KECHKI MAACH ER PEYAZ CHOCCHORI O BHAJA

I am starting off late again and I have a lot of work to do today after finishing off with the Blog Post. Thursday & Friday requires me to stock the pantry and prepare for the weekend. The senior got very restrictive with food, never has snacks unless there are guests and starters are as good as a mutton shami kebab or a chicken tangri kebab, okay paneer appetisers too he has but "paneer er dalna?" He just eats, never with love. My plans of making paneer at home is not happening, I must go out today to get fresh milk which is a requirement, tetra pack milk does not curdle well. Yesterday too, I did not buy paneer packets from the Indian store, so determined I am to prepare a batch of it at home. I and the son so love it, who will prepare and feed "paneer er dalna to kebab" to my boy in a distant land? These thoughts are killing me. Then, I have to allow him go. I see my mother saying her son has problem with eating if she stays for a week in our Kolkata home. "Tui janishna B ke onek shokale berotey hoy, amar cheleta duto luchi kheye office jai, maach-bhaat ba biryani niye jai." What they think of me I do not know, I cannot stay quiet; "tomar jonyo o atkey gelo; tumi mukhey bolecho eer chele, oor meye kothai pouchey gelo kintu mon thekey tumi okey kolchara kortey paroni. Amar bhetor fetey jacchey kintu ami atkabo na." If you say so, my brother's wife too is very much home bound in this matter, "didibhai, who will look after my parents?" I told her several times "with your teaching experience, you can earn way more in the financial capital of India and keep your parents in a better condition." My brother? "Didibhai, ami oshob oto bhara diye ooituku flat e thaktey parbona, pach bochor struggle koro torpor bhodrosto bhabey thako, dur." Leave that, they got stuck and their time to explore the new has gone. 

About my husband and son, they are focussed and yes, may lack good amount of emotion unlike me. That we enjoy staying at home together, that they enjoy the food prepared by me or have pleasure ordering it online; is a proof that we are a happy family. Who would look after us in future we do not know, my immensely independent man says we would go for assisted living. Does it mean we should accuse our son, isn't he fulfilling our dreams? For some genuine reasons I hate some emotionally charged, wrong kind of posts in social media. They are written to gain likes and popularity, some write those stuffs that can hit the emotion of the readers, on the same old topic of "bodhu nirjaton, nishiddho prem, swami-strir tanaporen; bazaarey katbey amon bishoy." Come on, we should not generalise things. Look at me; I prepared rice and semolina idli for the men's lunch boxes, I had them before they could reach their school & office. Are they bothered? I eat out more than them, no-one checks on my expenditures.

 The idli today was fluffier. I have made a big batch and already had three of them. We can blog about idli, paratha, etc. later, let us share something that gives me immense pleasure, heirloom Bengali recipes. This one is one such using a small variety of fish; Kechki Maach / Indian River Sprat. My family does a "maach er chocchori" this way without frying them whilst the man's home does it frying the fish and adding it to a number of vegetables cut in strips which I like too. At this home, the son has not learnt to eat a non-fried small fish variety, mumma feared of bones getting stuck in her love's throat, so half the amount brought has to be fried which he and all of us love. We call this non-vegetarian, small fish variety item KECHKI MAACH ER PEYAZ CHOCCHORI O BHAJA.

It feels I am not in the pink of health, never shall be because I eat wrong and sit all day. The only difference I have with my mother-in-law is that I do not crib all day about it and eat up other's heads. What I had seen very wrong in that home is all of them were indulgent about her wrongs. Since marriage, that is since 1997, I saw her sit all day and watch television or chat. She did not eat proper meals, neither maintained proper hygiene; days after days she did not take shower. No one at her home did try to mend her wrong habits. In fact, that is impossible; I never found her normal. Because my husband and son have inherited much of her temperament, I find them impossible to handle; they however inherited my father-in-law's brain matter! Had I have been my father-in-law's wife or mother; I would have fought to make him complete his studies. Had I be my husband's mother, I would have stopped him from leaving studies in the midway at any cost, he hardly listened to this wife, then a friend. Their family lives on medicine. I was telling my husband, "all three of you are responsible for your mother's this condition. A slight fever, a little of stomach ache, they will not wait but run to the doctor and get few medicines unnecessarily. She has zero resistance power. I am not talking about now, I say about the time I entered their home. They think medicine can cure all, it worsened her. 

