Christmas Fruit Cake in one bowl...

A terrible time to be a girl in Delhi...
When I think of the times that I have travelled alone after dark in Delhi...I shudder!!
And to think,I used to get so, so irritated whenever the parents asked me to come back home before dark, feel so crappy when they never allowed my sister or me to frequent  the party circuit...
Thank God!
But this girl was not out too late...
This girl was out with a friend...
She was not dressed to provoke..
Then why???
All I can say ...feel a terrible sadness for the girl and I wish she recovers to see her culprits punished.
I wish no girl has to go through this again...
And that this does not have to be a terrible time to be a girl any where.

We are still finding our feet in Jalandhar, which incidentally is COLD. I am operating with bare minimum from a tiny kitchenette...but a fruit cake was definite...even if it meant a struggle in the limited space.

The easiest cake to make and bake, topped with a lemon flavoured glace frosting.
I did not have my mixer,so butter was out.
No baking tins, so this had to be a small cake...
Frosting...of course!
So glace ,it was.
And ,I had some cup cake liners...And the mini muffins...

Cakes always make me happy!
And when they have fruit macerated in rum...I'm happier!
This cup cake looks like one from Noddy...
All I did was soak the fruit two days early.

For the

Christmas Fruit Cake in one bowl...

you need

300 gms dry fruit(dates,tutti fruitti, cashew nuts,glace cherries, dried figs, crystallized ginger and candied orange peel)
1 cup ground sugar(I used icing sugar)
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda/baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp honey
3/4 cup butter or neutral vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp ginger powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg powder(I couldn't find it,so I didn't add any)
45 mils rum /brandy or orange juice

A day before, chop the dry fruits.

All the stuff is store bought.Even the candied peel.I was not sure if I would be able to bake..so I bought small amounts.
Chopping the figs was the most pain full. So,if you have someone to chop for you...get it done!
Add in the cinnamon and the ginger powders.

And the rum...

Cover and set aside...hoping that tomorrow will dawn bright!

But no, we had fog!
Visibility...less than 10 meters in the day time. The sun did not shine...So I had to bake...
Oven on at 180C/350 F.
I know that's so not traditional...but, easy does it.
Easy, two eggs and sugar in the bowl.

Blend with a wooden spoon and add in the oil.

Yes ,the cashews were an after thought...so they are not dark yet.

Into the mix with the honey.
You should sift the flour and the salt and the soda bicarb.I couldn't trace my sieve...so all went unsifted.

I started with the soda bi carb...And mixed all the flower in with the vanilla essence.

Now the baking dish...a makeshift bowl, lined with notebook paper.

Mini Muffins and cup cakes and 1 cake...

In for about 25 minutes...

The cake took 40 minutes.
Covered with cling film overnight.


Glace icing.

juice of 1 lemon
1 cup icing sugar

Into the lemon juice,keep adding the icing sugar,mixing in till you get the consistency you desire. I desired pouring consistency...so ...

Sprinkle some tutti frutti on for colour...

Allow the icing to set and...enjoy!!

Wish you all a Merry Christmas...
Wish the next year is better for all...
Wish the Delhi girl gets better and that every girl is safe!

Til next time...

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Makki Ki Roti -Without the Saag-Baketitude Style

Its the time to be merry...
Its the time to be sitting around a bonfire...
Its the time to be munching on sarson ka saag and makki ki roti...

Only if someone else is making the sarson ka saag for you.
Sarson ka Saag, a cooked and tempered puree of mustard leaves with spinach ginger and chillies. Loaded with butter and ghee...
The most tedious and cumbersome and painful vegetable to make.
The peeling and the chopping and the washing and the cooking and the pureeing....god what a pain ..only to scoop up the saag with the makki ki roti.
Makki ki Roti...flat bread made out of fresh,sweet and satisfying corn meal and water...topped again with butter and ghee...Something akin to corn tortillas...

Awesome!
Its the effort which gets to me.
Better to pay someone to make the saag for you...but the Makki ki Roti is best made yourself and eaten FRESH off the pan with a wee bit of butter.
Makki ki Roti is also not an easy thing to make...
And they form a wonderful accompaniment to any dal, veggies or curry. And when they are made the way my mother makes them...
Back in Jammu they are called todas  टो डा ...
And they taste best any time...
All they need is corn meal and radishes...

