Special Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownies ~ For Special Kids

Special brownies for special cousins, Shiv n Veda. They are my mamu's children. Since they stay in the US, I get to see very little of them.

Shiv is allergic to nuts n loves chocolate.... so what does nachi didi do? Simple... bring out her pots n pans, bake away to make 'Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownies' n top them with Chocolate Chips instead of the signature walnuts. Twisted the recipe a bit to reduce the flour content as gluten doesn't go down too well with Shiv either....

The kids really had yummylicious time at lunch with pasta[2nd helpings told me the kids liked it :-) ] for lunch and brownies for dessert....

Children have their special way of expressing appreciation. I was so touched when shiv made this lovely painting for me.... Totally adorable.... have kept in a special place in my room. My first Thank you note... :-)

The mummies also enjoyed the yummy lunch put together by Archana mami along with the pasta I did. The elder generation of ladies[Vimla aunty n kanchan aunty, who hardly look their ages :-) ] also appreciated the yummies.

I have been making walnut brownies for a while but always found cutting them a pain casue the embedded walnuts cause the sides to crumble.... Amazon.com and Suhela Mami to the rescue... She had got me this awesome slice brownie set. Unfortunately due to some size isues, it wouldn't fit in my oven. Would need some handy work by my mom at folding the handles.... So the Triple Fudge Chocolate Chip Brownies were done in my trustworthy tray.... :-)

By the time mom figured out the handled for the tray to fit in my oven, the kids and mami were back to the US..... the good part is that Vineet mamu was visiting..... was so excited when I used the Sliced Tray, the brownies came out so well.... nice n clean sides.... Yayyyyyyy..... :-)
Called mamu and we met in the evening. He wanted to have his brownies with coffee.

Got a Thumbs up from him :-)

The tray was so easy to use.... but washing up the separator is a bit of a task.... but anything for clear sided brownies.

Thank you so much mami for getting me this pleasure. Shiv n Veda.... You're special.... :-)

Banoffee For The Sweet as Toffee Julie

Pushpanjali is such a sweet n unassuming person, she's a delight to be around. I got to know her as she's Vivek's wife. Vivek is one of my first mentors at Infoedge[my office].
We've had many fun times together....

We've done many a camping trips together. We went to Bir n Billing in Himachal Pradesh at a Ht of 8500 ft for parasailing.

Tungnath....
A 3.5 Km trek at an incline of some 45 degrees… with even rarer air than Deveria Tal….. Water… Chocolate…. The feeling that my lungs will burst for the want of oxygen…. [This can be counted as one of the craziest moves of my life….. which in hindsight was quite an achievement….]
I really admire the grit and determination of Julie….. She’s such a fighter….. Hats off to her…..


Would like to express my absolute and complete gratitude to my mom for putting in my windsheeter and woolen gloves(Puneet Makkar survived due to them... ) We sat huddled in the leeward side of the curve cursing Mr Mad Hatter ….(Puneet Chawla)

Chronicles of Tunganath.....
About Tunganath
Trip To Tunganath - Day 1 [Getting There]
Trip To Tunganath - Day 2 [Trek to Deveria Tal]
Trip To Tunganath - Day 2 [Trek to Tunganath]
Trip To Tunganath - Day 3 [Return Journey]

Why Julie is so fit ? cause she loves running.....
Vivek loves taking pictures and Julie loves being clicked..... what a perfect combination... :-)
It's difficult to get vivek in front of the camera.... yet Puneet and a few others manage to the the trick...
She loves dogs... Check out the pics... need I say more.... :-)
Princess is her lifeline... They even took princess boating.....
Like I have Daksayani in my life... She has Yashna... her sister[Pinakini's daughter]... She's adorable...
Vivek, Julie and I have a blast playing pictionary...
Julie is such a bundle of energy n enthusiasm..... n also loves facebook.... :-)

We share the love of banoffee pie and big chill... very few people i know like banana in desserts n even fewer who will KILL for banoffee pie.... So the natural choice for making dessert on her B'day was banofee Pie.... :-)
Am so happy they all liked it.... n she has no clue that our conversation in going out on the blog... Lol... naughty me.....
Banoffee Pie
Yields 5 servings in a small bowl

2 Ripe Bananas
1 Tin Sweetened Condensed Milk
250 ml Double Cream[Whipped]
Coffee Powder or Chocolate Chips for decoration.

