
The moment I read the caption "Gourmet Seven" at Radhika's blog 2-3 months back, I was intrigued. It seemed like a foodie adventure trip and I was right when I saw the posts that the talented seven bloggers blogged on a pre decided theme every month.
But somehow I couldn't join them earlier. Luckily this month I could step in to fill a vacant spot. So here's my first post as pert of the "Gourmet Seven". Well if you are still wondering what its all about, then let me explain. Every month a group of seven bloggers choose a theme and post a recipe on that theme at the beginning of the month for a week. And this month's theme is none other than English breakfasts. Yes the well famed and highly regraded spread of English delights that find their presence on the breakfast table.


Some flavors are shy..they take their own sweet time to mingle with your tastebuds. While others are flirtatious, they tease your senses, but never really become yours. And then there are few rare breed which become yours forever from the moment you savor them for the first time. Garlic Bread for me belonged to this rare category. Ever since I tasted it at Pizza Hut in India, about 10-12 years back, when the pizza chain came to India, I remember having taken to this new flavor with full fervor. And years later, I never miss having a bite of it, whenever we visit any pizzeria.


Hello everyone! I'm sure by now, after all the festive celebrations, yearly roundups and some high ideal resolution making, life is back to its routine. Great, now we can chat without the fireworks and marathon cookie baking session to interrupt us. Just kidding, hope 2012 is proving great in every sense of the word.
Today while doing my usual blog hopping and blog discovery, I came across the term BC. Now only difference was that this signified a life "before child". How true is that?? As all mothers out there will nod there heads in great unity about a life that seems to be from a different era. The one that was where time was at our mercy, not the other way round. The only planning needed was to utilise it and not in how to squeeze precious moments for ourselves.


I believe in signs. And in coincidences. Since happening of two incidents simultaneously is also a sign. No not in the superstitious - 'black cat crossed my way' kind. But in a positive way. Or as said by Paulo Coehlo in Alchemist, "When you really want something, the whole universe conspires to make it happen". No please don't expect anything dramatic after reading this line repeated by Sharukh Khan in 'Om Shanti Om'.
Unfortunately the whole universe has never conspired to make me the richest woman on earth. Nor has it magically taken away all my extra pounds to give a figure to die for. But still it puts a smile on my face with small happy co-incidences.

So when I came back from a relaxing holiday from Europe, I had already missed 10 days of even knowing what the Daring Baker's Challenge was. Forget about baking for the challenge. And after I got over the fatigue, unpacking and laundry, half the month had flipped past. So I knew it was best to skip this month's challenge but still curiosity got better of me.
And finally on 16th, I sat down on my sofa with a box of macaroons I got from a bakery in Paris, to check the challenge. So imagine my expression when I read the header of the challenge was "Fresh, Fluffy, French". No it was not macaroons, that would have been too filmy. But it was French Croissants, what I ate for most of my mornings during the vacation. And what I had been craving for even after coming back.

Now that was a sign - to relive my trip memories. And most importantly to recreate the taste so fresh in my mind. If you know me you would know that I would not have dared to bake puff pastry from scratch at this stage of my baking experience. That too a recipe from none other the last word on French cooking (at least for me) - Julia Child. Now how could I say no to that?
Bread
Guest Post by Melanger: Voisilmapulla - Finnish Butter Buns
6:42 AM

