In Takkies and T's

Gulab Jamun It goes without saying that a Diwali or Eid platter is incomplete without Gulab Jamuns. Gulab Jamuns are just classic amongst an assortment of sweatmeats at every festivity or prayer offering. The easiest way to describe a Gulab Jamun is “it is an Indian doughnut” but indeed a decadent doughnut! Just one Gulab Jamun will satisfy any sweet craving as it is loaded with sugar from the use of condensed milk all the way to being dunked in the sugar syrup – this is the truly authentic way to prepare this delicious sweetmeat! Store bought Gulab Jamuns sold per kilo, are pricey.   Sometimes a price would indicate that it would be a daunting task to prepare, but the method to prepare Gulab Jamuns is really easy and the ingredients used can be found in just about every grocery cupboard in an Indian household. Here is my mum’s recipe which I have adapted for a smaller quantity. Followed to the end, my Gulab Jamuns turn out perfect every time! Gul...

Queen Cardamom I love Cardamom. I love Cardamom so much so that I had to write about it.   Cardamom is known as the “ Queen of Spice ”. Queen Cardamom Let’s take a look at the description of a Queen A Queen is personified as a female and most powerful of her kind, superior and dominant. A Queen is the sovereign ruler and described as royal, grand, supreme and majestic. Even in a game of Chess the Queen is the most powerful piece.   Rightly so Cardamom dominates many emporiums of spice and the “ Queen of Spice ” is a fitting title. What exactly is Cardamom? It is an exotic spice which has a very distinctive fragrance and taste . Cardamom has been around forever it seems, however its origins are from the Western Coastal regions (Kerala) in the South of India and parts of Sri Lanka and Asia.   Cardamom is actually the tiny black grains with a burst of flavour embedded in little pods.   Cardamom pods are delicately hand harvested after appro...

Soji is one of the tastiest Indian sweet treats that I know of. I often crave for the soft, buttery and fluffy traditional "wedding soji" which as I remember when I was much younger, was often served on the same plate which one had just eaten the traditional breyani off. I also remember the stern and unapproachable look on the waiters' faces as they were tasked to serve out just one spoon of soji onto your plate.  The mere thought of asking for a second helping was almost undo-able at the sight of the waiters.  If you were indeed courageous enough to ask for a second helping of soji, it would be served to you with a frown . In my adolescent years it occurred to me that those waiters took their jobs way too seriously as they so miserly served the soji. Soji still remains the favorite sweet treat at Indian weddings and at just about any gathering of family and friends. For many years I would indulge in the delightful soji which mum used to prepare. I remember th...