For the Base:
1/2 packet Glucose Biscuits [abt 100gms]
60 gm Butter [softened, not melted]
20gm Grain SugarMethod:
For the base:
1. Crush the glucose biscuits finely [not to powder], mix in the granular sugar.
2. Bind them together with the softened butter till the mixture is course. [i use the back of a spoon, you could use ure hands if you like]
3. Place this on the base of the dish in which you want to make the pie and serve.
4. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

For the Toffee:
1. Put the condensed milk in a heavy bottom pan and gently bring to the boil stirring continuously so mixture does not burn.
2. Boil till it is a light caramel [3].
3. Don't over do it as it will make the toffee too hard.
Assembly:
1. Slice the bananas over the biscuit base.
2. Pour cooled toffee over sliced bananas.
You may want to do a double layer aswell for the love of the banoffee.. :-)
3. Beat the cream until stiff and cover the toffee
4. chill
5. Just before serving sprinkle Coffee powder or chocolate chips for decoration.




May God bless you with lots of cheer, peace n happiness.... always...

Eggs in a Basket ~ For a Chick With Outlook

I love making eggs for breakfast in different forms... When I saw 'Carmen Cooks' post of 'Baked Bacon and Egg Bread Cups' on foodgawker.com, I just knew I had to.....


Since my home is vegetarian with the exception of eggs.... using bacon was out of question... yet I used lots of cheese, herbs and paprika to flavor the basket.

This mug was given to me by 'Daisy'.... Still a part of my prize possessions... :-)

Served with black coffee... mom n I enjoyed the lovely basket, warm out of the oven...

Dreamzzzzzzzzzz

Have you ever had dream that you can feel so much......
Feels so much like it actually happened but you're brain tells you, it's not possible only cause you wake up in your own bed....

I'm in office, lift door opens and there I find her.... what a surprise... I rush in to hug her.... hug her for long.....
See that there are others too with her... Hug them briefly.... Nice to see them smiling at me.... Hold her hand n stand there with a big goofy grin on my face.... Reach ground floor.... and come out... The lift opens out at a market near my house.... We hug again.... The girl accompanying her is not who I fear she is.....

They sit in a car and leave.... I'm left with a warm fuzzy feeling.....

Mala chachi walks back home with me..... when did she appear? I don't know.....

I wake up..... I know, I was dreaming something..... I was able to remember it all.. so clearly... I wonder did it actually happen.??????
I can still feel it in my bones... I can still feel the warm fuzzy feeling...... Can Hugs travel?????

Is it so simple to meet her? All I have to do is Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream... reminded me of the song.....

Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
When I want you in my arms
When I want you and all your charms
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream

[Catch the song here...]

Will you still fight with me when I say don't wear heels?
Will you still save mattar ke samose for me?
Will the boys still be admonished for teasing me?
Will you still listen to all my jabbering?

Will I still get the first choice for everything... like EverythinG?
Will those peacock glasses still be there for me?
Will we still go shopping for my lucky suit again?
Will you still let me potter around in your kitchen?

Will you still tease me, till I turn pink?
Will u still let me drive your car?
Will you still save all my crazy crafty projects?
Will you still tick me off for talking so long on the phone?

Will you still slather my nose in coconut oil? [Sure works better than any other lotion, the mark is gone]
Will you still smile at me when I walk into the house n you have mehendi in your hair?
Will you still watch me from the ring-side and rush in only when I need help?
Will you still love me?
.
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.
.
.
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.
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.

Will I still get a hug if we meet?

Choco Choco Latte

This song just caught my fancy..... It rocks!

Everybody In The World Likes Chocolate
Oooh, We Love It!
Oh, It Makes You Happy
Yeah, It Gets You Sexy
It Makes You Fat But We Don't Care About That...
Come On!

Lyric: Choco Latte
Whoaaa!
Everybody In The World Likes Chocolate
Oooh, We Love It!
Oh, It Makes You Happy
Yeah, It Gets You Sexy
It Makes You Fat But We Don't Care About That...
Come On!

