Mango Mousse

A king asked a sage to explain the Truth. In response the sage asked the king how he would convey the taste of a mango to someone who had never eaten anything sweet. No matter how hard the king tried, he could not adequately describe the flavor of the fruit, and, in frustration, he demanded of the sage "Tell me then, how would you describe it?" The sage picked up a mango and handed it to the king saying "This is very sweet. Try eating it!"

Summers are here. 

The good part is that the layers are off- but more recently- I have discovered that this is my not so favorite time of the year. The peak of the allergy season, the health issues, and there is a dull limp in the air that just seems to bring everyone/everything down? Where is the freshness of summer like it used to be?

However, one of the nicer things about summer is the Mangoes. Luckily, being in Delhi, we get the best variety of mangoes through the year, and that is something I truly cherish about the summers. And, I am one of those people who can eat a mango a day to keep the doctor away! My childhood training from Dad, has me equipped to recognize the variety of mangoes available, the time of the year they come in and how best to eat them. We had a stash of wonderful alphonso mangoes, which I utilized quite aptly, if I may say so- in the form of a mango mousse. Alphonso mangoes come from the western India belt, and are known for their pulpy nature and a dark yellow colour. I have come to learn over many years, that the best use of an Alphonso is in the form of a milk shake. In more recent times, I have used it for a mango cheesecake and icecream too- truly, it is a fruit to be used in its pulpy form.

We had a formal dinner for my K side of the family- and I planned to utilize the fruits available for desserts. Since it was my parents anniversary as well, A cake was planned along with some sort of a shot dessert helping. I went in for the strawberry shortcake, for its fanciful look, and decided to use the mangoes for a mango mousse. The recipe is adapted from the Chocolate Mousse here. Original can be found here. I have never had such wonderful feedback for a dessert that was literally made in about 20 minutes. Even people who don’t have a sweet tooth- could not stop raving. This dessert is a definite recommendation for a light sweet bite!

Egg Salad Open Sandwiches

Today is Good Friday.

Yes, I am well aware of the goodness of all Fridays, but today really is ‘The Good Friday’, just before Easter Sunday. Last year, On Easter Sunday, we were at the Vatican; that is really one of the rare moments in my life. Ahh- I miss the travels already. With so much activity buzzing around Easter, all the Easter egg preparations, the egg hunt and other activities globally, I have been feeling morally inclined to contribute my bit to the festivities. Having studied in a Christian school throughout, I feel quite connected and aware of the rituals, and rather enjoy them actually. On the contrary, I quite miss the real Christmas buzz- beyond the party season that runs through Delhi. I looked around a bit for some egg colouring, in order to try some devilled easter eggs, but my hunt started late.

                Having had limited options at hand, I decided to wake up early (rather just in good time!) on Friday morning and make some interesting eggy breakfast instead, in order to celebrate Easter. I am not much of an egg person, and from what I have understood, neither is Ak. Although it is quite ironic, that the first thing that I ever cooked @261 for Ak, was of course, an egg for Breakfast. For me, an egg is good for any other meal, except breakfast; Baked eggs, Scrambled (Indian, The traditional English style, Mexican…), etc. I am happy to have eggs for dinner. In the last year or so, with various minor health concerns, in order to be healthy and improve my food habits, I am going to allow Mr Egg to come into my life, more often. Coming back to the post, to celebrate Easter Style, I made Egg Salad Open Sandwiches. I had read this post by David Lebovitz a couple of months ago, and there was something so classic about this simple post- that it had been playing in my mind. I was travelling then, and didn’t get an opportunity, and it was only now, that I finally had eggs to play with, I decided to give this a shot. What I love about David’s cooking is the simplicity and perfect blend of flavours. Am an ardent fan, and the perfect-ness of this recipe, has only made it better from here on.

The Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake

This is what baking, what all of this book, is about: feeling good, wafting along in the warm, sweet smelling air, unwinding, no longer being entirely an office creature; and that’s exactly what I mean by ‘comfort cooking’. Nigella Lawson

It was as if the book was calling out to me. It was as if it was my life, or then again, maybe I am just one of the many millions who feel this way about baking. The waft of vanilla, the folding in of the batters, the layering of the cakes- nothing but True Bliss. 

CommuniCooking has resumed with some real cooking- or should I say comfort cooking.

This post is long due-it is the inaugural post of one of the 1 year gifts, in continuation to the earlier ones here;

This will probably be one of the most treasured gifts-ever and hopefully, will embark me on a journey towards being marginally domestic, if not the goddess herself. From the book, Nigella Lawson’s; “How to be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the art of Comfort Cooking”, here comes this really special post, and with a bit of luck, a lot more culinary pleasure in the days to come.

                 Additionally, this post is special, as it is the 25^th Post on this blog. It may not seem special to many, but really to achieve this landmark on my very own blog- I am amazed at myself. Despite the numerous occasions, when I have thought I will not come back to the blog, and the many times, when in a tearing rush, I forget that I was supposed to photograph what I had just cooked- this blog has reached 25 posts. And that is reason enough to celebrate. Further, with over 3200 views, I am a happy child. I guess, there are people who are reading this- I may not have engaged with many- but statistics are proof of an audience for my lil’ blog.

