ALOO DIYE BHAPA DIMER JHOL

There was homecoming yesterday evening, I prepared steamed egg curry that was hassle free, quick. The senior of the two men loves egg, son was getting what he loves for past few days.... he should be able to share an egg meal with babai, mumma was too full after an overdose of mutton biryani late afternoon. Mumma yet had two tablespoon of rice, egg curry, dal else all that extra amount of ghee will create trouble all night. The Bengalis love "Mughlai" food is true, the reason why their death due to heart diseases is on high. That Hindu Bengalis, Muslims mostly of South Asia in general love rich, unhealthy but tasty dishes is a truth, there need not be hue and cry about it, neither backlashes should be targetted at me. 

Just yesterday, I was talking to my childhood buddy Tanushree who is far from maddening social media games, dislikes that I am being part of it. She says if social media robs of my natural self, if I cannot feel free, be myself there, I need not be there. I do treasure such friends who will not try to control my life ever, who will not expect me to be loyal to any one in particular ..... Tanushree is timid, soft spoken, meek more than I used to be, I keep her within warmth of my heart without feeling obligated.... we know we need not do hi-hello often, we still would remain friends forever. If you try to own me, I will get cold; if you ignore me I be hurt; I don't know what I want. Tanushree happens to be husband's classmate too with opposing character traits. Even we are opposing partners.... if you are honest to each other you can carry along an entire life together. There was time when me, Tanushree both were of same character traits.... less interested in studies, timid, quiet, Bollywood buffs.... she however unlike me was beauty of our times.... serene, known as Asha Parekh among us.... I have never seen her being proud of that. What you should know is that she is excellent in sewing, sewed maxi dresses for me when we were young, learnt quilting, now prepares bags.... I asked her to open a page, start  her business ..... I think I have to open it for her.... she can always change password later. I am least qualitative among us friends but love cooking! I enjoyed cooking this non vegetarian egg meal ALOO DIYE BHAPA DIM ER JHOL , Dal, Bhindi Sheddo, Potato Fry, Rice for family, specially for husband who is back home after few days.

I think about Life, Death often.... when I cannot bear it anymore I go out for long walks. Like I have soft corner for Ipsita, wonder how she survived death of her both parents by age 11. I do not sit together often with her for few reasons... she is busy with her teaching job. Being neighbours, there can be misunderstandings .... she isn't social media buff ... I would maintain cordial relationship. When our father expired, I felt everything gets bearable with time, it may not be same forever.... my heart does feel for bachelors, widowers, divorcees. 

Tanushree seemed too disturbed two-three months back.... she messaged me she lost her mother suddenly. Kakima [who you refer as aunty] was just back from "bahargaon" staying for months with son's family. Her first born, her daughter cleaned the flat where she used to live alone, she entered... next morning she fell sick, daughter saw her sweating profusely, on reaching nursing home she was declared dead. Think of this girl, she lost her father back in 2012, Semtemper, her husband stays in Kazakasthan, the brother in "bahargaon", son studies BBA in Vizag. I would call her strong, oh! unlike me, she is an excellent daughter-in-law who handled not one but three sets of in-laws and their kids since 1993.... they helped. Did they ever think or care Tanushree/Juna could be cloth designer if given chance? 

I am a bad girl you know, I dislike her for one reason.... be good daughter-in-law, no issues, don't neglect the self; know one part of your heart remained empty.... you missed friends' gathering, you failed to experience a beauty called "friendship".... I cannot be this sacrificial, I must have my own life. This girl's boy will be going for MBA course next year and she would start living alone most of the time.... When our son was born, she visited us with their son and our another childhood buddy Chandreyee....The was only six, called my husband "mama" instantly without being tutored.... he plays good cricket at Hyderabad circuit I think but he has to be a MBA graduate you know... bye bye cricket.... I am pretty sure my brother would have been playing cricket in Bengal team by now if our parents could take risk. I have not met Tanushree's family except for her, her brother, mother after that accident / incident at the BBQ Nation restaurant, Sector 5, Kolkata.... I fell sick, one of her family member had to be admitted to the hospital, you remember? I remember disapproval in kakima's face watching me wear a three-quartered jeans and shirt. Her brother told, 'I miss the S di I knew".... I immediately said "Diu I am the same, trust me!" So, Tanushree loves wearing salwar suits, saree, never can go against wish of her dead parents, dead paa-in-law or her surviving family, she is timid.... not smart, up-to-date.