Un, Dos,
Un, Dos, Tres

Mama She Says Roly Poly,
Papa He Says Holy Moly
Everybody Wants A Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
All The Girls Want Candy Candy,
All The Boys Get Randy Randy
Everybody Want A Chocolate

Cmon, A Choco Choco - Clap Clap
A Choco Choco - Slap Slap
Everybody Say A Chocolate
A Choco Choco - Clap Clap
A Choco Choco - Slap Slap
Everybody Say A Chocolate

Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Un, Dos, Tres

Mama She Says Roly Poly,
Papa He Says Holy Moly
Everybody Wants A Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
All The Girls Want Candy Candy,
All The Boys Get Randy Randy
Everybody Want A Chocolate

Cmon, A Choco Choco - Clap Clap
A Choco Choco - Slap Slap
Everybody Say A Chocolate
A Choco Choco - Clap Clap
A Choco Choco - Slap Slap
Everybody Say A Chocolate

Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)

Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Un, Dos, Tres

Now Wave To The People On The Left Hand Side
Now Wave To The People On The Right Hand Side
Now Wave To The People With Your Pretty Backside
Now We Do It All Again And We Feel Alright (Feel Alright...)

Un, Dos,
Un, Dos, Tres

A Choco Choco - Clap Clap
A Choco Choco - Slap Slap
A Choco Choco - Clap Clap
A Choco Choco - Slap Slap
A Choco Choco - Clap Clap
A Choco Choco - Slap Slap
Everybody Say A Chocolate

Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)
Chocolate (A Choco Choco)

Some more chocolate stories on my blog Chocoholic, Cheesecake ~ God's Way of Blessing Us, You Can Kiss My Fingers - Strawberry Chocolate Swiss Roll & Lemon Chocolate Swiss Roll, Daksyani Making Chocolate Fudge Brownies,
You Can Kiss My Fingers,Partha's Birthday Party, The Chocolate Song by Buddy Wasisname

The Chocolate Song by Buddy Wasisname

Has me totally hooked.....

It affects our seritonin, which reduces aches and pains
And does all kinds of cool things to the chemistry of our brains.

So totally hooked....

Cause we love chocolate, mouth watering chocolate
Black forest cheesecake, and chocolate torte
Some chocolate rum balls, sweet chocolate windfalls,
Bring on the chocolate, we need a boost.

Most of you would know by now how crazy I am about chocolate.... if not, then check out
Chocoholic, Cheesecake ~ God's Way of Blessing Us, You Can Kiss My Fingers - Strawberry Chocolate Swiss Roll & Lemon Chocolate Swiss Roll, Daksyani Making Chocolate Fudge Brownies,
You Can Kiss My Fingers,Partha's Birthday Party


The Chocolate Song lyrics by Buddy Wasisname

When your feet feel like they're made of stone and your bones are full of lead
Muscles feel like they're galvanized and there's concrete in your head
When your blood flows like molasses, you can't add two and two
The top looks like the bottom and orange looks like blue.

When you feel like you're hung over but you didn't drink last night
Your eyes look like a road map and your underwear feels tight
Gravity seems multiplied and your organs are on strike
You're in sudden death overtime and the wheels are off your bike

You need some chocolate, soft creamy chocolate
Some chocolate ice cream, and chocolate mousse
Some chocolate cheesecake, Bavarian chocolate
Bring on the chocolate, you need a boost.

They say it gives us pimples, it's addictive and it stains
It makes us fat and hyper, and clogs up all our veins
It puts migraines in our noggins and it's worse than cigarettes
But all those things are easier than having a chocolate fit.

Now there's lots of medical evidence to support our point of view
It's not all psychological, good news for me and you
It affects our seritonin, which reduces aches and pains
And does all kinds of cool things to the chemistry of our brains.

Good old chocolate, dark chewy chocolate
Nanaimo snack bars, chocolate eclairs
Hot chocolate sundae, sweet chocolate milkshake
Bring on the chocolate, we need a boost.

Now they say we're chocoholics and we have a legitimate beef
That we should lobby government to get funding for relief
Now if you can keep a secret, just leave it up to me.
I'll take the funds and build us a chocolate factory.

And if life should get too heavy and we decide to end it all
We won't do it with a pistol, drugs or alcohol
We'll just take a thousand dollars to a nice dessert café
Eat a dump truck load of chocolate and do ourselves away.

