Why baking powder and baking soda is used in certain recipes

 

Ghee-cake making process

• Many ghee cake recipes (and other sponge-style cakes) use both baking powder and baking soda together. Here’s why:

 The Role of Baking Powder & Baking Soda in Ghee Cake

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

• Needs an acid to activate (like yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar, or sometimes brown sugar/cocoa).
• Gives a quick, strong rise when the batter is mixed.
• Also helps with browning and gives a softer texture.

Baking Powder

• Contains both acid and base in itself (cream of tartar + baking soda).
• Works in two stages: once when mixed (moisture) and again in the oven (heat).
• Provides a steady rise and ensures the cake doesn’t collapse.

 Why Both in Ghee Cake?

• Fat-heavy batter → Ghee adds richness but can make the cake dense. Using both helps lighten it.
• Even texture + good volume → Soda gives quick lift, powder gives sustained lift = fluffy yet moist cake.
• Flavor balance → Baking soda neutralizes acids in the batter, preventing sourness and giving a pleasant flavor.
• Golden color → Soda encourages better browning, which ghee cakes are known for.

 In short: Baking soda = quick lift & color, Baking powder = steady rise & stability.

Together, they make the cake light, golden, and soft, instead of heavy or greasy.:

How to Use Chai Shops as a biz Opportunity

Chai Time at Malabar Bites

 In the heart of Trivandrum, a man sips his evening chai at Malabar Café, one of the city’s busiest tea shops. At first glance, it’s just another roadside stop — steaming kettles, the clink of glasses, the fragrance of strong tea leaves boiling with milk and ginger. But in reality, it’s much more than that.

Kerala’s tea shops are not just about tea; they are about community, comfort, and convenience. Over the years, these humble roadside stalls have transformed into powerful business models, inspiring bakeries and restaurants to add mini tea counters. The formula is simple but effective: hot chai paired with short-eats that Kerala loves — from crispy vada and crunchy vazhakka fry to spicy puffs, cutlets, and even burgers.

This trend has proven so successful that many well-known brands have grown from it. Malabar Bites, for example, has expanded far beyond its first outlet, opening multiple branches across the city and even reaching towns outside Trivandrum. What started as a roadside stop for tea has become a chain recognized for quality snacks and that unbeatable chai-time atmosphere.

The rise of such tea shops reflects Kerala’s evolving food culture. Chai has always been at the center of daily life — from college students taking a break between classes to office-goers catching a quick sip in the evening. Now, with modern packaging, branding, and wider menus, tea shops are becoming micro food hubs that bridge tradition and trend.

And this isn’t just happening in Kerala. Across India, roadside tea stalls are evolving into cafés and chains, showing that even the simplest of ideas — a cup of chai and a plate of snacks — can brew into something much bigger.

So the next time you pass by Malabar Café or grab a puff at Malabar Bites, remember: you’re not just enjoying a snack, you’re part of a cultural and entrepreneurial wave that’s shaping the foodscape of Kerala and beyond.

Lamington Cake - Revised Version for Kerala

Australia's Fav Cake

 Have you heard of Lamington Cake? 

A true Australian classic – soft sponge cubes dipped in chocolate and rolled in fresh coconut . Light, fluffy, and oh-so-irresistible!

And here’s the best part – with its coconut coating, this cake has all the makings to become Kerala’s next favorite sweet treat. After all, coconut is in our DNA!

Kerala Twist on Lamington Cake

Instead of the usual chocolate syrup:

• Make a glaze using cocoa + jaggery syrup for a richer, earthy sweetness 
• Add a hint of cardamom or dry ginger for that Kerala festive touch 
• Use freshly grated coconut instead of dried coconut flakes for more texture & authentic flavor 

This makes the Lamington taste like a fusion of an Aussie cake and a Kerala sweet – perfect for tea-time, Onam specials, or gifting!


Happy Onam Wishes to All

Essential Baking Tools Every Beginner in Baking

Measuring Cups and Spoon used in Baking

 Essential Baking Tools Every Beginner Needs 🍰

If you’re starting your baking journey, having the right tools is just as important as having the right recipe. From measuring ingredients accurately to ensuring your cakes rise perfectly, the right set of tools will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Here’s a handy list of must-have baking tools (with Indian measurement standards) that will help you bake confidently at home:

1. Measuring Cups – Accuracy Matters

Baking is all about precision. Using standard measuring cups ensures your ingredients are perfectly balanced.

• 1 Cup (240 ml)
• ½ Cup (120 ml)
• ⅓ Cup (80 ml)
• ¼ Cup (60 ml)

 Always level off dry ingredients with a knife for accurate measurement.

2. Measuring Spoons – Small Quantities, Big Impact

Spices, baking powder, vanilla essence – all these require precise measurement.

• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml)
• 1 Teaspoon (5 ml)
• ½ Teaspoon (2.5 ml)
• ¼ Teaspoon (1.25 ml
  
  ( Never guess – even a little extra salt or baking soda can change the final result.)

