shahi coffee tukra #eid special

Its Eid, one of the prominent festivals of India. And festivals are so incomplete without sweets, don’t you think? So I thought of making some sweets. What better than shahi tukre to start with. Also it goes perfectively with the festival. Honestly I don’t have any clue, how shahi tukra’s are originally made. its just my version of a shahi tukra. I love the flavor of coffee so I fused in that as well. I  loved it. Hope you love it too.

Ingredients required:

·       Coffee- 2 tsp

·       Milk-1 cup

·       Condensed milk- ½ cup

·       Khoya- 100 gm

·       Sugar-  2 tsp

·       Bread-  4-5 slices

·       Oil- ¼ cup

·       Green cardamom-2

·       Butter- ¼ cup

·       Cherry and nuts(optional)

Method:

1.       Fry bread slices in hot oil till crisp. Soak them in milk for 5 mins. Cut each slice into 4 pieces. Cool them and keep aside

2.     In a frying pan, put butter, let it melt and then add khoya, add sugar to taste.

3.      Mix coffee and milk together. Put it into the khoya mixture. Mix all the ingredients well. Then add green cardamom powder and mix again till the mixture reduces to a fine paste.

4.     Coat the bread slices in milkmaid and pipe out this mixture on each piece.  Decorate with nuts and cherries. Your shahi coffee tukra is ready to serve.

Sweet and Sour Veg Tarts

This is pretty simple to make and its healthy too. I tried it out as a evening snack, its one of the tasty and healthy alternative to all the junk foods. Tarts can usually be stored for around 2-3 weeks. i had some left over tarts from before so all i had to do is shallow fry some sprouts as a filling for my tarts. i had used olive oil to make even more healthier but you alternatively use refine oil/butter. So the next time you feel like having some junk food, try this healthier alternative.

Preparation Time: 30 mins

Ingredients required:

for tarts:

·        plain flour(maida)- 1 1/2 cups

·        salt- a pinch

·        butter- 1/2 cup

for filling-

·        olive oil/refine oil- 1/2 cup

·        sweetcorn- 1/4 cup

·        sprouted pulse (moong dal)- 1/4 cup

·        sprouted chickpeas(kala chana)- 1/4 cup

·        curd- 1/2 cup

·        chaat masala- 2 tbsp

·        tamarind(imli)- 1

·        green chilli-2-3

·        onion-1 medium

·        tomatoes- 2 medium

Method:

for tarts:

1.       Sieve the flour and salt together.

2.      mix butter into the flour mixture. slowly add cold water and knead it into a stiff dough. cool for at least 10 mins.

3.      Knead the dough again, divide it into 10 equal portions.

4.     Roll out a portion of the dough into a circle. Place the circle into a tart case and press the circle gently around the sides of the tart case. Prick all over the tarts with the help of a fork.

5.      bake it in a pre-heated oven at 200ºc for approx. 10 to 15 minutes.

for filling:

1.       heat oil in a frying pan, then add chopped tomatoes, chillies and onion. Add salt to it and shallow fry till onion change its colour to pinkish brown.

2.      Add pulses, kala chana and sweetcorn to it and swallow fry it again for few mins.

3.      Finally add chatmasala and tamarind paste to it and mix all the ingredients well.

4.     Fill the mixture in baked tarts and garnish it with ½ tsp of curd on each tart.

5.      Your sweet and sour tarts is ready to dig intoJ

Elon musk - the man of 2050.

We all have wondered, at some point of time, what our destiny has in store for us? But have we ever thought about the things that would have the greatest impact on the future of mankind?

Technology is constantly evolving and it has a significant role in changing our lives for a better future.With a vision of creating the impossible, Elon Reeve Musk has made a powerful impact to our changing societies. Born in a South African family he has become a Canadian-American business magnate with an estimated net worth of US$12.7 billion, making him the 83rd wealthiest person in the world (as on June 2016). An engineer,  inventor,  explorer and an entrepreneur, who dares not only to dream big but also has the power to turn his visions into reality. Musk felt that ‘humans, are at edge of extinction’ and hence his primary goal included, reducing global warming and "making life multiplanetary" by setting up a human colony on Mars.

His life changing works include, SpaceX, Tesla Motors, SolarCity, OpenAI, Zip2 and the most renowned PayPal . He personally participates in designing electric cars and spaceships. To reach his goal at the highest possible speed, he has also envisaged high-speed  transportation system known as the Hyperloop, and has proposed a VTOL supersonic jet aircraft with electric fan propulsion, known as the Musk electric jet.

founder, CEO and CTO of SpaceX; co-founder, CEO and product architect of Tesla Motors; co-founder and chairman of SolarCity, co-chairman of OpenAI; co-founder of Zip2; and co-founder of PayPal

Zip2:

Musk always thought ahead of time. In 1995, when internet was experiencing a rapid growth, he together with brother Kimbal created their first IT Company, Zip2, an internet cityguide for the newspaper publishing industry. He created a platform where eminent newspapers like New York times and Chicago Tribune could offer their customers additional commercial services. He started this company with a meager funding of US$28,000 and sold it after 4 years in 1999 to the biggest search engine of that time AltaVista (later acquired by Compaq), for US$307 million in cash and US$34 million in stock. Musk received 7% or US$22 million from this sale.

