I think it happened two months after I got married. It was around around 7 -7.30 in the morning. I was having a dream. In the dream I was standing behind a podium and giving a talk about women empowerment.
Suddenly I felt that somebody shaking me and in the background I could hear the words “chaya edukku, chaya edukku” (get tea). I slowly woke up and realised that it was Jose asking me to get his morning tea. I was really pissed off!
Before going to the rest of it, let me tell you something. I hate making tea in the mornings. I always like it when somebody else makes it for me, I dont mind doing the rest of the breakfast (well, for most of the time) except for the tea part.
Ok, now coming back to our dream. He kept asking me for tea and then there was an explosion! I told him I wont make tea and that my life isnt about making tea. It's about doing great things, not worrying about tea and breakfast and lunch and laundry etc etc; Well, for starters he was shocked! But he regained his cool and asked me to calm down. Remember this is the first thing happening in the morning.
He said he would make tea for both of us and he told me not to do any household chores for the day. Then he asked me the million dollar question that he always asks me “what do you want to do”. My answer to that question remains the same to date. “I want to do something… something interesting, but I dont know what it is”. Sounds familiar??
Then he just held my hands and asked me to go with him to the kitchen, just to hang around while he made tea. I got tipped off again..just the thought of red saucepan in which I make tea, makes me angry. Anyways, he dragged me to the kitchen. Once we were there he got hold of the saucepan and gave it to me. I was about to start my next episode when he asked me to bang the saucepan on the counter.
I was surprised and confused! He looked at me and said “I know you want to hit it hard, just do it”. I actually wanted to do that but since it was kinda new I couldnt do it and I told him the same. He was like… after all it's a saucepan, dont worry we will get a new one, just hit it hard.. and then there was no stopping me! For the first time that morning there was a smile on my face ;)
So it's been 9 years since the whole thing happened and here we are running a food blog together :) Though I've toned down my theatrical skills a bit, my drama series airs an “episode” every now n then and luckily the audience is still there with the same enthusiasm and excitement as day one! It was our anniversary last Thursday (Jan 16th) and I was wondering what to make. I wanted to make something exciting, since for the past few months I've been getting hints that I'm not making anything exciting anymore… The search for an exciting cake took me here.
I've been eyeing that recipe for quite sometime, but was waiting for a special occasion. Finally I got around to make it. I kept messaging Swapna and asking her some silly questions. She was so kind and patient with me and answered all my queries. Thank you so much dear!
As Swapna said, it's a magical cake and the magic happens during the baking! Somehow I wasnt worried about the switching part (you will understand once you read the recipe), I was more concerned whether it will come out of the pan in perfect shape! So the first thing I did on the morning of our anniversary was getting the cake outside of the baking tin. Since I was too worried that it will stick to the pan, I got Jose to do it. Luckily, it came out perfect!
This cake definitely is a show stopper! Then it has got two different layers one cake layer and one pudding kinda layer. If you ask me there is no reason why you shouldnt love this cake. I actually loved the flan part more, just go through the ingredients and you will know why ;) This is ideal if you are entertaining a large group of people and if you want to make a “wow” impression.
Baked this cake for my son’s birthday. Came out beautifully and the cake was yummmm.. Most of your recipes are simple, with minimal ingredients and easy to follow. Keep going, All the best..
Thanks dear :) Great to know that it came out well, belated birthday wishes to your son! Thank you for your lovely feedback too.
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,thanks for the wishes. Wanted to upload a picture, but didn’t find the link to upload.
You can send it in insta as dm, if you are there or email it to mjm@mariasmenu.com
actually ur recipes are all working out the best for me. Everything i tried is getting a success. Some recipes whatever i do it wont come good.. But all your recipes are great
Hi Maria,
I am new to your blog. Just came across it recently. I am about to try the choco flan cake. I don’t have a roasting pan. Can I skip that step and just put the bundt tray straight into the oven? I am a bit skeptically about the long baking time as most cakes are ready in 30-35mins. Would this not be a little over done?
Hi Anusha,
Welcome to MM :)
I dont think it’s a good idea to skip the roasting pan, as far as I know, that cooking method is required to get the said texture for this dish. If you have any big size rectangle or square shape oven proof dish, you can use that.
This cake recipe is different from the usual ones, since it’s a combination of pudding and a cake, also for the qty mentioned, you need to bake it longer.
