Mother's Kiss To Dislodge Objects Stuck In Kid's Nose

Here is the best tip ever to dislodge objects stuck in our baby's nose!

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251569.php

Asparagus soup

Asparagus soup

So here comes the ever so easy first soup from my kitchen!!!
This super perception leisured somewhere deep inside my brain since soup was never an integral item on our table spread.
When hubby fell sick, the curator in me pitched in to awaken the slumberland.

Cut and clean Asparagus 1cup
fit n' Active cream of muchroom soup - 1/2 cup
half n half  - 1/2 cup
salt -  to taste
pepper -  to taste
crushed garlic or garlic powder  - 1 tsp
oil - 1 tbsp
jeera - 1tsp

Boil 2 cups of water, and cook the asparagus until soft.
In microwave add 1/2 cup mushroon soup + 1/2 cup water and cook the soup for a minute (or as instructed on the soup box)
Heat oil in a pan and let the jeera splutter.
Add crushed garlic till the raw smell vanishes and add into the blendor.
Add cooked asparagus,half n half, cooked soup into the blendor and blend it till everything blends into a smooth light green mixture.
Check the texture, you can add/reduce half n half accordingly.

Serve it with grated parmesan and baguet!
Absolutely divine!

Rediscovering myself!

 

The school ground roared and cheered gleefully. The 100m sprint was on with all participants placed in line. The 'House' system had made the students nothing but competitive. I remember how my House captain pushed the first member in sight to the nearest competition ground, no matter how pathetic he/she was at it! So, when time came and the last spot in line was empty, it was my turn to show up and RUN. The chubby, short, roly-poly (nicknamed 'polar bear') 10 yr old girl I was, the expectation was only a deterred and resentful wrap up since I clearly knew how it would end.  I stood there ruefully smiling at myself. P.T sir's 'go' whistle came in as the most melancholic music I had ever heard! I started off last and ran for my life, I could feel my lungs crying out and yearning for oxygen. My run became the subject of ridicule but it din't alter  my determination to cross the finish line. Needless to say, I finished last, my hard core optimism stays untouched even now.. but I never had the guts or looks to actually retaliate or at least to make those loser bullies understand the courage i took to not give up! The 5K I ran on sunday started as an act of sweet revenge after almost 20 yrs, but primarily I did it to prove and impress myself.

Until last month, I was happy and content with my routine shopping, dine outs, travel, jazzercise and potluck parties. Hubby's latest found love, the new bike and his recent participation in a bike race triggered a broad feel of enthusiasm at home. It rigorously woke me up from hibernation. Though i kept blaming him for spending a fortune on the bike, his prompt dedication moved me. And here I am actively getting involved in rock climbing, running and cycling. Though his secretive idea of getting me a cycle was put down from my side..(after all wives are meant to control the money flow), I was ready to explore the activity world in my own way.. free way :D.  I wish that spark had ignited a little earlier, but better late than never.

A friend of ours whom we knew existed only after reading his blog (whom we now call 'Dearest Indian Monkey) came in as another light of inspiration. I was partially traumatized by just reading his story. A 10 day 500 KM race across the state involving only running,walking, eating and sleeping!! His words moved me beyond inspiration.

The change I was unconsciously looking for was here. The mayors 5K challenge. A set of aspiring runners/walkers joined hands and registered to run..rather say walk! 

Thanks to my Jazzercise sessions. Its definitely a great exercise to improve your cardiovascular fitness. A bit of homework helped me learn how to breathe and keep at a constant pace while running which I think worked for me.

I did a trial run last sunday. I put on my sweat shirt, running tights, shoes and started to run. Though my aim was to run 3 miles, a .9 mile run weakened my muscles so much that my sluggish brain anticipated a 5mile run!! Quite embarassed at myself, I returned home. Same afternoon hubby dragged me out of the house to go really finish a 5K. I turned on the 'Runkeeper' App on my iphone and set off. The beautiful golden shades of yellow had painted the trail so radiantly. Nature made me at ease.. the birds chirping, water running.. and i guess there were some frogs too croaking and cheering. I ditched the stress and enjoyed the run. It took almost 44 min for 3.14mile run with avg pace of 14 minutes.

