Dy 96 - HAVE I MET YOU BEFORE CHURROS...

So sometimes while we are on our adventure in life and walking down paths we have never seen.
We come across the past.
So what do you do ...

When we look at them past paths..
Some of those paths we are so happy to meet..
Because they brought us so much joy.
Nostalgia...always brings a smile to our face..

But what about a past that hurt us..
Do we walk there again..
Well they say you must approach it like a fresh path, because everything and everybody changes..
But if true feelings and friendship are still there so will sensitivity and caring..
And it could blossom into something beautiful ...

What do you say ...????

I don't know I would be scared because I have been scarred..
But would I walk there again..
No clue.. ..

I have actually walked down some past paths, and walked with a fresh slate..
Most have been fantastic, and we have been able to start something new and different and yet full of love and a new understanding of us both as individuals.

And some pasts have always left me , standing in the same place that I was standing at before...
So should we let these be , because they are not meant to be..
Or give it a chance once more..

I don't know anymore..
And I definately do not want to live life with all the answers anyway..

And so today I'm making churros..
A few days ago, I went to eat them because wanted to bite into something sinfully and comfortingly decadent ..
And so after completely indulging myself..
Till I made a hundred promises of no chocolate no more( ha ha not possible)

I came back and googled churros, because I'm crazy , everything I taste and love , I need to be able to make..
Just like how all the people I meet that I love , I want to keep, somehow, save them as my exotic ingredient ..

CHURROS

INGREDIENTS
Water -1 cup
Salted butter -1 cup
Demerara sugar - 2 tbsp
Flour - 1 cup
Eggs -4
Vanilla essence -1 tsp

Caster sugar-1 cup
Cinnamon powder- 1/2 tsp

CHOCOLATE SAUCE
Cream - 1 cup
Cooking chocolate - 1 cup
Condensed milk-1/2 cup
Chili powder- 1/2 tsp

In a non stick vessel over a medium flame, bring to boil the water, butter and the Demerara sugar.
When it is properly boiling, add the flour to it, stirring it continuously , till it clumps together.
Then put it back on the fire and cook for about three minutes.
Take it off the fire and vigorously keep stirring , or then put it into a dough mixi, and beat it till it is cool.
Crack the four eggs in a clean bowl, and add the vanilla essence to it.
Then add the eggs to the batter, 3 tbsp at a time, till it it fully incorporated.

Then with a spatula, put the batter in an icing bag , with a star nozzle tip .
And pipe strips of dough into hot oil.
Make each Churro about 3 inches long, but there is no hard and fast rule , you can make it in circles, or any shape you like.
Just see that it's easy for you to handle.
And fry each piece, till it is nice and brown and crispy.
After that roll the cooked Churros in the caster sugar and cinnamon mix.

For the chocolate sauce, boil the cream,with the chili powder, and pour it over the grated chocolate, when the chocolate is melted, pour the condensed milk into it.
This gives it a very dense and thick texture.

And so  I realised that you make churros just like you you make "Paris Brest" and that's something I love..
It's nearly the same ingredients , JUST the end procedure is different..

And so I was extremely happy with my churros..
And while I was frying them in oil, I know not the healthiest option but oh so tasty and yummy

I was thinking about life and how like life, is like what I cooked today..
Churros ..
How alike they are to Paris Brest ..
Mostly the  same ingredients, just the  method of cooking is different , and that's what makes all the difference..

Just like the people we attract in life..
We attract the same type of people in our life..
Because there are a certain types of characteristics that attract us to them..
I'm not saying they are all alike, they will be as varied as the myriad colours of the rainbow...
But there will be a common thread..
They may all not always be our best friends, or soul mates, or our 4 am friends..
But they all make our life better in some way..

I don't know..
I'm just rambling..



But I know that every person comes into our life for a reason..
To heal us, or to teach us something we needed to learn..
That changes our core..

But I'm very very confused..

And what about the ones that leave us feeling hurt..
What then..

Maybe the next time we meet them..
We need to change the way we cook our relationship..
A different style, a different approach

I just know, that there is always something good that you learn about yourself in every situation in life..
It's only when you are sitting in a corner alone , that you have time to look deep inside your self..
And discover facets to your self you never knew existed.
And according to me thats fantastic, as you get to discover who you really are...

Also you become more compassionate..
You feel someones pain, only, if you have ever felt it yourself..

And so as I bite into this decadent dish of Churros , dunked in Mexican chocolate..
I'm thinking..
I have one life to live..
So many adventures I have still not been on..
So many new paths to see, and if I come across a path I have walked through for a bit...
But had to leave as there were more thorns that hurt than flowers that made me smile..

I do not know yet what I will do..
I think I will just be my impulsive self ..and decide then..
Go with my gut..
It may not be always completely right, but it's never fully wrong...

