HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

It's that time of the year when I bake Lamingtons. Usually, I would make a tower of Lamingtons along with a separate big cake for him to cut. Since we were away from each other for the last couple of birthdays, I decided to make him one big tower of  his most favourite Lamingtons and took the other cake off the list so that he can concentrate on his most favourite thing! This is the first birthday where Ian was with him. Ian was super excited to cut the cake and was super shy when asked to feed a piece of cake to his Appa.

Honestly,I look forward to eating them every year now. Even though these can be baked throughout the year I chose not to. Special things are meant for special occasions only...atleast in our little world!

You can find the recipe here.

QUICK & EASY COCONUT MACAROONS

One thing that I've found common between Appan and Jobin is their liking for the candybar, Bounty. I completely, wholeheartedly hate it...so does Amma and forget about Ritchie boy! I have no idea how people can relish it.At the same time, I am a big fan of Lamingtons and I must say it's only because of Jobin that I've started liking them and now I like them so much that I wait for his birthday every year so that I can make it.

I am also known for scraping the coconut topping from Puttu and the coconut stuffing from Idiappam. Nevetheless I like a good coconut macaroon! If that coconut macaroon is dipped in chocolate, it's even better! I found it funny that it almost tastes like Bounty but I hate Bounty! Ack! It's way too confusing! :-)

When I'm in a good mood or when we run out of our daily quota of a sweet bite, I ask Jobin what does he want me to make next. His standard answers include Jalebi, Bavarian Cream Torte,Coconut Macaroons, Madeleines, Boondi Ladoo & Kalakand. Recently he asked me why I haven't been baking French Macarons and my immediate reaction was,'Do you like it that much?' and he said,'Yes!'.

So I started saving up egg whites to make some French Macarons for him but in the end I though I'd surprise him and bake some coconut macaroons instead! The confused Gemini soul was torn between the French & the American treat so when he called home from work, I popped the question to him and all he said was,'You chose.' Alright! Macaroons it is! I need to make something new :-)

QUICK & EASY COCONUT MACAROONS
Recipe source:Taste of Home
Makes 15 nos.

Ingredients:
1 1/3 c dessicated/flaked unsweetened coconut
1/3 c sugar
2 tbsp flour
1/8 tsp salt
2 egg whites (no need to whisk or beat)
1/2 tsp vanilla

Method: Pre-heat the oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together coconut, sugar,flour & salt. Add the whites and vanilla to it and mix well. You will have a nice soft dough. Spoon them onto the baking sheet using a teaspoon and bake for 20 mins or until golden brown (I wanted little conical macaroons and hence the shape).Let them cool completely on a cooling rack and then ,store in airtight tins.

These were really really good! Crisp on the outside, soft, moist and slightly chewy in the centre. I don't think you can find an easier recipe than this...it's very simple to make! So the next time you have a guest on a short notice for tea/ coffee, you can whip up a batch of these and while they are baking in the oven you can go get ready to welcome your guest :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

I made his childhood favourite, Lamingtons as his 1st cake for the day. The 2nd cake for the day will follow :)

For the recipe,click here