food in exchange,but no. And this combination is ANCIENT! The reason I am so pride filled about this meal is because even if  you ask the present generation and the ones younger, this is one meal they love too. This meal dates me to the times where we were 4 toddler cousins and our granny would make these dishes and our parents would suddenly transform from Grown ass men and women to Hormonal kids craving for chocolate!! And eat like there is no end to it!! and swooooon with every single morsel!! I know of sicknesses that have been compromised if this meal is made at my home(my dad let go of his gastro on the day his mom made this, I've asked for it when I was hospitalized!!). 

We never cook this on special occasions. We have too many other animals and their vitals to concentrate on during those days. But say you have to go to mangalorean or goan household every lunch- this will DEFINITELY feature on the menu. Its a dish that is the least complicated. Needs no effort. And most importantly, has the MOST number of variations in preparations and memories if you ask any one of them. Try and ask them! For those Mangaloreans and Goans reading they already know why!

My most vivid escapade was soo very recent. My dad was here for his half yearly vacation. And on the first Saturday,went and bought 4 different fish loved individually by each of us siblings. Mackerel,Silver and Black Pomphret and Prawns. And it was a Saturday!! So the D'souza household had full attendance. And that afternoon my mom decided to surprise us by frying and preparing a small portion of each of those fish. After an AGE, the 6 of us sat home without any of my family members suddenly dropping in(WHICH IS A MIRACLE WHEN MY DAD'S HERE AND A SHOCK ESPECIALLY ON A SATURDAY). And we pigged!! And ate till we could eat no more. It was the most wonderful time ever.

Boiled Rice, Dal and Fish Fry... This baby is going to the grave with me...(along with a slice of chocolate cake ofcourse!!)

I am sure you can have some yourself this weekend incase you haven't tried this. Each element works in perfect harmony and you won't need anything else to substitute.

And guess what's for lunch here today!!!!

Cartoon Food Network!!

An Ode to you ardent cartoon characters in the world... I am sure all of you would have atleast one of them as your favorites. So here's a personal version of what I could collect on what would be their favorite foods!

DISCLAMER- Any resemblance to a living or dead characters food habits in this write up is highly regretted.(you should consider yourself lucky in fact if there is any!). None of the mentioned information or characters are regarded to be taken on a personal note or sentimental feeling. The arrangement of the characters are in no way arranged according to personal favorite. And yes if you still feel offended, then get your character checked!!