So chomping on a plate of "Have I tasted you before Churros " is good for your soul..

It made me realise one thing..
Some people in my life are like chocolate,
"I give them up for a bit..
I swear off them for reasons and seasons..
But they will always stay in my life..

And so I am officially celebrating "Mothers Day" today..
As I'm out of bed and feeling a mucho better..

What we did on Mothers day..
Ha ha Zeke , Zene and me, sang karaoke with out favourite singers.... Maroon5, Adele, Shakira's waka-waka, Colbie , Disney classics on our bed, it was too much fun..
Singing makes us happy..
And we all sang without a care in the world ..
Most liberating..

So as I bite into the crispness of the "Have I met you before Churros " and the voluptuous decadent richness of the Mexican chocolate, hits your taste buds, you are already on a path to an adventure, whether it's is a brand new one, or a path you have travelled..
Is completely yours to choose..

With lotsa love and calories only from"Maria's kitchen"...

MY PIECE OF PARADISE..

So I'm searching for that patch of land
Where there are no thoughts or ideas of right and wrong..
And we can just be..

A place where it does not matter who you are or where you came from..
What you do..
And who you may be..

Just a place where souls that connect can blink at the sun
And smile into each others eyes ..
And feel a heart full of love..
That costs nothing for no one one..
It's all free..

I wanna walk there one day..
I wanna sit down in this quiet..
And just inhale deep...
Breathe and heave a sigh of tranquility , from inside me, so deep ..

A place where no one knows anybody by name or their fame..
You just meet because your soul found another that resonates with the same life..
Not partners  ..
Not mates..
Just two souls who always want each other by their side..

No boundaries..
No demarcations ..
No addresses ..
No wondering why..

Just a heart full of love ..
That's all you will need..
There are no rules of engagement..

But you can only find this place ..
If there is love and peace beaming in your heart..
A place where you can just be..
You are not answerable to anybody..
You are there because of your own free will..
You do not trample on anybody..
You do not cross anyone's lines..
You never say things you do not mean ..
You never hurt another life..

It's a place where only love exists ..
And you don't have to pay a dime..

But you cannot get there to escape from reality..

It is reality of the purest kind..
Where the eyes that you meet..
Love you for you..
There is nobody else..
It's just your paradise..
Surrounded by the deep blue sea..

I have walked towards this sun kissed land..
And now I beckon you too...
If you want to really reach me..
You will have to swim across , and brave the waves..
Can you do that for me..

Yes the sea maybe rough and frighten you with the darkest fins..
But all you have to do ..
Is look for my eyes and swim...

Waiting for you at the shore..
With a heart full of love and my arms open wide..
Sun kissed face..
And hair blowing in the wind..
Lips that just want to taste the salt on your skin..

Have you ever wondered if a place such as this exists...
And if you know the address..
Why waste anymore time..
Meet me as the moon rises up into the sky..
Shiny pebbles and glistening sand..

As we walk through...
To our piece of paradise..
No mans land..
Where there is no wrong no right..
Just our hearts beating with all it's might..

That's exactly where we are meeting tonight ..
You and I...

Day 95 : FUNDAY FONDUE....

Children are amazing creatures.
They are blunt ,honest,say what they want .
And say the most amazing stuff at the most opportune moment.
So summer is here in full swing.
And as my friend Kichie mentioned, "If the outside feels like an oven, should not the inside smell like brownies"
Well what can I say our city of Mumbai is as hot as the women that live here ha ha ha ..

Well so the ZZ's are busy enjoying their Prithvi workshop..
And I'm really enjoying, hanging there, in the quiet buzzing atmosphere, trees and happy faces.
And so I have started using those two hours to write..
I use my earphones, put on a compilation of my favourite music and just write straight for two hours..
It's lovely..

My kitchen is getting moved.
I'm glad.
I somehow love change, and I'm constantly rearranging, stuff around the house , so it all looks different, I also rearrange the plants, if they could talk , I know they would have plenty to say to me, but they are flowering, so I know they are happy..

I have always wanted my kitchen upstairs as that's where we entertain.
And I have realised that I usually get what I want , maybe not as soon as I want it , but eventually...
If I still want it as much as I think I do .

So this year, I took that giant leap and decided, that , this is it..
I'm going to get what I want ..

My kitchen is going where I have always wanted it..
And so I'm knee deep in dust and kids on vacation..
And it's all good..
So my kitchen is being pulled apart and getting re-arranged, and re-located, and I'm hoping it gets done before the rains..
And so we have been eating out a lot.
Because its kinda not feasible to be cooking with the dust..