I suffer from consitpated bowel movement since childhood; post marriage till last year there was a growth that bled. I never bothered my husband, only feared cancerous cells growing. What I did was starting to have warm lemon water and Indrajav soaked in water every morning. By God's grace, the swelling vanished. The husband's family cannot think of this. They will try the best doctors in Kolkata, go for surgery in the first month. For two-three years now, the left side of my neck to the shoulder and half of the back pains way too much, may be because I carry a heavy bag on my left. I did not even ask the husband to take me to a specialist, get physiotherapy done, this that. When things go out of control; we shall see. This guy is overburdened since age 20. I tell him "as a son your job would have been to get a good home in a decent neighbourhood or a flat in a proper condominium, a tiny Alto or Zen car for your parents. Instead you guys helped the doctors to build their's." His family could not guarantee him a normal life for themselves, so he could not because he has to bear a huge medical expenses and he is not a business tycoon. His mother made no effort to remain well and normal! I can call them every alternate day, I do not. "S, her stomach is aching." Come on, if one sits all day and gulp ten variety of medicines, there shall be wind formed in the stomach. I do not say anything, from day one I am the worst kind of a daughter-in-law who keeps their son in her pocket. If you come here, visit other homes and compare it with our's; you will know whether I have control over my husband's finances or not. I keep telling him "your parents are not supposed to live in that stupid, impoverished condominium, they deserved better. Your mother's grudge on me would have been halved if she stayed in an air lit, proper flat; owned a car & a part-time driver." Then they cannot maintain their small flat, they could not guarantee that they will at least try to live better and happy without wanting medication for every little thing. I tell their son that he made all the wrong expenditures. Had he  got them a proper home, had I decorated that with flowering pots; then what? They would not have taken care of anything, but would sit all day and talk about diseases. If I get them in our empty house in Kolkata; I shall be in prison on my visits to Kolkata. For two weeks I have to sit with them and be their guard. They will not let me go out for shopping, to meet people. I never had serious issues living with my paa-in-law though I do not like the patriarch in him or his bitter tone but he is too duty bound. What did his wife do? She spoke negative about me in the neighbourhood, made my so called "friendly circle" enjoy the sweet and sour gossips, tore me in front of the cook who fleeced her complaining about me. When questioned, she would flatly deny; she is sick and old; I am not. I got to hear how bad I am, what kind of a "jinish" I am, how great her daughter is, how hardworking compared to me who is a lazy brat. If I was so lazy, how could my mother-in-law sleep all day and watch television during the years they stayed with me? I had only one help then. So, our home, specially our helps and neighbours had to be different.

 I could never think of my mother-in-law serving me food, having which I could go out to enjoy a movie or adda with my friends. I keep a cordial, formal relationship with her daughter and the daughter's husband who talked at my back to keep his mother-in-law happy, I believe the daughter did not. It is true she hates cooking, neither she is cordial with her in-laws [thats her personal issue] but she earns & supports her family and is an amazing home maker. Anyway, they are all family, no one can ever accuse me saying that I did not want to serve them good food of their kind! So, here are non-vegetarian, fish dishes family kind of with Kechki / Indian River Sprat they and any primitive Bengali would enjoy; "KECHKI MAACH ER PEYAZ CHOCCHORI O BHAJA."