1. Power puff girls- Comprising of Sugar, Spice and everything nice….then I would have to say sugar,spice n everything nice. I know they hated veggies. Especially peas!!
2. Batman and Iron Man- I would presume dry fruits, granola bars or protein shakes for the instant Adrenalin pump and portability…This mainly concluding coz I don’t think both Billionaires have time for mini meals with the regime they follows… Even with Alfred toying around…
3. Bugs Bunny-Carrots and carrots and carrots!! Radish juice and carrot juice when he woke up with a hangover…I'm surprised he never suffered Carotenaemia
4. Superman- Superman eats whatever he wants. That's one thing that makes him so super.If he feels like a steak, he eats it. If he feels like poisoned gnome blended with cat livers and a little bit of Sawdust, he'll eat that too.
5. Fred Flintstone- Not Fruity Pebbles or Cocoa pebbles people!!! Cavemen era foods like Roast meats,Rock cakes, Gigantic ostrich eggs sunny side up, vats of milk… That Wilma sure knew the way through Fred’s heart!!!
6. Yogi bear- Anything and everything packed in "pic-a-nic" baskets! Honey was a starter to the day though…
7. Shaggy and Scooby-My favorite cartoon characters! Man the amount of food they eat and conjure! Shaggy’s personal favorite was "extra cheese pizza with pickles" as revealed in the TV movie Scooby Doo "Abracadabra doo". And I know Scooby would move a mountain for exchange of 3 “Scooby Snacks”. In fact Producer William Hanna had always imagined that a Scooby Snack would taste like some sort of a peanut butter-flavored cookie!
8. Tom and Jerry-Milk for the former and Cheese for the mouse! That’s how non-complicated and non fussy they were! And that’s why We've loved them the most too!
9. Daffy Duck-“Quack-ers”!!!!!
10. Sylvesterrrr-Dry cat food and milk! But the poor chap was left craving for a yellow canary all his life!
11. Winnie the Pooh- “Hunny! Hunny! Hunny! But Its not Funny! Coz-he-got-stuck –once-in-a-Rabbit-hole!!!!”(Sing along the tunes of ABBA’s track “Honey,Honey,Honey!!”)
12. Top Cat-This guy fascinated me most because of the quality of “share even your penny”… Ally cat diet but made it look like gourmet food came even from garbage cans!
13. Tweety-“Birdie Sheed”!!!
14. Pink Panther-“umm-beeaa-gaaa”!!!
15. George Jetson- Their diet is our future! Dehydrated food in the form of pills and capsules! Willy Wonka takes them as inspiration for his “Meal in a Gum” concept.
16. Eric Cartman- Rumor has it “fried chicken skins” were his weakness..! I abide by him partly on this. Especially if KFC is involved!
17. Popeye- The popularity of Popeye helped boost spinach sales! Its unfair to me though… I would've happily adopted Wimpy’s diet of burgers instead! (if only a six pack would actually give one too….sigh..!!)
18. Homer Simpson-Donuts! Steak! Hot dogs! Donuts! Pizza! Pancakes! Donuts! Chili Fries! Popcorn! DONUTS WITH PINK FROSTING AND SPRINKLES!! (hubba..hubba…hubba…B-P)
19. Ninja Turtles-Pijja!! Pepperoni and Anchovies to be precise…!!(but why???!!)
20. Huckleberry hound-‘emma like it em tacos amigo!!!

Yabba-daabba-dooo!!!

Cookiegasms..!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmppppphhhhhhhh!!!

Its like euphoria and ecstasy just had a baby!!

An indescribable floating feeling... 

Toe curling moment...

Nirvana achieved with every second passing by..........

Yes..... these are my exact feelings when I take the first bite of a perfectly warm and oozing Chocolate Chip cookie...(why???what did you think..???Remove the mental picture from your head!!!)

Well I don't know about you but this is a personal opinion. Anything chocolate is as close to heaven. I mean proper chocolate that isn't sophisticated or artistic or delicate. Chocolate was meant to be messy from ages. So here's my first of very many takes on that Food from God that is used to make one of the most simplest gifts to us humans... The Chocolate Chip Cookie!

I wince when I see chocolate cookie man handled... Complex pralines forced or adorned on them like stuffed bird hats on old woman, cookies with chocolate and too much cream/berries(yuck!!!), cocoa powder just haphazardly dusted on them, burnt chocolate!! Its like taking a part of my soul, stamping,crushing,pounding,slicing,grinding and dry baking it to be thrown later on!! Why would u do that to something that is spotless? and pure? and divine? 

Chocolate chip cookies are the staple diet for my soul. One of the many items actually. I still am ready to pay  any amounts for a divine chocolate chip cookie. And mind you, I don't go for the bakery ones always. A very close bawa friend of mine introduced me to Unibic Chocolate chip cookies once. Those golden packets once torn open hold a treasure for a quick fix of a very good and affordable chocolate chip cookie. Also, I am and will be an ardent fan of Subway's Double chocolate chip cookies as they were my solace once I left Kuwait for my studies. 

I do not fancy Chips Ahoy... NO NO NO!!! And then if u hate me, let me first redeem myself. Try Maryland cookies that u get anywhere abroad. You will ditch those Ahoy babies to sail away alone I tell you!!

But I have a narrow tie between 3 cookies I've tasted that are very close to the perfect-break-up-cum-instant-happiness type cookie. Fuddruckers in Kuwait(or the last time that I had them they were still pretty mean), the Taj bakery that I worked in at Mumbai and finally my recent discovery at Flourworks Pune(the gooey chocolate ones are knee weakening...so sit and have them)

Yes yes yes... You would have to pay a slight more than your average for one of these babies, but how would u know if you haven't tried them? Take my word. And I mean seriously. I will console you personally if u feel that the cookie purchase wasn't worth once you've had it.

