MODIFIED STEAMED PITHA

Although its pleasureful writing blogposts, at this time it feels like lying down with good reads, music! I do not stay at home in afternoons. If I let myself be, no amount of exercise would happen. I like walking & swimming, then they are acquired taste, I am lazy in general! From obese to here had been tedious journey! Because I disciplined myself, my dosage of few medicines have reduced! I don't know of tomorrow, but I can take pride in today! 

What you see above is my Gospel. I hardly read anything without understanding it! Hence, I stopped reading it for over fifteen days. I noticed I felt negative, sad! I resumed reading it, feeling better. I keep feeling restless, if its our nature, we would feel low without valid reasons. Even if things are fine, we self invite worries! 

Its a warm shining day, I prefer it over constant rain, the latter triggers my existing depression! There is no reason for such mental state, may be a related doctor may find out! I wouldn't see, instead I would walk little longer, find joy around! Unless its too serious a mental condition, we need not express ourselves fully! A section of our hearts should remain a secret! Too much of everything causes mental issues too, a perennial problem in west if we may say! Because I am not engaged fruitfully, weird thoughts take over me.

Why do you accuse me of been an useless, idle self? Just because we have Cristine to upkeep our home, there is a food court at every corner, my love for home & kitchen holds no importance? This island follows the community kitchen concept, then my present GP's father told me to have home cooked food is good! 

My younger self never imagined someday I would enjoy rustic vegetarian meals. On reaching sunset of my life, I love. Fries & Fritters who doesn't love? I do at least, I could eat the full plate, didn't, got home one for Cristine. At this age, we need eat less. I can cook end number of pakora / fries & fritters, I fear using too much of oil in the process. I can oven cook them but the man is cautious about his diet, he loves fries, would only have one or two! I wish he considered smoking as harmful. 

The weird son had been loggerhead with mumma, once grown up, he needed my lap when a bee entered home, cockroaches entered kitchen. During Christmas, he visits us for few days, this year he didn't, we are missing him. Cristine remains our silent support, company. 

For us, Christmas is Borodin! So, it won't be irrelevant to share a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free MODIFIED STEAMED PITHA. I have used dates in good amount to make it low sugar! December holidays would take me to maternal grandparent's home, I was born in Krishnanagar, went to a missionary pre-school there, Sister Marilyn's sad story I have told! I used to visit the church to attend Sunday prayers with our youngest aunt, remember having warm tea cakes at her friends' places. A week long fair would held during this time in the Church ground, the entire city would be there, including my aunts & uncles. My brother loves Kolkata, his celebrations revolved around Kolkata. Presently, all friends are travelling. Tomorrow we would be at home, our old bones would have chicken fried rice cooked by me, tonight I may cook some bread & paneer. Cristine's party starts from this evening, she wouldn't be around until tomorrow night!

A major part of my family are spread all over Assam, Tripura, Cooch Behar, steamed cakes are made in winter among us. I can't wrap blogpost if I keep writing about nostalgia, scenes are vivid. I am romantically involved with universe you may say! I would request the west to keep away processed meat for breakfast on some days, try these steamed goodies. It is carb but not an issue if taken in limited amount! I don't eat, endorse processed meat, my men do!

Few other similar recipes in the blog are BEDANAR ROSH O CHALER GURO DIYE BHAPA PITHE, AKHROT O PATALI DIYE STEAMED RICE CAKE, DOLLA PITHA, DHUKI PITHA-IN AN URBAN HOME, BROCCOLI KAJU KISHMISH DIYE CHITOI PITHA

INGREDIENTS :

RICE FLOUR : 1 COFFEE MUG

CHOPPED DATE : 4-5 TBSP 

SHREDDED COCONUT : 1/2 COFFEE MUG +2 TBSP

SUGAR :  1 TBSP [YOU MAY SKIP & USE MORE OF DATES]

SALT : 1/4 TSP

PROCEDURE : 

We would take rice flour, salt in bowl, mix well. To it, we would add warm water, little at a time.

If we get to hold rice in feast, the consistency is right. We would cover bowl for 30-40 minutes.

We would remove cover, strain mixture, add sugar, shredded coconut to it, fold in well.

Thereafter, we are to add washed, chopped dates, fold in well!

