The Reward by R. Singh

I received this book for review by the publisher. After going through the synopsis, I was interested in reading it and reviewing it.

The Reward by R Singh is set is Tijuana where the protagonist, Antonio spent his childhood. Before Tijuana became a murder capital, it was a land of stereotypes for tourists. For many, it has always been home. The novel starts with a flashback to 1970 and builds to a cartel killing in 2002. Along the way, kids grow up, live their dreams and face their nightmares. Scattered details turn out to be pieces of a frightening puzzle that locks together perfectly.

Antonio is dying of kidney failure and it is in his end moments that he writes this memoirs for his loved ones. Reading it today we realize how it was to be growing up in Tijuana in a tumultuous period, how the surrounding shaped the mindset and future of the people like Antonio and his friend Ramon. The author takes you through the changes that has occurred in the region over the years and how the transformed Mexico shaped Antonio's destiny. The author has given such vivid description of the regions, of the roads and the coastal areas that you can actually visualize it in your mind. I enjoyed reading about the childhood days of Antonio and how he took pleasure in surfing in the sea, walking and running on the beach. It seemed refreshing. I could well understand why his mother wanted him to learn English, as she could foresee that in future that would be language through which he would be able to communicate with the world.

But there was something about the novel that did not appeal me. It constantly takes you to the darker side of life and makes you feel helpless to the point that it is depressing. Perhaps that is the reason that even the book was of only 145 pages, I took around 6 days to complete reading it. It is a thought provoking story that kept me engaged and I had to keep coming back to it to read it till the end.

A evocative and well paced story that takes you through the journey of a young Mexican who grew up in a place that transformed radically with time and so was his destiny.

Coffee and Chocolate Pudding (Eggless) | How to Make Coffee and Chocolate Pudding | Chocolate Recipes

Coffee and Chocolate Pudding #Recipes

Coffee and Chocolate Pudding is a self-saucing dessert. It is chocolatey (quite evident), gooey and almost tastes like a fudge brownie.

I had somehow missed the mail from Divya about the November Sweet Punch but as the time came emails were pouring into my inbox with links from bloggers who participated in the punch this month. The first thought that came to my mind that maybe I was thrown out of the group for not participating in the event for the last 2 consecutive times. But, then I scanned my emails and found the original mail from Divya which I had probably inadvertently missed. Baked pudding is something I had not tried yet and I was very tempted to try it as soon as I saw beautiful pictures floating around in the blog world. And I did give it a try and it came out great!

The recipe chosen for the month is Coffee and Chocolate Pudding from here. I have used only a quarter of the measurements given to get 2 medium size servings. Also, I replaced the egg used in it with yoghurt and a pinch of baking soda. The result was awesome! The pudding when warm was gooey and saucy. I had mine with a generous scoop of Vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. A chocolate lover can't ask for more!

Coffee and Chocolate Pudding

Serves 2:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cocoa
Pinch salt
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp butter, melted
2 tbsp milk
1 tbsp yoghurt
A generous pinch baking soda
2 tbsp hazelnuts, chopped.

For the topping

2 tbsp brown sugar.
2 tsp cocoa
1/2 tsp instant coffee powder mixed with 1/4 cup of water.

Process:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Sift together dry ingredients.
3. Stir in butter, milk, yoghurt, baking soda and hazelnuts until well combined.
4. Spoon batter into 2 greased ramekins.
5. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cocoa then pour over coffee but do not stir.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.
7. Serve with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce if you like.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Jaya by Devdutt Pattanaik

Sometimes back when I was trying to make a list of books by Indian authors to buy from India my blogger friend Vibha suggested this title to me. I bought this book from India and recently finished reading it. Firstly, I would like to thank Vibha for recommending me this fabulous book, I am so glad to have read it.

Jaya by Devdutt Pattanaik, as is evident from the cover of the book, is an illustrated retelling of the great epic Mahabharata. I have not read the original Mahabharata but I have fond memories of watching the TV serial by the same name on Doordarshan when I was a kid. The closest I have come about reading any literature relating to Mahabharata is the novel, 'The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (this was also recommended by Vibha), a take on Mahabharata through the viewpoint of Draupadi. The Mahabharata is the tale of the terrible war between the Kauravas and Pandavas over the ownership of crown of Hastinapur, that changed the course of Indian history.

To lure you a little more here are some one liners from the back of the book to give you an idea of the plots and complexity of this epic saga!

The Mahabharata is an ancient Hindu epic where:

A son renounces sex so that his old father can remarry

A daughter is a prize in an archery contest

A teacher demands half a kingdom as his tuition fee

A student is turned away because of his caste

A mother asks her sons to share a wife

A father curses his son-in-law to be old and impotent

A husband lets another man make his wife pregnant

A wife blindfolds herself to share her husband's blindness

A forest is destroyed for a new city

A family is divided over inheritance

A king gambles away his kingdom

A queen is forced to serve as a maid

A man is stripped of his manhood for a year

A woman is publicly disrobed

A war is fought where all rules are broken

A shift in sexuality secures victory

The vanquished go to paradise

The victors lose their children

The earth is bathed in blood

God is cursed

Until wisdom prevails

In Jaya, the author has meticulously tried to retell the epic saga, the events that lead to the war, incidents that happened during and post the war and how it affected the people around and those involved in it. The author has not only retold the epic in simple words but has also provided the readers with insights in to the stories and the lessons we can learn from it. Overall, a very well researched book, a must read for any one is remotely fascinated by or interested in Indian Mythology.

