CURRY AND SPICE: CORNMEAL BANANA CHERRY CAKE

IS WRITING THE BLOG A COMPULSION, ROUTINE OR A JOB FOR ME?

None of the above are true in my case; though I am pretty tired at this time! We shopped locally, Cristine headed back home & I walked towards the Indian Market! I have a food delivery to be made on Saturday! I was unwilling to walk today, my body was not allowing! Then, the only pressure I allow on myself is that I must do some cardio five days a week; also I cannot allow myself rice or chapati every day! I met my Saturday's client on the road & giggled, told I am going to buy the raw materials. Its always a pleasure, I am doing what I enjoy doing! Just that I wished to take the MRT today! I stopped at every station on the way but again walked forward! I was counting milestones! This spot, where the canal is had been my favourite, some days I would walk along it, had stolen vegetables too during the pandemic. That "thoka togor" does not have a smell, but I would stop for a while! This way, I reached my destination on feet & walked a good distance!

What I did there I am coming to that! But am I forcing myself to write a blogpost after all those activities? Not really, I thoroughly enjoy expressing myself in the blog! In the process, adding a recipe is that extra dose of whipping cream on my chilled caramel coffee. The question is do I exercise the full freedom of expression these days like before? No, I do not! Blogging continues to be my pleasure though!

I AM DOG TIRED; BUT HAPPY & CONTENT!

I had plans to try at Vana Bhojanam, their thali meal. Then I stepped back. It was difficult taking the trolley up the steps. Then, how much I shout at our mother, I never forget the lessons she taught, warned not to go alone in the segregated areas ever! Vana Bhojanam is between Copper Chimney & Urban Roti!

I spotted Shilpa Kumkum at Mustafa, earlier at Jyoti Stores too, and nostalgia took over. Swaroop Sampath was a model I so loved, she was Shingar Kumkum's girl since early 80"s! I had to buy one. I spotted pabda mach at Mustafa for the first time in these eleven & half years of stay! I did not buy, they seemed stale & I do not require either! Because of the Hariraya holidays; no produce is coming from Malaysia; that is what my brothers in Rajdhani Stores told!

I had to head to the Tekka Market area too; for flowers & belpata! Also Thor / Banana Stem is not available at the Mustafa today! The Bangladeshi Stores never sell mocha, thor! I feel happy if someone orders me "thor ghonto"! I wanted to have my lunch at Surya, but finally had a pongal rice & iced tea lunch at Ananda Bhavan! How they curated a tiny corner, I like it!

I picked up the drumsticks from the Rajdhani Stores just because they looked fresh, T & the son would never touch! Certain authentic Bengali dishes my brother enjoys!

Home had always been my abode of peace! It took me a good shower to rejuvenate the self!

I am all set for a tomorrow; to visit the doctor; head to the old neighbourhood to pick up some medicines; go to the parlour; come back home and do some preparation for Saturday! I am actually busy until the Saturday past midnight may be! Sunday should come some Bengali shares, start of a new week right?

WHAT IS THIS CORNMEAL BANANA CHERRY CAKE?

I am such a Bengali at heart, why did not I get a Bengali share today? I was 80% set to get a homely, Bengali recipe to the blog today! Then I changed my mind! I chose this healthier cake with gluten-free flours; CORNMEAL BANANA CHERRY CAKE! I am not a good observant; certain things I pass by do not make me happy, I just ignore! I feel I need not look at anything that is not serving me enough love! The only guilt is that two precious lives are gone in the Bengal scenario, but what can a food blogger do except for seeking peace for the departed soul? Death does not leave me in comfort, more if it is untimely! Neither cornmeal is my choice of flour! I only enjoy a paratha which has equal amount of cornmeal & refined flour, I find it easier to cook such a dough! I believe refined flour makes the best cakes; taste wise, texture wise! I just try my hands at healthier stuffs for my good; also it gets me better visits. What I totally dislike are the processed fruits, regret planning recipes with them. Fresh cherry burst desserts would have been better! THIS VEGETARIAN, GLUTEN-FREE, STOVETOP CAKE is otherwise good!