STEAMED CHOCOLATE CAKE

I am starting late, couldn't do any amount of exercise today. I can't be blamed, I went to local market, came back, made something to share in blog next Monday or Tuesday. It cannot happen that I wouldn't share anything before CNY! After fifteen years of stay, we are foreigners but I definitely love the island city. I do not earn for a living, neither a student of Economics or Finance, I romanticise with the idea how scot-free I get to roam here, how secured we are. Once we go back, I would adjust in few months, it's my place but my mobility would be severed! I would wish those who celebrate CNY sitting far off, never would speak bad about it! I wished if this island could naturally confer us foreigners permanent residency after a decade of stay like few other nations. At the same time, the strictness proves how much coveted this island is; it's about demand & supply! I lack nationalist feelings, I don't even believe in thorny walls. I only believe in Humans bonded over love! Didn't I tell you I live in an utopia, at least dream of one 24/7.

Where was I? Okay, since morning, I had been constructive, although the weighing machine shows a staggering rise after having back to back meals at Popeyes', san-wich! It is sweet intake that's poisoning me again! Forgetting ordeal we go through is good & bad at the same time.

I had garlic bread sometime back I bought from a local bakery. Jicama here is eaten as vegetable, not sweet as in our place, for us it's fruit. This morning, I had steamed bao & dumpling. Yesterday morning I had aloo-cheese-thousand island dressing sandwich I made, lunch at Popeye's, at night had rice. I have to control sooner, weight loss is 70% diet & 30% exercise, rigorous exercise I am unable to do. I never push myself hard, don't like others forcing anything on me!

I bought a selfie stick few months back, didn't use, I need to have a mind for everything. Let's see when I can make good use of it. If last year I was mentally & physically drained, this year may be we are passing through some kind of an uncertainty, man and son are carefree types, good that they are. I am the worry-monger, it may be my leisure or pleasure, whatever!

How much Cristine pours positive notes inside my ears, I keep panting every half an hour. What bothers me I don't know! What, who beacons me that too I don't know. The less we divulge, speak, express, is better! The proverbial "bobar shotru nei" is right! I don't want irritation controlling me. If one can get me happiness, peace, calm; come, sit beside me, let me treat you; else forget me. The restless world today requires healing!

I cooked the following to share just before CNY!

To make it vegan, gluten-free was a challenge I won, they had to look better. 15th, Sunday is Shivratri, all day fasting isn't an issue for me. 

On occasion of Valentine's Day, I thought of sharing this STEAMED CHOCOLATE CAKE recipe prior to celebration. Our young adult son may be celebrating! Let them enjoy with mumma's vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free treat. Why alone young? The worn out, old hearts do have right to tremble too! To me love is life long celebration, it's as natural as breathing is. 

Life would have been better if our weird son discussed his courses of life with us; our friends were regular visitors to each other's home, I wanted to treat his friends, he never introduced us to his friends. Our friends were close to our parents, siblings. This thought of loosening bond turn me crazy. Where are we heading to? In which world? I see my world empty almost, my thoughts, my emotional depth, good or bad; doesn't match! This fast paced world doesn't have time to stop by me, explore my mind, care about it!

Commitment, Responsibilities I stand by! As a food blogger, I wished to amalgamate CNY and VALENTINE's DAY! Shibratri is personal, I would share something we can eat on Sunday!

INGREDIENTS :

RICE FLOUR : 1/2 COFFEE MUG+2 TBSP

CORN FLOUR : 2 TBSP

PSYLLIUM HUSK / ISABGUL : 2 TSP

BAKING SODA : 1/4 TSP

BAKING POWDER : 1/3 TSP

DARK CHOCOLATE BAR : 1 [I USED MEIJI BLACK]

COFFEE POWDER : 2 TSP [YOU MAY SKIP AND ADD MORE OF CHOCOLATE]

COCONUT MILK : 150ML [I USE COCONUT POWDER MIXED IN WARM MILK]

BANANA : 1 LARGE

SUGAR : 5-6 TBSP [YOU MAY ADD MORE]

VANILLA ESSENCE : 1 TSP

OIL : 2 TBSP

I USED FRESH STRAWBERRY TO GARNISH

PROCEDURE :

Take together rice flour, cornflour, psyllium husk in a bowl, mix!

