STEAMED OIL-FREE FLUFFY DELIGHT

 It's 4:50 pm exactly, when to finish? I don't need to hurry today, son's father is travelling, son you know left home back in 2020. I wasn't home since morning, neither in great mood, unwilling to speak elaborate. As I say, people like me carry lot of emotional baggages, we pick up. It's okay but weight feels heavier as I age. I can't avoid baggages either, hold tight! It's engagement for me, an idle self's favourite pastime. 

On several occasions son's father told attachments, expectations causes sorrow. It feels thankful he doesn't shower instructions, do's & don'ts, else what? I would have rented space in Barasat, worked in a school that made me feel important, gave me meaty subjects to teach, made me feel trustworthy at age 22-23. 

Where is Ruma? She had been gentle, sincere, studious girl from backward section of society. Her family valued education. She told me how her eldest brother wished to do higher studies, was forced to join Kalyani Hospital's administrative department post graduation following father. He bore educational expenses of Ruma, her sister, youngest brother. I am looking for her since years, forgot second name. She visited our Barrackpore home two times, after our masters classes gave over. She persuaded me to face MPhil interview at the Jadavpur University saying, "no worries, SBRC would be in interview board"; I laughed, told my heart beats louder for him, not his. The word "Interview" is fearful. Thereafter, she visited home one day, saying she joined Bagula College, they require part-time lecturer, in both cases I lacked confidence. May be I was more interested in filling BEd form at Kalyani University, in case I get to see sir DS everyday, I finally did it from RBU. I was doing all these when man was sailing, gifting me Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, Este Lauder, Swarovsky! Fickle minded? I don't know if love, infatuations, commitments, responsibilities can walk together, humans are polygamous in nature I believe. This one man, one woman throughout life is big lie, scam. Partners need to be friendly to understand this, restore peace!

Ruma & I last met on my marriage day, I was happy our mother gave away my notebooks to her. This story I told earlier, I wish to reconnect. I may ask another professor about her, my comfort level with him had been deep, such deep that one day he told me Ruma got infatuated towards him, that he doesn't feel same towards her. Relationships are never easy, but complicated. I know who he liked, his romantic feeling was divided among two of my girlfriends. You bet, this too can happen. I heard his better half teaches in college, may be they have a son. Last I wrote to him was to invite him on our son's rice feeding ceremony, he couldn't attend. I wanted him to visit us, didn't anticipating man, him may get into arguments; both were leftists; man had been SFI leader in college, Sir was Naxalite, that period student union in Presidency college had been. May be his rigid political stand didn't let him position in prestigious Calcutta University. He would often quote from Marx, followed his teaching, taught Communist Manifesto. Till date he perhaps stays in Tangra Housing Estate, both teaches in college. I wouldn't ask son to follow sir, but his father's footsteps. 

What are we? The man is an Elitist Leftist, every evening needs Scotch. I may be social democrat or just humanist. What is son? He isn't left minded we know. Some other day we may talk about few others, Kunal sir, Hazra sir, even BEd department teachers at RBU. During final viva, my terror, they were compassionate just because I was newly married, yet sacrificed honeymoon to attend practice teaching, workshops. I smile remembering how generous, gentle HOD of BEd did not like my projects, cut outs, paintings I am too poor at. Man who was on leave, his sister did projects for me. The other students were too good at those, eye catching works. I loved the second paper most, psychology! Our mother was major supporter, my brother, daddy, mother-in-law had no interest, father-in-law silently appreciated my journey. I did nothing with the degrees.

I never feel if I worked I could have amassed gold, I believe if we get economically independent, we become valuable members of society. I have no restrictions in life, neither I am major decision maker. You can't be neither I want, my brain matter, that makes this home peaceful. I dislike men interfering in kitchen matters, that is enraging. Man doesn't,  his focus shifts. He hardly minds my solo afternoon walks, food.

