RICE NOODLES IN SAUCE MIX

The sky is neither bright, nor cloudy! This moment we get to see light, next moment it dims. It isn't hot, neither cool. I feel like sleeping for hours. I could have started writing an hour back, lacked concentration. I sat idle. Entire morning, I spent thinking either to write new blogpost or to share an updated one. I cooked noodles, clicked. Editing photos eats up considerable amount of time. I couldn't exercise, neither go for swim, Gods were hungry. Post brunch, I listened Bollywood numbers from 70's, 80's after sesh with Choplin since morning. Instrumentals & household chores are good pair! I had various things on mind, I keep myself occupied but today mind felt idle.

My eating sessions do not stop whatever state of mind is! Post shower & prayer, I made chapati, had as brunch with coffee. Last few days, I was having home cooked meals, few plates did I click. I loved both the vegetarian, non-vegetarian fried rice platters!

The grilled chicken legs got dry. I over cooked them, also using frozen drumsticks was reason. Using minimal oil is another reason. We got home new microwave oven, I ain't good at temperature setting. I have plans of sharing stovetop chicken starter before festival, kinds people queue up at Azad Hind Dhaba around12 am-2pm for a week. I can't take that crowd anymore, would prefer to sit somewhere in Park Street late at night. Can't queue anymore outside of pandals, we enjoy more in Singapore!

Yesterday afternoon, I was having a favourite plate, Appam! These are the 24/7 cafeterias, this one right at backside of our flat. It tasted good although they are not pro like Little India's famous eateries. Its Kerala food, not every Tamil joints would do it. A stall at Tekka centre does it really good. One plate has two, price is 3:50$. I wouldn't have full plate at 4:45pm, having two coconut stuffed crepes, fruits at 12:30pm! I got one packed for Cristine. 

I cooked following since last Monday. Sweet pancakes in syrup would be shared in blog, also kofta recipe. Not that I don't cook for man, just that I avoid making sweet stuffs regular, my blood sugar jumps. I love dresses, health, both. We had guest, it was fun cooking, chatting with sister like about incidents that took place in 90's. 

Whenever I cook these, I feel sad. Son follows poor diet, cup noodles, chips. I am worried about his health.

I don't want to interfere in his life, fear of which made his father send him across oceans, thousands of miles away. A little about Male pride I understand, its showcasing his ability to fund Son's education in a private university in USA. It is about making me happy, I have always believed parents should do their best for kids. Man can't say post 2020, I complained about not owning property here, travelling. I am in happy state, worried what future holds, about son stationed far, about his future, safety. 

Practising hobbies rescues. After lot of speculation, I dropped the idea of sharing an old recipe from Blog, share new one, vegan, gluten-free RICE NOODLES IN SAUCE MIX! Its 30-40 minutes recipe. Its long I did not cook something complex, take credit, at least boiling noodles correctly is giving me high. Rice noodles are thin, boiling is tricky. I don't play tricks, not in kitchen, not with others, that requires brain. I have poured hot water over noodles, strained after 2-3 minutes. We are humans, we can't be perfect. Learn, accept we would make errors, we can't be perfect. Although, we have to behave well, be careful not to hurt others, we wouldn't guarantee perfect carefulness at all times. We may hurt each other, apologise, thats okay if we do unknowingly, not purposely! Anyway, I try to share easy recipes for bachelors like our son, other son & daughter likes. Get a noodle packet, few easy cut vegetables, go ahead, have warm, low oil hearty bowl of vegetarian noodles!

INGREDIENTS :

RICE NOODLES : 150-200 GM

CHOPPED BELL PEPPER : 2-3 TBSP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1

SWEET CORN : 2 TSP

GREEN PEA : 2 TSP

CHOPPED ONION : 1 TBSP

CHOPPED GARLIC : 1 TSP

LIGHT SOY SAUCE : 1 TSP

DARK SOY SAUCE : 1/2 TSP

CHILLI SAUCE : 2 TBSP [I HAD THAI CHILLI SAUCE]

TOMATO KETCHUP : 2 TBSP

CHILLI-GARLIC-ONION SOAKED VINEGAR : 1TBSP

SUGAR : 1/2 TSP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/4 TSP+1/4 TSP

CRUSHED PEANUT : 2 TSP

WHITE SESAME SEED : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2 TSP

PROCEDURE :

Combine together sauces, vinegar water, 1/4 tsp crushed black pepper, peanuts, sugar, mix well, keep aside.

