Let's go Cuckoo !

You know... it's summer n all ?

It's super hot on the east coast... so, I had picked up lots of cucumbers and watermelons when I shopped 2 weeks ago.

I chopped up the first one, and sprinkled some salt, pepper and chilli powder and made an evening snack out of it. But then, I came across a cocktail recipe on Pottery Barn and decided to try a variant at the party we were hosting on July 3.

Presenting to you - Let's go Cuckoo ! :)

My Pink Lady

I found this amazing recipe on Pinterest recently. A recipe for a fresh fruit cocktail... with a strawberry and watermelon base. What better time that July 4 to experiment with it? Our friends gifted us a cocktail mixer kit for our first wedding anniversary... and it seemed like the stars had aligned and the time had arrived :)

I modified that recipe a lil bit and made my own first fresh fruit cocktail. I must admit, though the first glass tasted a lot more like watermelon juice than a cocktail... it got progressively better and became S's favorite before the night ended.

The home has a mini bar...

This week is always one of the shortest weeks in a typical year. With Jul 4 falling on a Wednesday, there are perks such as early out days and summer-fridays that leave any office practically empty.
What better way to celebrate than to set up a mini-bar at home?

So here goes, a WIP bar set up at my very own dining area ...

I love Gilt Groupe for the lovely deals I get on Dining & Kitchen items. These beautiful orange glasses with grooves that fit perfectly in an adult palm are my most recent addition! Naturally, they have to be at the bar. No?

That's our Mini Bar. Inspired by Pottery Barn catalogs. The dining table is usually in the center, but we move it around when we host big gatherings at home :)

Slates! How I love them! :)

T-3 hours on the D-DAY!

Pretty good for someone who used to drink only orange juice until a few years ago, ha?

Cocktails and more...

I started off my blog with a specific intent to post only baking recipes. I should have known better, given that my interests are varied and mostly short lived. My most recent fad is mixing cocktails without using mixers and have been doing a lot of research on it online. Being someone who loves to host and have parties at home, I'd love to play bartender for a lil bit!

The thing I love most is not just the drinks but the presentation and an excuse to collect more glassware that I would ever need for 10 lives !

So here goes, a blog within a blog. One where I can post cocktail recipes. Smart me - I kept the title flexible ! :P

Sour Cream Blueberry Bread

Everybody's first choice when it comes to home baked bread defaults to the Banana Bread. I'd have done the same, but then it has been tried and tested and I've gotten bored of it already.

I love the flavor and texture that Sour Cream adds to breads/cakes. After slow-cooking several recipes that I found online in my head... I decided to try a Banana-Blueberry-SourCream bread this afternoon. The bread is baking and the house has this wonderful aroma. I cannot wait to slice them, drizzle butter on top and have them with some coffee! S is away for his Sunday cricket, and I hope the bread 'll last till he is back :)

Plum Buckle

After a very hectic vacation in India and a fairly busy weekend, I needed to do something therapeutic. Some paint and some garden. My mom used to read and I tend to cook.

I went to the market yesterday evening... I like to shop for fruits and vegetables on Saturdays. That's when the fresh farm produce is displayed in aisles, the smell of cinnamon and baked bread fills the air at the local Wegmans Supermarket... the cilantro bunches get a fresh cold sprinkle and wait to be picked up! I usually end up buying more than my fridge can hold. This time, I brought home fresh plums, black berries and straw berries. I also picked up a bunch of asparagus on my way out, thanks to my friend S's recipes on her blog.

Anyway, the berries are likely to end up in the processor along with a few bananas and some milk or yogurt. But, the plums - I had to make something with the plums.  A Buckle? Maybe.. the recipe from William Sonoma sure looked easy!

Applesauce Muffins

Hola !
Am back after a long and much needed vacation @ Puerto Rico. So stepping in here with a quick update, before the next one to India!

Ever gone overboard with buying a dozen apples and then not know what to do with it? Here's a lil something you can try.


AppleSauce

Peel and core 2-3 apples (McIntosh or any semi-tart apple), then chop them up into lil cubes and toss them into a small vessel with hot boiling water. Simmer, and cook partially closed until the cut apples becomes soft and tender. Cool and transfer to a blended and blend until you get it to a sauce like consistency. You may add sugar as you feel necessary.

In an air tight container in the fridge - the sauce will keep up for about 2 weeks.