Made It To 2013!

HIIIIIIII!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀 I’m Backkkkkkkk….. well actually, I would like to make a slight confession… which you already know from my last guest post… I have been back for almost 5 ½ days now…. And yes it is only now I am addressing you, my friends, again.

You would honestly think after an over-2 week break, I would be making a run for the kitchen, falling over my feet to get to a handheld mixer. However… on arrival home from the airport, I was more like sloth-crawling, still falling (yes you can crawl and still fall) over my feet to get to the nearest sign of a warm, comfy, no-seat-involved bed.  The reason I say no-seat is because our night flight in economy class resulted in a sore backside and quite a stiff neck 😛

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So I therefore resolved to sleep sleep and sleep a little more and start cooking the next day. I had a vision in my head of how awesome it would totally be. Nope, wrong, guess what lil ol’ jetlagged me ended up doing the next day… sleeping? Nope. Jokes, that is all I did 😉

So I resolved yet again to work on my post and cook something the next day but guess what happened at night. I woke up at 2:30am (YAY) because my screwed up body clock told me in a sneering, I-have-total-control-and-I-flaunt-it voice that it was not sleep-time in India. Hahaha-friggin ha 😉

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But I do believe now, finally, while I am typing up this post, I may have gotten over the worst of it 🙂 – I feel fresh, alive… wait… naaaah, I feel pretty normal. As much as 43 degree heat will let you 😛

Anyhow, then came besides the sleepiness, can I be brutally honest with you? I did not want to cook.

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That was exactly my face when I realised. Had I lost my passion? Had I lost one of the purposes in my life? How, when, what….

Nah bro, I didn’t do anything, I was just being a lazy sod 😉 – Though you can definitely blame half of said laziness on

  1. Anna Karenina being a book NOT to be put down
  2. 43 degree heat

So now that I am typing and not being lazy, let me quickly, firstly take you on a virtual, no-people-in-photos tour of my on-the-briefer-side trip to India to see my family 😀

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It was such a nice feeling to be surrounded by hordes of relatives all day, every day – so many questions to ask, so much catching up to do considering I hadn’t seen some for almost 6 years! You can’t really explain the feeling of seeing your family again after so long in words, photos or even videos. Truly, you have to be there to have that awesome everyone-so-loves-everyone sensation 🙂

Those who have experienced, you know what I’m talking about!

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So then let me move on to some totally brilliant delish shots for you instead 🙂

This is how I felt most of my trip… trust daddy to capture this absolutely utterly horrid unflattering picture of me but yes, I will admit that this is how I look when I really enjoy my food. Model I am not 😉

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I wish I could show you more food photos from India but it is honestly hard when there are 10 of you (and being India, deep down everyone loves their food) and you ask ‘Oh, stop, don’t eat, I need to take a photo’ – you get the ‘haha, and you are going to stop us’ face…

*Make sure to read the caption to get the mini story behind each piece of awesome food 😀

First up, we have the cookies that I took to India - can you believe one of my cousins ate 9 in one go? They are my secret and best chocolate chip cookies :D

First up, we have the cookies that I took to India – can you believe one of my cousins ate 9 in one go? They are my secret and best chocolate chip cookies 😀

These are all shaped Indian sweets called 'burfi' - are they not the cutest!

These are all shaped Indian sweets called ‘burfi’ – are they not the cutest!

In Australia you buy a muffin. That is it. In India you devour, savour and enjoy a muffin. Look at this triple chocolate warmed up beauty - yum does not cut it :D

In Australia you buy a muffin. That is it. In India you devour, savour and enjoy a muffin. Look at this triple chocolate warmed up beauty – yum does not cut it 😀

Yes, we got a stale piece unfortunately BUT it does not take away from the fact that India is now producing stunning and classy cakes in their cafes and bakeries :D

Yes, we got a stale piece unfortunately BUT it does not take away from the fact that India is now producing stunning and classy cakes in their cafes and bakeries 😀

The coffee, iced or not as well as milkshakes seemed to taste better because of the heaviness of buffalo milk, which is more common there than cow milk :)

The coffee, iced or not as well as milkshakes seemed to taste better because of the heaviness of buffalo milk, which is more common there than cow milk 🙂

Another incredible Indian gateau :D

Another incredible Indian gateau 😀

The fluffiness of this incredible muffin - I died...

The fluffiness of this incredible muffin – I died…

Look at all that bakery goodness!

Look at all that bakery goodness!