I don't mind clicking my sweaty self, condition improved after I started losing weight! Let me wrap, share recipe of this oil-free vegetarian snack; STEAMED OIL-FREE FLUFFY DELIGHT, its vegan & gluten-free. I came across similar recipe by one Keralite blogger, Bengali blogger; I see Phillipines, Malaysia, South East Asia cook similar kinds. I used rice flour, coconut, yeast, sugar, cooked rice following reels, garnished it with dried cranberries, blueberries. Whilst I continue to blog, there may be gaps. There are major decisions, changes awaiting us, we want or not. Thats heart wrenching, we must accept reality. I don't live in reality but in dream utopia! But reality, facts prevail, not dreams, that causes me hurt, yet I can't be practical! Deep inside, I enjoy my obsessions, none would I allow to dictate my course of life, my man is friend, our weird son is love, who to fear? They give me space. I have always handled myself with dignity, what to fear about? We shouldn't force entry to places we are not welcomed, wanted. You may ask why do I peep here and there if my men and family love me? Trust me, I don't, it happens, I get stuck unknowingly!

INGREDIENTS :

RICE FLOUR : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

SHREDDED COCONUT : 5-6 TBSP

COOKED RICE : 2-3 TBSP

YEAST : 1 TSP

SALT : A PINCH OR TWO

SUGAR : 2-3 TBSP [YOU MAY NEED MORE]

WARM COCONUT MILK : AS REQUIRED FOR PASTE LIKE CONSISTENCY

BLUEBERRIES : A HANDFUL

DRIED CRANBERRIES : A HANDFUL

PROCEDURE :

Take all ingredients in blender except blueberries & cranberries.

Blend to fine paste. Transfer to deep bottomed vessel.

Wash blueberries & dried cranberries. Add maximum to batter, mix. Cover vessel with lid, keep inside microwave oven for 2-3 hours.

Grease bowl with few drops of oil, pour batter.

Boil water in manual steamer, place bowl with batter on top. Steam covered at low heat for 30 minutes or until cooked, insert toothpick to know.

Take out, let cool a bit, loosen sides, turn over onto a plate.

Enjoy with choice of beverage.

SAVOURY HEALTHY RICE BOWL

 

Not in frame of mind to cook complex recipes, I thought of sharing a simple recipe for my readers today. Its not even fried rice. I had some leftover rice in refrigerator, gave it new makeover using few available ingredients. Coming to details of recipe later, I am bringing together myself. One cannot be in great mood if one's own are not in peace! Then, I can't sit idle without any activity, would go mad. I would either write blogpost or read, go out for long walks, listen to music. I chose to write blogpost, if it seemed difficult, I would have gone somewhere! We had talk with son this morning, we wish to talk every morning if he agrees! Does he fear we may put pressure on him, ask him to do what he isn't ready for? Why would he even after our genuine assurance? I worry for him, I / We can understand his situation! I wish we could be near him. Then, he is his father's son, he has courage to wade through difficulties. I can't shove off worries, Singapore would always seem safest for him to me!

Lets talk food, may we? These days, it doesn't feel like going for fine dining! Because I belong to food world, little more than bare minimum I allow. Let our beloved son get established, we can celebrate lot. Its for his own good, not to furnish us!

This was my brunch today, puffed rice mix. Thereafter, I took liberty to have store bought flatbread. We would rarely have, we make; Cristine or I! Yesterday's lunch was at friend's. I tasted everything from huge menu. My system refuses these days, I think menopause weakens our system, not our spirit! Go, get yourself some exercise, to look good is therapeutic, necessity. From being obese to fitting into medium sized dresses had been journey of grit, determination. My GP is happy, so I am. He is such cute, such generous that I lecture him we don't want medical experts to be overweight, he hasn't thrown me out of his chamber. Instead, gave me vocal tonic throughout last year when I had mental breakdown, "S, look into my eyes, redness is from high pressure, I take higher dosage than you!" Such kind gesture of walking alongside patients demand high regards!

Yesterday night, I was full, yet had chilled watered rice. I felt heavier, sick almost. It gradually normalised. Eating in less amount per meal is the right thing to do.

I like patty, madeliene in local food hub. I have at gaps, forget if patty is vegetarian, don't want it loaded with chicken, eggs. The cake has egg. I repeat asked the young girl at counter if patty is vegetarian, she told yes irritated. Then I found egg white in it. I didn't go back to fight. She might be earning from young age, I do nothing. If I get reason for your weird behaviour, I wouldn't take up fight, not in that habit!

Be it chirer polao, mochi / bao with spicy filling, I enjoy.

I like cucumber maki, egg maki, chicken teriyaki onigiri at Umisushi, green tea. I visit, choose quiet corner, enjoy! If chicken smells, I am gone. I never order sea-food, cheesy stuffs outdoor! I can't digest!

