FRESH HERBS NOODLES

THE WORLD MIGHT MOVE AT A FAST PACE; I SIT IDLE!

What else to do? What was I doing since the morning? I made some chapatis for T's lunchbox because we had to finish the paneer curry I cooked last to last Saturday! Cristine & I had the same for our lunch!

I must stop cooking a variety on Saturdays because all of a sudden an idea pops up & I start with cooking arrangements on a weekday evening, click & serve past 10 pm! The best is to cook authentic Bengali Food for Saturdays & Sundays; then cook fresh & experimental for our weekday dinners! Then it would lock me at home. Though I stay at home most of the time, I like that freedom of going out for walks & lunches outside anytime! If you have a food project in hand for the evening, you cannot afford to get tired back home & feel drowsy enough to lie down on your couch! Today, I did not go out but went down for a swim! I wasted time struggling to remove my nail polish; I wear gel colours that are tough to remove at home! I tremendously dislike worn-out nail polish on my nails. Either my nails are well painted or they are totally clean without any traces of colour! I read we should not put colour on our nails 365 days a year, they need to breathe from time to time! Gel Colour is not good, specially when I go for cheaper deal; I would not go for a 100$ worth nails treatment, neither at home I can treat them well! This is my only luxury, well kept finger & toe nails! Just see, when the rest of the world is busy been productive, all I do sitting at home is beautify my nails! I do not have any other luxury but, concerning my face, body, etc. But I do not understand why a woman scientist or a doctor, professor, engineer cannot also apply a face puff, eye kohl, lipstick? Balance is required! Like a kindergarten & primary level teacher should be well dressed with make up & flowers tucked in their hair to see happy faces in the class! Does at all T wanted me to be independent? He guided the son to focus on what career would suit him the best! In my case, he does no help to start with something! Even I have no intent to spend from our savings, but he can help me earn a bit without spending anything! He does not even understand, he has no idea what amount certain news affect me, not even the son! What only is happening is that all the spammers are messaging me privately with lucrative job offers, haha! Wish this world be what I wished for, an utopia!

YESTERDAY WAS A STORE BOUGHT BIRYANI SUNDAY!

Sounds strange na, given I do not buy biryani here? Yesterday, T & I went to the Mustafa for a requirement of mine! Over two years, I did not buy a biryani, neither from Fakruddin, nor from Thallapakati, also not the North Indian kinds! I bought a packet from Fakruddin & yesterday the meat did not smell & was well cooked! I think their Friday, Saturday, Sunday's biryani meat quality & chef are different, better than the weekdays'! I got two jilipi for myself too! 

Eating disorder is a mental disease I suffer from! This biryani tasted good, the meat was of fair quality, but looking at the amount of oil / ghee deposit at the bottom of the rice & on my last spoon, I felt I should cook biryani once every 2-3 months at home! This morning too I had stomach ache! The thin chapati did no harm to me! Last night I had that fry & boiled egg with rice! A lot of rice went inside yesterday! Today again I am unstoppable! Fakruddin's jilipi are as fat as I am & each costs one dollar, the lowest in this island I think! It is tasting good, just a bit chewy!

Yesterday's treat was on me, I would make a public post after may be cooking my versions of them at home! We would lessen more frequenting the restaurants, the son loves a lot! I feel incomplete without him, doing at home at least engages me well! Let our child get a full fledged job, on top of that let all of the world stay safe & secured! It seems, the news around would not let me have peace! I eat, I walk, I swim, I shop but I do not remain in the best of my mental health! Dr.Gobindo Sen, in 1995 told me only 2% of the population do not make it back home by night! I asked there would always be a fear that 2% can have mine! I have to live with the fear all my life! 

WHAT IS THIS FRESH HERBS NOODLES?

It may be in 1982-83, these earthworm like thing flooded the Kolkata market! I mean it became accessible to the common man since then, our kind of families did not go for fine dining in the Park Street area or to the China Town! The later was a fearful area for our kinds living in the suburbs! I do not remember about the exact time of the normal noodles packet flooding our city but Maggi came in 1983, I pretty remember! As part of the evening tiffin, we would have it whilst watching Jonny Soko & His Flying Robot! What I cannot recall is how I coped up with so much of food; back home from the school I would have rice meal around 4:45 pm, then noodles around 6:45 pm & then a dinner at 9 pm with rice! Even a remote village in the entire India would sell Maggi & normal noodles packet, Indians did ferocious experiments with poor noodles; adding any vegetables, even turmeric! I wish to blog about noodles er chocchori too some day, I must admit I loved those too in other homes! My family never went to that extreme! We knew about the soaked green chilli pieces in vinegar then too! From then to loving to have Oriental noodles & fried rice at Capri whilst in college and then today, love for the same continues! Now the son is in college, his father has more affordability than our father; but happiness is to know the son behaves pretty middle-class; he does not spend much on entertainments! May be he would go to a music concert of choice, also we ask him to spend the weekends with friends! The streets in that country are too quiet, I was feeling eerie! What I saw was they are quite fond of ramen, I guess from there to here & in our country of origin, this vegetarian, vegan  noodles dish FRESH HERBS NOODLES would suit well! I enjoy my noodles this simple, we do not even toss it in sauces! Done with three varieties of green herbs, it requires minimum ingredients & time to prepare!