I have greased a tart tin with few drops of oil, added the mixture to it, pressed to level.

In a manual steamer, we would add enough water, place strainer, cover and let come to boil.

We would place the container on the plate, cover, cook at low to medium heat for 12-13 minutes.

It is to be enjoyed fresh & warm with tea / coffee in the morning. 

VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE

I am pretty busy since morning, felt lazy too! It's twenty eight years I entered this home, became one like them, we hardly follow clock! I told you all, initially I had trouble to accept, then they ain't kinds who follow rules, except my father-in-law, he loved discipline though believes in personal freedom. How much of poles apart me and my mother-in-law are, she and her man built a happy home for their kids, taught them right values! My maiden home definitely taught us values, but there had been too much of discipline, us friends would visit the man's home every week to taste fun & freedom. Their home always lit bright with love, the door was open 24/7 for visitors, even if they didn't know what to cook the next day. 

Our father was fun loving, the reason why he was great friends with my Maa-in-law. Our mother championed discipline, academics, work. Till this day, the amount of energy she has is surprising, she can work 18 hours a day, so does man's sister! My brother & B prefer to follow my man, long back they don't follow rules of that home. I tell mother, let them rest over weekends, work life is draining. I expect people to be hygiene conscious, take regular shower, brush teeth, visit dental clinic every year. In the present day, mani, our mother eats lunch at 4 pm, me too somewhat like that without being productive like her. We are different nature-wise, I am a day dreamer, romantic, she doesn't know what romance is. However, we love to cook, mend our home.

My point of discussion today is the son, it's his birthday! Mumma used to cook a platter! Ever since he left home in 2020, I try to share in the blog something of his choice! Mumma went to temple this morning!

That's the real me! You can't force me anything. Today, I walked back home after having appam for breakfast! Last Tuesday, I let myself get drenched. I tend to fall, else I enjoy letting myself be, such exhilarating! Yesterday, I remained busy baking this diary-free VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE, wished to celebrate son's birthday with my readers!

Every December, he visits us but two-three days post his birthday, this year he wouldn't! It's a weird thing, whoever known people share their birthday with him are normal beings! What Astrology says I don't know, may be timing matters. I believe it half, it may not be science, full circle. Would my baby forgive Mumma's not that conventional self? She never stops her mind to traverse places, his father never accuses, my friend of over forty years!

The morning ray wrapped me with warmth, I couldn't enjoy more time, I needed to make temple visit! Cristine stood by me all smiles, I like her company! Tomorrow, I would call mani, in-laws, visit Hougang to meet my favourite girls. Before Xmas, I need go for beautifying my nails; Santa loves red! Son was only 7-8 years old when he told Santa is myth, I got he is photocopy of his father, grandpa! He bonds with Nono over Formula-1, computer games. Does he need mumma anymore? Am I required by anyone?

However, I enjoy every bit of this life! My dreams take me to lap of Himalayas! The moment I think of journey, I lose interest! I have vertigo, motion sickness, fear; I collapsed each time we travelled! Hill stations wouldn't be near aerodromes, railway stations! There is no point going if you do not savour the journey! Instead, roaming around this island is pleasure, thereafter, getting new recipes to world, getting to pen down my thoughts in the process is more of pleasure! Try this vegetarian cake with walnuts, I got in hand this gluten-free flour pack at the Mustafa Centre!

Few other interesting recipes from Blog can be GHOROA BANGALI POLAO, SPICED OATS COCONUT DATES CAKE, EASY SNACKER PUFF, LEFTOVER VEGETABLE STUFFED PAURUTIR SNACK! 

INGREDIENTS :

GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR MIX : 1 COFFEE MUG

CORN FLOUR : 1 TBSP

PSYLLIUM HUSK : 2 TSP

COCONUT MILK OR CREAM : 150-200 ML

FRESH ORANGE JUICE : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

BAKING SODA : 1/4 TSP

BAKING POWDER : 1 TSP

SUGAR : 1/2 COFFEE MUG [ADJUST AS PER YOUR TASTE]

OIL : 4 TBSP

CHOCOLATE : 2 BARS [I USED MEIJI'S BLACK CHOCOLATE BAR FROM DAISO]

VANILLA ESSENCE : 1 TSP

WALNUT : 6-7

PROCEDURE :

Take dry ingredients together in a bowl, give a good mix.