3. Mixing & Baking Essentials

1. Mixing Bowls (steel or glass) – for combining wet and dry ingredients.
2. Hand Whisk / Electric Beater – to whip, beat, or fold easily.
3. Spatula (silicone) – perfect for scraping the last bit of batter.
4. Baking Tins & Trays – round, square, loaf, and muffin trays.
5. Parchment/Butter Paper – keeps your bakes from sticking.
6. Oven Thermometer – ensures accurate baking temperature.
7. Cooling Rack – prevents soggy bottoms by letting air circulate.
8. Sieve – for flour, cocoa, and icing sugar.
9. Rolling Pin & Pastry Brush – for cookies, pies, and pastries.

Why These Tools Matter

Unlike everyday cooking, baking is science. Precise measurements, correct temperatures, and the right equipment all come together to give you that soft cake, crunchy cookie, or flaky pastry. Skipping on tools often leads to unpredictable results.

Final Thoughts 

• The right tools make every recipe easier and every bake perfect!
• Start simple, measure right, and watch your baking turn magical!
• With these essentials, even beginners can bake like a pro! 
  
  
  
  If you're looking for a detailed information about baking tools ingredient list and Essentials & Starter Recipe then follow these blog posts:
  
  1. Baking tools and ingredients 

Never be ashamed of your business. People will talk, but no one will pay your bills

Break Free!

 

“Never be ashamed of your business. People will talk, but no one will pay your bills.”

In Kerala, there’s a phrase that echoes in almost every household: “nattukaaru enthu vicharikkum?” – what will people think? This simple line has shaped generations of choices, careers, and lifestyles. Many among us—myself included—have felt the invisible weight of this question while making decisions.

For decades, this mindset dictated what was seen as “respectable” work. A government job, no matter how modest the pay, was considered the ultimate stamp of approval. It wasn’t about passion, creativity, or growth—it was about security and, more importantly, social acceptance. A young person might dream of starting a bakery, running a tailoring unit, or becoming a freelance artist, but family and neighbors would often whisper: “Better write the PSC exam and settle down.” 

Another noticeable trend among young Keralites is to join the banking sector, especially in clearing and officer-level roles. While the position may appear lucrative and secure at first glance, the reality is more complex. Today’s banking environment comes with high pressure, strict targets, and the added challenge of frequent transfers.

Unlike the old days when banking jobs meant stability and routine, the sector is now highly technology-driven, with automation, app-based services, and AI gradually reshaping the landscape. Many roles that seem stable today may even become obsolete in the coming years. Times are changing, and it’s important to have foresight—choosing a career in banking just for the money may not always be the wisest decision

Become a Job Giver, Not just a Job Seeker

I recall a young student who once attended my month-long baking class in Trivandrum. She came from the outskirts of the city and carried with her both enthusiasm and determination. Over casual conversation, she told me something that stayed with me: “I will prove to the people who think only about government jobs. I will earn from baking.”

Nattukaru Enthu Vicharikum: The Weight of Public Opinion in Kerala

Her words were more than defiance; they were a reflection of a generational shift. Today’s youth in Kerala are breaking free from the “safe path” mindset. Many, especially women in Kerala are exploring entrepreneurship, startups,  freelancing, content creation ( making bold Reels in Insta) , starting food-trucks, hand-made jewelry, boutique, and even small-scale businesses run from their homes.

Whether it’s running a café, setting up an online store, offering digital services, or pursuing a creative career, there’s a quiet rebellion happening against the old stereotype.

And this is where that WhatsApp forward strikes a chord:

“Never be ashamed of your business. People will talk, but no one will pay your bills.”

It reminds us that dignity is not attached to a job title but to the integrity with which we work. Whether you’re selling homemade snacks, freelancing as a designer, or running a small cleaning service, it’s your livelihood, and it deserves respect.

The truth is, people will always have opinions—whether you’re working a government job, running your own shop, or freelancing online. But when the month ends, it’s your effort and your income that sustain your family, not society’s approval.

Kerala, with its high literacy and exposure to the wider world, is now seeing more people embrace this truth. Another strength of our people is the natural beauty of our land. With our unique tropical climate and pristine forest cover, backwaters, beaches - we must be ready must  to tap the strength of our state ant its our natural resources. 

 Moreover, in the age of AI, many normal jobs are fast becoming redundant. The options which was available couple of years back is getting wiped out!

Time for you to Make a Shift!
Whether you like it not, things are not what it used to be. Many jobs which held life long security no longer offers similar comfort. I mean the typical govt jobs and it could also mean the typical coding task or creating content as a content writer. 

Start Something Novel!
Do something which interests you or you think you can make a change in the system! It's not just blind passion. It's something more beyond the cliched word "passion". Find out a niche, and see if there's a viable market for it. Also, if you have multiple interests or you feel you can do multiple projects for which there's a market demand, then you can go for it. (Basically, try and find multiple stream of income). 

All these trends are seen in the marketplace. The rise of small businesses, startups, online services, and home-based entrepreneurs is proof that “nattukaaru” no longer get the final say.

Perhaps the real progress lies in this shift: valuing self-reliance over social validation.

• What do you think? 
• Do you think you need someone to discuss a potential biz proposition? 
• Want to get a second-opinion for your plan? 

Connect!