My Halloween - Baking and Twilight

It's been a while since I've stepped into the kitchen for something more than just a glass of water, being busy with so many assignments. And just being lazy overall. I'm ashamed to say that I haven't prepared a proper meal for a few weeks now. I know! I am definitely not practicing what I preached! But I did whip up a few sandwiches. Who knew there were so many ways you could make a sandwich?  I now have enough recipes in my repertoire to make a YouTube channel. 

This weekend was the time to climb out of this sink hole of avoiding the kitchen! Mind you it was not one of those 'wake up call moments' whereby you feel inspired, you know,  there's like this super bright light that gives you hope. 

This moment was prompted by an attempt to revise for upcoming exams. I was getting into my pre-exam routine - Twilight marathon on repeat, completing final chapters left before the few weeks of isolation, and endless days under my cozy blanket. 

And, nobody watches Twilight without something awesome to nibble on while swooning at Robert Pattinson's accent - yep, you can still hear it.

Twilight always awakens the master-chef within me and it gives me an urge to bake! I unearthed all my cooking utensils, dusted them off and set out to find possible ingredients in my pantry to whip up something 'nice' - in inverted commas. No one ever knows how it will turn out!

Attempt 1 - Chocolate Lava Cake whilst Bella meets Edward for the first time.  

Chocolate 'Moist-Inside' Cake

I  saw this video on YouTube last week and what better way to start a Twilight/Revision marathon than with a volcano eruption! As it turns out, I had all the necessary ingredients for this recipe and damn was I excited; but there was soon to be a kink in the road. 

Once again the internet was down (someone was downloading, a story for another time) and I had to improvise much of the steps based upon my prior experience in the kitchen my most loved dad. I did manage to whip up a good batter - according to me and soon the cups were in the oven. 

Well, it wasn't the lack of internet that would spoil the recipe but rather my love for the movies. I kind of forgot about the cakes in the oven and left them in there for more than the maximum 10 mins. And of course, the volcano did not erupt! Sad face. I wanted Pompeii! But really, who cares? The inside was still moist and the taste was exquisite. Don't you dare say that 'self praise is no praise'. I think everybody should give themselves some words of encouragement from time to time. 

Twilight and New Moon were enjoyed with a smooth Chocolate 'Moist Inside' Cake and the notes were completed with a very satisfied palette. 

Attempt 2 - Pumpkin Spice Cake - Bella marries Edward and sails off to their happily ever after 

Pumpkin Spice. It's everywhere! It's all you hear about these days online, and it's always accompanied by Starbucks. 

The magic ingredients

I was deep into the 'Hallow's Eve' mood this weekend and I wanted a little pumpkin spice of my own. I commemorated this usually eerie night (cue creepy music) with a Pumpkin recipe. 
A little note to all you, I do not like pumpkins! Like not at all. But I decided to embrace this festive mood anyway.

Unlike last year, where we had this really huge Halloween Party which consisted of a lot of dancing and really cool music from Seychelles that we don't hear everyday, I decided to stay home with my Twilight.

About that, my copy of Eclipse was not playing! Think it got corrupted in some way and as much as it pained me, I had to skip to  the wedding missing all the Jacob drama. 

End result!

Well, that doesn't really matter. The cake turned out alright and seeing Edward and Bella fight for their love made my Hallow's Eve. A nice way to spend this usually scary night, don't you think? With some not-so terrifying monsters and fresh baked goodies. 

I hope your Halloween was as scrumptious as mine!

Manze, Manze, Manze and more Manze!

*Manze = Food

I won't lie and say that I was diving headfirst into the pool of dishes that there is on the island.
I was a little skeptical of food that I hadn't seen or heard of before and I kept missing my white rice and beef stew, grilled chicken/fish, fried fish and my "bouyon bred".

Ah, once I was over my attachment to the things I was comfortable with I discovered a whole other world that I know for sure I will miss when I go back home.

While studying abroad, you will come across a lot of local vendors selling things that you must try at least once. No matter how unfamiliar and sometimes 'unappetising' the food looks. Maybe they will taste bad and you'll regret ever trying it (but at least you did) or the dish will wow you to the extent that you will find yourself becoming a usual customer to a small vendor.

Here are a few of the dishes that I like and I want to share with you.

Roti

A Delicious Roti

This one I was all for trying! Technically I'd eaten a version of it before, which I also happen to make

 on occasions: chapati. 
Though I prefer to take it without the sauces (they say I'm strange that way), it is still wonderful. If you ever happen to study in Mauritius you need to try this at least once! Though I know you will want more.

 

 

Pain Kebab

This is definitely something I will miss when I go back home! Before I came to Mauritius, my friends would talk about this bread with meat and salad all the time. Yet, I tried not to get my hopes up to high though, because you know what happens when you're looking forward to something right?
Well, it really didn't matter cause now if I could eat this every day, I would! It really didn't disappoint.

 

Mine Bouille

Mine Bouille from Blond Boullette

With this one, I came a long way. It was finally curiosity coupled with a little push from a friend that got me to try it and now I love it. Yes, love it. Even crave it sometimes when I go back home.

 

 

Boulettes

Dry 'Boulettes' from Blond Bloulettes

Although we have this back home, it is not prepared in the same fashion. In Seychelles we fry the 'Boulettes' while in Mauritius they consume it in a soup. It took me two years to muster up the courage to try this one, and it is still a work in progress. Though I've found that the fish one is really good. If you happen to be in Mauritius one day and want to try it to see if you like it better than I do, stop by Blond Boulette in Quatres Bornes. There are other wonderful dishes on the menu as well!

Extra Read: Staying Healthy During your Sejours

Every few days, I take a stroll through the lifestyle sections of various magazines online, keeping up with little things happening in various areas of the world. Or they just pop up in my news feed on Facebook.

This week  I came upon an intriguing article about 10 Ways to Stay Well-Rested, Well-Fed, and Totally Sane at College that I thought I'd share with you.

It particularly caught my eye because more often than not there are times that I completely forget about my health as I sometimes have more important things to focus on. I'm sure many of you do as well.

As I read the first point I was reminded of my first holiday back home. I was watching Tinkerbell with my niece when my mum halted by the sofa on her way to the kitchen. Giving me that look she has when she's mulling something over, she said, "Don't you drink water?"

It is Important to Eat Healthy

It had become such a habit for me to be engrossed in whatever I was doing, that I'd forget to eat or drink.

I like that I came across this article around this hectic time during the semester when many of us would be tempted to neglect our health, focusing primarily on our studies. 

There are times when I would literally forget that I have to eat! You must be asking yourself, "How is that even possible?" Believe me I've asked myself that question several times before. Alas, it happens. When I did remember, I was often too busy, had lost my appetite or was just too tired to cook.

Cool Snacks to Refuel

However, I would occasionally get a little boost to get back on the health wagon, which I hope this article will be for you as, staying well-rested, fed and happy is very important when you're studying abroad.

And you can always try this list of  cool snack ideas that I'm sure you'll enjoy making and look forward to try, to give you that extra boost in a really healthy way.

Also, you can even resolve to pack your own lunch, in the right way, so that you that you stop eating the mayo/margarine filled sandwiches for lunch at school and after a while you won't forget to eat as you'll have a cool meal you prepared in your bag.