Cause we love chocolate, mouth watering chocolate
Black forest cheesecake, and chocolate torte
Some chocolate rum balls, sweet chocolate windfalls,
Bring on the chocolate, we need a boost.
Bring on the chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, yeah.....we need a boost!

Aaj Main Khush Huun ~ Ek Muskurahat

My gtalk tagline....

Aaj Main Khush Huun
Lo Tum Hi Bolo Main Huun Khush Kyuun
Jaldi Jaldi Bolo Chalo

It gave rise to a post called 'Aaj Main Khush Huun'....... Puneet and Amit shared the H.C.F prize at guessing........ why was I so happy as to put out such a tagline?????

Here goes.....

I didn't know I had it in me, is what made me happy...... a deed that never got a thank you made me even more happy cause I wasn't looking for the thank you...

u think I'm cuckoo in the head... read on.

8am - got up, rushed to get ready...

8:30am - leave home for a pit stop at Dr.Dangs pathology lab for a blood test [ U ask why? that is a separate post, not relevant rite now.. later] before getting to work.
Hopefully, won't get stuck in any traffic... else boss will get another message.... 'Stuck in crazy jam'... LOL....

9:am - reach Hauz khas, park the car... thank god, got parking across the road and not 2 streets away[as is the norm, this doc's place is very crowded], else would have been charcoal walking in the sun.....

9:10am - got a slip and waited for my turn. most of you would know by now that I'm dead scared of needles.... would still like to take my mom along if I could [I know ure dying to laugh... go on laugh else u'll gag up].... still cringe at the sight of a needle.... even if it's not for me....

9:12am: kid in the doc's chair is wailing.... loud... it get's louder..... n I'm squirming in my chair.... why the heck does she have to do this n make me want to run to the nearest door n out of here....
oh hell.... this is really gonna be tough... shut up kid... shut up before I have to go out.....
she's done with the test n come away hitting her dad n wailing even more loudly.....

9:15am: lady calls out my name..... I gulp n gasp for air... still have time... can tell her that I'll come back later....
my legs drag me to the doc's chair.... I'm screaming in my head... No....No.... Not right now... later... later.... I'll do this later..... Not now.... Pleeeeeeeeease.......... Pleeeeeeeeease..........
am seated in the chair.... [seems like the gallows to me...]
I tell the assistant to please hold my arm as I'm very liable to shake it ......
there's a scream stuck in my throat.....
I close my eyes n stretch my arm...... [n the world is gonna collapse..... I purse my lips, so that the scream stuck in my throat doesn't escape...]
I'm poked, I gulp. A of blood must have been taken out as it seemed like an eternity before he withdrew the needle.....
Ahhh... it's done.....
I come back to my senses.....

Walk away from the horrid chair.... Thankful for the guards on my lips which didn't let the scream thru......

The kid is still wailing..... n sniffling away in a chair in the waiting area.... her neighbor in the next chair, sweet aunty tries to tell her it's over... everyone is getting it done, see noone else is crying... it's ok....

No avail.. even loader wails..... Now the dad's nowhere to be seen on the scene....

Wondered if I had a sweet or chocolate in my bag.... Oh hell.... I'm suppose to be on a diet... just finished the last bite of chocolate yesterday night....

Then I asked her... what happened why are you crying...[as if I, of all the people, I didn't know, what has just happeneI] ... it's ok it's over now... see even I got a poke.. show me your's.....
No reaction.....
Where's your papa?
She looks at me and snaps back in the loudest of voices..... 'Tum angrezi mein kyun baat kar rahi ho?'
am a bit taken aback.... n quickly switch languages....
[can't type so much in hindi... so I'm doing a translation of the conversation that took place....]

Do you watch tv? no answer... only sniffles....
Do you watch cartoons...
I DON'T WATCH TV AND I DON'T LIKE CARTOONS....

Ok tell me why are you crying?
JAB DARD HOTI HAI TO RONA AATA HAI.... AAP HASTE HO KYA [ok I'm amused... wanted to smile, but kept a serious face... u all know how difficult that is for me.... I can see amit saying Oh Hell Yeah....]