Why to if I enjoy cooking homely pasta to mutton, chicken, fish at home? This we need these days, son left home, our need of exotic food isn't anymore. If friends call, we join for chat, enjoy food too!

Last night, idea of rice salad popped up. I mean, if you use less of cooked rice, more vegetables, its rice salad. Else it makes SAVOURY HEALTHY RICE BOWL, vegan & gluten-free with goodness of corn, coconut, peanuts. Whether you call rice healthy is debatable. It is high on carbohydrate but stomach friendly. Rice is healthy, we have to control portions. The vegetarian bowl isn't fried. I fried peanuts in 1tsp oil, prepared a green sauce with herbs I grow, took everything together, shook well. Enjoy bowl cold or at room temperature! I would prefer rice salad but family may wish to eat as main rice bowl.

Few other easy recipes from this blog are SUGAR PALM FRUIT CAKE, BENGALI STYLE HYACINTH BEANS, PAN SEARED CABBAGE SNACK

INGREDIENTS :

COOKED RICE : 2-3 COFFEE MUG

BOILED CORN : 3-4 TBSP

FRIED PEANUT : 1-2 TBSP

CHOPPED COCONUT : 2 TBSP

FRESH CORIANDER : A SPRIG OR TWO

SAW TOOTH CORIANDER : 2-3

FRESH MINT LEAVES : A HANDFUL

LEMON JUICE : 2-3 TBSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

PROCEDURE :

Except green chillies, I grow rest of herbs. We hardly know care. We would wash them, paste roughly adding lemon juice, salt.

I wasn't keen about taking stepwise pictures, lack energy at this time!

We would fry peanuts, add to cooked rice with remaining oil, washed chopped coconut, boiled corns, green sauce.

We would close tight lid, shake few times.

Transfer to bowl, enjoy!

SAVOURY CRISP BAKED SNACKER

 For an hour I am trying to start writing blogpost. Whats interrupting I don't know; gust of wind, abrupt thoughts, touching rhythms? Whatever, I captured the moment!

At times, I miss being poet; they would have expressed beautifully on paper. Does anyone use pen, paper anymore? Even medical experts write prescriptions on screen. I don't wish to sound a critic, son studied computer science. World has to move forward, I am back logged; lazy afternoons, snacks with beverage, romantic reads, thrillers on screen, melodies are my life. A life spent without doing anything fruitful. The man can't say I used his money, battered him, both at same time.

Okay, I keep blabbering about him to friends, family, thats not always praises! Yet, I never do make him look like villain. I would have if he did not let me live my life. If anyone approaches me with do's, don'ts, I get wild. I dislike boredom, even in people I mingle with! Son & Man never allow me fill their lives with advises, instructions. I think life is good more or less. My thoughts are weird doesn't mean I am unhappy, that my life is in shackles. Look at number of baked snacks, I had two, Cristine had one, the rest were done & dusted by man last evening! That was reward, given he pats my back rarely. Beloved son, mumma is waiting to treat you!

Today's branch was nicely made "jhal muri+cha"! Yesterday, I was at Kovan mall, had butterfly & sesame ball snackers, much loved they are. These are my simple pleasures man never interferes with, this is enough reason being thankful. He isn't man of many words! Neither him, nor son cater to my definition of romantic. I don't complain, after living decades under one roof, we can't groove beneath tree, its necessary to be friends! If he doesn't poke when I sing"mujhe neend na aye, mujhe chain na aye, chain na aye; mujhe neend na aye, mujhe chain na aye, koi jaye jara dhoond ke laye, na janey kaha dil kho gya" from early 90's, I am happy! I forgot about my texts from Voltaire, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Plato, rest. He knows me from 1981, we give each-other that much needed space. A mother would not know much about her son's romantic life, more if he is secretive like mine, I keep saying,"your generation is different mummy, you have to praise each other for no reason; who wants breakage?"

Sometime back, I had something I unlikely have. I am into sugar-free black coffee, tea but that is cheese omelet bread! May be I would have again after 3-6 months. Bread-Omelet is the man's thing!

