Month: January 2025

Nine Fun Facts About Toblerone

- Roshan

Toblerone is the beloved Swiss chocolate brand that we can’t get enough of. The chocolate bar is so precious that it was a top trending topic during the election. It rocked a lot of people’s world when Mondelez International Inc. made the decision — in the U.K. — to lengthen the gaps between the chocolate peaks and reduce its weight by 10%. That announcement was a major slap in the face during an already turbulent time. Toblerone is a cleverly built chocolate bar. We put together 9 things you might not have known about the brand.

1. Its Name is a Play on Words

The chocolate was invented by Theodor Tobler. Toblerone comes from his surname, plus ‘torrone’ – an Italian word for a type of nougat.

2. It’s 108 Years Old

Theodor Tobler and his wife created this world-renowned chocolate in 1908. Chocolate making was in Tobler’s family, as his father owned a confectionary shop in the late 1800s.

3. You’ve Been Eating It Wrong

In 2014, a video went viral that proved the correct way to break off a piece of Toblerone chocolate. Mind blown.

4. It’s the First Chocolate Bar to Debut With a Filling

And after that, brands such as Almond Joy, Mounds, and Three Musketeers followed suit. What a trend setter.

5. We Consume 62,000 Kilometers of Toblerone Each Year

Major fun fact: if you laid out all of the Toblerone chocolate bars that were sold each year — it would be 62,000 kilometers long. That’s longer than the circumference of Earth.

6. Its Shape Comes From… Dancers.

It’s commonly thought that the shape of Toblerone represents the mountains of Switzerland. But the shape is actually meant to represent dancers the Folies Bergères — a cabaret music hall in Paris. The dancers form a pyramid at the end of the show, hence the triangular shape of the candy.

7. There’s a Hidden Message in Its Packaging

You know the mountain on the packaging of a Toblerone box? Look more closely. Theres an outline of a bear within the mountain.

8. It comes in 10 sizes

From fun size, to life size, Toblerone comes in 10 sizes and weights. It’s tallest candy bar for sale is one meter in length.

9. There have been 11 different varieties of Toblerone

The candy bar has played around with different flavors in its 108 year existence. Flavors such as fruit and nut, honeycomb, and salted almond have all been tested.

A Cup Of Delicious Coziness

- Roshan

National Hot Chocolate Day in 2025 is on Friday, January 31.

How to celebrate

  • Make hot chocolate: Make hot chocolate for yourself and your loved ones. You can try different flavors, like milk or dark chocolate, and add toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, or caramel.
  • Host a tasting party: Invite friends over and serve a variety of hot chocolate flavors.
  • Have a movie night: Pick a cozy movie and settle in with blankets and mugs of hot chocolate.
  • Make hot chocolate for breakfast: Pair hot chocolate with pastries, pancakes, or hot chocolate waffles.
  • Take pictures and post: Capture the cozy vibes of the day with photos of your hot chocolate creations and share them on social media.

Why celebrate?
National Hot Chocolate Day is a day to celebrate the timeless cold-weather beverage and the simple joy of savoring a moment of warmth.

I Offer My Apologies But I Am Keeping The Money

- Roshan

If you found a suitcase full of money in the middle of the street, what would you do?

Once a long time ago, I was travelling in a bus and found a small bag with a whole lot of money. When I used to travel via the local city buses, I used to always go and sit in the very last seats, which is basically a row that goes the entire inner width of the bus. Usually a lot of people avoid it unless the other seats are taken so I usually find it free unless the bus has a lot of passengers. So on this particular day I was going about town and I got into this buss and found this bag.

I remember checking to see if anyone was coming back to get it but the bus was only a quarter full and the last few seats were bare. I opened the bag and found the owner’s id card and some documents and close to Rs. 1 lakh! It was just under it but I don’t remember the full amount. I took the bag with me and got down at my stop and got some errands done. Once that was done in the area I was, I checked the address on the id card and saw that it was about 20 minutes away from where I was. So I took an auto and went there and asked for the owner.

