Roshogollar Payesh # Holi, Guest Post by my sister

I come from a family of great cooks. My grandmother was the best. According to my mother, she could fiddle around with whatever was available and create fabulous dishes out of them. I think, Moni, my aunt, inherited my grandma's skills and passed those genes over to my sister, Didi.....   So soon after announcing the Favorite recipes Event I asked my sister if she would like to do a guest post for me. She readily agreed. I knew she would. She is the enthusiastic one in the house, always enjoying life as it comes and always up for some fun...

An old  photograph of my big family with my grandparents in the center,
my aunt Moni in the top row and
Didi, in the bottom row..the one wearing red turtleneck and blue n white frock 

Now over to my sister, as she reflects on Holi... then and Holi.. now

Holi.....hmmm I remember Holi as in my schooldays ,the festival of colors, drenching in water, having loads of sweets snacks ,house hopping, changing wet clothes from time to time, having fun with friends, no studies, entertaining guests and taking ages to scrub clean at the end of the day. The fun filled day with loads of excitement has now become a memory for me. Presently staying in UK with my family and with very little friends around, Holi is just another day for me.

My sister with her daughter, Sneha

Right now, my 6 year old daughter is trying to get the essence of this festival from Indian movies and television. And on the special occasions, I try to recreate the festive atmosphere in the house by cooking simple desserts such as Roshogollar Payesh, a sweet dish that Maa used to make for us in the good old days...

This is an uncomplicated recipe for those like me who are compelled to be in the kitchen every single day.....

Ninja Birthday Cake guest post by my sister

While some moms like me huff and puff over the everyday challenges of motherhood, few others like my sister, manage their family and jobs with equal dexterity.... and then find the time and energy to plan and arrange fabulous birthday parties for their sons, make themed cakes for the parties ....

and save some energy to do the same for their friends...

I am always awed by her baking and cake decorating skills and so asked her recently if she would share one her creations with us. She readily agreed and few weeks ago shared this Ninja birthday cake . It is the one that she made for her son's 6th birthday.

 Isn't it awesome ??

I am sure this lovely cake would have made her boy really HAPPY...

and in case it did not... this LEGO cake would have definitely swept the BIG boy off  his feet !!

Kudos to the supermom for baking such spectacular cakes and  lots of love and blessings to the lucky boy with the supermom and a loving dad !

Magas, a guest post by my Sister-in-Law

Recently my husband had his yearly medical check-up and ever since he has been consciously avoiding sweets and desserts... Yet when his sister asked if there was anything special he wanted from India, without a second thought he said Magas. Magas or Magaz is fudge-y Indian sweet made with besan (chickpea flour), loads of sugar and ghee. It is one of my husband's favorite. I like it too and was delighted to see the box of Magas that my sister-in-law prepared for us.... and I quickly convinced her to share the recipe with all of us.

She is a cook in training and has learnt this recipe from her best friend's mother, Bharti Shah. She prepared these under her supervision and jotted down the measurements the way aunty had taught her. So the ingredient measurements are in grams and not in cups and tablespoons.. but do give it a try. You'll be duly rewarded....