INGREDIENTS :

PLAIN NOODLES OF YOUR CHOICE : 3-4 PACK [100 GM EACH]

ONION BIG CUBE : 1 MEDIUM TEA CUP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1 TSP

CHOPPED PARSLEY : 1/2 MEDIUM TEA CUP

CHOPPED MINT LEAF : 2 TBSP

CHOPPED CORIANDER : 1/2 SMALL TEA CUP

MINCED GARLIC : 1 TSP

MINCED GINGER : 1 TSP

LIGHT SOY SAUCE : 2-3 TBSP

VINEGAR : 1/4 TEA CUP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/2 TSP

SESAME OIL : 2 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2-3 TBSP + FEW DROPS 

PROCEDURE :

             

Above are our seasoning agents!

We would discard the roots of each of the herb varieties! We would wash them thoroughly taking in a colander!

We would soak the the washed & chopped green chillies in vinegar for an hour, the more is better! 

We would wash & drain the water from the cut onion, ginger, garlic!

In hot water, we would add a little of salt & let it dissolve! 

We would break & add the noodles, stir & soak for 3-4 minutes & drain the water completely!

We would mix the noodles with few drops of oil! 

In a wok, we would heat the oil & temper with the minced ginger & garlic! 

As they turn golden brown, we would add the onion cubes & stir at high heat for 2 minutes, they should remain crunchy!

We would add the noodles, green chillies in vinegar, light soy sauce, salt as required & the crushed black pepper!

We would fold in well!

We would add the washed & chopped herbs & fold in well! 

We would add the sesame oil & toss well! We should be done!

We should serve & have it fresh & hot alongside grilled or oriental style meat or fish or tofu or stir fry vegetables or just with scrambled eggs!

 

VEG STUFFED PUFF ROLL

AM I TIRED TODAY?

Not really, that is what I keep telling people! With someone to help as much as Cristine, the Catholic does, you need not feel tired! Moreover, I enjoy cooking & consider holy this service to the Almighty from time to time! What makes me feel good is that my men never stops me from holding such prayer meets at home! That helps you doing everything with a scot-free mind & doubled energy! The son used to enjoy the "bhog platter" made on each religious occasion, never did show any disrespect to such "good food"! The term used to be significant at this home! He never had been a big eater but enjoyed a variety of food items served! The littler would say both of the grandparent's home would serve him "good food" from time to time & that he loved it! Mumma would also do that! All of us in the family tried so he does not miss his father much! But in the growing up period, a child needs both parents equally! After re-locating to this island & starting to stay together, our son underwent a lot of behavioural changes, calming down was the most visible! He still is different from other kids, like his mother he does not like socialising way too much, like his father he dislikes to be bothered & instructed! But mumma wants him to be nice to people without allowing himself to be used, cheated, dishonoured! Is mumma a bit off to see her baby can manage everything without her? Yes, in a sense, but it is also true he had to learn what is required to learn!

HOW WAS MY DAY TODAY?

I did not go out today, usually after an "all cooking day", I prefer lying lazy on my couch all day! I would not go out of the boundary wall, today was a good day to swim! I also worked in the tiny green area, gave away two plants to a neighbour who like us know how to respect boundaries, are articulate! We do not see anything excess in them! I am okay with it because I fear breakage in relationship; wherever I mingled way too much, the relationship soured because I am too judgmental & hyper sensitive! You have to have 3-4-5 families around you with whom you have good vibes! After giving away the plants, the rest of my green now can breadth well at least! I do not know how to get the right care for them, but this particular one survived & is flowering after sustaining near death few times!

I do not know why my curry leaf plants are never healthy! I read somewhere they like butter milk to be poured in the soil! At times, I too like "moru curry"! I wish to wrap up quick today, have some engagement in the evening! It is 5:45 pm local time now! 

