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.... :-)
This Year's Airtel Delhi Marathon was lots of fun... much like last time.... Last year, I ran[rather walked, cause i had a very very bad throat n could hardly speak a word without couging n spluttering ;-)] with Dipali and Amit.... This year I had gone with Amit... this time Amit Ghosh, a friend at work. Reached the holding area at 8:30am. Got set... We were walking arround n just couldn't help taking a shot of this gentleman....I think he imagined himself in the lawns of India gate rather than the holding area of the marathon... Ha..Ha..Ha... There was an event where people came in costumes.... At the starting line, there were lots of celebs... Shahrukh Khan [seemed like the main attraction... oh god.. the jostling which happened to catch a glimpse of him], Sheila Dixit, Suresh kalmadi, Rahul Bose, Simmi Greywal [in her signature white clothes n red nail polish... LOL...], Vijendar Singh, Cathy Freeman. Running was fun... :-) The number of people taking pictures other than the designated marathon-photos.com guys was crazy.... way more than last year..... People were quite enthusiastic about dressing up and DOWN for the run..... LOL... ;-) People were having a ball of a time... Met up with friends... Priyanka Sachar, Bhawna and Vibhore. Lots of them were running 21 Kms, could get to meet them.... After running for a while.... walked the rest of the way..... It was so much fun.... hope to run the 21 next year...
Anything coffee attracts me like a magnet..... :-) There is no parallel to the goodness of a warm Cappuccino Buttermilk Muffin loaded with Dark Chocolate Chips....
This is the first time I made cupcakes.... where else would I have gotten the recipe other than Deeba.... her first try and the luscious 2nd try..... I just had to..... I wanted to drop whatever I was doing and just run to the kitchen... alas was not at home....
Took my first try for babaji.... They turned out yummy.... gobbled up quickly.....
The next lot was devoured at the Luthra's.....
The entire house was filled with the aroma of these muffins baking.... Could hardly wait for them to come out of the oven n cool...
Another lot for friends..... That's Shuchi and her parents with their Diwali gift..... Vibha and Tarini loved the warmed muffins....
Whisk eggs lightly into the buttermilk with the vanilla extract.
In a big bowl mix well the following - both flours, vanilla sugar, baking powder & salt.
Now pour in the buttermilk mixture & the butter mixture, and mix in gently by hand till moist. DO NOT over mix or muffins won't be nice & soft. Fold in chocolate chips lightly & do not over mix.
Fill up the prepared muffin tins 2/3 full, sprinkle a few coffee beans if you like. Put in to bake for 20-22 minutes till done.
Cool on rack.
There is really nothing better than gifting homemade goodies to loved ones on a festival... really spreads the cheer..... A variation could be chopped walnuts on the top and chocochips inside.....
The ultimate in comfort food.... I'm already hungry n droolly writing about these muffins...
Lleaving to grab a muffin off the cooling shelf...
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...
Day-o, day-ay-ay-o Daylight come and me wan' go home Day-o, day-ay-ay-o Daylight come and me wan' go home
Work all night on a drink of rum Daylight come and me wan' go home Stack banana till de morning come Daylight come and me wan' go home
Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Daylight come and me wan' go home Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Daylight come and me wan' go home
Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch Daylight come and me wan' go home Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day-ay-ay-o Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day, me say day, me say day Daylight come and me wan' go home
Beautiful bunch of ripe banana Daylight come and me wan' go home Hide the deadly black tarantula Daylight come and me wan' go home Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch Daylight come and me wan' go home Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day-ay-ay-o Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day, me say day, me say day Daylight come and me wan' go home
Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Daylight come and me wan' go home Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Daylight come and me wan' go home Day-o, day-ay-ay-o Daylight come and me wan' go home Day, me say day, me say day, me say day....ay-ay-o Daylight come and me wan' go home
Harry Belafonte - Cocoanut Woman
(Coconuts, coconuts) (Coconuts, coconuts)
Coconut woman is calling out And everyday you can hear her shout Coconut woman is calling out And everyday you can hear her shout
Get your coconut water (Four for five) Man, it's good for your daughter (Four for five) Coco got a lotta iron (Four for five) Make you strong like a lion (Four for five)
A lady tell me the other day No one can take her sweet man away I ask her what was the mystery She say coconut water and rice curry
You can cook it in a pot (Four for five) You can serve it very hot (Four for five) Coco got a lotta iron (Four for five) Make you strong like a lion (Four for five) Rowwwr
(Coconuts, coconuts)
Coconut woman says you'll agree Coconut make very nice candy The thing thats best If you're feeling glum Is coconut water with a little rum
It could make you very tipsy (Four for five) Make you feel like a gypsy (Four for five) Coco got a lotta iron (Four for five) Make you strong like a lion (Four for five)
Ah, play that thing
Coconut woman is calling out And everyday you can hear her shout Coconut woman is calling out And everyday you can hear her shout
Get your coconut water (Four for five) Man, it's good for your daughter (Four for five) Get your coconut candy (Four for five) Make you feel very dandy (Four for five)
I wonder why nobody don't like me Or is it the fact that I'm ugly? I wonder why nobody don't like me Or is it the fact that I'm ugly?