Blend together coconut milk, banana, sugar, oil, vanilla essence, add to dry mix, beat well.

Melt chocolate in microwave oven taken in bowl. Cool, add to batter, beat well.

Keep covered batter for 25-30 minutes.

I added water to manual steamer pot, put to boil on gas top! 

When the water started boiling, I added baking powder, baking soda to batter, few drops of water on them to activate well, beaten for a minute!

I placed a brown paper foil inside cake tin, poured batter into it, tapped it on kitchen counter.

I placed it in middle atop mesh, cover steamed at low heat for 25 minutes.

My Chocolate Cake fluffed up as desired. Enjoy with your choice of fruits!

MY STYLE DOSA ALOO MASALA FILLING

 It's 3:10 pm, I have started writing blogpost, was correcting another blogpost VEGETARIAN CURRY PUFF, too many use of "the","and" had been there! I love to write, couldn't master the art. I need to update the pictures too, I cook it better today. I practically did nothing since the morning except going for swimming. I don't do outdoor walk on days I write blogposts. People balance work and home, I can't manage time, multi-tasking is not my thing! The good part is I never get bored with this unfruitful life. If I close my eyes, think, I see I haven't made any fruitful contribution to society! This hurts; wish my readers to say, "you have gifted us recipes", I would feel happy, if not thrilled, I have seen boutique blogs. My question is if blogs have become irrelevant, have reels taken over totally?

I know nothing beyond cooking, eating, arranging them in blogposts! It is you, my readers, to say if they are captivating, at least engaging or not. I am a food blogger since August 2014, I do not know about seo, traffic. I have not studied deeply about type of my readers. The bloggers I started my journey with are either big names or shifted to other areas of interest! I enjoy doing what I do, but wanted to have big fan following, fruitful interactions. You turn mad if popularity drops even after improving your quality of work, no one helped me with my passion except for few food bloggers at initial stage!

This hurt wouldn't ever go, I pursued my passion but couldn't achieve as desired, should have, that my own didn't help me a bit, encouraged! I hail from a family of great cooks, homemakers, why would I sit and sleep all day! I cannot watch soaps for five minutes, watching movies I like, failing to concentrate since last year. Last year was whirlwind, I doubted if I would be able to get back to blogging again, was in mental trauma! I can't say Almighty forgot me; my meditation, chanting got me back in track, of course medications; alternative medicine doesn't suit us! Without belittling health professionals, their years of education, expertise, experience; I would want to say I have noticed if I don't listen to music meant for meditation while meditating, my blood pressure increases. Those of you who meditate can play those soft music, use headphone.

Each day few times I pray to keep myself well, I work towards it so I need no medical care as long as I live except for the routine check up every month, few medications. If I had been careful fifteen years back, I wouldn't have required even these. I wouldn't claim I do clean eating, I ain't a soup & salad kind of person!

The giant stuffed flatbread, date palm jaggery with puffed rice, the onion pakoras I had at Chola Mart opposite Indian Heritage Centre do not speak of a health consciousness being. I explore small outlets, chat with them, yesterday met a Bengali Young man from Kolkata, served me good lemon tea! This island's favourite chilled Jasmine tea I love, this sugar-free one I got from Prime supermarket!

Rajdhani Enterprise got me more of date palm jaggery, sour jujube, they turn brown under day light, heat, thereafter I am to make sweet pickle. I find out ways to remain engaged. Like before, I cannot claim to be happy loner, I needed people to talk last year; few responded, stood by me. I do not wish to bother them, unless required! Those who misbehaved, I do not wish to see their face, they need attend correction homes to learn behaviour.

I don't wish to bother anyone, if I can walk to places without panting, pain, I have gotten lot. I don't want to revisit people or places where I didn't feel loved, valued; to build a home we already adjust, outside of it we need to as much as required! To world, feelings, relationships are all part of gameplay, I can't relate to maximum in this world, vives do not match, loud behaviour irritates me, I keep myself open for those who stop, exchange pleasantry! Yet I minutely watch the surrounding, as long as my public activity goes on, I have to. My contribution to the public today is an easy, vegan, gluten-free potato bowl; let's name it MY STYLE DOSA ALOO MASALA FILLING. In maximum Southern Indian eateries, vegetarian potato stuffing doesn't match my tastebud; feels bland. I tried it my way, not only with dosa, I also used it to stuff paratha. We had it with SHORU CHAKLI, you can call it soft Bengali Dosa or Bengali Crepe! You may use it to stuff sandwich too.