Gulab Jamun And Kala Jamun - brothers where one was a little more deep fried than the other but both equal in exceptional tastiness!

Gulab Jamun And Kala Jamun – brothers where one was a little more deep fried than the other but both equal in exceptional tastiness!

Long Jamun - A cousin to Gulab/Kala and the model in the family considering its slim appeal ;)

Long Jamun – A cousin to Gulab/Kala and the model in the family considering its slim appeal 😉

Kaaju Burfi - Basically cashew milky sweets like diamonds which are carved by angels considering the brilliant taste!

Kaaju Burfi – Basically cashew milky sweets like diamonds which are carved by angels considering the brilliant taste!

Can't forget epic street food!

Can’t forget epic street food!

Even the Mcdonalds is better - LOOK AT THIS SOFT SERVE SPIDER!

Even the Mcdonalds is better – LOOK AT THIS SOFT SERVE SPIDER!

Pani Puri - Also known as fried thin hollow crisps which you break in the centre with your thumb, fill with unflavoured boiled potato pieces and dip in sweet and savoury sauce together - does that not sound perfect....

Pani Puri – Also known as fried thin hollow crisps which you break in the centre with your thumb, fill with unflavoured boiled potato pieces and dip in sweet and savoury sauce together – does that not sound perfect….

Hot & Sour Soup - More like make-you-sweat-like-a-pig soup mixed with burn-your-tongue-off soup :) - for all true spice loving curries

Hot & Sour Soup – More like make-you-sweat-like-a-pig soup mixed with burn-your-tongue-off soup 🙂 – for all true spice loving curries

Momos - yes these are called 'Momos' - Basically Indian style Chinese dumplings which have been steamed and served with what may as well be, raw chilli - one of the ultimate new Indian delights :)

Momos – yes these are called ‘Momos’ – Basically Indian style Chinese dumplings which have been steamed and served with what may as well be, raw chilli – one of the ultimate new Indian delights 🙂

Sizzling Paneer Tikka - just like chicken but so muh better and stuffed paratha - basically Indian Chapati bread filled with onion, spices and deliciousness all around - yes this was another source of my mother's overeating, god bless her :D

Sizzling Paneer Tikka – just like chicken but so muh better and stuffed paratha – basically Indian Chapati bread filled with onion, spices and deliciousness all around – yes this was another source of my mother’s overeating, god bless her 😀

Just a close up for viewing pleasure ;)

Just a close up for viewing pleasure 😉

Vegetable chowmein - an obsession in India for good reason because no one has such silky soft noodles and such incredible flavouring. Not even China ;)

Vegetable chowmein – an obsession in India for good reason because no one has such silky soft noodles and such incredible flavouring. Not even China 😉

Starting with the homemade magic now - I have an aunty. She cooks like a god. A GOD. Check out this paneer sauté something sandwich. DESERVES TO BE ON A SILVER PLATTER.

Starting with the homemade magic now – I have an aunty. She cooks like a god. A GOD. Check out this paneer sauté something sandwich. DESERVES TO BE ON A SILVER PLATTER.

Idli Sambar - more of her breakfast magic.

Idli Sambar – more of her breakfast magic.

Low key I know but India is the best and absolutely unbeatable if you want juicy pomegranate. These juicy juicy seeds are the reason Persephone had to stay 6 months with Hades. Irresistible.

Low key I know but India is the best and absolutely unbeatable if you want juicy pomegranate. These juicy juicy seeds are the reason Persephone had to stay 6 months with Hades. Irresistible.

My aunty had her birthday while we were there (not the cook one though this one's pakoras are AAAAH!) - For her birthday, my bro and cuz thought to get some champagne but they obviously don't know how to read considering they brought home sparkling white wine. At least the cake was incredibly awesome :D

My aunty had her birthday while we were there (not the cook one though this one’s pakoras are AAAAH!) – For her birthday, my bro and cuz thought to get some champagne but they obviously don’t know how to read considering they brought home sparkling white wine. At least the cake was incredibly awesome 😀

Her reigning, crowning glory - CUTLETS - Sago and potato spiced and fried to incredible delicious perfection. Breakfast is undoubtedly the best meal of the day :)

Her reigning, crowning glory – CUTLETS – Sago and potato spiced and fried to incredible delicious perfection. Breakfast is undoubtedly the best meal of the day 🙂

The food looks incredible doesn’t it? India definitely is modernising, combining the traditional streetside smoky foods with upbeat, way better than Western cafes and fast food while introducing tons of restaurants and more. It is actually a foodie paradise. And if you have awesome Aunties like mine, you know that you are in for a very. Joyful. Experience (massive emphasis on the ‘full’)

Ok, so maybe the majority of my photos were on food BUT I did take choose to show you a couple of non-food related shots 😀 – I would show more but gosh, people these days in every photo, I mean, SO radical ;)!