Should i take you you out in the sun then... it's very hot.....
GLARE BACK..... NO I WON'T GO OUT WITH YOU......[atleast she's talking now, still tears pouring down, let me change tracks.... rack my brains on what should get a kid talking other than sweets and cartoons......]

Do you go to school?
YES [ looks at me and answers]
So what are you doing here? Why aren't you in school yet?
CHUTTI HAI.... [sniffles dying down]
chutti kyun hai.....
PATA NAHIN...[pause, looks and me n says] SHAYAD TEACHER GO GARMI LAGTI HAI....[ wanted to burst out laughing by now..... she smiles]

My poke stops stinging... I chuck the cotton n say... see nothing happened to me....
show me your hand....
she holds it out diffidently....
I take her by the arm n to the nurse before she could protest....
Arms held out.... 'please put bandaids for us'.... she puts it on.....
We come back to the chairs and now that the kid is quiet, the dad appears from no where.....

Look at my watch 9:40am... Oh crap will be late for work.... Runnn........ rather zipppppppp..... n hope for no traffic snarls..... Thankfully got to work just in time.....

Just had this huge smile on my lips the whole day..... and even now......

So now you know... :-)

Aaj Main Khush Huun

My gtalk tagline....

Aaj Main Khush Huun
Lo Tum Hi Bolo Main Huun Khush Kyuun
Jaldi Jaldi Bolo Chalo

The reactions I got....[Puneet started it though... LOL] were really cute... so later I put it out as my facebook status message too n compiled them here....

Mike: mujhe laga bahar baarish hone lagi n u wanna dance

puja9980: got engaged

Nix►: kyunki hum kal movie ja rahein hai :-?

Amresh: :D
saath chal rahein hai is liye tum khush
hai naaa yehi baat kahooo

Amit: shaadi fix ho gayi teri?
Amit: got lucky last nite ;) ?

Shuchi: koi party pe jaana hai???? khana samne pada hai??
koi gossip hai ???
arrey bhai jaldi batao
mein bhi khush ho jaayun!!!!!
Shuchi: FOOD is the ans!!!

Satyajeet: hmmm
u lost another few Kgs

chowdhary.ritu: u went back to ur weight limit of 57 kg:)

Gunjan: hmm.... u make every1 happy n party... isliye tum khush ho baat yahi hai na kaho ... kaho

Nix►: hhmm!
let me think - things that can make u happy :-?
food , dakshyani, chocolates, old friends
this is what i feel

bhatdeepthi: Limca girl?

Neha: you have made a delicious pudding

starringtwinkle: fr another party
starringtwinkle: nothng cn mk u more happy dan food
or
u gettin married?

taneja.dheeraj: kya hua
nachi
watzz the news?
appriasal hua hai kya?
lolzz
taneja.dheeraj: ohhk
mein to yeh bhi bolne wal tha
got engaged?

дŋмðl: appraisal ho gaya ;)
дŋмðl: aur agar jyada khush ho toh .. fir it must be a new job

Deepali: kya khya, kaun mila

Vinny: aprpaisal ho gaya finally
Vinny: u r engaged
u had lots of ice creams
u have resigned

Devanshu: coz u are close to attain size 10?
Devanshu: ooh! thank god i dint say ur project went live! Coz i know thats whats topping for you as of now

Kapil: 'cos you remembered me and thought of pinging me :-)

Meenu: sach mein no idea..
aap bta do
may b aap ye song sun rahe hoge dats y aap khush ho
:)

Rahul: hmmm....soch raha hu
today is not ur bday....so thats ruled out

Chandan : ur b'day

Sravanthi: becoz... "mera piyaa ghar ayaaa o ramji.. mera piya ghar ayaa" :P
Sravanthi: coz.. u... are.. throwin a party with me as a chief guest :D

Sravanthi: hmm.. u learnt a new super cool cake receipe??

Nikhil Thapar:"coz u like dis song ... he he :D"

Rashi Chopra: "u gettin married.??lol"

Prashant Singh: you had good food ?

Chetan Chandra: "coz u lost 2 lbs?"

Richa Sharma: "nachi.... if not the news, can we get the treat 'The dessert Treat" :)"

Nitasha Bedi:"tarun is asking have you found a "bakra"for shaadi?????????"

prasoon.mahajan: kal aap chhutti pe ho. you r going 4 a long weekend isliye. sahi?

