Mumbai, India
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Calling Your Name (Quite Literally)

HTML clipboardCulled from a list we wrote for CNNGo.com, below are some of our favourite gifting ideas this season. Highly personalised and uber cool, they’re guaranteed to earn you some major brownie points.Plus, you can be sure they won’t land up in the wrong stocking!

Poems that Rhyme with Your Tune

From the beak of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez parrot to an exposed reel in a film can, these poems (or blahs, as their crafters prefer to call them) have found their way into the oddest of places. Give them a few details, and the Shahs of Blah will write customised odes for any occasion, also hand picking the quirkiest carriers to present them in.

Getting there: Email poems.ideashop@gmail.com, Rs 1,000 and up.

Bespoke Book, of Indian Mythological Fame

Ashok Banker is best known for his freewheeling retelling of Indian mythology, but in "Vortal: Shockwave", he moves into the future zone. A limited edition available through the holiday season and complete with a personalised note from the author, this book is guaranteed to make you a 'legend' in gifting circles.

Getting There: Visit www.ashokbanker.com, Rs 400 for the large paperback version.

Read about more cool personalised presents in our story on CNNGO.com.

Easy as Pie!

Speaking of tailor made, we got Paul Kinny, Executive Chef of InterContinental Marine Drive to dish on his secret pizza crust recipe. Add sauce and toppings of your choice, and voila! you have your very own culinary masterpiece.

Thin Pizza Crust

Recipe by Paul Kinny, Executive Chef, InterContinental Marine Drive

5 gms yeast
5 gms of sugar
3/4 cup of lukewarm water
100gms of plain flour
Salt to taste

Combine dry yeast, sugar and lukewarm water. Mix a little and let sit for 6-8 minutes. Combine plain flour with salt in a bowl. Pour the water combination into the bowl (or food processor) and mix until ready to knead (around 30 seconds in a food processor). If using a bowl, mix with a spoon until you have a neat ball. Prepare a lightly sprinkled surface with flour. Turn out dough and knead for around 2-3 minutes. Lightly cover your finger tips with flour if the mixture is a little sticky. Roll out by hand for a 12'' base. Place in 12'' lightly oiled oven pan. Press out dough to form a slight lip. Prepare and apply your sauce and topping or choice. Cook in a pre-heated oven (450-500F) for 8-12 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy!

For more cool recipes from this dessert guru, check out Second Helping, bpb's newest culinary service.

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