Pour 2 cups of boiled water, soak noodles. Break noodles. I forgot, did it later.

Strain after 2-3 minutes. Add little oil, mix!

Wash, chop bell peppers, green chilli, onion, garlic. Wash sweet corns, green peas.

Heat oil in wok! Add vegetables, season with salt, black pepper! Stir cook for 3-4 minutes.

Take noodles, vegetables, sauce mix in bowl, incorporate. Transfer to bowl.

Toast white sesame seeds, sprinkle on top.

Enjoy hot or chilled, as you wish!

MACARONI POTATO FRUITS MEDLEY

 

Our festival in Autumn doesn't call for pasta salad! As life advanced, we became part of world community, we proudly say, " world is our home"! I think starting to blog, I made friends every corner of world! With many I have lost contact, in virtual & real world. I believe we haven't, we are calls away. I chatted with virtual friends from blogging world. Post Covid, there was silence from some. I still think of them, wish they are fine. I ain't comfortable vanishing from scenario all of a sudden. At least, if they could leave a message or their family! I am indeed proud of having concerned heart, if only it was appreciated.

Anyway, this year I am not eager about sharing Bengali delicacies for the occasion. I have lot of such recipes in blog, others keep sharing is a reason. Major reason is I don't enjoy cooking thick meat, fish curries, can't digest either. Yet, I would share appropriate recipes nearer to our festivals. What is "appropriate?" I remember, one such October, we; I, man, friend Joy were seated at ONE STEP UP 1 am in morning during festival, it doesn't sell Bengali Food. On such days, our little monster stayed with grandparents. I don't enjoy dishes having lot of cheese, milk, spices, sauces. Many dishes outside of my community, culture I simply adore.

I choose to have what I enjoy! Lo Mai Gai, watermelon I find healthy afternoon meal. I eat brunch, not breakfast, meal between brunch and dinner needs to be light. A vegetable steamed bun I regular have. The 3$ coffee-ice cream treat at Buskin Robbins you must avail, I loved caramel coffee ice cream but got wind, acidity. Choice of chilled fruits is my anytime pleasure.

What I eat at home hardly have variations. Call me less of Bengali, but flatbreads, veg & egg maki, Lo Mai Gai, upma, idli makes me happier than fish, meat curries these days. It can be because of staying abroad for long, aging may be reason. My digestive system got weaker. Men, Women are conquering world, whilst I get headache with little change in routine. My disappointment would get pointed towards parents. Thats when Man would scold, says only we are responsible for making or spoil our lives. Son seems oblivious about whats going on within family. I am to be blamed, I didn't let him involve, be bothered. Now I want him to behave normal, communicate with us. This recipe is for him, his friends to make for themselves! I wanted to do fun cooking with him when he almost kept one foot outside of home. New moms, take initiatives early, spend as much as good time with kids, one day they would fly, you would think of them while making drumlet snacks.

I am not kind of mother who would hold back kids home or go against their wish. When its time to let them go, we have to. I pray he stays safe & secured in a world thats becoming impatient, violent with each passing day. Also leaving home doesn't mean cutting off ties, yearly once or twice if we could spend time together! Just hoping for better days, also living life meaningfully, cooking, writing, having music in soul, talking to Almighty, meeting friends too. 

Son dislikes "ghugni" but I do cook. Today's pasta salad, MACARONI POTATO FRUIT MEDLEY I made tasted great! It is vegetarian. To make it vegan, gluten-free, use olive oil instead of butter, buy gluten-free macaroni! I used pineapple, muscat, pomegranate, choose your's! Not using potato, onion would alter taste that I wished to serve you. It takes 30-40 minutes making it. I don't know if it would get slimmer you or not, its more or less clean eating if you don't start calculating carb:protein:fat, this & that, you can't live life depending entirely on greens, chunks of meat, fish, eggs, soups. That isn't happiness. Come try my wholewheat & refined flour porota / paratha!

