MAMA’S FAMOUS CHOCOLATE BALLS

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The other day, the song “Main Jahan Rahoon” from the film Namastey London was playing. Now there are certain songs that remind you of a particular incident or person or just a time in your past. This song is an example. So is the song Backstabber. It reminds me of one of my friends and how she would dance on this song. I will always associate the songs from the movie “Maine Pyaar Kiya” with my family and our trip to US when I was 7. The song “Paro” from the movie Shastra reminds me of my sister’s wedding and how we all went berserk dancing on the song.

The way songs remind us of someone, some place or some time in our past, food, can also have the same effect. Mysore Masala Dosa makes me go back to my college days. Stuffed Tomato reminds me of my friend B and the times I have spent at her house. Scotch eggs reminds me of the times she has spent at my house. Freshly baked vanilla cake reminds me of my mom and her parcels to me when I was a hosteler. These parcels also contained my mom’s famous chocolate balls. They used to be devoured by my friends whenever they came. My girl friends and I also used to share a private joke about them;)!

These chocolate balls were a favorite of my brother. They were made regularly for him and were specially made when he used to get back from NDA. And, I remember how in just one sitting, he would gobble them all up. He used to be crazy about them and probably still is. So, today being Rakshabandhan- a festival in India to celebrate the bond between a brother and a sister, I thought of making this for him. I know its going to be a while before I meet him- he stays in India , I stay in US, you do the maths!

Over the years, my brother and I have grown close to each other. But it wasn’t always like that. It was only when he went away and joined NDA did both of us start sharing stuff. Before that, we just fought- at every opportunity. He practiced all his WWF moves on me. Thanks to him I became strong. I learnt to use my elbow and could give him a serious fight.

I remember the day he ejected from his plane. I never have strong intuitions, nor are they ever correct- but, that day I knew there was something wrong with my brother. I remember how that very day I woke up in the morning with his photo falling on the floor. I remember  texting him that very moment to call me. When he did not, I called his girl friend (now his wife!:)), but she had spoken to him the night before and everything had been fine. I remember, taking a nap in the afternoon, relaxed to know all is well with my brother. I remember, my grandmother waking me up and crying and telling me his plane crashed. Those were the scariest few minutes in my life. My grandmother wouldn’t tell me whether he was safe. She just kept crying. I am happy today that he has fully recovered from that incident. Touch wood.

I remember how we both partied together for the first time at a pub in Delhi and blew up a lot of money. When I paid the bill, my brother, to show his disapproval, wanted to lightly tap me on my face, instead without realizing the force of his hands, he slapped me! I was shocked as to what happened. So was he. And, then we both laughed!

I remember he flew down and surprised me during my wedding by  coming a day early. I remember how he broke his arm during my sangeet, due to complete exhaustion from working and taking charge of all the marriage proceedings.

He is my idol. Growing up, he was the one person I looked up to for everything. The music, TV shows I like were a direct reflection of his choices.

He stood by me at all times. He encouraged me with my dreams- believing in me. He helped me out with my problems- in academics and otherwise. He finally got to do what he always wanted- to fly, even though the odds were against him. He never gave up. His determination has taught me to never give up on any dream in life – to keep on trying till you succeed.

He was the coolest person I knew while growing up and he still is! He is the best brother I could have asked for and I love him a lot! Wish you a very Happy Rakshabandhan, bro! Wish you a lot of happiness, success and good health in life. Miss you lots! This one’s for you!

MAMA’S FAMOUS CHOCOLATE BALLS

INGREDIENTS

3 cups Marie biscuits, powdered

5 tbsp cocoa

1 tin condensed milk

DIRECTIONS

Crush the marie biscuits in a blender till they are powdery. In a bowl mix the powdered biscuits, condensed milk and cocoa. Once thoroughly mixed, grease your hands with a little oil and make small balls. They are ready to serve and eat!