So today we all go out for lunch, order food, and in the middle of our order, the neighbouring table gets a pot of fondue with bread.
And Zeke looks there and says, I want cream and bread.
Then he realised that it was cheese and then wanted cheese and bread..
And he went on and on, that I really thought that our neighbouring table were going to invite him over or send us the pot of fondue.
It was exactly the case of , " I want what they are eating"..
Which reminds me of that fantastic scene in "When Harry met Sally" ha ha ha
Meg Ryan was just adorable...

So yes, while I got back to my saw- dust and cement with the workers ..
Zeke continued about the fondue.

And so by 5, I decided to go shopping..
I don't know what's wrong with me..
I'm not much of a shopping person actually..
But shopping it was..

So I get into my car..
And decided to call  Sandy, why ..
Don't EVER as me why ?
I do most things impulsively ...I hope thats answers your question...
But it's always fun to hang with her..
So I picked her up, and a-shopping we went..

Vintage earth is a great shop, it has the most amazing ghagras (Indian printed skirts)
So I was trying to convince them to take the five skirts I have back, so I can buy more, I'm sure they think I'm completely crazy, and I'm never arguing my case ..
I like being crazy..
It's a good place to be..
One day I will invite you in my world of crazy , and you will see that it is beautiful...
If I'm rambling, I blame the dust..

So Sandy and me , then went to natures basket, and bought our groceries..
We talked about stuff ranging from food, to work to fun gossip.
And I was back home with ingredients for fondue for my little cubs..

And so while the carpenters hammered away upstairs, I started prepping for dinner..
What were we having..
FONDUE......

AND so I googled a whole lot of recipes..
And wanted to make the healthiest fondue ever..
Ha ha ha

INGREDIENTS

FONDUE
White wine - 11/2 cup
Cheddar cheese- 11/2 cup grated
Gruyere cheese- 1/2 cup grated
Garlic- 4 cloves
Nutmeg-1/2 tsp
Chili powder-1/4 tsp
Flour - 1 tsp
Butter -1 tbsp

Mushrooms- 1 packet
Cut them into four pieces , and sauté in a non stick pan with 1/2 tsp butter and 1/2tsp olive oil , sprinkle salt , and keep aside

Prawns- 200 gm.
Sauté like above

Carrots- 2
Dice them and sauté like mushrooms.

Baguette - 1/2
Cut it into bite size pieces, and toss it in 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter, then bake it at 175 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
I like it crunchy..

FONDUE METHOD.

IN A non stick pan, add the butter, then add the nutmeg, chili and the flour and cook this really well , at least a minute or more on very medium heat.
Then add a little wine at a time and keep whisking the mix, so that the roux or the flour mixes into the wine and you do not get any lumps.
Add the grated cheese a little bit at a time, and let the first batch completely melt , till you add some more.
Keep doing this till all the cheese is over.
 Do not let it bubble.

I was done..and we all sat for dinner.
Zeke took a bite and said, " oh my god, it's so cheesy"
So I explained that this is what fondue is..
Then he went for it, like he has not eaten in at least a year, he is like me in some ways ha ha ha ..
Zene looked and said, "mama, I love it, it's awesome"
Then she said the sweetest thing, "mama our house is like a restaurant, we get all the best things" ..
Just for this I could go shopping and cooking all over again...
 They ate the carrots, the mushrooms, the prawns and the bread..
Then we made bowls of all the ingredients and I poured a little fondue on it , and they ate it with a spoon...
I think the Swiss, French and Italians would die if they saw us do this...
Thank God, they were not invited for dinner..ha ha ha

I think fondue is to the west what khan-suey is to the Orient...
I did not have my fondue dish, because I do not possess one..
So we ate straight outa the pot..
On a mat on our floor like a picnic..

I like trying new stuff..
And it's amazing how easy and tasty this was..
It's just a big mix of yummy things..

So as my home sleeps..
I sit alone thinking ..
My life  is  a mix of moments and people..
And it's this mix that makes life so interesting..
Some are the garlic in my life, I want them everywhere, I love garlic and put it in all my dishes
Some are like wine, that make me all bubbly and too honest , which may not always be fine..
Some like cheese, that are a bit hard to please..
Some like flour, that are needed in doses , so that it makes life seem solid
Some like chili, that you need a little of ,for that extra zing..
Some like butter, you never seem to get enough of..
And some like nutmeg..
Subtle but intense and adds a lot without being too overpowering, and all may not miss the taste except the one who has tasted it..
So here's presenting , " FUNDAY FONDUE"
Hot , full of flavour and Zing...just like the weather and women in Mumbai ha ha ha ..
Only from Maria's kitchen ...

DAY 94 : ZENE'S UNMEASURABLE LOVE CAKE...

