BENGALI STYLE DUCK EGG POTATO CURRY

It is 1:30 pm local time! Until sometime back, I was unable to decide which recipe to share in blog! Okay, I had been productive too, baked vegan gluten-free scones. 

I wished to get it, may be on a later date! I came across mesmerising Bengali posts, got to be nostalgic. Now I am listening to old Bengali songs, I felt like sharing a Bengali recipe today, can't be otherwise! I cannot do mentions, they are many, integral part of our being! Okay, let us do one mention, if we can get it, our life is sorted; "jibon khatar proti patai jotoi koro hisheb nikesh, kichui robena... luko-churir eeije khyala...." The Bengali Music Industry then, now, both I love. The Bengali film industry faced a drought in the 80's & 90's, we detested, then comeback started with telefilms post 2000, thereafter some actors, directors came together, made us believe it hasn't died!

Why I reveal myself to world do not know. I love to write is true. I want to be cautious, next moment I asphyxiate if I do not exercise my right to expression! What I was at 15, I remain same at mid-fifties. The streets of Singapore, every lane, by lane are witness to my stupid self! I do not know if Bossy reads my stuffs or not, he never does any mention about what my heart spoke on posts, oblivious of what this world would think of me. That's the reason why he is dear, only that he fails to make the son behave normal with mumma. He has to talk to me regular! 

I decided to write a blogpost today also to save myself from wrath; I do not blame Bossy, often times I feel like calling him in office, say I am having pain here & there! Since last December, a serious fear made safe haven inside, some friends, family know! All of a sudden that fear subsided, something else creeped in! I let it stay, didn't deny! Life isn't only about give & take to me, I don't make business deals. Then emotional upheaval requires great amount of effort to handle.

My positive self feels if I have invited it, I need to deal with it! In extreme scenario, I would sell off my heart, kidneys; that finances my shopping, go frenzy shopping till I drop dead! There is no guilt inside, only a question, why, how? In all these, I feel I need some explicits coming from Bossy! I would call & say, "I feel Dr. V's stethoscope is not getting it, something is seriously wrong with my beats, it pains at times!" The explicits that would come to me over phone do not startle me anymore, they are required to handle an emotional disaster like me! 

Truth, however bitter or painful, is always better than sugar coated lies! Expectations hurt, is an eternal truth, it is unavoidable is another truth!

I would not bother, disturb, approach anyone involved, I stay firm on my belief that one who wants me would find me. I may be proven wrong, yet! I can send them some beautiful blooms from our tiny space, share my plates, that says I care!

Let me cook & serve hot, fresh food on your plate. That I do well. On my 2023 visit to Kolkata, India, I cooked this Bengali Duck Egg-Potato curry, but I forgot to fry boiled eggs. That's signature Bengali, I deleted those pictures. This year, October, day of departure, I cooked this curry, rest of dishes our mother cooked, we all ate. Bossy ate duck egg curry at his parents' home. Duck prefers laying eggs in winter, also spoils quickly in hot season!

In our childhood, egg curry meant fresh duck egg curry. Until date, I want it! I read various theories about why Singapore doesn't sell duck eggs. In 2024, we hunted H-Mart perhaps for duck eggs in Boston, Ms. Bhaduri of Houston recommended us to. Bossy, his mother are egg lovers, I enjoy egg curry these days not loving sea fish. Now, my side of family says they eat chicken eggs mostly. 

Let's cook this gluten-free, non-vegetarian Bengali egg recipe; BENGALI STYLE DUCK EGG POTATO CURRY before I blabber more, I need to go for walk. I do not like sharing what Singapore cannot eat but a Bengali Food Blogger should have these recipes in collection!