INGREDIENTS :

POTATO : 2 BIG

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1TSP

CHOPPED COCONUT : 1 TBSP

RED CHILLI FLAKES : 1/4 TSP

CURRY LEAF : 5-6

CRUSHED SKINLESS ROASTED PEANUT : 2 TSP

BLACK MUSTARD SEED : 1/4 TSP

SKINLESS BLACK GRAM DAL / URAD DAL : 1/4 TSP

BENGAL GRAM DAL / CHANA DAL : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

TURMERIC POWDER : 2-3 PINCH

OIL : 1 TBSP

This amount serves 3-4 heads!

PROCEDURE :

Boil potatoes, I boil in microwave! 

I prick with a fork all over washed potatoes, take them on microwave proof plate, microwave at low for 5-6 minutes. I allow them to cool, then mash.

Add salt & turmeric to mashed potatoes, mix well.

Warm oil in wok, add washed curry leaves, fry crisp at minimal heat, take out to use latter. Burnt curry leaves put me off more than my burnt skin.

Add rest of ingredients to hot oil except crushed roasted nuts, mashed potato, fried curry leaves. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes at minimal heat.

Add maximum of crushed roasted peanuts, fried curry leaves. Stir fry for half a minute, add mashed boiled potatoes. Stir cook at low heat for 7-8 minutes. We should be done!

EASY GRILLED PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE

 I feel like sleeping after shower, good meal. Not that I don't wish to write, share recipe, unable to concentrate at this time! I wish to lie down on couch, cover my legs with bedspread, hold favourite read, go to deep slumber, while book rests on chest. This had been the scenario ever since I was teen. On some occasions, I broke my spectacles too. How time flies, I can't believe I have spent over half century on this earth. My aging skin, rough texture of hair bothers a bit, if not much!

I would keep showing up, needn't bother about age. The problem of attention deficit occurs to good looking guys, gals; all their life they get attention, the moment they get wrinkles, admirers fade, they get sad, their stardom goes away. For us, there ain't any pressure, I maintain, people compliment. I enjoy, level headed not to get swept away. 

I would go slow today, can't do anything forcefully. I don't earn, I don't understand pressure of performance. I am writing, then looking at social media handles, looking down at swimming pool that reopened after few months, I feel happier I would get to meet people, coach Joe, an excellent trainer. I have no speed, I enjoy swimming, my brother used to bring home prizes winning competitions; swimming, flat race, playing cricket. I hail from a family of sports lovers, sports personnel, I wasn't. The man & son ain't in sports; my fear monger self hardly allowed them. Our television also plays waterpolo is separate issue. I was upset knowing son-shine wasn't good in sports, he had flat-feet issue; an Indian mother, specifically Bengali mothers have this syndrome,"my child has to beat rest"! My level headed men did not allow me to practice that in Singapore, they did not allow me to join parents' group, son didn't share phone numbers of his friends. In West Bengal, mothers almost notch teachers for one mark her child scored less than the rest, I wasn't an exception. This island changed me; today son makes me proud, if only he could speak about his achievements. Not only son, I watch the kids around in Linkedin. Their parents know I enjoy doing that. 

This food lover had waffles at McDonald's this morning; taste was good, it left me hungry though. 

I equally love rojak. Without sauce, it's pretty healthy. Then, it's not rojak without sauce with crushed peanuts! Singapore's hospitals have great food courts serving food at minimal prices. They are open to all, I feel I shouldn't take advantage! Also I try stay within boundary! It would take one call and I would run for a good cause, no voluntary service organisation called until date.

The greens in midst of desert happens to be "marichika", if I approach near, it would vanish! As kids, we learnt about "aleya" too, my curious mind wished to see, science says it's some released gas. I have always escaped from reality, I live in world of fantasy created by me. I guess I wish to remain entangled! Our minds harbour what we invite, allow to stay, may be I enjoy harbouring varied thoughts, my favourite pastime!