Wish our son had cousins! I often express it to T's father mostly because he speaks sense. He cannot be rare species of father-in-law like my father, it is also true that he sweated handling my son for long, I could not entrust the responsibility of our son to my father, if anyone came in between... he would sit to chaat forgetting toddler's meal time.... yet he was our son's "smiling buro"... son was visibly disturbed on his death news..... kids can feel love, good souls, pure hearts.  

It is always better to cook, enjoy recipes I always share for you including this non vegetarian egg meal ALOO DIYE BHAPA DIM ER JHOL,  egg, that man loves .... a severely underweight fella, who had strength, ability to sacrifice all his academic dreams, shoulder immense responsibilities. He may shout, a political brain unlike me, I may retaliate, fight but those who know him know he is an extremely honest, trusted, responsible person.

This isn't family recipe, I learnt about it from various Bengali Food Groups I had been in earlier, some of Bengali Bloggers may have this recipe but I have not consulted their recipe in recent years. The steaming part definitely can be done on stove top, I just do not have a square steel bowl, feared scratches on my cake tins.

INGREDIENTS : 

EGG : 4-6
POTATO : 1BIG
CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 2TSP
CHOPPED CORIANDER : 2TBSP
SLICED ONION : 1/2 SMALL TEA CUP
GARLIC PASTE : 1TBSP
GINGER PASTE : 2TBSP
CUMIN POWDER : 1TSP
RED CHILLI POWDER : 11/2TSP
TURMERIC POWDER : 1TSP
CINNAMON POWDER : 1/4TSP
GREEN CARDAMOM POWDER : 2PINCH

CLOVE POWDER : A PINCH
CHAAT MASALA : 1TSP
CUMIN SEED : 2PINCH
BAY LEAF : 1
SALT : AS REQUIRED
SUGAR : 1TSP [OPTIONAL]
OIL : 4TBSP

PROCEDURE :

I did entire cooking at low to minimal heat.

I am in habit of washing egg shells before using, we must. 

Thereafter we have to break them, add 2 pinches of salt, turmeric, beat well.

Add chopped, washed green chilli + coriander leaves, beat well.

Add chaat masala, use whisk to beat well. 

Pour into greased oven proof bowl.

Then I microwaved it at high for 5-6 minutes. 

I gently placed egg mixture filled bowl atop water filled container, cover with microwave proof lid.

Once cool, I made pieces with knife & reserved those in a plate!

                             

We have sliced peeled onion! We have peeled, washed potato; cubed; marinated with salt & turmeric! 

We will fry them, take out after heating oil in wok!

We would temper remaining oil with cumin seeds & bay leaf!

We would add sliced onions, fry for 2 minutes. Thereafter, we would add ginger & garlic pastes, stir cook at low heat for 2 minutes, add cumin+coriander+red chilli+turmeric powders, bit of salt!

After stirring it for 2-3 minutes, add lightly fried potatoes.

After a minute, we added a coffee mug of water, waited to bring it to a boil.

Once it comes to boil, we would simmer it covered at low heat until potatoes are well cooked! We would then add  steamed egg pieces!

After 3-4 minutes, add sugar, cinnamon, green cardamom, clove powders; stir, take down!

Enjoy with steamed rice, dal, vegetables, some fries & salad!

CHICKEN PRAWN VEGETABLE SOUP

This was soupy curry that caught our fancy when I prepared it earlier in July. The mother was visiting us, she was only wanting to have light soups, this island styles having bit of noodles or rice in them as part of her carb intake. Like our mother, chicken in soups I like, I prefer doing it at home because I give them vinegar bath for quite sometime, cook for a little longer period as per our taste bud. So, I thought let me try similar kinds at home using different combinations of ingredients. Yes, the rest in family liked it, would not mind having served with garlic tempered rice. If they get to have good amount of chicken, prawns in one dish, they would tolerate vegetables. I think what made it seem too favourable to us are use of lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, lemon juice in good amount. 