INGREDIENTS :

FRESH DUCK EGG : 6-7

POTATO : 2

SLICED ONION : 4 TBSP

SLITTED GREEN CHILLI : 2-3

GARLIC PASTE : 2 TBSP

GINGER PASTE : 1 TBSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1 TSP

CUMIN POWDER : 1 TSP

CORIANDER POWDER : 1 TSP

CINNAMON POWDER : 1/4 TSP

GREEN CARDAMOM POWDER : 1/4 TSP

CLOVES POWDER : 2 PINCHES

TURMERIC POWDER : 2 TSP

CUMIN SEED : A PINCH OR TWO

BAYLEAF : 1

CINNAMON STICK : 1/2 INCH LENGTH 2-3

GREEN CARDAMOM : 2-3

CLOVES : 2-3

SUGAR : 1 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2-3 TBSP

GHEE / CLARIFIED BUTTER : 1 TSP [OPTIONAL]

PROCEDURE :

Wash eggs gently, boil in enough water for 10-12 minutes adding a tsp of salt. Switch off gas stove. Let it cool.

Peel, cut each potato into 4 pieces, widthwise, then lengthwise. Wash, Marinate with salt, turmeric. 

Remove shell from eggs. Wash, make slits on body, apply turmeric, salt.

Heat oil in wok, lightly fry eggs, take out. Fry potatoes, take out.

Temper oil with cinnamon stick, green cardamom, clove, cumin seeds, bayleaf! Add the washed & sliced onions. Fry until brown.

Add ginger, garlic pastes. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes! Add the cumin+red chilli+coriander+turmeric powders, salt. Add 2 tbsp water and stir cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add fried potatoes, fold in well! Stir cook for 2-3 minutes, add 2 coffee mugs of water. Cover cook at low heat for 10-12 minutes.

Remove cover, add boiled, fried eggs, washed & slitted green chillies; cover cook for 5 minutes at low heat.

Remove cover, add cinnamon+cloves+green cardamom powder, sugar!  Stir, let cook for another 2-3 minutes, we are done!

 

RANGA ALOO STUFFED SNACK

Where to start from and how to start? I always try to make stuffs better for my dear readers! It is festivity, I am extremely busy today, tomorrow but you know, how I love wishing you with a blogpost, about what else but food, a bit of life! Today, I would not be able to talk elaborate, it is 6:15 pm local time! Today too we are supposed to light lamps every corner of our homes to shove off negative energy. I fear fire hazards, hardly lit them every corner. 

One reason for loving Singapore is the fact locals here believe in "bhoot-pret" / ghosts, just like me! The son since his teens developed a fascination for skulls, not for Biology! I do not know since when I became friends with ghosts, may be since 2002, when I started living alone with son. Both sides of family, my helpers were great help but son missed father, hence wanted mumma to attend him 24/7. And now, he blocks me everywhere, he can do without me. Does a psychiatrist, psychologist, councillor address this issue, how a non-working mother handle this transition?

I have other mental issues, not related to any amount of domestic abuse, we are good friends but, I did not want a master, husband! I got more freedom in this home than I had in parental home, mother had been strict. Freedom is not earned, it is birth right but society's notion of it is different; it expects, we abide by out of habit.

And this friction turned me onto a confused self. I can sit quiet for long hours, at times with a bowl of "komla lebu"! 

It's exhilarating talking to self, I would never take effort to explain myself to anyone, either you accept me or not! It hurts to lose people in this journey called life, someone who catches my fancy, every turn we meet some. I want people to understand my psyche without me taking any effort. This expectation is stupidity, then more of stupidity is to behave like what I ain't! Trust me, such impressions never last! I would sit in Punggol Riverside, call you, say I am in Harbourfront. I believe the right kind would come to me at Punggol just for me. Still looking for the one!

I wasn't ever stupendous, I would remain just the way I am, but what I serve on your plate would always have love, warmth in it. Ask my friends, what they say definitely keeps me going! Our lunch today was one such warm, rustic Bengali Bowl.

Kali Pujo, Diwali, Bhai Phota had been big celebrations. Till date Bhai buys fire crackers, lit entire home. Our littler too was part of this celebration; once in Singapore, his father did not entertain Holi, Diwali! I arrange all prayers alone. You get betel leaves for 50 cents, I do this for fun. Twice I went out shopping today, partner kept watching TV. Then, he never imposes anything on me, I love that. Personal Freedom is a birth right we cannot enjoy. We do not get everything in one life, adjustment is a big word.

 

I need to wrap up. My readers know I speak of food less, fill space with tales, real life tales. I keep writing about the self? But I gift you good recipes. Ain't that good enough? Why would you order often? Cooking is therapeutic!