I then handed him the bag with the money and told him that I found it in the bus. He and his family were so thankful – apparently he had taken the money out from the bank recently for some of the arrangements of his eldest daughter’s wedding and he and his family were frantic about the loss of the money. They had already called the police who were checking with the bus operators to see if they found it. I was happy that I could help him and refused the reward of (I think he offered to gift me Rs.10000) as my family was well off at the time and I thought my parents would be proud of me but not if I accepted the monetary reward. I had a quick coffee at their house before I said that I had to leave.

Fast forward to today and I might not do the same. I would probably keep the money and use it slowly and have the guilt in my mind but not as big a guilt to not use it. Times have changed and I guess so have I. Might not have been for the better but it is what it is!

Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com

Girona 1 Arsenal 2

- Roshan

Arsenal scored two goals in four first-half minutes as they came from behind to beat Girona to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League.

The Gunners were all-but through to the last 16 of the competition going into the match but build up to the game was dominated with talk about their approach for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. Girona looked like they were about to pull off a shock result when they took the lead in the 28th minute. Neto, making his Arsenal debut in goal in place of the injured David Raya, raced out of his box and Arnaut Danjuma curled the ball past him into the empty net. Arsenal drew level with a penalty 10 minutes later through Jorginho after Thomas Partey was brought down in the area by Arnau Martinez. The Gunners were then ahead just before half time when 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri cut in from the right hand side and curled an effort into the bottom corner.

Girona thought they had scored a second and levelled the match when Cristhian Stuani tapped in from close range in the second half but the goal was ruled out for offside. Arsenal had a chance to add a third in stoppage time but Raheem Sterling had a penalty saved by Pau Lopez. The result leaves Arsenal on 19 points and comfortably in the top eight heading into the knockout rounds. Mikel Arteta has spoken about wanting to take his side away for a mid-season break and as Arsenal will not be involved in the play-off games in February, there’s a 10 day gap in their schedule where he may be able to that. Arsenal’s need for a striker has been one of the main talking points of their season and the news of the club’s approach for Ollie Watkins threatened to overshadow the game.

Their need for a goalscorer was almost highlighted further after Danjuma gave Girona the lead but the Gunners showed the quality to make this game another straightforward outing in this season’s revamped league phase. Nwaneri then ensured that all of that was a footnote after another excellent showing for the Gunners. The club’s youngest player to feature for the first team again showed maturity above his years to slot in on the right side of the Arsenal attack. His goal, where he cut in from the right on his left foot and curled into the far corner, is already starting to become a trademark of his in a career that only spans 23 games.

Mikel Arteta allows Nwaneri to expressive himself in this team and like all top level wingers Nwaneri is equally adept at cutting inside to go at goal or go wide to cross for teammates. The 17-year-old is also trusted to take set-pieces for Arsenal and that is quite the compliment given the importance Arsenal put on those opportunities. Nwaneri’s goal was his sixth of the season in just 21 games and the academy graduate looks set to continue to be a part of this Arsenal side for many years to come.

Retro Active – Def Leppard

- Roshan

Retro Active is a compilation album by the English rock band Def Leppard, released in 1993. The album features touched-up versions of B-sides and previously unreleased recordings from the band’s recording sessions from 1984 to 1993. The album charted at number 9 on the Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart. After releasing only five albums over the course of a twelve-year period (4 years in between Pyromania & Hysteria, and then a further 5 years before Adrenalize) Def Leppard used Retro Active to break that habit, provide a treat for diehard fans.

Desert Song was an outtake from the songwriting sessions that produced 1987’s Hysteria. Self-produced, it became one of the last songs to be released by Def Leppard bearing the songwriting and guitar-playing of Steve Clark, who died on 8 January 1991. It was a hit on U.S. rock radio, reaching number twelve on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Fractured Love sounds like it could have been on Pyromania. Up next is a cover of Sweet’s hit song Action. Originally a 1992 recording, it was released as a B-side to Make Love Like a Man. The music video was shot between June and December 1993; in Sheffield, Ottawa, and Joe Elliott’s home in Ireland.

