Confessions of an insomniac ..... and Hot Nutella

Yes, I have turned into an insomniac, that too a skilled one!
At times, I have stayed up all night and don't even feel sleepy the following day. This gets The Man very worried, but I am okay with it. Is that normal??

The reason most of the times is, my phone. Yeah I read it everyday everywhere that the smart phones are taking over mankind but its like an addiction which I can't help.I suppose saying that having friends and family in different countries with clashing time zones doesn't help much either. On some nights, it's a late night chat with my childhood friend(s), at other nights it's consoling a dear girl or a guy friend about their lost love, at times it's just heart to heart sister talks or the nights where I share recipes with my hotelier friend. But many times, it's just pure chatter box gibberish between two or more people. I mean how could I sleep when there are so many people out there who need me?!? Okay, now I sound like Mother Teresa! But, yes I do agree with those experts who say that the smart phones are taking over the not-so-smart humans...

But there's not only the Yakkity yak yak one does on their phones. What about games?? I play a lot of games on my phone and that alone suffices the reason I dont sleep much. Sheeshh too much distraction I tell you. But look at the brighter side (yes there is one!) I won't be cribbing and crying for staying up all night when I have a baby. Yayy this insomnia is teaching me a thing or two after all :)

But truly speaking, I miss sleeping.I miss the familiar cosy feeling you get when your eyes turn droopy and heavy. The familiar longing of your comfy bed to drift off to sleep and have dreams. I miss having my dreams too. My own fantasy world of crazy dreams where I have been too crazy which if I voice openly will certainly label me a 'certified' crazy person.
I miss the relieved feeling you get when you head for a noon nap or your beauty sleep because when you are sleeping, you are not sad, you are not angry, you are not  lonely, you are nothing. You just sleep...
It is wisely said "when all else fails take a nap" wish I could do this. They also say a steaming cup of hot cocoa at night helps you sleep better. So that's exactly what I did. I made my very own mean mug of cocoa

'Mix 1cup milk with 3.5 tsp of drinking chocolate in a heating saucepan. Heat till it comes to a boil and cook for another 1min. Take it off heat. Stir in half tsp of vanilla essence and now time to add in the heavenly stuff - 1 (or 2 or maybe 3) tsp of Nutella. Lightly stir. Pour. Sit back & enjoy your rightly deserved beverage. After all you are a victim of the smart phone and an insomniac!! You deserve the best ... ;)

Oddly enough, I couldn't sleep even after this drink. Was wide awake like an owl. Maybe this time it was the extreme sugar rush ppfpfpfffttt...

But really do yourselves a favor. Put away the smart phone before your bedtime and give your body and your mind the much needed rest. Because that's exactly what I am gonna do (or Atleast try to do that!!)

Happy cooking you all ...!!!

It's all about you, and only you after all ...

Yes, cooking is my passion and my stress buster and my escape route too, but I am not all about food only. I have different sides to me as well, really!

People think that since am chubby (not fat mind you, well maybe to some people) I already have this natural instinct towards food and anything related to food. And eating.
And then, there are people who think, that maybe I cook (And eat it too!) and design these cakes and all the other desserts, thats why I just can't seem to say goodbye to my curves. There! the greatest mysteries of all times, solved, by THESE genius people... clap clap!!

But, I would be lying if I told you that statements such as these don't bother me. Yes, they do! A pretty lot!!! How would an item number performer feel if people told her/him that no doubt you sleep your way around here to get to the top or to just perform?! Ouch, too harsh and judgemental don't you think?

But the fact of the matter is, our world is too judgemental. And that, is not gonna change. The only thing that can change is, you. Not literally of course. A change in attitude, a change in the way you think, and react. A change in the way you dress, treat others, laugh, smile, cry... the list is endless!! Maybe then, comments and people like these won't affect or bother you. It's your life, you have the right to treat and live it the way you want. If you want to spend your life by tasting all the beautiful cuisines of the world, who am I to say anything?!