Let's square up. The plan to prepare this vegan, gluten-free SAVOURY CRISP BAKED SNACKER was doing round in my head! I did blog about rice flour, spicy coconut pol roti kind of earlier. Yesterday, I used a near similar spiced coconut filling. I don't read my own blogposts, only when I update. The man enjoyed having but I wasn't much happy about finish. It was tasty, crisp, didn't get evenly coloured! Why? Please readers if you may answer. I am sure deep frying them would get me great finish, I wanted to keep it vegetarian /vegan, gluten-free, low oil! What else can be more rewarding than people wiping off food you cook. The hurt is my inability to serve son, he is still single, hence I ain't an interfering mother. I wish he mingles soon, just care for his mother's choice a bit.

INGREDIENTS : [FOR THE FILLING]

SHREDDED COCONUT : 100-150 GM

BENGALI SPICE MIX POWDER[bhaja moshla] : 2 tsp[1/2 tsp each of coriander & cumin seeds, 3-4 dry red chillies dry roasted & coarsely ground]

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1/2 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/4 TSP

CUMIN POWDER : 1/2 TSP

CORIANDER POWDER : 1/2 TSP

DRY MANGO POWDER : 1/2 TSP

SALT : 1/4 TSP

SUGAR : 1/2 TSP [OPTIONAL]

INGREDIENTS : [FOR THE DOUGH]

RICE FLOUR : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

SALT : A PINCH OR TWO

OIL : 3-4 DROPS

INGREDIENTS : [FOR THE BAKED SNACK]

THE COCONUT FILLING

THE DOUGH

OIL : LITTLE TO BRUSH

PROCEDURE :

Take shredded coconut in pan, keep stirring at low heat; the moisture / water has to go. Add the spice powders, salt, sugar[if using]; stir for 6-7 minutes. 

Transfer to plate, let cool, switch off gas stove. If there's any amount of water in filling, snack would spoil, we can't refrigerate it! 

For dough, dry roast rice, salt at minimal heat taking in pan for 4-5 minutes. The raw smell must go. 

Switch off gas stove. Add hot water, about a big cup. Keep covered for 8-10 minutes.

Remove cover, knead a smooth, firm dough. 

Add little water at a time if only required. 

Keep covered for 5-6 minutes. Add oil, knead for 2-3 minutes.

Dust base with rice flour. Tear off small portions, shape roundels.

Use cookie cutter, so to get evenly sized snacker.

Place atop your palm, fill middle with coconut filling.

 Brush water ON edges, fold, press tight. 

Grease baking tray with oil, place the uncooked snackers. Brush both sides with oil.

Place baking stand inside oven, preheat at 160*C.

Place baking tray atop stand. Bake one side for 15 minutes at 160*C. 

Turn over, bake other side for another 5-6 minutes.

Enjoy having fresh. Else keep in a close tight container.

If you are having next day, heat for 30 seconds before having. 

MY ANYTIME SNACK

Words ain't rushing naturally today, mind feels restless at times. When I seep choice of beverage, food; elsewhere families mourn for one reason or the other. I keep doing meditation, chanting to keep calm but get bothered. Thats okay, I tell my own, son being strong doesn't mean to become emotionless, that is wrong! Our hearts should get bothered for others. We can't be bothered about home cleaning when neighbours go through crisis. Anytime crisis may land on us; if we remember this, we remain humanely. Son avoids me, I send him lessons of humanity. Our degrees are incomplete if we lack feeling. His father dislikes my interference, poking habit. 

What to do? I remain myself, cook whenever it feels like, Cristine cleans! I roam around islandwide, soak in shower & shine, eat, click!

Kolkata can't give me freedom to put on earphone, walk freely. I am not blaming anyone, situation is such. We must own car, even if Alto, I wouldn't ride regular. Upscaled Indian cities have similar facilities like this island, can't have same facilities. BTW, the blue top I have asked Cristine to give away, I have worn, gotten clicked, done with. The colour is nice, I ain't fond of frills, feels ancient.

Today is Rathyatra! When son was young, not influenced by atheist father, grandfathers; he would get wooden chariot from me every year. Our mother would decorate it with flowers, place idols; littler would go out with maternal grandma or paternal grandfather to draw chariot. The lanes of Kolkata would look colourful. Time passes fast, I miss those days! I wanted some free time then, now want son to visit us, so I can serve, take care of him. Too early in life he left home. I only wish him to stay well, secured. What else can I do? Should it be anything otherwise? We have no right to be parents if our hearts do not beat for our kids.

I just want to break shackles of different thoughts, keep out of any involvement! This isn't fleeting mind, it has to interfere, get deeply involved everywhere! I know thats irritating. Some behaviour irritates me too, I keep calm, not in habit of misbehaving, don't want to!