STREET DOGS ARE THE CUTEST!

STREET DOGS ARE THE CUTEST!

We visited the beautiful Qutub Minar - A beautiful structure, it is the tallest minaret in India and so majestic in real life :)

We visited the beautiful Qutub Minar – A beautiful structure, it is the tallest minaret in India and so majestic in real life 🙂

My dad photographed this gorgeous little critter - so so so cute - I love the wildlife in India :D

My dad photographed this gorgeous little critter – so so so cute – I love the wildlife in India 😀

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Now you understand that considering my utter laziness, I came back to bake something simple initially. I will be sharing that with you today because no one is truly in the mood to hardcore cake it up after jetlag 😉

I found this recipe off Sophistimom (I love her name!) – It takes 5 minutes to whip up, 15 minutes to back and 2 seconds to eat up. Soft, crumby and perfectly delicious, this was the only recipe to enjoy the return episode of Pretty Little Liars to!

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Enjoy sweeties! I am off to sleep again 🙂

Triple Chocolate Skillet Cookie

Source: Adapted from Sophistimom

Ingredients:

  • 113g butter (browned will be even better than simple melting!)
  • ½ cup brown sugar (light)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (dark)
  • ¼ cup caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ½ cups plain flour – make quadruple chocolate by replacing ¼ of the flour with cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 1 ½ cups of mixed chocolate chunks and chips

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Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius
  2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat till melted (or browned)
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  3. Add in sugars and essence and stir to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes till lukewarm
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  4. Whisk in egg
  5. Sift in flour, soda and salt and stir until just combined
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  6. Dump in all the chocolate chips and stir until mixed through
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  7. Wrap the skillet handle in foil and put in to bake
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  8. Bake for 15-20 minutes depending on your skillet (it could take up to 30) but remove when cookie is all puffed and golden on top, slightly pulling away from the edges
  9. Smash some vanilla ice cream on top and devour straight from pan wearing oven mitts 🙂
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117 Comments

  4. girlinafoodfrenzy says:

    Fantastic photos! There’s so much to love about travels & street food, but may I add your aunties breakfast croquettes with sago look incredible! I’m also partial to a nice piece of burfi too 🙂

    Ps deep skillet cookie = luuuuurve!!!

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  9. petit4chocolatier says:

    Good to see you back!

    We all get lazy sometimes about cooking and baking. Not a loss of passion at all. Everything looks incredible. I particularly like the Indian gateau!! And I love your skillet cookie 🙂

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  11. Susan says:

    Welcome back, CCU! Glad to read that you had a great trip. The flight must have been grueling, though. I don’t blame you for not wanting to jump back into cooking so soon. I’ve read about the heat wave you’re having on the news and have seen the wild fires and that crazy dust storm.

    Lovely photos of India!

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  17. thehungryartist says:

    Oh my gosh, all the food in India looks glorious! I have always wanted to visit. can’t believe you lose weight! I would not… How wonderful you got to see your family again after all those years. Looks like a great holiday. 🙂

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  18. Cakelaw says:

    Happy New Year Guru! I am positively hungry after looking at all of these photos. A woman after my own heart who enjoys her food! Hmm, a skillet cookie – I must try this – sounds too good to pass up.

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  25. Saguna says:

    Glad to have you back! Your foodie photos from India are awesome, when I finally make it out to India to travel around I am totally going to be doing the same thing at every meal. 🙂

    Oh and I have been totally dreaming of a big, chewy and soft skillet cookies myself so this recipe comes at the perfect moment!

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  30. Cass @foodmyfriend says:

    Oh Uru, I’m so jealous! Very glad you are back though. Looks like you had an amazing break! How hot was that day?! Argh! We had Flatpac propped up on a few frozen water bottles. Can’t wait to see what you bake next!

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  33. libishski says:

    I LOVE momo dumplings! I always thought it was a Nepalese dish as we see them heaps in Nepalese restaurants around Melbourne and I have Nepalese friends who make them. I didn’t know that they could be Indian too! Either way, doesn’t matter, they’re delicious! 😀

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  39. Kimby | a little lunch says:

    Most definitely a joyFULL trip, CCU! Loved your “lost my inspiration to cook” illustration, too, ha! What?! No picture of you eating the skillet cookie with oven mitts? 🙂 Your captions told the whole story in the other photos and I’m glad you got to spend so much time with your family. xo!