Two Steps Behind is a one of their best ballads and included in the soundtrack to the film Last Action Hero. The gentle acoustic ballad reached number five on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, numbers 12 and 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart. Written in 1985, She’s Too Tough first appeared on the Helix album Wild in the Streets in 1987. It is a tough little rocker along the lines of mid-80s party rockers. The ballad Miss You in a Heartbeat, meanwhile, was first written and demoed by guitarist Collen in 1991 and was originally recorded by the Law, a band featuring Paul Rodgers and the Who drummer Kenney Jones, for their self-titled album in 1991.

Def Leppard later recorded their own version in April the following year, which they released as a B-side on the Make Love Like a Man single. Only After Dark which is a fun rollicking romp on the guitar is a cover of Mick Ronson’s single. A song that was written around the making of Hysteria, Ride Into the Sun is a rockier change. A surprise is the acoustic From The Inside which is a hate song and feels like the band wrote or recorded the song around a fireplace. Lyrically it is so different from their usual fun or love songs. Ring Of Fire is co-written along with the famed 6th Lep John Mutt Lange and is hard rock number, which would have been at home in Pyromania. The pleading I Wanna Be Your Hero as originally released on the 1987 singles Animal in the US and Pour Some Sugar on Me in the UK. T.

The albums closers are an electric version of Two Steps Behind and a piano version of Miss You In A Heartbeat, which is a hidden track.

A Write With No Set Office & Flexible Timings For Work

- Roshan

If you could switch careers, what would you do? Why?

If I could make a change of careers right now I would choose to be a writer and ofcourse get paid lots and lots for it. I would love to have that as my passion and my livelihood that makes me a ton of money. I could stay in and write for a few hours a day or maybe take my devices and go and sit in a cafe for a few hours and relax there, drink some expensive coffee and write at a relaxed pace. This is the life!

I actually could work from a cafe on certain days if I wanted to as long as I don’t have to use public wifi and instead brought along a dongle for connectivity. I have a few colleagues who actually use one of these devices for work and they like the flexibility that it provides so they can work anywhere as long as they take their laptop with them. The purpose of getting away from the office or, in case of work from homers, from home and chillaxing with a cold one while getting some work done is awesome. As a writer, it would be easy to have this done.

Just a laptop and dongle or you can just bring in a bluetooth keyboard and your tab or phone and type away while you get a frappe or a latte and enjoy them with a sandwich or muffin. Take a pause in between and look at the fellow patrons, see the cars passing by, nod at the staff busy taking orders and making the coffee with a smile etc etc.

Seven More Rock Albums Turning 40 In 2025

- Roshan

Neil Young, ‘Old Ways’
Originally intended for release in 1983, Neil Young’s country album Old Ways sat on the shelf for two years as a result of the singer’s battle with Geffen Records, who sued him for making “unrepresentative” albums such as the synth-heavy Trans and the rockabilly Everybody’s Rockin’. When he was ordered to re-work Old Ways, Young dove even deeper into country music, which as he told Rolling Stone in 1988 “was a direct result of being sued for playing country music. The more then tried to stop me, the more I did it.”

Dire Straits, ‘Brothers in Arms’
Dire Straits had their cake and ate it too with 1985’s Brothers in Arms. The album’s biggest single, “Money for Nothing,” made fun of modern culture’s rock star worship while also becoming one of the year’s most popular MTV videos, propelling the album sales to unprecedented multi-platinum levels.

David Lee Roth, ‘Crazy From the Heat’
By his account, David Lee Roth wasn’t looking to leave Van Halen when he released his Crazy From the Heat covers EP in 1985. He purposely stayed away from hard rock guitar so as to not step on his main band’s toes, but the success of his take on “California Girls” led to a film offer that helped push the already squabbling group to the breaking point.