But if you are convinced... Then Welcome to my world.... 

Craving one right now? Find the nearest Subway!! They are all over the place don't worry.. For the ones worried about their figures, starve yourself a meal to have one if you wish. My suggestion would be you'd rather work out later after devouring the cookie coz it'd be totally worth it! Also if you think about it so much, you'd rather end up putting more weight! (its scientifically proven)

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have a chocolate chip cookie that is fresh baked or homemade warm. with a cold glass of milk. Insist on it when you pay that price. Your first bite and you'd know it was totally worth it. And your favorite song/book at hand. And solitary. NEVER EVER SHARE OR ASK FOR A BITE OF COOKIE FROM SOMEONE ELSE!!(especially me). They have sentimental value my friend. That person would kill you if they could with that one look when you pop the question!

And if you are still a pessimist towards those... I cant help you... They were Santa's favorite snack. Would you want to risk that opinion??

Rushing off to the Subway near by.. And the part 2 will be delayed over time with a little surprise...!!!

Biryani Diaries!

So many memories with this dish. My mom is an expert at biryanis. I swear by it and it is and was and will be my favorite from her array of delicacies she makes. I have genes of 3 powerhouses of absoulutely fantastic cooks. My grannies and my mom are some of the best chefs in the world. Not that I disagree with your grannies and moms but hey!!

Birrryyaaaannniii!!
What can I say...Primarily is  is a rice-based dish made with spices, rice (usually Basmati) Chicken,mutton,vegetables or eggs. In my household, we've had very futile and undesired attempts of its preparation. But my belief is that Biryani is sacred and has to have some form of meat in it to actually feel like one. And even if I dig the Mughals out of their graves they would agree with me. A biryani is a whole meal in itself don't You think? It is. You can't argue with me.

For me a biryani reminds me of my home-Kuwait. Yes Kuwait!!! Inspite of Biryani's having persian-indian origin, my memories of the best biryani are always associated with Kuwait. You know, from where I come from (Mangalore), biryani isnt a part of our culture. So we used to seldom prepare it a home. But my first tryout with it was waaay when I was a kid.

Every Eid, we would go to an uncle's place. That "uncle" was my mom's best friend. And the poor chap had only sons. So we three sisters(did I tell u that before people??? We are 3 sisters and 1 brother!! Big n proud!!)

Ok so we three sisters would get spoiilt rooootten!! For us it was early Christmas coz we could run about the entire bungalow (Maaaasive place in Sharq) and pick and pocket whatever fancied us.Including flowers and seeds and tissues and pencils and pens and spices and nuts and...!! (no we do not have the same lifestyle now don't worry) My uncle's office was our gold mine. Many a times a years supply of stationary would come from that place for us. Through our pockets of course!! 

Anyways off topic. Now "uncle's wife" would make us biryani every single year. She was our "bhabhi aunty" I still don't know her real name and don't fancy knowing too coz I like it this way. This aint no ordinary biryani she would make my friend. 2 whole sheep, 15 kgs Indus Valley rice, a ton of vegetables and mountains of spices. And she used to make it in a handi in which there's a picture of the 3 of us comfortably sitting in it! Thats how huge this thing was!!! She'd start the cooking process with her "Devars"(Brother-in-laws) from 5am. And once the handi is closed with a lid by 10am, it would open straight by 12pm. The 3 of us wait eagerly for the opening because that was our part. Of all the times I've eaten there (9 Eids approx),our jobs were to garnish the dish. And so my elder sister would get to sprinkle the herbs, I would lay the tomato slices, the younger one the dry fruits and fried onions and aunty the "kesar"(saffron). It was accomplised then!! We would make shapes and sizes and would behave like we were making a dish to impress the Sheikh of the country for lunch! 