Rashi Chopra : "u got promoted....or u goin on a holiday....or coz its raining...ufff...thats all i cud think of..lol"

Prashant Singh: "Ok .Let me guess you got promoted ? some old frnd visiting you ? got a surprise gift? going on a vacation ?"

Amit Ghosh: "You finally managed to kill all the mosquitoes in your zone ?!?!? Khoon ka badla khoon!"

Nitasha Bedi: "you're just happy getting all the attention"

Sanjeev Sharma: "Has to be something related to food :-)"

Sravanthi Penmetcha: "Zac Efron is actually not aged 21 but 29.. (oh wait.. that made me happy ;)"

Amit Ghosh: "You found out that your arch rival from school has put on 20 kilos since?"

Shalvika Sood: "The rehab cetre is giving u one yr free membership? :D"
Shalvika Sood: "u r going to be d nxt one on NDTV's The Gret Aunty Cook Off :D :D"

Mohit Taneja: "You have got New York tickets?.. or you are happy that I dint tell u its story..."

Rachna: hmm probably 99 acres is doing very good

it could be some personal achievement also

at family front

or u r getting married ;-)

now u tell

Jaldi Jaldi Bolo Chalo

Anvita Zutshi: "HAHAHA..............you're sister has finally admitted that you're prettier richer and hotter than her???? hahahaha( just kidding nivvi....ure d best )"

chowdhary.ritu: coz tomorrow is the last working day of the week , leading to a long weekend ....wow...

Sravanthi Penmetcha: "Nachi is happy because she has found an excellent means to get ppl to knock their head against the wall.. all while thinking of her :P"

Namita Khanna: "you're either r going for a trip somewhere or got promoted."

Shalvika Sood:"an all paid exotic vacation to Greece??"

Aakriti Bhargava:"OH I KNOW.. 'You know who' - has asked you out on a golguppa date... ????"
[She means Shashi Tharoor.... lol.... I wish... even u n I can go on a golguppa date Aakriti.... :-) ]

GV: kyunki apne dost se baat kar rahee ho?

GV: trek pe jaa rahee ho?

Kaam pe nahi gayeen.
Chutti ke liye jaa rahee ho?

Monica: err

u got featured in a news paper or a news channel....

Comments from Sravanthi, Anvita and Aakriti get a special mention and stick-jaw sweets from Ellora's of Dehradoon fame.....

Hmmm... That was really interesting stuff which all my friends [and not so friendly people as well... LOL...] came up with what would make me happy.........
Most of these would make me happy... yet many gave out their aspirations n told me what makes them happy.... LOL...
Don't ask me who......


Lots of people asked "is there any correct answer ?"
Nachiketa: there's no correct or incorrect answer.....

bhatdeepthi: that keeps you alive and happy so its perfectly right!

Answers in a nut shell....

created at http://www.wordle.net/

n H.C.F prize is hereby officially shared by...... Puneet Chawla and Amit Ghosh....

Puneet: u did it with abhishek bachhan in ur dream.... ?

Amit says.....
You're "Aaj main khush huun ..... blah" kind happy bcoz:
1. You found out that your spiteful, wicked boss occasionally cross-dresses and you have photographic evidence to blackmail him with
[Ps: I don't have a wicked boss.... maybe ure referring to someone else we know.... lol.... laughing hysterically... ROTFL if you please....]
2. You learnt that INSANITY is NOT hereditary - so your kids might turn out fine
3. You finally cracked the spelling of "Umbrella" and Mrs Mehta gave you 5 stars for it
4. You saw this job ad where people get paid for being able to laugh hysterically and uncontrollably at the most un-funny things - A perfect skill set match!
5. Abhishek Bachchan came back for seconds
6. Your ex-boyfren (who'd dumped you) walked in on you and Abhishek and his jaw dropped to the floor

Coming soon in the next post... why i was and am really HAPPY......

Thanks so much for being there everyone....


Here's why I was and am so happy.... Aaj Main Khush Huun ~ Ek Muskurahat

Bribing God With Toy Planes

Just couldn't resist this... 'Bribing God With Toy Planes'.....
LOL....