INGREDIENTS FOR THE FISH-ONION-GARLIC-CHILLI PREPARATION :

KECHKI MAACH / INDIAN RIVER SPRAT : 250-300GM

SLITTED GREEN CHILLI : 4-5

CRUSHED GARLIC : 1TBSP

SLICED ONION : 1SMALL TEA CUP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1/2TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/4TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

NIGELLA SEED / KALOJEEREY : 1/4TSP

OIL : 1TBSP +2TBSP

INGREDIENTS FOR THE DEEP FRIED FISH:

KECHKI MAACH / INDIAN RIVER SPRAT : 300-400GM 

REFINED FLOUR OR RICE FLOUR : 2TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/4TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : AS REQUIRED TO DEEP FRY CRISP

PROCEDURE :

LET US PREPARE THE "KECHKI WITH ONION-GARLIC-CHILLI" AT FIRST.

Wash the fish taking in a bowl several times as there may be mud, dirt and grass a lot. The good news is we need not clean their stomach, gills, scales.

Drain the water, marinate the fish well with 2tbsp oil, turmeric powder, salt, red chilli powder, washed sliced onion, slitted green chillies. Mix well and keep aside for 40-45 minutes.

Heat oil in a wok very well, temper with crushed garlic and nigella seeds. As the garlic turns brown, add the fish along with the marinade and fold in well gently.

We shall cover cook it at the minimal heat for 12-14 minutes, stirring it quite gently every few minutes without allowing all of the fish to break. This is the only trick.

Water shall release, when it dries we are done. If required, we can sprinkle water little by little after a pause.

FOR THE "KECHKI MAACH BHAJA", THIS IS WHAT WE DO.

Wash the fish taking in a bowl several time to get rid of the grass, mud and other dust particles.

Drain the water and marinate it with the turmeric and salt.

After 1/2 an hour, drain the marinade and add the rice flour or refined flour. Mix well.

Heat the oil to the smoking point and then bring it to the lowest. Add the fish in batches and deep fry till crisp. During the entire period, we have to adjust the heat from low to the minimal.

We should have both the dishes with only steamed rice. The fried fish can be had as a snacks with your choice of drinks.

SHITKALIN TORKARI

I am taking it easy today, shall be sharing a recipe with you that I have blogged about back in 2016, to be precise on 10th February, 2016. It is titled "FOUR SIMPLE VEGGIES IN MY HUMBLE KITCHEN". They were all good in taste, done the way they are usually done in the Bengali Homes. What I do not like anymore is their presentation. In my blogging journey, I have learnt a little about presenting things beautifully within my limits and I value it. I have made separate Blog Posts for the rest of the three dishes already, this one was left! Let me do it today and notify you that we learn with time, we never unlearn good things, habits. I am not a sincere learner; too casual with life, I could not excel in any field. This little amount of good presentation is what I can. If you check my earlier recipe about this vegetarian side dish with radish, cauliflower, potato, broad beans SHITKALIN TORKARI / Winter Veggie Medley; compare it with today's, you can make a difference in the presentation. I am happy to learn it. Had I have been sincere about learning good photography, I would have bought proper props. That may not happen in this lifetime, I cannot concentrate on any one thing, I lack patience. I have to go out, roam around, watch movie, record a song for my own pleasure and eat, eat and eat more. This morning, their snack boxes had "shobeda, angur and halwa" that my friend has sent from Lahore. That Halwa is a typical non-Bengali one made with wheat flour, jaggery, milk, ghee loaded with dry fruits. I could have a bit only once, not even wanting to. My men are having it. I packed their lunch boxes with chicken curry and rotis made of a mix of jowar, bajra, whole wheat flours. I cannot think of having meat in the morning, "maach bhaja diye ghee-makhon bhaat I can but do not have the liberty to." So, sometime back I had my breakfast with "ruti o roshuner achar", Boh tea. This primitive loves it.

