It was really amazing when we spend time with our friends. It was exactly may 15 my friend’s birthday. She called us for a movie.After that we went to Paramount a restaurant. We were about 18 people, so we booked a table for us and we were so hungry. After a meal we all ordered desserts. For myself I ordered a strawberry cake. Strawberry is the primary ingredient for a strawberry cake. These cakes are served chilled or partially frozen. They are also served in the events. By the time my cake arrives we were talking. Cake was partially frozen so it was a bit hard for me to take a piece. It was so tasty . It was garnished with some strawberries on its top and strawberry syrup which was prepared from the strawberries was sprinkled in between its layers. Whipped cream was applied in between the layers and also on its top. Some strawberry cakes are filled with some cheese in between its layers and cream sometimes and often it is served with Choco chips sprinkled on it. The world’s largest strawberry shortcake was prepared and confirmed by Guinness World Record in Philippines on March 20, 2004. May 15, 2018 it seems to be one of the most delightful memories I had with my life.

– Roshini S

DARK CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN WALNUT TRUFFLES

‘Among walnuts only the empty one speaks,’ goes a Moroccan proverb.

From lullabies in Persia, to Bhangra songs in Punjab, and mentions in the Bible and Quran, the walnut is clearly a part of not just our diet, but also of our culture. The existence of specific terms for it in Indian languages (karparala in Sanskrit, vadhumai kottai in Tamil and akhrot in Hindi, etc.) shows its widespread presence in our country. Walnuts have been in use as ritual offerings in India since ancient times. The walnut has got nutritional benefits that beat its bitter taste.

The Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Walnut Truffle is a new variety of dessert that I tasted only recently. This melt in the mouth dessert is a very simple preparation made out of walnuts, chocolate, pumpkin puree, pie spice and cream.

DRIED FRUIT BALLS

This Diwali, my mother made some brown-coloured balls, which turned out to be dried fruit balls. It was really good and all my family members praised her. When someone asked how it was made, my mother told everyone that this not so sweet dessert was made out of chopped dates, cashews, almonds, cucumber seeds and pistas fried in ghee. She also mentioned that it was very healthy as no sugar was added. My grandfather especially enjoyed this sweet during Diwali as he is diabetic and can’t have the usually made sugary sweets that much. It so happens that eventhough he is diabetic, he can’t resist eating sweetmeats. When he was snacking on these date balls that day, no one complained or grabbed the sweet from his hand like they always did. Without doubt, these delicious dried fruit balls saved the day and helped us have a peaceful Diwali this year!

~ Sanjana Suresh

BLISS..BLISS..BLISS..!

Chocolates don’t need spell. They are naturally enchanting. They are an incarnation of tasty wizardry incorporated in a number of pastries. WALNUT TRUFFLE has enough incantation to make you go gaga!

AND THE CLOCK STRIKES 12 ..

Just as zephyr brushed my hair, me and my mother whisked to ” monginis “. It was 24th January, a day before my father turned 48. The place always gives me pleasure. The interior shelves showcases a lot of cakes molded in different shapes of cartoon characters. The detailing on the cake is exquisite!

We went straight to the billing counter and placed an order for walnut truffle .The cake arrived and was hidden in the fridge like a pearl awaiting for manifestation. Just as the clock ticked 12, the cake was revealed and my father’s eyes leaped with joy. The taste and my father’s smile was worth every penny and second spent.

– Sanjanaa Madhan

 

 

 

 

 

 

25th December, 2018

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”-Charles M.Schulz

I’m not a fan of chocolate. Yes, I’m not. Shocking right? I sure am among the 10% of those who don’t crave for chocolate. However, one chocolate-loaded dessert that I can live on are brownies.

“They smell chocolatey,  look chocolatey, and taste chocolatey”.

The only thing I fight with my brothers for, are brownies; be it for the first or last piece. They are the only dessert I drool over, and they are decadance defined. One, 5×5 piece of this brown heaven is enough to make my soul happy.

It was born in The States, and has travelled across the globe, hence, many variations of  it have been created. My personal favorite is the Fudgy brownie, with golden swirls of salted caramel, and walnuts embedded in it. The thin flaky crust gives a contrasting texture to the gooey brownie, that sits comfortably under it. Thin swirls of salted caramel, cut through the rich, and sweet chocolate flavour, giving it a savoury touch. The walnuts add a nutty and earthy falvour. The combination of the three is undoubtedly a match made in heaven. One bite of it just transports me into a whole new experience of satisfied eating.

The fudgy  brownies I deeply love are the ones made by my doting aunt. In 2017, her passion for baking grew so intense that she started her own venture of sweet treats, named “Bake a Wish”. From cakes to fudges, and tarts to cupcakes-she can make any confectionery. But the brownie she makes is the father of them all. Luckily, she’s only a call away, when I crave for her brownies.  The very next day a huge box of assorted brownies are on my table.

Anyone who doesn’t love brownies? Then you must try them, in order to love them.

“December 8th is marked as National Brownie Day.”

-Shaziya Begum

 

 

 

 GOLDEN INTERIOR, MAGNIFICENT MITAI

Amidst the marshy, swampy and narrow streets of Sowcarpet,one might overlook the petite entrance of AGARWAL BHAVAN. In contrast to its surrounding, the interior spangles and shimmers with golden mirrors studded in the entire place covering the ceiling as well as the walls. The decoration might be metaphorical to the luxurious sweets and snacks served there.

 

 

 

THE LUSCIOUS HALWA

Though famous for it’s chatpatta samosa and sweet lassi , one can never exit this place without tasting it’s finger licking basunthi and it’s prominent special halwa. The orange delight has a smack of sweet meticulously combined with multitudinous finely chopped dry fruits and nuts incorporated in chewy halwa which entraps anyone and everyone who tastes it. The surface shines letting us know the abundant quantity of ghee present.It’s definitely a one stop shop for a delightful halwa extravaganza!

– Sanjanaa Madhan

 

 WAKEY WAKEY IT’S SUNRISE..!

India’s rich culture and heritage is heedfully and vigilantly engraved by many beautiful festivals. My whole family had gathered for Ganesh chathurthi. Festivals at Indian household starts very early before sunrise with a splash of gingelly oil massaging your head followed by hair wash with ice cold water. Just when I was descending the stairs with drooping eyelids the smell drove me inside kitchen.

THANK GOD GANESHA LOVES MODHAK..!

My mother was wrapping the coconut and sugar , jaggery and sesame seeds with gluten rich rice batter. Oh yes MODHAK fondly known as KOZHUKATTAI in South Indian household was being prepared. Ganesha loves it so do I!

A swash of excitement filled my soul in the thought of tasting it. The steamed delicacy is soft with subtle taste of rice batter outside well  balanced with the slight crunch of coconut and a dash of sweet inside. From the start to the end the experience of the taste buds is celestial!

No wonder I WAIT for Ganesha’s birthday every year!

– Sanjanaa Madhan