So with a mind set of 40 minute finish, we drove to the public square park on sunday. I bribed Indian monkey with some appam and chicken stew and digged out some useful tips which he would have given  me anyway!

I was decked up in my new Tek Gear running clothes, shoes and headband. Ate one banana, half apple,  lots of water and gatorade. Flushed away excess water and was ready to discover the joy of running. The 70F weather lightened up whole of downtown and was brimming with energy. Everyone crawled to the start line, blame it on the humungous crowd ..we all were packed like sardines in a can! slowly we moved along with 5000 other runners including our Mayor. My strategy was only to run at a constant pace and to not even compare myself with others. I hit the start button on 'Runkeeper', ran on to a world where I felt i belonged. My heart rate was increasing..and so was my confidence. I saw myself overtaking brisk walkers. I never felt this focused in recent years. I slowed down at a steep slope, but then my Indian monkey backed up and ran with me. I    was reliving the 100 m school sprint but this time I was winning. The comment 'Look, a basketball is rolling slowly along the track' transformed into a cheer this time. Spotting my fellow team runners in front motivated me to go ahead without stopping. I had no idea about the time or the distance covered, but honestly I didn't want it to end. The road to my destination was an inclined street again, i had to drag myself really hard at that point. As always my optimism rescued me. There I was, surprised with myself ... 36min finish time and avg pace of 11 min.

It wasn't easy,  the taste of satisfaction from accomplishing this goal for me is way more scrumptious than an ultimate delicious Italian meal.

It was a memorable experience. Nothing is gonna stop me now. With Omy and hubby to support, I have found another brighter side in me. 

I have unearthed my way to slaughter negativity and erase depression. I run because I feel rejuvenated. For every mile I run I will adorn myself in an aura of positivity. I love to bask in this shimmering peace of mind. I feel alive, That's how I want to live my life, with Zing!
Sometimes your body is smarter than you are, realize it and make your feet your friend!

If you think you can, you will..
If you think you can't, you won't..
Either way you are right! (My fav quote from Omy's fav cartoon movie - 'The little engine that could')

Almond Butter Sandwich

 Introducing '5 Minute Meals' for kids! Here is my first entry.

Whenever hubby accompanies me to the grocery store, we reach the checking counter with an extra cart of new experimental ingredients. Some of them really wows us and climbs up its way to the cabinet and some shamelessly walk away towards the trash can. Recently he picked up 'Roasted Almond butter' along with coconut-dark choc energy bars,  basil snack crackers etc! 

The same night expecting a peanut butter meltdown moment i scooped a spoonful of almond butter. Gosh!!! It was nothing like peanuts..It tasted like blackened over roasted almonds for real. I shared half the spoon with hubby just to make sure we were on the same page. So, the jar stood alone dubiously on the kitchen counter the whole night. The regret of wasting $5 fizzled out as soon as I read it could be used as a face pack to brighten up the skin. The next day google took me to this sandwich recipe. Uncertain of the output, I just went ahead to try it.

I must say I was so enticed by the taste that I instantly drove off to the store to get another loaf of bread.

Creamy Almond Butter        1 TBSP
(Archer Farms, TARGET)
White/Brown Bread             2 slices
(I used white)
Banana                               half a banana sliced
Honey                                 generous drizzles
Walnuts/almonds,raisins    3/4 cup
Butter (optional)                1tsp



Butter both bread slices. 
Spread the almond butter on one slice
Place sliced bananas on top.
Drizzle honey(as per your taste), I drizzled 2 drops on top of all banana slices. 
Arrange the nuts and raisins.
Cover up with the other plain slice.
Toast them till bread turns brown.

Needless to say, the little banana hater Omy baby din't know what he was eating, but finished half of it! bingo!

