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Showing posts from 2023

Kappad Beach, Calicut - waves are calling for some much needed Vitamin ‘Sea’

Happiness is found in the warmth of family get‑togethers.  Some time ago, I had the delightful chance to attend a special celebration marking a milestone birthday of my beloved aunt. With the date, time, and venue carefully planned, our family members traveled from different corners of the country to gather at a charming resort by Kappad Beach. The festivities were filled with joy, laughter, and togetherness, making it a truly memorable occasion. Yet, what stood out most for me was an unplanned stroll along the serene Kappad shoreline—a simple, spontaneous moment that turned into an unforgettable experience.  I look my best when I’m totally free, on a holiday and walking on the beach. The Kappad beach is one of Kerala's highly tourist-attracted destinations due to its topography, is located 16 km away from Kozhikode is nestled away from the hustle-bustle of the city, which makes it an ideal beach holiday destination for relaxation. A very thrilling feature about the Kappa...

Blueberry sauce

I love homemade blueberry sauce…..whether it is spooned over a slice of cheesecake or on top of fluffy pancakes or also eaten along with a smooth panna cotta…it’s just absolute heaven. The thing I love the most about blueberry sauce…is that it comes together on the stovetop in less than ten minutes with just a few ingredients. Blueberries were called “star fruits” by North American indigenous people because of the five-pointed star shape that is formed at the blossom end of the berry. The blueberry is one of the only foods that is truly naturally blue in colour. The pigment that gives blueberries their distinctive colour—called anthocyanin—is the same compound that provides the blueberry’s amazing health benefits. The silvery sheen (or “bloom”) found on the skin of blueberries is a naturally occurring compound that helps protect the fruit. This is why you should only wash blueberries right before you’re going to eat them. Consumption of blueberries has been linked to health benef...

New York Styled Baked Cheesecake

I’ve always enjoyed watching Friends , and one episode that never fails to stick with me is The One With All The Cheesecakes . In it, Chandler and Rachel can’t resist indulging in their neighbor’s irresistible cheesecake—and every time I watch, I end up craving a slice myself. Cheesecake, despite its name, isn’t really a cake at all. It’s a luscious blend of cheese and eggs baked into a custard, set atop a buttery biscuit crust. Among the many variations, the classic New York–style baked cheesecake is my favorite. With its satiny smooth texture, dense richness, and perfectly flat top, it embodies everything I love about this decadent dessert. Homemade cheesecakes are delightfully simple to prepare, with minimal hands-on effort required. The real challenge lies in the patience it takes—waiting for the cheesecake to bake, cool, and then set overnight before you can finally enjoy it. The classic way for baking cheesecake is by using a water bath. A water bath, is the baker’s secret to cre...

Red Velvet Cupcakes

  There is something really elegant about red velvet cupcakes. They just look so cool and they taste awesome, especially when covered with a nice homemade cream cheese frosting. Velvet cake is thought to have originated in USA in the early 20th century. During WWII,  soldiers and civilians had to ration off food and supplies. Baking products like sugar and butter were a part of the rations. As a result, some bakers chose to use beet juice in their cakes. Beet was and is used in some recipes as a filler or to retain moisture. The red color of the beets makes the cake have a more delicious appeal. However, not only do the beets make the cake pretty, but they also make the cake soft. These days, most have steered away from beets in their red velvet cake recipe, and instead opt for red food coloring to give the cake vibrancy. In recent years, red velvet cake and red velvet cupcakes have become increasingly popular in the US and many countries, especially around Christmas...