Great American Bake Sale Continues to Makes its Way On the Web

I still remain fascinated by the power of speed on the Internet. We're now 23 days into its campaign, and more than one thousand people have signed up to host bake sales for Share Our Strength. Thanks to foodie bloggers, mommy bloggers, as well as other bloggers, the word about Great American Bake Sale is spreading. There could be many reasons for this success--much of it can be attributed to the time we live in, but I think it's something else--the spirit of hope and the belief that it can just take one person to help another.

This hope and belief inspired Great American Bake Sale's campaign theme this year--"you or I" can help end childhood hunger by hosting a bake sale, and that every little bit counts. This hope has taken the web by storm, inspiring bloggers to help in ways that you could not imagine. One blogger is so inspired that she partnered with Bake Sale on an e-recipe book in conjunction with her virtual bake sale. Submissions will be accepted until April 5 with the book being released on April 13. For more information check out Cooking During Stolen Moments.

So, as you can see, Great American Bake Sale is inspiring Americans across the country to help. Why? Because anyone can help by "sharing their own strengths."

Why I Love Crepes

Maybe, it's because I am a Frenchie at heart, or maybe it's not. But, I love nearly everything French especially crepes. I absolutely adore them. The best crepe I have had so far was not in France though, it was in Montreal at this fabulous place in the old city called Le Jardin Nelson. Can you see why:

Smothered with chocolate with a side of fresh fruit, I couldn't wait to devour this crepe, and of course I did, but I wasn't alone. I enjoyed it with some of my closest friends.

The restaurant has a large selection of crepes, which also make delicious entrees. Prior to indulging myself in this crepe, I did enjoy one for lunch, and being the Diva that I am, I chose the Diva Crepe, stuffed with Brie, broccoli, and chicken, and boy was it good.

I have enjoyed crepes occasionally at local farmers' markets, but I haven't been able to find any other place where I can say I have enjoyed them like I have at Jardin Nelson (maybe that's why I am craving to go back soon.) But, in the meantime, I am going to start making them home.

If you have any great crepe recipes (desserts and entrees), please share them with me.

What do we wish for ....

Last night, I watched one of my favorite movies, which also happens to be one of my favorite books: Under the Tuscan Sun. I don't know what it is about stories of Europe or stories of people who desert their tired, unhappy lives to somewhere new and different to revive them. In Under the Tuscan Sun, Francis Mayes finds herself unhappy and alone after a terrible divorce. During a trip to Tuscany, she bumps into a beautiful home owned by an Italian countess, makes a quick decision and and becomes the owner of this old home. Though, life isn't what she first pictured it to be--it becomes it. She is given everything she wishes, and in the meantime, she absorbs herself into a new culture, absolute strangers become best friends and the most important thing is that she finds happiness!


One of my other favorite books is called Almost French. I came across it at a bookstore one day, picked it up and couldn't put it down. Sarah, a freelance travel journalist, finds herself in Paris, after meeting a young, French journalist in Budapest who insists she must come to Paris. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt, she lands in Charles De Gaulle Airport, worried that she's made a huge mistake-but that all changes the minute she is greeted by her new friend who later becomes her husband! She learns the dos and don'ts have French life (and it's hysterical and eye-opening). She learns how not to walk out to grab breakfast in your sweats (even if you're just picking up breakfast from the local patisserie), or at a party, it's not proper to become bartender, refilling glasses of champagne. But, as she spends more and more time in Paris, she finds herself becoming a Parisian (well almost). It's a fun story and one that I am so happy that I bumped into.



I'd been living in Washington, D.C. for more than a year and it hasn't been easy. I have been torn between Charleston (my hometown) and D.C. I've been wanting to come home because I feel that I belong here, people know me, and respect me. I miss Charleston, but is it the right decision to return? I don't know now. Right now I am alone (well, it's me and Nikki) and D.C. can be a cold city, but isn't that how any new place can be? I've had more ups and downs, but isn't that everyone's story? It may not be Paris. It may not be Tuscan country, but each of these women found themselves again.

Love to Bake: Here's A Fun Idea for a Great Cause

Do you love to bake? Well grab your your apron, your favorite mixing bowl and get your bake on! Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale is on. And, boy is it hotter than ever. Since the campaign launched more than two weeks ago, nearly 900 people have signed up to host bake sales in communities across the nation.

And, I just found out that Sandra Lee, one of our national spokespeople, will be on Fox & Friends on April 5th to talk about it. Lee understands hunger. When she was growing up, her family lived off of food stamps, and it turns out that the inspiration behind her company "Semi-Homemade" is a result of her having to make meals on limited budgets.

