Chocolate Crinkles

Velvety and enticingly delicious. It's perfect for tea time.

Can make 20 pieces.

Serving time: 1 hour for mixing and baking.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups of sifted all purpose flour

• 5 ounces of melted bittersweet chocolate chips

• 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder

• 4 eggs

• 1 1/4 cup of granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil

• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract or vanilla essence

• 2 teaspoons of baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

• 1 cup confectioners sugar

UTENSILS NEEDED: Mixing bowl, whisk, scoop, stand mixer with paddle attachment, baking tray, oven, cling wrap, parchment paper.

STEPS:

MIXING:

Dry Ingredients

1. Mix the dry ingredients (all-purpose flour, salt and baking powder) in a bowl using whisk. Set aside.

Wet Ingredients

1. Using a stand mixture with paddle attachment, mix the cocoa powder and granulate sugar. At the same time, slowly pour the cooking oil and vanilla extract.

2. After 1 minute, drizzle the melted chocolate chips and eggs.

Dry and Wet Ingredients

1. After another minute, gradually put the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.

2. Off the stand mixer after there were no white spots of dry ingredients seen.

3. Cover the mixing bowl with a cling wrap.

4. Refrigerate it for at least 4 hours.

BAKING:

1. Prepare the baking tray with a spread of parchment paper.

2. Pre-heat the oven at 350 degrees fahrenheit or 175 degrees celcius.

3. For uniformed sizes, scoop the chocolate mixture, put it into your palms then roll it to make a ball.

4. Dip the chocolate balls into the confectioner sugar to coat it.

5. Arrange the coated chocolate balls into the baking tray. Make sure to give the chocolate balls an ample space away from each other.

6. After 12-13 minutes, it is ready.

7. Cool it down for 10 minutes.

Pleasant eating!

Dinner with Her Husband

PART 2: “WHEN A FILIPINO LIVED WITH THE INDIANS”

I KILLED THE COW

One of my day off, Vanaja thought me how to make a chapati and pratha. Before the night came, I decided to do some grocery since I believed it is nice and fair to also share my own native food for dinner. As I arrived home, I cheerfully announced that I will be cooking ‘sinabawan na baka’ (beef soup). As usual, I washed the meat to prepare. It was during this time when Vanaja saw me. She came to me shaking and shrilly asked, “Is that a beef?”.

I was startled.

She looked closer to confirm it, “Is that a blood? Oh no! No! No! Take that away! Please!”. Before I can even answer that, ‘Yes, it is indeed a beef’, she flee in obvious panic, called her husband to talk to me and hided in their bedroom.

Pala requested me to thoroughly clean the kitchen and everything I used after I finished. I said I was sorry and that all along I thought it was pork that they cannot eat but beef. Honestly, didn't have any idea so I decided to discard it anyway. I ended up eating my dinner at the hawker center that night - and again, I was really sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect their food preferences and I was disappointed for the spoilt night.

A MEAN REJECTION

The next day, I woke up because of the loud sound of voices. I knew it was coming from my housemates in the living room and the rest are unfamiliar. I opened my door and peeked. I saw three women which I do not recognise. They were obviously not Indians and are noticeably shouting in front of the two couples. I closed the door while I waited for the heated discussion to end.

As soon as I heard the door slammed, there was a complete silence. That second, my heart sank. Slowly, I opened my door again and there was Vanaja trying to control her tears in front of me. I asked her why and she broke the news of disgusting rejection. I can’t believe that after a few months, the landladies was trying to take back our rented unit. They had changed their mind of letting the Indians live in their flat - I mean, what - letting the 'Indians'?

Allowing the Indians to stay in their unit while they look for other races to occupy their house is a complete scam of ‘people-using and racial discrimination'. They just let us pay for their empty months. Or at least they thought of some alibis of expelling them without using their ethnicity. But they chose to give insults. Anyway, they gave us a month to evacuate.