And so every year, as the days to Zene's birthday draws closer..
I wonder what I'm going to do ..
Little girls are special..
Older ones too..
And they always need to be treated that way ..
(So I keep drilling this in Zeke's head)

So this year, it was decided that we are not having a birthday party, but we are going to take a few really close friends out to this little piece of paradise that we all love in Mumbai..

And so I was sitting absolutely carefree in the knowledge that, I'm sorted , seven kids is not going to be difficult it's a piece of cake..

So on the 29th , while I decided to cycle around..
I go downstairs and get accosted by a bunch of little girls and boys , telling me how they are not in town for "the party" on the 2nd...as they are all going on holidays..
So I look at Zene and say," What Party Zene?"...
And she looks me straight in the eye with a smile saying, " my birthday party mama,you told me to invite my friends" ..
So I'm looking at this little sea of party eager faces , and me being me..
Made a few very quick calculations in my head ..

And in a matter of a few seconds..
I was having a birthday party the next day..
Now how to get invites , what should  I do and how to organise it over night..

So while , I'm thinking this , I remembered at the back of my head that my friend Jaya's kids will also not be there..
Mini leaves with her  kids too..
Zene's best friend Neoma is not there ..
Her building best friend is leaving..
So then if I do a birthday for her later , the ones she loves and the ones that love her , will not be there..
And frankly , she knew that, because that afternoon, she gave me a long list of friends I had to invite ..
I just did not know that they were already invited..

So I have left from cycling, to buying invites..
And by 9.30pm have hand delivered most of them, called and got all my confirmations, by 10.30pm..
Gosh..why am I so impulsive...
But I love it, it mostly turns out fantastic..
So I'm going with mostly..

The plan was, we all do lunch , we watch "The Croods" again..
And thanks to Freyan from Fox , it was done..
And that's that..
I had gone over various plans with Mini and Jaya..
And like they always know, at the end I do what I want..

I don't have a cake..
I don't know what to do now..
So I open my baking cabinet , praying that I have ingredients for at least a cake...
Time now11.30pm..
I'm actually exhausted..

Flour, eggs, butter, baking powder, sugar, peanut butter,chocolate, milk maid all there...

I went to sleep, tired but happy..
Tomorrow is going to be a long day..

I woke up at 6...
Put some fantastic music on..
(I now know how to buy music from ITunes, so I'm fully "buy-happy")
And then got down to making a cake ..
I'm sorry I cannot give you a perfect  recipe, because I put it all together in some proportion of some sort but was not all measured accurately...
I put milk in and milk powder too..
It makes the cake a little fluffy..
This is my "Love cake" ..
Its like when you love someone, you don't really decide how much you must love them,  you just do, in unmeasurable proportions..

UNMEASURABLE LOVE CAKE
INGREDIENTS

Flour -200 gm
Butter- 250 gmDemarara sugar- 250 gm
Eggs- 250 gm
Milk powder- a few tablespoons
Peanut butter- a few table spoons
Milk- at the end so that the batter was easy and cake consistency..
Chocolate-200 gms and some more
Cocoa powder- A few table spoons
Milk maid - A good pour
Baking powder - 2 tsp...


I mixed and sieved all the dry ingredients together..
I then beat the butter, with the peanut butter..
Added the sugar..
Then beat in the melted chocolate, I know I added some more, but no clue how much..

Then I folded in the dry ingredients with a spatula, adjusted the consistency with milk and poured it out into two cake tins and baked them for 25 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees...
So far all good..
My kitchen is getting moved, so my home is a mess..
So frankly this early morning baking, with the freedom to put what I want in the hope that it turns out well, was blissful..

I then had to cool it and decorate it....

So amidst a whole lot of morning craziness,
I iced the cake..
I made a chocolate ganache and decorated it with "little hearts " biscuits that I iced petals on..
So Zene's cake had chocolate, hearts , flowers and stars..
Everything that  she loves..

By 11.40 my ZZ's , the birthday cake and a few of the kids from my building , were off to meet the rest of the gang..
I met the motley crew of smiling faces all 19 of them ..
We then ordered lunch, played in the play area, whizzing cars, some giddy looking giant wheel thingy and a few screams and chaotic hour later..

We all sat for lunch..
I realise that I like kids..
It's like summer camp..
I say yes to what is allowed..
No to all the demands for "aerated drinks" ..
The ranks had a good time ..
I felt bad for the others lunching,or the ones who were trying to have a romantic lunch ..
Ha ha ha ...
Thank god a few of the kids mums joined me and a dad..

We then all went for "Croods"..
I love that film..
"follow the light" ..
Such a simple line , yet completely loaded..

We then all met the" Belt" from the film...
Thank you Freyan...

