Yes, at times I create recipes as per events happening around. There was no requirement to cook yesterday evening but I did to convey "thank you" to islanders. I lost my diamond studded gold earring while swimming, the cleaning supervisor got it back to me after three days.... can you imagine? At times I do shout at husband that we should have moved to Europe or some other bigger country, whats the point staying here in cringed, rented apartments, sending kids to other countries for higher studies? That is when such incidents happen.... I have lost my cell phone a few number of times and got it back, here girls are seen running outdoor around 3 am in morning..... there is not a bit of exaggeration in it. Okay, there is a negligible amount of crime rate, back in 2012.. the husband's laptop was stolen near lift at our then condo's ground floor. A state cannot really assess the psychology of it's people but the crime rate can be controlled, here they do it beautifully. Like in Mumbai, no one would touch a middle class like us... why? There if you don't have crores of "khokas"... "bhailogs" don't touch you.
I really wish to go back settle in "Mumbai .. meri jaan"... it has something that attracts me.... whatever we have saved here would have helped us own decent flat in Kandivli or Borivli or somewhere in Navi Mumbai but what thereafter? Now we cannot given family expenses.... you cannot deny responsibilities, Life at sea is rough, these people earned, sent home resources we all used, they spent 3-4 months per year on land years after years..... they are not money making machines, they must enjoy the rest of their lives. For this reason, I allow him to stay in hotel paying from his pocket, that too in his hometown. How many wine bottles comes to his room is my concern actually. As of my life, I find out new ways for my entertainment, I am happy that people at home let me be but I am gradually knowing my fate. The rest of some people have fun scaring me with "shap, byang, chucho, tiktiki, konkal", I know I am going to breathe my last sooner of those nightmarish thoughts. Anyway, before that I wish to cook at lot, talk a lot. It was fun cooking this vegetarian rice bowl TOFU MUSHROOM RICE for family, serve it with "mota aloo bhaja o Bangali scrambled egg".. Really cannot have it the way westerners have their scrambled egg as.... the husband does, son isn't fond of eggs like me.
Each day I think of wrapping up quick but see how I keep talking endlessly, irrelevant. I overlook or miss many posts in social media even of my friends most of time, I am busy speaking for myself. However, I chanced upon a post by another blogger that there are word limits for blog post as part of SEO rules. I know less, I have many tales in my kitty to carry on uninterrupted. Anyway, if someone is trying to put through an important message, we must listen to it. Social Media forums may provide you space to express yourself but your ultimate pride lies in being a published author.... that is independent working. A couple of fellow bloggers asked me to join, blog in groups in past few years, I refused. Whats the point in few people visiting each other's blog posts, commenting as part of routine exercise. I get no high from such ideas, I would work independently.
I cannot work on an instructed script at this age. In my last school at work I was entrusted with jobs that my colleagues refused, because I can't say no, I did. Then I felt why am I wasting my time here teaching something I do not enjoy, repeated requests to give me few History and English classes went in vein. Ask me why?... because I never did visit the administrative head unnecessarily to get into good book.... I am a teacher, not an informer. I have always believed that my work should be only proof of my sincerity. Okay, one sitting in admin chair has to be little less of "principled" but one cannot like only teachers who speaks against colleagues, irrespective of the fact how they taught.... Then I do not have to earn to feed my family, its easier for me to be honest, to give big talks! The world is still beautiful, there are more good things than bad!
Anyway, if our cleaning supervisor has gotten my diamond jewelry back, I must not have lots of dry fruits today on my food plate. Life has taught me to be little humble. Hope my readers will enjoy this platter of a vegetarian main with TOFU MUSHROOM RICE with sides of spicy Bengali style scrambled eggs, store bought French Fries... but yes our homes do make better "mota aloo bhaja." You know someone who is travelling now loves his son too much, each night I have a lot to complain against the millennial, he keeps silent in solidarity with the teen.... gives me deaf ear.
INGREDIENTS :
COOKED RICE : 1COFFEE MUG [I USED BASMATI, THAI JASMINE IS BETTER]
SLICED MUSHROOM : 1MEDIUM TEA CUP
TOFU / TAU KWA : 100GM
CUBED ONION : 1SMALL TEA CUP
MINCED GARLIC : 1TBSP
CHOPPED CORIANDER : 2TBSP
SLITTED GREEN CHILLI : 4-5
BLACK PEPPER POWDER : 1TSP [FRESHLY GROUND]
LIGHT SOYA SAUCE : 2TBSP + 2TBSP [YOU MAY USE GLUTEN-FREE VERSION]
CORN FLOUR : 2TBSP
SALT : AS REQUIRED
SESAME OIL : 3-4TBSP
OIL : 2-3 TBSP [I USED OLIVE OIL]
PROCEDURE :
We have cubed tofu, washed, drained, marinated with little amount of salt, 2tbsp light soy sauce. We have washed mushrooms, drained, marinated it with little amount of salt, 2tbsp of light soya sauce. We would keep them at rest for 30-45 minutes.
We have cubed onion, chopped coriander, slitted green chillies, minced garlic, washed them separately.
Cristine helps with this part.
Take cornflour in bowl, take tofu cubes out of marinade, coat well in cornflour.
Heat oil, lightly fry cornflour coated tofu cubes. Take out.
Heat oil taken on a clean pan or wok. Add, stirfry minced garlic just until light brown.
Add cubed onion, stir until translucent.
Add slitted green chillies, stir for a minute.
We will add sliced mushrooms along with marinade, stir at high heat until marinade gets semi dry.
You can see me adding some freshly ground black pepper. Thereafter we will add fried tofu pieces, stir.
We will add cooked, strained rice, chopped coriander now. We will fold in, stir entire thing at high heat for 2 minutes.
Adjust salt if only required. Come taste, your mother is not watching.
We enjoyed it with French Fries, Bengali / Indian style scrambled egg.
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