Curd rice with Gerber garden tomato crunches

 

After an eventful 2 months of potty training, here I am proud as ever with a diaper/training-pant free toddler running always to his potty to pee with very minimal accidents of course!
To new mammas out there thinking of potty training.. let me tell you: Think huge, you are thinking perseverance.
I will soon be describing all about it ..including the first 911 call of our lives!
How Omy's dexterity evaded an open encounter with 3 fire truck men! Wait for it....

Now to the curd rice..The easy, tasty, comforting pot meal Omy loves...
I think kids and yogurt are made for each other, its rich in calcium, helps to replace ice cream, and the fact that it reduces the spice level when combined with curries and the smooth texture it adds up to any dish makes it perfect!

1    cup cooked rice
1    cup yogurt (whole milk or fat free)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp salt 
1    tbsp ghee or butter 
1    tsp mustard seeds
1    tsp urad dal 
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
A   pinch of hing
1    dry red chilly
1/2 tsp green chilly(optional)
3-4 curry leaves
1    tbsp grated ginger
2    tbsp pomegranate seeds or tender raw mango peices or grated carrots,
       Gerber Graduates lil' crunches Garden tomato - to garnish..Optional

Mix rice, yogurt, sour cream and salt in a bowl.
Heat oil, and after mustards splutter, add urad dal. As they turn light brown, add cumin, curry leaves, red chilly, green chilly, hing and ginger. Saute and turn off the heat.
Once its cool, mix this with the rice in the bowl.

I normally top it up with grated carrots and Gerber Garden tomato crunches. Yummmmm....
I have so gotten used to post a pic of my lil' one in every post..so again here it goes..

Fried Oreo cookies

As long as our kids are not over eating or obese or gaining few extra pounds rapidly, they can indulge in deep fried snacks, sticky sugary syrup or chocolates occasionally. Giving a candy occasionally  as a reward is not harmful. As moms, we need to know when to say 'STOP'. That's what my doctor said! 

I was really concerned with Omy's increasing sugar intake. He could lick away a bowl of sugar in minutes or finish up a huge chocolate bar in seconds!! (OK, a little exaggeration there... I din't offer him a bowl of sugar for dinner). Honestly, I get him a pack of chocolate covered sunflower seeds or M&M's just when he starts to raise the curtain of his cranky drama sequence. 

Snack time is a highly anticipated part of the day for Omy. His face lights up like a rainbow and I would die to see him look so excited. Every day I spent like an hour thinking only of the snack idea for the day.

Recently in 'america's top model' show, a model from down south was frying oreo cookies for dinner!Trust me, a Model!!!

I am warning you...this awfully tempting snack initially might hide the much anticipated regret!!!! 

I know I should stop eating kids' leftover food, so I made just 3 of them. 1 is already crying out loud in my tummy! I wouldn't say its awesome nor will I recommend but its a one-time worthy snack. Deep fry makes the cookie turn into a cake like texture. The crisp pancake coating enhances the taste.

Pancake mix   1/3 cup
Oreo cookie    3


Add water and mix up to form the pancake batter.
Cover the cookies in this and deep fry them.
Pick them up as soon as the coating turns dark brown.


Omy din't actually seem to like it. He ate two of them but I din't get the 'yummy' confirmation from him. He said he did rather eat his 'Thomas toothpaste'!!!

Appam in 4 hours!

Today is special! I have 100 followers in my list!!! It feels like I have accomplished something great today! It would not be fair if I don't fill in a post for this most special day. Thank you my dear dedicated blog lovers! You all rock!

So appam, the one breakfast item which always runs strong as lunch, snack, dinner or at anytime in my house! The fermented rice pancake is savored with meat curry,  egg curry, stew, green peas curry or black chana dal curry. Its soft and fluffy texture wins all hearts. Its the only one dish Omy allows me to repeat every other day!

This recipe was born because of my inefficient american blender and for the easiness with which a dinner can be put together in a short notice.  Thanks to the rapid rise  YEAST! Appam and chicken stew always tops my 'Short notice comfort successful dinner party' menu! 

The blender I had could never grind coconuts properly. The first 2-3 trials were a huge disaster as I could bite into the coconuts easily! Also, waiting for the batter to ferment the whole night?what if the yeast wasn't active?