Yesterday, I made vegan, gluten-free cake, sheer khurma, I would talk about it and some more in public, may be tomorrow! We must remain active some way or other!

Few more recipes from blog follows,

SPICED BROWN RICE PATTIES, BAEL FRUIT PARFAIT, VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE KOKI, EASY CRANBERRY CUP

INGREDIENTS :

MACARONI : 50 GM [YOU MAY USE ANY PASTA VARIETY]

POTATO : 1 MEDIUM SIZED

ONION : 1 SMALL SIZED

GREEN CHILLI : 1

FRESH CORIANDER : A SPRIG

GRAPE : 4-5

POMEGRANATE : A HANDFUL

PINEAPPLE CUBE : 1/2 COFFEE MUG 

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/4 TSP

CHAAT MASALA : 1/2 TSP

LEMON JUICE : 2 TBSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

BUTTER : 1 TSP

PROCEDURE : 

Wash, peel, cut, boil potato in enough water, drain water once done. Cube potato smaller.

Boil pasta in enough water adding salt, few drops of oil. Drain water once done al-dente!

Peel, wash, chop pineapple. 

Chop, wash green chilli, grapes. Wash pomegranate.

Assemble everything together in bowl, add salt!

Chop, wash fresh coriander.

Refrigerate to chill for an hour or two. Take out, add lemon juice, melted butter, chaat masala! Mix well, enjoy chilled!

DESI MANCHURIAN CUTLETS

4:13PM it is, wasted an hour trying to make vegan, gluten-free, instant dosa; both I, Cristine gave up, having store bought flatbread with fresh coriander-chilli-peanut-coconut-salt chutney I made! I wished to finish blogpost at decent hour, can't.

Being believer of zero waste, I added semolina, ghee to dosa mixture, cooked to get a dough. Once I finish writing post, would try kebabs. My man isn't "dal kebab" kind, accuses me of cheating. These days, I get tired quickly or is it about weather? This island's heat too seems hot to me; who else would let me sit by quiet sea, a segregated place without "browsing" my bare legs, low neckline, then conclude"bad woman"! I dislike rigidity, don't want staying imprisoned, neither want daughter-in-law to stay, become vulnerable! Not hitting males, women too criticise. As boy's mother, I have long stopped saying"men would be men", instead say,"protect mumma's pride about you, don't objectify women"! Son is our love, who may have multiple partners, but one at a time. "Mumma says its natural to fantasise males, females, not right to abuse either mentally, physically! Because female abuse is more than males, we are vocal about female issues. We need address issues like throwing female foetus into wells, taking dowry! Are these any way marker of educated selves? It takes few to initiate protest, no one does! What do we talk about so much? Set the wrong right first! 

We cannot be flawless! Instead of pleading innocence there has to have discussions, open-mindedness to rectify our faults, else society rots! I won't blabber much today! My fingers are paining, don't know why! I had that big flatbread, fear groped, in morning I had vermicelli upma! Given my preferences, I can't take more protein, less carbs. Too much of protein isn't good for kidney health. However, I never scored more than 58 in Biology of the total of 5 years I studied.

Yesterday, at Woodleigh Mall, I loved my meal at this stall, variety of mini bowls served with choice of rice. I enjoyed boneless chicken with probably Sichuan peppers. A bowlful of plain rice is 50 cents, I asked for 1/4th amount of rice! We have to respect other's labour. I felt happy to see Popeyes shifted to upper floor of mall, I thought its gone. I must declare this in public, I can't spread wrong information!

Coming Monday, I would skip fasting glucose self check, this entire week ate sweets. A diabetic having "muri-narkol-laddu" doesn't speak of sanity. That liberty we may take unless in entertainment industry, have continuous heightened blood sugar level. Again from next week, I would check. Come on, we ain't robots. Making sweets at home uses less amount of sugar, jaggery, my experience says blood sugar spike is less in that case!

I wouldn't ask about quality of clicks, I aim, shoot, hardly learn. Its for pleasure, not sincere learner!