Eric Clapton, ‘Behind the Sun’
Relenting to pressure from his label, and seemingly agreeing that his commercial fortunes need a boost, Eric Clapton teamed up with co-producer Phil Collins and outside songwriters for the slicked-up Behind the Sun. He also let the guitar solos fly a bit more freely, particularly on the lead single “Forever Man.” The plan worked, kicking off a successful Clapton revival and a decade-long string of platinum and multi-platinum albums.

Bon Jovi, ‘7800 Fahrenheit’
Bon Jovi’s second album has been largely dismissed by the band over time, but it did show them putting together major pieces of the formula they’d use to conquer the world with Slippery When Wet the following year. Despite clashing with their producer and dealing with a rushed recording schedule, the band showed their promise on songs such as “In and Out of Love” and “Only Lonely.”

Robert Plant, ‘Shaken ‘n’ Stirred’
Robert Plant continued to push further and further from his Led Zeppelin past on his third solo album. With Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward joining the band, Shaken ‘n’ Stirred explores more exotic and complex rhythms while also leaning even heavier on keyboards than Pictures at Eleven and The Principle of Moments. “Little by Little” reached the Top 40, but the album was Plant’s first not to earn platinum sales status in America.

Megadeth, ‘Killing Is My Business… and Business is Good!’
Fired from Metallica just before the release of their revolutionary debut album, Dave Mustaine started again on his own, assembling a new band and self-producing their debut album on a shoestring budget. The resulting Killing is My Business… and Business is Good! helped define thrash metal, and Megadeth went on to become acknowledged as one of the genre’s most important acts.

Take Me To The Final Frontier

- Roshan

If you could step into any movie or book, what would you pick? Why?

No question about it, I don’t even have to think about it. But if anyone asks me that I could step into any book or movie – add television shows to it – and live my life as part of it, it would be and always will be, ever since I became a Trekkie at the age of 19 way back in 1995, STAR TREK! No thinking about it, no humming or hawing, no doubts! Star Trek it is. But which era?

You see Discovery & ugh Section 31 exist. So no I do not want to step into that era. And though I love TOS which is in the 23rd Century, the 24th Century looks more up my alley. I love the TNG/DS9/Voyager aesthetics and the life that humans live in that time period. So that’s where I would want to move my life into. Bring all my family members and friends and their family members. We should all live in a life where there is no poverty, no need for money, no hunger, no famine, no homeless, no accidents like we see now, no wars among humans and basically none of the illnesses that we see in existence now. Most of them have been eradicated and it is rare for someone to suffer and die due to the illness.

Even if I didn’t join Starfleet and explore the galaxy, we can still go out into space. Utopian Earth still will be there and we can always come back to the familiarity and comfort of it after some time spent on other planets or moons. Visit the alien landscapes and see the wonders out there but then come back home. Or hey, if you feel like you found another planet that you want to live on, you can carry one of those spaceships that double up as a home and settle there for a while. Take me there please!

Prompt from Journal Writing Prompts for January 2025 at Rebecca’s Country Notes

What Is An SSD Hard Disk & What Are Some Facts?

- Roshan

Here are a few key facts about SSDs (Solid State Drives):

  1. No Moving Parts: Unlike traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs use flash memory to store data, meaning there are no moving mechanical parts. This leads to faster data access speeds and increased durability.
  2. Speed: SSDs are much faster than HDDs in terms of data transfer and access times. This results in quicker boot times, faster file transfers, and smoother performance in general, especially when running applications or games.
  3. Lower Power Consumption: Because SSDs don’t rely on spinning disks and moving read/write heads like HDDs, they consume less power, which is especially beneficial in laptops or other portable devices where battery life is important.
  4. Durability: Since SSDs don’t have moving parts, they are less prone to mechanical failure, making them more resilient to shocks and vibrations.
  5. Cost per GB: Although SSD prices have dropped significantly, they are still more expensive per gigabyte compared to HDDs. However, the price difference continues to narrow as SSD technology advances.
  6. Longer Lifespan (but with limits): SSDs can wear out over time because flash memory has a limited number of write cycles, but modern SSDs are built with wear-leveling technology that helps extend their lifespan.