Fresh..these are plenty now.
Yes, they are healthy ....and they are filling.
You do not need to be an expert in making rotis with your hand like the old ladies from the villages(BTW...I can make the rotis with wet hands and nothing else-and I am not old), a simple cheats way will help you out.

for the

Makki Ki Roti -Without the Saag-Baketitude Style

you need

2 cups makki ka atta or corn meal-polenta
2 -3 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 radishes grated
1 tsp ajwain -bishops weed
1/2  cup chopped coriander /cilantro
hand full of garlic chives,chopped
2-3 chopped green chillies-seedless if you will
2 tsp salt
a little olive oil/refined veg oil or ghee to cook the rotis

Heat some water to scalding point. If you are familiar with polenta you will know that corn meal needs hot water to help the dough bind.Chemistry!
Place the makki atta/cornmeal, whole wheat flour,salt, ajwain/bishops weed,coriander/cilantro,garlic chives and chillies  in a large bowl and mix them around. Try to squeeze it all together.

The whole wheat flour acts as a binder, making it easier to form the rotis.
Place your non stick girdle /tawa to heat on the gas stove.
Pour a little of the hot water at a time on the mix and rub with the back of your hand. Just pour enough to mix the dough. You don't want the dough to be too wet or too dry.

It should form a ball.

Take about a  lime sized ball in your hand.Place a sheet of cling film on your chopping board.Sprinkle some wheat flour/corn meal on the film.
Place the ball on the flour and press to form a roti about 1/2 cm thick.

Lift the board and plop the roti on to the pan and cook.

When the roti looks cooked,turn it over after pouring a few drops of whatever fat you choose.
Press to cook and turn over once more.
This has to be done on a medium flame...
Once done...

Enjoy!!!
Eat it with chutney, yogurt, veggies, butter ,curry or even sarson ka saag.

This can be cooked in an electric tandoor at 250C or 475F in an oven, without the butter or fat. just slather it on afterwards and enjoy.
Corn meal or Makki ka atta is high in fibre, and nutritive values...it is a little high in sugars and fat...so don't eat too much of these...and complain!
One or two per person is good...more,eat at your own risk.
PS that is why, the ajwain/bishops weed is put...to help your tummy!

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Bombay Bhel BhelPuri , The Maggi /Ramen way

Happiness in 2 minutes.
Happiness and Yumminess in  2 minutes!

This is an ode to Maggi 2-minute Noodles.

More than ever ,this is an ode to new friends.

Friends, I wish ,I had spent more time with...

Friends ,you know you'd like to keep forever.

Supriya Bandekar!

A lady I met in October 2012.
A lady with an immense amout of affection for het pets.
All 8 of them!(No, I did not include the mandaory son and husband here! She seems to be a bit more refined than I am.)
A dog, a Persian cat, two turtles and 4 birds.

Ta...da!!!
Yes, that ladies and gents is Snowbell!
Really,really soft and sweet ,but arrogant as hell!
He posed for his owner...not me!
My philosophy is extremely simple...any human who loves animals so much...has to be the best!
So...without any doubt...Supriya Bandekar is an extremely fine human being!
And she fed us comfort food!
Maggi!
This way!

As Bhel!
And yes, that is the maharaja...I could not leave him on the aircraft- alone at night.
We landed in Delhi at 1720hrs and by the time we reached home ,it was time for dinner-Delhi traffic!
But I had to get my dad to taste this.
He, like me ,loves all kinds of stuff that is not good for your  constitution...
I just follow my leader!
And he absolutely ,totally loved it!

A closer look is warranted!
Crisp, tasting of Bhel Puri and Maggi!
Bhel Puri -is street food, made of puffed rice,onions tomatoes and potatoes with an assortment of chutneys and sauces.Yum!Speciality of Mumbai...
Maggi like Ramen noodles are soggy and yum.
So ,this bhel is the combination of both.