I indulge in hobbies. I keep cooking, eat major portions, read, listen to music. Whenever my semolina dhokla, idli fail, I get upma, enjoy having. Sometime back, I had Amriti / Amitti sweet with Muri-Khoi mix.

Since evening before yesterday, I had been trying to roast peanuts at home using minimal oil. The salt roasted peanuts were well done. This morning, spice coated peanuts in oven using 1tsp oil were overdone. I try to serve low oil snacks to man, in evening he needs with scotch! I have an issue about it, I was okay when he had wine.

My much loved Bengali rice plate looks like below. It had Hisla light curry, raw mango lentil curry, Taro stolon-garlic stir-fry!

Let's wrap up now. I don't know whats making me feel tired today, may be weird news of sorrow from different quarters. I feel better when I am outdoor; walking, eating this & that. Media needs to have restraints, not that we are saved if we avoid reality, close our eyes, but whats the point making my kinds fall sick, specially in case of parents whose kids stay far. 

I cooked this lightly sweet snack; vegan & gluten-free in this new wok I bought from Lazada!

I am loving it, not pricey either! I think I have shared a similar recipe last year, if not same! This time, I roasted sesame seeds, shredded coconut too! An yum vegetarian snacker; MY ANYTIME SNACKER got sticky easily! When we roast, blend, oil released mixes with sugar, binds quick. Raw coconut we love may cause stomach pain at times.

INGREDIENTS : 

SHREDDED COCONUT : 1 & 1/2 COFFEE MUG

WHITE SESAME SEED : 3 TBSP

WALNUT : 4-5

PISTACHIO : 5-6

SUGAR : 4-5 TSP

GREEN CARDAMOM POWDER : 1/4 TSP

PROCEDURE :

Roast white sesame seeds at minimal heat taken in wok, transfer to bowl.

Roast shredded coconut at minimal heat for3-4 minutes, transfer to bowl. Let cool.

Blend both to coarse powder. 

Transfer to wok, add sugar, green cardamom powder. 

Keep heat at minimal, stir continuously until mixture gets sticky.

Add chopped walnuts. 

Stir and transfer to plate, shape square. 

Sprinkle roasted, crushed pistachios. Shape as you wish. Enjoy!

BENGALI STYLE TOFU DHOKA CURRY

The sky seems to play hide & seek; few minutes back a cool breeze swept off my hairs, it was cloudy. Right now, its bright, windy. This is exactly the kind of weather I love, San Francisco weather seemed like this, bright, shiny past evening! Gloomy sky causes me discomfort, physically; what medical science says don't know, depression gets me headache! I have love-hate relationship with rain, its definitely poet's muse! When we romanticise with nature, everything around; we don't think about ordeal of unfortunates, how they cope with fury of nature, with life itself. Though left-leaned, I can't think like hardcore leftists! I never could consider Moon a burnt roti like the Bengali revolutionist poet! Marxism is a justified concept in theory, difficult to put into daily usage! Aim of Humans is to progress, to make use of one's potential, communism doesn't allow one to flourish! If I speak on it's behalf, it would mean I don't want son to achieve heights! Thats not true, I want him to fly higher! Humans have to achieve as per abilities, help those with lesser abilities live decent! May be the utopia I believe in is functionally impossible.

Where was I? Okay, I told earlier, I enjoy walking in daylight, my skin darkened, yet. Another reason for skin darkening is highly chlorinated water of swimming pool. I walk in day time because I have been asked by medical expert, I have vitamin-D, C, Calcium deficiency. Post child birth, I had iron deficiency too. I think these are common among South Asian women; or Asian women?

Vitamin-C supplements are pricey, what about having Gooseberry / Amla regular? At this age, keeping well internally is important! If I had this realisation 15 years back, I need not have to take 4 different tablets each day of year!

I ain't healthy eater, I am an Indian, I can't survive on soups & salads; I have measured carbs, couldn't quit it. Keto diet doesn't suit me, protein causes stomach upset! I am too protective about my kidney, intestine, negative thoughts about them are killing! Then my perennial tendency of constipation makes me feel my bladder to rectum would rot any day! If I am not an unromantic, who is? My fear mongering self made me one! To keep myself in track, I need music, reads! To live life, we have to have certain kind of creative escapades!

