Good vs Evil: Dussera mela

Every year the Hindu community ( not forgetting Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh) have the chance to celebrate the Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravan. Basically signifying the win of good vs evil. Ravan's defeat is celebrated by burning a huge statue of him to the ground. We've celebrated this every year since as long as I can remember, and always geared up to eat the delicious fair/street type food at the SSDS temple, not forgetting the lucky dip games, and usually epic fireworks ( now banned, so there were none this year).

Statue of Ravan before being burned.  

Delicious Khandvi. I've always loved certain Gujarati foods, which I hardly ever get to eat since we cook it very rarely ( or rather, my mum makes something once in a while, I have no idea about cooking Gujarati food).  I've loved Khandvi since I was little, I believe it's somewhat difficult to make because of the rolling of the fragile dough. From what I know, it's made of gram flour and curd/yoghurt and spices, not forgetting the sesame seeds, mustard seeds and crunchy curry leaves on the top.

Pau bhaji at the Anghiti stall. I was pleasantly surprised to see that anghiti had decided to cook for the fair this year. Pretty good prices too.

My sister had these blurry bhajias which she flooded with chilli sauce unknowingly and then couldn't finish. I came to the rescue of course!

Classic makhni paneer and nan. This was from the anghiti stall. I had a couple of bites and it was delicious. Especially in the rainy weather. Yes, we were getting soaked but also went prepared to eat in the rain with our umbrellas.

This picture is my favourite, obviously. Look at all the jalebis! My all time favourite Indian dessert. A little secret- stick around until the end if you can, it'll become about 200kshs cheaper for a kg. ( if you manage to stay away for that long!).

Finally, Ravan burned as soon as it got dark.

To the ground! 

All in all, a great event. A fun family evening out, and an excuse to eat delicious food. The event is not usually advertised, but it's always around October/November every year, after the last day of Navratri. I had a headache at the end thanks to the loud speakers, and my eyes were watering because of all the smoke ,  but it was time well spent in the end. My brother also won first prize in a drawing competition they had. Quite proud of him. :) 

                                                                      ~risha~ 

What I ate : Birthday Edition

I turned 24 yesterday. I remember being excited for my birthday days in advance when I was younger. Making plans of what I was going to be doing on the day was a huge part of celebrating. Every single person deserves to be celebrated, but this year I felt so different about it. All Kenyans know what 21st September signifies after last year. I felt like it was so much more important to celebrate peace and moving forward so I didn't think about my birthday even for a second before it actually came. I don't know if that's what growing older does to you, do you lose all excitement? Should it become just another day? Well, my family and friends made me realise that being alive and healthy is a huge blessing, and maybe your birthday is celebrated so you can have a chance to show how grateful you are. I had an absolutely unexpected lovely day. It couldn't have gone any better in my opinion. Spending time with family and friends was just what I needed, especially with the study mode I've been undergoing all year. I was spoiled rotten with all the food! And the food merchandise! Spending quality time over a meal is such a great thing to do, even more with good food.

Woke up to this! Look at the chocolate! And the waffle maker! And the chocolate mould! And the Jaffa cakes! (Which I devoured, cake like biscuit covered in chocolate with orange jelly in the middle-a British favourite!).Can you tell food makes me happy? (Ignore the mess in the back, early morning excitement can't be helped).

Started my day off with this beautiful blueberry cheese cake my mum made for me as a surprise. Truly tastes divine. I could eat it alone for days. Thank you mummy! Took me back to my primary school days when I'd come home to a huge cheese cake with a strawberry jelly top. Will always be my favourite.

Home made cappuccino in my new mug, again made by my mum! 

We were too full to have breakfast after the cheese cake (best breakfast substitute), so my mum took me for a hot chocolate. I had a fabulous time and it was delicious. I'm not sure of the name of this place but it's somewhere in spring valley. When I remember I'll put it here.

Lunch with friends. This is at Four cafe bistro in gigiri. I was looking forward to trying some place new. It definitely did not disappoint. Above is the chips mexicasa- which the four of us couldn't finish. It's basically chips with melted cheese, tomato, capsicum and onions if you wish. Then the pizza with pesto sauce, originally with chicken but we substituted it with mushroom instead. It definitely didn't disappoint. It was my first time having a pizza with pesto sauce instead of tomato/Arabiata! I think I'll try this at home sometime. 

Made some of the chocolate in the mould my parents got me. It's so much fun popping the pieces out of the mold. I also love how shiny the surfaces are. I'm planning on trying different varieties, maybe coconut, nuts, biscuits in the chocolate next time.

I'm sure you can guess where I went for dinner. For you! Tried the corn with cashewnut this time which I really liked. And the staff all came in singing happy birthday with this strawberry ice cream that we all shared( does anybody else feel awkward/not know where to look when people sing to you or make you open gifts?). 

