RANGA ALOO STUFFED SNACK

Where to start from and how to start? I always try to make stuffs better for my dear readers! It is festivity, I am extremely busy today, tomorrow but you know, how I love wishing you with a blogpost, about what else but food, a bit of life! Today, I would not be able to talk elaborate, it is 6:15 pm local time! Today too we are supposed to light lamps every corner of our homes to shove off negative energy. I fear fire hazards, hardly lit them every corner. 

One reason for loving Singapore is the fact locals here believe in "bhoot-pret" / ghosts, just like me! The son since his teens developed a fascination for skulls, not for Biology! I do not know since when I became friends with ghosts, may be since 2002, when I started living alone with son. Both sides of family, my helpers were great help but son missed father, hence wanted mumma to attend him 24/7. And now, he blocks me everywhere, he can do without me. Does a psychiatrist, psychologist, councillor address this issue, how a non-working mother handle this transition?

I have other mental issues, not related to any amount of domestic abuse, we are good friends but, I did not want a master, husband! I got more freedom in this home than I had in parental home, mother had been strict. Freedom is not earned, it is birth right but society's notion of it is different; it expects, we abide by out of habit.

And this friction turned me onto a confused self. I can sit quiet for long hours, at times with a bowl of "komla lebu"! 

It's exhilarating talking to self, I would never take effort to explain myself to anyone, either you accept me or not! It hurts to lose people in this journey called life, someone who catches my fancy, every turn we meet some. I want people to understand my psyche without me taking any effort. This expectation is stupidity, then more of stupidity is to behave like what I ain't! Trust me, such impressions never last! I would sit in Punggol Riverside, call you, say I am in Harbourfront. I believe the right kind would come to me at Punggol just for me. Still looking for the one!

I wasn't ever stupendous, I would remain just the way I am, but what I serve on your plate would always have love, warmth in it. Ask my friends, what they say definitely keeps me going! Our lunch today was one such warm, rustic Bengali Bowl.

Kali Pujo, Diwali, Bhai Phota had been big celebrations. Till date Bhai buys fire crackers, lit entire home. Our littler too was part of this celebration; once in Singapore, his father did not entertain Holi, Diwali! I arrange all prayers alone. You get betel leaves for 50 cents, I do this for fun. Twice I went out shopping today, partner kept watching TV. Then, he never imposes anything on me, I love that. Personal Freedom is a birth right we cannot enjoy. We do not get everything in one life, adjustment is a big word.

 

I need to wrap up. My readers know I speak of food less, fill space with tales, real life tales. I keep writing about the self? But I gift you good recipes. Ain't that good enough? Why would you order often? Cooking is therapeutic!

Its been few years I am taking interest in vegan, gluten-free food, low in oil. Post surgery, I am using minimal oil, I got scared. I wish to document my doctors', hospitals' names in blog. I did it in social media handles, these days I feel shy, awkward, they may think I am trying to go nearer, I am the last person to do that, would prefer to die instead!

This is healthy, low oil, vegan, gluten-free snack I cooked in microwave oven using the combination mode. Let us name it RANGA ALOO STUFFED SNACK! The filling need be spicy, what I cook has to be tasty, right balance of salt, sugar, spice be there, "jhal e noon e thik hotey hobey"! Post surgery, I am cooking less! I do not live with food lover, I fear of gaining weight, get exhausted quickly, different thoughts keep me occupied, not everything be made public!

INGREDIENTS : [FOR  FILLING]

SWEET POTATO : 3-4

CUMIN POWDER : 1 TSP

CORIANDER POWDER : 1 TSP

DRY MANGO POWDER : 1 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1/2 TSP

KULAMBU SPICE MIX : 1 TSP [OPTIONAL, I LOVE IT, MAY USE GARAM MASALA INSTEAD]

CUMIN SEED : 1/4 TSP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

CORN FLOUR : 1 TBSP

OIL : 1 TBSP 

INGREDIENTS : [FOR SNACK]

THE FILLING

RICE FLOUR : 1 COFFEE MUG

GRAM FLOUR : 4 TBSP

NIGELLA SEEDS / KALOJEERA / KALONJI : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : AS MUCH REQUIRED TO BRUSH SNACKS

PROCEDURE :

Peel, wash, boil sweet potatoes. Drain water. Let cool, mash.

Heat oil in pan, temper with cumin seeds, washed & chopped green chillies. 

Add mashed sweet potatoes, rest of ingredients. Stir cook for 10-12 minutes. 

Add corn flour, stir cook for a minute, transfer to bowl.

For dough, heat some water in wok, add salt as required.

Add all ingredients except oil. Stir cook until roughly incorporated. Transfer to wide mouthed bowl.

Let cool a bit,  knead dough while it is still warm.

Keep covered for 10-12 minutes. Tear off portions, fill with sweet potato stuffing, close ends.

Mine is convection mode microwave oven. 

I greased an oven proof plate with oil, placed stuffed snacks, brushed generously with oil.

I placed low height wired stand inside, atop it plate!

I cooked in combination mode, grill+microwave, one side 14-15 minutes; turned over, brushed with oil, cooked for another 10-12 minutes. 

Have it fresh & hot, the crispness would go gradually!