Its been few years I am taking interest in vegan, gluten-free food, low in oil. Post surgery, I am using minimal oil, I got scared. I wish to document my doctors', hospitals' names in blog. I did it in social media handles, these days I feel shy, awkward, they may think I am trying to go nearer, I am the last person to do that, would prefer to die instead!

This is healthy, low oil, vegan, gluten-free snack I cooked in microwave oven using the combination mode. Let us name it RANGA ALOO STUFFED SNACK! The filling need be spicy, what I cook has to be tasty, right balance of salt, sugar, spice be there, "jhal e noon e thik hotey hobey"! Post surgery, I am cooking less! I do not live with food lover, I fear of gaining weight, get exhausted quickly, different thoughts keep me occupied, not everything be made public!

INGREDIENTS : [FOR  FILLING]

SWEET POTATO : 3-4

CUMIN POWDER : 1 TSP

CORIANDER POWDER : 1 TSP

DRY MANGO POWDER : 1 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1/2 TSP

KULAMBU SPICE MIX : 1 TSP [OPTIONAL, I LOVE IT, MAY USE GARAM MASALA INSTEAD]

CUMIN SEED : 1/4 TSP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

CORN FLOUR : 1 TBSP

OIL : 1 TBSP 

INGREDIENTS : [FOR SNACK]

THE FILLING

RICE FLOUR : 1 COFFEE MUG

GRAM FLOUR : 4 TBSP

NIGELLA SEEDS / KALOJEERA / KALONJI : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : AS MUCH REQUIRED TO BRUSH SNACKS

PROCEDURE :

Peel, wash, boil sweet potatoes. Drain water. Let cool, mash.

Heat oil in pan, temper with cumin seeds, washed & chopped green chillies. 

Add mashed sweet potatoes, rest of ingredients. Stir cook for 10-12 minutes. 

Add corn flour, stir cook for a minute, transfer to bowl.

For dough, heat some water in wok, add salt as required.

Add all ingredients except oil. Stir cook until roughly incorporated. Transfer to wide mouthed bowl.

Let cool a bit,  knead dough while it is still warm.

Keep covered for 10-12 minutes. Tear off portions, fill with sweet potato stuffing, close ends.

Mine is convection mode microwave oven. 

I greased an oven proof plate with oil, placed stuffed snacks, brushed generously with oil.

I placed low height wired stand inside, atop it plate!

I cooked in combination mode, grill+microwave, one side 14-15 minutes; turned over, brushed with oil, cooked for another 10-12 minutes. 

Have it fresh & hot, the crispness would go gradually!

SESAME COCONUT DRY FRUIT MISHTI

How are you doing my Readers? Have you forgotten me? Left visiting my space? Since last December, I kept this space barren! I wonder how could I, my blog happens to be my love! Then, you have to have the mind to perform, writing a blogpost is not alone writing recipe ingredients & cooking method to me, I pen down my thoughts here. That too I need to be cautious, you would learn about me as much as I want you to. 

Baring my entirety is something impossible! You did not want to know, right? None of you cared, and that I am an egoist! There are too many barriers, of red tape, protocol! I maintain protocol & hate it at the same time! May be a billion years later the world would be how I wanted it to be! Until then, how to keep myself sane?

Grooving with one of my dearest KennyG, get your room dark, switch on "Breatheless" to full volume, move around as you like. I am such thankful to the senior of the men having introduced me to him. What the junior likes, eats, prefers, we do not know! He is fiercely guarded but why he has to hide himself from mumma I do not know. All he does to me is block me few times a year, unblocks only after his father makes hundreds of requests mumma is upset, she feels unwell. 

They are not my kind, nothing of their's match mine; wavelength to food habit! I adore being in public glare tremendously, they guard their privacy. Then, they are precious to me. In this scenario, I have to indulge in few things that give me happiness. I love to live, quitting is not in my agenda. By the way, dear people, did any of you get upset at my love for public appearances? Just cannot do anything about it! I will be me, you take me or not! Listen, I like your smile, whoever you are! Just saying!

