Wow…..I love this country !!!These are typical first thoughts of an Indian girl married to a boy working in America (this is how U.S. is better known in India)..well for me too these weren’t lot different!
The feeling of “awe” started from Heathrow , my break journey port.The glossy duty-free shops with diamonds studded jewelery shining so bright that I was scared to go near,infrastructure so intricate and huge that you can’t catch whole of it in one sight,well-lit corridors, smartly dressed people, the smell of coffee in the air…everything seemed just too suited.It will no doubt be so if you caught the flight from Delhi International Airport having just 10-12 exit gates to land into a country where there’s a metro to swap between airport terminals!!!I was just roaming around the airport to see it as much as possible…least knowing that array of surprises has just begun 
I landed in USA just 5 hours before the beginning of new year.. thinking to start afresh in an unknown land.And boy …I was excited…so excited that I cant describe! First excitement was to meet P after a gap of 10 months since the wedding and everything else was second to that….very typical emotions of an Indian girl coming here to start a new chapter in her life!
Life began….everything was so different….right from the fact that there’s no concept of “kaam vaali” to the fact that everything comes with a set of handling instructions …from a poor table lamp to setting up the home theatre system.No one called an “electrician bhaiya” or a “cable vaala” exists….and let me tell you that belonging from an urban Delhi family where you are used to a lifestyle of “throw away money and get the work done” doing all chores on your own ..things were painful….when you throw in dollars…your natural Indian calculator pricks hard …very hard at times The road are clean[ being an Indian you notice it ...and being from Delhi you notice it all the more],beautiful,fragrant people who are honest,mannered and feel responsible for their country,lovely spring blooms, gorgeous fall sights,burgers & pizzas outlets [instead of chaat corners],cafes serving coffee so bitter to wake you up graveyard,carefree attitude of families,smiles which greet anytime you catch the eye and the culture brimming over with cosmopolitan elements!
Today, having spent close to 1 year here ,as I write this post, the surprises have settled, I m used to the disciplined ways on roads to government offices to neighbourhoods,habitual to running to grocery stores for buying a small pencil or a bike , sun setting early, less or missing evening hustle and bustle, the cleanliness around is a part of life, the silence which haunted me in the beginning now relaxes me and probably I also smile a little more[actually lot]than before at unknown people.With all that,still I like and dislike being here every day.Dislike because everything is far away,coming here meant giving up a fulfilling career, its been ages I talked to somebody in ‘Hindi‘ face to face, attended an evening ‘aarti‘ in a temple, walked down to a nearby ‘sabzi‘ [vegetable] market among shouting vendors to buy stuff,wore a saree or salwaar kameez outside home, cooked for mom dad,etc.
Like because here is where I set up my own house, decorated it to each and every small detail,bought our first car,here is where lies the source of bread & butter of my house, here is where I have learnt to overcome my fear of loneliness to an extent, found few lovely neighbours, have more occasions to celebrate festivals other than indian ones,have become slightly less worrying about future and most of all here is where the foundation pillars of my married life were cast and I entered a new phase of my life..which needs a lot of patience & adjustments.
Its been over a while in this country ….and I find something new everyday….in culture, in lifestyle , in food, in couture,..and lots more…it seems a long list of experiences that I have to gain before I leave it behind for a new nest! Having said all that I would like to post a simple but lovely recipe of a chocolate, coconut and banana cake as an ode to bitter – sweet moments I have been living here.Adapted from Joy of Baking ,the changes I have done are : cut down the sugar, replaced buttermilk with coconut milk,reduced the amounts of cocoa powder and milk, below is the recipe:
What I need:
- 1 -3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs [at room temperature]
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
For decorating:
- 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate bits or chips
- 1 tbsp coconut cream
- 2 tbsp chocolate shavings
- 2 tbsp coconut flakes
- Some chocolate crusted almonds
How I did it :
- Preheat oven to 350 F and spray a cake 9″ cake pan with vegetable spray.Set aside.
- On a newspaper, sift the sugar,flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt at least 3 times.Mix with coconut flakes and keep aside.
- In a large bowl, using a hand blender whisk together the eggs, mashed bananas,coconut milk,vanilla extract and milk until mixed well.
- Add the flour mix to the wet mix slowly and mix gently to combine.The batter will be very thin.
- Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake for around 35-45 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.Mine took about 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the cake cool on a rack.
- Meanwhile melt the semi sweet chocolate on a water boiler.Once melted let it cool down a bit.Mix with coconut cream and brush this to top of the cooled cake.Use coconut flakes, chocolate shavings, strawberry or chocolate crusted nuts to decorate.
- Serve a piece on its own or with a dollop of banana foster ice-cream.
