SOFT MELT IN MOUTH FUDGE

I thought of preparing, blogging about traditional sweet associated to memories. For long wanting to blog about traditional Bengali sweets "Dorbesh, Chitrakoot, Jilipi". They are neither vegan nor gluten-free, ain't easy make. On this auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I aimed to reach various corners of world, this blog's strategy for past few years. I don't know if my wish confuses others, I held priority is to blog about Bengali recipes. I wanted to minor changes in introduction of blog,  can't. Lack of technical knowledge didn't let upgrade blog . We need to follow latest trends! Man & son don't stop me, didn't help upgrade my blog!

My wish to reach more people has point, business isn't on mind alone; Durga Puja encompass everyone! Its homecoming for Goddess Durga, kids, whilst her man stays home in Himalayas! No boundaries are set these few days, we eat with all heart, wear best from wardrobe, show off! There's no austerity, penance but grandeur. Pure joy of few days makes us sadly bid goodbye to Goddess, kids; we start waiting for next year. My concern is denial of rituals. Commercialisation of it hurts me although many small businesses thrive, survive based on Durga Puja. Organisers may arrange for fairs, entertainment shows days prior to start of Durga Puja! Like here they do long before Diwali commences.

If ritual is to uncover Goddess', kids' faces on prescribed day, I wish thats followed, tradition needn't be denied. We enjoy Durga Puja in Singapore thoroughly. If in Kolkata, would prefer attending temples, Belur Math! In fact, all condominiums there celebrates it, thats great fun to be!

Our mother actively takes part in Durga Puja rituals locally, she's strictly ritualistic, her mother too had been, I inherited little. Yesterday, I was out for long hours to buy flowers, snacks, etc. Blogger would get some new rules from December, I don't know if mention of product, eateries would go against rules, need be cautious.

I like Bhakhri, bought after long time, I can make it. Yesterday, had "Mirchi Bhaji, Dahi Vada"at Madras Cafe; cheap price, moderate taste; better food others around offer but pricing matters right?. I came home late, no one asked reasons; beauty of my man, our father's, pa-in-law's. My brother is adjusting given his better half listens to herself only. She is nice girl but!

Okay, monster man didn't accompany me yesterday even after several requests, for ages he didn't gift me jewelry! This year it wasn't on plan! Yesterday, couldn't resist gifting myself two light weight diamond finger rings from Mustafa Centre, Joyalukkas! Had man accompanied, I could have bought weightier stuffs. I save all year, buy this little.

Thickened milk isn't for my stomach, may not have cake from there, seems sweet. Local Bakeries make low sugar pastry cakes. 

My kitchen always buzzes with food.

Today, I would remain busy in kitchen; next one week I wouldn't cook, neither eat out. Its either "proshad" or home cooked food for us. One day we may hunt a cafeteria.

I do love Rajma-Chawal. Food brings us closer, Durga Puja too. To greet everyone dearly on this occasion, I chose easy, vegan, gluten-free sweet SOFT MELT IN MOUTH FUDGE. Its"sandesh"without me using the name. It tastes "kaju katli" sans using lots of cashew nuts. I can't get out of my middle class mentality, nothing to exhibit except proving to be better each passing day! I wouldn't use kilogram of cashew nuts, instead added desiccated coconut, few almonds, cashew nuts to get vegetarian "muh mein ghul jane wala" sweet to celebrate any occasion; Eid, Navroz, Xmas, New Year! Son loves "Kaju Katli", man's sister would get mostly for him, consider this my humble try! We had similar "Badam Fudge" in Vizag, at friend's place! 

West Bengal stands for unity, harmony, should continue to. If others speak poor Bengali, we speak horrible Hindi. This home stays off petty things. Decades back, one 12 year old boy told this 37 years old lady; "vegetarians find fish, meat smelly, we can adjust; harmony is greater than ego", an old lady told, "you must live outside of Bengal someday, mingle with other communities to be open minded", I listened!

INGREDIENTS : 

CASHEW NUT : 15-16

ALMOND : 6-7

DESICCATED COCONUT : 100 GM

SUGAR : 4 TBSP

ROSE WATER : 1 TSP [OR CARDAMOM POWDER]

OIL : 1 TBSP [GHEE GIVES BETTER FLAVOUR, I USED OLIVE OIL]

PISTACHIO TO GARNISH [OR EDIBLE SILVER VARK]

THE AMOUNT YIELDS 9-10 FUDGES

PROCEDURE :

Dry roast all ingredients except sugar, oil or ghee for 4-5 minutes at minimal heat, do not let them brown.

Let cool, transfer to blender. Add 1tbsp sugar, oil or ghee, blend to a powder.

Add rest of sugar to heated wok / pan, 1/2 coffee mug water. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Add mixture, keep stirring at minimal heat until it turns to soft dough.

Add rose water, stir, transfer to butter paper. 

Cristine got rectangular shape! Rest for while.

Cut into shapes as per wish. 

Garnish with chopped pistachio / edible silver vark!