For years I see around how vegetarians make Manchurian Balls dipped in sauce, never tried, don't live with vegetable lovers. I have doubt if Manchuria makes it. Singapore tags food vegetarian having egg. I had bell peppers, cabbage, made DESI MANCHURIAN CUTLETS! Its vegan, gluten-free! Manchuria knows about it or not, I enjoyed process of making a vegetarian snack. Had I made sweet and sour Manchurian Balls, I had to prepare sauce, make noodles on side. You may try it on stovetop, oven.

 INGREDIENTS : 

RED BELL PEPPER : 1/2

GREEN CAPSICUM : 1

CABBAGE : 1/2 OF SMALL SIZED

ONION : 1 BIG SIZED

GARLIC : 2 CLOVES

GREEN CHILLI : 1

FRESH CORIANDER : 2 SPRIGS

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/2 TSP

TOMATO KETCHUP : 1 TBSP

SOY SAUCE : 2 TSP

RICE FLOUR : 1 TBSP

CORN FLOUR : 1 TBSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2 TSP+2-3 DROPS TO GREASE PLATE[IF DOING ON STOVETOP, YOU MAY NEED 3-4 TBSP OIL TO SHALLOW FRY]

PROCEDURE :

Wash, roughly chop cabbage, pulse, chop further taken in blender or mincer. Squeeze out water taken in clean piece of white cloth! Take in bowl.

Wash bell peppers, onion, garlic cloves, green chillies; pulse together in blender or use mincer to coarsely chop. Squeeze out water taken in clean piece of white cloth! Take in cabbage bowl.

Add rice flour, corn flour, crushed black pepper, salt, tomato ketchup, oil; give it a good mix.

Shape into cutlets! I shaped one, Cristine did rest!

I greased an oven-proof plate with oil, placed cutlets, brushed with oil. I placed bake stand inside, plate on top.

I cooked them at grill+combination mode, one side for 20-21 minutes, turned over, brushed with oil, cooked for 5-6 minutes.

Serve, enjoy hot, fresh with choice of sauce, I kept homemade Bengali style chilli-mustard sauce on side. 

Note, it would remain crisp only for 30-40 minutes.

EASY OVEN COOKED BRITTLE

It's been years I have stopped writing blogposts this late, today I had been busy. A blogpost needs pictures be arranged which takes time. I ain't organised anymore. Lets pause, breathe, inhale peace, spread happiness, reach out. This morning I had to visit doctor's chamber, felt good meeting one wannabe doctor, noting down conversation between doctor & patient(s). My note would always be "make your teachers & parents proud, partner happy!" Duke-NUS Medical School is breather for the students whose entrance exam day wasn't lucky enough to get admission in NUS Medicine. Its natural, a single day of performance doesn't prove capabilities. Kids' aspirations be given chance. Also for certain specialised fields, entrance exams should be stringent, life & death is associated.

Who said I am calculative, that I wouldn't care unless my man & son are benefitted? I have good things to say about this island, but PSLE isn't necessary. Because we ain't Singaporean, neither PR, we need not interfere much. I would have good things to speak about world's safest island long after we leave, late is better! I would weep, for couple of reasons. Humans are built to accommodate tough situations! At times our zeal for life amazes me, how we love life. Thats the way it should be! I dislike when they say, ahh! we got old, whats left in life? I don't want even my own saying this. May be because I don't have to earn for living, I romanticise with life! I have seen some in family full of life, being active, enjoying every activity they did, do! I don't have their energy but keep going, we must!

Out of doctor's chamber, I had fabulous idli at one 24/7 joint, Hougang Avenue1, around 12 pm. Thereafter buying flowers, this, that shopping for Janmashtami took time. Around 3:45 pm reached home with short bread cookies, waffle biscuit. I wouldn't buy big packs, sweet stuffs cause blood sugar spike, Cristine does strict diet, man wouldn't touch, son stays far! A quick shower, afternoon prayer, bowl of mango post 5pm was soothing. On days I need to go out in morning, Cristine does morning prayer, she could refuse, she obliges instead. The kopi was too sweet. I loved the cucumber, pickled radish maki at Umisushi, the green tea I have regular. If in Singapore, try food at The Soup Spoon, you would enjoy!

