Comfort food!

There's something so deeply fulfilling about the vegetarian thali at Rajadhani, bangalore. Soul food. Comfort food!

Save money!

My new year resolution!

6 years of work life later I still have saved no money. Absolutely nothing. But the money has bought me so many things, so many memories, some happiness - I think it's time to save some. So that gandhiji can continue to make me very happy, materialistically happy!

Whoever said money can't buy you happiness, was clearly too rich. I think money can buy happiness! *iphone, MacBook Pro, three days in NYC, two weeks in Dubai, etc etc*

Pancakes <3

I was in Nashville, TN - United States, for three beautiful weeks of dreams coming true. I loved my business + vacation trip. There's something about that country that is so fascinating, I fell for it I must confess. I stayed at Lowes Vanderbilt, a pretty hotel. How I miss the GPS saying 'take right for Lowes Vanderbilt'. I miss the in-house restaurant, the delicious food and the nice people there. More about TN and my short but amazing stint at NYC later. Let's talk about pancakes.

I love pancakes. I loved my days when it started with a stack of those delicious miracles bathed with a generous dollop of orange marmalade. I hate maple syrup. Its sticky, yucky and unnecessarily sweet. So you will not read much about it from here. Me no like it. Period.

Southerners in the US have a habit of frying everything. They even have fried Snicker bars. I am against fried stuff. I think you now can understand why Pancakes were my saving grace. Everytime I looked at my breakfast plate, I'd grin ear to ear. 

I've established my love for pancakes, haven't I? So, I got back to India and kept missing it. Day in and out. I had to try making it at home. To feel that goodness again! 

Try I did. And it came out just the way I love it - Easy to make, Not too sweet, very soft and filled with goodness.

Do you want the recipe? Here you go:

Maida - 1-1/2 cup (or Wheat Flour)

Sugar - 4 tbsp (Taste one Pancake and add more if required)

Unsalted Butter - one Tbsp full (Melt it)

Eggs - 2

Milk - 1/2 cup

Baking Soda - One Pinch

Salt - One Pinch

Vanilla Essence - Two drops

Bananas & Strawberries - As much as you please

This recipe makes about 7-8 pancakes.

- Beat two eggs, add sugar. Ideal would be Castor Sugar I hear but I used normal granulated sugar. Beat more.

- In another bowl, sieve maida, salt and baking soda

-  Add the maida mix to the egg in three parts, alternating with milk. Keep beating in one direction until the batter is free of lumps.

- Add Vanilla essence and stir

- Leave the mix unattended for 10-15 mins.

- Heat pan at the lowest possible heat for few mins. Pour batter and let it spread by itself. Wait for a few minutes and the pancake will rise. 

- Once risen, use a spatula to pick the pancake and turn it so that the other side can be cooked as well. Both sides put together it will take only 5 minutes to cook. Taste and add more sugar if necessary. Make more.

- Your ultra soft, yummy pancakes are ready.

For the topping:

- Dice bananas to small pieces. In a pan throw in some butter and then the bananas. Let the two snuggle a little bit and take it off.

- Dice strawberries to your liking.

NOTE:

Pancakes are generally dry and would go best with some kind of syrup or butter. Maple syrup, if you like it. Orange marmalade is my favorite. Just plain butter will be good as well. Your call really. Maida is not the best for anybody's health. So you could try this with Atta if you are the kind that's too conscious.