Trek to Prabhalgarh in the Western Ghats

My best friend of 11 years, Paro and I had been for a trek to Kalamati via Prabhalgarh over this weekend. The last trek we went to was last year the Himalayan Expedition to Sarpass organised by YHAI. It was last year we realised how much we loved trekking and the toned legs you get thanks to it, despite the terrible and unavoidable tan. 

Paro and I being our crazy selves

Trekking never gets old. You may have done 53 treks (a guy who was along with us had, without repeating a single one) or none, but the thrill of reaching your goal, the view and the fear that may at times grip you (it caught me this time) will always be there. 

We climbed up that to reach the pinnacle where we had our break fast of Bread, jam and cheese sandwiches.

The best part about being out in the nature is the food. The organisers or your guide will know about these wild fruits and berries you can find along the way and you get to munch on them while trekking. In our case an old man at the small village where we had lunch, gave us all a basket full of these wild berries which were a lot like blue berries. I wanted to bring some home to make a pie or jam, but knew that they would get crushed on the way back. 

Tokri full of wild berries

 Another thing about the food during treks, it always tastes good. We had a simple meal of rice, dal and aloo and barbatti beans ki subzi made by the villagers, which was extremely satisfying.

A picture of the remnants of the food. 

 Another amazing part about treks is, when you come back down it is hard to believe you actually went up to the hill or mountain which forms a part of your picturesque vision. Seriously 13000ft or 2300 ft you can never believe you did it, the only proof are the picutres, dirty clothes, a shoe without it's sole and the sore limbs.

See the two peaks? We up to there. 

So what did you all do during the weekend? And anymore trekkers out there?

Red, chai and chocolate covered digestives

This is going to be an apology post for this month. My exams start on the 18th. They aren't just any ordinary end of the year exams, but they are my final year university exams. So I have to study, which means less cooking, less blogging and more eating and cramming my head with eco stuff.

There are a few saving graces to my situation. The first I spotted while out grocery shopping with my mum.

These gorgeously red and plump chillies caught my eye and I just had  to buy them. They look like something out of Nigella's kitchen. I really don't know what to do with them. I know Nigella used them in an omlette once, but I feel they deserve a better fate. They can't be that hot, being so plump, I am open to any suggestions except pickling them. 

Being a coffee hating Tamilian (I know, also let me assure you I am not the only one. My Best Friend, Paro also happens to be one) I survive on tea. I am not addicted to it no, just like to have one or two huge mugs a day. After, my recent purchase of cinnamon powder, I have started adding it to my tea as well. 

Guess who is best friends with cinnamon tea? Digestives of course! I like Mcvite's much more than Brittania because of its crumbly texture. 

I am sure all fellow fans of Love Actually will remember Hugh Grant asking for chocolate biscuits. Well according to Vir Sanghvi he was asking for chocolate covered digestives (check a month or two old HT Brunch for confirmation). Now, I didn't know they even existed, not being a big fan of shopping at international stores because they make me want to buy everything, so I was pleasantly surprised. I proceeded to make my own chocolate covered digestives by melting dark chocolate in a double boiler with some butter. They are cooling in the fridge now. 

I also would like to leave you all with a list of things you can expect next month:

• culinary adventures in Coorg
• a post on the Irani cafes in Bombay
• the best chaat in Navi Mumbai

I will try to post more this month, but studies are priority. 

Don't forget to suggest what I should do with those chillies.