Drop Scones

Scones is a part of my childhood memories. Now when I have scone, it makes me reflective of my school days, the house where I stayed during my schooling, the extended family members who dropped in and stayed with us, the food prepared in that time, etc. But, today, all these seems like dusted memories, which are more like a changing wallpaper, which I keep seeing, and then disappear.

Mom had come down from Hyderabad for Easter and she is there with me now in Bangalore. Today on this lazy Sunday I was so happy to see my favorite breakfast made by mom.

I think all my cousins and brothers will agree with me with me about Scones , we used have it as a snack when we get back  home from School

Scones for Breakfast

Scone Photo shoot 

Scone Breakfast

Here is the simple recipe of Scone - There are many types of scones. These warm tea-time treats get their name from the fact that spoonfuls of the mixture are dropped on to a hot, lightly greased frying pan to let them cook.

Drop Scones

• Flour 225gms
• salt         ½ tsp
• Sugar 1 tbsp
• Egg        1
• Milk 300 ml
• Butter      50 gms (melted)

Method

1. Sieve flour and salt into bowl.
2. Add sugar then mix to a smooth batter with the egg and half the milk
3. Then add the remaining milk slowly
4. lightly brush a large pan with melted butter and heat.
5. Drop small rounds of scone mixture from a tablespoon into pan
6. Cook over a moderate heat until bubbles show on the scone surface.
7. Carefully turn over and cook for further 2 minutes.
8. Repeat until all the mixture is used up.
9. Keep scones warm and serve with butter, Jam, golden syrup or honey.

So, what kind of food invoke your childhood memories?

Pondicherry Trip

On March 10th 2017 both of us went to Pondicherry and Velankani for a short trip. The timing was great as the sun was not too harsh.

On the day we reached Pondy, we had the usual stroll along the alleys and lane ways of French quarters part of Pondy. We hired a two wheeler which made our exploration easy. After a laid back lunch, we headed to  Auroville Visitors Centre were we tasty bakes. By the time we got back to our room, I got a call from Geetha Paul   mam inviting us for a dinner in their resort Le Pondy Resort, Pondicherry. She had came to know that I was at Pondy by my FB post.(Love FB for that)

Both Geetha mam and Priya being my students at Trivandrum since long time and we share a special rapport.

Both us were very excited and glad to receive the invitation and reached the location around 9:30 pm. The resort was around 12kms from the White Town (French quarters).

And there it was –  Le Pondy Resort, Pondicherry  a sprawling property with a heritage look. One side of the resort is a lake and the other side faces Bay of Bengal. We were escorted to the private beach and was awestruck by the beauty of the windy beach

After walking around and seeing the charm of the resort, we went for the wide spread buffet. The dishes were from North to South Indian as well as Continental.

Even though we did not stay there, the rooms we saw blended with the surrounding space, offering calmness, and privacy to the guests. As I was not carrying camera and it being dark, I could not capture the real charm of the place.

One dish ( dessert) I must stood out was the Caramel Custard, which had a homely touch. (Sujo's was the best homemade Caramel Custard, which I will never forget). Also, the Cherry filled rolls. I was too feeling too full after having a bite from the appetizer to main course and the dessert. It was heart full feeling!

Le Pondy Resort, Pondicherry experience was a surprise visit and a unique one for us. It was a one-hour culinary treat for our pallet. I should thank the staff who extended the usual time to cater us. A special thanks to the Chef who made Mutton Ullathaiattu on our request which was well cooked and the spices all blended together.

Soup to Start With

Arched pillars in the dinning space and open outdoor view

Buffet Space at Le Pondy

Open Spaces are welcome

After the dinner - Thank You All

Our love and warm hug to Geetha mam and Priya for making our stay memorable at Pondicherry.

Happy Birthday Girl

A big thanks to all who had wished me. Love you all.

It was a big surprise for me when Biju decided to bake a cake for me and it turned out to be yummy. Almond coffee cake. A flourless butter less cake. A big thanks to my mom who made my favorite megoreng noodles.

This year I had Stuti with me to cut the cake, we both share the same date but not the year  :-) Wishing her all happiness and joy.

I love my life. I love the age I am. You couldn’t pay me to be any younger; I’d have no interest. 45 had approached me quickly, but the real question is: 45 are you ready for ME?

Eat the cake. Drink the wine. Swim with those sharks. Be on TV. Ride that rollercoaster. Walk on that stage. None of us are getting out of here alive, so why the hell not?

Karma is a wonderful thing. It does work. So be good! Enjoy each moment

Blooming City... namma ooru bengaluru

The canopy of Pink Tabebuia is common in Bangalore city, a spectacle to watch it during the season. Love the sight of it when we went for our morning walk. Love you Bangalore City!!!

Spectacular Bloom Near Home - Domlur

Wings of Guardian Angel

When I look back on my life, I wonder how I survived - when I was small and scared of anything my mom always said I had a guardian angel and she will take care of you and I believed her.

Two years back Chantel from Netherlands had come for my cooking class and it was a two day cooking session. She came back again to Bangalore again for her holidays and she came home yesterday to see me. We spent the whole day together just talking. She gifted me a small statue of an Angel which reminded me of my guardian angel whom I have forgotten as I grew up and I also loved the Dutch cookies she got for me.

The way people come into your life when you need them, it's wonderful and it happens in so many ways. It's like having an angel. Somebody comes along and helps you get right.

Chantel - House Visit - 2017

Guardian Angel - We all Need One! 

Chantel - 2 years back

Learn Baking Online

Everything happens for a reason. When I fell sick and could not travel much to other cities to take my classes, Biju gave an idea of online classes and it turned out to be a blessing when my students from Hyderabad approached me with the same and then I started taking online classes. Marina Online Indian Cooking Class, Marina's Online Bread Baking Classes

Liza heard of my online classes, contacted me to do a write up. I am so humbled to have featured in today's The Hindu Newspaper, Trivandrum edition. Thank you Liza for the wonderful write up.

http://www.thehindu.com/…/marina-charl…/article17866372.ece…

Thank you lord for all the blessings. Thanks to all my students and friends who had called up to wish me luck for my new venture.

Wishing, hoping and praying to do many things in the field of baking,cooking and icing.