                I have spent a lot of time contemplating, and wondering what should the first recipe from this book be? I have spent months thinking, going through it again and again- the fact is that I wanted the first recipe to be something - perfect for Ak. It’s a tough one. I realised, that I had actually spent weeks and months, just thinking- Why wasn’t I able to crack it?!First it was the weddings, then travel, then navratras- my excuses had to stop; I had almost started to feel guilty. My initial choice was kept aside (it involves some days of preparation- but it will be here soon!), and I decided to settle in for a classic- The Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake. According to Ak, Nothing beats a Brown, unadulterated chocolate cake. The chocolate chapter in Nigella’s book also begins with this cake- she thinks this cake is the essence of all that is desirable in chocolate.

The results were true to the words. This cake really is the essence of a chocolate cake; simple, classic and a chocolate lover’s delight. I think it could be less sugary and more chocolaty though; however it is The perfect cake for any celebration :) With a little more practice- I may get it just right.

Communicooking on Holiday

Post my very long hiatus in the web world, I am back. Communicooking has been on holiday.

A great new year, big Punjabi weddings, extremely hectic, chaotic work schedules, travel plans organization and finally a long holiday- and now some post-holiday blues. Back- with some renewed and fresh perspective. Travelling always does that to me; it gives me so much free time to think- outside of my habitual life that I come back with new thoughts, new realizations, insight and ideas. Often, I wonder, that my mind would go bonkers if travelling was my 365 day occupation! So much to see, so much to absorb, and so much to aspire for- and the hangover usually results in so much to do! My New Year and NY resolutions should only begin with a long Holiday (Hint for Ak!)- I think holidays make me a better person.

No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one. Elbert Hubbard 

One big resolution on this holiday is to not fall into the rut of my life; I will actually do all those things that I keep thinking I will do (it includes exercising, being more healthy, reading and writing- the music too shall definitely happen!). Communicooking will not stop- and will become more meaningful. Everything that I aspire for will actually happen. Keeping the above in mind- communicooking will also see more than just food. This post is hence, not about a recipe, but about nostalgia- vis-à-vis the last holiday. (A censored version though :))

• Snow and London; J I am definitely going there sometime soon.
• Architecture and Good Buildings; Despite my usual angst against architects, the awesomeness of great architecture is breathtaking.
• The Brilliance of Good Design and Detailing. From cutlery, to tableware, to the restaurant and the building of course- good design really makes a difference to the experience.
• The US really is the land of Good Food. Beyond the portion sizes of course, the availability of ingredients, the quality, the freshness- it’s a pity that our best stock usually gets exported internationally and we do not get to savour most of it. I thoroughly enjoyed the cooking, despite being on Holiday, because it is simply a delight, to have all the options available. Blueberries, water chestnuts, pecan nuts, beef pastrami, the many, many varieties, of deli food- desserts, breads, hummus, cheeses, leaves and herbs, are just a few to be named. Salads, Blueberry Muffins, Mixed berry tarts, pasta, and Thai food were just some of the recipes I tested. Unfortunately, there are no photographs- the food finished even before I thought of documenting it! By the time we left Dallas, a part of me wanted to pack the berries, and bring back for another round of baking.
• Seafood ain’t that bad- I have been off seafood for a few years now, mainly due to bad case of food poisoning on vacation, but this time, from Day 1, when the SIL had made some shrimp curry (was wonderful- I must add!), I encouraged myself to give Mr Seafood one more try to be a part of my life. Yes, we will take our own time, and would like to take it slow, but someday we could be friends again. (Thanks to the Calamari date!)
• Some recommendations for Restaurants:

Ghengi’sGrill- A Cook your own grill/ mongolian Stir Fry. The concept is to create your own dish, casual dining and I personally thought it was a lot of fun, and good food!

Grimaldi’s Pizza- Originally NY, although we had ours in Dallas!

Five Guys- for the Best Beef Burgers- Ever (although I couldn’t eat for an entire day after that)

• Brussel Sprouts are wonderful. Anyone visiting NY must go to Alta (east village). It’s a Tapas place, slightly expensive, but the food is superb. The Brussel Sprouts were so good, that Ak convinced me to try the recipe- Was a super hit- and I am more convinced about their yumminess quotient, as the 12 year old couldn’t stop eating them, even post dinner! I saw her picking the remnants before she moved back to her room and I am sure I will be making this more often. Post coming soon!
• The NY Street Pretzels are worse than ever! So don’t be touristic, and pick one up from a bakery instead!
• Starbucks- Yes, I rediscovered my love for Starbucks on our trip, and AM SO Glad that they are coming to India.
• I also discovered that I cannot have enough of Tex- Mex!
• Nothing like a Hot Krispy Kreme, just off the counter! A must visit when the sign says “Hot now”! (I had always had them with fresh, but never- just cooked! Simply an experience- and a must do, if one ever crosses this lit sign) 

I am sure there are a 100 other things that I have forgotten. The trip was wonderful- great hospitality, and had a brilliant time with family/friends. Thank you to all those who made it happen! I am now suffering from extreme post-holiday blues. Will recover with some communicooking soon!