I have decided to blog about this vegetarian side dish with few Indian Winter vegetables SHITKALIN TORKARI / Winter Veggie Medley so that I can finish off early not needing to write down the ingredient list & the recipe. If I can do this, I shall be done with updating all the four recipes in that combined post in a better manner. I have taken up a project for this afternoon; if it turns out well, I shall share it in public. I am in a relaxed mood since yesterday, had worn two old & favourite sarees of mine, got myself clicked, shared them in different forums without bearing the burden of unnecessary attention of the people. In the morning of yesterday, I was upset about the nail polish on my right hand been worn out. Its an OPI brand and I spend 40-50$ for a manicure & pedicure. The thing is I spend more time in the kitchen which I cannot stop. So, I again cleaned off and had worn a new colour available at home on my right hand nails. Then I had asked Cristine to get me photographed, found how stupid it looks to paint your eyebrows wrong. I enjoy getting clicked, not willing a match game with some around may be? I have my own reasons for that. One has to be nice enough to me, one cannot make a fool out of me. Today, I would not want to go ahead with a sweet, meat or prawn share. The senior guy came home pretty late yesterday. He was unnecessarily harsh towards me taking my innocent joke as a dig. Come on, I am a very sensitive person; it hurts. Then, his family does not know how to speak softly, to be nice with words. They had not shown any softness to this sensitive, new bee girl when she entered their home. I found it hurtful and a soft corner for them was never created within; we cannot do away with the sense of duty. If one cannot respect boundaries, I fail to kiss. 

However, I still would not regret; this partner is a genuine soul and his family is not comprised with wrong kinds of people. Just that, I do not fit in there. What is wrong is that in marriages, one should not consider only the bride & groom; there are various other factors that should be taken into consideration before you plunge into a relationship. Okay readers relax; the partner does eat vegetables, the son has to be fed such kinds mashed with dal keeping only the potato alongside. They do get salmon, prawn, sea bass, chicken or mutton by the side with it. I do not know if other Bengali families prepare this particular vegetable dish or not. Our mother used to do it during the winter because in those days all these vegetables were available only in winter except the aloo. Even the potato used was "Nainital er Notun Aloo." This time I have used few powdered spices to the dish which our mother does not.

INGREDIENTS :

Cauliflower : 1medium sized
Broad Beans : 8-10
Radish : 2 medium sized
Potato : 2 medium sized
Coriander Leaves : 2sprig
Green Chilli : 2 [slitted]
Dry Red Chilli : 2 [halved]
Turmeric Powder : 11/2tsp
CUMIN POWDER : 1/2TSP
CORIANDER POWDER : 1/2TSP
Nigella Seeds / KALOJEEREY : 1/4tsp
SALT : AS REQURIED
SUGAR : 1TSP
Oil : 2 - 3 tbsp

PROCEDURE :

Cut the cauliflower into medium sized florets. Wash & soak them in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain the water thereafter.

The radish should be peeled, two ends discarded, cut into three pieces and then lengthwise. 

Cut the two ends of the broad beans and discard the fibre that comes out too. Cut half each one. 

Peel and cut each potato into 4 pieces, wash.

Take each of the vegetables in separate bowls and wash again. Rub with salt and turmeric. Keep aside for 15 minutes.

Heat oil in a wok, temper with kalojeerey and two halved dry red chillies. Add the radish first. Stir and cover cook at minimal heat for 3-4 minutes. Check and sprinkle water if burn occurs.

Now add the marinated potatoes, stir and cover cook for 3-4 mixtures at minimal heat.

Add the marinated cauliflower florets & broad bean pieces now. Add the cumin & coriander powders, slitted green chillies, adjust salt if required and cover cook at minimal heat for 7-8 minutes. Constantly check to avoid burning, Keep sprinkling water as and when required.

Open the cover, add the sugar and chopped, washed coriander leaves. Fold in well and cook uncovered for another minute. We should be done.

Goes well with both steamed rice and flat breads.