"Srishti"; creation, universe, nature is engaged bringing something into life! It feels beautiful to pause, watch, and this is my life you know!

I would keep blabbering, let's share recipe instead! The same question lingers, who are you I cannot get over? Do you survive on grilled meats, veggies, soup? Anyway, our recipe highlight today is pineapple fried rice, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free! Let's name this vegetarian rice; EASY GRILLED PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE! Grilled pineapple recipe is there in blog! I love grilled fruits, even spiced, grilled bell peppers not favourite. Last night, we had the rice bowl with omelette! Cristine adds spring onion to it. You may add variety of vegetables in this fried rice, I used only carrot, cabbage, spring onion, tossed in simple seasoning!

INGREDIENTS :

COOKED RICE : 3-4 COFFEE MUG

PINEAPPLE CHUNKS : A BOWLFUL

SHREDDED CABBAGE : 1 COFFEE MUG

SHREDDED CARROT : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

CHOPPED SPRING ONION : A HANDFUL

SLITTED GREEN CHILLI : 3-4

CASHEW NUTS : 7-8

CINNAMON STICK : 1-2

BAY LEAF : 1-2

SOY SAUCE : 2 TBSP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/2 TSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2 TBSP +1TSP

PROCEDURE :

You may use refrigerated leftover cooked rice, I used freshly cooked rice!

I washed a coffee mug of rice, cooked in enough water until 70% done, transferred to colander. Let all of water drain.

Peel, wash, shred carrot, wash, shred cabbage. Wash, slit green chillies.

Marinate washed pineapple cubes with red chilli powder, salt, 1tsp oil! I grilled them manually on stovetop! Take down once done.

Heat wok, temper with cinnamon stick, bay leaves. Add cashew nuts, fry at minimal heat until golden brown.

Add the shredded cabbage, carrot. Season with salt, soy sauce, crushed black pepper. Stir fry at medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

Add the cooked rice, grilled pineapple, spring onions leaving some to garnish. Used two ladles to fold in well at medium heat, adjust salt. Transfer to a rice plate, garnish with remaining spring onion. We are done, it's simple!

THE SAVOURY BENGALI STYLE PANCAKE

 Each year, during this time, in fact, this particular week, I write same; that I visited RG Kar Hospital on Saraswati Pujo day to see my new born brother. This year too his birthday is on Saraswati Pujo day, 23rd, January. After decades, the man's sister, mine too partnered on this day. Two special occasions on same date in family, also the famous Indian / Bengali nationalist leader Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birthday! It's indeed a big day for us in family, a notable day for Indians. We still keep speculating about life of Netaji, we never did believe he died in 1945's airplane crash! For a Bengali, Netaji is an undying emotion, so is "Bok Phool" / Agati tree flower! The great leader indeed has a strong Singapore connection!

The flowers were within my reach, I could have picked a few, then they are batter fried, eaten before they bloom. Bengalis are unromantic when it concerns food. Instead of praising beauties hanging, I thought of batter frying them.

Extremely busy I am, must share suitable recipe on this occasion that a mother may cook on son's birthday, a daughter or son's anniversary. This is winter, if not in this tropical island. I would take the liberty to cook, share this fusion Bengali Chitoi Pitha. I wanted to write, share this blogpost tomorrow but it is Saraswati Pujo, I must offer nicely Goddess of Learning, Art, Entertainment, Culture!

Even on my busiest schedule, worst mood; I do not stop eating! Food is my business, eating is my hobby. I cannot have food I don't enjoy. I cannot be in an environment that doesn't suit me. This home is peace, not my men's temperament, yet I feel cosy, else wouldn't have lived for nearly three decades. Your low mood, melancholy isn't related to your environment at home, we venture to taste the world after establishing peace at home. In my case, it is extreme amount of emotional attachment that makes my heart wavy! 

I keep swimming in a pool of tender thoughts I need not have invited at all. Then, we can't do anything about our inherent nature! In spite of wise advices, my would kinds fall into gorge at different turns in life! Since these are not calculative steps, reaching conclusions is far fetched. We cannot tackle sudden emotional excess until the day we tuck it tight in our personal diary. My memory is my diary, my present state of mind would become history next. I am good example of high in emotion, immature people. I rarely meet people who leave lasting impression on me, when I do I can't let go, that becomes an issue. An underlying reason may be there, I don't want dissecting, I let myself flow!

