Saffron and Spice, and talk so nice!

Since many days now, we of the Bangalore members of Saffron Tree wanted to get together. After many days of deliberation, we decided to meet at Vibha's place, on Friday. One, Vibha was the first one who generously suggested her place. Two, the other compelling reason to meet there was a promised visit to the Pratham Books office.

Since A was at home due to her vacations, we decided to go there earlier in the afternoon. Choxbox was not sure of being able to make it, and couldn't. Artnavy  said that she would come minus her kids, as did Poppin's mom.   Ranjani was going to come around tea-time with her two, and Satish was to meet us when he would come to pick them up later in the evening.

So there we were, six of the Bangalore ST, hogging on some very yummy food made by Vibha, with a little something by all of the others. Vibha had made some very crisp and spicy alu-tikki with tamarind chutney, chole-puri, moong dal halwa (very labour intensive!), veg noodles, blackcurrent cheesecake and all of this washed down with piping hot ginger tea. The kids- Ranjani & Satish's two, Vibha's two and A- freaked out on the noodles. There were some goodies brought by the others too. Ranjani got some beet-root halwa which was a hit, Poppin's mom had brought some mithai and I had taken some saffron rice- what we call sakhar bhath/keshar bhath in Marathi. The Kashmiris have a version of it they call zafraani pulao, and in the south there is a version called sakrepongal. Call it what you will, it is yummy and I think everyone liked it.

Here is the recipe for anyone who wants to try making a quick, yet fairly rich dessert. These measurements will serve 8 if the rice is meant only for dessert.

1 cup raw rice (any indian variety will do)
1 cup sugar
1tbsp pure ghee
A few cloves and whole green elaichi pods
A big pinch of saffron
Juice of one lemon
1/4 tsp salt
Raisins, Almonds, cashew-nuts...to choice

Wash rice and drain for 10 mins. Heat ghee in a large (preferably non-stick) vessel, put elaichi pods and cloves. Then add rice and saute for some time. Add exactly double (in this case 2 cups) hot water, bring to boil, lower heat, add pinch of salt, cover and let rice cook for 10-15 mins. Switch off gas and let stand undisturbed for few mins.

Then take the rice out in a large pan, fluff it out, mix in juice of 1 lemon, and allow to cool a little.

In the meantime, take sugar in same vessel, add exactly half the amount-in this case 1/2 cup- water, boil to make sugar syrup. Add raisins, chopped nuts, saffron. When it boils well for 5-6 mins, add the rice. Saute till liquid gets absorbed, then cover and let steam for another 3-4 mins on sim. Let stand for a few mins. Done.

This dish actually tastes better on the next day. So I usually make it in advance and refrigerate it.

Vibha has also very kindly shared her recipe for the (EGGLESS!) cheesecake. With her permission I would like to include it here. It is super easy to make in a microwave, and very light too.

1 big packet Marie biscuits /plain crackers 
100 g butter ( salted )
1 tin sweet condensed milk (Amul Mithai Mate 400g used here)
Curd / Yogurt measured in the condensed milk tin
Topping - Blackcurrent crush, Strawberry crush, anything else of your choice

Grind Marie biscuits and mix with the butter in microwaveable bowl. After mixing well make a firm base by pressing down evenly. Keep it in refrigerator for 10 min. Whip condensed milk and curd (can use the mixie). Pour gently onto the base. Microwave for 5 mins on Medium High power. Cool in fridge and then add topping of your choice.. Serve and enjoy!

The kids had a ball. The two boys were out of the house and on the playground except when they were eating. The three girls too were out of the house and on the playground for a lot of time, except when they were eating or when the older two were trying to baby-sit Ranjani's younger one!

Since this was not a meeting for official purposes, the talk was more to get to know each other. There was some talk about books, of course. That was natural, as we all wrote for Saffron Tree, and it could not be otherwise. But it was more on the lines of our and our kids' experience of books. There was also a lot of talk (again inevitable) about food, especially since we were women with such a mouth-watering spread in front of us.

I had been to the Pratham books office earlier in the afternoon after Vibha had picked me up from a landmark near her house. It was the first time that I had seen such a large collection of their books in one place, although they could do with a better display. I picked up some books in Marathi for A, something that can be done only on Mumbai trips. At costs ranging from Rs 20-80, and topics from both fiction and non-fiction, they are a steal. Artnavy and Poppin's mom went later in the afternoon.

Satish was there later in the evening, after office. Choxbox was greatly missed. As also were her kids, and Artnavy's and Poppin's mom's kids. Hopefully we can have a full quorum at a future date.

Ranjani and Satish very kindly dropped us at our gate on their way home. The conversation in the car between her little one and A was hilarious, and kept us entertained all along the way.

I have made some very good friends. All these days, I knew Choxbox well, had met Artnavy, but corresponded with others only online. So here I have a set of friends who share my interest in kids' books. That feels good. Thanks, Vibha, for hosting this get-together!