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 prepare poori-rajma to fresh water fish, chicken, mutton, prawn, even homely pasta dishes at home? This little we need these days, son left home, our need of exotic food is no more. 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!

 

MY HEALTHY DIP

It's 4:55 pm at this time, when to finish writing today? I don't know, I must share new blogpost today, my heart's call. My brain matter is insufficient, doesn't function well. I am led by heart; right or wrong I don't care; not fond of judgemental selves. My son is intelligent, sharp like his father, why good career start isn't yet shaping for him, mumma is tensed thinking son may get stressed in the situation. I don't know how far his friends live, distance is an issue in America, it's not take train, bus, reach destination kind of thing. But house-owners of one he rented are friendly, he can speak to them whenever he feels heavy! I feel bad not a single day I cooked, invited them for meal, thats unlike me! Things would be different if son's father travelled with me. The girl told me, "I told partner it smells such good when Ari's mother cooks", I felt like hugging her tight, cook, serve. I wish I would get chance to meet them again, serve them. They trusted me on first day, gave me house key, offered me to walk in their backyard! This inability to walk to neighbourhood groceries in America irritates me. I hate driving, so?

Cut to Singapore! Today, I was at my doctor's chamber! Just two months back I shared how this food court was gutted down to ashes, I was too surprised to see it open today! Wealth, hardworking people made it possible. 

Whats there not to love about this island? I absolutely do not have any self-interest involved in praising. We have to leave, we didn't apply for permanent residency, son left, at this age we wouldn't be given! I don't live in practical world; post retirement keeping Cristine is tough unless son builds career here. Even in India, we pay for services; the upscaled cities there are as good as this island; our state is still cheapest. I love my place, don't wish to stay there, too unprofessional service industry, except AquaGuard! I must engage professional helpers there once back, won't allow anyone to trouble pestering for money, even after paying enough!

If my GP says my health parameters are fine, I create Kolkata like unhealthy breakfast scenario sitting in Singapore! Okay, Lo Mai Kai is a healthy bowl of non-spicy sticky rice-chicken kind of. Thats not "jilipi-cha" but "amriti-cha"! Not to have more than once a month, okay? I can & love to cook a lot, I can re-create Kolkata food scenario anywhere in first world country!

My lunch bowls are minimal, I enjoy sitting at Hokkie Pau for that. Yesterday, I loved having sugar-free grass-jelly drink, veg-steamed pau there. Miraculously my stomach was cured! Wind formation is perennial issue!

I don't know what my aging skin denotes, it feels good to be able to get rid of obese tag. In an airplane, I don't feel pressure both-ways! Feeling lighter is big leap towards healthier self. Take me as I am, else don't; my tagline!

Homemade pickles need less salt, oil; although requires considerable amount, we prefer pickle / achar of Indian subcontinent!

This is food / shopping arcade beside Potong Pasir mrt., below the Poiz condo I think! They are giving discount on second hand books I guess. You may try, dear readers!

Credit of growing fresh coriander goes to Cristine. I bought the seeds from Fairprice Extra, rushed to India.

Creating this vegan, gluten-free recipe MY HEALTHY DIP from an error is my credit entirely! I was to cook rajma / kidney beans curry with vegetables, tofu puff, serve with soy sauce rice. After long time, I attempted Rajma, I perhaps over-soaked, over-boiled it! You know, I won't share errored recipe! I turned it onto health loaded dip with tofu, white sesame seeds, herbs, raw mango, spices; clicked platter with soy sauce-peanut rice, Doritos, salad! However, I served, had extremely yum vegetarian delight for dinner with naan! I did for Cristine, her Sir, I had with paratha. I wasn't happy with naan's finish, self-raising flour isn't enough; milk, baking soda were required beside plain yogurt!

Today, I finished writing at a record breaking time; 7 pm! 

INGREDIENTS :

RAJMA / KIDNEY BEAN : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

RAW MANGO : 1

TOFU / TAW KWA : 25 GM

GARLIC CLOVE : 2-3

FRESH CORIANDER : A HANDFUL

GREEN CHILLI : 1-2

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1/2 TSP

ZAATAR : 1/4 TSP

SUMAC : 1/4 TSP

LEMON JUICE : 2 TBSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OLIVE OIL : 1 TBSP + MORE TO GARNISH

PROCEDURE :

Wash, soak kidney beans overnight. Wash again, take in pressure cooker with enough water, salt, little of red chilli powder. Pressure cook at minimal heat up to 2 whistles.

Reserve the leftover water, use in curries, dough!

Take boiled kidney beans in blender once cool. Peel, wash raw mango, cut small, add to blender with washed, peeled garlic, green chillies, fresh coriander. Blend to paste.

Add red chilli powder, sumac, zaatar, lemon juice, salt, tofu cut small. Blend to paste. I just loved it.

Serve, have with platter of your choice; no issues!