Jab we Met & a recipe for Raspberry - Ricotta Mousse

Jab we met ......

The day was hot and humid. I bunked office and rushed home. I was out of my comfy jeans and in a starched cotton lucknowi salwar kameez ...... yess the guy was coming from half way across the globe. Kohl laden eyes, lip gloss and Davidoff Cool Water ..... Nah I was not trying to impress him, that was over long time back when we chatted over the internet and interestingly many of the chats ended in an argument. We were poles apart .... and probably by the law of Physics or whatever we were attracted to each other !! And you only thought it happens in Hindi films, didn't you ?

Jab we met ......

We were officially engaged .... yes we lived in the cyber era. No distance was big enough ... we spoke, we chatted , we saw (on the web cam) and we decided. It only cost him his night sleep and few hundred American dollars !

Jab we met .....

I was holding a big bunch of roses and waiting for him at the airport with a hundred eyes staring at me to death. I wish someone told them that times have changed and it is no more that the guy has to bring you roses.

Jab we met ......

I made him squeeze into the auto rickshaw with his luggage coz that was my favorite mode of transport. I bargained and yelled at the auto wala for tampering with the meter and swore not to pay him a penny more. I frowned at J for paying the auto wala whatever he demanded. He smiled and put his arms around my shoulders as we walked down while I went on with my rants about the auto wala and his meter !

Jab we met ......

I made him walk up and down the street and from one shop to another in the hot summer sun ...... while I shopped and decided what he had to wear on the wedding day. And that it had to complement with my Benarasi saree ..... and he complied.

Jab we met ......

We had dinner at a dhabba ... nothing fancy. And the trend of me choosing what to eat had unintentionally began. We chatted more than we ate ..... and I was high on a breezer.

In all these years there have been rare flower surprises or surprise gifts.

But J, don't think that I have forgotten how you nursed me all night when I was not well, the surprise chicken biryani cooked by you, bed tea on weekends and mid night drives to the ice cream shop, eating the worst food I cooked with a smile to encouraging me for whatever I do.

It's five years but seems like yesterday that I said 'I do' ....... Happy Anniversary J !!

Preparation Time - 15 minutes

Serves - 4 to 6

Ingredients

Ricotta Cheese - 2 cups

Raspberry Jam - 1/2 cup

Whipped Cream - 1 cup

Powdered Sugar - 3 tbsp

Fresh Raspberries - 1 cup

Method of Preparation

1. In a food processor, blend the ricotta cheese until light and fluffy, about 20 seconds.Add the jam and pulse until combined. Transfer to a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream until thick. Add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until the cream holds stiff peaks.

3. Working in batches, carefully fold the cream mixture into the ricotta mixture.

4. Spoon the mousse into serving bowls and refrigerate for 1 hour. Garnish with fresh raspberries and serve.

Variation

1. You can use Strawberry Jam if you do not have raspberry jam.

2. Substitute Ricotta cheese with cottage cheese