"SHAKING REPUBLIC DAY"

26^th January 2001, Surat

One day before Republic day on 25^th Jan night I was discussing with my parents an incident narrated to me by my cousin. My cousin told me that sometimes it happens that the ground shakes, and when the shaking is very intense it can be hazardous as it can lead to collapsing of houses / buildings etc.  I never heard or saw anything like that before. I was just 8 years old. So I wanted to know does it really happen. My parents did not answer me clearly fearing that I will have unpleasant dreams. So I slept leaving my question unanswered.

Next day was holiday as it was 26^th January i.e. Republic day. I woke up at 8, came to the drawing hall and started watching cartoon with my brother who was already there. My mom was making breakfast for us in the kitchen. Suddenly we heard some noise. We saw that the spoons stand on the dining table was shaking. In a second or two the sofa on which I was sitting started shaking. My brother opened the door and saw that all the people were shouting “Bhukamp!! Bhukamp!!” and running down the building. My mom asked us to run and she went inside to wake my dad up. He was busy sleeping, enjoying his break from office. My dad in sleep was shouting on my brother “Let me sleep, don’t jump on the bed” hahaha my dad thought that the bed was shaking because of my brother.  Till that time my brother saved his life by reaching on the ground. And where was I??? I was still there in the drawing hall waiting for my mom and dad to come. My mom and dad came out running, dad picked me up and we ran down the stairs and finally got out of the building.

After we got out, my mom dad and my brother started staring at me with wide open shocked eyes. What I was talking yesterday was in front of us live today.  Was it some kind of coincidence? Or Do I have a “Kali zubaan” as they call in Hindi? I don’t know.

I got the answer of my question. “Answer with experience”. :-x 

From tomorrow "Navratri" is starting. Its a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity "Godess Durga".

"Nav-ratri" means "Nine-Nights". 

Navratri is celebrated in myriad ways, by the Hindus across India.
While in the western state of Gujarat, its a nine-day carnival, with glowing city lights, scintillating dance performances and grooving music. The performance of Garba, a popular folk dance of Gujarat, is the highlight of the celebrations of Navratri in the state.

I have always loved dancing to the beats of garba and dandiya since my childhood. :D

After Navratri we have many festivals coming in October like Dussehra, Diwali and Bhai-Dooj.

So, I thought of sharing Sevaiyan/Vermicelli Kheer Recipe, a Indian dessert made during festive occasion!

So here we go....

"SEVAIYAN or VERMICELLI KHEER" RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

Sevaiyan/ Vermicelli- 1/2 cup

Milk- ½ L

Mithai Mate- 2 tsp

Sugar- 4 tbsp or ½ cup

Clarified butter/ Desi ghee- 1 tbsp
Cardamom Powder- 1½ tsp

Dryfuits of your choice:

Cashew nuts- 8 (roasted and chopped)

Almonds- 8-10 (roasted and chopped)

Chironjee/ Buchanania lanzan- 2 tsp

Dates- 1-2 or 1tsp (deseeded and chopped small)

Raisins- 2 tsp (soaked in lukewarm water. This helps in swelling them up)

METHOD:

1. Heat clarified butter/ghee in a pan. Now add the sevaiyan (vermicelli) and roast it on a medium flame till it turn golden brown.
2. Pour milk in the pan and let it come to a boil first.
3. Then lower the flame and let it simmer, add sugar, cardamom powder and mix well.
4. Let the seviyan(vermicelli) kheer simmer for 5-7 minutes till it gets cooked and the milk thickens a little. Mithai mate or condensed milk can be added to enhance the taste and thickness.
5. Add the roasted chopped dryfruits and switch off the gas.

Serve the sevaiyan/vermicelli kheer hot, warm or cold. In anyway you like :)

RECIPE

"CHOCOLATE SPONGE CAKE" 

BAKED IN HOSTEL :) :)

INGREDIENTS:

1. EGGS- 4

2. CHOCOLATE POWDER- 2 tbsp

3. SUGAR- 500gm

4. FLOUR/MAIDA- 500gm

5. Chocolate bars, gems, dry fruits etc for decoration

6. BUTTER- 1 tbsp

7. MILK- 50ml

8. BAKING POWDER- 1 tbsp

METHOD:

1. Beat all the eggs nicely in a bowl.

2. Add sugar, butter and milk in the beaten eggs and blend it again.

3. Now, add baking powder, chocolate powder and flour in the blended mixture and gently fold it. (The mixture should be of a dropping consistency).

4. Grease your container, and pour the mixture in it.

5. Bake it in convection mode for 40-45 mins at 180°C.

-HIMANSHI