This one is with coconut milk and rapid rise yeast and it can never go wrong and its all set to go in like 4-5 hours including grinding, fermentation and making!!

I grind the batter afternoon and by dinner time fresh and hot appams vanish at the dining table in fraction of a second!

Rice                2 cups
( long grain/idli rice/basmati rice)  
cooked rice     1 cup
cocnut milk    1 cup
water             1/2 cup
Salt                1 tsp
Sugar             1 tsp
YEAST           2 tsp
(Fleishmann's Active Dry)
Milk               1/3 cup


Grind together these into fine batter.. dripping consistency. My blender takes exact 11 minutes.
Dissolve yeast in warm water along with sugar. In like 5-8 minutes, it doubles up in volume.
Combine yeast and batter and keep it for 4-5hours!

If the fermentation is not happening or if its winter, place the batter inside the oven with the oven light on! The heat inside will enhance fermentation.

Just before we make appams, check the batter consistency. The coconut milk might make it a little more thicker. Pour 1/2 cup milk and confirm the dripping consistency.
Make them in the 'appam chatty' or on a deep open pan.
Cover it up and cook for 1-2 minutes. It cooks in the steam and do not flip it over!

Omy enjoying appam and chocolates chips.. his way!

Spinach Rice Casserole

Lately we had been enjoying more vacations than working days put together! 
Ultimate enjoyment too comes with a price..Tanned hands and legs, weight gain and laziness!!!! After effects are affecting me so bad. Did I let sloth win over me or has my body completely reconciled with stress or is my overactive Omy boy not a subject of concern anymore... Is he starting to join hands with peace??Eh?
Only thing I force myself to do now is cook! Only because I HAVE to! I admit it.. what a lazy mortal am I?

I find 'one pot meals' the most trustworthy among the dishes!

Its easy, simple,  involves very less execution time and they come with a minimun 90% 'yummy' guarantee. When Rajani of MyKitchenTrials came up spinach casserole, I knew that was gonna be my dinner the same day. 

Well, I did tweak the recipe, rather say indianised it!
Daddy and baby found themselves digging the baking dish for more!

Spinach                    - 200 grams (I used Green giants frozen spinach)

Oil                            - 1 tbsp

Onion                       - 1 thinly sliced

Mustard seeds          - 1/2 tsp

Urad dal                   - 1/2 tsp

Curry leaves             - 1 stick

Chilli powder           - 1 tbsp

Cooked Rice             - 2 cups

All purpose flour       - 1 tbsp

Milk                          - 1 cup

Bread crumbs            - 1 cup

Mozzarella cheese     - 1 cup

Salt, Pepper               -  to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a rectangular baking dish.
2. In a pan, combine the butter, flour and milk. Heat, stirring continuously to get a smooth, lump free sauce. Dilute with water or stock, if the sauce is too thick. 
3. In a pan, heat the oil, splutter mustard seeds and add the urad dal and fry for a few seconds. To this, add the onions, curry leaves and saute. Once onions are translucent add the chilli powder, salt and pepper to taste.
4. Microwave the frozen spinach for a minute and add the spinach. 
5. Once the spinach has wilted and everything mixed up, add rice and the milk sauce to it.Mix everything till combined.
6. Transfer to the baking dish, press lightly. Spread cheese evenly on top, then spread the bread crumbs all over it.
7. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes till the top turns brown.

That's my baby enjoying the sun, food & stroller in NY

Sangaria with marianted fruits

I have no intentions to mislead a mom!!! Forgive me if this is not apt for my baby blog! 

For this post alone, I would like to cut off any trace of 'Baby' from 'AmmaandBaby'. This is only for NON-Breastfeeding amma's longing to take a break, chill and relax the night!!!

Most of the times after a weekend party we see opened leftover wine bottles dead inside the fridge.  Sometimes when this happens, we make Sangaria and enjoy the exotic ecstatic flavor blend of wine and fruits.

