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.


So where are you shopping today???

Read More

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.


So what are you baking today???

Read More

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!

So what will you be baking today???

Read More

Low fat Panna Cotta with Pomegranate Jelly -David Rocco Calls!

Panna Cotta!
Dolce Vita!!
If you have a handsome hunk like David Rocco slaving over the hot stove for you ,then La Vie is indeed Dolce!
I never said that my hunk was not handsome, he just does not slave over a hot stove...
So, Dolce!!!

Dolce!
Like these pretty little seeds macerated in honey ,sitting pretty on pomegranate juice jelly!
And this dessert is dinner party worthy!
Well mine was Lunch party worthy, but none the less!
And to top it all, it was almost low ,low fat!
So easy!
Dolce Vita!

Made with low fat non dairy cream, skim milk and low fat yogurt.
So simple.

You just need to twist the cap of a juice tetra pack open, heat the stuff and stir and pour into pretty glasses.

Yup, it would have been better if it was indeed David Rocco making the Panna Cotta, and slipping on the ennnsss..and the teees...

Yummm.

Yup, the panna cotta!

And the macerated little pomegranate seeds with honey and mint...

Yummm.

The work was done in two shifts.
Before the dinner party shift and after the dinner party shift.

Left to set overnight...

Magic!!

Fruity and smooth, firm and just a little wobbly!


This is my first time with yogurt, I've only ever made this with dairy cream before...
But the thought of all those calories is scary, to say the least.
Have done cheese cakes to death, it was time for a change!
This recipe feeds 12 ,plus two to taste!
Time for David Rocco!
Time for Panna Cotta!
A silky, set, smooth , low cal dessert made by a super hot rocking chef!
What more can a girl ask for???
Him to walk out of the TV??

for the

Low fat Panna Cotta with Pomegranate Jelly -David Rocco Calls...

you need


1 kg Greek yogurt(I made mine Greek by setting homogenised Amul UHT milk :-) )
240 mls or 1 cup non dairy Low fat cream
240 mls or 1 cup cold milk
1 cup sugar
11 tsp gelatin
1 tsp vanilla essence or a vanilla pod

for the pomegranate jelly

2 1/2 cups pom juice(or whatever flavour your heart desires)
3-4 tsps super fine sugar
6 tsp gelatin

2 fresh pomegranate seeded
few mint leaves
2 tsps honey


Place the sugar, milk and cream in a sauce pan with the vanilla and set on low heat to simmer.

In the mean while with 50 mils cold water in a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin, let it bloom-absorb the water, and set on a double boiler .

Until the mix simmers and the gelatin melts.

Once the sugar melts and the mix simmers just so, mix in the melted gelatin.

That is the unmelted gelatin that will have to be strained out.
Mix well to cool.

The greek yogurt has to be whisked so so  so well!
Only when the cream mix is cool enough, strain it into the yogurt.And mix well.
Remember- cool and strain are the operative words.

And pour into the glasses.

I got 14 wine glasses. Covered the top with plastic wrap and set to chill. Put on my high heels and went to party, while the gelatin does its magic.

See, magic!!
After the after party at 2 at night....when the entire neighbourhood sleeps I listen to "the edge of the ocean".
Hit play and listen to the magic...

High heels off...
Now the jelly.
The juice and sugar in a pan to mix on low low heat.

Again the gelatin stuff on the double boiler to melt!
Mix into the juice and whisk into cool .
Now pour over the set  panna cotta.

Cover and set .
Now to bed...
And sha la la la..

I left the pom seeds in honey for about an hour...
and they were..
Dolce!!!
Ah...
Low fat has magic ,and freshness and takes you to deep blue sunshine filled deep blue skies...

So, begin the dessert party again...

So why are you not baking today???

Read More

Chocolate Chip Muffins and some Minis

“It's easier to die than to move ... at least for the Other Side you don't need trunks.” 

― Wallace Stegner, Angle of Repose

Ask me about it...

Going crazy here...

Sorting ,sifting and craving...

Shopping trips still left incomplete...

Still so much to pack...

No time to blog or bake...

So I just remember the past...

Well almost.

Remember the post where I was bragging about being featured in the news paper and stuff...

That was incomplete.

Aha,something to blog about.

The Frosted Rainbow Cake and the Chocolate Chip Muffins and some Minis...

I only posted about the frosted Rainbow cake...
This was the spread.
Fresh from the Daring Bakers Challenge ...puff pastry was used in ore ways than one.
Literally.
The Mille feuille was there, along with that, vol au vents with chicken in mayonnaise and chicken patties.
And the ubiquitous egg less mini muffins with...Chocolate chips.

I did half the recipe that I usually do, and got 12 mini muffins and 3 muffins.
So the regular size muffins are actually big compared to the minis.
The coloured stuff on the platter is candy!!!!
These bite sized minis were yummmm...
What would not be...vanilla with chunks of chocolate.
You know me,no commercial chocolate chips.
I chip my chocolate myself.
That makes the difference.

for the

Chocolate Chip Muffins and some Minis...

you need

3/4 cup plain flour
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup refined vegetable oil
1/2 cups sugar less 1 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda/baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 tsp salt
100 gm semi sweet chocolate 
Handful of chopped walnuts -optional

Chip the chocolate.