Lets not wait too much...

for the


Bombay Bhel Bhel Puri , The Maggi /Ramen way...

you need

2 packs maggi/ramen 2 minute noodles
2 tbsp refined vegetable oil
2-4 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 large onion finrly chopped
2 large firm tomatoes chopped
2-4 green chillies chopped
a handful of green corriander or cillantro chopped

You can be health conscious and roast the maggi...but then why do you want to eat the bhel???
Start by crushing the maggi/ramen in the packet-see excersis befoer you eat.
Heat the oil in a frying pan and pop the crushed maggi into it to fry. Save the taste makers...

Fry till they are pinkish brown and place in a soup strainer to drain the excess oil.
See, told you, not too calorie dense!

Almost all the oil is out.
Place the chopped tomato, onion ,chillies and corriander in a bowl and mix well.

To the taste makers(sachets inside the noodle packs) add the ketchup and mix well.You want the mix to be a little thick ,a little liquidy.

Mix that in with the veggies.

And when you are ready to eat ,add in the noodles and mix...
What do I say...Eat, pray and love...
Me ...for giving you this!

A Yummilicious thank you to Supriya Bandekar for sharing this recipe.
Wish we had spent more time together, but friends, we can stay forever.
Cheers!
When you bite into this bhel, you taste the maggi...mmm and the bhel...tangy, crispy, saucy...


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Shoppers Stop Perfect Look

Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know 

where to go shopping.

-- Bo Derek

Shopping!

At Shoppers Stop!

One of the best places to shop!

Yes, this is selfish blog post.

A blog post vying for vouchers to shop at Shoppers Stop.

To Shop till I drop.

The first thing I want to catch are these drop earrings with this pretty blue stone ...that will catch all the good vibes and transfer the eyes on to me!

Infinity Earring - 92423RM

The next thing I'd love to add to my wish list would be this pretty matchy -matchy pendant...also with a blue stone ...dangling beautifully from my neck!

Infinity Necklace - N59984RM

To help me ensure I reach on the right time ...this amazing blingy watch...from Tarun Tahiliani and Timex.

  Timex Tarun Tahiliani Collection Watch TT16L2 

I could'nt leave my other wrist bare...I chose Sparkles Heart Bracelet SWBR7532-So what if it is only 1.62 grams of gold. Little things are pretty too.

To help me dress my tips and toes...Chambor  Powder Matte - 153 - Raisin Ravissant 

This will moisturize and colour my lips with a matte effect!

Next on...Chambor - Smooth On Eyeliner - 103

For defining my eyes with gorgeous sparkly shimmery colours...

And not to forget the Vernis a ongles Nail polish Chambor - Nail Enamel - 413 - Peach Serene Will be my choice.

Once I'm primed and and ready, time to pick the perfect dress for this festive season.

Vikram Phadnis- the Atellier for the stars...Kashish by Vikram Phadnis Churidar-Kurta-Dupatta Set

With this gorgeous dress...a lovely pair of shoes to hold me high..

LEMON - Sandals

Item Number: 6617709_9612

Ready to face the world...

Oops! Just a whiff missing...Absolutely Irresistible Givenchy Edp Spray 50ml

Head to toe...all dressed to face the crowds...
And go shopping.
May I inform you , when you register at Shopper Stop , you get 300rs off.
There ,that's the cat out of the bag!
Also informing you divas...the shoppers Stop sale is on. Shop @Shopper Stop to get up to 60% off.
So what are you waiting for??
If you are feeling overly generous and wanting to share...give some one gift coupons for shopping @ Shoppers Stop.

Me, I'm waiting for the gift coupons,after having exhausted my supply of cash shopping @Shopper Stop.

This is my post for the IndiBlogger "Shoppers Stop Perfect Look" Competition.
Go Shop!!!
I havent forgotten that I am a baker first...shopping is any day more forgiving and less calorie consuming than food... and retail therapy is proven....
Back to Super Baked wedges tomorrow.


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Chocolate Bark

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things,
because curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Walt Disney

And suddenly its done!
The moving is over and its time to unpack the memories!

Because life has a way of working things out..
It reminds you of the people you leave behind.
Sometimes, the places seem prettier from afar...but its always the people you leave behind!
But then "Pushpa, I hate tears!!!"comes to fore...
For times like this, there is chocolate!