I had the opportunity to meet Sandra last October and she is an absolute doll during a live news segment on a local television station in Washington, D.C. She later shared her story at Share Our Strength's Conference of Leaders, which I attended, and brought the whole audience to tears.

Well, my whole point is that I hope people across the country will band together to host bake sales. It's great way to help kids in your community. For more info, check out GreatAmericanBakeSale.org.

Scrumptious Roasted Chicken-The Perfect Holiday Entree

This past weekend, my friends and I hosted a very special holiday dinner. I'd been wanting to make roasted chicken for awhile now. I've made so many different types of chickens in the past-chicken curry, tandoori chicken, chicken tacos, fried chicken--I'd made everything but roasted chicken.

I purchased a whole chicken (not the roasting one) over the weekend. After cleaning it thoroughly, I allowed it to drain in a colander while I made the brine. I combined a cup of boiling water with half a 1/4 cup of salt. Once it dissolved, I pulled it off the burner and poured it into a measuring cup to cool. Once the brine was cooled, I poured it on the kitchen and inside the cavitiy.

The chicken soaked in brine overnight.

The following morning, I poured the remaining brine out, pat dried the chicken and marinated it with the following:

Lemon pepper
black pepper
fresh garlic minced
paprika
1 lemon

The chicken marinated for about 5 hours. An hour and a half before I was to serve it, I placed it the oven at 350 degrees (remember, it takes about 6 minutes to warm up). I poked the lemon, cut the stems and placed it inside the chicken's cavity, and cooked it for approximately 90 minutes. Once it cooked, I allowed it to sit in the oven for about 10 minutes before carving it. (FYI: to check that the chicken is cooked, simply stick it with a knife and make sure that the juices are clear and the meat is tender).

Carving the chicken was also a first, but it turned out to be fantastic. It simply melted in our mouths!

Happy Holidays!

XOXO,
Indian Girl in the Kitchen

The Orangery: A Delightful Tea in Kensington Garden

It was an unseasonably, warm, September day. I had just returned from Windsor where my best friend and I toured the grounds of Windsor Castle followed by a scrumptious lunch at a local pub. We made our way back to London by train to our final stop before making our way through England.

Before leaving for London, one of my dearest friends, Rachel, had presented me with a list of "must dos" while in London. On the top of the list was tea at the Orangery. "You cannot leave London without having tea here", she insisted,pointing it on her list-- and she was right.

After a short tour of Kensington Palace, we meandered throught Kensington gardens to the Orangery. I was in awe when we entered the restaurant. The ambience was a combination of sophistication and ultra noveau. The restaurant's decor was very simple with white tablecloth tables and properly laid china. The crowd mixed with elderly English ladies in their finest teatime attire to young families. Our server was young and donned in all black.

Once we were seated, I took a look at the view--it was breathtaking. From our seats, we had the perfect view of Kensington Gardens.I ordered a pot of tea with a slice of carrot cake and a couple cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches while my best friend indulge in a slice of Belgian Chocolate Cake. "I am sorry, but I cannot resist," she said.

Both of us enjoyed our afternoon tea that day. Finally, it was time to leave, and we made our way through the gardens and later through Hyde Park ...the perfect way to say our farewells to London.

Cheers!

The Holiday Season is Finally Upons Us ....

The holiday season is finally upon us-yes it is! Though, I have a rather tight budget this year, I am planning to take full advantage of some of my favorite holiday activities:

A Very Special Holiday Dinner with My Closest Friends: Next Sunday, a few of my girlfriends and I are getting together for a very special holiday dinner with roasted chicken and all the delicious sides associated with the holiday season: cream potatoes, casserole and hopefully, a chocolate log for dessert! Plus, they'll sure be some bubbly to toast with.

Tea at the Mandarian Oriental: This is a new tradition. Last year, my girlfriends and I got together for a holiday tea at the Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City. It was lovely. We sat by a warm fire, sipped delcious Darjeling tea and indulged in savory and sweet treats. This year, we have decided to have tea at the Mandarian and exchange Christmas gifts. The Mandarian is a beautiful hotel located not far from the Smithsonian and National Mall.

My first experience at the Mandarian was delightful. We had celebrated the arrival of my friend Lisa's baby with a teatime affair there in June. We sat outside, sipping tea, overlooking the Potomac. It was beautiful.

In addition to all the fun activities, I am planning to throw on my apron, and get behind the stove, to create some favorite treats for my favorite people. Definitely on the list: my favorite chocolate cookies. I might even try fudge so if any of you have some great recipes, please share!