Notes :
- The individual oven settings can vary texture and sponginess results of the cake.Please be decisive on the amount of time of baking as per your oven.
- You can also add chopped walnuts, pecans or any nuts of choice in place of coconut flakes in the batter.
Enjoy!
Sending this to Hearth n Soul #17
Sending this to Laura’s Tasty Tuesday
What you have done Tanvi…This is just awesome…..truly divine and gorgeous….too good….
hey kamalika…that was quick..thanks to joy of baking!
Tanvi,
Cake is gorgeous. Nice writeup as usual.
Oh Tanvi dear, you made me cry with your story! I know I am a big weepy thing, but I kind of felt like I was reading the thoughts of my own mother when she came here to America all those years ago from rural England and met my father in the middle of brooklyn who was also an immigrant. I love that you honestly shared your feelings both good and bad, and I am so happy you are sharing this on the hearth and soul hop so more people can understand deeply the idea of moving away from home to make your own new home in another land. Big hugs! Alex@amoderatelife
Hello again! What a lovely cake and story too. Thanks so much.
I read your post almost three times….LOL on lines like indian mind doing calculation before buying things, clean roads (contrast to Delhi’s)….But what was above all these was your beautifully decorated Cake….Fab job
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Hi,
Beautiful cake and a nice story to go along with!!
Dr.Sameena@
http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com
Oh you write so well tanvi, enjoyed reading your experience ….and the chocolate cake looks heavenly…must try this chocolate cake with coconut…
Wat an irresistible combo for a cake, beautiful cake looks so cute and yummy..
that was a really sweet post:)
Oh…good story. It sounds like you’ve found your niche in that big new country ;] And that cake looks absolutely sweet!
I so loved reading your thoughts on moving to the US – I can’t imagine myself moving to Delhi and the culture shock. The cake is perfect for your story – bitter and sweet! thank you for sharing this with us at the hearth and soul hop!
Tanvi, thank you so much for sharing at Dr. Laura’s Tasty Tuesday @ WhoIsLaura.com – This cake looks fantastic, and I love your pictures! Also a great story too. I think I’ll eliminate the coconut topping, but I’m putting this cake on my list of things to make! Now just to find the time
Thanks again for sharing!
Dr. Laura
I think I’m sending this to my baker. I like the idea of the coconut! Thanks!
awesome cake …love the chocolate cake …yummy
Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com
Pingback: Tweets that mention Choco-Coco-Banana Cake | Sinfully Spicy -- Topsy.com
It takes so much courage and heart to start anew, doesn’t it. But all of that courage strengthens you, and once your wounds heal over, you are stronger for the experience, and get to sit back and really enjoy it all, including your cake. Thank you for sharing a little bit of yourself at the Hearth and Soul hop.
Ah, nice read-up. And an amazing presentation of a lovely cake!
Tanvi,
Your journey as told from your heart is exciting, moving, and somehow very peaceful. Your cake looks amazing, but the real frosting is your journey.
Thank you so much for sharing a part of you.
Hi dear!
this is such a lovely post, and you have talent for writing!
Boy! arriving in such a different country must have been a cultural shock, but I always find that it is so enriching to get to know a new country, new ways of living, etc…
The cake looks very delicious, coconut and chocolate is a great combination and your cake looks so moist… I would love a slice right now
Very nice write up Tanvi. iam sure “har desi ladki pardes mein yahi soch rahi hogi” we seem to miss our family more on special occassions and especially when our near ones need us the most ! the cake perfectly defines this combo feelings of bitter and sweet feelings in a new country
Did you also notice no honking on the streets? The cake looks very good.
I felt like I was there observing you as you took your first step towards a new chapter into a new land! Your writing is wonderful and I always look forward to it! Thank you for sharing the view from your eyes with the hearth and soul hop this week
oh…and your cake is very tempting and looks gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing your experience in totally new land, beautiful cake, love the changes you’ve made, much healthier….
I like and dislike being here too, even though I’ve lived here my whole life!
This cake looks fantastic. Chocolate and banana are a classically delicious combo!
oh what a beautiful choco filled cake, loving the addition of coconut milk and coconut and indeed a true feeling of stepping in a new world, just had the same thoughts when i came to Finland, was even more confused as i hardly new anyone in Finland!
I loved reading this and I feel for you… A little over two months ago I moved a ten-hour drive away from home and I am having a helluva time adjusting or even wanting to stay here. I am like you, I love certain aspects of this place and being here, but hate it too… Those feelings all coming in one day. I debate daily moving home and what I will do, and what I will be giving up and gaining. You are strong to be able to leave another country and handle this and I cannot even handle leaving another state. Oh, and the cake looks amazing