We were pop-corned out...
By 5.30 pm , all I could think of is a cold slim glass of a bubbly, somewhere on a beautiful beach..enjoying the sunset...

Ha ha ha...
But I'm very very creative with my imagination, that way..
So I did a lot more after reaching that beach in my head..
But in reality , I came back with a whole lot of smiling faces, and we were done ...

And like a good girl, since I needed to rest..
I went shopping with my friend Sambo..
Gosh shopping is really relaxing ha ha ha ....

Late that night after I put the kids to bed and my day was done..
I sat with a piece of "Zene's Love cake"

Zene's Unmeasurable Love Cake..

I was just thinking of my Zene..
I'm happy that she knows who her friends are, and very clear about who she wanted at her birthday..
She knew her core few..
And they needed to be there..

That's what life is all about..
In this party we live in, we may dance in a room full of people we know, but we truly look into the eyes of just a few..

And as I looked at her ..
6 years old..
A heart full of gold..
A smile that just captures my soul..
And eyes that are really naughty to behold..
She loves too much ..
Already that I can see..
And stands up for her family..
It's a girl thing , I think..
What ever may happen in life..
I just want her to have love in abundance..
The kind that is kind..
The kind that keeps her safe in its embrace..
The kind that lights up her eyes..
And beams the brightest smile..
The kind that will catch her even before she falls..
The kind that will only make her cry tears of joy..
I want all my share of happiness to go to her..
She should never have any fear..
She should always say what she feels, without hurting a soul..
Keep her word ..
I want her to live with a heart that is free..
There is so much time more to go ..but blessings is all that I ask for everyday..
Keep both my kids safe in mind, body , heart and soul...
That's all that matters to me at the end of the day..

Girls are special..
When boys do understand that one day..
This world of ours will be a nicer place to stay...

And so Zene turned a year older..
And I today I took her to my yoga class..
It's a different joy..
Taking a little part of you , with a yoga mat, to a place you find peace..
( Zeke was not interested..
Boys..)
She loved the class and my Yoga Guru Eefa loved her(but then Eefa is a very loving soul), she did everything with ease, while the rest of us panted and sweated..

It was a good day..
The month of May is always good, it always brings clarity..
Maybe because it's the holidays..
I don't know..
Maybe because it's Zene's birthday month, I really don't know..

All I learnt from Zene, this birthday..
Is that everyone of us have a few core people that we love..
And if they are not part of our life, more in the joyous moments..
Those moments don't feel as fun or joyous..
There will be a void..
There will be a little emptiness..
Missing someone is about that moment you are doing something, and you wish they were right there next to you..
Yup...

So like Zene..
Make those moments happen..
Make the people that really count..know that they really count..
All and everything else does not matter..

Yes her Birthday is on the 2nd of May...
But I don't think dates matter..
If your heart is happy , its your birthday everyday...
It just knows feelings...
And that's that..

So "Happy Birthday " my darling Zene-pooie..
May you have have something beautiful to smile about and may you always be surrounded by love ...
With lotsa love from your Mama, who is stuffing her face with your    'UNMEASURABLE LOVE CAKE" ..

And to everyone who is part of my life directly or indirectly..
Lotsa love from me to you ..
Only from "Maria's Kitchen" ...

DAY 93 - EGGS ALA HAPPINEZZ...

You know some days you wake up ..
And just know, that you are in the best place you were ever meant to be..
And just thank the one above for all that you are and all that you have and for all the rest who are willing to put up with your nonsense(which I have plenty off)

I love the summer holidays..
Yes it is too hot..
But then I live in India and that's how it is..
These past two weeks, I have had a whirlwind of a time.
You know how whirlwinds are, there is nothing normal about it..
But it does not last forever..
So I have soared like a beautiful bird in the blue of the sky.
Have dived into the deepest and the darkest part of the ocean..
Have prowled around the jungles, growling to myself, like I love doing, hung by my favorite watering hole..

My soul sprung a leak..
And I wrote like I never have..

So yes it is all good for me and as normal as I can get in my land of excesses..

I look at Zeke and Zene, and am happy with all I am..
I always knew I wanted kids, though I like very few of them...ha ha ha ..
And have wanted another little one for some time now..
(But that's a long story that I may tell you one day ha ha ha) 
Well let me introduce you to the littlest and sweetest cub of them all"Alisha"..

Gramaasi and "Alisha"...

I'm her "Gramaasi"..
Well if you do not know what that means , let me educate you, her grandma Ritambhara (she writes the tarot section for HT) and me have been close friends for over 11 years , and her mum known as "Kichie-Poo"and me are always upto non-sense, so I'm part her grand-ma and part her mums sister and so , I'm her grandma and her aunt...ha ha ha ..
Poor kid...
And Zene is her"frister" friend and sister..
And Zeke is her "brend" brother and friend..
So yes I have a little baby, and she may not live with me physically, but she is very much part of my heart and soul and the lionesses have a new cub..






