Chocolate Shots

One of the banes of living in tiny Bombay flats is the miniscule kitchen they come with. Which means that my kitchen shelf could fit my gas stove and my oven, but no microwave. Yes! No Microwave all these years, for I would never let go of my precious little oven-cum-grill. But Papa came over for a visit last month and he's fixed up a space for my brand-new microwave.

So now, I can send an entry for Srivalli's Microwave Easy Cooking. To make it easier for a first timer, Srivalli's actually made it a potluck party. Bring what you like, she said. I bring Chocolate Shots.



Soak 1/2 tbsp of chinagrass flakes in 1/4 cup water and leave aside for half an hour. These can be made with gelatine as well, but I just got hold of a pack of china grass and have been wanting to make something of it. Microwave for 1 minute, and stir until chinagrass dissolves completely.

In another bowl mix 1 cup milk, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tbsp caster sugar and a few drops of vanilla essence. Microwave for 5 minutes, stopping to stir in between if it looks that the milk will boil over (or use a bigger bowl). Now add chinagrass to the bowl and microwave for another 5 minutes.

Pour into shot glasses. Chill for half an hour, then leave in the fridge to cool for a few hours. Garnish with a cherry or grated chocolate. But do not, like me, try to make it pretty before the pudding sets. One of my cherries sank, and the other one barely stayed on top. So wait for a couple of hours and garnish just before you eat!