SHORSHE O PALONG SHAAK ER GHONTO

This was done because of my love for that Northern Indian "sarson da saag." Okay, I would prefer it with any variety of handmade bread. Now, there are hundreds of "sarson da saag" recipes in the net. A Bengali can go through a recipe on it, do it ditto but why should we Blog about it? Where is the satisfaction doing so? At the best, I do not think anyone would want to try my recipe of an authentic Panjabi dish. On my initial days of Blogging, I did Blog about "Amritsari Macchi" and got considerable amount of visits but these days I am totally against this. Moreover, I perform the best if I am given freedom in the kitchen, I shall not buy "araisho gram dalim er bichir guro" for one dish that may require a teaspoon of it. What has a Bengali to do with pomegranate seeds is not the question. I definitely do varied stuffs but with the supplies I know about. Extra baggages in my kitchen is unwelcome. What did I do a few minutes back? I prepared few ghee "porotas" with a mix of jowar, bajra, wheat flour and packed their lunch boxes along with the "okra & egg plant" fry. Thereafter, I did this oatmeal-banana cookies. It is done in less than 45 minutes with very few ingredients like powdered oats, mashed bananas, two tbsp of melted butter, 1/4tsp of baking powder and a pinch of baking soda. There is no amount of sugar or jaggery used. I am fed up with having tea with biscuits I do not enjoy. So, I am planning to make my own stuffs in batches.

 180*C, 19 minutes they took to get this look both sides. Look at this guy, I so requested to have a fresh cookie with his tea but he would not. He drives to office in an empty stomach. There is made at home cake and "gulabjamun" in his snack box which he will have in the evening. Yes, it is difficult to deal with such people who really do not act or behave normal, he inherited his mother's habits I am not fond of. I am not his father, neither do I have the voice of his mother to terrorise people. I would still not say life is terrible, definitely we share some common vibes. He might have similar complaints about me. I do not look back in life to reconsider this decision in life. I only know that he was the most trusted friend when I needed one the most, I was in dire need of a shoulder to rest at a time when it felt very lonely. I perhaps could not have trusted an unknown gentleman. What if I am left alone at some point in life? We do not get everything we wish for in one lifetime; the thing is there is no rebirth. Do make it lovable with all your virtues unless it is a case of treachery. Let this guy and his equally weird son have me made vegetarian spinach side dish with mustard greens and palak, a bit of coriander SHORSHE O PALONG SHAAK ER GHONTO with  flat breads & chicken.


The above two have put my life in an unrest mode and made it interesting too simultaneously. If I see people around doing everything in unison; going for shopping, walk, gym together; I do not get jealous. I just think what is the equation between them. I will not try to find the areas of fault between them. Some people around have this habit of smelling burnt milk in other homes. I dislike this. Take care of your own home, feed it, nurture it well. It is not that I do not wish to share thoughts with people; it seems no one wishes to be the friend I had been looking for.... how long?  Ever since I got married, I have lost my best friend for ever. Now the situation is such that I cannot give a piece of me to anyone. I absolutely hate the fact that people who I have held high play among themselves at my back. In that case they should find out another play ground and leave my backyard. What keeps me busy? Why after finishing off with my post today, I will go out and roam around; buy this and that, after sweating out shall sit in a food court and may have a noodle bowl. Whether I look back or far ahead, no-one should have a problem unless I bother them. Back home, I may mend the small patch of green. I am not reading for a while which is bad. Then my bundle of joy comes back home. Thereafter, I may go for a swim. You see I cannot diet, so thinking of doing a little of both swimming and walking in a day at least few days a week. Cristine actually is insisting me to. She is doing one paratha for me and I shall have an elaborate breakfast with "cha, oats o kolar cookies, ekta porota o bhindi-begun bhaja." In between all these, if anyone gives me a distress call.... "S! my wife is not keeping well"; S definitely goes with boxes full of food. "S! my husband is travelling, my help fled off and I cannot take leave now;" never mind S shall cook extra and fill your refrigerator racks with food. Thereafter, you may not find her around until when you really need her. I have seen approaching anyone without knowing their wish is silly. The one who values you will not play with your feelings. Better you gift them recipes as good as this vegetarian side with mustard greens & spinach SHORSHE O PALONG SHAAK ER GHONTO. Before that, I must have the breakfast Cristine has served.

