To L-earn

I was born and raised in a nation which hails paper-qualifications and devote reference books like bibles, leaving me not much time and space in my mind to care about something not taught in schools and do not constitute the given syllabus. But when I grew up, I begin to develop this thirst for knowledge, to learn something, outside the world of exams or any form of assessments and just be proud of it. To my own surprise, my palm read the same, I will be more interested in learning something outside my field. Well, that's according to my friend whom I should say quite an expert in that palm reading ;-)

Traveling a year or two backwards, I remember learning the classic literature by myself. I have read the works of legends like Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen and of course Emily Bronte. The best part being, no exams nor scores were involved. Pure pleasure, Pure satisfaction. And the feeling you get when you finally accomplish a read is most certainly priceless. Next I got my hands dirty in my house kitchen. I learnt how to cook. From daily meals to desserts, there's something I can serve and save to be eaten. Baking then officially became my hobby. Apart from that, the passion elevated my skills to the level where I can decorate my own cake. Some accused me of getting it from my mom or any experts, the truth though speaks otherwise. They were all the result of my free-will to teach myself and learn.

Coming to my current project in pursuit of self-satisfaction, which is, learning an instrument. My dad recently gifted me a keyboard under my humble request of course. First I made up my mind to pick up on my own  by referring to online tutorials or books, but he encouraged me to take up an intensive course for 10 hours, a month so I could master the basics. The idea sounded great to me and I signed up for it. Setting aside the fact that I can now spend my holidays wisely, I also view the ability to play this musical instrument as a plus for I'm soon to be a teacher. I've so far attended 2 lessons and am very pleased with the knowledge I've gained. Can't wait to learn more.

As far my readers are concerned, I wish you all could see there's so much to learn. Don't count the profit by the amount of money you receive or kill to receive a certificate by the end of every undertaking. Learn sincerely, generously, you will never know when you might need what :)

Happy Learning!

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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Baking queen

I baked today! I baked an absolutely delicious orange cake. Can you believe it? It was just yesterday I was hailing all bakers and today voila I'm a baker myself. Punch..no.. Pinch me please!

Perhaps you would ask me to keep it down but guess what? Not happening. My baking skills have been recognized and complimented by many already giving me zero chance to stay humble about it. Just like the philosophers put it, 'there's no modesty when it's pure talent'. ( actually they didn't quite put that) Still in doubts? You can ask my hostel mates, friends and family to further clarify it.

Considering my impeccable baking skills, maybe I should open a bakery after the 3 years contract. Perhaps in a mall! That would be perfectly strategic isn't it?
Or I can sell cakes to all the school staffs and children, with icing. No not to children, I would give them for free instead. I mean the icing. Even better, I can wear a cute apron to school everyday. The other teachers would envy me real bad! But I wouldn't care.

And guess what? This whole baking idea can totally feed me a huge profit at such a young age. 23 and a fat bank balance?? Can life get any better...

After that, I can produce my own show, and name it 'Renuka at school'. I would be the first ever teacher-turned-baker-turned-millionaire. Oh yes I will totally write a book about it . Maybe I can start now!

And one day when they interview me about my achievements , they would start introducing me 'She had her first vision of success while writing a blog post about her baking victory......'

I would be so famous.

So you guys out there better start building rapport with me now. The line might get longer if you wait till that show airs. Who knows, you might just have what it takes to watch me as I bake in MY studio.

Haha that's a heluva dream uh? Hotter than the oven.

Renuka G

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