Want to seek greener pastures abroad? Come to a gurudwara here and offer a plane and who knows your wish might get fulfilled.

This may sound strange but Punjabi youths, especially from the Doaba region, have been thronging the Gurudwara Sant Baba Nihal Singh Ji Shaheedan in Talhan to offer toy planes so that their wishes of going abroad and getting lucrative jobs are fulfilled.

Toy planes, inscribed with names of different carriers, are found in front of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Read it at http://www.indiauncut.com/iublog/

Abstinence

Resisting Temptation - 3 days.....
Sounds more like an AAA countdown.. LOL


Thanks sniggy.... :-)

Temptation

Need I say more......

Jolene Jolene Jolene Jolene

Heard this song on matchless music hour on 102.6 Air FM Rainbow..... It's sung by Dolly Parton... It's stuck in my head



Lyrics:
jolene jolene jolene jolene
I'm begging of you, please don't take my man
jolene jolene jolene jolene
please don't take him even though you can

your beauty is beyond compare
with flaming locks of auburn hair
with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
your smile is like a breath of spring
your voice is soft like summer rain

I cannot compete with you jolene
and he talks about you in his sleep
and there is nothing I can do to keep
from crying when he calls your name, jolene jolene jolene jolene jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
jolene jolene jolene jolene
please don't take him even though you can

well I can easily understand
how you can easily take my man
but you don't know what he means to me jolene
well you could have your choice of men
but I could never love again

he's the only one for me jolene
and I had to had to have this talk with you
my happiness depends on you
and whatever you decide to do jolene

jolene jolene jolene jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
jolene jolene jolene jolene
please don't take him even though you can

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jolene_(song)

Happy

This pic says so much....

Sin ~ Rum Cake n Icecream

Had decided to be a good girl and being my work outs.....
I even went for a walk with mom in the evening and even got up early in the morning, went for a longer walk......

The very next day, Ritu offers me icecream...
Boss got rum cake from home.....
n see what I did to it.....

Ritu, Deepali and I freaked out on warm n moist rum cake with cold icecream....
Sinfulllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll................

Should I be thankful or guilty?????????????

When Henry blew bubbles they became more than that

When Henry blew bubbles they became more than that.....

"When Henry blew bubbles
They became more than that
With a face and two legs
And the occasional hat"

Check out the this really nice ink & watercolour by Marc Johns at http://www.flickr.com/photos/97897408@N00/3048132897

Dinner for a Million

Found this really funny..... posted on "http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/03/40-comics-strips-for-web-designers/"

Tasting Chocolate

Most of you would know by now how crazy I am about chocolate.... if not, then check out
Chocoholic, Cheesecake ~ God's Way of Blessing Us, You Can Kiss My Fingers - Strawberry Chocolate Swiss Roll & Lemon Chocolate Swiss Roll, Daksyani Making Chocolate Fudge Brownies,
You Can Kiss My Fingers,Partha's Birthday Party

Was browsing thru some blogs and found a very interesting post called 'Tasting Chocolate' at Artisan Sweets.



Some excerpts from the article:

Many people suggest that the first year of marriage is the hardest (I’ve also heard the seventh is a tough one - we’ll see about that) but I look on that year with great fondness.

My husband and I made it our mission to try nearly every restaurant in Seattle. We kept a notebook about where we went, what we ate, what we loved and what disgusted us - luckily that didn’t happen very often as we did loads of research before picking our final destination. Every Friday night we would ready ourselves to hit the town, notebook in hand and an eager palette.

Those were the beginning days of my love affair with food. As with any new found love, everything was thrilling and new. Gabe and I were bursting with excitement and wanted to share our new love. We decided to host a tasting party.

Each chocolate sample was tasted separately while examining all five of the following categories.

Appearance - What does is look like? Sheen, bloom, even texture, color. Color should be even with a nice gloss, no discoloration, spots or cloudiness.

Snap - What does it sound like when you break it or bite into it? Should sound clear, crisp - this is a sign of a proper temper. The chocolate should not bend or crumble.

Aroma - Similar to tasting wine. This is a matter of subjectivity. Fruity, spicy, floral, etc. Anything goes. Do you smell leather, tobacco, dirty socks? Say it.

