TIL SHORSHE BATA BHINDI

I wished to go very rustic today.... with this Bengali vegetarian dish of TIL SHORSHE BATA BHINDI .... I mean I often wish to serve myself a lunch just the way an unfortunate woman back there would have alongside a dal and "bhajabhuji".... I have seen such examples you know.... they would visit the local markets in Kolkata around 11-11:30 am... and buy the left over portion of a fish or few rot veggies at half the price. We will not laugh at them.... we never know what struggle they are doing to feed their family .... What we must accept is that they too have the right to have a "fish meal"..... even the price of the humble egg and chicken has gone high in India! I cannot prove how it affects my mind because people will always say "bandi fek rahi hai... image jo banani hai"..... I cannot get angry at positive criticism.... not when I get scared to board a crowded bus or train back in Kolkata! 

That we must feel and do for the unfortunate in this world was learnt from the type of books the father got me and yes, from our Bengali teacher Iva Miss.... Be it while teaching "Abhagir Swargo" or other pieces.... she would always reveal her political leanings and an indoctrination happened in some of us.... while some other sitting across my bench did not get affected by all these.... they were religiously dreaming of getting a greener future, a life partner like Liz Harley with facial features as that of Saira Banu.... A Pricila always supersedes an Abhagi you know.... People waited for lunch breaks as a hot stuff has just joined our school in another class, more wait was for the last bell of the day to ring.... because it was time for the Steffi & Chris of Kolkata to be seen at the tennis court! 

This born foodie might have been busy then buying some minced mutton samosa from their Club's canteen before leading towards home.... I would eat mine and then ask a share from the brother! The pimpled faced, 4'11" girl with high powered glasses wondered what must be happening inside the club.... Oh! those girls look flawless.... they might not be eating plateful of rice as I do! Now, a near old lady hates such environment.... she gets suffocated in a crowd .... she enjoys analysing Mahabharata through the eyes of Draupadi while having "jhal noon diye peyara".... that is Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's! I read too much of Bengali literature in my youth, hence English literature remained a weak part and largely unexplored!.... Else Calcutta University would not have denied me a degree in Journalism post my graduation! All my love for Bengali literature was in return for the indulgence Iva miss had showered on me.... I could not pay back her dues.... I should have majored in Bengali but scored miserably in the boards. I am not saying this to get clicked in social media with an "once upon a time friend" now a Bengali celebrity Anindya Chaterjee.... but I am happy that he is directing a film based on my favourite author's story "monojder adbhoot bari".... 

I may had to enjoy the "leggy lasses" on someone's insistence but my heart is entangled in a "shataru o jolkonya"..... Once Aparna Sen expressed her wish to make a movie on it in an interview.... never did! Leave that part, how much of jealous I am of the happening girls, I cannot be one.... early morning I prepared "dhokla" for myself to go with coffee.... I usually have black coffee.... at times I hire a sachet from Cristine.... then my mouth turns unwelcoming sweet, so Cristine prepares a spicy vermicelli upma for me, I taught her!.... Thereafter, I eat mutton with a small paratha for lunch... all within a 24 hours  span .... how do I reduce an inch from my stomach?

We can conclude food comes forth in my life rather than mending a "hurt" Bollywood style.... like losing 20 kilos, doing a nose job, face lifts, earning so much so that I could get clicked in front of my newly bought BMW.... To the teens.... both boys & girls.... I am happy if you are among my readers but I would suggest you not to follow my life courses... Do not be a silly emotional, seize the moment! Do not waste your time when you require to build your career... the monkey at home does not listen to me, you should. That he does eat when it is a "begun pora or bharta" or this TIL SHORSHE BATA BHINDI or an okra / bhindi in any form.... makes me happy! His father enjoys boiled bhindi along with me.... there must be some reason for not getting a divorce till date!

Authentically, this TIL SHORSHE BATA BHINDI....  is okra done with poppyseed, green chilli and mustard seed paste. The absence of poppyseed here in this island makes me use til / sesame seed a lot! Bengalis do use sesame seed in their cooking. I remember when at school, mani.... the mother used to massage the head with "til tel".... sesame seed oil. It has a cooling effect ... By now you all know our mother applied it for what... for a better hair growth or for a decent score in mathematics & science! Oh! the poor lady still laments as to why her kids do not have a beeline of degrees shining after their names. I have not told her the date of the son's board results... she has a tendency towards lowered  pressure. I do have the guilt of not been able to make her happy with academics but I can do her some honour serving her this TIL SHORSHE BATA BHINDI with piping hot steamed rice! When we meet, we can have a "rui / katlar matha... ilisher peti... aar er lyaza".... For this humble, tasty vegetarian Bengali dish, we need  few ingredients like fresh, green lady's fingers, roasted sesame seeds, green chillies, black mustard seeds.

My Egg Maharani [why did I even name it so?] post is updated with new pictures.... do have a look clicking the title / link below!

EGG MAHARANI

INGREDIENTS : 

OKRA / BHINDI / DHYAROSH / LADYS FINGER : 12-15

DRY ROASTED SESAME SEED : 2TSP

MUSTARD SEED : 11/2TBSP [I USE BLACK, THEY SAY THE YELLOW VARIETY IS BETTER]

GREEN CHILLI : 5-7 [I AM GENEROUS, CHOOSE YOURS ACCORDINGLY]

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2TSP + 1/4TSP

GARLIC : 2CLOVES

SALT : AS REQUIRED

NIGELLA SEED : 1/4TSP

OIL : 2TBSP [I ALWAYS USE MUSTARD OIL]

BAKING POWDER : 1OR 2 PICH HELP RETAIN THE COLOUR OF THE OKRA

PROCEDURE :

Wash the lady's fingers thoroughly. Boil them for 3-4 minutes in a water filled container adding little salt. We will add them only when the water is boiling, we want them al dente!

Once done drain the water and pat them dry. Cut off the root ends. Add 1/2tsp turmeric powder & salt. Rub well.

Well, we will soak the mustard seeds for 1/2 an hour in hot water. We will dry roast the white sesame seeds and take both in a strainer to wash. Take the washed white sesame seed, black mustard seeds, green chillies and two cloves of skinned and washed garlic cloves in a blender. Add some salt, little water and 2-3 ice cubes [your mustard seeds paste will never turn bitter! They say yellow mustard is safer but it never gives me the spicy kick. "bland shorshe bata" is not my cuppa.

Heat oil in a wok and temper with nigella seeds. Add the spice paste, 1/4tsp turmeric powder and little salt. Stir at low heat for 1/2 a minute.

Add the marinated bhindi and the baking powder, fold in well. Cover cook at low heat for 2 minutes. We will add a small cup of water but not at a time... that may spoil the colour. Uncover every minute and sprinkle little water at a time. We have to do this for 5-6 minutes. 

Our main concern is to avoid burning, retain the green colour and get it cooked too!

Enjoy with steamed rice / roti / paratha!