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria,
I have a few of ur baking recipes n dey were good.Im in India n cant get Evaporated milk.can i substitute by reducing milk?now for the water bath cn i make dis cake in an electric steamer as i dont hv any roasting pan or cn i use a glass ovenproof bowl wid hot water if its ok?cn i replace d eggs coz im allergic n want to mk dis fr fmly get togthr.plz help me.a big thanku in advance
Hi Alisha,
Thank you :)
I guess you can do that for evaporated milk, some of my friends do that. You can use a glass dish, as long as it’s oven proof.
I havent tried it without eggs, so I’m not sure how it works. However if you use any egg replacements usually, go ahead and try it.
I do hope you get to try this soon. All the best!!
Cheers
Maria
Hi Devika,
Thank you so much for your wishes :) I do hope you got to bake this cake for your aunt and she liked it too..
Cheers
Maria
Thank you :)
Wish you many more happy returns of “that” day…. Btw, ur write-up was simply amazing…. and a big salute to Jose for tolerating all your tantrums ;)
Thank you so much Deepthi :) How are you dear? It’s been sometime right?
Btw, Jose will be very happy to see your comment ;)
Hope things are great at your end. Wish you a wonderful year ahead!
Take care,
Maria
oh wow! just look at that cake! has been on my to-do for long but haven’t got a chance yet… u just reminded me… then I should make it soon, i suppose…
So I guess you got your reminder at the correct time, hope you could make it sometime soon. Happy baking :)
Cheers
Maria
Bltd happy anniversary Maria.. Oh I am a drama queen and could relate to whatever you wrote :) The flan cake looks divine :)
Thanks from one drama queen to another ;)
“We liked it slightly hot. I microwaved each slice with sauce drizzled on top of it for 20-25 mins.” Did you mean 20-25 seconds?
Hi Seena chechy,
yeah I meant seconds only. Thanks for letting me know.. I’ve corrected the recipe accordingly :)
the choc flan cake looks very intersting… and also like a marathon recepie :) u had put in the cake batter as the 2nd layer.. but after baking, how did it end up on top??
Yep, it’s an interesting recipe! Jerome, that’s why i said it’s a magical cake since it’s switching layers during the baking process :)
Hi Maria!
Happy Anniversary… i have been following your blog for sometime now.. it s a very nice blog, good work!
I tries your chirstmas fruit cake & carrot cake… it came out really good… especially the carrot cake.. it was over in a jiffy :) Thanks a lot!
Thank you so much Jerome. Nice to know that you’ve tried recipes from here and liked them too..
Belated Wishes Maria and Jose!! God bless you both abundantly… Your post was just so nice to read! I guess most of us go through what you went through.. But most of us don’t pursue that “Something” … You have come miles Maria!! And you have inspired many to enter the kitchen!! :)
Thank you so much Linz for your wishes and kind words :)
Good to know that you enjoyed the write up. Yeah.. however comfortable a routine is, it can get to you at times ;)
belated anniversary wishes maria… ta=hat cake looks yummy.. n beautiful…looks perfect for an occasion… pinne that line which u said about doing something interesting… that is very very familiar to me!! except that nowadays i dont have time to think so much cos of the lil one …!!
Thanks Renu :) Nice to know that I’ve company..
Yeah these days you must be super busy with the lil one around, right? Enjoy your time with her :)
Cake looks superb Maria! Glad you both liked it :) Thanks for trying & also a special thanks for posting it at your place :)
Thank you so much Swapna dear :) I’m more than happy to share it here..
Dear Maria ,
I tried this beautiful cake and i think it came out superbly well. all ur recipes r very clear. Actually I dont like sweets and so, I didnt taste. But my kids liked it so much. Thank u.
I really want to buy ur e-booklet. But the problem is that I dont have a credit card . Is there any other option to buy it. Can I ask my husband to pay it in person to u and after which is it possible to mail the booklet in my e-mail ? Please give me a reply for i am longing to buy it .
Hi Lathika,
Thank you so much for your comment :)) I’m really sorry for the delayed reply. I’m in Kerala now, so I’m not checking mails regularly.
I’m really happy that this cake came out well for you and that the kids liked it.
Lathika, about the booklet, you can ask Arun to buy it if he has a credit card. Please let me know if that doesnt work..
Cheers
Maria
Hi Maria
I am new to your site, I just recently bought your booklet . Intend to try out some recipes from there . I was looking at this recipe . Do you know how I can make the Dulce
de Leche myself?
Thanks in advance.
Raichu
Hi Raichu,
Welcome to MM! I do hope you will visit us frequently. Thank you so much for buying the booklet.
Please click on the dulce de leche, inside the recipe box, it will take you to a page, where it’s explained how to make it at home.
Cheers
Maria