                     

 Tell me, after all these activities, do I have time for feud, whats the purpose? I keep distance, fearing hurt, I am sensitive! Meeting people here, there, small talks seem therapeutic. If home calls dearly, we are safe! If feeling unwanted, it's time to leave, not easy task! In marriage, romanticism sidelines; friendship, responsibilities take over. If that has cracks, say goodbye, amicably settle, start afresh, kids needn't suffer. I happily bake chicken kebabs means I still have hunger for this home, I am required!

Home cooked food is comfort. Nothing new to say about it, we repeat!

 I do have brittle recipes in blog, this vegan, gluten-free EASY OVEN COOKED BRITTLE lets offer God on Janmashtami Celebrations. The vegetarian, oil-free snack was done in microwave mode. It was hard, not sticky. I got skeptical, unwilling to share recipe in blog, Cristine insisted I share. She said its tasting good, go ahead maam. I too liked, it wasn't sticky enough was my concern. Why do jaggery has sugar mixed in it I don't get or am I over cooking jaggery? The man wouldn't comment, if he eats I understand food felt decent in his mouth, good enough. Son has good career to make, mumma needs to pray for his safety, security, success. Only if he cooked his own food.

INGREDIENTS :

OATS : 1/2 A COFFEE MUG

WHITE SESAME SEED : 2 TBSP

BLACK SESAME SEED : 1 TBSP

CHOPPED FRESH COCONUT : 2 TBSP

CRUSHED WALNUT : 2 TSP

JAGGERY : 2TBSP DATE PALM JAGGERY + 1TBSP SUGARCANE JAGGERY

PROCEDURE :

Take oats in bowl, microwave at minimal heat for 2 minutes, pause, stir every minute.

Crush & take walnuts in a bowl, microwave at minimal for 30 seconds.

Take both varieties of sesame seeds in bowl, microwave at minimal for 2-3 minute, pause, give it a mix every minute.

Chop, wash coconut, microwave at minimal for 3-4 minute, pause, stir every minute. Cristine chopped for me!

Melt both jaggery taken together in bowl, stir, microwave at minimal heat for 1 & 1/2 minutes. Take out.

Mix each ingredients one by one. 

You better add oats little at a time, I think I should have done that.

Turn mixture onto baking sheet or plate, Cristine did the setting job!

Once cool, cut with knife or break with hands!

STOVETOP HUMBLE CAKE

 Each month there has Full Moon Day [Purnima], New Moon Day [Amavasya], significant in our culture! I saw parents, family elderlies observing these days having chapati instead of rice, vegetarian meals. I can't remember rituals, don't observe them every month, man, son ain't interested. Full moon day is held auspicious, new moon day isn't, they say Amavasya attracts negative energy. Science may not agree. Certain Full Moon days are more auspicious; Buddha Purnima, Guru Purnima, Guru Purab, Rakhi Purnima. Today is Rakhi Purnima, sisters tie sacred thread on their brothers' wrists. Tagore called it Harmony Day, urged all irrespective of caste, creed, religion to tie sacred thread of bond! You may consider it Friendship Day too.

I am feeling tired! I happily talked to my brother, had late breakfast as usual, then started feeling lethargic.

"May I sleep on the couch" kind of vive is there, as if I fought lot with mind to keep in track, not cross boundaries! How come one imprison soul? I am going to share recipe of cake above in short while, before that I would do talks. This space is meant to express my thoughts, although I don't take the full liberty anymore; I say something, people understand something else. I wouldn't apologise, I am honest about my feelings, actions, I can't fake!

Not understanding this world, I better stay quiet. Why let people point finger. I love sitting, brooding, watching people, food be there. I don't know if it's okay or not to buy maki from outside store, occupy seat for an hour in food court buying a cup of kopi-o-kosong. I can't have big meals in afternoons.

That pizza like bread was at basement of Paya Lebar Square, slice with curry spread, spring onions, I couldn't finish the huge slice. I am "cha-ruti", "cha-biskut" kind.

Exciting it was to discover food court at 4th floor of SingPost building. I keep visiting PayaLebar MRT area, never checked with 4th floor, SingPost building. It's different from rest, that attracts me, would sit there alone with food, drink, worth it. Singapore's history isn't ancient! Their history they restore beautifully in museums, keeping hand pulled rickshaws, through paintings depicting their past. My greatest hurt was visiting highest peak in Manali, 2008. On reaching top, we found solo toilet was dilapidated, where hundreds of tourists would discharge no one had concern, but we fight on trivial issues. What's development? To maintain current infrastructure, to build new! We make too much of noise we don't require to. A janitor appointed there could feed an entire family.