Mouthfeel - Smooth, not grainy or gritty. It can feel velvety or creamy, or it can be waxy or greasy.

Taste - Descriptors similar to aroma. Allow the chocolate to slowly melt on the tongue. Different tastes will emerge at different stages of consumption.

That's me..... Freeeeeeeeeaking out on dark chocolate n chocolate donuts..... Hmmmmm.... Yummmyyyy......

The Most Disgusting Tasting Cake

Was browsing thru some blogs and found a very interesting post called 'The Most Disgusting Tasting Cake.... I ever made in my entire life...' on Becks & Posh

It's amusing, read it at http://becksposhnosh.blogspot.com/2009/02/most-disgusting-tasting-cake.html

Am pasting the image here cause it really tickled me.. :-)

photograph courtesy of Jen Maiser

Chocoholic

I am on the 12-step chocoholics program:


I am never more than 12 steps away from chocolate!


Credits to Bhaskar for all the photographs [rather proof of all my moments of temptation... ;-)]

Cheesecake ~ God's Way of Blessing Us

Fresh fruits have always been a favourite with me....
Even when I hadn't discovered the baker in me, i use to do this cheesecake recipe. It always gives me wonderful results....


Made this orange cheese cake for someone very special....


For special people something special had to be done...... There was a surprise in the cheese cake..... chocolate coated fruit... Yummy..... How can I leave chocolate out of my dessert recipes. Got everything right by the book. Decorated the bowl with freshly peeled oranges. Now what to do for my second bowl.....

As usual S.O.S call to Deeba of 'Passionate About Baking'.... I had seen it somewhere on her blog ... Hmm.. Here it is.. She had done a 'DOUBLE CHOCOLATE ALMOND TORTE' for her mom's b'day decorated with Chocolate Leaves. She was really sweet to revert back in minutes with the process to do the chocolate petals. Have detailed it below after the recipe.


For the base:
1/2 packet glucose biscuits [abt 100gms]
60 gm butter [softened, not melted]
20gm grain sugar

For cheesecake:
250 ml cream[whipped]
150gm hung curd
100gm fruit pulp [use mango, orange, strawberries or any other fruit you fancy]
40 gms gelatin [in winter 1 reduce it by 2-3 pinches as it sets just fine]

Method:
For the base:
Crush the glucose biscuits finely [not to powder]
Bind them together with the softened butter till the mixture is course. [i use the back of a spoon, you could use ure hand if you like]
Pace this on the base of the dish in which you want to make the cheesecake and serve.
Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

For Cheesecake:
Whip the cream to soft peaks.
Mix in the hung curd to a silky consistency.
Add the fruit pulp and mix well, don't beat too much. [I like to leave a few course pieces of fruit in the mixture too]
Melt the gelatin in cold water first and then heat on a double boiler.
After it's completely dissolved, pour into the above mixture and mix well.
Take out the Refrigerated base, pour the above mixture into the bowl over the base.
Refrigerate for about an hour.[more in summers till it sets]
Garnish with fresh fruit or chocochips.

For Chocolate Petals:
Chocolate leaves are really really simple. They work best with rose leaves.
Pluck a bunch of rose leaves, clean & pat dry. Leave a stalk on each leaf to make it easier to peel off once the chocolate is set.
I make a few extra leaves just in case a couple break etc. They store very well in any case.
Melt some chocolate (I do it in the microwave), & then paint on gently onto the back of the rose leaf. (The back of the leaves has strong veins) .
Make sure the chocolate doesn't drip to the front of the leaf, or it gets difficult to peel off cleanly/without breaking.
Allow to set on a platter in the fridge. If you are in a hurry, then the freezer does the job in 10 minutes too.
Once the chocolate has set, quickly, but gently peel the rose leaf off. Quickly because the chocolate tends to melt on being held.

Hope you try this one day...it's a great feeling making your own leaves! I was so super excited..... It's beyond words..... They didn't like all come out brilliant... But enough to make me really happy..... 3 Cheers to you Deeba...

Deeba also made this recipe of cheese cake.... Strawberry Refrigerator Cheesecake... Eggless.... It's beautiful..... take a peek....
She's really sweet, calls me 'a chirpy young thing, full of beans'... LOL....