Four Weird Laws In Bosnia And Herzegovina

- Roshan

Firing with an AK-47 automatic in the air is allowed

Weddings in Bosnia and Herzegovina are a big thing. Although diminishing, the firing of AK-47 automatic rifles and other weapons in the air prior to and after the event, still is common practice especially in rural areas. It seems that the logic of what goes up must come down is lost on everyone. Oh, and don’t even think of how much ammunition might be required to celebrate a newborn baby.

Marriage restrictions

The Constitution does not specify gender eligibility for marriage, but family codes in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska limit marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Ethnicity-based restrictions

These restrictions prevent ethnic minorities from running for office. For example, Dervo Sejdi? and Jakob Finci, a Roma man and a Jewish man, were ineligible to run for office due to their ethnic origins.

Drinking & Driving

Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are severe. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.03%. Passengers under the influence of alcohol cannot sit in the front seat. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines. Traffic authorities may also confiscate the driver’s licence.

Wolverhamton Wolves 0 Arsenal 1

- Roshan

Riccardo Calafiori fired 10-man Arsenal to a Premier League win at Wolves after Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card.

Referee Michael Oliver’s first-half decision to send off Lewis-Skelly – after he fouled Matt Doherty 30 yards from the hosts’ goal to stop the Wolves defender breaking from a corner – stunned the Gunners. At 18 years and 121 days, Lewis-Skelly became the third youngest player to be sent off in the Premier League, behind Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. Joao Gomes’ dismissal, for a second yellow card after a foul on Jurrien Timber with 20 minutes left, was more routine but it will be no more than a footnote. Lewis-Skelly’s red could have had an immediate impact on the title race if the second-placed Gunners dropped points to fall further behind leaders Liverpool, who beat Ipswich 4-1.

But they showed resilience to snatch the victory thanks to Calafiori, on as a substitute following a half-time reshuffle. The defender’s fine low finish with 16 minutes left kept the Gunners six points adrift of Liverpool. Myles-Skelly’s 43rd-minute red ignited what had been a forgettable game, with the only early talking point Wolves fans’ chants against owners Fosun, calling on them to “back the team or sell the club” with their side 17th in the table. Pablo Sarabia volleyed over and Kai Havertz nodded wide before he was denied by Jose Sa.

Havertz again went close after the break with Matheus Cunha threatening twice before Calafiori pounced. Michael Oliver’s decision to send Lewis-Skelly off after 43 minutes will be replayed and poured over for a long time. It has split opinion, with former England captain Alan Shearer calling it “one of the worst decisions that I’ve seen in a long time”. Lewis-Skelly’s tackle was cynical and he knew what he was doing to stop Doherty breaking away from an Arsenal corner, but whether it was a red card has sparked intense debate – so intense that Arsenal’s win amid the controversy may almost be forgotten.

Liverpool snatched a result befitting champions when they struck twice late on to win at Brentford last week. This time, Arsenal triumphed in a game where they faced adversity to keep in touch with the leaders after pulling their own win out of the fire. A tactical reshuffle, bringing on eventual match-winner Calafiori at the break, proved to be a crucial decision by manager Mikel Arteta. David Raya was never overly tested, despite a fine save to deny Matheus Cunha, and Arsenal always had a degree of control in the second half – even before Gomes’ red card made it 10 v 10. The Gunners’ passionate celebrations at the end showed how important the win was and how they know they cannot afford to fall further behind Liverpool.

7 Delicious Facts About Jersey Mike’s Subs

- Roshan

1. The CEO worked at the original shop as a teen. Then he bought it. 

Back when the original store in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, was called Mike’s Subs, Peter Cancro began as a sandwich shop wrapper at 14. He eventually earned the right to slice meats, constantly talking to tourists and memorizing their orders. When the owners of Mike’s Subs put the store up for sale, Cancro’s mother encouraged him to buy it. So Cancro bought Mike’s Subs at the age of 17 with a loan from his former football coach (who was also a banker).