THE BIG FIGHT

Few days past, I arrived from work around 11pm. Tiredly, I directly march to my room. Because I wanted some fresh air while I rest in bed, I opened the window which is adjacent to Vanaja and Pala’s. It was then that I overheard the couple screaming at each other. There were bangs and heavy drops from time to time. Even though I can’t understand their language, I knew they we’re having a big fight. I hope it is only due to the stressful situations like hunting and transferring to a new house. At the same time, Vanaja is due to give birth anytime soon. Sadly, this situation is just a start of more each night…

GONE BACK TO INDIA

When finally one quiet night came, I started to pack my things up. Pala, calls my name and softly knocked at my door. He was in big smile while he told me that Vanaja had left to give birth in India. I felt a little bit heartbroken knowing that she will not be around for quite sometime. Pala noticed my gloomy face and asked me how I am. His question led us to a deep conversation about the life he left in India, his sisters and their dowries, his view about their caste system, his sacrifices to earn enough for his family, his arranged marriage, his dreams and plans in the near future, his reasons of working in a foreign country, his experience about rejection for promotion and what he felt about all his stories. This moment melted my heart as I look straight in his eyes. It made me realised that even they are different from me, we are all humans - with feelings and aspirations. Our talk had put myself together on the ground and reminded me why I am here as diaspora. I closed my door thankful that after all, at least we managed to get by.

BIG NEWS

It was almost a couple of months since we all moved out from the unit when I got a call from Pala. From his joyful voice, I knew Vanaja finally gave birth to a baby girl. His delight made me realised that not all Indian fathers are desperate to have a son and grumbles for having a daughter. I knew enough that the baby girl is loved and accepted by her parents. I can hear a father whom regardless of their child’s orientation, almost die of happiness to bring me the great news. Anyway, he ended his call by inviting me to celebrate that milestone with a hotpot dinner. Of course, I gladly accepted his invitation.

MY FAMILY

I rattled when I realised it was 6:09 PM. I told my boyfriend over the phone that I am meeting up my family. “Really? You didn’t told me your Mom and Dad will be visiting you”, he was surprised.

“No. I am meeting up my Indian family”, I said goodbye and hung up. I had been living away with my parent and siblings but my heart is full. There was no force when my ex-housemates became my family by heart. Though it was evident that my stay with them is not picture perfect, I had loved and missed them like they were my own.

WORDS FROM AN INDIAN

I met Pala with his proud smile. He explained to me that Vanaja will be extending her stay in India to nurse their newborn. He ushered me to the counter and he ordered for me the food that I chose. The waitress stared at us like we just committed some crime. It took a while before she was able to compose herself and noted our order.

As we settled at the table, I can see she was talking to another man about us.

"Never mind about them", Pala shrugged.

We enjoyed our meal with few more stares from the people around us.

“Don’t worry, I got them a lot”, he again assured.

He was sincerely sorry for our premature move-out, “You see, we had been thrown out because of who we are. But rejection is not fatal anyway. What is more dangerous is for you to despise your own self in the process. Perhaps, these people have problems embracing their own self. Do not be like them ‘cause the most important person to accept you is yourself.”

I felt the warm of my soup as I sip while I listened to him go on. But I think the warmth is more than what the hotpot had brought me.

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RELATED TOPIC:

https://www.thediaryofahousewife.com/post/when-a-filipino-lived-with-the-indians

When A Filipino Lived With the Indians

PART 1

ARRIVAL DAY

It was a sunny Sunday morning when I found myself knocking at the door number 13-03. That is the third unit at the thirteenth floor. Together with my huge pink luggage, native sack carrier, Ikea straw bag, plastic laundry basket, and few suitcases, I present myself to the one who opened the door. She had the brightest smile and a welcoming gesture. Vanaja, as she introduced herself to me, is the proud wife of Gopalakrishnan, whom I signed a tenancy contract with.

Vanaja explained to me that my room at the far end of the kitchen will not be ready for 2 nights. They just painted the walls to treat it from bugs infestation. So, I settled my things at the receiving area and will be sleeping at the bench. Yet, they offered their masters bedroom for me to sleep the whole day.

FIRST NIGHT

My first night with the Indians was a delight. I woke up from my afternoon nap because of the smoky feeling which engulfed the whole unit. When I peeked at the kitchen, I can see why. The women were merrily cooking something for dinner. I leaned at the door to watch them in total astonishment. They said it was a special day because of my arrival and they would love to introduce to me their cuisine as a welcome.