What am I doing, have to wrap up gradually! I can keep writing for 6 days, 79 seconds; then its festive moment for us. From tomorrow, I / we wouldn't be at home. You will see me in saris, immediately in Pinterest, later in other forums. Oh! I love that exercise! Not yoga, not pilates, not gym; I like walking miles after miles, to swim. Our swimming pool is under renovation, I miss seeing my coach Joe, he is a friend!

After 27 days, 86 seconds, I would go to Lazarus Island, Cristine tells me about here & there! The temples call me too, at Little India, Boon Keng and Outram, yes! I would light lamp, have proshad, walk back to China Town without looking left or right, sit somewhere to eat, buy this & that, head back home.

I had been thinking for 1 month 56 seconds what food to get you on this day! I have learnt to get inclusive! Who am I? I think Alice in search of the rabbit's hole, or the tortoise who yet could not reach the finishing line or that disappointed self who bought the magic carpet from Aladdin, cannot ride it liberally to any destination. I am that self who would choose death over forcing herself on anyone, thats a promise. 

Come, lets include some fun element. The senior of the men, is a friend since school. Him, C, T, I made a good team to different cinema halls. In 1988-89 may be we went to watch Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, while we were crying inconsolably, all three girls, I most; this guy told there is one song left S, don't cry! On various occasions, some friends told how could I marry him even after this. Hahaha, may be I looked for the strength I lack; someone who may not judge me, bother me, criticise me, question my actions, he does not, yet he isn't my best friend! I believe we gifted a happy home to our child. He emptied the nest knowing mumma suffers from anxiety disorder, emotional imbalance! Jack & Rose were real or not, I cry for them often, ain't I an idiot?

I am hoping to get back to regular blogging, at least once a week. Let me start with this lightly sweet, vegan, gluten-free snack SESAME COCONUT DRY FRUIT MISHTI! I did not wish to deprive the Navratri observers, also I am tired of having lots of fish, meat, biryani during Durga Puja. May be this is the influence my non-Bengali speaking friends have had on me. 

One Deepro Roy told me back in 2007 that it is wrong to fight with vegetarians on this issue, they cannot stand the smell of fish, meat while we can have vegetarian food few days. Relocating to a foreign land, Singapore in my case, taught me good things, to be tolerant, broaden my horizon, in the first place. I wish to stay here few more years, truly! I do like Guacamole lah! I made fresh this morning!

But America / Europe are places to be settled at a young age for South Asians; we are used to Rizia, Cristine!

First time I did the sweet snack, I did not like the finish!

Then, I did again, what I am not satisfied with cannot get a place in the Blog. And this was my lunch!

INGREDIENTS :

WHITE SESAME  :  100-150 gm

SHREDDED COCONUT : 200 GM

SUGAR : 5-6 TSP

CHOPPED DRIED APRICOT : 2 TBSP

CHOPPED PISTACHIO : 2 TSP

METHOD :

We would chop the dry fruits. We would lightly roast the white sesame seeds, cool and blend to a powder!

We would add shredded coconut to the blender! Pulse, pause, repeat few times.

We would transfer coconut to a clean pan, keep the heat to minimal.

We would add sugar, keep stirring for 10-12 minutes. We would then add the white sesame seeds powder, incorporate well with the coconut.

Thereafter, we are to add the chopped dry fruits; keep stir cooking until the mixture is a bit sticky. This may take some 7-8 minutes.

We would transfer the cooked mixture onto a plate, let cool a bit!

We are to knead a small portion while the mixture is still warm, use a choice of mould, grease with oil, place the mixture, press & take out. I shaped few, Cristine did the maximum! Cristine is too fair, I am dark.

Ain't that a simple recipe? I would have been happier if I could add ghee & green cardamom powder to flavour but thinking of South East Asia, I did not, I believe in inclusions!

TASTY HEALTHY SNACK

 EARLIER I DECIDED NOT TO WRITE A BLOGPOST TODAY!

I changed mind today mid-morning. My actions depend upon my mood and situation. I had to use some leftover raw vegetables, a good recipe idea with them popped up, also had the willingness to share the recipe with my readers. Though starting late, I can have the satisfaction at the end that I listened to my heart. Until your heart asks you to be unfair to others, listen to it. I was out since noon to the afternoon, roaming locally from the market to the mall, buying this and that. It keeps me calm, also the walk. Keeping your mind occupied with something constructive is necessary. With a support like Cristine, I can venture out anytime. But you have to hold your anger because she would only inform you about the things required at home when the bottles are totally empty, be it a dishwashing liquid or detergent or room freshener. As you all know, when she is around, I am lost in my own world.