Sometime back, Cristine served porota, green moong dal, the garnish of onion & green chilli makes the difference though I didn't add butter. In morning, I made porota / flatbreads for man, Cristine knows well, yet. She gets hurt, I asked her to fry mine. I cooked my brunch too, thatte idli in microwave oven. At night, I would have rice.

Who to blame for not availing coveted belly shape? I can't hit gym I dislike! My low intensity workouts, my food intake mismatch! I have achieved lot, not the goal. Compared to majority of Singaporean girls, I am still over weight.

Yesterday, I enjoyed the sugarcane juice, the kueh varieties felt greasy! But why? All this while, I thought they are steamed. In other shops, they didn't feel this greasy until date. Thats bit of disappointment I carried back home yesterday!

Before travelling to India, I had this meal at 4 Fingers. I don't remember which local flavour fried drumlets had, loved! The milk in matcha drink caused me discomfort, dairy is an issue. Milk, Sugar-free matcha tea suits me better! May be I had it at Don Don Donki! 

A lifetime isn't enough to explore food varieties Singapore has in offer. Then, I work on budget! I eat out at least five days in a week, I don't work! Perhaps, I am not in habit of limitless spending, so don't know the scenario had I been a working woman! Savings is important in life!

I don't know if menopause is cause of my irritative state these days, I get restless easily, loose concentration! It feels pathetic when people consider my concern for son, missing him, meaningless; don't take me seriously! In any mental state, I can cook, I enjoy time in kitchen without any interference. On such a day, last week I was trying vegan Roshogolla using Tofu, failing which I even tried Tofu Lyangcha, gulabjamun, nothing worked! I ended up cooking a curry, BENGALI STYLE TOFU DHOKA CURRY! Dhoka here isn't betrayal but tofu cakes! I kept the curry vegan, gluten-free, addition of cinnamon-green cardamom-cloves powder, garnish of ghee makes curry, a Bengali, vegetarian dalna! I usually don't waste things unless required!

Other similar curry recipes from my blog are EGG CURRY......A COASTAL INDIAN TOUCH, MUSHROOM & SOYA KHEEMA CURRY, ALOO POTOL ER DALNA, MACHER TOK / SOUR FISH CURRY, MUTTON KOFTA MALAI CURRY, DUM KA MURG, CHOLE PANEER

INGREDIENTS :

FIRM TOFU : 100 GM [I USED TAU KWA]

POTATO : 1

CHOPPED CORIANDER : 1 TBSP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1 TSP

DRY MANGO / AAMCHUR POWDER : 1/2 TSP

GINGER PASTE : 1 TSP

CUMIN POWDER : 1 TSP

CORIANDER POWDER : 1 TSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP

CUMIN SEED : 1/4 TSP

BAYLEAF : 1

CORN FLOUR : 1 TSP

BAKING POWDER : 1 OR 2 PINCH

SALT : AS REQUIRED

SUGAR : 1 TSP [OPTIONAL]

OIL : 1 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

So, I failed Tofu roshogolla / pantua / lyangcha. I took 360* turn, made

Bengali style tofu-potato curry, plain rice would suit it, even chapati!

Heat 1 tsp oil in wok, temper with 2 pinches of cumin seeds, chopped, washed green chillies, give a stir.

Add washed, crumbled tofu, salt, 1/4 tsp each of turmeric-cumin- coriander powder, 1/2 tsp dry mango powder, salt. Stir cook for 3-4 minutes.

Add cornflour, baking powder, 1/4 tsp sugar, stir cook for 2-3 minutes. Take down, shape into a square. Cut small.

Peel, wash, cut potato into cubes. Marinate with salt, turmeric. 

Heat more oil in wok. Fry potato cubes, tofu squares in batches. Take out.

Prepare a spice paste with ginger paste, remaining turmeric-cumin-coriander & red chilli powders, salt.

Temper remaining oil with remaining cumin seeds, bayleaf. 

Add spice paste. Stir cook for 2-3 minutes adding 1tbsp water. 

Add fried potato pieces, fry for 2-3 minutes. Add 1 & 1/2 coffee mug of water. Bring to boil.

Lower heat, simmer for 4-5 minutes, add sugar, tofu squares, washed, slitted green chillies. Simmer for 1-2 minutes. 

Garnish with washed, chopped coriander leaves. Switch off gas stove, transfer to serving bowl. Have it hot, warm with choice of main!