A Little Is Enough

Flowers and stars soothe our vision, smiles and laughters brighten our day, all in the world can sprinkle some happiness but what is their worth without a little appreciation.

People wake up everyday in chase of something, a pursuit, going after what's missing, searching for something new, to create a better tomorrow, to make perfect those imperfections. But one thing the mad  rush, crazy race fail to teach is, it's never about what's missing, life is always about what you already have. Things and people that stays regardless of situations, not the weight of your wallet which gets anorexic by day even when you strive so hard to make it obese or, even the temporary sadness and tough times that comes and goes like the novel-ideas in my head.  Oh that's so frequent !

Mistakes, bad decisions, even relationship-issues often are the ultimate result of this, seeking what's missing instead of embracing the joy in your grip. Looking for something better, perfect, superficial , i don't know, only to pet regrets at the end because of our own failure to appreciate.

I tell all my friend this, there's always something to be thankful for, every single day of your life and if you can find it, you sure know the secret to happiness.

Appreciate what you have, take a moment to smile at wonders in your life, be grateful the journey is still on.

Have a great day!

But Good Night for now :)

Renuka G

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Colours of the world

I have heard from the weakest of our kind, their dream of a secluded island, their crave for isolation. But what is life without people? Can nature replace the traits of mankind that brightens the world?

Reality-check , no!

People are colours, who are of different shades, they paint our lives in ways we yearn and at times the exact way we fear. Yet we need them. Even though so gloomy black could be, all white or perhaps pink is never a solution.

A little of 7 colours make a rainbow, just like that people of different characters completes the world.

The greenery, wide blue ocean and the wilds, might soothe but never will it be an everlasting comfort . So cherish those around you and find comfort where you are right now.

No man needs an island if he could make a paradise out of what he has :)

Good night

Renuka G

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Almond Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache

Hello Readers,

Today's entry is going to be about another baking victory of mine. This time it is the ultimate drool-inducer, chocolate cake. To add more oomph, an addition of chocolate ganache is poured on top accompanied by juicy strawberry and raspberries.

Ingredients:

125g Butter/ Margarine/ Vegetable oil (for a moist cake use oil)
90g Castor Sugar
2 large eggs
90g Dark Chocolate / cooking chocolate
110g Cake Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Powder (optional)
1/4 tsp Baking Soda (optional)
2Tbsp Chocolate Powder

1Tbsp Vanilla Extract

3Tbsp Chopped Almonds

125ml Fresh Milk/ Ideal milk

Ganache Topping:

90g Dark Cooking Chocolate
180ml  cup whipping cream
20g butter ( to add shine to the ganache)

Method:

Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler.Leave it to cool but never refrigerate for it will thicken.

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs and beat well.

Pour in melted dark chocolate.

Fold in flour in 3 batches and alternate with milk.

Bake in an oven at 160 degree Celsius for about 50 minutes. 

Remove and let it cool or refrigerate it before putting the topping.

Making the ganache:

Heat the whipping cream until it simmers

Pour on the dark chocolate in bowl and stir until it melts completely

Let it cool slightly and spread on to the cake evenly.

Serve.

My cake turned out fine and I refrigerated it first prior pouring the ganache because I wanted to serve on the next day. If you are serving it instantly, simply spread the ganache after the cake is cooled at room temperature.

Since I didn’t intend to make a moist cake, I opted for margarine. For those who desire a moist one, use vegetable or olive oil about ½ cup. And for a bittersweet taste choose dark chocolate and for a sweet result go with cooking chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate. I personally do not recommend Cadbury to be used for any chocolate cake be it for the ganache or as the main ingredient.

Speaking about ganache, you may use double cream or heavy cream or whipping cream or even condensed milk  as long as the fat content ranges from 35-40%. Ganache needs that! Thicker ganache, add chocolate, thinner ganache, add cream. It is encouraged to prepare the ganache prior the cake. In my case, I had a lot of ganache left , therefore, since I have strawberries and raspberries in the fridge, I used it as a dipping. Chocolate-dipped strawberries, Yummy-yumm 

Decorating the cake is up to your creativity and I admit I’m still a beginner. So if you are using fresh fruits or berries, coat it with sugar –glaze to give a glossy appearance. I forgot when I was making mine, such a loss .

Any questions, do mail me or comment or whatever.

Good luck trying!

 Renuka G

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Holy-holiday

If this is a beginning let it be then, just in case this is the end, don't try to resist it either. The essence of life is to embrace the vagueness yet making it through like we have known it for a lifetime. Let's not throw blames, better not seek assurance. Take a leap of faith and follow where it leads you.

If only you could see the rainbow at both ends, worry not, life can't beat you down :)

Happy holidays!

Renuka G

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This moment matters

Any way you put it, any road you take, any wall you try to build, for sure can’t save you from the trials life is going to throw. Either you buckle up, find strength and keep moving or let your negativity and severed hope sink you further down. 

One thing life has taught us for decades is that it goes on, only we humans love to pause, take a break, look back, well fine, but what’s the point of keep observing a healing wound. A watched kettle never boils, that’s a saying to remember indeed. Ignore! Keep walking. One day you might want to reflect on those bitter memories, perhaps at your prime, now, please don’t. 

Let good memories conquer your mind, replace the bad ones, or at least make them vague. 

After all what matters the most is this moment you are living right here, right now. Do something about it. Stop even ruining what’s in your hands for something which slipped away once, something which hurt you deep along the road. Pure waste of time.

You wanna live? Start living now. Past is to be framed, present is to be treasured. So what else??

Get moving people!

TGIF

Renuka G 

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