I discover so many things on my walk that immediately transports me to my childhood! Do click such pictures & develop a written piece on it! If such is my choice of things, it is understood I am not so keen about going out in groups, comes along a lot of complication! Moreover,  if it is a girls alone group, I would stay at far! But at intervals, I enjoy going out with Miss.W & Piyali or call them home, our relationship has nothing to do with our social media activities! I would always want to freak around with T and the son; let us see if after graduation the son goes with us to the Niagara Falls or not! Mumma feels too very thirsty, then you do not get the best of both worlds in one life!

WHAT IS THIS STUFFED PUFF PASTRY SNACK?

I actually wished to prepare a puff pastry samosa, but keep failing to prepare a triangular pocket with puff pastry sheets, we are used to doing "maida shingara" from the scratch! Yesterday morning, I think I saved a similar video, shall try the shape later watching it! I cannot follow a cooking video, I prefer reading! Lifestyle blogs, no please! I have the energy of watching only the interesting movies & documentaries! I cannot cook under stress, hence, went ahead with the easiest shapes with a vegetarian, spicy potato, corn, green pea stuffing for this homemade snack VEG STUFFED PUFF ROLL! Actually, I used to buy frozen puff pastry sheet samosa packets whose filling I found bland, you cannot get anything better at that price; so I made my own filling with lots of spices, corns, green peas, off course potato! The outcome is awesome, trust me!

 INGREDIENTS : [FOR THE FILLING]

BOILED POTATO :  OF 2-3 BIG POTATOES

SWEET CORN : 1/2 SMALL TEA CUP

GREEN PEA : 1/2 SMALL TEA CUP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1 TSP

CORIANDER SEED : 1/4 TSP

CUMIN SEED : 1/4 TSP

DRY RED CHILLI : 1-2

KULAMBU SPICE MIX : 1/2 TSP [YOU CAN USE ANY SPICE MIX]

DRY MANGO POWDER : 1 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2-3 TBSP

INGREDIENTS : [FOR THE VEG STUFFED SNACK]

THE SPICED UP FILLING

THE PUFF PASTRY SHEET

WATER A LITTLE

OIL TO BRUSH

MICROWAVE OVEN

PROCEDURE :

I have crushed together the coriander & cumin seeds, dry red chillies!

I did mash well the potatoes Cristine boiled & washed the green peas, corns & the chopped green chillies!

In the 2 tbsp heated oil, I added the crushed spice mix, gave a stir & added the green peas, sweetcorns, green chillies, the kulambu spice mix & the turmeric!

I stir fried for 3-4 minutes & added the boiled & mashed potato, folded in well!

I added the salt, dry mango powder; folded in well & kept stir frying for 7-8 minutes!

Once done, I transferred it to a plate!

I did get this brand of pastry sheet pack from the Fair Price Xtra. I used two sheets for one stuffed roll!

This is how I did the stuffing & roll, the ends are to be sealed using water!

I made one & Cristine the rest! You need not refrigerate or freeze them or you can! I froze them for 2-3 days & took out 3-4 hours before oven cooking them!

You can deep fry them or oven cook like me brushing a little of oil! I greased the oven proof plate with a bit of oil & placed the rolls atop it! I brushed them with oil!

I had at first placed the low height wired stool inside the convection oven & atop it the plate! One side I cooked in microwave+grill mode for 10 minutes, turned over & cooked in the same mode for 6-7 minutes! You can bake them instead!

They may not look perfect but were perfectly crisp!

They remained crisp for longer period and that made me happy! Happy snacking!

STOVETOP COCONUT CAKE

I PLANNED TO BAKE A CAKE THIS MORNING!

Because it was pre-planned, I could start with the preparation of it early morning! T woke up & decided to take a leave today! We were trying to do a chat session with the son; it was still the Sunday night in his side of the world! We do not know what he was busy with, he did not talk to us this weekend! Mumma won't hide the fact she gets too upset, at times even angry! Then, I never vent my anger on the son; given he is getting us straight A grades, he is not asking for any monetary help from T during the period of his internship except for a little of a material goods may be, he is keeping his home more or less clean! Mumma had seen after finishing off with the office, he would wash his clothes in the washer-drier or do the dishes in the dishwasher! He was not letting mumma to wash a few manually, his Desi Mumma was like "why do I have to use a dishwasher to clean few utensils"? I do not like a packed sink with unwashed utensils! I believe the son is utilising his time; if he is not talking to us regular that is because he watched his father doing the same; T does not talk to his parents regular but gets upset & irritated if the son does not pick up the phone! Anyway, mumma bakes a cake any day, but today there was a purpose, although there is raining cakes at home, coming from different quarters! But I wished to blog about a self baked cake today! I do not know how to use them up all! The only hurt is we cannot share it with the son! I could not buy him much of the outside snacks, his refrigerator got packed with cooked food, he had to let his friend stock food too! Also, as a tourist, it wasn't possible for us to visit the provision stores anytime! Most importantly, this job is done by me or Cristine; the man does not enjoy shopping food items! The truth is the son has to come & stay with us at intervals for me to be able to treat him well; that he is not agreeing to! He could have come during the winter vacation!