I do not know back from India why I have not done a non vegetarian soup with chicken, prawn, broccoli, mushrooms, watercress like this CHICKEN PRAWN VEGETABLE SOUP for a single day but I must now. Yesterday, I went for my blood sugar check, it reached staggering height. I don't wish to be husband's burden, he is already overburdened with responsibilities.... he is no "Mithunda".... you know na that guy bought lorry for one relative, set some other business for the other. I am restrictive in this matter. History cannot repeat, I cannot put my son's future at stake.The guy is travelling, sent me picture below last Monday morning, I get tensed when he drives to neighbouring state, he has to provide me details at every stop. He isn't regular Facebook-er but a black tea aficionado, never with milk, sugar.

I think I have to tell all not to send any kind of sweets at this home, they come for my men but I cannot resist myself having them. I got the punishment yesterday at doctor's chamber. Let me prepare sweets at home. Out from chamber, my demoralised self had lunch outdoor. Late afternoon I had "samo rice, mushur dal porridge," at night we had the best meal... mumma made chicken with bell pepper. Our boy is having fencing lessons everyday, babai is not there to drive him back late night. My question is.... "when will you study after all these?"

Yes, I am having everything with millets but I have read that it is not good for people with hypothyroidism. You see, I have everything at a food court or food chain / joint.... the man cannot say I deprive others, have my own pleasure and luxury.... people can always have different notion.

I actually have series of fish and meat recipes in the kitty to share. I am unwilling to share prawn recipe I want you to prepare, all my earlier fish photos are in package of five or two I am unwilling to share at this time.... It is pleasure to end day looking at son's, his father's face who happen to be my ultimate security. For son or his parents, a soya sauce chilli chicken, non vegetarian soup CHICKEN PRAWN VEGETABLE SOUP any time of the day is welcome. If only he cared about mumma, think what gives her high. 

What gives me ultimate pleasure? Well, I keep telling son, if you have inherited the father's brain matter, do not waste it, do not get me average results.... your mother always kept your interest, your well being at forth.... remember that. Who listens? The friends' daughters and sons have scored 95%-98% in almost all subjects. I am like "amar jiboney kichu chaina, amar number chai, academic records chai"..... I am my mother's daughter after all who became diabetic when brother refused to pursue further education after leaving college.... I am also my maternal grandmother's girl.... whose sons, specially the eldest and youngest of the three are business magnets, wellknown in Nadia circuit.... even few years back she used to say "ora ayam-e pash korlo na, bank e dhuklona, amar dukkho"..... She is 90 up, she must be happy her youngest grandson is doing PhD in mathematics.....

INGREDIENTS :

BONELESS CHICKEN STRIP : 250-300GM
DE SHELLED PRAWN : 200-250GM
MUSHROOM : ANY VARIETY
CHOPPED WATER CRESS : A BUNCH
BROCCOLI FLORET : 1MEDIUM TEA CUP
SLICED ONION : 1SMALL TEA CUP
CRUSHED GINGER & GARLIC : 1TBSP
CHOPPED LEMON GRASS : 1TSP
KAFFIR LIME LEAF : 6-7
LEMON JUICE : 4-5TBSP [I REMEMBER I USED GONDHORAJ]
CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1TSP
VINEGAR : 2TBSP
SOYA SAUCE : 1TBSP
TABASCO : 1-2TSP
SALT : AS REQUIRED
OIL : 2TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Wash, drain all the ingredients well. Marinate chicken strips, dressed prawns with vinegar, little amount of salt for an hour. Drain marinade thereafter. Add broccoli, chicken, prawn, half of lime leaves to vessel with boiling water. Add some salt.

You can see we have got everything ready,  crushed ginger garlic to sliced onion. We would add washed watercress, mushrooms in last lap of cooking.

After the chicken, prawn, broccoli has boiled for 5-7 minutes, strain, reserve stock.

Separating crushed, cooked garlic-ginger, lime leaves was tedious job, did I need to?

Heat oil in wok, add lemon grass pieces. Stir, add sliced onion. Stir until they turn translucent.

Add freshly made stock. Bring to boil.

When it has boiled for 3-4 minutes, add cooked chicken, prawn, broccoli. Add all of lemon juice, crushed black pepper.

Add mushrooms, watercress, cook for 2 minutes.

Then add rest of lime leaves, tabasco, adjust salt if required.

You can have it as soup or enjoy it with plain rice or garlic tempered rice.