X.com and PayPal:

Musk was among the first ones to think about internet payment services and therefore In March 1999, Musk co-founded X.com, an online financial services and e-mail payment company, with US$10 million from the sale of Zip2. . In March 2000, X.com merged with a rival company Confinity that was running by Peter Thiel and Max Levchin.

Confinity developed software to allow owners of PalmPilots and other PDAs to store encrypted information on their devices, creating the first digital wallet. In 2001, after the merger, X.com was renamed to PayPal and Elon Musk became the chairman and chief executive of PayPal. In October 2002, PayPal was acquired by eBay for US$1.5 billion in stock, of which Musk received US$165 million.

SpaceX:

Musk’s thought of colonizing Mars; hence his next venture was space exploration Technologies Corporation or SpaceX. It was inspired by an idea of reducing space transportation costs to make life possible even on Mars. In 2001, Musk conceptualized "Mars Oasis"; a project to land a miniature experimental greenhouse on Mars, containing food crops growing on Martian regolith, which could have become a basis for a self-sustaining ecosystem.

The major problem was huge delivery cost of greenhouses to Mars. He along with his friends met with Kosmotras, who offered them one rocket for US$8 million, which according to Musk was too expensive. He calculated that the cost price of all parts required for constructing a launch vehicle was only 2% of the launch vehicle price in U.S.  It was only then, he felt the need of starting a company that could build affordable rockets. He assured to reduce the cost of launch vehicles and space ships by tenfold. Musk ended up founding SpaceX (in June 2002) with the long-term goal of creating a "true spacefaring civilization.” Musk is the chief executive officer (CEO) and chief technology officer (CTO) of the Hawthorne, California-based company, spaceX.

 The primary mission of SpaceX was not a delivery of astronauts and cargo into orbit, but colonization of other planets like Mars. On November 9, 2010, SpaceX raised an external investment of $50.2 million.

The company's first two launch vehicles were the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 rockets and its first spacecraft is the Dragon. In 2006-2008, the first three flight attempts failed. In the period of 2006 to 2015 companies like DARPA, NASA, ORS, Celestas, ATSB, SpaceDev, Orbcomm, NSPO, Astrium got interested in SpaceX and ran several test launches of Falcon 1 rocket.

 In the next seven years, SpaceX designed the family of Falcon launch vehicles and the Dragon multipurpose spacecraft. In September 2008, SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket became the first privately funded liquid-fueled vehicle to put a satellite into Earth orbit. On May 25, 2012, the SpaceX Dragon vehicle berthed with the ISS, making history as the first commercial company to launch and berth a vehicle to the International Space Station.

 Tesla Motors

In 2003, engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning founded Tesla Motors, a company dedicated to producing affordable, mass-market electric cars. Musk participated in designing of their first electric car, called Tesla Roadster, it was a sports car capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, as well as traveling nearly 250 miles between charges of its lithium ion battery. Musk insisted on using carbon fiber composite materials in the hull to minimize weight, developed the battery module and even some elements of design, like the headlights. By 2006, the project has got into newspapers and Musk received Global Green 2006 product design award for Tesla Roadster design. His other successes include the Model S, the company's first electric sedan, Capable of covering 265 miles between charges, it was also honored as the 2013 Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine.

There is an upcoming cross-over Tesla Model X, which is planned to be delivered for new reservations in the latter half of 2016. Model X P90D has 259 hp front, 503 hp rear motor power and a 0-60 mph (0-97 kmh) run of 3.2 seconds with Ludicrous Speed Upgrade. The car is equipped with the first true HEPA filter with “Bioweapon Defense Mode” button in a car. Musk stated that when the HEPA filter operates at a maximum performance no pollen, bacteria or viruses could be detected in the cabin.

 

model S and model X

Hyperloop

Forget about all your transportation problems with this new venture of musk, called hyperloop. Musk claims that his proposed Hyperloop will cost just $6 billion (which is one-tenth of the cost for the rail system in California) and will be able to cover a distance of 615 km in a mere 30 minutes.

The Hyperloop looks like something out of Futurama. Passengers would enter a 2-meter wide pod that would be zipped through a long low pressure tubes. Its speed would be more than 700 mph. The entire thing would run on renewable electric energy and would be resistant to weather as well. This would result in a low impact form of transportation that could help alleviate traffic burden across the country (when installed elsewhere).

