Que Sera Sera.....what will be,will be!

Hey,it's festival time folks! Colour,Crackers creating their own Charisma like never before.

Large avenues and plazas,narrow lanes and packed neighbourhoods all lit up to the dawn of positivity and
prosperity.One festival that integrates the dicriminations and equations of the man-made world :so aggressive and agitated suddenly tranquilized by the slim ignitions of "dweeps" enlightening the lives and souls of my culturally diverse countrymen.

Diwali:the festival that marks the arrival of lord Rama to Ayodhya,the festival that drives the evils like"bali" to their rightful eternity of death and the celebration that eventually ends the await of "Tulsi" to be married to Lord Krishna.

A unique festival with myriad tales to unwrap and myths parashuting with every passing century,what it begets is a continuous nebulous of contentment and well-being.
Me being the "I" that I happen to be always refrained from bursting crackers as a child and stuck to the girly stuff of wearing new clothes,rangoli and eating sweets.Often with debates with my "male" colleagus and cousins,I m encountered with loads of suspicion from the fairer race (so say,:D) regarding the cooking skills of women of 21st century,so this one's for all those who believe that its not mere convenience (due to lack of time on hands and laziness) due to which women are attracted towards buying ready-made snacks and sweets.These are a few recepies that I have mastered over a period of time.(please refer the caution note).

1.Papad Kabab:(veg)

Ingredients:
some uddid papads (medium sized,@ 10-15 diametre),boiled potatoes (peeled),ginger-garlic paste,garam masala,lime juice (depending upon the serves),green-chilly,black pepper,bread (optional),onions (finely chopped),green capsicum /carrots/ french beans could also be added (need to be boiled),oil (to shallow fry),salt to taste,sugar,cashews/almonds(optional).

Procedure:
*cut the papad into halfs and set them aside.
*for the stuffing: smash the boiled potatoes and add onions,garam masala,lime juice,ginger-garlic paste and chillies (finely chopped).Bread can be added to give it a binding (in case you are calorie contious and drop the potatoes).Cashews/almonds can be added on crushing.
*Mix the ingredients and lay a small potion of the mixture into the half papad,placing it on your palm.
*Roll the papad and stick the edges with cream or cheese spread or a mixture of milk and conflour.Heat the oil in a "kadhai"(enough to fry the papad,but shallow fry).
*The stuffings need not be fried as they are already cooked,so take the kababs out on a tissue as soon as they cook.Instead of frying one can opt for roasting as well by adding minimal oil in a baking dish and then putting it in an oven or microwave.
*Its a heavy starter and can be followed with light meals.

2.Truffle Pudding:(eggetarian)

Ingredients:

custard powder,1 litre milk,fruits (peeled and cut),sugar,cadbury's coco powder(sweet)/chocolate,sponge cake or any slice cake,glucouse biscuits/marie biscuits,vanila essence.

Procedure:
Prepare the custard as per the standard instructions on the packet and keep it aside to cool.Prepare a milk and fruit mixture and keep it in refridgerator (to retard the oxidation of bananas and apples).Take a broad tray and lay some biscuits.Pour a portion of custard over it.Lay the cake over it and pour another custard layer.A layer of chocolate or cococ over it and then a layer of fruit and milk mix.A layer of biscuits followed by the remaining layer of custard shall be layed.A rex jelly layer or jam mixed with milk could add on to the colour.Dry fruits could add on the calorie quotient.

With the CCd cult offspringinging at a pace never pondered ever,I was astonished to have something called as "hot lemon tea with honey"......hell,that's something my mother used to give me when I had sour throat!
old wine in a very expensive package and starngely "honey haters" loving it too!
something that we called kadha earlier....so,my kind fellows allow your pockets a saviour..try this for a hi-tea with the "it" people!

3.Madh-pani:(veg)

Ingredients:

Mint leaves,Tea powder,Honey,ginger,lemon juice(fresh lime), Lemon grass (cut)
cloves,cardamom,cinamon,water.

Procedure:

Boil some water.While it's boiling squeeze the ginger (held into tongs) and lime,add the lemon grass,
cloves,cardamom ,cinamon (small piece) and tea powder (half teaspoon max to avoid bitterness)
into the boiling water.let it boil for sometime.add some honey in a long stemed glass (for that elite look) and pour the boiled mixture through the sieve and serve.

A strange ala-carte but a refreshing change from the usual chivda-chakli-ladoo.Ideal for a hi-tea party.
(though i still enjoy the usual "faral" that my mother makes,I try to give her a break some rare times ....just
to remind her that she should rather keep me away from kitchen).

Nothing else....try this trick girls........i m sure your mom will never ask you to cook anything!

Caution:try at your own risk....no guarantee of the results,hence QUE SERA SERA....!

Enjoy folks!Happy divali!:D

TFC