REDUCED SUGAR NARKOL NARU

This homestyle sweet was majorly done with sugar free alternative but has 1-2 tsp of sugar added, else I find it very difficult to bind them, shape. The coconut variety we get here is weird, does not release much oil. Wasn't it jaggery/sugar, oil released from coconut together made a perfect "naru".... my narus are softer.... Oh! my God! the eldest of my cousin is Narayan with pet name Naru.... I played on his lap once..... The elder of his two sons now got married and are both working.... you understand our age difference. The mother always says that this guy is honest person, helped her tremendously when she could not manage alone a big family which had my father, my toddler self, pishimoni, nanu, father's youngest brother, mother herself in Asansol. Because pishimoni, father's youngest brother had no interest in studies, they were sent back to Assam before we left Asansol, mother never wished to leave Asansol.... ask me why? The Loreto, few other convents were located just the other side of the road. Ahh, poor mother wanted her daughter to get "convent" educated. Once in Kolkata, she made me sit for admission test two times in Auxilium Convent, Loreto Sealdah.... in all I failed in spelling test, handwriting. That weakness in English Grammar, Spelling still remains a persisting problem in my life. She tried for brother to get in to Calcutta Boys, St. James, could not. The brother was better in academics than me, had tendency getting into wrong associations. Taking control of his life, engaging him in sports activities was religious duty for us, I still believe. You cannot allow a part of your body get rot, right? 

I couldn't get "conbhent" educated is right, destiny takes it's own course. I tell my mother "you see mani, boys make good friends if you associate with right ones".... we were at experimental stage of the "Benglish" school, teachers changed every month! I really feel good for those who made it in life which proves they had matter in them. I stand strong with rest of us back benchers whose mark sheets got severely affected. I believe academically sound students can survive through any damn school, for us, good schooling is necessity, now that school earned some name I hear. 

Coming to my eldest cousin,  he had struggled life. Okay, he could make a political career, from Pannchayat Head like in Nabadwip area he managed a meagre job in Kolkata through his parent party. Those who try to prove otherwise have to accept that their party too used their power in jobs, elsewhere, everyone in power does.... the question is to what extent I am using my power. They claimed they did not use their political power with regards to admission in Calcutta University at post graduation level.... but all top level posts in that University during their reign were occupied by party loyals. You will not see my dignified friends speaking rational on their pages. It's obvious whoever is in power would use it.... I admit that now situation is worser because present party in power doesn't have any solidified history of politics..... they are just flock of "gunda-gardi" loving people, even worser days are approaching towards West Bengal. Big Sister herself may not be too bad but her associates are terribly dishonest. I do not know why I am too unwilling to see politically motivated posts coming in.

In Social Media, news on achievements are welcome, food & music too, expressing our views on social or socio-political issue welcome, hoaxes with wrong informations ..... please excuse me, keep in touch with me in WhatsApp or Messenger.... I mostly use social media handles to promote my blog, to flaunt my sarees often, dresses at times, to practice my hobbies.. thats it. I look good wearing make-up, but make better REDUCED SUGAR NARKOL NARU. Had I have bit of wisdom in my teens.... I definitely would not have wasted my teen life studies thinking why I ain't beautiful, but studied hard.

My eldest cousin spent each droplet of his blood, sweat building his home, bringing up his sons. His wife I hear is an extreme case of cleanliness freak who equally sacrificed for family living in a two-roomed shabby rented home decades. Now their elder son is married, both sons are in decent jobs, they finally could build two-storied, airy, no-fancy home in interiors of Parnashree, Behala. A primitive, Bengali soul still yearns for landed property, thats when the wise husband says S, do not be silly.... when we go back we would go for an "assisted living".... a newly developed concept coming up in India; I hear it is a bit different from old age homes. I think I read about it in social media.... I read news, different stories in social media handles .... this Milaap's page does not let me sleep.

You see, fragments of my life keep coming in all of my blog posts. I did not plan them at any point in past few years, they just flow. Way later, I discovered that people around also do that.... this particular idea was not hired.... else I self associate myself willingly with people who feed my quest for knowledge, class, beauty. I wholeheartedly support a Nishi's confident self, Swati's hidden talent in art, craft finally coming out of trunk, I have many times rebuked an Indirra Sengupta silently for not getting her art, craft skills in public. When she told me after school she goes with friends, her sons stay with their trusted chauffeur, I got upset, its security threat! I think is she at all using her potential in art & craft which happens to be her special quality? She herself would understand when her boys would leave her on career's call, she would feel lonely..... her bindas self got her kids admitted to best school in Kolkata considered till date. 