This is the post that I had been eagerly waiting to post for quite some time. Today I have the opportunity to introduce (if any introduction needed) to one of favourite baking blogs and the person behind it. Julia of Melanger Baking. Thanks Julia for accepting my invite and sharing your kitchen secrets with us.
From the moment I chanced upon her blog, I knew it was going to be a regular visit. Amidst so many great blogs around, what struck me most about her space was the innate homely feel about it. No fancy ingredients, no decorative toppings. But a trained hand that with a touch of warmth and love, transports you to a world of comfort. Just what I like about about cooking or baking – unpretentious comfort.
From the moment I chanced upon her blog, I knew it was going to be a regular visit. Amidst so many great blogs around, what struck me most about her space was the innate homely feel about it. No fancy ingredients, no decorative toppings. But a trained hand that with a touch of warmth and love, transports you to a world of comfort. Just what I like about about cooking or baking – unpretentious comfort.
From then on, I was hooked to her engaging writing style and her great recipe depository. But the best surprise was yet to come. When after seeing a monthly theme of “Fruits & Nuts in Baking” on her blog, I asked her about way to participate (just like we do with our events). And was so very pleasantly surprised when she told me her themes are only for herself. A way to focus on a particular area of learning.
So every month she challenges herself with a theme and creates new recipes on the theme, with topics ranging from 'French Pastry” to “Everyday Cakes” to the latest “Home made vs Store Bought”. Now how can I not admire a person who sets her own benchmarks and challenges to do better? Now hopefully we know the secrets of becoming even better...or maybe not. For that let's welcome Julia.
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Pulla dough is popular in my home. But the first time I baked these particular Finnish butter buns was the same the weekend I received Anamika’s email asking if I would like to do a guest post on her blog. (Of course I would!)
Pulla dough is popular in my home. But the first time I baked these particular Finnish butter buns was the same the weekend I received Anamika’s email asking if I would like to do a guest post on her blog. (Of course I would!)
So it seemed only fitting that I share this particular recipe, which I received from my lovely friend in Finland, then baked in my kitchen in Australia, and shared on Anamika’s blog in Bahrain, for all her readers around the world!
Thank you Anamika for the opportunity to publish share a guest post with all your readers.

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Bread
To the spirit of Mumbai- Pav Bhaji
10:45 PM

It's so ironical that I'm posting this when Mumbai is trying to spring back from it's most recent setback. The blasts!! My heart is filled with anger, empathy, fear and hatred in equal measures for those who escaped once again from the hands of law. Seems as if has to pay the price of being the heart of India, in every sense of the word. Just that this post was written well in advance for my first appearance on Honest Cooking and now its my dedication to the spirit of this effervescent city.

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Now I have to firmly believe that anything is as easy or tough as one wants to believe it as. Or rather its the lack of knowledge that leads one to see something as tough. You must be wondering why I am getting so philosophical. Just that while my dough for the bread was rising, I was looking back slightly (in time) and was realized how till a year back, I had never placed my hand inside an oven (no not for burning, but for baking), how I had never ever baked a cake in my life, how till few months back I didn't know that normal people can also make bread at home, how till few months back I didn't know how to manage a blog and how till a month back I didn't what ISO & aperture priority means and how till yesterday I didn't know how to change the focal points in my camera....Yes some may say ignorant of me. But I'm seeing the other side of the coin..of what desire to learn can make one discover. I am loving the journey of learning as much the as the joy of discovering. And your feedback and appreceation is making it even more special. Keep it coming!
Baked Goodies
A step ahead - Baking pull apart rolls
2:52 PM
A step at a time. Now learning the sense of this common saying. After all not so long ago I was even scared to switch on the mighty oven that came with my electric cooker in Dubai.
Well in India baking is surely not as common as it in west, so making breads is definitely not on our kitchen list. Nevertheless having tried my hand at some good cakes and cookies, it's time to enter the dreaded bread area. And I did that by taking the baby step by making this easy pull apart rolls. By the way did I mention this was my first hand acquaintance with Mr. Yeast as well.
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Deep Fried Indulgence - Cheesy Bread Rolls
10:34 PM
In my opinion, and guess of many others, food is not just about taste. Don't get me wrong - of course it's about taste and much more. It's about living, reliving and creating a moment. Many a times you relive your childhood with your mom's freshly baked cake or your wife's love in her thai curry. So it's not just the taste of food that makes it special but the experience and the memory it brings or creates. And one such favourite memory of mine is indulging in deep fried snacks - mostly samosas, pakodas and rolls - while cuddling in a duvet in chilly winters with a hot cup of tea. Ahmm sheer bliss.
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