Alas! As I finally sat to write, my mind went blank.
Umpteen keystrokes later, the struggle still continues. I wonder how would I fare if someone set a deadline on finishing this write-up. I wish someone did. So here’s the conundrum. On the one hand, the precious asset of our lives called “time” is slipping away like quicksand. A couple blinks (read years) ago, I was whining about stepping on the other (greater) side of 25. And a couple blinks later I will have left 30 so far behind and have so much more to whine about. And on the other hand, because I did not care for setting up goal posts for my writing, I am luxuriously hitting “delete” and gazing up the ceiling or at the walls, thinking at times, pretending to think at other, and eventually giving in to the night, only to wake up the next day and drag myself to work.
So I decided tonight, even if it’s gibberish, I am going to write. Likewise, there are days I decide to give my heart and soul into making that perfect dish not caring about the imperfect outcome. And only in such bold moments, I surprise myself!
It all makes sense. Sanity intact. Hands and legs functioning. Brainwaves hitting the shore. And a few strokes of either the whisk, the ladle, or the keyboard do magic and lend meaning to my fondness.
Whining aside. Procrastination aside. Tonight I am here to gloat. About that on-the-fly Peanut Butter White Chocolate Mousse – Oh, that’s a mouthful! – that my brain prompted me to make the other day. Let me warn you, I am a tad bit self – obsessed (hence the gloating) and also I am not fond of peanuts. But this delectable made me succumb to its taste (So all peanut lovers and haters, this is for you!).
It was a friend’s birthday, who is the exact opposite of me when it comes to peanuts. So if I were to just throw peanuts on the floor (because of my no-love for them), she would pick them up (like I would pick up a puppy out of love) and eat ’em (the peanut, not the puppy). I was very reluctant to pick up a jar of peanut butter from the super market, but am I blessed with generous souls in my life, you ask? Yes, I am. One such thoughtful soul made me buy a whole jar. And that soul and I surprised the birthday soul with this velvetty creamy dessert. I secretly wished I could make something I like (I harbor a plenty of mean child symptoms), but after gulping down a spoonful of this, it was a celebration in my mouth!
Moral of the story : What (Happiness) goes around, comes around.
Compensating for all those mean child years that I have lived, I am sharing the recipe with all of you! (Would not have done so on the lesser side of 25! You are lucky I am growing wiser and kinder :D)
- Almond vanilla milk - ⅓ - ½ cup
- Chunky peanut butter - ½ lb
- White chocolate - 42 g
- Heavy whipping cream - 1½ cup
- Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
- Sugar - ¼ cup
- Mint leaves - for garnish
- Blend the chunky peanut butter and milk into a smooth paste. The paste should not be too thin or thick. The amount I have suggested worked perfectly for me. Add ⅓ cup milk first, and then add the remaining in teaspoon full increments, so you can control the consistency. (You can also use smooth peanut butter in lieu of the chunky one. In that case, you will need less amount of milk compared to what is prescribed in this recipe).
- Melt white chocolate on a double boiler. Keep stirring until the chocolate melts. Set aside to completely cool. (I had one-fourth of a left over white chocolate bar, hence the weird 42 g measure. You can use an entire bar. In case you do that, adjust the sugar and the milk measure).
- Empty the peanut butter-milk blend onto a bigger bowl. Add the cooled white chocolate melt and fold in the mixture.
- Add heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract and sugar into another big bowl. And whip it (until thick) to form chantilly cream.
- Use a flat spatula to empty the cream over the peanut butter - milk mixture. Gently fold in the cream with this mixture.
- Divide this mixture into 4 glass bowls, or mason jars. Chill in the refrigerator for an hour. Garnish with mint leaves (oh so fresh!). And then dig right in!