However, this "conbhent" maniac girl happens to be Indian in essence ..... her father used to love all kinds of "pithey-puli-naru"... they were regular affair at home, not occasionally made. The grandparent's home always had big tinned containers full of "moya"stored for days, "naru" in glass jars.... our mother too made it a practice.... their's was not "so called romantic liaison" per say.... in fact they hardly had any common interest but I have never seen mother partying outside leaving daddy fetch his food by himself. He should have learnt to help our mother I definitely admit. Our mother struggled with two kids, after marriage when I saw people sleeping until 12pm while husband, kid went to office, college making their own breakfast, I wondered as if it is 8th wonder of world. It was good home but I wanted my own. 

Why does son makes it a point to spend alone time with my brother, never distanced him from paternal grandparents?.... The answer is their love towards him! But you have to pay price for freedom you want. I carried two bags full of rice in two hands, spent sleepless nights each time when our only "security" passed through Gulf of Aden, ran from this"bazaar to that" for "jyanto magur" for the kid? I had no complain, with both families support, I enjoyed the conquer, time with son. 

My only dream as of now is good future for son, not only they but I hate making him public until now..... a fear I need to overcome, when I do not know..... let him grow far from crowd, mumma continues to prepare this homestyle traditional sweet in a new way REDUCED SUGAR NARKOL NARU for him as she is concerned of her family's health. The things used are evaporated cream, shredded coconut, green cardamom powder, stevia powder, sugar. Evaporated cream reduced cooking time, I didn't let it sugar free because it is sugar or jaggery that gets content sticky. I could not click stepwise pictures because we are not supposed to take pictures or taste food we offer Almighty.

INGREDIENTS : 

SHREDDED COCONUT : 2COFFEE MUGS OR 400-500GM

EVAPORATED CREAMER : 1CAN [385ML]

STEVIA POWDER : 100-150GM

SUGAR : 2TBSP

GREEN CARDAMOM POWDER : 1TSP

PROCEDURE : 

Pour evaporated creamer, stevia powder in wok. Bring to boil, keep simmering at low heat for 7-8 minutes. During this constantly we need to stir.

Now add shredded coconut, constantly keep stirring folding in well. 

When content gets 80% dry, add sugar, green cardamom powder. Keep stirring further until it gets sticky.

Take down, let it cool. Shape into small, round balls, "naru" when it is still warm.

AAM SHORSHE KANCHALANKAR CHUTNEY

Finally, I could prepare something similar to "kashundi"..... that Bengali style mustard sauce. This is the sauce the grandmother never made at her home, so I never had seen the process of it in person. I have always heard that it calls for stricter rules and regulations, it spoils if you do not abide by them. Kashundi was not even a regular affair at our home, I mean it was not so that we could not have "shaak bhaja and bhaat without a kashundi and sliced onion alongside." The mother would occasionally buy it and never thought of trying it at her two roomed rented flat where there was constant monitoring by the land lord on what we were doing. I mean that interference could not stop her from preparing a variety of pickles though, its all about preferences. May be that 19 years of humiliation made my father build a decent two storied home in Barrackpore after retirement. Once I reached an age when I could speak on family matters, I told them if you occupy someone's home for near two decades, they would get scared and act weird. I still wonder why the daddy did not shift to a better neighbourhood after his first promotion. Its all about your mental setup, how you want your life to be. Moreover, we are a generation who would never understand the value of a hundred rupees note... how important, what difference it could make in a man's life.... our very middle class parents knew the value of it. The reason why I consider the father-in-law nearer to me in that family..... he definitely is not my father, never can be but we could have been good friends.... that did not happen under family pressure. Even after the son of the house made a triple forward leap and changed the family's financial scenario, his father lived a bare minimal life, till date he is  concerned about the son's huge amount of responsibility. In that family.... only the father-in-law cares about our future.... always he has to enquire about the grandson.... thinking about his future. Worrying about his son.... how he would manage the huge responsibility entrusted on his skeletal structure, he fell more sick.... only he cares for his son and knows that all those printed paper notes are result of sheer hard work and a lot of sweat. That gives him a place in my heart, he need not be my father for that.... I have seen his struggle and sacrifice throughout his life, one who did not change his lifestyle even after the son brought a sea-change in the family set up.... I have always seen unequal treatment in their family and have argued with the husband "why so?" 

