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December 7, 2007

Candy Cake with lots of love

I Owe It All To Mother!
It’s your birthday, Mom.
So I will raise a cheer.
For without you, wondrous person,
I would not be here.
Yes, I owe it all to you, Mom.
From the time that I was small,
You encouraged me in everything,
And tried not to let me fall.
Throughout my life your caring,
Brightened each and every minute.
You loved me and enriched my life,
And I’m so glad to have you in it!




I came across this wonderful poem on a site called http://www.poemsource.com/ and this poem was penned by Karl Fuchs.


Today is the birthday of one of the most important people in my life. She's the lady that many of you admire without even having met her. The lady who broke many barriers in her lifetime, most without even her own knowledge. She travelled to the United States when she was just 20. That too, in the late 50s when most people in India didn't get to travel within their own cities. She married of her own choice, outside her community. Switched careers half way through to be able to have a full time career and raise her two children with no compromise. She has been my source of strength when I've faced trouble at work. She's the woman who called me at 2 a.m. because she knew I'd be awake after a painful breakup. I can count on her to laugh with me and double my joy and to cry with me to reduce my pain. As I always say, "If I can achieve, in my lifetime, even a tenth of what she has so far, I'll count this life a successful one." She says she's lucky to have gotten a great family, but we feel we're luckier because we got her.



I didn't bake this cake today. It was my colleague's birthday about a month ago. And I decided to bake a little cake for her. As you can all see from the picture, I'm not exactly great when it comes to decorating my cakes. I have a long way to go. This is yet another recipe adapted from my much used and much loved Ann Pillsbury's Baking Book. The recipe calls for chocolate bits and I ran out of chocolate chips. So, I decorated the top with chocolate vermicelli and confetti. I should really be saying that I tried to decorate the cake.




P, my colleague for whom I baked this, was thrilled to bits. She didn't expect me to get her a cake. And she said this was the first time someone baked her something for her birthday. Well, she liked it. And that is all that really matters.



2 cups Flour

4 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

3/4 cup Sugar

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Oil

2 eggs

3/4 cup Milk

1 tsp Vanilla Essence


1/2 cup Chocolate Chips

Butter and flour for dusting



Sift all the dry ingredients for the cake together into a food processor jar with the dough blade. Pour in all the liquid ingredients and run the processor for 2 minutes. Pour into a prepared pan and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the batter and bake for 30 minutes at 350F.

I will be making something special today or tomorrow to celebrate. Two other special people also celebrate their birthdays. My friend and partner in crime from my college days, Subha, is one of them. My best friend's daughter, Meghana, turns one today. I was to travel to Madras today and celebrate this special day with my family. But my plans changed. I will be visiting next month. In the meanwhile, I have sent a bunch of roses and a chocolate cake. That's really the best I could do. That's the simplest way for me to be able to say:
Happy Birthday Amma.

21 comments:

Sreelu said...

Raaga, we both have one thing in common, today is my mom's b'day too. She like yours is my source of strenght. Thank god for mothers !!.
and Happy Birthday to your mom .

Suganya said...

A very happy birthday to your genius mom. She should guest post in yr blog someday, Raaga.

Padmaja said...

Raaga!! I am totally amazed by your cake n My birthday wishes to you mom!!
Amazing poem eh!!

Srivalli said...

Raaga, many happy returns to your Mom, I feel good that we all feel the same. Mothers are great.


that cake is fabulous...you are great baker and decoration is out of the world..simply looks great..

Raks said...

Happy birthay to your mother raaga:)

Aarti said...

Ahhhh,wish i had known earlier..anyways, shallcall n wish her tomorrow :)

the cake looks yummmy... the colors on top brighten it up di...

how u doing? missing for a while..travelling???

Namratha said...

A very Happy Birthday to your super mom Raaga,that's a wonderful cake!

Mansi said...

hey raaga, wish your mom from my side too, though I'm sure she's still having all eyes for your wonderful cake full of sprinkles and love!! nice one girl:)

Nupur said...

That cake is adorable. Making something for someone- there is no sweeter gesture. Happy Birthday to your mommy!

Keith's Ramblings said...

Hi Raaga -we've not met but I'm so pleased I stumbled upon your site. I am a chef in the UK with a passion for all things Indian, from cuisine to culture. Each year I try to visit a different part of your beautiful country. Your posts and links are an inspiration to me!

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Belated birthday wishes to your mother. Your cake looks nice. I pesonally know how difficult decorating a cake can be. And anyway, the proof of the cake is in the eating!

Seema said...

Lovely cake, sure mom's proud of her little daughter! Roses & cake - Sure mom was excited, its the thought that matters the most.
Happy B'day Mom!

Anonymous said...

raga - happiest birthday to your mom. i just tried your capsicum mushroom toast, it was GENIUS, and seeing as your mom has been a huge fator in shaping that genius - i am deeply grateful to her:-) quick q - while the mushrooms added so much to the texture and taste, many people i would like to imrpess with this (incl. my mom!!) do not eat mushrooms - can you suggest an equally satisfying substitute please? thanks so much!

Swati said...

Hi Raga
Its such a sweet gesture ...your mom must be so proud of you....
Its a very sweet decoration too...am glad u found the decorations :)

Rajitha said...

A very happy belated b'day to ur mom raaga..it is very evident how proud you are of her :)

Shella said...

Hey though late, wishing your mom good health & happines. The cake looks delish. Raaga, since you are putting up in Gurgaon, may I ask you for a help?? Would you mind too much telling me where I can get choco chips from?? I have tried some big stores on my side of the town, but failed to get them. I'll be really obliged if you could let me know. Thanks

Sig said...

Happy birthday to your Amma Raaga... She is an amazing woman, and she is so lucky to have a loving daughter like you...

KonkaniBlogger said...

Hi Raaga,

The cake looks really yummy..Hope ur mom had a nice b'day...

Sagari said...

beautiful cake and wish your mom a wonderful birthday

Raaga said...

Thanks all. I'll pass on the wishes for sure.

All Delhiites... my sprinkles are what I brought from Chennai... same with the choco chips... have yet to find a store in Delhi. All help is appreciated.

Am down with a terrible fever and cold at the moment.

Miri said...

Tis the thought that counts - and what lovely ones there in that poem and in the cake for your friend!

Get well soon.....I think you're in Gurgaon?, but I only recently discovered Morning Store in GK i M block market which seemed to have everything I needed.Bit far for you I guess...

I will never curse Nilgiris again, is my new mantra! ;)