So I woke up this Sunday morning..
Full of smiles and love and forgiveness..
(God sometimes I'm amazed that the stuff that goes on in my head)

 If you do not forgive, I feel you will be an unhappy person.
So start with yourself, forgive yourself for getting into anything knowingly or unknowingly , that caused you hurt or harm..
Ask for forgiveness if you have intentionally or unintentionally hurt someone else..
And forgive everyone or anyone who has harmed or hurt you consciously or unconsciously..
 I promise you ...you feel fantastic...
Lighter , happier and smilier (if that's a word)...


This life needs to be lived loaded with love..
And yes sometimes you may do and say things that you should not, but you want to..
Go ahead I say, its better to do what you want than wonder "what if"...
You are in-Charge of your own happiness..so that's that..

Some will get you ..
Some will not..
Some may be able to understand ..
Some will never be able to fathom you ever..
And yet its all good..
You just don't ever turn that "tap of love "off..










So all this early morning philosophy and introspection that I subjected myself to..

(With Taz following me around, I think he always knows , whats going on with me, I sometimes feel , he will one day sit me down and have a long conversation ...)
Made me very very hungry..

(actually everything , makes me very hungry)


So I put together this lovely juicy breakfast that I had to share with you...


EGGS ALA HAPPINEZZ...

INGREDIENTS..
Egg whites - 3..
Tomatoes- 3 cubed
Rocket /Arugula leaves- a hand full
Cheddar Cheese - A sprinkle
Secret ingredient - 2 tsp
Butter/ oil - 1 tsp
Chicken sausages or Chorizo - as much as you like, less the healthier..

METHOD.
Heat the oil and butter in a non stick pan..
Add the chicken sausages or the chorizo..
Let it sizzle for a bit..
Add the secret ingredient..
After 2 minutes..add the tomatoes. and saute till it is just slightly cooked..about 2 minutes..
Add the Cheddar..
Add the egg whites and toss it all around the pan..
do not dry it..
Add your hand full of Arugula, give everything a good stir and then eat it as hot as possible..


Ha ha ha breakfast is the most important meal of the day
Just like peace of mind is important to life..
And so as I bite into this yummy juicy breakfast that is as healthy as it is tasty..

I'm also eyeing the box of mangoes I got from this guy at the Lokhandwala signal, his name is Sabir-9619599733..
We were being our usual vagabonding gypsy selves yesterday, the ZZ's and me..
And when we chanced upon the yellow deliciousness...
I swear they behaved like they have never eaten a mango in their life..
(thank God they are normal like me ha ha ha )
And so in between, buying a skirt from Vintage earth, to a size 3 football. to buying salad leaves and vegetables..
Mangoes were being delivered home...yeaaahhh

Hell I started talking about other stuff..I can be completely Random sometimes, Mini and Sandy always say that...
Sorry..

So back to breakfast..
But please eat Mangoes if you can  ha ha ha ..

So while I'm a keeper of secrets..
You can trust me with anything..I swear...
For my friends and myself...
As far as food is concerned I share it all..
My secret ingredient for the eggs is "Keya -all purpose seasoning" something my Friend Jaya introduced me to, bless her..
And as you know I never cook without infusing all my food with my brand of "all consuming LOVE"..

So here's presenting, "EGGS ALA HAPPINEZZ" juicy, tasty and full of my brand of yummy...
Full of growls and playfulness only from "Maria's Kitchen"

DAY 92 : SIMPLY ME ..

And so do you think it's easy or difficult being a woman..
I don't mean in society ..
I just mean on your own..

I mean how many roles do you play in a day..
At the end of it all, think we may just turn into "loony schizophrenics"...
For lack of a better word..

Let me just say at the onset , that NO , I would never want to be a guy..
I love being a woman...

I love the fact that I can love as intensely as I can get mad, and cry as softly as the kisses I give and hug like there is no tomorrow....

But sometimes just trying to find me, in the day drives me totally mad...
I wake up like mom..
Go on to screaming mum, then feeding mum..
Then running to the bus stop mum..
Then heaving a sigh mum..
Then turn into mad gym person..
Crazy running person..
And then peace finding yoga happy person...

It then continues oscillating between, mum, friend, buddy, memsahib, fish buyer, vegetable vendor bargainer, writer, the cooking person, the feeding and bathing person, the person that gets told,"we don't like you"...

To the one who remembers birthdays..
Buys gifts..
Keeps the house clean..