I definitely love India but wish to live outside, I prefer everything well done, be it home or surroundings. 

I have ability to cook, follow my culture wherever I am. Kolkata lives on biryani, pizza, chaat, momo; do people eat their own food? Inter-cultural mingling is necessity, I wouldn't have sustained in Singapore for 15 years, if not welcomed. I would force man to leave decade back. When I hum Bollywood numbers, Singaporeans would frown, smile next moment. I move body, bus captains would wave, smile. I must say, Singaporeans at times need to keep aside rules, laugh out loud. During Covid, amount of rebuke I received was enough reason to flee. I understood their concern for themselves, for me, a foreigner! Being rule bound is good, I think I survived Covid for rules. But you must breathe at times, laugh out loud in public, whats the issue? 

Thats me. My brother, son were thin as man, now they all have put on weight, even man's sister. My brother's girl was perfect, lost it. As long as son's single, mumma would warn him to stay fit. I was obese, don't want to be again. It's me who went crazy after Cristine to get back to her slimmer self. She listened. Maintaining ourselves is necessity. 

Baking, having vegan, gluten-free, dairy free STOVETOP HUMBLE CAKE isn't sin, we have to control the frequency, amount of intake. I had been baking vegetarian, also with egg, basic cakes, biscuits since teen. We love plain cakes, I fear decorating cakes. Son left home, man isn't foodie, we don't need exotic food. On this auspicious occasion, I wanted cake top to look different. The date palm jaggery / patali gur, a slice of pear helped, also rice flour, cornflour, tapioca flour, isabgul, banana, brown sugar, baking powder & soda, oil, coconut, walnut, vanilla essence. I enjoy baking humble cakes. I am satisfied with look, taste of this cake.

INGREDIENTS :

RICE FLOUR : 1 COFFEE MUG

TAPIOCA FLOUR : 1 TBSP

CORN FLOUR : 1 TBSP

BAKING POWDER : 1 TSP

BAKING SODA : 1/2 TSP

COCONUT MILK : 1 SMALL TEA CUP

SHREDDED COCONUT : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

BANANA : 1

PEAR : A THICK SLICE FROM MIDDLE

PSYLLIUM HUSK : 1 TBSP

BROWN SUGAR : 1/2 SMALL TEA CUP [YOU MAY USE WHITE SUGAR]

WALNUT : 2-3 [YOU MAY USE ALMOND, CHERRY]

OIL : 4-5 TBSP

VANILLA ESSENCE : 1TSP

PROCEDURE :

Mix together rice+tapioca+corn flours+psyllium husk in large bowl. 

Blend together sugar, banana, coconut milk, oil, shredded coconut into fine paste. I forgot to add coconut milk, added later.

Beat together dry & wet ingredients for 3-4 minutes. Keep covered for half an hour.

Cut thick slice from middle of pear. Take off skin. Discard seeds.

You may caramelise sugar, I melted date palm jaggery sprinkling some water.

Grease cake tin with oil, dust with refined flour. Pour jaggery, spread.

Place pear slice in middle. Cover hole with walnuts.

To batter, add baking powder, baking soda, vanilla essence, beat for 1/2 a minute. Pour into cake tin.

Heat wok on stovetop for 5-6 minutes placing stand in middle.

Tap cake tin on kitchen counter, then place on stand. Cover with lid. Insert clove if lid has hole.

It took me 1 hour 20 minutes to bake at minimal heat. 

Once cool, turn over on plate. Cut thin at end for cake to set on plate.

Enjoy with choice of beverage!