SolarCity

Musk provided the initial concept and financial capital for SolarCity, which was then co-founded in 2006 by his cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive.  Musk is the largest shareholder. SolarCity is now the second largest provider of solar power systems in the United States

The underlying motivation for funding both SolarCity and Tesla is to help combat global warming. In 2012, Musk announced that SolarCity and Tesla Motors are collaborating to use electric vehicle batteries to smooth the impact of rooftop solar on the power grid, with the program going live in 2013.

On June 17, 2014, Musk committed to building in Buffalo, New York, a SolarCity advanced production facility that would triple the size of the largest solar plant in the United States. Musk stated the plant will be "one of the single largest solar panel production plants in the world", and it will be followed by one or more even bigger facilities in subsequent years.

The Tesla Battery

The Tesla battery is a part of the clean energy company SolarCity. Founded in 2006, this company seeks to make renewable energy something that every home will not only be able to afford but will want to incorporate.

SolarCity designs and installs clean energy systems in residential and commercial settings. They have designed the Tesla Battery, a high-efficiency sleek looking battery, which can be enough to completely remove someone from the grid (given adequate solar panels, low consumption, and other factors). The big idea here is that by using SolarCity’s clean energy updates a household can become less dependent on electricity, power their electric vehicle, and ultimately reduce their footprint on the environment without spending an outrageous amount of money.

OpenAI

In December 2015, Elon Musk announced the creation of OpenAI, a not-for-profit artificial intelligence (AI) research company. OpenAI aims to develop artificial general intelligence in a way that is safe and beneficial to humanity.

DeepMind Technologies

Musk struck buyout gold again with his artificial intelligence company DeepMind Technologies. The company launched in late 2010 with Musk as one of the key angel investors. The company would eventually sell to Google for an unconfirmed amount, but most reports put the value between $400 and $600 million.

The Bottom Line:

Musk has always ahead of time. From PayPal taking over the digital currency world to SpaceX already making flights to Tesla building, Musk’s inventions and companies will definitely change the world and our lifestyles by 2050. He believes in using renewable forms of energy, making the world a better place, not only for us but for the generations ahead.

Eggless Choco Coffee Cake

cakes are soo special always. tried experimenting with coffee this time. though I had heard before that the strong taste of coffee completely compliments the bitter-sweet taste of cocoa. so thought of trying this combo myself and the result was awesome. if you want to try something new with cakes this post is just for you. enjoy your cake!!

Ingredients:

·                     flour - 1 cups

·                     Baking powder – ½ teaspoon

·                     Baking soda- a pinch

·                     Sugar – ½  cup

·                     Butter - 2 tablespoon

·                     Vanilla essence – ½ teaspoon

·                     Condensed milk(milkmaid) – 1½ tbsp

·                     Milk – 1/4 cup

·                     Coco powder - 2 tbsp

·                     Coffee powder - 1 tbsp

·                     Plain/unsweetened Curd- 2 tbsp

·                     Chocolate shavings- few strands,(optional)

·                      whipped cream- 200 grams(optional)

Method:

1.           Sieve maida, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and coffee powder, mix evenly and keep aside.

2.           In a mixing bowl, add curd, butter, sugar, condensed milk and mix well until sugar completely dissolves. add milk(if required). Now add the sieved maida mixture little by little followed by vanilla essence and mix well until a creamy batter without lumps is formed. 

3.           Preheat oven at 150 deg C. pour the mixture in a greased baking container and bake it for 30-40 mins or until a fork inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

4.           Allow it to cool and then for the frosting, mix whipped cream and icing sugar,spread it evely over the cake. Top it with chocolate shavings and your cake is ready

heart shaped photo frame collage with thermocol

It was Valentine’s Day and I was just getting bored. It was an unofficial holiday for us. Even at work, everyone wanted to leave early and there I was, enjoying my own company and wondering, what to start with? We had a recent family get together and I was just turning through the photos when  an idea of creating a photo collage struck me. I thought of gifting it to my little prince charming- my nephew, it was his first valentine’s day on this small planet and I wanted to make it special for him as well. (Although I know he won’t even understand what’s going on :P). finally I had something to do. So even if you have some extra pics and want something funky out of that, you can try this out, its simple yet too cute…

All you need is:

·         Thermocol  plate

·         Few newspapers

·         Cellotapes- both transparent and red colored ones

·         a silver colored plastic paper

·         cellophane paper

·         knife, scissors and some glue

Method:

1.    What better than heart shape to start with on that day? cut a heart shape out of a big newspaper.(fold the newspaper into half, cut out the shape, something like this).

2.    place it on the thermocol sheet, trace the shape and cut it out with the help of a knife.

