My Dear Husband who is a generally not fond of Food,surprised me one day,when I accompanied him to one of his Friend’s Marriage ceremony,after our engagement(So he was my Fiance then….).That was the first time i came to know his Love for Shrikhand there.Since that was ,what he enjoyed most from the awesome platter of Traditional Maharashtrian Food.
So like a very curious Wife -To-Be,who obviously believed that the way to man’s heart is through his stomach, searched high and low for shrikhand’s Recipe.And mind you , at those times, Internet was an unheard of a thing for geeks like me.  So somehow i got its recipe from one of the neighbour, purchased the ingredients required and like a usual bubbly enthusiastic female,trying to woo her would- be -better- half, headed in HIS KITCHEN, in his absence, to churn out a surprise for him.

Now in all this, i had a companion who guided me to the Unknown Kitchen and utensils(since that home was new for me), stood besides me, acted as a perfect assistant, helping in blending etc, and watching with all the curiosity and giggles , the making of shrikhand.Well, till this date i don’t know whether Hubby dear liked that  shrikhand or not, i only know that it was the first thing i made for him and he did ate it . And that Helper was Sk(My Brother-in-law), the little jovial fellow, who after that first brush in kitchen, joined me in many more culinary experiments

Months later, as a new bride, i always had this fellow(Sk of course) , ready to indulge(when it was good) or bear(when food turned out awful) my experiments in kitchen.Who not only relished the good parathas and kokis,but also the burnt toasts and awful gravies with same smile on his face(i know after every disastrous meal, he would sneak out to some restaurant or street food stall , have a binge and return back burping and saying…today’s meal was superb,when are you going to make same again??(You cheat…liar…)

The reason for sharing these memories is that it’s Sk’s Birthday today,and though i am unable to make him eat any of his favorite on his birthday, i am virtually sending him some favorites of his , with all the fond memories and Hearty Wishes

Every Alphonso Mango landing our home was surely on his TO-FINISH Agenda.So much , that even when everyone at home would be about to retire at night,this crazy mango lover would suddenly remember a Mango lying around home, and would jump with excitement …How about a mango Shake now…Now ??? 12 o’clock (Night)??? Well anything for you dear…and off we use to go in kitchen,and with his help would churn out some quick mango shakes , much to my MIL’s  surprise at the blenders(Mixie) working at midnight in our Kitchen
So dear, for all those Good old days, and of course on Your birthday…here’s CHEERS from whole family with this Mango shake , for you

The recipe…well there is hardly any, just throw in a ripe Alphonso Mango, peeled and diced(save one slice for garnishing) in a blender (mixie) along with about two glass full of boiled and cooled milk, about 2-3 tsp of sugar, some almonds and ice cubes and blend till a smooth mixture is obtained

Pour in glasses(will yield about 3 servings ) , topped with some Almond slivers, some mango cubes (yes the one slice that you saved), some ice cubes, and for that ROSY kick,you can add  few drops of Rose syrup while blending.