I feel like I was so spoiled yesterday and I'm not sure I deserved any of it. But it was so much fun and I made so many memories which I think are very worth every moment. I know it seems like I ate a lot of Food, but I can't lie, I did! I could barely stand the thought of food when I got home. And I'm not a fan of overeating. But it was an exception I guess. Back to moderation from today. Also trying to remember that my age has changed, in case anyone asks me. :) 

                                                                       ~risha~

Banana Bread

The weather over the past few days has taken a complete turn and it's been freezing in nairobi. I love sweater weather and it's got me craving warm comfort food, especially after the long week I've had. I've been wanting to make banana bread for the last couple weeks but never had the time, or all the ingredients. I finally got down to it today and let's just say it's made my day. Perfect in the rainy weather with a cup of tea or coffee.

If only you could smell the cinnamon, coffee and chocolate scent throughout the house whilst this is in the oven. It's divine.

Ingredients

250g plain flour 

2 tsp baking powder 

125g softened unsalted butter

125g white sugar

125g brown sugar

3 large ripe bananas, mashed (I used 5 small ones)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 tsps vanilla extract

200g good quality dark or milk chocolate bar, (I used milk chocolate with nuts and white chocolate )

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 shot of espresso, cooled. (I used 1/3 cup!)

Sift the flour and baking powder first. Then mix the sugars, mashed bananas, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, butter, espresso and of course the chocolate chips separately.. Mix we'll and add in the flour. Mix until all incorporated. Line the cake pan with butter. Bake at 180 degrees for 50-60 mins. (Put in a toothpick or skewer to check). 

It's as simple as that!

We did things a little differently this time-my sister filmed me making the bread and hyper lapsed the result and we made a little video. It was quite fun for us! (Please excuse the mess in the kitchen, that's the aftermath of lunch on a saturday when everyone is home :) ).

Looking forward to having the bread with my chai.

                                                                  -risha-

                                                   

Sunday treat- Creamy inn

Sundays are even more exciting when you know there's dessert involved. I've been having a sore throat on and off for the past few weeks (thank you weather, and immune system), so it felt so good to eat ice cream today. I'm a big ice cream fan if you didn't know, ready for it anytime, anywhere, even before my meal, and even better if I could have it instead of my meal. I don't eat it as much as I love it though, owing to the fact that I get a cold pretty easy after. It's been getting quite warm in nairobi lately so it felt good to indulge together with my family. The pictures probably speak for themselves. I'm not sure words would do them justice.

Ice cream Sundae with smarties and 4 different sauces-chocolate, strawberry, banana and peppermint. I wasn't too keen on the banana and peppermint, but it was delicious regardless.

The waffle was probably our sole reason for going to creamy inn. After a long day of contemplating where to go for dessert, we decided on waffles which I've literally not had in years, and i absolutely loved it! They initially said they didn't have waffles, but when the lady at the counter noticed our highly disappointed faces, she said she would make the waffle if we would wait for 30 mins, which we readily did-true sweet toothed people here! (my sister and my mum-were somewhat in shock and my mum had to say ' what, no waffles? How can there be no waffles? What will be eat then?') 

It was absolutely delicious, even more because it was so fresh I think. Warm and soft on the inside, slight crunch on the outside. I rediscovered my love for waffles, and so did my sister I'm sure. Rest assured this was devoured within minutes.

I'm now having my second cup of tea because I'm a little afraid of getting a sore throat again, but I'm also aware of how worthy it was. I'm always up for dessert, absolutely no regrets! 

We did notice a new chocolate fudge pizza they've started making. Going to think about trying it next time!

                                                                -risha-

Rice cakes

I've always seen rice cakes in the supermarket near the bread section. I was intrigued because firstly they aren't expensive, and they look pretty interesting with all the different flavours. I decided to try the plain ones since it was my first time.

Pretty bland when you first bite into it, but very crunchy! I'm not very sure I could eat the rest the same way, and so decided to put some topping (a million times more delicious in my opinion).

With Nutella and banana. Highly recommend. So much better than you'd think.

With some pizza toppings. Corn, olives, tomato paste and Parmesan cheese and oregano. Delicious but making it hot for too long makes it soggy. (Rice inside is fluffed up and filled with air)-not sure what the solution for this is.

I'm thinking of trying them with some guacamole (an all time favourite of mine), maybe even hummus another time! It's a very versatile, and healthy breakfast food or snack. You can eat it any way you wish to. The Nutella and banana is definitely my favourite so far. I'm definitely trying the flavoured ones next time.

                                                            -risha-

Lemon bars

I was in the mood of trying something new baking wise for a while now. I just never had the time and the perfect recipe to make something I would enjoy. I love trying new things, hence the lemon bar recipe which I kept seeing all over the internet, I watched a couple YouTube videos and read a few websites and decided on this specific recipe. It's delicious, with a soft cookie like base and a chewy middle, and a crunchy top layer. The only thing I would change the next time I make it is the sugar content. Slightly sweeter than I had expected, and that's saying something considering I'm the self proclaimed queen of all the sweet toothed people out there. They're delicious regardless and not as time consuming as I'd thought, and would go perfectly with a cup of coffee in the nairobi weather we've been having lately. Warning: This May just be a picture heavy post.