What you need
Make sure your baby has slept
Red Wine                                  - half a bottle
Orange juice or any fruit juice - 1/2 cup
Sugar (add up to your taste)     - 2/3 cups
Lime juice                                 - 2 Tbsp
Your choice of fresh fruits cut into small pieces 
(Apples,Strawberries,mangoes,watermelon, honeydew,cantaloupe) -  1 - 2 cups

Mix up all these in a bottle, close it and pop it inside the refrigerator (Bottle section).
Let it stay for one whole night and day so that the marinade has plenty of time to soak into the fruits. Normally i mix it up at night so that its ready for the next night.

Serve it chilled the next day after your baby drifts into deep sleep! It will transport you to another delusive world!

Enjoy!

Mango Bread

It was love at first sight with Hamaree Rasoi Deepa's Mango bread.(Originally created by INJI ).
I got a little too excited that I added colors and made colorful cupcakes also out of it.. :P

Copy pasting the recipe as it is! I followed the exact recipe and the output was so ambrosial!

1. 2 cups and 2 tablespoon of sooji
2. 2 teaspoon baking powder
3. 1 cup sugar
4. 2 teaspoon cardamom powder
5. 2 teaspoon nutmeg powder
6. pinch of salt
7. 3 tablespoon rice flour

Mix dry ingredients together until well-blended. Then add:

1. 2 cups and 2 tablespoon mango pulp
2. 1 egg
3. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
4. 1/2 cup oil

Let sit for ten-fifteen minutes (this lets the raw sooji soak up the liquids)
Preheat over to 375.
Grease the pan with butter or non stick spray, pour the batter and sprinkle almonds or sesame seeds or any topping of your choice. Bake it for about half hour or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean!

Omy loved his sweet munch after lunch.. 

Homemade Granola

I am living a fantasy life.. My mornings starts with  a press of a remote control.

Omy and me take up the balcony seats to watch Lightning McQueen loom towards the end line. Then, the wheels on the bus take us through the town and drop us at the Sodor island. Thomas and his friends pick us up to enjoy the beautiful scenery as we wind our way through the luscious green forest.  The venturesome ride makes us so sleepy but the neighbor old McDonald's farm animals keep making creepy noises. By evening, the 'angry birds', 'Talking Ben' and ABC's are hit so hard that they fail to make an appearance by night. So, a huddle of cars and trucks takes a stroll all over the house only to end up in a wreck. Bed time story books are my best friends now.. they help Omy gently fall asleep!

Peace regained! (amma's with a baby boy and a smart phone can easily draw a similar picture :D).

Anyways, Aipi's Granola recipe had been eating me up all this while.. I just wanted to get it done and grab a mouthful. Finally I took a break from the rides and tried it out! Honestly, I loved it.. the texture, the taste.. its a natural fat free snack which we can keep munching without regrets!

I added half a cup of cheerios to the original recipe.

Oats                2 cups
Honey             1 cup
Brown sugar   1/2 cup
cheerios          1/2 cup
Dry fruits, berries, cherries, dates, seeds of our choice - 1/2 cup each.
(I used 'Southern Grove's Trail mix and Fit  & Active's dry fruit medley combo, cut them into tiny pieces)
Oil                   1 tbsp
Vanilla extract 1 tsp

Heat the oil in medium flame.. add honey, sugar, vanilla and bring it to a boil. keep stirring till its done. Let it cool a bit.
Mix up all the rest ingredients along with this mixture.
Make sure everything is coated with the sugar mixture.
Spread it on a baking tray and pop it in the oven.
I gave it a stir every 5 minutes.
In 15 minutes my granola was ready. I took it out as soon as the oats became dark brown in color.

Let it cool and enjoy. 

I paired it up with chocolate icecream for Omy!!! He loved the creaminess and the crunch together!

As he says.. 'MAMMA YUMMY' :D

Happy birthday to Omy baby!

 

For every tear you shed, I have kissed you twice..
For every tantrums thrown, I have pinched you once.
With every kiss and every hug you make me fall in love..
You made me realize the value of life, smile, patience, hugs, kisses, vegetables and nursery rhymes..

Every word you speak is a melody..