I am like my father-in-law, had I have freaked around with friends, carry nothing less than a Gucci or a Guess at least, start my day at the nearest Starbucks..... the husband would not have been able to save enough to take care of his parents.... his family should feel that, admit that, not really do they. What is my bargain with the husband? "See boss, I am too mean, never a social worker.... I want uninterrupted educational aids for my son, his dreams of building his own life his way should in no way be disturbed"..... So, there you are, I have no regrets carrying a 25$ bag, wearing a 20$ dress most of the time, saying a stricter 'no' to a 'Shaukh' or a 'Gahonaz'.... which is quite an exercise given I am a saree and antique silver jewelry lover..... However, I have a profile picture coming up wearing their products, before pujo I hope. You see, if I am not working, I should respect other's labour.... if I am working, I should respect mine..... a spendthrift's home hardly gets to thrive. So, mutton, salmon, giant tiger prawns, good hilsa do not come together at our home.... two at a time, all in turns. Okay, preparing chutney, sauces, condiments at home is not the result of a miserly act or exercise, I really find the homemade stuffs tastier these days.... take the example of this AAM SHORSHE KANCHALANKAR CHUTNEY, I did it better , mine is tastier than any store bought average quality "Kashundi" done hygienically if not wearing "shuddho kapor on a shuddho shorir." I did not name it kashundi because I did not consult any kashundi recipe and just took the liberty to go my way with a similar kind.

I find making jams and sauces at home very relaxing. They rarely occupy much of your time and energy. If you are starting your day looking at your home grown greens, you feel fresh all day.

One was yesterday morning, one today. Yes, I do spend on them, they give me the necessary boost. Without spending too much on them, our mother grows wonders in her terrace. I requested her for a vegetable garden in her space this year..... so long she does not listen to me, the people around keep me alive with their lovely produce. Once I get the necessary energy for the day, preparing a fried rice for their lunch is not a problem because Cristine gets everything ready on the kitchen top. The magic of a fried rice is that you can prepare it with any combination of ingredients..... I either like very authentic, simple Chinese fried rice or the Southern Indian variety of rices. Doing an easy fried rice and a vegetarian condiment with raw mango and black mustard seeds like this AAM SHORSHE KANCHALANKAR CHUTNEY is not a hard job, I mean even if you are a minimalist cook.

Shall we proceed with the easy, no cook recipe?

INGREDIENTS :

RAW MANGO : 1BIG OR STANDARD SIZE [SHREDDED]
BLACK MUSTARD SEED : 50GM
GREEN CHILLI : 10-12 [ALTER AS PER THEIR HEAT LEVEL]
GARLIC CLOVE : 6-7
WHITE VINEGAR : 100-150ML
LEMON JUICE : 2-3TBSP
SUGAR : 2TSP
SALT : AS REQUIRED
MUSTARD OIL : 5-6TBSP

PROCEDURE : 

We will peel the mango and shred it well. Wash it thereafter. Then we will take the ingredients on the kitchen counter.

Thereafter, we will wash and soak the green chillies in half of the vinegar required. Later I used more of the chillies as per the requirement.

Then, we will wash the black mustard seeds taking on a strainer and soak in water for 1/2 an hour.

After 1/2 an hour, we will take the strained black mustard seeds, green chillies along with the vinegar it was soaked in, the garlic cloves and salt in a blender.

We will pulse at high for a minute, then pen the lid. With help of a spatula, we will get the content together.... add more of vinegar and pulse at high for a minute.

Now let us open lid, add the rest of the vinegar, sugar, turmeric and the shredded raw mango.

Now let us pulse at high for a minute and take down and transfer to a bowl. Then we will add the mustard oil.

Let us add the lemon juice, adjust the salt if required and beat well.

At this stage, I felt it requires more of green chillies. So I added them and blended well.

Before transferring it to a sterilised bottle, I kept it under the sun for the entire day.

Now refrigerate and enjoy for a month.