I am not Hog Plum lover, it's the pleasure of discovering something Bengali! They are sweet, grow islandwide!

I ate the boiled egg willingly but feeling sick now! Cristine makes nice soft boiled eggs, her sir loves eggs! I cannot digest, son too isn't an egg lover. Bengali food I didn't like became part of life. That empty plate is Cristine's sir's, he loves Singapore's chicken rice, all of a sudden he came home from office, I didn't wish to serve him packed food from his lunch box. I am particular about serving warm food on table, it hurts when I think about son needing to arrange every meal for himself, it's over a year we haven't met him. The man isn't okay today, shoulder pain revived, his GP is on leave, Monday he is to meet him, visit hospital.

Ruti-Porota / Roti-Prata is easy make; mother, mother-in-law make / made them everyday, I cook on alternate days. Rice & Handmade Breads are our staple.

Life is good, we shouldn't complain. A colleague cum elder sister like visits my thoughts often. We used to go to work every morning as early as 5:30 am from Indian Statistical Institute's bus stop to Belur, changing bus at Bali Khal for two years. She lost her man such early, we can't imagine the trauma. When I heard the news, I left job, relocated, got busy with a rebel toddler, lost all contacts. You know me, who I get fond of, I keep hunting! After 16-17 years of searching, I found her phone number last year. I wished to meet on my last visit to Kolkata, she hesitated. I am sure she would one day, the moment she can feel my warmth, my intent, she would. Life had been unkind to her, her son, the parents who lost their son, the jovial gentleman who chatted a lot. 

"Cancer" is a word I dread, take me in sleep God, please; don't let me suffer, await death. Hats off to the medical fraternity, I place their courage before their degrees, service towards mankind. To a weakling like me, they are moving mountains. 

When I think of Juladi's fate, one young defence officer's demise, I pant. I look at his last status a fortnight back, I can't stop being philosophical. There lives Buddha in all of us, he left home with same quest, how to avoid pain? As I age, everything need be less ornamental, food too. I was never fan of loud, ornamental stuffs, light. Few quiet moments spent with oil-free, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free THE SAVOURY BENGALI STYLE PANCAKE suits me. It didn't get exact shape of chitoi pitha whose mid section has to rise. The reasons can be use of readymade rice flour, minced vegetables, placing cashew nut right in middle.

This oil-free, vegetarian rice-flour snack requires few ingredients to make!

Other chitoi pitha varieties in blog are DUDH CHITOI PITHA, VEGAN DUDH CHITOI, BROCCOLI KAJU KISHMISH DIYE CHITOI PITHA, NARKOL DIYE CHITOI PITHE O KHEJUR GUR!

INGREDIENTS :

RICE FLOUR : 1 COFFEE MUG [Yields 8-9 Pancakes]

CARROT : 1

BROCCOLI FLORET : 1 SMALL TEA CUP

GREEN CHILLI : 2-3

FRESH CORIANDER : 2-3 SPRIG

CASHEW NUT : 6-7

SALT : 1/4 TSP

BAKING POWDER : 1/2 TSP

BAKING SODA : 1/4 TSP

PROCEDURE :

Add salt to rice-flour, mix well. Add warm water, little at a time. Beat for 10-12 minutes as seen.

Add little warm water, beat again for 5-6 minutes.

Transfer to blender, add more of warm water, blend for 2-3 minutes.

Transfer to bowl.

Keep bowl covered for an hour.

Wash, then mince peeled, cut carrot, broccoli florets, discarded roots fresh coriander sprigs, green chilli.

Add to rice flour batter, mix well. Add baking powder, baking soda, mix well.

My friend got me traditional earthen wok meant for this pancake but I failed!

Hence, I used non-stick wok. You may or may not season with few drops of oil.

Add one spoonful in middle. Cover with lead! After a minute, place half of a cashew nut. Cover again. 

At low to medium heat, each took 2-3 minutes to cook!

Try to have fresh, warm with tea, coffee!