Every toy you touch comes to life instantly..
I never knew how much love my heart could hold until I heard you call me Mommy.....I love you my son, HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
**Huguuuuuu**Muaaaaaaaah**

Peanut-egg yolk balls

Winter had us all locked up in the house for long. As soon as spring knocked on our doors, we jumped out and drove to the beach. That was the first time my baby felt beach sand between his feet. His smile widened as he started to explore the humongous bath tub..He dug his feet under the sand, loved the way waves tickled him. Like a pro he ran inwards without fear. He was so ecstatic splashing at the shoreline all by himself.

Nothing fell short for the trip as I had everything planned and didn't forget a single item in the 'Florida trip list'. 

We covered him in water resistant sunscreen lotion, made him wear a hat, wore a t-shirt (long sleeve), swim diaper, stood away from sharp and pointy shells and daddy was always with him taking care in the water.

Best of all was the sunset on the beach. No scorching heat and no worries of getting tanned!!! :D I made sure Omy had the muffler on and left him in his diaper and tshirt alone.

Food part is what bothered me, I had to pack a gigantic bag of snacks for Omy. I wasn't sure what he would ask during the 10 hrs drive! I stuffed in everything, starting with his favorite cheerios to boiled eggs! 

Omy is not in love with the egg yolk. He enjoys the boiled egg  white but egg yolks are always ignored. I usually scramble and bury them inside rice. So, for the trip, I got an idea to mix up another of his fav - the peanut butter. I made a few and did a sample test the previous week and viola! that was a success, yolk was compleletly dissembled! 

2 tbsp peanut butter
1 egg yolk


mash up the egg yolk to powder form and mix in the peanut butter, keep mixing till the yolk gets completely covered with peanut butter. Make small balls with it. 

Happy Mothers Day

Well, This time mothers day falls on my birthday!! Born to be a mother!!! sigh! (May 08)

I am so proud of it. I have enjoyed every tiny bit of motherhood.

Here is a very hard lesson well learnt in these 2 years: It doesn't take much time to transform the motherly affection soaked with hugs and kisses into a world of umbrage ensued with time outs and  punishments.

Hey, don't judge me or raise your eyebrows, that a truth. At least, moms with toddler sons will agree with me 100%. But, my point is whatever be it, however he be, mothers love is eternal, unvarying and the only honest version of devotion. Love you mom and love you Omy.

Here's wishing ancestors, great grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers, moms to be, wish to be moms a HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! WE ROCK!

Omy's artwork at school.

(MAITRI post) Flax seeds and sweet potato pancakes

By now, everyone might have gotten acquainted with the Maitri event! Priya and Reshmi have put together a prodigious and angelic line of friendship sewing together all lovely online foodies!

 So, on Monday I got to rip off the package my partner Priya from 'Priyasnowserving'  sent. The first thing i find is this beautiful color-changing flame less candle which floats in water!!

 

The next moment, I was enjoying spectacular sunset and savoring my evening tea on the patio sitting right next to lighted flower candle wafting in the water inside the wide open vase (we call it Uruli).  Isn't it good to not worry about when it will open, bloom,  fade or even weep over the wilted one.
Come neighbors.. envy me!

I was jumping up and down and almost at the edge of forgetting all about the secret ingredient inside.  Then, after some moments of great exhilaration, I walked out of my sunset dream and I opened the zip lock cover with a lovely note from priya. 

Priya, please convey our love and regards to your family, 3 beautiful kids and your new puppy too.. :D

Thanks a ton for the wonderful gift and cheers to an enduring friendship.

Hubby and myself almost ate up half of the seeds in it. Those were FLAX seeds.  I have seen them before, but that was the first time I tasted it.. its slightly bitter  and also has a nutty flavour when you eat it raw. Well, I recognized it.. hubby just sat and enjoyed them!

I sat down googling 'flax seeds recipe' and was amazed to read  about the nutritional values and the easiness of incorporating it with almost every meal! 