AN EASY MADE MIXED FRUIT SPREAD

Writing blogpost I enjoy, today I am unwell since mid-morning! I ain't under weather, stomach ache troubling, it has gotten weak. I was asked to quit meat in 1994 by Dr.Nan, also to eat less of greens & vegetables, I have chronic Colitis he warned parents. Then, I can quit chicken, not mutton. I have to eat leafy greens, vegetables. I have constipation, I need enough fibres. We request health experts in respective fields to sit together, write uniform rule books in respective fields of expertise, else it gets confusing for us! I had been vocal about it for sometime now. I think thick lentil crepe, local style greens, black chana sabzi, cheese slice Mac chicken muffin I had recently jointly caused me stomach pain while on my walk this morning. I went to the following area after long, about 7-8 jackfruit trees were chopped, your sorrow affects your physical health, we don't need degrees to know this.

We may discuss about each when I share on my social media handles. I repeat eat, can't digest big meals, it became an issue. A diabetic can't have Munchi pancakes, local chilled desserts regular. I enjoy chilled pasta+choice of fruit tossed in oil. I liked chicken muffin, thr breakfast items were still being served, felt muffin buns are better than burger buns, cheese slice caused trouble. Not anymore hot Americano coffee tastes bitter, my stomach cannot stand milk, sugar. I didn't go too far from residence. I have soft corners for birds, animals, not yet ready to adapt veganism, gluten-free diets. One shouldn't eat anything moving like man, son! We may eat chicken, fish, seafood regular; mutton, beef, pork at times, cleaned well. Turning vegan is good move, requires strong will power!

Dr. Nan's nursing home was tiny, but too clean. Post surgery, for long I would drop down at Tala Park bus stop, look for his residence, not to gate crash. Also, he was 60+, I was 24. I kept doing it even after Dr. Gobinda Sen assessed strong anaesthesia may have been a reason for my mental issues. Dr. Govinda Sen was nice too, last year I read there has one mental hospital in his name there. I would look for it, curiosity isn't bad always. The same fear came back in December, 2024. It's not health experts' fault, it's my weak, fear mongering self, sure.  Why did I look for Dr. Nan, is it gratitude? The psychology within is complex, interesting but. Even in past years, I searched internet about him until last year when a friend told family knew Dr. Nan's, no one from his family became doctor after him, may be all kids went to the school we went. Which friend told I forgot. If I don't get my brain working, I may have dementia! 

My life is ruled by fears, I can't bypass any, I have accepted I have to live with it until my end. I don't want to stay at home 24/7, I must go out everyday, love walks. I dislike anyone instructing me about what I do, what I don't! Above are few of dishes I cooked last weekend. You cannot say I don't care for my family!

Home cooked meals are best. I am scared of gram-flour, never liked "besan toasts", liked thin coated, low oil "besan toasts" few days back. Our tastebuds keep changing. The son, his father wouldn't ever have "besan toasts, muri-gur-narkol", I never force.

Making condiments, pickles / jam / jelly was regular in family. The mother bought bottle of Kissan mixed fruit jam every month, herself made few varieties; guava, mango, pineapple. She used pectin, did in bulk. I use lemon as preservative, make in small batch, else spoils. We need chemical preservatives for longevity. 

I prepared this AN EASY MADE MIXED FRUIT SPREAD last May. Any day, I can eat toasted bread thickly coated with butter & spread. Earlier, I learnt about differences among spread, jam, compote, jelly; now forgot. Calling it spread is safer. I made it using few ingredients; raw mango, green grapes, sugar, permitted food colour, lemon juice! It's tasty, vegan. gluten-free, dairy-free. What else? There's no point knowing other's motives, intents, more I know, sorrow awaits. Instead, I would cook, read, write, listen to music, do Tai Chi, swim, walk!

INGREDIENTS :

GRAPE JUICE : 1 COFFEE MUG

RAW MANGO PASTE : OF 2 STANDARD SIZED

SUGAR : 1/2 SMALL TEA CUP

EDIBLE GREEN FOOD COLOUR : 2-3 DROPS [I USED CAKE MAKING ESSENCES]

LEMON JUICE : OF ONE BIG LEMON

PROCEDURE :

I washed, blended two handful of grapes adding little water. 

Thereafter, I strained it to extract juice.

Cristine, peeled, washed, cut small the mangoes. 

I blended them to get a paste discarding seeds.

I put for boil everything together except lemon juice, food colour.

I kept stirring, added food colour, lemon juice towards end. 

Its done when mixture comes out clean from wok.

Once cold, transfer to sterilised jar, preferably of glass.