Birthdays are Special

Celebrating a loved one’s birthday has been a family tradition. Growing up, my mom used to make our birthdays feel really special by getting a cake and having different types of short-eats and inviting family and friends. Even as I grow older my family makes it a special day for me. I am kept occupied and reminded many times during the day that it is my birthday. While I don't do any chores for the day, I am showered with handmade cards, notes and gifts. This is simply a time to count my blessings. 

I  know this feeling of being special is common to everyone on their birthday, so I make the birthdays of everyone around me feel special by making special treats, surprising them with gifts I know they want, making cheerful cards, going to the restaurant, or simply calling to say that their birthday is special to me. According to the recent Enbridge survey data 82% of Canadians agree that they feel special when someone puts a lot of energy into celebrating their birthday. 46% of Canadians say they are disappointed when others don’t put in the energy or effort on their birthday.

Since my children were young, I have attempted to make special cakes for them at home. I know this makes them feel special and super excited to see what I have tried to make. Enbridge survey data shows 63% of Canadians (69% Women and 57% men) think that having a cake makes your birthday more special, although the survey shows that the importance of cake diminishes with age. 72% of household with kids are more likely to think cake makes a birthday special compared to 61% of households without kids.

Birthdays in our home come with enjoying favourite meals, reuniting with friends and family, exchanging laughs and reminiscing about fond moments. 

I wanted to share a savoury tea snack that was always around on our birthday celebrations. We call these cutlets. To make these delicious snacks perfect for a birthday party you will need...

1 tin of fish like Mackeral or you can use 1 1/2 cups fish fillets without bones

2 boiled peeled potatoes

1 tsp oil

1 tbsp onion

1/4 tsp minced garlic 

finely chopped curry leaves optional

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp lime or lemon juice

1/2 tsp chillie powder

1/4 tsp corriander powder

1/4 tsp garam masala

pinch turmeric

For the batter

1 egg

1 tbsp flour

2 to 3 tbsp water

bread crumbs

oil

Heat oil add the onions and sauté then add the finely chopped curry leaves, garlic, fish pieces and the spices. To prevent it from burning cook in medium heat and keep sautéing with a wooden spoon. Cook until the spices are blended. Cooking this mixture reduce the fish smell, and will enhance the flavour. 

Remove from the heat, add the boiled potatoes, lemon juice and mash everything together. Adjust the seasoning of salt, lemon juice or the chillie powder according to your taste. Once the mixture is cool, using your hands make 1 1/2" diameter balls. 

Make the batter by beating the flour, egg and water to make a pourable thick batter. Dip these fish balls in the batter, and it with bread crumbs before deep frying in about 2 inches of hot oil until it turns golden brown in all sides.

I am glad that companies like Enbridge has a purpose to help fuel people’s quality of life. They are a part of our daily lives, delivering the energy that enables many of the things we do everyday. The Enbridge 100 Birthdays Video below celebrates the power of birthdays and over 165 years in Ontario delivering the natural gas that helps people create these special moments that mean so much to Canadians. This video features 100 people, age’s 1-100, each blowing out the candles on their birthday cake. In a beautiful compilation of warm faces of all ages, the video reminds us how important these special days are to each of us as we grow older.

No matter how fast pace our world becomes, it is important to take time to celebrate the simple things in life like birthday, and 80% of Canadians agree with this according to recent Enbridge survey data. 

Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Enbridge and receive special perks as part of my affiliation. All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2015. Please Ask First