Things That Make Me Happy #9 My Mother's Rice Pudding

Its been a (long) while since I have done a 'Things That Make Me Happy' post.

 

I guess I place all my excuses into being busy, stressed, tired, busy and busy. However, I am trying to get back to the happy place in my life that I was a year ago from now. It has been a strange and unexpected period that almost made me forget what I love the most in life.

 

But, no doubts here.

 

I do love a little (or a little bit too much) rice pudding. Now, the Muller Rice Pudding Pots you can grab from Asda simply do not classify as 'REAL' rice pudding. For you to have tasted 'REAL' rice pudding you must have tried my dear mother's or grandmother's one.

 

Honestly, it seems that generations of women from the Indian culture have been taught to cook rice pudding in several varieties from a young age and now behold many years of skill, practice and a specific taste to the puddings that they make.

 

My favourite type of rice pudding is a version make with long rice, date juice (which has been boiled to harden into a solid and melts in heat - I'm not quite sure of the name!) and milk. The rice is usually cooked slowly in the hot milk and then sweetened.

 

Oh my world, does this taste incredible.

 

Maybe its the fact I don't get a chance to eat it often or that it is simply damn incredible to me....sometimes even adding Rice Crisps / Puffed Rice adds a special dazzle.

 

Have you ever tried Indian style rice pudding? Which type is your favourite?

 

Priyanka xx

Europe Trip 2015: Day 6 | Milan, Italy

 On our 6th Day in Europe we decided to drive away to Milan for the day which resulted in really good weather and perfectly suited gelato ice cream from an Italian restaurant in the city centre. We were all very happy people!

 

At first we had some trouble arriving as nobody seemed to speak English, all the signs were in Italian, parking was a little troublesome and our navigation seemed a little unhelpful but eventually we did get out of the car.

There were many expensive stores and some of the best ice cream parlours obviously! My sister decided she wanted coffee flavoured ice cream but surprisingly it tasted like strongly brewed coffee as it was made at the restaurant directly from coffee beans.

A lovely Italian waiter serving us ice cream...

 

I found it hilarious that she looked so miserable that her ice cream was melting and dripping all over her!

Best ice cream ever!

 

Unfortunately, my parents decided that we were not going to be terribly hungry for a while and that pizza could wait until a little later, so we drove a little out of the main city to see if there was anything else worth visiting locally. However, by the time we parked and tried to find a pizzeria, all the restaurants had closed for the day.

 

Guess where we ended up eating lunch?

 

A Turkish kebab shop selling pizza and kebabs.

 

I might have taken a 3 minute drive from my house in London.

 

Yes, I was very angry, irritated and annoyed for the rest of the day.

 

Have you been to Milan? Where did you eat out?

 

Priyanka xx

Europe Trip 2015: Day 5 | Interlaken and Jungfrau, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Interlaken is probably the most beautiful, vibrant, turquoise lakes I have ever seen. As we drove past the lake and stopped to take photos all I could really think was how beautiful the area truly was. I remember feeling greatly in awe from what I saw in front of me and through the entire drive I kept thinking how immensely fortunate I am to visit just breath taking places  with such a wonderful family.

 

I hope these photos have illustrated visually how beautiful the day was...

 

Do you like long drives around beautiful views? I know I do.

 

Priyanka xx

 

Europe Trip 2015: Day 4 | Alpschaukäserei Cheese Factory and Swiss National Day Celebrations

Whilst we were in Switzerland, we went to visit Alpschaukäserei Cheese Factory; unfortunately we didn't manage to watch the cheese being made nor does anyone in my family particularly like eating cheese. That being said we do like taking photos of pretend cows and making friends with goats past apparently...

 

Since my parents travelled to Zurich before, they wanted to see this place because they had visited the area many years ago.

 

 Later on during the day we went bowling and played mini golf before going to watch the fireworks in the city centre to mark the Swiss National Day. The evening was particularly enjoyable because I was wrapped up warm in layers of clothes and we all enjoyed the firework display from the side of Zurich lake.

Have any of you been to Switzerland on their National Day (1st August)?

 

Let me know how you enjoyed your stay.

 

Priyanka xx