3.    Start by placing all the photos on the heart shape and adjust them in the form of a collage.

4.    Start Rolling the newspaper tightly from one end. When it is fully rolled secure it with a transparent cellotape. Next cut the paper roll from both its side such that you are left just the thick part. Wrap the thick part with red cellotape and join it from end to end (by placing one inside the other roll).

5.    Place this on the rim of your heart shape and secure it with transparent cellotapes.

6.    Finally cover it with a cellophane paper and put a bow on the back side of it. Your photo collage is readyJ 

D.I.Y PHONE COVER WITH NAIL PAINT

One of the major gifts that I haven't used since a long time are nail paints. I hardly get time to apply nail paints and even if I do, I simply can't wait long enough to let them dry. These lovely paints were getting stacked on my self from long and eventually getting dried. Also mobile covers are something which doesn't last long for me, not even the fanciest ones. so this time I thought of  putting my designing skills at work and made a pattern with just two bright colors. (they were the only ones that wasn't dried  :P) it's really easy to make. you can create your own patterns and designs. Thus giving a brand new look to your old mobile cases.

Try to use contrasting shades. I personally choose red and peach. but you can use any color you like.

If you're feeling these vibes too, go ahead with a very simple D.I.Y. that is immense use as well...

start with drawing your favorite pattern and filling in your favorite colors.

My Paperdress look for t2 spotlight

This is going to be a very special post. Something that gave me the confidence to face new things, to take up new challenges, and most importantly to listen to my heart. 

Designers Inn- that little game gave me new dreams. I faintly remember since my very childhood, this was one game that I have always loved playing. Like any other child, I too had little dreams that were far from reality. And each time I won this game, I felt to be step closer to my final goal of being a fashion designer. I still feel if I wouldn't have been an economist or wouldn't have racked my brains with science  (that's still the punishment in Indian societies for scoring well ;P), I would have definitely been a fashion designer having my own fashion house. Ah! Well that was just childhood days I feel, may be my inherent love for crafts has been driving me all this while. Who knows? 

Very recently, after all this years when I had nearly forgotten this dream and had moved ahead, life had a new but pleasant challenge for me. We had a t2 fashion show in our college. Honestly, am not a person who loves participating in such fashion shows. Neither am I into modeling, (although a thousand people have suggested me so). Don’t know why but I never liked it.
It so happened that now my friends were very excited to participate in this fashion show and I just thought, if not now than never. After all, we were in college, the best period in one's life, and I didn’t want to grow old not having tried something that was suggested by so many of them. So finally, I thought of giving it a try. Since t2 was one of the most famous Indian daily newspaper, so we thought the theme "papers" would go well with the event. 
What more, we all racked our brains day and night for weeks to make the best possible dress. We all were aspiring microbiologists and economists. A topic like fashion designing was unheard off. This was totally a new experience. Our only resource to learn things was none other than Google. (We were all Google students that time :P). Surfed internet, watched videos, scanned through magazines, blogs, and what not, all in search of ideas. The worst part was we never knew if a particular idea would work until we have started working on it. It was very time consuming and required passionate dedication. My house would be filled with newspapers everywhere. After weeks on slogging and hard work comes the day. We came up with our unique paper dress, stunning everyone around. That moment was really special. The fashion show turned out to be good, but the designing part was the best. I felt like an actual designer for the first time, designing a dress and being my own model. The only difference was that we had used staplers and cellotapes instead of needle and thread. We were all decked up that day trying hard to show fake confidence. (we were actually praying to keep our dresses in place and avoid any mishaps on stage. That time I really thanked god, for putting me into a girl’s college). Someone has rightly said “fake it, till you make it”. We all looked confident on stage and everything went as planned. The audience was seeing a different and a much creative version of ours, they had never imagined before. The show went on well and we came with flying colors- much confident and creative than before. Loved it!!

Since this a crafts blog I’ll try to explain each step of how I made my dress, and some paper jewellery to complement my look. I never thought I would be writing this so took just few photos in between the steps, but don’t worry once you have the idea it’s very easy to make. If you any queries you can refer to my contact page. Happy creating..

Fold the newspapers in the form of a cone, use 1 full newspaper for the long cones and half a newspaper for the small ones. Take a long rope and start stapling the long and short cones alternatively on it. This would look something like this

Next take an old belt and cover it completely with the newspapers.

For the top, I have folded magazine papers in cylindrical shapes and stapled it on an old top vertically.

That was easy isn’t it??

For the earrings: I have covered an old square shaped earring with the help of some cellotape and then attached small cone at the base of it

For the tiara: I have cut out card papers and rolled partially over a normal hair band.

this was my complete look;

a glimpse of t2 spotlight

t2 spot light

a glimpse of the event

got this cute mug by P.C. chandra's for yet another fashion show called goldenlites diva.

P.C. CHANDRA GOLDENLITES DIVA

p.s.- spare my selfie skills please:))