MY HOUSEMATES

Everybody was home that evening:

Pala - as I fondly call him for short of Gopalakrishnan, is our main tenant holder and the husband of Vanaja, who is twenty-two months pregnant of their first child. She works as an enrolled nurse in the same hospital where I also report for duty.

I was also acquainted to a quiet guy who is employed as an IT professional, Sashi. Together with his housewife, Sangheetta, they occupied the other room.

WELCOME DINNER

We all sat on the floor in circle and in front of an airing Television. They passed me a brown flat paper to substitute a plate. For a second, I waited for my utensils. But I suddenly realised we will just eat with our bare hands. After a minute, Vanaja went out to the kitchen to get the dishes. Then, she proudly presented to us - but specifically to me, a bowl of mutton curry and a plate of naan.

Pala, served me first. He thought me how the curry should be eaten with the naan and insisted that I should taste it first before they should all start eating. When I did, they intently watched my reaction with pride. Of course, they asked me how it was. I said, it was good - because it was really, only if it weren’t too spicy. After I had said that, I knew my cheeks turned red, first because it was too hot and second because I was too shy to admit.

We moved on with our food while watching an Indian musical love story program on TV. The program was fascinating but since I can't understand Tamil, I pretended I comprehend the whole story anyway.

HUSBAND AND WIFE SLEPT WITH ME

After our hearty dinner, Sangheetta and Sashi had retired in their bedroom. But Pala and Vanaja decided to sleep with me at the living area. Although, they let me occupy the long wooden chair, it was low enough for me and Vanaja to whisper at each other while talking about our lives. I learned more about their structured courtship, her arranged love life, disappointments in career, family dynamics, struggles against cultural beliefs and how she is fascinatingly different from me. I’m pretty sure that as soon as the early dawn came, I closed my eyes with so much warmth from her friendship.

SHOCKING TOILET

The morning after, Vanaja introduced the whereabouts of the house. Since everyone shares one toilet and bath, she was particular about its cleanliness. Although I don’t mind sharing the responsibility of cleaning it, I was shocked that I almost don’t have to. It was one of the spotless washroom I had ever seen. She told me everyone clean as they go and they don’t mind if I don’t ‘cause they’ll love to do it for me anyway. It was a relief for me not because I was spared of doing one of the most hated chores inside the house. But because, prior to my move in with them, every speculations, assumptions and impression that people had warned me regarding their hygiene, was in fact, FALSE.

BEING A HOUSEWIFE

Few weeks after, I finally had a good conversation with Sangheetta. I learned that she and her husband are newlywed. Since I am single and career-focused, being married and being a housewife is not in my radar yet. Observing their dynamics doesn’t interest me but their presence is undeniable. Every morning, Sangheetta prepares warm water for Shashi to bath, food to eat, and shoes to wear for office. After their breakfast, she’ll always accompany him outside the corridor, kiss him goodbye and watch him until he is gone from her sight. Every night, she hustle up again and reverse the whole process she did in the morning. As time goes by, I had learned to admire how she adores her husband.

DRESS CODE

Finally, my long day off came. I decided to go out for some night time with friends when Pala arrived. He was beaming with happiness, showing off his new camera. Obviously he was proud and gleeful about it. He told me I looked pretty with my dress and deserved some photoshoot with Sangheetta and Vanaja. We all agreed. I quickly readied for a pose when Pala excitedly asked the women to change and wear their best saris. They hurried in excitement and I was in complete awe of how they are so proud with their traditional attires. Contrary to my country, that is heavily influenced by western pop culture, we do not parade our native clothes. It is something my fellow countrymen are hesitant of wearing. In fact, we felt embarrassed about it. But these ladies beside me, made me respect them and their heritage.

DISCOMFORT WITH DIFFERENCES

After a few months, everything are still working well with us, we were able to live in harmony except for a little discomfort which I felt with Sangheetta. She was always sitting near the main door where I usually pass each time I go to work. Her stare from my head to toe makes me conscious about my outfit. As far as I know about their customs, women don’t show off too much skin. Regardless, I maintained my fashion style. Im sure she was just culture-shocked with my clothing choices. Other than that, we tolerated each other’s preferences - hoping that we could get a good threshold with our differences.

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RELATED TOPIC:

https://www.thediaryofahousewife.com/post/dinner-with-her-husband