I CONSIDER IT END OF AN ERA!
I am talking about demise of our maternal grandmother last Sunday, 2nd of July, 2023 at 10:05 pm! It was an auspicious day, eve of Guru Poornima, also her eldest daughter's birthday! She had three daughters, three sons! An excellent home maker grandma had been! Everyone visited her but youngest son, his spouse, her youngest daughter were caregivers! In her hay days, eldest son shouldered big responsibilities for family; may be because he cleaned my constipated potty, I cannot ever avoid him, took me to Kolkata Airport to meet the Indian Cricket Team on his bike, once took me to meet musician Ravindra Jain in a party! I must say, her eldest daughter when young witnessed, was part of her struggle with six kids, grandfather was State Bank Employee, not industrialist! My brother who I thought lacks social responsibility as compared to Bidisha & Tamal, even to Jhum, was too responsible at venue yesterday, these few days! Perhaps our grandmother wanted his shoulders on her last journey besides her sons; perhaps our maternal uncles wanted my brother to be with them with all genuine intents! Bhai made me feel proud, I told him several times only taking care of his parents is not enough; he has to look beyond his home! Would our son be supportive of his dadu, thamma, dimma? Bhai & Mani reported me everything about happenings there, Bhai was appreciative of our youngest maternal uncle, Babbu is great shouldering responsibilities, our grandmother's Babul! I, our mother, we are friends with his wife, Boumoni! I am happy bhai specifically stayed beside quiet Boromamu, eldest of three sons! It would make book writing about my relationship with maternal grandparents, uncle, aunts; I was born in that home, my entire childhood was spent there. Until age 13, whilst in standard-7, I wished to stay in Krishnanagar; thats when one day, the father did hit me on my upper arms with butter knife when I went berserk, told I do not need them, that I hate Kolkata, want to go back to my birthplace! At standard-8, may be Almighty wanted me to start loving Kolkata, my actual home; I fell for a young boy of my age group! To add more, the father's youngest brother is arriving today from Nagaon, Assam to be beside our mother for her 4th day rituals! How beautiful is that? I was happy to learn Bhai & Dodo / Manab goes office in same metro rail daily! I want us cousins stay put together, do right things, don't be parent's pet!
IT IS ALSO AN INDEPENDENCE DAY IN THE COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE OF OUR COLLEGE GOING SON!
Okay, I had to go to Indian market area, I have ordered for a God Altar, they called me to see before final touch! I went to Iyengar Bhavan, had their Kanchipuram Idli, super soft! They told next time onwards, I must ask them to make my food spicy! The milk in sugar-free tea got me acidity!
I like home cooked food these days but if I am outside, that I am most of days, I would prefer outside food!
The most loved combo of Bengalis; "Luchi-Mutton" doesn't attract me anymore, I would prefer it with "aloo bhaja, begun bhaja, aloor dum"! Anyway, I planned to share this snacks today, after all it is Independence Day in country where our son stays as college goer! I knew grandmother would pass away any day, if two coincides, I can go ahead with this recipe! In past one year, she was unable to have rice meals! Her youngest daughter-in-law would cook "variety tiffin" for her, stuffs people take in "lunch boxes" to school, college, office! Well, that may not be sandwiches but she loved "mishti bun ruti" / sweet buns with her tea! Egg free cakes & soft buns she used to enjoy whilst in Kolkata! I wish I can cook, share soft, lightly sweet bun some day, share with you all! Also, today is not right day to share anything bread! Her elder son-in-law was not fond of breads, buns! Our father was too respectful towards elders, hence received love from many!
WHAT IS PAN SEARED CABBAGE SNACK?
We had little of cabbage left in refrigerator, what to do with it? Trust me, I never heard about Okonomiyaki, kind of Japanese pancake until last Friday! I knew I have to do something that west can have, that we can also enjoy on Friday night! I mixed together cornmeal, rice flour, chopped the cabbage, onion, green chillies, regular spice powders, here you are! The only thing required to make them taste good, crisp is our patience! I don't know why, but I wished to make this vegetarian PAN SEARED CABBAGE SNACK, vegan, gluten-free too! You can keep adding to it different fresh herbs, dry fruits, I did not!
SHREDDED CABBAGE : OF 1 SMALL SIZED
CHOPPED ONION : OF 2 MEDIUM SIZED
CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : OF 2-3
RICE FLOUR : 1/2 COFFEE MUG
CORN MEAL : 1/4 COFFEE MUG
CUMIN POWDER : 2 TSP
CORIANDER POWDER : 2 TSP
RED CHILLI POWDER : 1 TSP
DRY MANGO POWDER : 1 TSP
SALT : AS REQUIRED
SUGAR : 1 TSP [OPTIONAL]
HALFED CASHEW NUT : TO GARNISH
OIL : 2 TSP FOR EACH ONE
PROCEDURE :
We would take shredded cabbage, chopped onions, green chillies in colander, wash! We would let water drain, take them in bowl!
We would add spices, salt, turmeric, rice flour, corn meal to bowl, mix well!
We would not add water! We would wet our hands, mix all, repeat it until they bind together well without been soggy!
We would tear off portions, flatten between palms, even edges to make cutlet shape!
We would heat pan on gas top, grease with oil! We would place one uncooked snack, place cashew nut in middle.
We would roast both side well, add oil, slow cook altering both sides couple of time! Entire cooking is to be done at minimal heat!
We would serve, have it fresh & hot with our choice of sauces or dips!
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