Life..............

Life is such a beautiful thing, however we are so caught up with the stresses of life that we most often forget to enjoy who we are and what we are. Often, only when it is too late that we realize that we missed out the wonderful things in life.
My life have been really busy lately but I need to remind myself to stop, breathe and appreciate what my life brings. I do hope that you guys do the same!

I'm back!

Hi guys,
Its been an adventurous couple of weeks..... my goodness, after much studying and writing my last exam on June 4th,  I was eager to share my feelings with you...............but I had internet problems, which lasted until now............so I can communicate with the world now, but the feelings I wanted to share has now subsided but it still feels great that school is out.
After an extremely long journey, I've finished my last academic semester in school. Just got my internship to do then I graduate, can't wait ...................

My "Daba on Abercromby" Review

As you know I am not a person to go out and buy lunch.... my preference is home cooked food anytime. However there is the odd time when I have to buy lunch; like today. I ended a battle over what to have for lunch when I walked into this little food joint called Daba on Abercrombry.

Daba on Abercrombry is a restaurant located on the corner of Queen and Abercrombry Streets in Port of Spain, and serves Indian, Hakka and Local cuisine.Although the menu is not extensive there is a variety of items to choose from. Whats amazing is their price; a large lunch is $30 while a small is $25. The special consists of two sides and a meat with the option of a fresh salad.

So I walk into this tiny restaurant and is firstly greeted by the soft sounds of classical Indian music, a couple of small round tables, a cashiers station and a food station which boasted a vegetable fried rice,plain rice, local stewed chicken, chicken tika, another chciken dish, an indian egg dish, an assortmnet of Indian style vegetables, fried fish, salad, vegeable samosas, .....think that was all.

My choice for lunch was the vegetable riced rice which was rice with dots of carrots and green peas and a hint of cardamon; assorted indian vegetables which was a combination of carrots, bodi and tomatoes in a thick, spicy, red indian sauce; chicken tika which is chicken in a flavourable red sauce (I don't think that is authentic chicken tika but it was quite tasty); and the last component of my lunch was a fresh salad of cucumbers, tomatoes and bell peppers.

My lunch 

My lunch was simple, inexpensive and tasty. I would recommend that you give this place a try..... I will also give them a second try and chose another combination.

Chocolate fudge cake

Hi guys, I am going to share with you my cousin Nigel's favorite chocolate fudge cake recipe. This recipe is not only simply but delicious........my favorite aspect of this cake is the crusty top which just crackles as you dig in.............. just love it.


Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2  cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

Method:

• grease and flour two 8" layer pans
• preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• measure ingredients and set aside
• sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder and set aside
• cream butter and sugar until only mixed. Do not cream as you would a regular cake
• add eggs, one at a time  and mix well
• Incorporate flour mixture and water alternately, mixing well between additions
• pour into prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes or until done
• cool and serve alone or with ice cream

Ginger

Ginger............ a gift from heaven?

I think so..... for those of you who are not sure what ginger is, it is a root which is often mistaken for a spice when in reality it is a herb. Ginger has a very pungent and distinct flavor that is used both for cooking and medicinal purposes.
It is popularly used  in the Caribbean as a seasoning to enhance the flavours of food, sweets and delicacies. In the beverage world it is used to make both hot and cold drinks. 
Although I personally don't really like the flavour of ginger, it did literally save my life. During a trip to Canada in the winter season, I got the flu.I was so ill that I was seriously crying for my mommy! My friend and room mate, Chantal Edwards has the biggest heart ever. She saw me in pain, unable to eat, drink or move....she got dressed and ventured out into what can only be described as a miniature blizzard, went to Walmart and returned with ginger. Using the only appliance available, the microwave, she made me hot soup......I remember seeing fusilli pasta floating in a broth. She sat on a chair and watched and waited while I slowly consumed the soup as while it was hot. Looking back I realise that my taste buds were to ill to work because I did not even recognize any of the flavours of the soup. I slept after my soup was done and woke up a few hours later and was able to smile for the first time in two days. She gave me a second helping of soup, this time I was able to recognize the ginger, but she sat there and ensured I drank every single drop of this intensely flavored soup.By the time I had a second nap and awoke, I was fine.... I was healed...... no meds....just ginger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Although I still do not appreciate the flavour of ginger, it did save me......So thank you Chantal for going out in the blizzard to get the ingredients to make me" ginger soup"......
The next time you think you're getting the flu, please make a cup of fresh ginger tea, drink as hot as possible and experience the healing properties of this root!

Scones

Cherry chip, pineapple coconut, sausage n' herb, apple-cinnamon.................whatever the variety, I LOVE scones! This morning though, I was in the mood for some plane, simple scones to enjoy with my morning coffee. They came out beautifully...............here is the recipe just in case you want to give it a try. 

Simple Scones

3 cups all purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

3 teaspoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup milk

 1 egg, beaten

Turn on oven at 375 F

Measure all ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, brown sugar, and salt.

Using a whip or spoon, stir dry ingredients until thoroughly mixed.

Using your fingers, incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like crumbs.

Flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and butter mixture

In a separate medium bowl, combine milk and beaten egg.

Milk and egg mixture

Add the milk/egg mixture to the flour mixture and bring together to form a dough.

Dough

On a greased baking pan, press dough to form a circle about 1/2 inch thick.

Pressing out the dough

Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 8  segments.

Cutting the scones into segments

Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.

Finished Scones, fresh from the oven

Enjoy your scones with butter and a nice cup of mocha flavoured coffee.

Scones with a lovely cup of Mochachino

Maple Syrup

Have you all ever wondered how to make maple syrup?
Honestly it never did occur to me until I had the opportunity to see how it is made. I was in Canada in 2011 and was privileged to be part of a group to visit the home of a very warm Mr. Hart.

The Woods, where Maple Trees can be found

I learnt that the Maple Trees found in the woods are tapped to get syrup. When an extremely cold night is followed by a warm day during the months February through April, the temperature will be perfect to get a good flow of sap. It takes forty gallons of sap to get one gallon of maple syrup!

The syrup is boiled for hours until the desired consistency is attained then filtered to produce the perfect maple syrup.

Filter used to in the maple syrup process

I do hope you remember this post the next time you enjoy your Maple Syrup!

Home-made Maple Syrup bottled in 2009