How are my loving readers doing? I have become irregular about blogging; would be until June. "Until" we can't use, life is unpredictable. We can't predict future, in fact what is to happen within next few minutes, we still cannot stop hoping for the best. I keep praying, at least if we get to live full life decently. The kind of person I am, a weak heart, scenes around doesn't let me live in peace. I witnessed happy moments last month, could see live son's convocation, he gifted us good score, travelling long hours to & fro was worth it, [sharthok]. Back home, within 5 days, we got news of father-in-law's passing away. He was 81+, ailing, it is acceptable, yet, none are ready to let go family members. In 2017, when our father passed away at 74, I was standing in dilemma; okay he has lived a long, fulfilling life, then the next moment felt, oh! we won't see his smiling face ever, he won't talk to us ever. I wish, pa-in-law's son, grandson could meet him, talk to him one last time before he left us. Even daughter didn't get chance to speak. The kids broke news to their mother way later. The son-in-law seems pretty practical like mother-in-law, her cubs. All in this world know, such a day everyone has to face, more delayed that day arrives, is better. What happens to single dwellers don't know, hope they have few good friends, family members close to heart. None of us want to leave barren, empty handed. Love and be loved!
For my kinds, food help bridging moods. Indulge in what you enjoy; it may be cooking, reading, performing arts, or just relax with some music on. If I don't do meditation for few days, it gets chaotic inside. Meditation, chanting Gongyo help me stay mentally fit, so does rituals for my God family! I wouldn't leave one for other. I never forget I am Hindu, just that I dislike talking about it, making it my prime identity, use it as weapon of hatred. We are global citizens. I enjoy vegetarian tiffins, think hard to cook vegan, gluten-free recipes, I can't start my day with mutton, hilsa fish, although they are my love. This need not be used as weapons to create hatred, promote violence. I have issue about a system that makes 1001 rules for women, that wouldn't let me be freely, but I have no hatred at personal level. If Cristine touches my God Family's belongings in Singapore, Rizia Mashi touches those in Kolkata, I give them complete freedom to.
I ain't discussing about the above plates in details. I am busy, yet wanted to share this vegan, gluten-free, no-cook frozen dessert TENDER COCONUT DRY-FRUITS ICE-CREAM recipe on the blog. I try to make dairy free food, desserts these days, dairy products upset my stomach except paneer & yogurt. I had an issue with dairy since childhood, rightly said or not, the man says cow milk is for calves, not for humans. I can digest chilled milk based drinks, not hot ones. I had chilled sugar-free matcha-latte at 4Fingers, liked it but got wind, milk-free ones I can digest. How I love masala chai, chilled milk based coffees. Indigestion, diabetes; both made my life mundane.
How am I looking? Take closer look, you can see my aging skin! I wonder why they say I look way younger to my age. I walk in day time, swim in highly chlorinated water, I was looking for DIY anti-tan face masks, I know of many remedies, from "Rooplagi" of Anondolok, Sananda days, I fail to do them regular. I have interest in cosmetology, after finishing my BEd, the son wasn't born, in 1999-2000, I wished to travel to Delhi, do the one year's course at Shehnaz Hussain's, open a beauty studio in Kolkata like Threety Irani's, the man refused to sponsor. His clear cut statement was he sacrificed his holidays post marriage to facilate my smooth completion of BEd, I either teach or be a housewife. You all know my love for lipstick, beautification, make up. I don't use much of make up but moisturiser, powder, kajal, lipstick is must for me. Those were days when I didn't realise my love for cooking! I think I have ability, wish to make other women look good. I put mask, did make-up on my brother on his marriage day, man was scolding both of us.
We should maintain ourselves; try look fresh; it is necessary for us to feel good. My son doesn't talk to me, I put through messages for here & there in public. Anyway, this ice-cream is tasting such good. I have garnished it with dried mango, apricot gifted by younger friendly family. You may use any dry fruit / fruits of choice. I had with fresh mango, just too good! It used only 2 tsp of sugar, sweetened with dates, both are bad for diabetic, even sugar coated dried fruits, I don't quit anything entirely!
Above was my lunch today; vegan, gluten-free paratha with Bengali style roasted eggplant, pickle.
COCONUT PULP : OF TWO COCONUT
COCONUT CREAM : 150-200 ML
DATE : 10-12
BROWN SUGAR : 2 TSP [ENHANCES TASTE]
VANILLA ESSENCE : 1/2 TSP
CHOPPED DRIED MANGO : 2 TBSP
CHOPPED DRIED APRICOT / KHUBANI : 1 TBSP
OR YOU MAY USE YOUR CHOICE OF DRIED NUTS & FRUITS
PROCEDURE :
Soak seeded, washed dates for half an hour. Get the pulp of tender coconut! There is no dearth of it here, Kolkata sells daab / young coconut in youngest form.
Blend together coconut cream, tender coconut flesh, soaked dates, sugar together to fine paste.
Add vanilla essence, mix well. Pour onto a container. Close tight lid, freeze for an hour.
I chopped dried ripe mango & apricot pulp, took out container, opened it, garnished top of ice-cream with dried & chopped fruits.
Freeze it for 5-6 hours, serve as it is or with choice of fresh fruits!