SESAME COCONUT DRY FRUIT MISHTI

How are you doing my Readers? Have you forgotten me? Left visiting my space? Since last December, I kept this space barren! I wonder how could I, my blog happens to be my love! Then, you have to have the mind to perform, writing a blogpost is not alone writing recipe ingredients & cooking method to me, I pen down my thoughts here. That too I need to be cautious, you would learn about me as much as I want you to. 

Baring my entirety is something impossible! You did not want to know, right? None of you cared, and that I am an egoist! There are too many barriers, of red tape, protocol! I maintain protocol & hate it at the same time! May be a billion years later the world would be how I wanted it to be! Until then, how to keep myself sane?

Grooving with one of my dearest KennyG, get your room dark, switch on "Breatheless" to full volume, move around as you like. I am such thankful to the senior of the men having introduced me to him. What the junior likes, eats, prefers, we do not know! He is fiercely guarded but why he has to hide himself from mumma I do not know. All he does to me is block me few times a year, unblocks only after his father makes hundreds of requests mumma is upset, she feels unwell. 

They are not my kind, nothing of their's match mine; wavelength to food habit! I adore being in public glare tremendously, they guard their privacy. Then, they are precious to me. In this scenario, I have to indulge in few things that give me happiness. I love to live, quitting is not in my agenda. By the way, dear people, did any of you get upset at my love for public appearances? Just cannot do anything about it! I will be me, you take me or not! Listen, I like your smile, whoever you are! Just saying!

What am I doing, have to wrap up gradually! I can keep writing for 6 days, 79 seconds; then its festive moment for us. From tomorrow, I / we wouldn't be at home. You will see me in saris, immediately in Pinterest, later in other forums. Oh! I love that exercise! Not yoga, not pilates, not gym; I like walking miles after miles, to swim. Our swimming pool is under renovation, I miss seeing my coach Joe, he is a friend!

After 27 days, 86 seconds, I would go to Lazarus Island, Cristine tells me about here & there! The temples call me too, at Little India, Boon Keng and Outram, yes! I would light lamp, have proshad, walk back to China Town without looking left or right, sit somewhere to eat, buy this & that, head back home.

I had been thinking for 1 month 56 seconds what food to get you on this day! I have learnt to get inclusive! Who am I? I think Alice in search of the rabbit's hole, or the tortoise who yet could not reach the finishing line or that disappointed self who bought the magic carpet from Aladdin, cannot ride it liberally to any destination. I am that self who would choose death over forcing herself on anyone, thats a promise. 

Come, lets include some fun element. The senior of the men, is a friend since school. Him, C, T, I made a good team to different cinema halls. In 1988-89 may be we went to watch Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, while we were crying inconsolably, all three girls, I most; this guy told there is one song left S, don't cry! On various occasions, some friends told how could I marry him even after this. Hahaha, may be I looked for the strength I lack; someone who may not judge me, bother me, criticise me, question my actions, he does not, yet he isn't my best friend! I believe we gifted a happy home to our child. He emptied the nest knowing mumma suffers from anxiety disorder, emotional imbalance! Jack & Rose were real or not, I cry for them often, ain't I an idiot?

I am hoping to get back to regular blogging, at least once a week. Let me start with this lightly sweet, vegan, gluten-free snack SESAME COCONUT DRY FRUIT MISHTI! I did not wish to deprive the Navratri observers, also I am tired of having lots of fish, meat, biryani during Durga Puja. May be this is the influence my non-Bengali speaking friends have had on me. 

One Deepro Roy told me back in 2007 that it is wrong to fight with vegetarians on this issue, they cannot stand the smell of fish, meat while we can have vegetarian food few days. Relocating to a foreign land, Singapore in my case, taught me good things, to be tolerant, broaden my horizon, in the first place. I wish to stay here few more years, truly! I do like Guacamole lah! I made fresh this morning!

But America / Europe are places to be settled at a young age for South Asians; we are used to Rizia, Cristine!

First time I did the sweet snack, I did not like the finish!

Then, I did again, what I am not satisfied with cannot get a place in the Blog. And this was my lunch!

INGREDIENTS :

WHITE SESAME  :  100-150 gm

SHREDDED COCONUT : 200 GM

SUGAR : 5-6 TSP

CHOPPED DRIED APRICOT : 2 TBSP

CHOPPED PISTACHIO : 2 TSP

METHOD :

We would chop the dry fruits. We would lightly roast the white sesame seeds, cool and blend to a powder!

We would add shredded coconut to the blender! Pulse, pause, repeat few times.

We would transfer coconut to a clean pan, keep the heat to minimal.

We would add sugar, keep stirring for 10-12 minutes. We would then add the white sesame seeds powder, incorporate well with the coconut.

Thereafter, we are to add the chopped dry fruits; keep stir cooking until the mixture is a bit sticky. This may take some 7-8 minutes.

We would transfer the cooked mixture onto a plate, let cool a bit!

We are to knead a small portion while the mixture is still warm, use a choice of mould, grease with oil, place the mixture, press & take out. I shaped few, Cristine did the maximum! Cristine is too fair, I am dark.

Ain't that a simple recipe? I would have been happier if I could add ghee & green cardamom powder to flavour but thinking of South East Asia, I did not, I believe in inclusions!