Blend together orange juice, coconut milk or cream, oil, sugar. Add it to dry ingredients. Beat well.

Take chocolate in microwave proof bowl, microwave for a minute in low heat, cool, add to batter. Beat well!

Grease cake tin with oil, place butter paper at bottom!

Pour batter. Tap on kitchen counter to level. Place walnuts atop.

Mine is convection mode microwave oven, I placed low height stand inside, preheated oven at 160*C.

Thereafter, I placed cake tin with batter atop stand, baked at 160*C for 30 minutes.

Once cool, transfer to a plate. Garnish as per your wish, I am poor at it, but the cake is tasting good, trust me!

FAMILY STYLE WINTER FISH CURRY

 3:58 pm Thursday; there ain't hard & fast rule that I need to write blogpost every week; I do it to unwind, what else to do? I can't believe I did not write blog for 8-9 months! I remember once poet Srijato told "I knew I cannot do any job, face interview board; I only can write; keep writing"! Anindya,lead singer of Chandrabindu told similar. I feel same, problem is their ability to play with words, vocals is great, I am average. I couldn't get ready a manuscript, approach a publisher, material is ready, my entire blog is material, lazy enough to format it. This personal space is dear, writing blog perhaps has become obsolete. As long as I am allowed to, let me. 

I am just back from RKM, it's Sarada Maa's birthday! Celebration started early morning, would continue until night. I forgot, my friends notified, I hurriedly went! Last year I couldn't, I was just back from hospital. Again on 1st January, I be there! I met someone most unexpectedly today after years, tragedy struck this family, they had to shift back to India for time being! I felt happy, they were on my mind always! Let me see if they allow me to share the pictures taken together. Many people we meet at different junctures in life, some leave strong mark in our hearts, this happens to me! I am getting old, I find it difficult to hold emotions, wish I could be strong, carefree like my men!

The spider webs on face have everything written about me, I hum Bollywood romantics with same emotion as I did decades back, time flies! I am romantic genre, can't survive without Tagore, Gulzaar Saab, even Ghalib! Our mother loves academically sound boys & girls too much. I share fondness for Bollywood with her, the man! When a toddler, I had to play Bollywood songs to make son eat, sleep; he did not stick to that later!

There is noise around, the swimming pool is under repair. I cannot tolerate noise, it's 5pm, they are wrapping up work, let me connect headphone, I can't stay without music. I listen to Southern Indian, Local Chinese songs when at marts without understanding lyrics. Trust me, I foot tap enjoying the music. Do not think of sequence of a song while listening, get lost in melody; else how would you soak in essence of music! Music in heart, Romance to me is like standing in middle of Orchard Road in heavy downpour wearing sari without anyone watching except one! That someone would notice me from opposite of road, come, hold my hand tight. That's isn't man, neither son; I am sure my man would utter "idiot", go for meeting straight, son would say "lame mumma ekta, tokey bhenge felbo", go watch television! This is what novels, movies since teen makes out of you at fifty five! Perhaps, there ever wouldn't be born another Gulzar, Tagore, Sunil Gangopadhay; I haven't met Nillohit, Sataru o Jolkonya's Sataru, the man at Derbyshire[?] who Jane Austen wrote about. If I try to initiate such discussions with Bossy, he would stop me in first sentence, ask me to go shopping next day, say that he wants to watch CNBC, Vir Dass, Fox Crime, Asian Network instead! I told he no more remains my best friend!

But we enjoy having such fish curries together, although this FAMILY STYLE WINTER FISH CURRY recipe is from my side of family! Man, Son, man's mother prefer fleshy big fish, I make my man eat less boney smaller fish! I can't eat fleshy sea fish varieties, Cristine became Bengali under my influence. His father, sister, her man enjoy smaller fish. Our boy eats less boney fish if mumma de-bones. Mumma misses those exercises, mothers who experience empty nest syndrome would understand me. Bhai, Bidisha too enjoy, our Mother's man too enjoyed! Let me treat all of you academically supreme guys & dolls with a gluten-free fish curry recipe from our mother's, grandma's kitchen on behalf of our mother! Earlier, fresh coriander, Hyacinth beans were available only in winter, these days I cook it throughout the year but with smelt fish, we do not get fresh smaller freshwater fish here! Let me continue with "Chalte Chalte Yuhi Koi Mil Gaya Tha", to stay put with "Nonor Maa"!

