Like every year end, I am struck how quickly this year also has come to an end! I just said hello to you all and now, now it is time to say bye for this year!
Are you all prepared for the new year? What resolutions have you made? I think I have given up making resolutions, well, at least one, I won't even mention it here, it is no use, I am firmly convinced! The very fact that, 'that' resolution and a food blog do not pair well... I'm sure all you intelligent readers have guessed it! After all, samajhne wale ko ishara kaafi hai! hai na?! ~wink~
This year was a bit slow on the blog front, but at least I managed to get about 2 posts a month on an average... This year also saw my little one going to school and take his first independent steps outside home, manage on his own for a few hours a day and he did a brilliant job! I am SO proud of my little man! I can say that now, however, earlier in the year when he went to school for the first time and cried, I cried, I sat in my car for 3 hours worrying and biting my nails to bits and gathering my shattered heart and waiting for school day to end so I could scoop up my baby in my arms and hug him tight, real tight!
I still wait for school to end so I can see him run up to me with a big smile and hug him! the crying has stopped! hehehe!
The move from IL to TX was strenuous and to own the truth, though I cribbed a lot, and I mean a lot, about Peoria, but after I settled in and found friends, I quiet liked it there. The pace was slow, the traffic was slow (which suited a scaredy-cat driver like me) and I was happy there as well.
I am now in a big city where the pace suits me fine, eating out is a pleasure but the traffic scares me and all roads look the same! Well, they always have, you know- I am born without 'the sense of direction' gene. Did I tell you all about that, ever? Well, that is one story I shall tell you in the new year!
2012 will be a new beginning for my little man as he starts a new school/Montessori in Dallas. An education system different from the pre-k he attended in IL. I am looking forward to his progress in this new school !
So here is my sweet offering for ringing out the old and ringing in the new! To newer and sweeter beginnings !
You need:
2/3 cup Basmati Rice
1/2 tsp. Green Cardamom , seeded
1/4 tsp Saffron / Kesar
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 cup Water
1/2 cup Almonds, blanched and sliced length wise
2 Tbsp. Pistachios, blanched and sliced lengthwise
4 Tbsp. Ghee /Clarified butter
2 Cloves
Wash and soak rice in plenty of water for 30 mins.
Drain and cook in boiling water till done
Pound cardamom and saffron to a powder ( I used a mortar and pestle)
Mix sugar and water in a pan and cook on low heat to a 2 string consistency
Turn off the heat and add 3/4 of (both) the cut almonds and pistachios
Add powdered cardamom-saffron mix and cooked rice to the sugar syrup
Mix and leave it covered for 2 hours. Stir occasionally
Heat 4 Tbsp ghee for about 30 secs, add cloves
When they change color, add them to the rice mixture.Stir gently
Garnish with remaining nuts.
Serve warm or cold
In the New Year, may your hand always be
stretched out in friendship, never in want.
Happy New Year To all readers of A Cook @ Heart!