SPINACH MUSHROOM FETTUCCINE

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Creamy spinach and mushroom fettuccine recipe is the perfect vegetarian pasta dish  for date night or when you want something special on your weeknight!

creamy spinach and mushroom fettucine

Edited to add on May 3, 2018: This recipe for creamy spinach mushroom fettuccine went live first in August 2010. The recipe is from a special edition that Femina India had come out with that showcased restaurant favorite recipes including this one for mushroom fettuccine. I have made this pasta recipe several times since then but forgot to update the blog. I have also lightened up the mushroom fettuccine a bit from the original one. Its still not a calorie free recipe but it tastes delicious so I am not complaining. The pictures have been updated, and like all previous posts that I reshoot, original pics have been kept too to keep reminding me where I started and how far I have come. The pasta in the pictures above is also homemade and I used The Prairie Homestead’s fresh pasta recipe

Original Post:

I finally completed my second trunk yesterday. With that, Project Trunk is under wraps! Finally! This called for a celebration!

I had mushrooms lying in my fridge for some time now. V hates mushrooms- well hate would be too strong a word, but he is NOT a fan. I like mushrooms a lot. But, its quite ironical that growing up, I hated all dishes that had mushrooms in them.

Then, one fateful day (boy, do I like to dramatize things!), my friend from college, called us for lunch at her home. She made this garlic mushroom bread that was awesome and since then I have been in love with mushrooms.

creamy spinach mushroom fettucine

Lot of people believe that it takes one dish to change a person’s opinion about a vegetable. And, I am a living proof of that!

So I thought I’ll try to get V to change his mind about mushrooms, and decided to make this pasta recipe I got from a special cookbook edition of Femina. The recipe is the same one that they use at Pizza Hut for their creamy Spinach Mushroom fettuccine. The first time I tried this recipe was while visiting home, and I made it for a party my parents were throwing. Everyone loved it. I made it again at my aunt’s place- it didn’t come out as good as the first time- there were some ingredient issues- but still was liked.

This was my third time, and this time the dish had a mission- to turn V to a mushroom lover. I had to get this one right! So, I set the table and went all out- they say people eat with their eyes first and I hoped that for V the first impression would be the last one.

creamy spinach mushroom fettucine

V loved it- a lot! Proof..u ask? Look at the pics at the end. Its still too early to say whether he is a mushroom convert, but well, its safe to say that he will happily eat this dish again.

It does use a lot of cream though- but luckily, I had just one small packet of cream, and thus could not use the whole amount asked for. It still turned out great.

(P.S. : V got me those flowers!:))

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PAINTING

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About ten years back, I did my first water color art. It was part of the school activity I had joined. Besides that one time, I have never tried my hand at doing a full fledged water color art before. So, a few weeks back, on our visit to Michaels for buying paint stuff for the trunk, I thought I will get a sketch book and a set of water colors. I initially thought of oil paints but they were more expensive and I was under the impression that oil painting is more difficult. Well, my mom told me that I was wrong and its more difficult to cover up mistakes in a water color painting. And, you know how it is, mom’s are always right. It wasn’t like painting the trunk where I was able to take a cloth and remove excessive paint- a mistake done in water colors is difficult to correct- the mark always remains. Sigh!

Now, came the question- what should I paint.

In India, the start of anything new is done by worshiping Lord Ganesha. He is considered the god of luck and “of opening the way”. Perfect! I needed a lot of luck for this to go right and so decided to paint him. And, who knows, Lord Ganesha might just open the way to the world of art for me!:):)

So, with background music set as “Damn! It’s good to be me” by Uncle Cracker (a little pep talk doesn’t hurt any one!), I set out on painting my second water color art after ten years! This was my afternoon project, and I am proud at the speed with which I finished the painting, even though its not perfect. The lines are crooked at places. Ganesha’s stomach should have been a little more bulging. The effect of the different colors could have been better. But, then when did I say I was perfect. I’m just a novice housewife ;)!

I am yet to see V’s reaction. He hasn’t come back from work. Let’s see what hubby has to say! Till then I’ll have my afternoon siesta!