I leave my whole house and home My children don't want me no more Bad talk inside de house dey bring And when I talk they start to sing:
Mama, look a boo-boo they shout Their mother tell them shut up your mout' That is your daddy, oh, no My daddy can't be ugly so
Shut your mout', Go away Mama, look at boo-boo dey Shut your mout', Go away Mama, look at boo-boo dey
I couldn't even digest me supper Due to the children's behavior John (Yes, pa)-come here a moment Bring de belt, you're much too impudent John says it's James who started first James tells the story in reverse I drag my belt from off me waist You should hear them screamin' round de place
Mama, look at boo-boo they shout Their mother tell them shut up your mout' That is your daddy, oh, no My daddy can't be ugly so
Shut your mout', Go away Mama, look at boo-boo dey (uh) Shut your mout', Go away Mama, look at boo-boo dey (uh)
So I began to question the mother These children ain't got no behavior So I began to question the mother These children ain't got no behavior
They're playing with you my wife declared You should be proud of them, my dear These children were taught too bloomin' slack That ain't no kind of joke to crack
Mama, look at boo-boo they shout Their mother tell them shut up your mout' That is your daddy, oh, no My daddy can't be ugly so
Shut your mout', Go away Mama, look at boo-boo dey (uh) Shut your mout', Go away Mama, look at boo-boo dey (uh) Shut your mout', Go away
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time Work, work, work, Senora, work your body line Work, work, work, Senora, work it all the time
My girl's name is Senora I tell you friends, I adore her And when she dances, oh brother! She's a hurricane in all kinds of weather
(Jump in de line, rock your body in time) OK, I believe you! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) OK, I believe you! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) OK, I believe you! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) Whoa!
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time Work, work, work, Senora, work your body line Work, work, work, Senora, work it all the time
You can talk about Cha Cha Tango, Waltz, or de Rumba Senora's dance has no title You jump in the saddle Hold on to de bridle!
(Jump in de line, rock your body in time) OK, I believe you! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) Rock your body, child! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) Somebody, help me! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) Whoa!
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time (Whoa) Work, work, work, Senora, work your body line (Yep) Work, work, work, Senora, work it all the time
Senora, she's a sensation The reason for aviation And fellas, you got to watch it When she wind up, she bottom, she go like a rocket!
(Jump in de line, rock your body in time) OK, I believe you! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) Hoist those skirts a leetle higher! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) Up the chim-en-y! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) Whoa oh oh oh!
[break]
Shake, shake, shake, Senora Shake your body line Work, work, work, Senora Work it all the time Dance, dance, dance, Senora Dance it all the time Work, work, work, Senora Work it all the time
Senora dances Calypso Left to right is de tempo And when she gets the sensation She go up in the air, come down in slow motion
(Jump in de line, rock your body in time) OK, I believe you! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) Somebody, help me! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) OK, I believe you! (Jump in de line, rock your body in time) Whooooa!
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time Work, work, work, Senora!!
Matilda - Harry Belafonte (1957)(Belafonte,H - Thomas,H) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matilda_(song)
Hey! Matilda, Matilda, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela. Once again now! Matilda, Matilda, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela. Five hundred dollars, friends, I lost: Woman even sell me cat and horse! Heya! Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela. Everybody! (Matilda,) Sing out the chorus, (Matilda,) Sing a little louder, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela. Once again now! (Matilda,) Going 'round the corner, (Matilda,) Sing out the chorus, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela. Well, the money was to buy me house an' lan' Then she got a serious plan, A-hey, ah! Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela. Everybody! (Matilda, Matilda, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela.) Once again now! (Matilda,) Going 'round the corner, (Matilda, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela.) Well, the money was just inside me bed, Stuck up in a pillow beneath me head. Don't you know, Matilda, she found me money and... Everybody... (Matilda, Matilda, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela.) Once again now! (Matilda,) Hooma locka chimba, (Matilda,) Bring me little water, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela. Women over forty? (Matilda, Matilda, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela.) Everybody! (Matilda,) Goin' round the corner, (Matilda,) Bring me little water, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela. Well, me friends, never to love again, All me money gone in vain! Uh, heya... Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela. Everybody! (Matilda, Matilda,) Oom, ba-locka-chimba! (Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela.) Sing a little softer! (Matilda, Matilda, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela.) EVERYBODY! (Matilda, Matilda,) Sing out the chorus! Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela
Thank you so much mami for getting me this pleasure. Shiv n Veda.... You're special.... :-)
