I think there are probably very few kids who do not like Oreos! Those delicious, dunkable cookies are the best treat (that’s what my kids say) to have with a glass of chilled milk. So, sometimes, I love to bake them as brownies. Trust me, they make for such lovely brownie treats to satiate those late night sweet cravings. And, they taste a million times better than the regular fudge brownies.

The events and characters in this story are fictitious. However, the message from the transgender community is not. It is the result of a talk given by a transgender at an MNC in South India. I am not at liberty to name either the transgender or the MNC but I do hope that I have been able to effectively communicate her message to the readers.

Are you a person who loves the aroma of cinnamon wafting through the kitchen in the early mornings?

The lemon zest makes all the difference!

You laugh at the innocent delight she finds in non-human friends. Your heart contracts when she bemoans the betrayal of those she has loved. You expel a frustrated breath, gnashing your teeth when life’s travails unleash their mammoth and continuous onslaught on her.

It is a spicy pocket of food that is made out of flour that is stuffed with cooked minced meat or a stuffing of choice and then deep fried. Best served with a liberal dollop of tangy mint chutney, this paranta makes for a super tasty food to carry on picnics or even in the school tiffin box.

The Orange zest makes imparts a fragrant aroma that perfectly complements the vanilla.

My recipe is a basic recipe for making Brownies. To spice things up you can add ¼ tsp of red chilli powder to the brownie batter or you can toast some almonds/walnuts and add those (about 2 tbsp of any). To toast the nuts preheat oven to 180 deg C and then bake the nuts on a baking tray for about 8 minutes. Cool and then roughly chop them up.

The Indian state of Rajasthan has a rich cultural heritage. It is also the state where, it is believed, that the Rajput (warrior) clans originated. In the days of yore the state was divided into principalities.

Traditionally, the phirni is set to chill in the fridge in earthen bowls. The bowls absorb the excess moisture and help the sweet set to the perfect thickness.