Posted in Food, Stories Around the World

Biscuits, Crumbs and Milk

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

With plenty of biscuits left over from the holiday baking safely enclosed in their tins, it was their crumbs which had to be called to an order. After all the holiday cakes and ice-cream, evening desserts had to be something light, easy on the sugar and simple to make. What would be an easier solution for all the crumbs than the good old “biscuit pudding”.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
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Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Interestingly biscuit pudding is something that has evolved over time. With the British cuisine evolving the pudding from dumplings, the former had to be either in the meals or dessert category. More steamed than bakes, they were the savoury ones like steak and kidney pudding, haggis, pease pudding and the dessert ones (steamed in a basin and for afters) like the Christmas pudding, sticky toffee pudding and so on. Though essentially centuries on, pudding is more of a dessert than savoury. Dessert puddings like bread and butter pudding, biscuit pudding or simply with fruit.

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Miguel de Cervantes, Spanish author. (1547-1616) ‘Don Quixote de la Mancha’

One of the very basic biscuit pudding recipes that resulted in the first stained smock of preschooler was the Chocolate biscuit pudding. Though claimed to be a Sri-Lankan dessert pudding introduced by the British during the colonial era; it may have been in the kitchens of the west long before then. To make it requires layers of a prepared chocolate pudding or icing mixture alternated in a serving dish with layers of biscuits (plain ones preferred) dipped in warm milk. Served cold (not baking or steaming) with chopped nuts as garnish, cutting through would see five to seven layers of biscuit and chocolate. An easy dish to keep bored children busy on cold days.

The old-fashioned biscuit pudding, usually handed over in the set of family recipes, the basic ingredients would be vanilla, eggs, milk and plenty of leftover biscuits. This moist pudding is usually had cold, garnished with ground cinnamon, raisins, candied fruit and with maple syrup. With fond memories, it puts the cracked biscuits and their crumbs to good use.

Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source: https://www.theflavorbender.com/eggless-chocolate-biscuit-pudding/
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Source: https://www.thespruceeats.com/old-fashioned-biscuit-pudding-3051797
Posted in Family and Society, Life, Random Thoughts, Reflections

In Front of Us

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Long weekends are meant for a break from the usual routine. While the family homestead is the usual go-to place for a change from the town or suburban life, with kids the eagerness to go somewhere special for the holidays arises. When the purse strings are tight, inventiveness goes a long way. Unlike the Englishman Mr. Hopp, sometimes the best thing would be a planned event in the company of friends and family, at times even in own backyard. Putting it more explicitly, this long weekend saw a camp-out with family at the beach, a two day event sufficient to keep everyone occupied. Spending some wholesome time with kith and kin put many little things in a new perspective.

“Sometimes what you’re looking for is right under your nose and you don’t even know it.” John Hall

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Opportunities and memories don’t lie in the outreaches alone. Sometimes the best things of life are right under our nose, which may be missed when we are constantly seeking for the unusual or the exotic. Learning to appreciate the present as well to gradually build on the available options at hand, helps the right balance to be struck in life. Glitter and glamour may be present beyond the immediate circle, but one may tend to forget how temporary those aspects are. The innumerable bequests of the present once when neglected or in gradual ruin, their absence or loss when remembered draws out many regrets from within.

“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” Tom Wilson

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Every now and then, there are many special moments when we take an effort to uncover them and view them from a different aspect. While the natural instinct is to provide for the day and chase after the hidden dreams or the glamour of the other side; this pursuit is to checked especially to ensure that the blessings of the present aren’t taken for granted. The future is a definite aspects that looms about, putting a definite amount of insecurity and uncertainties arise deep within while considering it. Yet knowing when to strike a balance to those thoughts, help one to discover the beauty of the present around. For though the future look through the telescope of plans, optimism and dreams is important; neglecting the present hours of gifts, blessings and opportunities would result in a hazy, murky vision ahead ridden with guilt and plenty of what-ifs.

Englishman Mr. Hopp
Looks through a long telescope.
Sees mountains and forests,
Clouds and skies.
But he does not see anything,
That under his nose.

Daniil Kharms, 1936 (1905-1942)

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Photo by Flickr on Pexels.com
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Posted in Christian, poetry

A Star, Magi and a Baby

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”” (Mathew 2:1-2)

As the feast of Epiphany approaches with the first Sunday of the year comes by, the visit of the infant Christ by the Magi is being primarily celebrated. Also known as the Three Kings‘ Day or Little Christmas, this feast celebrates the manifestation of Christ. As the three kings visited infant Jesus and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

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These three gifts had significant meaning with gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death, burial and healing purposes. These the three gifts signify the baby Christ as the King, God and Suffering Redeemer as well as highlight the natures of virtue, prayer and suffering.

