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!

Waffles

Its freezing in Delhi and the wedding season has been chaotic. Despite me missing a few, I have been so caught up with the family stuff, that this post which has been long overdue is extremely late. Communicooking has been showered with some wonderful gifts, as a part of the anniversary- can now be found on www.communicooking.com! (more details on other related gifts later)

             A part of the ‘1 year gifts’ was the much appreciated Waffle-maker. Waffles for me- are more than just comfort food. Initially started off as a luxury during my college years and later when I was in London, over a period of time, I discovered the versatility of the waffle and the ease with which it adapts itself to a meal at any time of the day- breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. Waffles are almost staple food in Belgium, and I have fond memories of a Belgian friend bringing me authentic chocolate waffles. That used be luxury- in student days! Another favorite has been the Waffles with Belgian chocolate ice-cream and maple syrup @ Big chill- with warm memories attached. In due course of time, I discovered that it was so much simpler to just have a waffle-maker at home, in order to enjoy the waffle more frequently. The gift was hence; just perfect- and no words will describe the appropriateness.

           Waffles can be had as a savory snack or for dessert. The best part is that even after baking them, once can store and use them for days to come. I have often heard about freezing waffles, but have never tried freezing them personally. The best way to enjoy a waffle though, is to eat a warm waffle with cold ice-cream and maple syrup. Someone once said that “A waffle is like a pancake with a syrup trap”- nothing in this world would compare to a hot waffle with maple syrup.