Spends time hugging Taz (the family pet)..
Dozes of  because of lack of caffeine..and sleep..
Decides on how to feed the lot , nutritious food disguised like non- boring food..
Read junk..
Then tries and finishes the day at least by 9 , so that she has some time to herself..to comb her hair, read something she likes , or listen to music, write and try and have some "Me time"
I think this is what all the women in the world do ..
More if not less..

And so today I'm making a meal I would like to eat in peace, listening to Maroon 5 croon my favourite song at the moment, as I cook...

Addicted to this song..

INGREDIENTS

Lamb mince- 500 gm

Onion - 3 finely diced

Ginger - 1 Tsp

Garlic - 6 cloves

Tomato - 3 cubed

Chili powder - 11/2 tsp

Coriander powder - 1 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala - 1 1/2 tsp

Haldi - 1/2 tsp

Water - 500 ml

Oil - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

METHOD

In a non-stick pan over a medium flame, add the oil.

Then add the garlic, do not burn it.

Add the ginger.

Add the onions and cook them till they get translucent about 15 minutes..

Add the tomatoes and cook them till you see the oil separating from the tomato - onion .

Add the haldi, chili , coriander and the garam masala powder ..

Let it all get very well mixed and fried into the onion and tomatoes..

About10 minutes..

Then add the water and shut the lid and let it cook for about 15 minutes , and then open the lid and let it cook for another 30 minutes , or till you get the consistency you want, either dry or a bit of gravy..

Taste it, season with salt ..

Its done..

And while I was cooking I was wondering..
How do I find me time..
How do I pander to my wishes..
What if I do not want to wake up early..

Sometimes, I just feel like dressing up and going out..
Just for me, just look stunning..
Without a care in the world..
Without wondering, if Zene has woken up and is asking for me..
If Zeke still has a blanket on him...

Sometimes I really wonder what I would do, if I did not have to keep switching from Mother earth, fairy god-mother , to witch ,to dragon slayer, kung-fu panda, love Godess, David Beckham, to lioness, to cub-tamer, hunter , circus trainer , Florence nightingale, Jessica Rabbit, Tom and Jerry , Juliet , Nigella Lawson etc etc ...

I think sometimes, I just want to run away..
Just for a few hours..
Blow dry my hair..instead of making a wet bun..
Sit at a cafe..instead of driving hurriedly around..
Read a book in a library very slowly like I have all the time in the world..instead of the newspaper while  I'm trying to make sense of the day..
Sip on champagne..instead of vegetable juice
Nibble on something uber gourmet ,like the French women do..
Wear the highest heels I have, not my keds..
Wear a beautiful flowing dress, instead of jeans and a t-shirt..

Dab on more than my usual amount of Kenzo..

And just drive into the sunset..
Where I find the most beautiful music playing..
And dance, while I smile at the setting sun..
Then ride away on a beautiful horse..
To a mountain side..
Go swimming in the moonlight..
And drink wine at a vineyard..
Sighhhhhhhh......

Well I could write a book on what I really want to do ..

Sometimes I actually dress up and get out, not because I want to go to a particular party, but because I just want to meet me..ha ha ha 

But I think we were all made for a purpose..
And each one made special and unique..
We all come with our own set of super powers and flaws..

As for me, "I'm a mum, what's your super power"..

That's what I say when someone asks me , what I do...ha ha ha
I think  , we all have our own special place in this world , mine is to be the protector and dragon slayer of these two little munchkin's ..
And so I'm my own Lara Croft..
And that's  how it works.

It's because of my ZZ's that I'm a better person, that I understood the meaning of loving someone regardless, the reason I found my love for food, what made me a lioness, a witch and a heart of mush all rolled into one...
What makes me more forgiving I think..

Ya , it's not easy being a woman...
But....

It is best person I could be..

So while I have made this Kheema look really cool in these beautiful pastry cones, served on a bed of kale chips drizzled with olive oil , I sit beneath the stars ,still in my gym clothes, because I just worked out...

Why now , you are asking...??????

DID YOU  NOT READ ALL I WROTE, I HAVE NO SPARE TIME SOMETIMES..

But I'm looking at my new kitchen being built..

And that makes me happy...

I bite into the crispiness of "Simply Me", which is a  pastry stuffed with yummy Kheema  most fashionably , and I take a tiny bite of the kale chips very daintily and of course the succulent cherry tomatoes..

I'm thinking, "Tonight I will sip on a glass of Merlot or a Pinot Noir" and just let my heart and mind relax and wander..

While I listen to Billy Joel sing to me "She's always a woman to me"....
And I think to myself, "what a wonderful world"..

DAY 91 : "NOT EMPTY WORDS" MUFFINS...