After reading this book, I can definitely say that my knowledge about Mahabharata has improved and that was evident to my Hubby too, when I could answer Mahabharata related questions asked on the show Kaun Banega Crorepati, of course, we all play KBC while watching it! My hubby looked impressed(although he would never say that) and I just smiled!

Thank you for stopping by. Cheers!

Pav Bhaaji

While going through my drafts today, I found that I had not yet posted some of the recipes which I intended to post during my India visit. In an attempt to use the vegetables in my pantry prior to my India visit, I was making something or the other every day. Finally, one of those recipes is seeing the light of the day!

If you have a number of vegetables lying around what could be better than making this famous street food -Pav Bhaaji. It is very popular dish in my house and I make it quite often. I prefer having this bhaaji at home as most of the time the bhaaji served in restaurants in laced with too much oil. You can use store bought buns or these home made buns will go very well too.

Pav Bhaaji is one of the most popular fast food served through out India right from the roadside vendor to the most upscale restaurants. The dish originally hails from the state of Maharashtra, India. It is basically a mixed vegetable potato curry served with pav buns, chopped onions and a lemon wedge.

Serves 4:

4 large potatoes.
1 carrot
1 cup cauliflower florets
1 onion finely chopped.
½ capsicum finely chopped.
½ cup of green peas.
3 tomatoes chopped
1 tsp red chilli powder
3-4 tsp pav bhaaji masala
1 tsp garam masala
2 green chilies chopped finely.
1/4 chopped coriander leaves.
Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing.
½ tsp grated ginger.
2 cloves garlic chopped
Salt to taste.
Water as required
1 lemon
2-3 tbsp oil
2 tbsp butter.

Procedure:

1. Boil the potatoes. Once they are cool enough peel the skin off and mash them into a smooth mixture. Set aside
2. Pressure cook carrot and cauliflower till one whistle. When cool enough churn it in the mixer (not into a smooth paste but somewhat chunky).
3. Heat a frying pan. Add oil. When heated add the chopped chilies, chopped garlic and grated ginger. Stir for a few seconds. Then add the chopped onions. Sautee for 2-3 mins till the onion is slightly golden.
4. Now add the chopped tomatoes and cook till it melts into a liquidy form. Then add the chopped capsicum.
5. Then add the spices, salt and pav bhaaji masala and heat well for 5-7 mins. Keep stirring continuously to prevent it from over burning. The spices on being roasted will give out a nice aroma.
6.Add the cauliflower and carrot mixture, peas and mix well. Heat for 2 minutes. Add mashed potato paste and mix thoroughly. Add water to give it the desired consistency. Heat for 5 mins.

7. Squeeze out juice of one lemon and add to the bhaaji. Add the chopped coriander leaves and stir it nicely. Heat for a few more minutes. Transfer in a serving bowl. Garnish it with chopped coriander leaves and butter.

Pav:

16 buns.
Butter.

Procedure:

1. Heat a tava. Spread butter on the plain side of buns and heat them on the heated tava.
2. Serve the bhaaji hot with warm pav along with finely chopped onions and a wedge of lemon.

Enjoy! Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

I am Papa by Pranav Bhattacharya

I first read a review of this book at Veens' space and it made it to my TBR list. That is why when I spotted it in a book shop at Mumbai Airport, I bought it. I am glad I did as I spent a good amount of my time on my Mumbai-Kolkata flight reading it. It has been quite a while since I read it (yeah, this review has been long due), so instead of racking my brains to remember the whole plot, I am quoting the synopsis from the back of the book.

Synopsis:

Sometimes, life presents you with a problem so huge,that you are forced to ask : “Where do I start?”

Prof. Arya came back home to enjoy a quiet, retired life. One fine day, his son disappeared, without a trace.All he left behind was a note addressed to Papa.
What would you do if this happened to you?Would you know where and how to start looking for him? Would you be scared stiff and just freeze?
Would you stick to the notions of morality, legality and political correctness?
Every situation needs a Hero, and every adverse circumstance gives birth to one. Who said that a retired Professor can’t be a Hero?!
Join the protagonist of Pranav Bhattacharya’s debut novel as he embarks on a heart-throbbing and
perplexing journey,armed with nothing but his quiet determination and unfailing sense of humor.


I enjoyed reading this book from the very beginning till the end. There was no a single dull moment in the story and after every chapter, I was anticipating what would happen next! The writing style is plain and simple and yet, the author has been able to create  suspense throughout the novel. I really liked Prof. Arya for his unfailing love for his son, no matter what, for the determination with which he took the task of finding his son and bringing him back. There are some unfinished plots in the novel which makes me curious. But, then I feel in real life too there are stories left incomplete, questions that are left unanswered. However, I have heard that there might be a sequel to it and I will surely look forward to it.


I had passed on this book to my younger sister and the book did rounds in her hostel and all her friends loved reading it. Overall, a good read, an engrossing story full of twists and turns. If you looking for a quick read pick it up for sure.