Make a difference in their tiny worlds!!

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill

It is hard to read a story of an orphan let alone associate the stories with their innocent pictures. I often listen to myself screaming at my little one to eat food and I am sure every household has a similar story to narrate. These kids who seem more mature and responsible than grownups do not waste a single grain of food and do not have seconds of a curry because they know they need to share with the rest of their friends.

It was a very touching conversation with Siri when I first heard about her visit to the Ashram and the implausible stories. It is one thing to write a check to a charity but a very different experience hearing a story which really gets to you and moves you into tears.Yes, there are a lot of people with less or no opportunities but I feel the most for the kids. Perhaps, because I am a Mom!

When I look at these kids, I see Courage and Perseverance- the courage to put on a beaming smile despite what life threw at them, the perseverence to survive knowing that the circumstances have left them with very little choices. It is only sad that their parents missed out on the best treasures!



Each of us can make a difference in their little and innocent worlds. It is a small gesture that we can make in the hope to make their lives better, the life that they deserve, the life every kid deserves.

A Huge Thanks to Siri (proud to say she is my SIL:-)) and her idea that got me into participating in this fund drive. Enough words cannot express how I feel.

I am sponsoring a Wine and Cheese basket/Gift Basket(Code: RU3) which comes with flavored fine wines, Cheese Spread, cookies, truffles, Pretzels, crackers and Pralines.For those of you who are not wine lovers, I will substitute that with Chocolates or Coffee and Tea Baskets.

How you can help!

Click on the ChipIn button on the below widget.


Each raffle ticket is $10 or 500 rupees

You can pay via PayPal or Credit Card So, if you give $10, you can get a raffle ticket that you can use on any of the raffle prizes.For the list of raffle prizes, please check here.

Once the contribution is made, please send your confirmation message to info(dot)siri(at)gmail.com and also send the prize code.

If you would like the Gift Basket, please choose RU3

"Putting all eggs in one basket" in this case will improve your chances of winning!!

Within 24 hours of the confirmation, your name will be added to the list of contributors.

Please check the list of contributors here. If you would like to stay anonymous or any further questions, please inform Siri in advance.

The event runs from January 26th through February 25th, 2012. Finally, there will be a draw by the Ashram kids and the lucky winners will be announced for each of the raffle prizes on the 27th February.

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”- Lao Tzu  

Pictures and Credits :-) - Cooking with Siri 

 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

So the little one was way too excited to go to her day care on Friday and the reason being that the school has an hour long class to prep them for Kindergarten. Not certain on if she is excited for K or excited to have fun in those classes. Regardless of the reason, I feel she has no grasp on what the school will be like and what she can expect for the next 15 or so years going to school. It certainly is pushing me over the edge that she will start going to school this year. So far, I have only heard about moms accompanying them to school bus and kiss them goodbye but as the months are nearing, the stories are soon going to turn into reality. I have had some enjoyable 5 years- going to India anytime 'my' schedule permitted, projects free, classes free, and above all, stress-free! It is soon going to change and will only get worse before it gets any better!

Recipe: Ghirardelli
10 ounces Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
2 1/4 cups unsifted flour
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoons teaspoon salt
2 sticks Unsalted butter
3/4 cup  sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsps Pure Vanilla Extract

• Preheat oven to 350F  
• Line 2 baking sheets with Parchment Paper 
• Beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth 
• Add Vanilla 
• Beat in the eggs one at a time. 
• Combine Baking Soda, Salt, Chocolate Chips, Flour in a separate bowl  
• Add the butter and sugar mixture into the Flour mix 
• Drop a tablespoon full of dough on to the parchment paper 
• Bake for about 10 minutes until edges are nicely browned 
• Allow them to cool on a wire rack 
• Keep them in an airtight container 
• Will stay good for about a week or so

 

Chana Chaat

It is very rare that a chaat vendor goes unnoticed on the street side. It seems like an art when they quickly put together a plate of chaat. It is hard to mimic that act, replicate the proportions and get a similar taste.
This is a simple and an easy to make Chaat. Toss with a few ingredients, refrigerate and serve chilled!!

2 cups Garbanzo Beans
1/2 cup finely chopped red onions
1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes
1 small potato, peeled, cubed and boiled
1/2 cup grated carrots
2  tbsps Mint coriander chutney
1/2 cup peanuts, dry roasted
2 green chillies, finely chopped
1 tbsp Tamarind Date Chutney
1/2 cup cold yogurt
1 tsp Amchur/Mango Powder 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander

• Combine beans, red onions, onions, tomatoes and peanuts
• Toss with the Chutneys and yogurt
• Garnish with coriander
• Evenly spread it in a pan or a dish
• Refrigerate for atleast a couple of hours before serving
• Serve Cold

 

Raspberry Trifle

Wish you all a very Happy New Year!! I make this dessert atleast once a year and every time I make, it has been a huge hit among my friends and family.Given how easy it is to make this, it is as sinful and it is no understatement when I say that.

It is adapted from a book called Crazy for Chocolate and it is published through Bay Books. There is no one author. Each and every recipe that I try, either for parties or just for a casual weekend, comes out perfect.

If you do not have a trifle bowl, use a regular glass dish that is typically used for Baking. I used a rectangular baking dish.

Note-Feel free to substitute all the light ingredients with Regular ones. You can also use Sponge cake instead of the Saviordi Biscuits.You can also totally skip the liqueur if you do not like the taste of it.

8 oz Light Cream Cheese
2/3 cup Cream
4 eggs, separated
8 oz Mascarpone Cheese
2 2/3 oz White Chocolate
1/3 cup Caster sugar
2 cups black coffee, strong( Make it as mild as you like)
1 tbsp soft brown sugar
1/8 cup Chocolate based liquer, optional
1 lb Sponge finger biscuits. (You could use a Sponge cake instead)
10 oz Fresh Raspberries
1/4 cup Dark Cocoa Powder

• Beat the Cream cheese until soft.
• Add Cream and yolks and continue to beat until the mixture has thickened
• Fold the Mascarpone Cheese and Chocolate into the mixture
• Stir until the mixture is smooth
• Please DO NOT over beat as it can curdle 
• Beat Egg Whites in a bowl until stiff peaks form about 4 min
• Add sugar gradually and beating after each addition until the mixture is thick and glossy
• In another bowl, combine coffee, sugar, liquer 
• Dip each Sponge finger into the coffee mixture and arrange it in the bowl
• Sprinkle with a tablespoon cocoa and 1/3 rd of raspberries
• Spread with a 1/3 rd of the Mascarpone mixture
• Repeat the layering until all the biscuits are completed
• Cover and refrigerate overnight
• Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with Cocoa Powder