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  46. navane64 says:

    What a food galore with all the wonderful places you have been to. Thanks for sharing and I am hoping to hit India this June, provided everything falls in place. Catch up soon Ms.

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  47. Ali says:

    Welcome back! It’s hard to get back into routine after a break, isn’t it! Great photos…that chocolate-gooey muffin definitely my fave! Wish I could have one now!

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  48. A_Boleyn says:

    Welcome back. Food, food and … more food. I AM surprised you lost weight with all those wonderful dishes. My favourites were the watermelon and apple kaju. At least that’s what they call them here in Canada … not burfi. Was that a pineapple or mango kaju in the picture?

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  49. Lisa at fLVE says:

    Welcome back CCU!!! I left shortly after you and just came back too. Happy 2013. Really enjoyed your India food post. I am considering a future trip to India. Don’t know where yet as it’s such a big country with so many interesting places, but will see…

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  50. gottagetbaked says:

    Welcome back, Uru, and happy New Year! I’ve missed your wonderful posts. I’m so glad you had such a fabulous, delicious time in India (seriously, I was drooling over each photo of the things you ate there. For some reason, that ice cream soda you had at McDonald’s really spoke to me – lol). You deserved to take a break when you got home. Sometimes you need to concentrate on yourself, do nothing, and recharge. I’m so glad that the first thing you posted is this amazing, quadruple chocolate skillet cookie. YUM!

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  53. Coffee and Crumpets says:

    What an awesome trip! You brought back so many memories from my time in India visiting my Nana and Nani….so long ago. I love all the stuff you pictured! The burfi, gulab jamuns, pani puri, idli sambar….oh so yum! And even Qutub minar which I visited when I was so young. Thanks Uru for taking me on a trip too.
    And your cookie looks great…as usual.

    Nazneen

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  55. Suzanne says:

    your making me hungry with all those photos of different foods, but your chocolate chip skillet cookie is looking the best to me, hard to resist chocolate chip cookies.

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  59. Bam's Kitchen says:

    Welcome back CCU! What an amazing foodie trip in India! Did you know it takes one day of recovery for every hour of timezone change? Who has time for recovery but you are younger than me so maybe you can half that time. Take care of yourself and it is good to have you back. BAM

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  60. Kathleen Richardson says:

    Between eating lunch today at an Indian restaurant AND seeing your photos/reading your words, I am feeling extra-full and extra-satisfied. So lovely to have you back, CCU, and glad you had a good vacation with your extended family.

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  61. Suzie says:

    Love all the pictures, the food looks incredible but, those dumplings are calling my name!!! Oh man! I’m glad you had a nice visit. I hope you get your sleep, I know what lack of sleep is like. I have not blogged in over a month so you are doing way better than me!! 😉

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  62. CranberryJamFB (@DangiraVS) says:

    Oh dear.. I am glad you are back 🙂
    On our part of Australia it’s a bit better 😀 today morning was only +27 😀 I am even afraid to go out now :)))

    And I envy you your trip to India. I am still waiting for my first trip to India! 🙂

    You are back to tempt us with those sinful treats again.. How evil.. :)))

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  64. Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} says:

    Welcome back!!!! I hate, hate, HATE night flights. Well, we normally get an early morning flight but have to wake at 1am so still try to sleep on the plane – no fun at all!!!

    And all that food looks divine. And I wonder why I’m always hungry when I’m looking at food blogs in the evening. LOL.

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  68. My Inner Chick says:

    Dear CHoc,
    I’ve missed you!
    The chocolate chip bake looks Deeeeeeelish. Can’t wait to make it.
    I adore the photo of the dogs and chipmonk! Sweeeet.wow.
    I LOoooooVE that you read Anna Karenina. I haven’t even read it yet! Xxxx

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  69. Saskia (1=2) says:

    Welcome home Uru. Thanks for a fab post. Can’t think of anything more delicious than the pani puri – love a bit of food assembly, and this looks very rewarding! The momos look amazing too, and your cookie.