I must say the oats-banana cookies this time got better but they are chewy and not crispy. I think I should not have noodles either for lunch and go for an yong tao fong or fish soup without any noodle or rice. Let us see. Exercise without dieting does not help. About that tall, overly underweight man; so long he gets disturbed when I go for outdoor activities on Saturdays and Sundays, I shall know that I am required in this home. Okay, I still go; "arey katha bolbi na, ooi tv cholbey full volume e jar awaz amar osojjo lagey; ki korbo statue r moto boshey theke? Teenjoney miley ektu drive e jai tobey, na tao jabena."

INGREDIENTS :

PALONG SHAAK / PALAK / SPINACH : A BUNCH
YOUNG MUSTARD GREEN : A BUNCH
FRESH CORIANDER : A SPRIG OR TWO
GREEN CHILLI : 2 STANDARD SIZED
SLICED ONION : 1MEDIUM TEA CUP
MINCED GARLIC : 1 TBSP
MINCED GINGER : 1/2 TBSP
CUMIN POWDER : 1/ 2TSP
CORIANDER POWDER : 1 TSP
AAMCHUR / DRY MANGO POWDER : 1 TSP
TURMERIC POWDER : 3-4 PINCH
BAYLEAF : 1

DRY RED CHILLI : 2

SUGAR : 1 TSP [OPTIONAL]
SALT : AS REQUIRED
BUTTER : 2-3 TBSP
OIL : 2-3 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Let us clean the two bunches of spinach & the fresh herb varieties first. 

We need to discard the root ends and the yellow, worn out leaves. For the fresh coriander, just discard the roots, chop and wash taking in a strainer, keep it aside to use later.

Now, we have to chop the palak and mustard greens, take in a colander and wash thoroughly. Add a pinch or two of salt. to a bowl full of hot water & soak the chopped & washed mustard greens & spinach for an hour!

Thereafter, we would drain the water and prepare a paste of them adding two green chillies.

We would throw the root end of the fresh coriander, wash thoroughly and blend it to a paste. We would peel, wash, slice the onion; chop small & wash the ginger & garlic.

                             

We would the heat oil in a wok. We shall add the bay leaf, the dry red chillies and the chopped garlic & ginger.

We have to stir fry them to brown and then add the sliced onion.

Once the onions turn translucent, we need to add the pureed mustard greens / shorshe shaak and palong / spinach.

We would stir fry at medium heat for 5-6 minutes and add the turmeric+cumin+coriander powders & salt. We then stir fry at low heat for 3-4 minutes and let cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes! We need to give a stir in between.

We have to add the fresh coriander paste & the dry mango powder thereafter and give a stir. 

We would then adjust the salt and add the sugar if using. We would stir cook at medium heat for another 3-4 minutes!

We would transfer the spinach dish to a serving bowl and garnish with the butter.

We enjoyed the meal with Urad Dal Flatbreads and Moong Dal Halwa alongside; all made at home with love.