We girls would wait for the afternoon prayers then and after scrambling and walking back to the house looking like we had bombshells in our pockets,(thanks to all the generous donations we got) we'd sit around this huuuuuge persian carpet and eat from "Thaals"(humungous bronze copper plates that can comfortably form a bed base for 2 cats too sleep on with pillows). We 3 had a separate thaal that would come out every Eid just for us. And aunty would first serve a kebab  some raita(curd preparation), pickle, chutney and the king of the dish-Biryani!! And it ALWAAAAYS came out perfect. And we ALWAAAAYS got the credit for the garnish from everyone sitting there!! We would scald our tongues and eat like we've neevr been fed before and this would be the last time we would be having a meal before the world ended that night!
The task would be after this ceremony. To down the seviyaan prepared by uncle(which at that point was the most unappetizing dish ever) and to actually lift ourselves off the diwan to head back home. And if you have weight in your pockets holding u down, it was equivalent to capital punishment.


I miss those times. And I missed it so much that I convinced myself and made a Biryani just yesterday!! Told you that writing and reading about it won't just work. It served my purpose. 

Because of that tradition, my mom used to ensure the 3 of us would be a part of atleast one process while making a biryani when we were kids. It would be anything. But the whole family would be involved and more than the eating, the process would be so much fun.

So Biryani for Lunch? Or dinner? I hope so. For those of you who wish to make a biryani yourself tonight, here's some aid with one of my most prized possessions. And if you wish to make any changes to it, please don't bother. This ones too perfect to mess around with.

KHAAJUUUM!!!!

BHABHI AUNTY'S MUTTON BIRYANI

Mutton                                500gms

Basmati rice                        1 1/2 cups

Salt        

Bay leaves                            2

Green cardamoms                10

Black peppercorns                25-30

Cinnamon                             3 inch stick

Oil                                       1 tablespoon + to deep fry

Onions(sliced)                       5 large

Caraway seeds (shahi jeera)   1/2 teaspoon

Cloves                                   10

Ginger paste                          1 tablespoon

Garlic paste                           1 tablespoon

Red chilli powder                    1 tablespoon

Green Chillies (slit)                  5

Yogurt                                    1 cup

Fresh coriander leaves,torn       2 tablespoons

Fresh mint leaves,torn              2 tablespoons

Pure ghee                               4 tablespoons

Black cardamoms                    2

Saffron (kesar),mix in 1/4 cup milk           a few strands

Roasted Dry Fruits

(Almonds,Cashews)                 150gms

Tomato(sliced)                         2

METHOD

Heat five to six cups of water in a deep pan. Add drained rice, salt, bay leaves, five green cardamoms, seven to eight black peppercorns, one cinnamon stick and cook till three fourth done. Drain and set aside.

Heat sufficient oil in a pan and deep-fry half the onion slices till golden. Drain and place on an absorbent paper.

 Grind caraway seeds, one cinnamon stick, remaining black peppercorns, cloves and remaining green cardamoms to a fine powder and set aside.

 Take mutton pieces in a bowl. Add ginger paste, garlic paste and salt and mix. Add the spice powder, red chilli powder, half the fried onions crushed, yogurt, coriander leaves,Chillies, half of the mint leaves and one tablespoon oil and mix. Let it marinate for about two hours in the refrigerator.

Heat two tablespoons ghee in a pan, remaining cinnamon and black cardamoms and sauté till fragrant. Add remaining onions and sauté till light golden. Add marinated mutton, stir and cook on high heat for three to four minutes. Cover, reduce heat and cook till almost done.

 Heat the remaining ghee in a thick-bottomed pan. Spread half the rice in a layer. Spread the mutton over the rice. Sprinkle remaining torn mint leaves. Spread the remaining rice. Sprinkle saffron milk. Cover and cook under dum till done.

Garnish with fried onion,tomato slices,dry fruits and chopped herbs.

I served this yesterday with a raita made with beaten curd and boondi kernels. You can get as creative as u like!!