2. Jersey Mike’s holds an annual day and month of giving.

The Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving also includes the “Annual Day of Giving” on the last Wednesday of March. On this day, 100% of sales — not just profits — are donated to each location’s local charity partners. In 2024, the Annual Month of Giving raised more than $25 million to help over 200 local charities. This amount includes customer donations and 100% of sales from March 27, 2024. After 14 Annual Months of Giving, Jersey Mike’s has raised $113 million.

3. Danny DeVito was Jersey Mike’s first celebrity endorsement.

Danny DeVito grew up not too far from the original Mike’s Subs at the Jersey Shore. When he became Jersey Mike’s first-ever celebrity endorsement in a commercial, Peter Cancro was skeptical. However, Cancro saw DeVito’s work ethic and commitment during the commercial shoot and realized that DeVito fit well into the Jersey Mike’s culture.

4. Jersey Mike’s is the official naming rights partner of Rutgers Athletics.

Jersey Mike’s has a multi-year agreement with Rutgers University to be the official naming rights partner of Rutgers Athletics. The former Rutgers Athletic Center (The RAC) was renamed the Jersey Mike’s Arena and the space hosts several Rutgers Athletics sporting events and even concerts.

5. There is an alleged secret menu.

There are no official claims for a secret menu at Jersey Mike’s, but many customers believe there to be one. It is unclear if customers are just modifying existing sandwiches to create something new, but the mystery of a secret menu still lives on. 

6. There are currently three international locations, but not for long.

Jersey Mike’s has two locations in Canada and one in Mexico, however the brand announced a partnership with one of Canada’s largest restaurant operators, Redberry. This partnership expects to open 300 more locations in Canada by 2034.

7. Jersey Mike’s is the official sub sandwich of the NHL.

In 2023, Jersey Mike’s became an official partner of the National Hockey League (NHL) and their subs are the official sandwich. This agreement includes marketing rights and digital advertising on the ice.

Wired Speakers VS Bluetooth Speakers : Which One Is The Right One For You?

- Roshan

When deciding between wired and Bluetooth speakers, there are a few key factors to consider. Here’s a comparison to help you decide which is best for your needs:

1. Sound Quality: Wired Speakers: Generally provide better sound quality, as they don’t suffer from any potential interference or signal loss that Bluetooth connections sometimes experience. The connection is more stable and direct, ensuring consistent audio performance. Bluetooth Speakers: While many Bluetooth speakers can still deliver great sound, there may be slight degradation in sound quality due to compression and potential interference, especially if the Bluetooth connection isn’t strong.

2. Convenience: Wired Speakers: They need to be physically connected to your audio source, which means you’re limited by the length of the cable. This can be restrictive in terms of placement and movement. Bluetooth Speakers: Wireless, which makes them much more portable and convenient. You can move them around without worrying about cables, making them great for outdoor use or for moving between rooms.

3. Portability: Wired Speakers: Typically less portable because of the need to plug them in and be near an audio source. Bluetooth Speakers: Highly portable, lightweight, and designed to be taken anywhere. Some even come with waterproof features for outdoor use.

4. Battery Life: Wired Speakers: They don’t require batteries since they’re powered by the device they’re connected to, which means you don’t have to worry about charging them. Bluetooth Speakers: Battery-powered, so you’ll need to recharge them regularly, which might be a drawback for long listening sessions or when you’re on the go.

5. Compatibility: Wired Speakers: You’ll need a device that has the appropriate audio-out port (like a headphone jack or RCA input). Compatibility might be limited if the device you’re using doesn’t have the right port. Bluetooth Speakers: Bluetooth connectivity is common in most modern devices, so they tend to work with a wide range of smartphones, tablets, and laptops without needing any cables.

6. Cost: Wired Speakers: Typically cheaper, as they don’t need wireless technology, batteries, or other advanced features. Bluetooth Speakers: Generally more expensive due to the wireless technology, built-in batteries, and additional features like portability and integration with smart assistants.