SIMPLE BUYS & MEALS MAKE ME HAPPY!

I truly mean it. If I calculate too much, I feel unhappy. If I spend too much, I get tensed as I always advocate the need of savings in life. I do talk about my beliefs to the son but in my own style because our unique son keeps to himself. That is the reason why his mamujan gets supremely happy when he talks unlimited, be it about a project. Mumma keeps asking if he has talked to B Aunty, Dimma, Dadu, Thamma, Piya & Her's. Mumma keeps telling this is his family, he needs to be in touch with them regular. Mumma is in a hurry to tell him many things, she doesn't know why. Mumma is unable to decide what feeling is stronger in her; the pain & worry of living far from him or the happiness to see him enjoying his academics at this time. Yes, his father and I like it that he enjoys the American higher education pattern. Trying to be positive, mumma buys a Nivea body spray, a Himalayan pain relief balm, this and that.

I am not curtailing my daughter-in-law's expectations exhibiting these general brands. Strong odours are not for me, I stick to certain brands. I have no fascination for expensive brands. I don't crave for things others have. I would be happy if the daughter-in-law does not turn out to be a spendthrift, I live to see that or do not. She has to take the baton from me, nurture this family with care, value the hard-earned money of her's, her husband's. Meanwhile, like my predecessors I happily engage in the kitchen; cook a spicy lentil soup for the man & myself on a Sunday night. I enjoyed it with chapati, the man with butter toasts.

On some days, I eat some roasted nuts, my body does not require the oil, fat from the nuts regular. They are good but not for everyone. Never knew my system would get such weak this early.

WHAT IS TASTY HEALTHY SNACK?

I had little of cut bell peppers left in the refrigerator, I had to use them in order to avoid wastage. Throwing away vegetables bought at a price is wrong, I witnessed such wrong practices in certain homes. At first, I thought of an Oriental stir fry but did not wish to have noodles or rice in the afternoon. I had two biscuits with tea in the morning, a small bowl of "Aam-Muri" in the mid-morning. Hence, a plate of vegan, gluten-free, oven-cooked TASTY HEALTHY SNACK in the afternoon was just perfect. This easy, quick,  vegetarian delight using minimal oil made me feel guilt-free, content.

I kept one for Cristine, one for the "papor" eater man and had four, suited my tastebuds.

Few other snacks recipe from the Blog are DHUKI PITHA-IN AN URBAN HOME, FRESH CORIANDER APPE, DRIED METHI FLAVOURED MADAN KOTKOTI, DALDAR LUCHI.

INGREDIENTS :

GREEN BELL PEPPER : 1/2 OF ONE

RED BELL PEPPER : 1/2 OF ONE

CARROT : 1 SMALL SIZED

ONION : 1 STANDARD SIZED

GREEN CHILLI : 1

FRESH CORIANDER : A SPRIG

OATS : 3 TBSP

CORNFLOUR : 2 TBSP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2 TSP

PROCEDURE :

Peel the carrot, onion; cut into smaller cubes. Discard the root end of the coriander sprig. Wash them.

Discard the stem ends, seeds of the bell peppers, cut small and wash. 

Wash the green chilli, discard the stem end.

Take all of them in a hand mincer, mince well, transfer to a bowl.

Add the oats, cornflour, oil, salt, crushed black pepper to the bowl, mix well.

Grease an oven proof plate with a bit of oil; shape the patties as you want and place on the plate.

Mine is a convection mode microwave oven. I placed the low height stool inside, atop it the plate.

I cooked 12 minutes one side using the grill+microwave [combo-2] mode. I turned over, cooked the other side for another 10 minutes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the crisp snacks / appetisers.

It took about 40-45 minutes from start to finish.

BANANA COCONUT CRANBERRY CAKE

I THINK I MAKE DECENT BASIC CAKES!

