Blogging has been rather erratic since the past few months.This is my first post for the year 2013.It all started with a lot of travelling, hectic schedules and….then I lost my father.His condition had been deteriorating over the past few years, though we knew he was going ,but after he was gone my life became kind of stand still.I am thankful to my family and blogger friends who have been a great support and pulled me back to blogging.
I don’t really have words to express myself right now. Although a few weeks have past, the hurt still resides in me, all I feel right now is that I want to remember him with a happy heart, which is difficult at this stage, but I know that he is somewhere close to me always remaining in my heart asking me to stay strong and his blessings always remaining with us.
This is a special post ….Ode to my Dad to honor, respect and remember and thank him . May his pious soul rest in peace.
Dad was always very fond of entertaining. I remember mom cooking special dishes for dinners, but his all time favorite was ice cream. Way back when I was probably five or six we used to call a kulfi wala at home. I vividly remember he was an old man, who would climb up the steep staircase with a huge clay pot on his head, The clay pot had different flavors of kulfis which were served to us on “Pattals”(they are fresh leaves which basically serve the purpose of disposable plates). There was absolutely no count of how much ever we ate , we would relish those sinful delights till it satisfied us. In the end the kulfi wala would count his empty moulds and dad would pay him with a smile on his face.
Dad was always very fond of entertaining. I remember mom cooking special dishes for dinners, but his all time favorite was ice cream. Way back when I was probably five or six we used to call a kulfi wala at home. I vividly remember he was an old man, who would climb up the steep staircase with a huge clay pot on his head, The clay pot had different flavors of kulfis which were served to us on “Pattals”(they are fresh leaves which basically serve the purpose of disposable plates). There was absolutely no count of how much ever we ate , we would relish those sinful delights till it satisfied us. In the end the kulfi wala would count his empty moulds and dad would pay him with a smile on his face.
As we children grew older, dad would take us to Giani di Hatti , where we enjoyed the Rabdi Falooda and yes we had to walk back and forth to get that falloda!
I cannot forget the Sunday picnics at India Gate .We would take loads of food from home, and then the dessert was always ice cream. I remember dad would always eat Cassata, yes that was his favorite, and so I decided to make Cassata for this post. I baked the cake but I got ready ice creams.
This is what you need….
A loaf tin
Cling wrap
Olive oil spray
Vanilla sponge cake
Vanilla sponge cake
Orange juice
Strawberry ice cream
Vanilla ice cream
Chocolate ice cream
Assorted nuts/chocolate chips/berries (I used blue berries, cranberries ,pecans and chocolate chips)
Cocoa powder for dusting
Roasted chopped almonds
Strawberry ice cream
Vanilla ice cream
Chocolate ice cream
Assorted nuts/chocolate chips/berries (I used blue berries, cranberries ,pecans and chocolate chips)
Cocoa powder for dusting
Roasted chopped almonds
How to go about…
Prepare a cake in the loaf pan.
Cut the cake horizontally.
Halve one piece into two lengthwise.
Spray the loaf with olive oil.
Line the pan with a cling wrap, allowing the sides to overhang.
line the base and sides with the cake.
Sprinkle orange juice.
Transfer the ice cream to a bowl and soften it by lightly beating it.
Spread the first layer over the cake base.
Cover and freeze for 2-3 hours.
Prepare the second layer by softening vanilla ice cream.
Add chocolate chips, nuts and berries.
Mix well and spread the layer.
Cover and freeze .
Soften chocolate ice cream to prepare the third layer, spread the ice cream and cover and freeze, till firm.
De mould the ice cream by slowly poring water on the back side of the loaf tin.
Dust cocoa to cover the top,and sprinkle some roasted almonds.
Slice and serve.
This is for you Dad, Love you and miss you, and will always cherish your fond memories.
I know how much it hurts to lose one's father. I lost mine years ago but it still hurts. My deepest condolences Vishaliji. May his soul rest in peace and I can't think of a better tribute to his lasting memories.
Wow.. Nice to see you after a long time, Miss you alot.
Awesome post with full of memories…
Your pop and his blessing always with you………..
Do not ever think that he is away from you, he is always with you
My Heartfelt condolences vaishali!!! May his soul rest in peace. He will be surely watching you and guiding you always!!!!
My heartfelt condolences to you Vaishali. I am glad you did this post, I am sure he would have loved it..
Vaishali I am sorry at your loss. But this is a perfect post for him.
Take care.
Vaishali, My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. He is always up there and watching over you.
my strong prayers with u dear..keep diverting ur mind and be happy thts is what ur father wnts frm u
My heart felt condolences to you and your family. Beautiful way to offer tribute to your Dad.
Sweet memories embedded there, Vaishali !! Dads would always bless us from wherever they are.. I have felt it every minute since mine passed away 11 years ago. Coincidentally my dad used to bring home cassata for every major celebration at home – he called it "the king of desserts" 🙂 your presentation looks awesome !!
Beutiful post Vaishali. I can not stop my tears… My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Take care and be strong..
My heart is crying as I read your post and I feel the vacuum surrounding me… Take care… surely he will be very happy to see this post!!!
Sowmya
Our prayers are with you Vaishali. Your Dad will always be with you and such a great way of remembering him…
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family,such a beautiful and very touching post, feel like crying after reading this post. Take care and will pray for you to give you more strength and courage to overcome this loss.
Feel sorry for the loss. No one can fill that spot. Touching post.
Very sorry to hear about your loss and my heartfelt condolences to you….
This is the most perfect post for your loving dad !!!!
My heartfelt condolences to you and to your family..May his soul rest in peace. Take care dear..
Vaishali…i was sure, i had not commented on this post, as I do not do any comments in hurry for your blogs…I remembered seeing its pictures and now after having tasted your casatta in person, I can rightfully say that it was the best casatta ever. I am sure your dad will be proud wherever he is , and surely knows that his talented daughter will continue to be his symbol of pride….my his soul rest in peace…
I'm sure the loss is irreplaceable, but writing about it, sharing it with everyone and doing things he loved will surely soften it. It is probably not the best place to say this, but the casatta was simply superb. That day, I was awed (as I always am) by the amount of effort you put in to prepare this. I now know it is all so worth it!