7. Durability: Wired Speakers: Can be more durable since they don’t rely on batteries or Bluetooth components, but the cables can wear out over time. Bluetooth Speakers: While many are designed to be durable, especially outdoor models, battery life and wireless components can wear out, and dropping or water damage could be an issue if they’re not built for rough environments.

In Summary: Go for wired if you prioritize superior sound quality, reliability, and don’t mind being tethered to your audio source. Go for Bluetooth if you need portability, flexibility, and want a wireless experience with the convenience of taking your speaker anywhere.

What kind of listening experience are you hoping for—portable and flexible, or more of a stationary, high-quality setup?

Sweet Corn Chicken Soup : Recipe For This Long Time Favourite

- Roshan

A long time favourite from childhood to now, the hot & sweet comforting sips on a cold rainy day is what soothes what ails you and keeps the blues away. Tender shredded chicken in a broth laced with silky egg ribbons is savory, comforting, and a drizzle of sesame oil rounds off all the flavours perfectly. From the mid & late 80s onwards this has been a huge favourite of mine. Whenever my family went to a Chinese style restaurant, we usually ended up getting some sweet corn chicken soup to start the dinner off.

Ingredients you need

  • Chicken breast – I always have some chicken breast lying in the refrigerator, and it comes in handy.
  • Aromatics – Chicken breast is cooked in ginger, garlic, and broth for extra flavor.
  • SweetCorn – Use fresh if you have else canned corn also works.
  • Creamed Corn – Creamed corn adds thickness to the soup.
  • Eggs – Another key ingredient in this soup is the egg. When the egg is whisked into the simmering broth, it creates ribbon-like structures and gives the soup some body.
  • Seasoning – This Sweet Corn Chicken Soup is mildly seasoned with salt, and freshly cracked pepper.
  • Soy sauce – adds umami to the soup.
  • Sesame Oil – to season at the end.
  • Green Onion – For garnishing if needed

Steps to make Sweetcorn Chicken Soup

  1. Begin with making an aromatic broth base to poach chicken breast. I prefer sautéing garlic in oil to infuse the flavor. Once the broth comes to a boil, reduce heat. Add chicken breast and simmer for 6-7 minutes. Then remove from the broth and let it rest covered while you make rest of the soup. Note: For moist chicken, don’t skip resting it for 8-10 minutes. If you are using already-cooked chicken, then you will save 10 minutes straight away.
  2. Either you can shred poached chicken or cut it into smaller cubes. And to the pot add corn kernel and creamed corn to the remaining stock in the pot. Mix everything well.
  3. Next is to add whisked eggs slowly to the soup base to create silky ribbons. It adds body to the soup. Make sure to reduce the flame and stir soup slowly while adding the egg. The idea is to break the egg into thin strands.
  4. After adding the egg, let the soup simmer for a minute or so. Because the chicken is already cooked trough, add it just towards the end along with the seasonings. No need of cooking the chicken longer as it might dry out.

Lounger, Relaxer, Stay In The Room & Chill

- Roshan

When on a vacation, do you prefer to lounge and relax, or go out and explore?

I am not an explorer or the exploring kind. I would like to relax and lounge and take full advantage of the hotel / home stay and their room service. I want to sleep in and watch a couple of movies or binge a tv series or two. Or read a book!

All the times that I have had a chance to travel before I have gone mostly to people’s houses and/or bars or hotels. Very few times I have gone to just see the sights and sounds. I remember when I temporarily lived in Calicut back in 2002, I would go out almost every day with a few friends and if not to the beach, I would go to see a few places in the city and by evening I would come back to the suburban area where I had rented a room.

The last few times that I have taken a vacation or staycation, I have just taken a nice hotel room, read, slept, watched a bit of tv and then ate the room service that I would order in and ofcourse drink a few beers. The rest and relaxation is what I crave and ofcourse the fact that I can get away from home and have a different set of walls that I can look at.

Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com