Choco chip cookies - Recipe.

Chocolate chip cookies was on my to do list like forever. I had Chocolate chips and butter, eggs and all the baking staples but, never found the perfect recipe.

Finally, while browsing Fb found Fondbites. This is one of my favorite baking site. I used to be part of their bake alongs sometime back. Found the choco chip and made it.

 It was delicious. Especially, while warm I devoured two of them.
There was a small change though. I ran out of maida and added wheat flour instead. Worked out as a healthy option too.

Here's the recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups flour (I used 1 cup maida, 1/2 cup wheat flour)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tspn baking soda
• a pinch of salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 100 grams unsalted butter
• 1 tspn vanilla essence

METHOD

• Line a baking tray using butter, ghee or oil or even parchment paper
• Preheat oven at 180 degrees for 10 mins
• In a bowl, melt butter to liquid form, cool it down.
• Add sugar and beat with electric beater on high for about 5 mins.
• Add the egg and beat gently, add vanilla essence and mix well.
• Sift flour, salt and baking soda and add this to the butter and egg mixture.
• I used my hands at this stage.
• The mixture was a bit too sticky and wet, so I added 2 tbspns more flour and it was the right consistency now.
• Add the choco chips and incorporate well.
• Make small round balls and place on the baking tray at a nominal distance.
• The heat is going to melt this and bring it in the form of a cookie so note the distance here.
• Bake for 15 mins. I kept an eye on mine at 10 mins and took it out by 15 mins. 

Let it cool and devour to your hearts content. Trust me you can't stop.

Store in an airtight container. 

Lloyd's Tea house - Restaurant review!

Lately I've been visiting Lloyd's tea house regularly. like say, once a month and I've always had something to drink there. Once, I had the Bruschetta platter and I was kinda ok with the taste. I could make that at home.

But, last week on a Sunday evening the boy and me decided to have something there as we were really hungry. Read through the menu and the boy decided on Pan Seared Basa with Pesto while I had Chicken Lasagna. 

The Lasagna came in first, we loved it and half way through the Basa arrived and we never let it go. The basa was accompanied with a salad, sauteed vegetables and mashed potato. The mashed potato was out of this world. The food was great and great ambiance too. We finally ended with something warm. The boy had peppermint tea while I had my favorite Hazelnut cappucino (I've never had such an amazing cappucino anywhere). We thoroughly enjoyed our food.

The service was good and the place is a great one to try

Here are the pictures.

The chicken lasagna.

The pan seared basa with pesto.

The basa alone. It was divine.

The accompaniments.

The beverages.

Overall, a wonderful dinner and the total cost was Rs 1011 including vat. The cost is a bit on the higher side but, wonderful food.

Rating ****.5/5 minus 0.5 for the price.

Until next time.

Perks of being a teacher - Part II

Here I am again with the series - Perks of being a teacher. I'm glad I received several comments on the Part I and I enjoyed reading and writing it too.

Today, the Perks of being a teacher are Semester breaks. Oh yes, I love this profession for this reason as well. Which job pays you to sit at home?. That's just another benefit however, there are more to list and they are on their way.

So, I had this 10 day break last week and I so loved it. The early morning chaos and routine was given a pause button and I took all the rest I needed though I missed my kids from school at times.
Throughout this time I baked, went for walks, slept like there's no tomorrow and helped with the boy getting prepped for work. I watched Breaking Bad back to back.

Now, I'm back to school but, recalling that break feels good and I believe every profession needs this as it helps you reflect on your life and unwind. No stress involved.
I've worked in a corporate, as a nurse, as a Nursing tutor and at a Hospital in administration but, nothing gave the amount of happiness and rest I receive from Teaching.

Hope you enjoyed reading. 

Until next time and the next Perk. 

This is written for #MondayMusings on WriteTribe.