CURRY AND SPICE: MULO SHAAK O ALOOR POROTA

I do not get the energy to ask people how they have been; I am not in the habit of faking anything. I can see people are not happy with the new world situation. The scare of a virus has disturbed the rhythm of life. Moreover, people who are like me; pessimistic with full of negativity within, they are perhaps finding it difficult to look into a "tomorrow!" I am in a constant fear of "what is waiting for us tomorrow?" In this situation, when someone called yesterday and asked to take the best out of the situation, stay positive and happy; that indeed gives me a better feel. I see some sunshine too this morning.

I perhaps woke up from the actual sleep around 4am today, still trying to have some more sleep I lay tight on the bed but to no avail. Awkward pictures from around keeps me thinking how can people be so mindless, heartless that they do not leave people at peace in their death. Instead of paying tribute, they go to the extent of sharing pictures the police might need for obvious reasons. What level of disrespect do we show circulating the picture of the dead? Where are we heading to? Tomorrow do we click the bodies in a morgue and circulate in public? This is how I felt yesterday night; then think of people who stay alone and go to the bed with this dark in the corner of their minds. These days we hardly think of a consequence of an action. Around 6am, I get up and come to the living room. I again go to sleep on our dilapidated couch and wake up at 8:30 am.

Feeling fresh at this time and I stick to my yesterday's decision of sharing a porota / paratha / flatbread recipe with boiled potato & radish greens MULO SHAAK O ALOOR POROTA with my readers today. The man has to go to office this week; if I have the feel that I will miss his presence at home, life is good with him. If I see traits of patriarchy in him like his family, I rebuke him straight on his face! Because I found him different, I married him. If after reading my social media posts he has not battered me; he is on track and life is worth it with him. Always keep a room for debate in a couple's life. As the person over phone told me yesterday, there is always something good to look forward to in life. See, I am liking it that the weirdest at home occupied my place in the couch , has put the television set in full volume. The atmosphere seems lively.

Yesterday afternoon, after I had bought lunch for the family and did some "tukitaki bazaar" and sent it home through Cristine; I felt free to go for a walk. Because I would have a late lunch, I bought myself three vegetarian gyoza in a stick for 1:70$.

I eat them, I drink the water Cristine packs for me and then set off for the walk. I thank my men for not questioning my movements ever. On the way, I did an exercise just to keep myself happy, tore the dried leaves from the roadside trees.

Back home, I got busy with something else and ate a bowl of kimchi flavoured noodles as late as 5:30pm. Thereafter, it felt I could have skipped it. At times I overeat, I do not know why. I loved adding the greens to the noodles. Let me see how I can use the remaining greens.

At this time, I am having that rice flour vegan cake I blogged about last Friday and a plain porota / paratha / flatbread made from a left over dough. The cake has not spoilt but it does not remain that good in taste after 3-4 days; it has coconut mind it!

That I would blog about a very rustic, vegetarian, Indian flat bread recipe with radish green and potato MULO SHAAK O ALOOR POROTA today was decided on my walk yesterday when a sudden news did not start pouring in. I do not wish to go into any discussion why it had to happen, people who take such a step, know the reason best. The problem is they do not live to say why; so that experts can find some way to find a cure. I only wish to say; when we feel low, we must take a look at the ravages the storm has caused to many lives, the jobless situation the virus that has spread has caused; there is a possibility we may feel ourselves in a better position. I am simply disliking the analysis, cruelty of minds revolving an incident, or say concerning any incident happening around. People go to any extent with their expert comments.

I do not have any expertise in me; I listen to music instead; of few genres. Its been long I have not sung for myself. I so wish to learn Hindustani Classical and specialise in Thumri after settling the son; the fees of the Gurus are really high here. Moreover who will teach an untrained, middle-aged woman now who lack dedication, concentration? Not everyone is our swimming coach Joe, he taught us without even touching us. It feels bad not to hear his voice down below for months now. He offered to teach me butterfly & backstroke too. Let me cook instead.

INGREDIENTS :

WHEAT FLOUR : 2 COFFEE MUG
REFINED FLOUR : 1 COFFEE MUG
RADISH GREEN / YOUNG RADISH LEAF : A BUNCH
BOILED POTATO : 1 BIG
CHOPPED CORIANDER : 2 SMALL TEA CUP
CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1 TBSP
SLICED ONION : 1 MEDIUM TEA CUP
DRY RED CHILLI : 2-3
SALT : AS REQUIRED
TURMERIC POWDER : 1 TSP
AAMCHOOR / DRY MANGO POWDER : 2 TSP
GHEE OR OIL : 2TBSP + 1 TSP TO FRY EACH FLATBREAD
BUTTER TO GARNISH [OPTIONAL]

PROCEDURE :

Here we do not get very young leaves of radish like in Kolkata but it is what you see below.

We have washed the bunch thoroughly and chopped them small, if not so finely.

We have washed, boiled, peeled and mashed the potatoes. We have peeled and sliced the onions, chopped the green chillies and coriander leaves. We have washed them well.

Heat oil in a wok; tear the dry chillies and add.

Add the sliced onion & chopped green chillies and fry till golden brown.

Add both the radish greens, little salt & the turmeric.

Stir cook for 4-5 minutes at medium heat and add the dry mango powder; fold in well.

Add the boiled potato; stir cook well for 3-4 minutes and switch off gas.

Take the two flours, a bit of salt, 2tbsp oil in a bowl and rub well for 2 minutes. Add the greens & potato mix. Add the washed, chopped green chillies too.