Step 1-make base

Combine 1/2 cup soft unsalted butter (make sure it's room temp!) with quarter cup confectioners sugar, 1cup all purpose flour, 1/8 tsp vanilla essence and a pinch of salt. (I used salted butter so didn't add any salt).

Then mix with a wooden spatula, no whisk needed at this point! Mix until all flour is incorporated. Ultimately ends up looking like cookie dough.

Lightly grease a slightly deep pan, and spread out the doughy mixture evenly, then use a fork and make holes throughout to ensure even cooking.

Then put this in the oven for 22 mins at 180 degrees.

Step 2-make lemon mixture

Fresh lemons are the best for this! Use a grater to get some of the lemon rind. Then juice the lemons until you have a quarter cup of lemon juice. I used the rind from 3 lemons.

In a separate mixing bowl, put in 2 large eggs, and 1 egg yolk alone. Then put in 1 tablespoon of flour and 1 cup of confectioners sugar. 

Mix using a whisk until everything is incorporated. (Don't get scared if mixture is too watery looking, it's supposed to be!).

Then put in the lemon juice and the lemon rind and mix well.

Dough base is probably ready now. It should look slightly browned at the edges.

Get it out of the oven and simply pour the lemon mixture over it.

Put it in the oven for another 25 mins at 180 degrees.

Should look like this once its out of the oven, browned at the edges and slightly over the top.

Wait for it to cool completely. (Which I couldn't do since I was in such a hurry to try it, hence me ruining the cutting it into perfect slices , but I just had to try it while it was hot). 

See the slice missing? Already eaten.

Sprinkle on some icing sugar or even some glaze (half cup icing sugar with 1tsp milk/lemon juice can do the trick). 

Really glad I made this and definitely having it for breakfast tomorrow. (Not healthy but not sorry either).

It's not complicated to make at all and it was so much fun too! I might try a different fruit next time I make this instead of lemon. The lemon taste isn't too overpowering, but you can definitely taste it. Highly recommend if you have a sweet tooth!

                                                                         -risha-

For you restaurant

I've always loved family style restaurants. The ones where you don't have to necessarily worry about talking too loud because you'll disturb the people at the table next to you. I love the environment and the fact that you can somewhat feel at home, because you're that comfortable. It's always a plus if my little brother gets to jump on a trampoline or a jumping castle. Ever have that one place that your family absolutely loves, and is the first place they can think of whenever you want to eat out? The one where all the owners and the staff know you? There's this little Chinese restaurant called For You, that my brother talked about here. My family goes there pretty often, I'd say about 3-4 times a month, not including birthdays and anniversaries and new years eve (that's how much we love it!). With good reason, it just never fails your expectations. There was a time when it closed down for a while a couple years ago, and we all just felt so lost during that time. We could never think of places to go to then.

Recently they opened up a new branch, we all got pretty excited to try it out (same food, same staff, but still!). It was such a surprise! A big upgrade to the place we've known, fountains and waterfalls and beautiful paintings everywhere, whilst still maintaining the whole family feel to it.

Waterfall at the entrance. (Famous photo taking spot from what I witnessed whilst waiting to take this shot).

As soon as you come in you're given these crispy bitings, which are basically the outer covering of spring rolls, cut into triangles and fried with a bit of sugar on them. So delicious! I usually add a bit of chilli, sweet and sour and soy sauce, together with onions in vinegar.

 And the crispy vegetable spring rolls. A must have every single time.

A relatively new favorite- Salt and pepper vegetables. I feel like I could eat this alone for a couple of days and i'd be perfectly happy.

Chinese tea. Another favorite of mine.

Sizzling vegetables in sweet and sour sauce.I wasn't too keen on having this at first. I did try some and I was pleasantly surprised.

Tofu in black bean sauce. Always delicious and pretty much my staple order, especially since I became vegetarian. If anyone loves tofu as much as me, this is a must have!

The usual stir fried rice.

This chocolate ice-cream was so so delicious! And did I mention on the house! Just look at the quantity. Never saying no to free ice-cream! Unhealthy, I know, but you only live once, right? Ice-cream will always be an exception for me. So.Good.

The waiters came in singing happy birthday for my grandma, and the owner of the restaurant gave my nan this beautiful chinese comb and mirror set. Something totally uncalled for. It's so beautiful! I'm sure my nan will treasure this for years to come. We also got a 20% off because it was our first time at the new branch. It's worth every penny!

All in all, a must visit! I highly recommend this place. Especially good if you go early, e.g for lunch go before 1 p.m so it's not too packed and the service is even better. I already know where i'm having lunch next sunday-and i'm definitely looking forward to it!

-risha-