Pre heat the oven to 180C/350F.

Line the mini muffin pan and the muffin cups. Line the bases with chocolate for a more melty melt in the  mouth experience.

Sift the flour with the salt twice.
Add the sugar to the yogurt and stir till mixed.
Add in the baking powder and the soda bicarbonate and allow it to fizz. About 3 minutes.
Add in the oil and the vanilla essence.
Now mix in the flour with the wet ingredients.
Stir in the chocolate chips.

Fold in.

Spoon in,only half the cupcake line ,whether it is mini or maxi. Overflow is not good.

For detailed instructions with photos ,go here.
Once done...they take only 15 minutes.
And they don't need any frosting...you can if you want to ,but why add to the calories,when the cuppies are yummy enough.
But,all yours...

For a better look...why don't you go and bake them yourself.
Lethally easy!!
Lethally Yummy!
PS, for those who haven't tried this yet...

That is the lateral cross section of the rainbow cake...pretty awesome..
But the best is a bite of magic..

Take a bite..


So what are you baking today???

Read More

Paan Gulkand and Peppermint Frosted Mini Cup Cakes Eggless- Happy Diwali

The fire crackers have all fizzed by now...
The candles all blown away...
There is no reason to be drowning in the leftover sweets...
But , we will.

Theses are pretty,too pretty to eat!
One recipe of egg less cake and 48 mini muffins...
Regular muffins will be cool too.!

My chrysanthemums are just beginning to bloom,so you can see how small these really are.
OK, Paan-Gulkand...
Paan for the uninitiated is the betel leaf, which is eaten with cardamom and lime paste and peppermint and cloves and what not after a meal or whenever.
I was initiated into the paan lovers club by hubby dear's dearest friend Vibhor...
People bring chocolates when they come visiting, but no, he brought Meetha Paan from Gopinath Market, Delhi.
So , for the love of paan and hubby dear's friendship...
For more do to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betel.
Uninitiated , because you really need to develop a taste for paan.
We, the people who have access to Prince Paan shop in Delhi..this is what a Meetha Paan मीठा पान looks like.

And you do not need any initiation!
It is sweet and it is yum...
and it is Desi!
All that is needed for Diwali.
And what makes that meetha paan so great is the Gulkand.
Before I googled it today,I never knew that it was so good for your health.
So ,bingo!
It is essentially a preserve ,if you will..or a jam made of rose petals and sugar.
for more ,go here.
All the more reason to try these pretty cuppies.
And peppermint...whoever heard of paan without peppermint.
Perfect way to say happy Diwali!

for the

Paan Gulkand and Peppermint Frosted Mini Cup Cakes- Happy Diwali...

you need

I recipe Egg less Sponge cake from here.-only omit the cocoa powder.
2 tbsp gulkand
Butter cream frosting made with 150 gms or 3/4 butter 2 1/2 cups icing sugar, green food colouring and peppermint essence. For more on how to make butter cream frosting click here.
Dried Rose petals for sprinkling or just silver/colourful sprinkles

Pre heat the oven to 180C/350F.
Place the cupcake liners in the mini muffin tray(thanking Mary Oxendale Spensley every time I use them)
I used 48.For normal muffins/cupcakes 14 liners are good!
So these minis are really mini!
Sift the flour and salt at least twice.I forgot the salt...

Mix the yogurt/fresh curds to the sugar and blend with a whisk till no trace of the sugar granules remain.

To this add in the baking powder and the bicarbonate of soda/baking soda.Mix and set aside 3 minutes till it froths.

To the bubbling yogurt ,add the vanilla and the oil.

A spoon full at a time ,fold in the flour. Add in the gulkand/rose petal preserve in the end,you will need to whisk it to distribute it evenly.
That is the gulkand.

I needed 2 spoons to do it...

Spoon into the minis and pop into the oven for 15-18 minutes.
And out...after 16 minutes...
All 48 pretty ones.

Butter cream Frosting .
Green, because I had a portion of green frosting in the freezer.So I made more and just tinted it green again. You need to add the peppermint essence. Dried rose petals would have made piping roses a little difficult.So peppermint and green it was.

The crumb is perfect and you don't miss the desi sweets/mithai.This was an experiment, maybe a tablespoon of gulkand more would have given a pretty pink colour...

After 2 hours of cooling their butts...
Little roses on the cuppies.
I crushed some dried rose petals-I used them when I made my Rose Almond Kulfi- so I had leftovers and sifted them over the cuppies....for an extra whiff of  rose .

Happy Diwali.
And I found an easy way to make rangoli.

All that coming up ,as and when I get time.
This is what the earthenware diyas/lamps looked like...

A clearer look at the design???

Pretty awesome.
Diwali was great, better was the experimenting ...chemistry in my kitchen...
So do I now call myself an Alchemist???
Try these cuppies...
Lovely Change from After Dinner Mints...

So what are you baking today????

Read More