People are judged for marrying too early, for staying single too long, for having too many babies, for having no baby, for being fat, for being thin, for being dorky, for being too outlandish. Face it, you will be judged, no matter who you are...how you are...no matter what.

If only, the internet had an emoticon for the middle finger, sigh, life would have been much more easier ;)

And all of this being judged and all, makes me angry, and anger makes me hungry. See people!! Do you see what you have done here? And nothing soothes me and calms me like a good jar of Nutella !! (ya ya go ahead, judge me here too, have you not been reading all the above crap that I wrote?!?!)

But yes, a tall glass of chilled Mohito, with an add-on, also works just fine. And that too with all the heat in Mumbai, this definitely more than works for me. And seriously, how can I sign off without writing down one more recipe ?!? Weird....

Just make some sugar syrup and keep in the freezer for it to chill. Add around half a cup of this sugar syrup over chopped strawberries. Keep the strawberry bowl aside for it to juice up. Roughly chop fresh mint leaves. Chop up some lemon slices. Buy some chilled Sprite or Seven up. In a tall, really tall glass, add strawberry pcs and the mint and the lemon slices. Squeeze in lemon juice, add in the strawberry syrup and if u want it more sweet add the chilled sugar syrup. Lastly pour the chilled sprite or seven up! Thats it, Sip Up ...

Happy Judging, err I meant, eating :)

Strawberry Frangipan Tart

Winter mornings always makes me crave for something warm and golden to eat, and yes not to forget the ever-delicious aroma of early morning baking drifting in the entire house. And since, it was the season of strawberries, it was a perfect time for a Strawberry Frangipane Tart !!!

I made this recipe mixing some two or three recipes, until i found the perfect taste (yes, you can thank me later **angel-face**)

You will need :

For the sweet shortcut crust:

240 gm unsalted butter, chopped

60 gm icing sugar

pinch salt

480 gm plain flour

2 eggs + 2 yolk

Place butter + sugar + salt into a food processor & process until creamy.

Add flour & process until coarse bread crumbs.

Add the whole eggs and yolks and process for 20 secs or until the dough comes together to form a ball.

Tip pastry onto a lightly floured bench & bring together with hands.

Flatten gently into a round shape, wrap in a plastic wrap & refrigerate for 25-30 mins.

Roll rested dough & wrap loosely around a rolling pin. Gently roll over a tart tray & press pastry into it. Fill any cracks with the excess dough. Refrigerate for 30 mins.

Place a sheet of baking paper into the chilled pastry in the tart tin, half fill with baking beads or rice and bake for 12-15 mins & until edges are light golden.

Remove the weights and the baking paper & bake for another 5-10 mins or until base is dry. Set aside.

For the frangipane filling:

1 & half cup blanched almonds

1 cup brown sugar

1/4th cup sugar

1 tsp lemon zest

pinch salt

250 gms butter

4 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla essence

80 gm plain flour

200 gms strawberries (cut & sprinkled with sugar)

Whisk butter + sugars in an electric mixer. With the motor running, add the eggs one at a time, continuing to mix after each addition. Add the vanilla + zest + ground nuts + flour. Mix until well combined.

Pour into the tart pan. Spread the chopped strawberries all over.

Bake for 30 mins or till golden. Remove the tart from the oven and brush with honey.

Devour, hot or cold, both ways tastes good.

Happy Eating :)

Roasted Chicken with smashed cucumber and pomegranate salad

With the ever rising heat of Mumbai, this is a very ideal meal which is not very heavy on the stomach and cools and relaxes the body too.

You will need:

Chicken breasts (washed, patted dry with a kitchen towel)
Rub the chicken with a generous amount of salt and pepper and stick it in the oven to roast. Roast till the chicken is moist and juicy within and also has a good and delicious golden crust on top.

The salad is pretty simple. Smash the cucumbers very roughly with your rolling pin. Spread these on a platter. Mix yoghurt, pomegranate molasses, lil salt, pomegranate, chopped mint. Spread this on the cucumbers.

Serve the chicken slices and the salad, sit back and enjoy :)

Happy Eating!!