I'm back. :)

So.. I know that I deserve a punch on the face because It's been more than an year since I last posted the first post on this blog. Well, it's not like I was flooded with emails and messages asking me to post again or anything. Not that even a single living being cared when I started this blog or when I stopped posting. But then that shouldn't even be a factor right?! I started this blog for me. Because I like to cook, eat and write and what to do better than write about the things that I cook and eat because I like it! Well this is a food blog and not a personal diary. So I'm not gonna bore you with the conversations of my sub conscious with itself. But yeah.. these are a few things that I don't mind sharing if you don't mind listening. 

I've always loved cooking and as far as I remember, always is from 2nd or 3rd grade. It was not part of my future plans then. But by the time I was 15, I had this new option in my list of career possibilities – being a chef. Well, my parents in the beginning weren't really sure about it being the best option for me,. But it was my thousand uncles and aunties and cousins and neighbors who made it a point to tell me that it was a stupid idea and that the scope for a girl to thrive in that testosterone dominated was minuscule.

So when I had an option of choosing Culinary management over a safe trade after graduating from school, I chickened out. Though I am ashamed of this fact, I would never call that a mistake I made in life because that one year in Christ University, Bangalore was totally worth it. New friends, first time in a hostel, different culture, our amount of stupid fun and how can I forget the huge amount of life lessons that came with it! But when you are destined to be something or someone, and you really really want that thing, it has a way of coming to you and once you decide to go with it, the changes will be drastic and risky and uncertain. But if you have awesome family and friends like mine and a thousand Disney movies to ensure you that “All Is gonna be Well”, things shouldn't be tough.

Currently, I'm doing my Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Hotel administration in Institute of Hotel Management and Catering technology, Mumbai previously (and even now locally ) known as Dadar Catering college. And yes, I'm happy now. I'm happy about the fact that what I'm doing is what I always wanted to do. About the fact that when I'm old and guilty and in case my life is crappy, I won't feel that I failed because I refused to take risks and decided to play it safe.

I like it here. I like it that I have to work my ass off everyday in the college. I like Mondays when I have to go to the kitchen super early and work for hours straight. Cuts and burns and steam and heat and chefs shouting at you. And the adrenaline rush. It's like the hell I'd like to call my heaven. And the best feeling is when you come back home and fall onto the bed drained but satisfied.

Well, what is gonna come of me once I get out of the institute is different. I might not be hired at all. I might be very bad at it if at all I'm hired. I might even end up being a housekeeper or an F and B or Front office personnel. Not that these jobs aren't great or any lesser. But these are not something that I even remotely want in my life. But however things turn out to be, I'll never feel that whatever is wrong with my life is so because I didn't have the nerve to try and take a few risks for something that I really really wanted. After all, what is life without a few risks, a bit of drama and some incredibly amazing moments with the kind of people and dreams that you cherish. 

Pizza Italiano

(Serves 4)

The title is just a decor. Pizza is originally Italian based but this one’s a masterpiece- a combined effort of many brains, all of Indian origin. Let’s keep it simple. While bringing it to life from the bits of info I dug up from the various cook books, a few changes were made to keep it plain and simple. So, believing that this recipe will help the servant-less cooks (or wannabe cooks) to make great pizzas and seize appreciation from even food-haters, I present you the hottest recipe of Pizza Italian-o!

The most important part of a pizza is the base. There are 2 options. Either, you can buy a readymade pizza base from a nearby bakery or you can make it own your own. Buying is the easiest method. But I‘d prefer making it as it is cheaper, simple and more fun.

Things you would need for the base (if you’re not buying it!):

Flour

Butter

Yeast

Baking powder

An oven (preferably, with CRISP option)

How to get started:

Take 1 teaspoon yeast in a bowl and add a few tablespoons of lukewarm water, a pinch of salt and about half a teaspoon sugar to it. (The water should be about 60 degrees hot. The first time I made the base, I put in boiling water and literally burned up the poor creatures!) Leave it undisturbed for nearly half an hour. Take a little less than 250 gram flour in a bowl. Add a modest amount of water, the yeast mixture, and the rest- butter (about 3-4 teaspoons). Mix it into dough with your hands or a mixer into elastic dough. Forgetting the salt would be a disaster. The quantity of baking soda should be adjusted, say 1-2 pinches, or it would start getting the distinguishing tang. Leave it undisturbed at least for 2 hours.

Usually, the crisp plate is always pre-heated before arranging the ingredients. But for a pizza it isn’t done. Butter the crisp plate lightly. Place the dough in the crisp plate and evenly layer it across the plate. Microwave cooking always happens from outside to inside, so it is okay to leave the edges a little thicker than the middle portions. Prick all over with a fork.

Leave the set up in crisp option in your oven in full power for a suitable time (usually, its 10 minutes or more).

Your base will finally be ready.

The other most important part of the pizza is its topping. While determining the topping you should keep in mind small factors like- ingredients, arrangement, whether to add a sauce or not and if yes which? And many other basics (Although, I admit that the first time I made it I did not care much!).

Things you would need for the topping:

Tomatoes

Cheese (loads of them)

Minced chicken (no pressure! You can elude it if you want.)

Capsicum

Onion

How to do:

Dice the onions, tomatoes and capsicum . Season it with salt and cook in the crisp option for nearly 7 minutes. If you are planning to make a non-veg pizza, minced chicken is a good option. Mince cooked meat using a mixer, add some masala and salt and then cook till it’s ready. Mix the already cooked vegetables and the chicken. Our topping is all set.

Take out the base. Spread the topping mixture evenly on the base and sprinkle the sauce if you have decided to add one. Add lots of grated cheese to taste. Cook in the same old crisp option for about 5 minutes more and your aromatic and appetizing, healthy and hot, luscious and lip smacking pizza is ready to serve.

Note:

You can vary the toppings, the procedure, and the ingredients while cooking.

Always remember, you are the master of your kitchen. So, never hesitate to make necessary changes in the recipe and provide your classic touch to it. And if you feel I am mistaken or that I should know something - I am always open for updates and corrections.

Happy cooking! (Reminder: My kitchen is never responsible for the burned stew in your kitchen!)