NOLEN GUR ER NO BAKE PUDDING

Actually, my plan for today was to share a family recipe with a small fish variety. Yesterday afternoon, I felt let it happen on coming Monday. I was out for shopping weekly raw materials, finishing off which we were having a late lunch with "poori-chana-aloo & dosa" respectively. It was then I received few messages, we exchanged few words and notes about our families and on spot I decided I would share today something that may appeal to more number of people including the younger generation, "chuno maach" they may not fancy. I am very self centric is true, then there are certain situations, news that touch your soul; you get disturbed with something that is beyond normal and you rethink. So, late afternoon yesterday I closed my Facebook messenger with a bit of discomfort and decided to prepare a fresh batch of sweet as easy as this NOLEN GUR ER NO BAKE PUDDING. I used very few ingredients like milk, date palm jaggery, fresh cream, yogurt doing this. Sitting there I had a brief discussion with Cristine, "listen, once back home I will take some rest and prepare "roshogolla dunked in angur er syrup." Cristine knows that maam would not buy ingredients worth 50$ for a new dish to be made. Back home, her ma'am went to a deep sleep after a shower. When she woke up it was 7pm. The poor girl alone cleaned about three varieties of fish, they do not cut "magur maach" these days. The meat varieties mutton & chicken would be cleaned today and marinated to be cooked tomorrow. Thats what the meat sellers ask to do. If I could shop raw produce on a Saturday morning and cook once back it could have been better. Then, I am not my mother, I am extremely limited with my abilities. I had other recipes to share including the halwa I prepared day before yesterday. However, I had to use up a little of the leftover good variety of nolen gur / date palm jaggery and a box of fresh cream. A new "doi er kouto" too came in and I was too tired or it was too late to prepare "roshogolla."

Preparing this vegetarian, no bake sweet / dessert NOLEN GUR ER NO BAKE PUDDING was not a big exercise. If you are adding fresh cream and not using baking mode but setting it outside overnight; you cannot call it "doi"/ curd our kind, it turned to be like a yogurt like texture. I am absolutely fine with it. The men enjoy pudding / kheer like things and I am careful about the amount of sweet added so that Cristine can also have. I am not hoping, I know the one for whom I changed my plan yesterday would like. I make it a point to reach out to people when they are in a dire need of it. My share today will make someone feel very comfortable, I needed to say through this post that I am there for you. I cannot divulge in public more than this, a bit disturbed since yesterday. Besides, I have kept other factors in mind, the occasions around. I sincerely felt that going ahead with a very family like Bengali fish dish may not be okay for today, it can wait. Each day, this family has Bengali cooking at one meal. Look at what we ate yesterday night. "Doi-Tomato Dim, Mulo Diye Bhaja Moong er Dal, Fulkopir Bora, Kanchakola Aloo Diye Aar Maach er Matha."

I need nothing if I get "bhajabhuji", Cristine made them crispy. This morning, the dessert was ready to be refrigerated, we shall have it at night, okay the son would have it back from the school.

INGREDIENTS :

FULL CREAM MILK : 500-600ML [MARIGOLD TETRA PACK WORKS FOR ME]
FRESH CREAM : 50ML [I USE NESTLE / COW HEAD / MARIGOLD]
PLAIN YOGURT : 4TBSP
NOLEN / KHEJUR GUR / DATE PALM JAGGERY : 100ML
SUGAR : 2TSP [I USE BROWN SUGAR]
TOASTED & CHOPPED PISTACHIO FOR GARNISH

PROCEDURE :

I am using the following ingredients. If you wish you can add green cardamom powder or rose water to enhance the flavour quotient, I did not.

We have taken 500ml milk in a deep bottomed vessel and switched on the gas stove.

We shall keep the heat at minimal and bring it to boil. We shall add the sugar now.

We shall continue to boil the milk for another 7-8 minutes at minimal heat.

We shall take down the boiled milk now.

We shall add the fresh cream to the date palm jaggery and mix both well.

We shall add it to the hot milk and whisk very well.

We shall pour the entire thing to a glass / ceramic / earthen / steel pot.

We shall now take some of the sweetened milk in a bowl and add the plain yogurt to it. We shall whip very well.

We shall pour the entire mixture to the still warm sweetened milk and whisk very well.

We shall add 2 dry red chillies to help bind the mixture a bit.

We shall cover it with a lid. Then place a deep bottomed vessel upside down atop it. Now, it is time to wrap it with a towel.

Next morning or after 8-10 hours, we shall open the covers and remove the dry red chillies.

I garnished it with toasted, chopped pistachios. We must refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving it as a dessert.