I dint want to alter the ingredient even a pinch, but first time I made pancakes with the seeds themselves, my little star started picking out the brown mini strangers one by one. So, I had to give the seeds a quick swirl in my mixer, just to break them into pieces. I did not grind them to a powder form. 2 swirls and you can see the flax pieces in those pan cakes.. See?

Flax seeds                         1/2 cup
Mashed Sweet potato       1/2 cup
  (I used chef's cupboard Mashed sweet potatoes..the dried form)
All purpose flour              3/4 cup
Baking powder                 1 tsp
Vitamin D milk                1.5 cups - 2cups
Powdered sugar                1 tbsp
Butter                               5 tbsp
Brown sugar                    2 tbsp.. for garnish

• Put the flax seeds in the mixer and give it 2-3 quick grind swirls.. Just to break them down to pieces.. You need not grind them.

• In a bowl, combine flax seeds, mashed sweet potato, all purpose flour, baking powder, powdered sugar

• Add milk and stir to form batter...( idli batter consistency)

• Heat a nonstick fry pan over medium heat.

• Add butter.. quite a generous amount . i used around 2-3 teaspoons, else pancakes might stick on to the pan making it very difficult to turn them.

•  Drop rounded scoop of batter into fry pan, flatten slightly with back of the spoon.

• Cook 1 to 1 ½ minutes or until nicely browned on bottom and around edges.

• Flip over, gently pressing down on pancake .. cook 1 to 1½ minutes or until cooked through.

• Serve warm with brown sugar and dry fruits.

Omy grabbed the full plate and wanted to eat all by himself.. Should I say more?

Starting today, flax will be seated alongside salt and pepper. A tsp of flax seeds doesn't change the taste of the dish as such, but adds a minute hint of taste very much similar to ground walnuts! Nutty flavor... Love it!

Now that I have my post, I am on a rigorous ingredient hunt to pack it to Heather Schmitt-González of Girl Chef (http://www.girlichef.com/) and Pavani of Cook's Hideout (http://cooks-hideout.blogspot.com/) .. Girls, watch out!

Banana Bread

I am an ardent fan of Bread! I can survive on bread and butter/jam/curry/sugar/ketchup for days together...be it white/wheat/Rye/Sourdough. Omy is not a bread fanatic like me. He loves french bread and peanut butter sandwich but when it comes to a normal toast or tomato sandwich, the task becomes onerous.

Yesterday while browsing along the Dashboard window for latest updates, Preety's banana bread caught my eye. I quickly ran through the ingredients and found them all in my pantry. Normally, I try to adapt, add, subtract, innovate, till I make it my own but this time I mustered up the perfect portions and followed the exact recipe.

The original recipe is called 'World's BEST Banana Bread'.. and for a fact.. it IS!!

Even Omy couldn't resist!!! Neither did he have time to devise a drama nor the patience to  scoop a spoonful peanut butter.

It was moist, feathery and so light.

Here is the recipe from the source.
Only thing I changed was baking soda, I replaced it with 1tbsp baking powder.

The BEST Banana Bread

Butter a non-stick bread pan, then flour well.  (The flour is really important for the bread to “climb” against while baking.  I had not done that before, and it makes a huge difference!)

Combine and mix well the following dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside:

2 cups AP flour

¾ cup sugar

½ cup toasted coarsely chopped walnuts

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

In another medium bowl, coarsely smash 3 ripe bananas (use a large spoon or spatula and don’t puree – the banana needs to be chunky)

To the bananas, add and combine: (but try not to reduce the banana chunks)

2 large eggs, beaten

6 Tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

¼ cup buttermilk or plain yogurt

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently FOLD until the flour is thoroughly moistened.  Pour into the prepared bread pan and spread the mixture evenly across the top.

Bake in a preheated 350-degree (F) oven for 45-50 minutes. (Mine was out in 25 minutes.. so keep checking).

The whole loaf was over in minutes. Daddy, mommy and Omy had a good time sweeping and licking the litter with our fingers.

Soon after the bread disappeared, the little master got caught up with his wall art!!!
Look at the master at work.... quite comfortable on that chair.. Eh?
Does mommy sound cool? Yeah, as i know how to make wall art disappear too. :D