Cricket on the Field and Cookie for Treat

There is something about sports which connects the whole world. Be it NFL or baseball or tennis or cricket. May be the love for sports comes from our ancestors - our evolutionary path. Long time back, when we were prey (seems terrifying), speed and strength were quite important. If you can’t run away from a predator, you are gone for good. Only the best ones could survive, eventually impress the society and pass their legacy on. Though we don’t have to worry about the predators these days (as WE have replaced them - irony!), we get our thrill from sports. 

I am not an avid cricket fan but World Cup final is something which you can give a try. New Zealand and Australia fought each other off in the finals yesterday. Martin Guptill (NZ) and Mitchell Starc (AUS) have been the best performers so far and are my favorites. Guptill lost his three toes from a childhood accident - hence known as “Two Toes Guptill”. He has been putting more effort into everything since that accident. And look at him now, top run scorer from the New Zealand team.

Mitchell Starc was a wicket keeper until someone told him to try bowling. His height adds on to his good bowling figure. At times he loses his temper on field, but ironically he loves sweet. Though Australia defeated New Zealand on the cricket battleground but there is something sweet which these two nations have been sharing for a long time. Let us try “Anzac Cookies” off the field. Hope you enjoyed my Australian Cocktails. Now be ready for a “sweet” battle.

Anzac Cookies

Ingredients:-

1/2 cup Coconut,

125 grams Butter,

1 cup Rolled Oats,

1 cup Brown Sugar,

1 tablespoons Water,

1 cup All-purpose Flour,

1/2 tablespoon Soda Bicarb,

2 tablespoons Golden Syrup,

2 tablespoons chopped Pistachios.

Preparation Method:-

1. Sift the flour in a bowl. Add sugar, rolled oats, pistachios and coconut. Melt butter in a pan. Add the golden syrup and water.

2. Stir the soda into the liquid mixture. Add the liquid into the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Place small balls of mixture on a greased tray.

3.Bake at 175 D.C for 20 minutes. Biscuits will become hard when cool. Enjoy with your fav coffee!

Cheers for Australia!

Celebrate Australia Day with Traditional Chocolate Lamington

Australia Day, falling on January 26, has become nation's largest annual public celebration. It brings together Australians from all walks of life. Be sure to grab your spot along the streets of Australia to cheer the bulk parade participants. It's the national day and ultimate time to celebrate with classic and traditional dishes. Australia has a rich variety of food and drinks. Last year I shared with you Australian Cocktails and I'm so glad that everyone loved to dance with those drinks. 

This time I come up with the traditional dessert called Lamington. Lamington are squares of sponge cake that are dipped in melted chocolate and grated coconut. Lamingtons are usually made up of stale cake. I have used fresh cake. So the trick is to freeze it. After this, sauce the lamination when it is slightly frozen. Though I am equally fond of strawberry and raspberry flavor, this time I tried Chocolate Lamington. You can also add in strawberry cream in between the cake as I have done. 

For the Cake:-

3 eggs,

1/4 cup milk,

1/2 cup sugar,

1/4 cup cornflour,

3/4 cup self raising flour,

3 teaspoons melted butter.

For Icing:-

1/2 cup milk,

3 1/2 cups icing sugar,

1/3 cup cocoa powder,

2 teaspoons melted butter,

2 cups desiccated coconut for coating.

Preparation Method for Cake:-

1. Preheat oven to 180 D.C. Now grease and flour a square shaped cake tin. Take a bowl. Beat eggs, sugar, butter and milk in it. Sift this mixture in flour and cornflour mix. Mix until well combined.

2. Pour the mixture into the greased tin. Bake in preheated oven until a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean. Bake time is 25-30 minutes.

3. Allow to cool. Cut into smaller squares. Place in the freezer until it begins to harden, for 1 1/2 hours, uncovered.

Preparation Method for Icing:-

1. Stir butter, milk and cocoa powder, together. Then stir in the icing sugar.

2. Dip frozen cake squares into icing mixture and then into grated coconut.

3. Place on baking paper and allow to defrost. This must take 1 1/2 hours at room temperature.

 Enjoy Australia Day!