my hubby bday ( Titie, Gj. Mada )

Pesenannya Titie, staf nya suamiku di kantor yang dulu..Titie pesen cupcake + brownies untuk ultah suaminya..
Pesennya : ada titie, suami dan anaknya yang masih baby


ini hasilnya :

Comment " Brownies nya enak ce,..kl cupcake nya belom dimakan.." hehehe


Makasi ya Tie..

Siddo's Birthday Cake

Abe Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2011)

In June, my nephew Sidd called from Seattle.

"Susie Auntie, can you make my birthday cake?" He was on the cusp of turning eight."

"Of course, Siddo. What kind of cake do you want?"

"I'd like it to be square."

"O.k., but what flavor should it be?" To me, this is the all-important question. "Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry?"

"Chocolate," Sidd replied firmly.

After years of baking, I've come to recognize the power of a homemade cake. Truth be told, I can't recall any of the gifts I received at Sidd's age, but I can still picture the butterfly birthday cake my mom set before me.

Abe Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2011)

For the next several weeks, Sidd and I continued to chat about the cake.

"Susie Auntie, I know what I want on my birthday cake. It's something very old and something that you can use to buy things."

A riddle. I liked the challenge. Before I could respond, Sidd began again.

"Think about it, Susie Auntie. Do you need a clue?"

"Siddo, do you want it to have a dinosaur?"

"Yes!" he replied. "You're right Susie Auntie. Now try to guess the other thing."

Abe Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2011)

"Could it be money, Sidd?"

"Yes, money!" In the last few years, Sidd has developed a fascination with cash that no one wants to claim.

Putting our imaginations together, we talked about frosting a sheet cake with green trim to resemble a dollar bill and replacing Jefferson's profile with the head shot of a dinosaur. But after more thought, Sidd asked if I could make a cake with a giganotosaurus counting money.

"What's a giganotosaurus?" I asked naively.

My oldest nephew Paul picked up the other phone

"Susie Auntie, it's one of the biggest dinosaurs ever!!!"

I would have to Google it. G-i-g-a-n-o-t-o-s-a-u-r-u-s.

Abe Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2011)

In a few weeks, Paul, Sidd and I were in my parent's kitchen measuring out ingredients. Flour flew, milk splashed and sugar crystals scattered. I poured the glossy batter into floured pans and passed them the mixing bowl. Conversation slowed as they slid their fingers over its surface, creating an abstract silver pattern.

Susan Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2011)

We stirred together a butter cream frosting and Paul and Sidd scooped out a spoonful before I started to trim the cake.

"Mmmm...that's so good!"

By the time we got to the dinosaur, they were fazed by all the kitchen work. They chased each other in and out of the room while I sculpted its body together.

Susan Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2011)

In the end, the cake was a little lopsided, but it possessed layers of meaning like a handwritten note. Paul pronounced it the best birthday cake ever and Sidd said that he wouldn't sell the dinosaur even if he were offered a million dollars. Having interned at a fancy-smancy bakery, I could pick out all its imperfections. As an aunt, I knew we had crafted a cake that would be remembered for years.

Susan Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2011)

MODELING CHOCOLATE

I love to decorate cakes and cupcakes with modeling chocolate. It's easy to make and tastes like a high-end Tootsie roll. Just be sure good chocolate like Ghirardelli, Guittard or Lindt. If it's a really special occasion, splurge on Valrhona or Amedei. I use this recipe as a guide. If it's too hard to knead after you pull it out of the refrigerator, microwave it for a few seconds. Keep in mind that it hardens as it dries.

Susan Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2011)

Giveaway Prasaadams For NAVARAATRI KOLU - Sihi Kosambari - Soaked Bengal Gram Dal With Sugar And Coconut Gratings.

SIHI KOSAMBARI / KADALAI PARUPPU

SAKKARAI SUNDAL

Navaraatri is the time when the primordial female energy - Shakti - is celebrated with great devotional fervour through out India.
                                                  
THIS IS A GLASS PAINTING OF  GODDESS CHAMUNDESWARI  DECORATING  THE DOME OF THE BAND STAND IN A PARK AT MYSORE. THANK YOU GUHAN  FOR THE BEAUTIFUL CLICK.
All the creations of Devi are represented by clay dolls and are arranged on decorative steps constructed for the purpose. This display of dolls during Navaraatri or Dasara is known as Kolu in Tamil and Bombe kooriso habba  in Kannada .

                                                 
 THE LOVELY SKETCH OF NAVARAATRI KOLU IS SPECIALLY CREATED BY  YOSEE FOR THIS POST.THANK YOU YOSEE.

Women and girl children are considered as personifications of  Mother Goddess. They are revered and treated with a grand feast and taamboolam is offered to them.                                          

Devi , Durga or Shakti is worshipped in the mornings on all the nine days. An auspious bath is given to the Goddess and She is anointed with sandal paste.She is then decked up with new clothes, garlands of flowers and ornaments. Flowers and vermilion are offered ( Archana) while chanting Her one thousand and eight names. Variety rice dishes like pongal, lime rice,tamarind rice and curd rice, lentil fritters (aama vadai) , and porridge ( paayasam ) are offered to her along with fruits, coconut and betel leaves and areca nuts. Finally lamps with wicks dipped in ghee ( Aarati ) are waved in front of her and the pooja is completed.

Evening times are more for social and cultural activities. Friends and relatives are invited for the evening Aarati. A little before 6 P.M. lamps are lit and sweet and savoury snacks are offered to Mother Goddess. The ladies sing and dance in praise of Devi and finally aarati is waved in front of Her.

Men and little boys are also treated with light refreshments. The women and girls considered as The Devi , are presented  with a tray of Taamboolam consisting of betel leaves, areca nuts, a coconut, a small box of vermilion,a small packet of turmeric powder or turmeric sticks, a string of flowers, a small mirror, a comb, glass bangles and a blouse piece, which are considered as symbols of auspiciousness. The evening prasaadam is given to them in leaf cups ( donnais ) or paper cups along with the Taamboolam.

Here are a few ideas for the Navaraatri Giveaway Prasaadams starting with Sihi Kosambari.

                                             


INGREDIENTS

Bengal gram dal - 2 cups
Salt - 1/2 a pinch
Ghee - 2 tsps
Sugar - 6 tbsps
Cardamom powder - 1 pinch
Fresh coconut gratings - 6 tbsps

METHOD

1.Dry roast bengal gram dal on low flame till it gives out a pleasant aroma.
2. Switch off flame and add 4 cups of water and allow the roasted dal to soak in it for half an hour.
3. After half an hour switch on flame and cook the dal in the same water adding the salt till it becomes soft but not mushy.
4. Drain the dal and keep aside.
5. Heat ghee in a pan and add the cooked and drained dal and saute till dry.
6. Add 3 tbsps of sugar and stir till it melts and becomes dry again.
7. Allow to cool and then mix in the remaining sugar and cardamom powder.
8.Garnish with fresh coconut gratings.

              

Offer the delicious Sihi Kosambari to Mother Goddess and distribute it to all those who visit your Kolu.