                             

INGREDIENTS :

SMELT FISH : A COUPLE OF

HYACINTH BEAN : 6-7

SMALL EGGPLANT : 3-4

FRESH CORIANDER : A BUNCH OF

GREEN CHILLI : 2-3

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

NIGELLA SEED / KALONJEE / KALOJEEREY : 1/4 TSP

BAYLEAF : 1

Oil : 3 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Clean stomach, head, scales of each fish properly! Wash thoroughly!

Marinate fish with salt, turmeric, red chilli powder, 1 tbsp oil, keep aside for 10-12 minutes.

Discard root ends of coriander, wash taken in a strainer, blend together with green chillies.

Cut eggplants, Hyacinth beans, wash, marinate with salt, turmeric!

Heat oil in wok, temper with nigella seeds, bayleaf!

Add the marinated fish, Hyacinth beans, cover cook at minimal heat for 2-3 minutes.

Gently turn over, add eggplants. Cook covered at minimal heat for 2-3 minutes.

Add 2 coffee mugs of water, cover cook at low heat for 8-10 minutes.

Remove cover, add fresh coriander-green chilli paste, gently fold in, simmer at low heat for 2-3 minutes. You may also add slitted green chillies!

Enjoy warm with piping hot steamed rice!

EASY STEAMED DELIGHT

 

The noise of continuous rain gets on my nerves, I don't enjoy. There is so much of gloom in the sky, on earth. But measured rain is blessings for farmers, we wouldn't blame it, nature is our source of sustenance! Seated in havens, we cannot even feel how dreadful can nature's fury get! I speak less about my concerns these days, there's no point unless we are of help. 

The world wouldn't understand your mental state, ups & downs, there isn't any point talking about feelings, the best we can do is to spread happiness, smile and not take pride, it's our duty towards mankind. Pity is something I don't wish to take even from close circle, it feels like an insult. I expect people to behave normal, friends not to keep me shrouded in mystery, come straight! It hurts when they don't! Anyway, I don't wish to get into any soup, be cause of trouble to anyone; neither would want to be doormat in a room full of friends, acquaintances. We can be good, and we should, not at cost of our self respect! 

I want to believe I have a home in this 1150 sq.ft. of rented space, that I can retire here before losing myself totally! I am skeptical about the surrounding, what's going on actually? This thought is scary! I turn towards activities I enjoy; cooking, music, good food get me calmness, peace!

I believe it is my idle brain that drags me into new mysteries, I have no deadline to meet, no care to give anymore, not required to mop, wash dishes, do household chores. Being cleanliness freak, I do not even run after Cristine to do it as per my choice, She is part of family until she parts with us, in our happiness & sorrow, she has right to feel at home. Hence, I take up cooking projects, read, sing, write, walk, swim; each one gets me pleasure. Any day, any moment we can push away people but for my kinds it is not easy to pull off once someone catches fancy; we keep them in radar, enjoy watching their activities! I suggest not to go near without invitation, that saves us from disgrace! There need be fondness both ways to meet at a point! The man, Sony Boy may be reading this piece! They are weird but fills my world with love, what is that little of empty space my heart holds I don't get!

The world needn't be harsh, it's already in pain, I see around much of venom. Amidst this, making low oil porota, taking up a baking project soothes nerves. I don't want the life my in-laws are living for decades, that is death. Neither I am active like our mother, she has exceptional level of energy, courage till date. I fight with her, also wish to feed her home bakes! She stays happily with her son & younger daughter from another parents, why to interfere? I don't expect people to understand me, or may be I expect, it's not possible for them to fulfil! Also, I cannot deliver what they expect of me, I cannot give away my entire being to world! Moreover, I want people in my circle to have a mind of their own, not overshadowed by others, I can only fit into my own shoes.

