Strawberry Custard Trifle - Happy B'day "Hello Doctor"

I believe everyone needs some kind of craziness in their life.....well......my craziness is my gorgeous baby sister Neetu who turns 20 today.....she is my sometimes  'loner sis'..... 'totally zoned out sis'.....' Poser sis'.... 'zombie sis'..... 'repeat the same clothes over and over again sis'.... 'Hugh Jackmans wife sis'........'CHONKS sis'......'My granny sis'.... 'Singing "hello doctor..dil ki chori ho gayi" in middle of the night sis'.....but most of the time 'Crazzzzy sis'.....and I am totally in love with her.

                                                   Wish you a very Happy Birthday Neetu

Neetu goes totally crazy when she sees strawberries....this one is for you Neets......I am glad you are in my life to drive me crazzzyyyy.....keep posing ....and dreaming......and zoning out....you are one in a billion....

Ingredients

• 1 packet Strawberry Jelly
• 20 Strawberries, chopped
• 100 grams Pound cake/sponge cake (I used store bought)
• 500ml Milk
• 6tbsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Butter (optional)
• 4 tbsp Custard powder
• few strawberries for garnish
• 2 Bananas,sliced (optional)

Method

1. Take individual glasses or one single 8 inch dish.Place the chopped strawberries in the bottom.Set aside.
2. Prepare jelly by following the instructions on the pack and pour on top of the strawberries.let the jelly set in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
3. Prepare custard. Take 150ml or cold or room temperature milk in a bowl and mix in the custard powder,set aside. Pour the remaining milk into a sauce pan,add sugar and mix.Bring the milk to boil and gradually add the custard mix,keep stirring till the custard thickens (use less custard powder if you don't like thick custard) 
4. Let the custard cool down.
5. Remove the set jelly from the refrigerator and put a layer of crumbled cake and pour the custard on top.Set in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
6. Garnish with fresh strawberries.
7. Before serving add in some chopped banana into the custard ,I just love the combination.

Tomato Chilli Prawn / Shrimp

I suck at coming up with a name for a dish....when I came across this recipe.....from my neighbor...who got it from her ex neighbor....who got it from her ex neighbor(figure that out) , it was known as Kashmiri Prawn.....I get it....Kashmiri chilli powder ----extreme north......but.....Curry leaves-------extreme south, so I totally refused to name this dish Kashmiri Prawn......for a second I was so fed up I even thought of naming this dish "Some Prawn"....but that's just me being silly.....I settled with Tomato chilli prawn...you can name it whatever you want.

Recipe Source : Neighbors - ex Neighbors- ex Neighbor (whoever you are....thank you )
Ingredients
Print this recipe

• 1kg Prawn , shelled and de veined (you can use chicken )
• 1/2 cup Curds / Yogurt
• 1 1/2 tbsp Ginger garlic paste
• 3 Green Chillies , chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Turmeric powder
• 3 medium Tomatoes ,ripe
• 3 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder / Red chilli powder
• pinch Red colour ,optional
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 4 tbsp Oil
• 15 to 20 Curry leaves

Method

1. Squeeze out excess water from the prawn* and transfer into a clean bowl, add curds/yogurt ,ginger garlic paste,turmeric powder,green chillies and salt and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
2. Roughly chop tomatoes and grind in a mixie or blender to a fine paste.
3. In a large non stick vessel or wok add 3 tbsp oil and place on medium flame, when oil is hot add add the tomato paste,salt to taste,red color and red chilli powder and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Now add the prawns and mix well.increase the flame to high and cook the prawn till all the liquid is evaporated and you are left with thick red sauce that coats the prawn.Take off the flame and add lemon juice and mix well.
4. Place a small pan on medium flame,add 1 tbsp oil,when hot add curry leaves and stir for few seconds. Add this seasoning to the prepared prawn and serve hot.

*It is important to squeeze out the excess water from the prawn as it releases a lot of water when cooked,if there is lot of water content it will take longer for the liquid to evaporate which means you will have to cook the prawn for a longer time, this will lead to overcooked tough prawn.

Bring it on 2013 - Facing you head on with a hearty breakfast

People....please do me a favor....have a kick-ass 2013......and start each day with a hearty breakfast.

Devina's envy Cherie's pride

This post is for my sister Devina who is not a breakfast person......she always skips it....but I know this is one breakfast she would never ever skip.Miss you Devs, this year I wish for you enough happiness......kind of happiness you won't be afraid of .....does that make sense.......Love you.