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” (Mathew 2:10-12)

In the midst of the celebrations of the feast of Epiphany, one shouldn’t forget to understand the significance and meaning of the visit of the three wise men. Like the presents brought by the three magi, we should have the true presents for baby Christ. Presents that come from the heart, reflecting the true spirit of Christian behaviour and living. As the the three most important fruits of the Spirit go by love, joy and peace; bringing these gifts and sharing them would bring far deep happiness and contentment from within.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Though thousands of centuries will pass,
Oblivion will burry past dates,
But those stories live in the hearts
And they redeemed rich life!

One of them is the birth of the King!
No, not in the mansions, but in the barn of a wretched man.
A star in heaven, brighter than all grief,
All announced the arrival of God!

The Baby was lying in a small manger,
Shepherds hastily bowed before Him.
Replaced joy indefatigable fear!
Maria hugged the baby tenderly.

Christ has come! Left heaven …
Imagine this just for a moment!
Perhaps a tear flowed down his cheek,
when he made a firm decision …

Christ came so that the light would dispel darkness, to
embrace all with Father’s love, to
die for all people to Him,
and to redeem us all with pure blood!

Christ, the Savior, Jesus has come!
He was crucified … Risen !!! Now calls out:
“Leave the vice, take off your heavy load!”
He is the way and the life! And only He saves!

Christ is now not a baby in his arms,
As many depict Him.
Do not belittle the Lord in hearts!
Blessed are those who only glorify Him!

Christ has come! Many years have passed,
but He is the foundation for Christians!
And on this holiday, this Christmas,
We rejoice in this message again!

Ermolova S. (Source: vk.com)

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Posted in Food, Stories Around the World

From Spaghetti-o-iei’s

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

The noon drive from work during the last week day entitles picking up the kids from school. Once they are in the car, the ride then on is interspersed with narratives ranging from the classes, to “mom did you know that she/he” to playground falls, teacher praises, peer comments and the like. Among the narratives was their home science classes wherein the primary classes as well as kindergarten were taught about basic stuff like hand-washing, making cookies, tending the garden and sorting the recyclables. With detailed descriptions of how spaghetti was made in class, the three of us had trooped into the ice-cream parlour for the weekend scoop. Imagine to my surprise when the “today’s special” held the title “spaghettieis”. On clarification, the waitress told me that we serve ice cream only and spaghettieies was just noodle ice-cream.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghettieis#/media/File:Spaghettieis_fcm.jpg
Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma
Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Spaghettieis (German pronunciation: [ʃpaˈɡɛtiˌaɪs]) is a German ice cream dish made to look like a plate of spaghetti.

Created by Dario Fontanella, “spaghettieis” was a dish of vanilla ice cream extruded through a modified Spätzle press or potato ricer, giving it the appearance of spaghetti( late 1960s, Mannheim, Germany). The entire ice-cream spaghetti is then placed over whipped cream and topped with strawberry sauce (to simulate tomato sauce) with coconut flakes, grated almonds, or white chocolate shavings added over it (similar to the Parmesan cheese). Fontanella had served this innovative creation to tearful children and had received the Bloomaulorden, a medal bestowed by the city of Mannheim (2014).

As this innovation makes it’s rounds in popular gelaterias, ice cream parlours as well as special events; various variations have been experimented with. Popular among these simulations include the different flavours of the “ice-cream shaped like spaghetti” with dark chocolate ice cream, nuts, sprinkles, icing sugar and the like. To be a “spaghettiei” dessert, the simulation has to be one of the varied spaghetti versions like Spaghetti Carbonara, Spaghetti Bolognese, Spaghetti cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper) or the Spaghetti alle vongole appearance. With simple “mini-variations” a simple bowl of vanilla ice-cream can be turned into something decadent and delightfully elaborate but exquisite and simple.

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Source:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/502081058430895758/
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Source:https://www.duncanhines.ca/recipes/cupcakes/dh/spaghetti-and-meatballs-cupcakes/
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Posted in Life, Personal Musings, poetry, Random Thoughts

Silent and Treasured

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Last week saw impromptu weekday walks with the family, most during the early evenings before the dusk gives way to the darkness of the night. While the basic purpose was to complete the requirement for the nature projects of my kids, these walks saw the quietness of nature at their best. School secrets were shared, ideas were discussed and explored and above all, one was listening for the notes in the silence.

