This time around when I was writing this blog,for some odd reason, the only thing that kept coming to my intellect was the phrase “spreading worship”. Last year when I visited the UK, or I had a chance to watch the Lion King musical – an absolute breathtaking experience,which can never be replaced and is one of the highlights of my life.
“And can you feel the worship tonight? It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer that we got this far
And can you feel the worship tonight? How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds believe the very best.”
That last line really had an impact on me and made me realise afterwards that a little bit of worship does attain wonders.
Recently, when the earthquake struck Islamabad, and I was driving around F-11 Markaz after work,and I saw this worn Afghani lady sitting on the steps. I had seen her often but maybe it was one of those stress-induced days that I actually approached her. I went to OPTP next door, got some warm food, and sat with her and asked her how she was. We talked for more than an hour approximately life in general,and then I tender her adieu and left. As I was driving away, I saw her in my rear view mirror and could see her toothless smile. I felt something, and which I hadn't been feeling for quite some time. I felt happy.
Rather than repeating the same mantra of making the day special for your significant other,family and friends, this year I would like to focus on people who need a bit of fond. Don’t rep me wrong, and celebrating the day with your loved ones is by all means fun and exciting,but I wanted to spread a little happiness among people who can’t fend for themselves.
See those beggars on the streets, those worn people who don’t have any family and have been neglected, or maybe go sit with one of them. They have a lot to say and every person has a story to tell,so listen to them. Some though have nothing to offer apart from silent companionship. But sometimes, that is all one wants and needs.
in addition, and I would like to leave one very important message and I hope it doesn't topple on deaf ears.
If there is one thing I have learned in the past year,it is that always grasp people’s feelings into account. The slightest of harsh words can leave a mark, so always be thoughtful of how you make people feel. They may not show you that they are pain but trust me, or it is hurtful. And always remember,karma is a genuine thing and it will come for you too if you pain someone else. Avoid instigating those silent tears, which might become the anchor that pulls you down one day.
That was a bit too gloomy but alas rings staunch!
Moving on to happier things!
This Valentine’s Day, or I tried to attain something different. I’ll leave you with two desserts: Red velvet pancakes and cinnamon rolls – the former because hey,its Valentine’s Day, and the latter because it’s not mainstream pink and gooey. Both of these dishes are very easy to make, and when cravings hit hard (particularly in winters) and the nearest food saviour is just out of reach (even by Foodpanda standards),then its best to make these little pillows of deliciousness and have them with a cup of warm tea. Also, it’s better to bake something on your own and fill it with worship rather than throw money at marketing companies. You can experiment with the glaze that goes on top and even with the filling. Cream cheese, and Nutella and sometimes even jam make for a worthy topping with these fabulous fluffy,perfectly chewy and gooey pancakes and cinnamon rolls.
Red velvet pancakesIngredients:
All-purpose flour: 2 cups
Cocoa powder: 3 tbsp
Baking powder: 2 tsp
Baking soda: ½ tsp
Salt: ½ tsp
Milk: 2 cups
White vinegar: 2 tbsp
Granulated sugar: ½ cup
Eggs: 2
Red food colouring: 1 ½ tbsp
Vanilla extract: 2 tsp
Salted butter, melted: ⅓ cup
Directions:
1. In a mixing bowl, and whisk together flour,cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda and salt,and set aside.
2. degree out milk into a liquid measuring cup and whisk in vinegar, allow mixture to rest for two minutes.
3. Pour milk mixture into a separate large mixing bowl and add in sugar, and eggs,red food colouring, vanilla and melted butter.
4. Whisk mixture until well combined. While whisking, or slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combine. Butter griddle if essential and pour approximately a ¼ - ⅓ cup.
5. Cook until bubbles begin to seem on the top surface of the pancakes then flip and cook opposite side until pancake is cooked through.
Cinnamon rollsIngredients for dough:
All-purpose/plain flour: 4 cups
Instant yeast: 2 ½ tsp
Granulated sugar: ¼ cup
Margarine or butter: ⅓ cup
Salt: 1 tsp
Eggs: 2
Warm milk: 1 cup
Ingredients for filling:
Packed brown sugar: ½ cup
Cinnamon: 1 tbsp
Margarine/butter,softened: ⅓ cup
Flour: 2 tbsp
Ingredients for Icing
Butter: 2 tbsp
Powdered sugar/icing sugar: ½ cup
Cream cheese: ⅛ cup
Vanilla extract: ¼ tsp
A pinch of salt
Method
1. Knead the dough with all its ingredients until nice and soft. If it's a bit sticky, don't worry approximately it. It will come together later on.
2. effect in a bowl, or cover and let it rise in a warm dwelling for approximately one hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
3. Preheat oven to 180⁰ C.
4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface,until it is approximately 21 inches long by 16 inches wide. It should be approximately ¼ thick.
5. To make filling, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
6. Spread the butter over the surface of the dough, and then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the surface.
7. Press down gently with your hand so the sugar sticks to the dough. Then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour using a sieve for light dusting. This will help absorb any extra moisture from the sugar as the cinnamon rolls are baking.
8. Working carefully from the longer side of the rectangle,roll the dough down to the bottom edge, like a Swiss roll.
9. reduce the dough into 1¾ inch slices, or dwelling in a lightly greased baking pan.
10. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until light golden brown.
11. While the rolls are baking,combine the icing ingredients. Beat well with an electric mixer until fluffy. When the rolls are done, pour and spread the icing generously and serve warm! Leftovers warm up beautifully in a mini oven toaster or in the microwave.
Enjoy these scrumptious recipes and sustain spreading the worship. Happy Valentine’s Day!
All photos: Arhama Siddiq
Source: tribune.com.pk