WE WENT FOR A LUNCH OUTSIDE TODAY!

Because T is at home today, we planned to go out! We were at the East Coast Park! About the dining experience, I wish to share it in a public post at a later date! Post the lunch session, I wished to walk for few minutes, the air-conditioned confinement of a vehicle does not give me comfort! 

I cannot recall how this water body was like when we used to go there regular with the kids. When did my kid grow this big that he get to manage his life pretty well without the mother? Mumma misses the beautiful moments spent with him, not the groups she mingled with! I consciously stay away from people who are hyper, we just do not get along! I would meet people in my own time, who I consider friend! Those who avoid my repeated calls to meet, I have to put them to rest, understand that they have issues with me just as I have with innumerable people on this earth, so much so that I do not wish to recognise those people if ever we meet! The reason why I do not mind if people wish to avoid me is because I do it more! Exception is with certain people, relationships; bonds I thought were still strong, actually proved to be null & void; that have hurt me immensely! After many decades, I contacted long lost friends to chat, stay updated, form groups so we can stay put together; only to realise they come with lots of baggages; I cannot use the F word; definitely can distance myself! All hurts dissolve when I cook, follow the parents' group to see what internship the kids are getting & the new jobs or who is going where for further studies! Also, I would follow the ranks of different universities regular, ask all known people about their kids, go for long walks & sit anywhere to eat! Life is good if you are not forced against your wish! Mumma can romanticise alone with her child's progress, T should be there sitting right on the recliner beside, I cannot be that lonely either!

Except for the chicken, I loved everything! I got less time to marinate the chicken, I like less fleshy, smaller boney pieces in a light curry  base with potatoes or Oriental Chicken or chicken minced kebab; seekh kebab the most! Nothing is better than a "makhon-bhaat-begun bhaja" or "porota o mishti achar" or the "noodles alone"! I would want to drink a milk coffee some days & feel sick thereafter!

WHAT IS THIS STOVETOP COCONUT CAKE?

On this day, I wished to blog about a vegan, gluten-free cake using kitchen staples; here is one ridiculously easy cook one, STOVETOP COCONUT CAKE! Some dates would be lucky for some, mourning for the other! A good hearted person in the family branch expired the day before! It seems being good is not enough, else the person would not have been cheated, used by the own, leave with immense pain! Anyway, last December, when the son came I got that Hershey Chocolate Syrup for him, most of it remained unused and till date! I must use it by this December, it did not spoil because it was refrigerated! My only loved syrup is "Nolen Gur"! But honestly, chocolate syrup when mixed with freshly cut bananas do I like, I like it more if it is salted caramel! I either like plain sponge cakes or cakes topped with fresh fruits & cream! I cannot prepare state of the art cakes, just simple ones & I wanted today's like this! I categorically got the fresh firm bananas & also the desiccated coconut; I store both, just ran out of the stock! I wished to bake such simple cakes, make some sandesh & breaded fillets of fish & chicken, some sandesh for the son before coming back home! That I found impossible to go ahead with! May be later?

INGREDIENTS :

FIRM RIPE BANANA : 4-5

HERSHEY CHOCOLATE SYRUP : 50-60 ML

DESICCATED COCONUT : 1 COFFEE MUG

RICE FLOUR : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

CORN FLOUR : 2 TBSP

BAKING SODA : 1/2 TSP [USED LESS AS I DID NOT WANT IT FLUFFY]

BAKING POWDER : 1 1/4 TSP

SUGAR : 1 SMALL TEA CUP

VINEGAR : 1 TBSP

VANILLA ESSENCE : 1 TSP

OIL : 1/2 MEDIUM TEA CUP

PROCEDURE :

We would take the desiccated coconut, rice & corn flour, baking powder & soda together in a bowl & mix well!

We would peel & blend together at least three standard sized bananas, sugar, vinegar, oil & add the paste to the flour mix!

We would add the vanilla essence, mix them together & cover the mixture for 15-20 minutes!

Meanwhile, we would peel, wash & slice the rest of the bananas & pour the Hershey chocolate syrup on them! 

We would grease the cake tin with oil & dust it with some rice flour!

We would put the batter & level; Cristine did it for me! Thereafter, I arranged the banana slices atop  and pore more of the syrup!

In a big wok, we would place a wired stand & then put the cake tin atop it!

We would cover cook it for 30-35$ at the minimal heat! It should be done!

We would have it either warm or chilled!