I love flowers... They NEVER fail to make me smile . Thank you Amito... There is something so pure and beautiful about them. But I love them on the plants itself. So I normally will not pluck them. But just take a photograph.. I have tons of photographs of flowers , and each one reminds me of a beautiful place, time and person. But more important than the flowers I collect in photos .. I have a jar of hearts.. I may not be able to photograph each beautiful moment. But I remember the ones that touch me in a series of conversations, or messages or moments, how their voice sounded, how their eyes looked, where we were and how did I feel . To an evening that needed to happen, We have to do this again.. Yup I'm like an elephant sometimes, whose memory captures everything and also very emotional like them, they are known to have rescued trapped dogs sometimes, these elephants .. So ya. But like every human being , I also come with my own set of horrible flaws. But I'm trying to be like a flower that makes you smile even if you snip it's heart line.. It's not easy at all let me tell you .. Sometimes I feel completely alone even when I'm surrounded by friends. Maybe because I do not have too many of them . Have always been someone who has gone through school , college and adulthood with just one friend .. Because although I'm a friendly bounding retriever kind of person. I take a bit of time to open my heart to someone... And when I do , I think I frighten them away with so many emotions and the fact that I always do and say the wrong  things at the right time .. Freeze at the most opportune moments.. Or maybe react a little too late.. Or maybe so much that it's all wrong . Like if an elephant ....                                came running to greet you..... You will run away ha ha ha That's only sensible ..Right ? Well so whenever in doubt I now bake or go for a run, whichever is easier, the baking always wins... I have realised that any cake  batter that has yogurt in it always becomes soft and fluffy.. So here goes Chocolate Yogurt Muffins 3/4 cup muscovado sugar 3/4 cup melted unsalted butter 11/4 cup  yogurt 2 eggs 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups all purpose flour 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate or bittersweet chips Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.  Line a muffin tin with paper muffin cups. Stir brown sugar and butter together in a medium size bowl. Add yogurt, egg and vanilla and stir until thoroughly blended. Combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.  Add yogurt mixture to flour mixture, stirring only until blended.  Fold in chocolate chips. Spoon batter into greased muffin tins and bake for 22-25 minutes. So while my muffins were baking in the oven.. I also realised that , sometimes what you feel about someone ,they do not necessarily feel about you.. Be it love, fondness, disappointment, anger, jealousy or friendship etc etc And so I feel the only thing is.. If you want to know the truth "dive in" if you are brave enough.. I do .. Words according to me are very cheap .. There are a 100 beautiful things I can say .. Maybe because I know you would like to hear it .. But they are mere words.. And words that are not backed with deeds.. Is like a garden of what you think were flowers.. But they are actually weeds.. And I don't know anyone who wants weeds because they spoil the plot .. In more simple a language, they mess with you .. So if you want something ask.. If you hurt someone say sorry If you love someone let them know If you don't , let them go , don't string them along , because it makes you feel good .. My chocolate roses... This month of March has been quite a month.. Some say it was because of the monster moon , that affected each and all.. I'm not into astrology , as in blindly believing everything, but yes I'm very very curious about it and I love it.. There must be some truth in it But what's important is knowing our own truth.. So I started April in silence.. And I heard so much .. And realised... That yes the most beautiful moments in life happen in silence.. This month has begun with conversations  I needed to have... And heart-warming gifts.. I looked deep into my eyes...  And the eyes of the ones I wanted to look into and decided to stop living in this paradise that had a whole lot of broken walls , that I was trying to ignore.. So I walked around the boundaries and broke them all.. And they break, when you find answers... You also see that what you thought was real.. Was actually not.. So I went back to all the people I want in my life.. Whether they wanted to or not .. And put my cards on the table It's an open deck.. Nothing hidden.. And will continue like that.. Those who would like to stay and join me , well what can I say, I'm the happiest.. Those who do not want to .. Well I cannot do anything about it.. It called exercising your "free will" and even God does not interfere with it... So it does not mean that I stop loving or liking someone.. It just means that they have other priorities that I should respect .. I have come to the conclusion that you should not chase love, affection or attention, if it isn't given freely by another person, it isn't worth having... Thank you Mins,  I love this book.. P.S.You are always right... As for my garden .. I'm pulling out all the weeds.. As I can see them now.. Yes I have my green glasses on.. My Hyperopia has increased and my number is  now 1.75  Ha ha ha And so I'm gardening.. And as I now sit in the still of the night and decorate these muffins And sprinkle glitter on them .. I feel a sense of calm.. And hope.. When friendships get too close ... You reach a place where you do collide... And then you could either walk ahead together or stop.. And then some fall apart Some together I guess that's how life is .. So while I bite into my "Not empty-words flower Muffins".. All I know is that everything works out in the end And if it has not.. Then it is not yet the end.. Muchos Abrazos  ... Siempre from "Maria's Kitchen"