Plum Cobbler & Essence of two minutes

Of course this is the electronic, rather internet era. Everything is possible in a click. All we need is just move a finger. However I and my father had to visit the railway reservation counter to make a group reservation. Something that was not possible over the internet booking. After fulfilling the required formalities I stood in one of the queues waiting for my turn to reach the booking window. The queue moved in a snail pace and the only way for me to kill my time was observing the body language and dressing of people around me. Well I do it most of the time but make sure not to make the other person uncomfortable. The reservation clerk at my window probably was in his early forties …… I could tell that from his bifocal reading glasses. His hair was unkept and he had grown a stubble. After standing for about an hour I was finally at the reservation window. Even before I could put my reservation request, the clerk pulled out a board that read “CLOSED” in bold red capitals. The wall clock that hung behind the reservation counter showed 11.50 am. I requested the clerk to take up my form as I was standing in the queue for almost an hour. Officially the time for lunch break was between 12 noon and 12.30 pm. I had read it during my one hour wait.
I was getting impatient and annoyed at the reluctance of the clerk. I could not hold back but remind him about his work hours which was till noon and not 11.50 am. Well as expected this gentle man could not tolerate somebody questioning his work ……… especially when it came from a lady. As expected I was left at his mercy. I had no choice but to wait for his extended lunch break to get over so that I could get past with my reservation.

As I was walking back ……. I was reminded of another instance that took place couple of years ago.

We had to moved into this new town called Naugatuck ……….. a small yet beautiful valley in the State of Connecticut. It took us about two months to settle down in this country far away from my own. It was the month of November in the East Coat of the United States and if I may say it had turned into a winter wonderland. Something that I read in Fairy Tales as a kid.

Of the many things in my ‘To Do’ list ……. Applying for a library card at the Naugatuck Valley Library was one. And it had been getting postponed for longer than desired. As I took the last sip of my late evening tea I made up my mind to get past this library card. I looked at the clock and it was already 5 minutes past 7. I picked up the required documents needed for applying the card and we headed out of the house by 7.15 pm.
As we pulled out of the driveway, I was mesmerized by the glistening snow on the stark naked trees. It looked beautiful in the moon lit night. Some houses in the neighborhood had already decked their lawns and patios with Christmas lights. They looked fabulous and reminded me of the beautiful Durga Puja Pandals back home. The FM radio too played some old Christmas classics. I smelt Christmas !!

In a few minutes we were at the Library. I had seen the clock at the hallway as soon I entered the building …….. it was already 7.25 pm and the closing time for the library was in the next 5 minutes.

I saw a fragile pale looking old lady sitting with a book at the counter. As I approached her with careful steps, she looked up from her book and greeted me with a smile. Since I was aware of the time when I entered the library I asked her with a lot of hesitation if I could manage to apply for a library card. ‘Sure you can as we have two more minutes left for the clock to strike 7.30 , she replied with a smile’. She looked beautiful and radiant with even a hundred wrinkles on her face.

I was taken aback by her reply and especially the way she respected time ... two minutes to be precise !

Makes about 6 ramekins

Preparation Time 60 minutes

Ingredients

All Purpose Flour – ¾ Cup

Butter at room temperature – ½ Cup

Sugar – ½ Cup

Salt – ½ tsp

Egg – 1

Vanilla Essence – 1 tsp

Milk ( Only needed to adjust consistency)

Fresh Plum Slices – ½ Cup

Baking Powder – ½ tsp

Method of Preparation

Mix sugar and Butter in a bowl. Stir well till sugar blends well. Add egg to this mixture and stir in again to make a uniform mixture. Also add Vanilla extract/ essence.

Mix all purpose flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Sieve the mixture so that they mix well uniformly.

Add little by little of the dry ingredients to the sugar butter egg mixture. Stir to blend them well. If required add a little milk to adjust the consistency.

Preheat the Oven at 350 degrees Farhenight. Grease the ramekins with little butter. Add sliced plums and batter in layers.

Bake for about 25 – 30 minutes or till done.

Remove and let it cool.

Serving Tips

Sprinkle some dusting sugar before serving.