I am unable to fit in everywhere, my bad, so I tread alone! Kafka uses "so", but I heard a little girl say usage of "so" is not required. Anyway, some days I like going out with Cristine, with few friends. Me and my friends' thought process may not match, but the company, support they gave me when needed is unmatched! 

Yesterday, I and Cristine were at Tanjong Pagar! We had some work at 100 M Mall @ Tuesdae Solution, just opposite of it in Icon Village, we had dumpling soups. I loved that standard spiced Mala broth! 

 

                                           

Let me mention the names in social media forums, if that can get them more of business. I fear, my reach is too less!

Wanting to write a blogpost, I didn't go for walk, there had been severe downpour! When repair work of swimming pool would finish who knows, I miss! 

For Bengalis, December & January are months for making pithe-puli / steamed, fried, sweet, savoury snacks. We want only these for breakfast, lunch, dinner! I love those breakfast steams in Philippines, Kueh varieties of Malaysia, Indonesia! I fail to distinguish Indonesian cuisine from Malaysian cuisine! Each day, I would go through some recipes, smile if I find similarities with our pithe-puli. Entire Eastern India cooks steamed goodies, Southern India too! The rest can have these stomach friendly stuffs! Singapore is multi-cultural, we get more or less everything from every culture here!

More you age, more nostalgic you get about your culture. Memories get active including those you don't want to remember. I was may be 13-14 years old, when same age people "used" me to facilitate their associations, some actions I facilitated willingly, some against my will. I have forgiven thinking they were kids too, although I never could do what they did. I don't hold any bitterness on this day, just that I have freed myself from shackles after few decades. I won't disown them, neither hold special feelings for them, that's the current truth! All the chaos should end, some friends' relentless efforts to be my father, mother, this & that irritates me like hell, remain friends or spare me the ordeal. You better visit my blog, help keep it alive!

So, looking at variety of steamed breakfast goodies, I cooked this few ingredients EASY STEAMED DELIGHT! I used rice-flour, tapioca flour, brown sugar, jaggery, coconut. Wanting to make it vegan, gluten-free; I didn't use milk in this vegetarian snack! In that case, we have to use tapioca flour, else it gets hard, we ain't using baking powder, soda either. I am minimalist, must say using bit of toasted almonds added to taste. 

We have to have everything in right measure, you have aimed for high positions but do not wish to upgrade lifestyle, why? I am not asking you to take peer pressure but your family has some expectations from you, they have peer pressure too! If you are my pal, I would want you to be at par at certain stage in life, own minimal luxuries, how far you have reached gets measured by materialistic possessions. You possess but don't show off, that's my fundamentals. I ride bus, mrt, do not hesitate, we did not invest on property, instead on higher education of our only child, we take pride in that! May be we do not have enough to invest manifold, that's okay with me; you wouldn't see me in associations where discussing your man's number of cars, houses, bank balance is priority! I would instead try to get over my miser self, buy a fruit sundae, sit by sea, count waves inside & in front!

Oh! I love bowl of muri-narkol-badam-little of chanachur-onion-chilli-mustard oil!

INGREDIENTS :

RICE FLOUR : 1/3 TO 1 COFFEE MUG

TAPIOCA FLOUR : 2 TBSP

SHREDDED COCONUT : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

BROWN SUGAR : 2 TBSP [YOU MAY NEED MORE]

JAGGERY : 2 TBSP [YOU MAY NEED MORE]

SALT : A PINCH OR TWO

CHOPPED ROASTED DRY FRUIT : 1 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Take rice flour, tapioca flour, salt in bowl. Mix well.

Add shredded coconut, fold in well. 

Add warm water, little at a time to get a batter, neither runny, nor paste like!

Add sugar & jaggery, fold in well! Keep covered for 15-20 minutes.

Add 2-3 coffee mugs of water in your manual steamer with net stand, cover, keep heat at medium.

Use ramekin or bowl, grease with oil, fill half of each with batter.

Once water starts boiling, place ramekins with batter on stand, add chopped toasted dry fruits on top! 

Cover, steam for 12-14 minutes! Insert tooth pick to check if done!

I think I over cooked a bit! After few minutes, they come out easily. Enjoy fresh & warm with choice of beverage. If you reheat, place in a bowl of water that bowl with steamed goodie, steam for a minute!