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  70. kalamitykelli says:

    You more than made up for sleeping! The pictures of food were so glorious, I have called my daughter so we can go eat at our favorite Indian place tonight! Just looked too good not to have some! 🙂

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  71. mmmarzipan says:

    Yay CCU! Welcome back! Happy 2013! What a come-back post too… I am SO hungry now! Glad you had such great adventures, culinary and otherwise 🙂 That skillet cookie looks the BOMB, btw! All the best to you for a great year xx

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  74. Inger Wilkerson says:

    Looks like you are well and had a great time–I guess I can see why your body might have wanted rest more than baking when you got back! I have never heard of a skillet cookie before so I may have to try this!

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  77. john@kitchenriffs says:

    Good to see you back! I agree that Anna Karenina is such a compelling read! And jet lag is a drag. I hate those long, long flights – takes a lot to get me to do one even business glass (economy? I refuse.). Great pictures – thanks!

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  78. Balvinder says:

    I can understand the pain of flying in economy flights. Sometimes we do half part of the journey in business and half in economy that way we find some relief from long tiring flight from Vancouver. Great to see you back with worth drooling pictures. Char grilled corn on the cob is one of my favorite roadside treat and I feel like having it right now.

    I really love your skillet cookie. Double the size!

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  79. Daisy@Nevertoosweet says:

    Wow you actually lost weight? 🙂 That means you didn’t eat enough!! Next time you’ll need to eat even more! I would love to try the Long Jamun! I’ve never had these kinds of Indian sweets 😀

    We have the soft serve float now in Melbourne YAY! Hope you get it in Sydney ~

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  80. mjskit says:

    I am now absolutely starving after looking at all of this wonderful food!!!! What a great post to put together while you’re suffering through jetlag. Great pic of you BTW! 🙂

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  82. cookingactress says:

    YOU’RE BAAAACK! OMG those goodies from India are so delectable! And that skillet cookie-ahhh!!!

    Also-stupid American over here. When you said it was hot at 43 degrees I was like “umm…chilly?” then I realized you probs. meant Celsius.

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  84. erika says:

    Holy mother Uru, that food all looks DELICIOUS. I want the dumplings in my face right now. And the pizza with the heavenly cheese. And the paratha. and EVERYTHING. Especially the skillet chocolate chip cookie–I’ve been meaning to use my skillet for some kind of deep dished deliciousness for awhile–that looks perfect!

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  88. Minnie@thelady8home says:

    I knew I was a sloth when it came to taking pictures. I ate SO much, and I did not click anything. I just……..ate!!!!! Grrrrrrr!!!

    And yes, ALL you want to do after coming back is to crawl into bed, and crawl some more, and then some more…..

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  90. jama says:

    Wow! Everything looks out of this world delish! That oozy chocolate muffin is calling my name. Is Burfi made from marzipan? And I want some Momo and paratha!!

    Thanks for the visual feast. Great way to start the New Year :).

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  94. Sandra says:

    Welcome back! I love these pictures and can’t wait to share them with my DIL. Those cookies are dangerous and you must promise to workout with me when I make them. 🙂

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  97. Carolyn Chan says:

    Welcome back Uru ! Sounds (and looks) like you had a fantastic time in India ! Bet you weren’t prepared for the heatwave Sydney is going through now though – hope you stayed cool throughout 🙂

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  98. eat sweet. by carla sue says:

    Thanks for sharing your photos! When we were travelling in the US, I took photos of almost everything we ate, and my friend thought I was crazy for taking photos of so much food 😀 But I love seeing food from different countries! So, I really enjoyed looking at what you ate in India! Sounds like you had a great time 🙂

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  100. Curry and Comfort says:

    Lovely to have you back my Dear!! I loved all the foodie photos of India… very cool. I bet even the McDonalds had some more interesting food options than the ones here in the US.

    Your skillet cookie looks divine. I would make a happy face when I ate it too. 🙂

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  101. viveka says:

    Funny, I thought about you and your calories last evening .. haven’t had any of you for a good while. Some great photos here … I love the wildlife in India – is my favorite – wildlife ???? Brilliant photo your dad took. Enjoy your break and calories.

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  102. LinsFood says:

    Hey CCU! Looks like you had a great holiday! The burfis and Gulab Jamun look awesome! Your picture of the Qutb Minar brings back memories of my first visit to India almost 3 decades ago (omg!), still have pictures of it! Love the idea of this giant skillet cookie, a must do project for my kids, I reckon! Welcome back!

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  104. hotlyspiced says:

    Welcome back Uru. I’ve done those night-flight-economy-flights and they are not good. What an amass of food but you forgot to mention how many kilos you gained eating it all. I would have put on at least five xx

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