And ,as you know, the best things in life are made of chocolate.
Chocolate bark...
Why it is called so...maybe,because it is...
Who am I to question the truth....
So we make chocolate bark.
The kids had to wait a long while (24 hours)before they could snap and  eat the chocolate bark.
Agonising wait...
Roasted almonds and Peanuts and pure unadulterated chocolate.
Awesome.
And so,so easy!

for the 


Chocolate Bark...

you need

250 gms semi sweet chocolate
3-4 tbsp ground sugar/honey
1 cup...less or more roasted Almonds and peanuts(unsalted)-Any nuts or raisins that take your fancy 
1/2 tsp oil to grease a baking tray

Thats it!
Chop the semi sweet chocolate and place in a steel bowl and place over simmering water.Just ensure not a drop of water falls on the chocolate or it will seize.

This is an oblique picture of a sauce pan of chocolate over a saucepan of simmering water.
All it needs now is patience.
It will take at least 10 minutes before you can stir it around to get nice glossy melted chocolate.

Keep dipping your fingers in to taste warm, melted chocolate....
You will need a little sugar to sweeten this glossy mix.
Does this work as a face pack???
Maybe..

We sifted the ground sugar over...just in case.
Almost like snow ...over the ground...
Its been snowing over the in-laws' house in Shimla these last two days and friend Bhavna Panwar and her kids are also making minuscule snowmen(She is also now living in Shimla-not with my in-laws).
Trust the maker to send us to a place which is mushy and cold.
But, the silver lining...
The best part of Punjab ...Fruits.
The fruits look so bountiful and fresh and wholesome here...

Then pour over the roasted peanuts and the chopped roasted almonds...or whatever your heart desires...
And mix.
Did I mention the mutton chops and ribs.Ginormous!
The lamb in the eastern part of India is small,consequently, there are more bones and less meat when you cook a lamb curry there.
Here, it is a different ball game.
My pans and pressure cookers are small for the ginormous ribs.
Hmmm...Shopping!
In the meanwhile ,lightly grease the baking tray with the oil.
Keep Stirring the chocolate till it is almost cool.
Now pour into the tray and let it spread.

Sprinkle some of the toasted almonds over...

We saved a little for immediate craving relief...

Once the chocolate sets...just push off the marble slab and snap...snap and its gone before you can take a picture.
So the next morning...

And now...
Hit the bark for all you are worth...

And then...
While you are trying to save a few pieces for the pictures...gather your wits..
Platter..
Lights...
Camera...
And Action!!
PS -this and a few more things were made in friend Kanchan Bhartari's kitchen,while I was packing up mine.
We spent almost two and a half years as neighbours together...
And we had fun!
We cooked together, we shopped together , we planned for events together ,our kids played and schemed and we gossiped together...
The best part of being neighbours..
Any time of the day or night, I could have walked up to her door and asked her for an egg or a cup of sugar or some coffee!
How convenient is that...
The most I also miss her for is her daughter...
Vicarious thrills ...Mahika Bhartari gave me.
I don't have a daughter...I have a roughly shodden, rude, temper tantrum throwing tweenager...so I took solace from Mahika.
That ,I will miss here!


Back to the bark.
Plated prettily...

All the Melancholy apart..
That was all the effort this chocolate bark took.
Maybe snap happy chocolate...BTW, this is when I realised that the chocolate I was using is real good quality-Selbourn..it snaps with a pretty sound  when you break it.
The cover does not say what % cocoa it has...but this tastes Divine!

Yum, Yum...worth much more than the  effort and the wait.
Super easy and happiness guaranteed.
Now that I am back on track...
Here's to more stuff on baketitude everyday.


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Moving...

Hello all...
In transit...
Moving from Ranchi ,Jharkhand, to Jalandhar,Punjab.
With a brief...brief indeed halt at Dalhi.
That is my Facebook status at the m,oment.
Neither here nor there, just like Trishanku.
Not withstanding the moving and packing and the wining and dining...
I have been baking and making desserts..
Just have had no time to post yet.
You have been faithful to me for over a year..
Stay like that..just give me a few more days...
I land in Jalandhar City tomorrow morning...and will begin afresh.
Meanwhile ...
Chocolate Bark...

Super Baked Wedges

 and thoughts of Whole Wheat Foccacia, Angel Cake, Low Fat Bru Coffee Pannacotta and many more to keep you company...

Cheers!

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