“Keep silent, because the world of silence is a vast fullness.” Rumi

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Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
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Through the silence of the walks and stillness, one learnt to appreciate the gifts around them. Besides refreshing oneself, this stillness helps one to rejuvenate their thoughts and start off fresh. Many a time, one forgets to appreciate the silent blessing s and gifts showered on one, if one is constantly clamouring for the busy thoughts or caught in the chaos of the day. To break free and find some foothold in the melee, one needs to escape to few impromptu and sudden periods of silence to refresh and rediscover oneself. Yet discernment is required at all times. Certain things are best heard when one is silent; while some things require the silence to be broken. Knowing which is which will happen as the maturity grows over time.

“Everything that’s created comes out of silence. Thoughts emerge from the nothingness of silence. Words come out of the void. Your very essence emerged from emptiness. All creativity requires some stillness.” Wayne Dyer

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Voices of the Air

But then there comes that moment rare
When, for no cause that I can find,
The little voices of the air
Sound above all the sea and wind.

The sea and wind do then obey
And sighing, sighing double notes
Of double basses, content to play
A droning chord for the little throats—

The little throats that sing and rise
Up into the light with lovely ease
And a kind of magical, sweet surprise
To hear and know themselves for these—

For these little voices: the bee, the fly,
The leaf that taps, the pod that breaks,
The breeze on the grass-tops bending by,
The shrill quick sound that the insect makes.
– Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield, “Voice of the Air,” from Poems (London: Constable, 1923 and New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1924).

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Posted in Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings, Quotes, Reflections

Trails to Track

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

With the schools staying closed for the first week of the year, holiday mood was still going strong at the home front. As a consequence the family homestead was filled with occasional bouts of uproarious running feet. The holiday favourite of “Hide and Seek” was on, with a twist of the “I Dare” to the caught to avoid being the next seeker. As the seeker was rooting out the “hidden”, the constant lookout for any traces or clues to their whereabouts was on. This game of “Hide and Seek” reminds one a lot of the different trails and marks that each one of us leave behind.

“No memory is ever alone; it’s at the end of a trail of memories, a dozen trails that each have their own associations.” Louis L’Amour

Source:https://vk.com/monahos
Source:https://vk.com/monahos

For each one of us, we have our own hidden cache of trails, some pleasant some not so, of memories and instances where one event lead to the next making way for a pleasant change; and then again may a series of unpredictable or nerve-wrecking series of changes which may be still going on. All of us leave traces behind, but whether one chooses to leave those to be of the good kind, or the negative type, is of own choosing. The state of affairs may never be of own choice many a time. The difference always lies in how we respond to them. At the end of the day, the traces we leave behind will always reflect a part of ourselves, maybe in an overt way or a silent subtle manner. Yet whether the feeling of negativism or positivism from those vibes, that feel from the traces we leave behind are ours alone.

“Every person has the power to make others happy.
Some do it simply by entering a room
others by leaving the room.
Some individuals leave trails of gloom;
others, trails of joy.
Some leave trails of hate and bitterness;
others, trails of love and harmony.
Some leave trails of cynicism and pessimism;
others trails of faith and optimism.
Some leave trails of criticism and resignation;
others trails of gratitude and hope.
What kind of trails do you leave?”
— William Arthur Ward

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Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma
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Posted in Life, Personal Musings, poetry

Choices They Be

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“All things are ready, if our mind be so.” William Shakespeare

Entering into the first few hours of the fresh year, the anticipation runs high as numerous hopes, dreams and thoughts run through the mind. Amidst all these are the subtle changes that will be made over time. To know which change or decision is right, requires one to acknowledge the basic facts at hand, put a whole lot of thought processing to work as well as to with the innate gut instinct with humaneness in it.

“May you listen to the voice within the beat even when you are tired. When you feel yourself breaking down, may you break open instead. May every experience in life be a door that opens your heart, expands your understanding and leads you to freedom.” Elizabeth Lesser

Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Till date, one can never predict how the future will be to the point. As plans are made and decisions made, knowing that things mayn’t go as per the proper plan is important. Some plans may work, other not so. Some dreams may be crushed due to unforeseeable circumstances, while others may be affected by situations to a manner which may be unjust. Either way, unless one learns to battle the tide and cross the shores, the horizon over may just be a vision in distance. As we cross our respective shores, may each one of us learn to ring out the “right” old and ring in the “right new”.

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Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Ring Out, Wild Bells

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Alfred Tennyson

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