Apple Tart

by

Eggless Apple Tart The Novice Housewife

Oh blog, how I missed you!

I really loved every part of my cake decorating course except for the traveling (that was the worst part- 2 hours bus ride one way was just way too much for me). But now I cant wait to get back home, which I’ll be in another three days *doing a happy dance*. And to be very honest I missed blogging, (the whole setting up and photographing for the blog included) and the blogging world in general with all its talented people. I missed it all! I missed you all!

Besides the traveling (which, as mentioned before, I hated), the course was all that I hoped it to be. I am still not perfect but I learnt a lot in the past two months and met a bunch of gifted people and am so glad I finally decided to do this course. I had mentioned in my previous post that I was intimidated by my classmates but as someone pointed out in one of the comments on that post that its a blessing since I get to learn not only from the teachers but from my course mates as well, that’s exactly how it turned out to be. I am so blown away with the talent that my friends from class have and its great that I got to be in the company of such brilliantly talented people.

I will be sharing pictures of what I did in my course and then some of my stay in Canada soon, but today I wanted to share the recipe of this eggless apple tart that I made yesterday. Just because its that good. And good things should be shared ASAP.

Read More →

Garam Masala Tuesdays: Gluten Free Microwave Dhokla

by

Gluten free Microwave dhokla The Novice Housewife

Dhokla is a very popular snack in India, and although its from the western state of Gujarat its a favorite across India. It is a plus that it is also gluten free. A lot of snacks in India are made from besan or gram flour but unlike most Indian snacks that are fried, this one is traditionally steamed. But the version I am sharing today is one that can be made in the microwave and is quicker and slightly more convenient.

I know a lot of people are against the use of microwave and even though I try to avoid it, sometimes for certain things I do use it. Especially for making quick snacks like these.

I also know I have posted a recipe for Microwave dhokla before (long, long before- which reminds me I completed three years of blogging on 28th and unlike the first blogiversary and my second blogiversary, I completely forgot about this one!). But this recipe is slightly different from the previous one I posted and in fact I like it better. Probably because of the fresh ginger that is mixed into the batter, unlike the paste used in the previously posted recipe.

The recipe is from my mamiji (my mom’s brother’s wife). My mamiji is an excellent cook and an even more amazing person. She is an inspiration. At 50 plus age, she decided to go to nursing school. Having never had a science background in school, she took up this challenge and with a family to take care of (my mom’s parents also stay with my uncle’s family and it can be quite challenging sometimes to take care because old people can be as stubborn and as demanding as kids), she still managed to complete her course and is now working as a lab technician. To get back to studies after such a long break is trying enough but to take up a subject you have no prior knowledge of is, in my opinion, absolutely incredible and kudos to my mamiji for having the resolve to go through with it.

And thanks to her, finally after a long break, I am able to share a GMT recipe with you. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have been. 🙂

Read More →

Tomato, Basil and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

by

The Novice Housewife Bruschetta

I am not sure why but today I just wished that I received an envelope with a postal stamp on it, the back of which I would tear open to find a hand written letter from someone I care about or someone who cares about me.

Probably the thought of receiving a letter came when I was thinking whether I am too late to write a letter to my brother for rakhi this year. Rakhi or Rakshabandhan is a festival in India which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi ( a sacred thread) on their brothers’ wrists and in return the brother vows to protect her. In modern times, the brother is supposed to give a gift in kind or in cash as well, which kind of works out pretty well for the sister :). 

The first year after marriage I remember I sent my brother a letter with a hand made rakhi since I could not find any actual rakhi where I stayed. After that I got lazy and the last two rakhshabandhans I have sent him a rakhi using those online rakhi delivery services, only because they are so convenient and staying abroad I never remember in time to post a letter with a rakhi in it. So instead of a letter, its just a small message on a tiny card (that too typed by the online service, not handwritten) for my brother. In return he gives me a nice gift when I meet him in India, mostly chosen by my sister-in-law.

Read More →