Pseudo Irish cream

Ok, this one is really simple.

Step1. Make some sugar syrup by boiling water in a pan and adding sugar slowly.
Step 2. Ensure that the sugar has completely dissolved.
Step 3. Add chocolate powder slowly to the syrup.
Step 4 .Remove the pan from the stove and let it cool.
Step 5. Walk to the local 'wine store' and buy a half bottle of brandy/rum/whiskey
Step 6. Open the bottle and empty the alcohol into your chocolate syrup (make sure it has cooled completely)
Step 7. Fish out that old fancy bottle you never wanted to throw away.
Step 8. The bottle needs to be dry. Fill it with your concoction and refrigerate.
Step 9. The patient ones would let the bottle rest in the fridge for a few day.
step 10. Invite a friend to test the Irish cream
Step 11. Scoop out a couple of spoons of vanilla ice cream into a shaker. Pour in some of your chocolate-alcohol mix. close the cocktail shaker, and shake well.
It would really help if the ice cream were not frozen solid.
Step 12. Pour your Pseudo Irish cream into a shot glass and watch it burn down a friends throat.

Ps. Irish cream is always made with Irish whiskey, But these things are not too easy to find and they do cost a bit. Brandy worked fine for me.

The Indian 'Singing Drum' - Edakka

The Cheapskates guide to lighting a barbecue

I hate having to light charcoal. If i could hire a guy to do it, I would. This kept aside, I love to barbecue.
There are several ways you'd find on the internet.
Zippo fluid and paper, bad idea. The charcoal chimney seems to be the most effective way but these are not cheap. I've found many DIY chimneys on the net. Some of these are not too difficult to build.

There is this idea that has been effective for me.
Please do be careful.

Step 1. Steal a hair drier. or alternatively buy a cheap chinese one.
Step 2. Pile 4-5 pieces of coal over the gas stove. this is when your wife will come out screaming for messing up the kitchen.
Step 3. After sorting out the domestic issue, light the stove.
Step 4. The coal will light up in a few minutes. Keep yourself at a safe distance as the vapor in the coal will crackle. (you could be smart and dry the coal before getting into this )
Step 5. You should have about 4-5 pieces of burning ember. Place these along with the rest of your coal on the grill and fire up your hair drier. Direct the hot ait onto the coal
Step 6. You will have fire sparkles flying mad all over in a few minutes. (Photography enthusiast please note, this would be a long exposure photo opportunity)
It will be a good idea to avoid polyester clothing. Let me warn you that these sparkles can be extremely dangerous. So take all necessary precaution. If you've got kids running around, it would be a good idea to switch the TV on and keep them indoor till you're done.
If you have a cover for your BBQ grill, you could partially cover the kit while operating the drier.

A few minutes, and you will have a bed of burning ember without all the blowing and smoke.
Open that beer that has been chilling in the fridge and grill away.