Mission to make the perfect Fruit cake

My cousin really enjoys fruit cakes and constantly complains that there is nothing like homemade fruit cake. I have never baked fruit cakes before, so I resorted to food blogs in hope of finding something that I will be able to recreate and Voila I came across Mishmash. More than the recipe itself, it was the pictures that tempted me to try this recipe and I did.

First of all Thanks a lot to Mishmash for posting such a wonderful recipe, it was a really wonderful write up. The recipe was really descriptive and easy to follow. Based on the comments I thought it would be really hard to find some of the ingredients such as tutti frutii, but here in Toronto I managed to find everything at Bulk Barn. I had marinated the fruits in Bacardi Gold rum for a week in advance. The only thing that I found difficult was making the caramel for the recipe. I didn’t quite understand when to stop, I had burned my first batch, the second batch I took off the stove too early and it was on the third try that I got it right. I used a non-stick skillet for making the caramel and I found that it really helped. To those who want to try this recipe out I have included some pictures which hopefully would help.

The cake just came out of the oven, my house is filled with such a beautiful aroma that words cannot describe. It states in the recipe that I have to wait 5 days before cutting it, keeping my hands off the cake is going to be more difficult than making the cake it self.

Take care

Mithra

Ps. A fun fact about fruit cakes: In the 1700 in Britain there were laws restricting the use of fruit cakes to special occasions such as Christmas, Weddings or Funerals.

Happy Birthday!

a Very Happy Birthday and Many more returns of happiness and good health to a VERY special friend, Who introduced me to the world of e-books. Good number of books in my e-library are from her kind contribution. Thanks you so much and all the best in your life Ma

With Love and Regards
Mithra

Minnalin oru Thuli

I have just read Minnalin oru thuli by Jey Sakthi. First of all I am quite taken by the importance that she places in her novels to the family members of the protagonists. Also the amount of patience and understanding displayed by the heroin, which is something that I believe young ladies of this generation lack. This is something that is not evident in books by Ramani amma, in her books, more emphasis is placed on the lady of the book (with the exceptions of very few books) and as I see it not enough importance is given to family relationships. I am always awed by the joint family concept, however since my marriage was a love marriage against both of our families wishes I didn’t get chance to be part of one. That wish is being partly fulfilled now, as we live near one of his cousin sister, whose house is always filled with people, all her brothers and in-laws live within walking distance and we all get together at least once a week.

When you are die hard fan of Ramani amma (RC) its bit hard to accept books written by other authors, it was the case for me too, I don’t appreciate the writing of Jey Sakthi (JS) madam, its drags on at parts and makes me skim over pages, but it’s the little things in her work that keeps me reading. Such as the Koyamputhoor accent that is evident in the books, the little romantic incidents between the couple and thoughtful happenings that keep the reader hooked. When comparing JS and RC, the names in RC books are always different (Madhurima for instance) whereas in JS books the names of the protagonist are always pure tamil (Illanchellian or Maanvizhi). Hats off for using Tamil names.

I really enjoyed the way Parani proposes to his loved one in this novel, the respect and care that the couple give to their elders. Another part of this book that I must share is at one point they are talking about no matter how modernized or intellectual women they can’t give up gossiping (especially in India), and they quote a poem to illustrate this point:

பெண்ணே!

அடுப்பிலே குழம்பு

இடுப்பிலே குழந்தை

நடுப்பகலில் ஊர் வம்பு

உடைத்து வெளிவருவது எப்போது?

Unfortunatly they don’t mention who the author to this is. But I think it beautifully makes a point.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and it is a must read and I would rate is 4 stars out of 5. share your thoughts on this book and other books by Jey Sakthi Madam…..

Mithra