I had been baking for long, yet could not grasp every aspect of it, could not master the art. What I do is take small steps, keep myself limited to simple bakes. It can be a basic cheese rice, a homely pizza, a baked roshogolla, basic cakes on a regular basis. Honestly, most in the family would want to have roshogolla as it is. Looking at the baked roshogolla in the Kolkata sweet shops, I feel averse towards the thick cream thinking of the amount of sugar involved it. Meals consisting of rich meat & fish curries, richer sweets, desserts, biryani, ghee pulao sounded alluring even few years back. These days they cause me fear, neither I crave for such meals. This is a caution I wish to preach which is not hatred towards any faith or religion. A bowl of choice fruits, low calorie tiffins, light fish and chicken curries, homemade breads, a small bowl of rice, rustic vegetables bowls of choice are good enough for me. I wish the son to accept and enjoy chirer polao, idli, dalia khichuri, semolina upma kind of meals. I understand he has a career to build, a crucial exam to cover with good scores, yet I am worried about his health, he sources every meal from outside. His father and I at least stay together and have an asset like Cristine to look after us.

I HAVE MADE LITTLE CHANGES IN MY EATING PATTERN!

At this time, I am not doing intermittent fasting. I suffered bloating. I am eating smaller meals every 2-3 hours of intervals. At this time, it is helping me a bit. Today since the morning until now I had one cream cracker biscuit with tea [not in picture], then had 2-3 tbsp of muri / puffed rice soaked in water [not in picture], thereafter I had a small piece of cake with tea, thereafter lightly made beaten rice upma. At night, I would have a normal Bengali meal with small amount of rice, Hilsa fish curry, Spinach, Red Lentils Curry! 

Our yesterday's lunch was Bengali meal with Chicken Curry, Yam with Prawns, Dal for me. At night, I cooked Whole-Wheat Flatbreads, had with Eggplant Bharta. 

Today's blooms made me feel happier, a green corner is therapeutic.

WHAT IS BANANA COCONUT CRANBERRY CAKE?

I bake with few ingredients I have in the kitchen. The other day, I had to use up some leftover shredded coconut and cranberries. I thought of baking a vegetarian cake with them. I had bananas too which are good   for making a cake moist. From this thought, this vegetarian easy bake BANANA COCONUT CRANBERRY CAKE was born. Baking it was hassle free. I do not experiment with ingredients much, specially in case of bake. You all may have noticed I keep the measurements of the primary ingredients for baking a cake same in each case, this helps me not to fail with the recipe, waste the ingredients used. I wished to share a vegan & gluten-free cake for the occasion of Thanksgiving but it did not happen. This time I did not think much before giving shape to my plan for an easy bake. I wanted a sheet pan like cake look, hence used this tray for the bake.

Few other baked goodies from my blog are VEGAN & GLUTEN-FREE BAKED TIKIA, CRISPY BAKED PASTRY SHEET ROLLS, BLUEBERRY CARDAMOM BAKED DOI, STOVETOP SUJI APPLE CAKE

INGREDIENTS :

SELF RISING FLOUR : 1 COFFEE MUG [Instead You may mix together 1 coffee mug refined flour, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/3 tsp baking powder]

PLAIN YOGURT : 4-5 TBSP

BANANA : 1 STANDARD SIZED

SUGAR : 5 TBSP [I USED BROWN SUGAR] [YOU MAY NEED MORE]

DRIED CRANBERRY : A FISTFUL

GRATED COCONUT : 4-5 TBSP

VANILLA ESSENCE : 1 TSP

OIL : 3-4 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

I blended together the plain yogurt, sugar, oil, banana. 

I took the self rising flour in a bowl, pour the wet mixture on it, mixed well.

I added the grated coconut and dried cranberries to it, mixed, beaten well.

I added the vanilla essence, beaten again for 2-3 minutes. Our cake batter is ready.

Mine is a convection mode microwave oven. I inserted the low height wired stool, pre-heated the oven at 160*C.

I greased the oven tray with oil, poured the batter on it. I tapped it lightly on the kitchen counter, then placed it atop the wired stool.

I closed the oven door, baked the cake at 160*C for 30 minutes.

Having the cake fresh would get the best taste.