GREEN PEA FRIED RICE

Since morning, there's noise at home, I cannot multitask, neither can deliver amidst noise. Home is settled, clean, I may start writing blogpost. I need to concentrate but this is eve of long weekend; in between I am marinating this and that to freeze. This home gives immense importance to starters, appetisers. Whose doorstep you are at? Of a food blogger! From appetisers to main course to dessert, I must carefully curate! Whilst man of this House takes good care of what is to be served with appetisers. He doesn't even know whats cooked until its served on plate along with guests! I like it no one interferes in my kitchen, what groceries I do, how I plan menu! Our father never did! 

I am taking it easy today, going slow unintentionally, some days, even if I try to wrap up quick, I am unable to! I don't force myself, act as per my capability, wish! Had a pretty late brunch, then the bliss below almost at 4pm!

South-Asian food habit isn't healthy, we eat carbs & fat! I had been a good teacher to Cristine, how beautifully she made porota, thin, low-oil! If we have interest in subject, learning is fun! Learning to enjoy life is another lesson! Not everyday would be same, there would be challenges, low feelings, let them come, let yourself be! We have to take a vow not to harm others!

Where is room for sorrow if we get to see all these? I must check with Selleys store if we get a "loga" to get those mangoes, guava, drumstick flowers! But how lame it would be to carry it on my walks, then I have fear of been caught by police!

I wish to blog about family recipes, "desi khana" but something stops me, I take upon myself certain kind of responsibility of getting vegan, gluten-free food, also bother what this island would prefer, if the west can have it! Does this world bothers about me as I do? I don't think it does! 

I have stopped thinking too much about myself, less we expect, more happy we are! As long we have a space we may call home, food on table, we need be thankful to the Universe! 

To eat for free isn't good practice I know but I have spent together barely 18 years of life with son, I cherished each moment, live with memories of those days, son wouldn't leave me for a while, "mamma chai"! Ask a mariner's wife about their responsibilities of bringing up kids. Nanny is good, mothers better! He loves mamma made food, I wished him to live with us until he starts to live with his lady love. That has become a distant dream, I find peace in creating recipes, going here, there. Life wouldn't run as per our instructions, we have to make it workable, I love my life, that love reflects on my recipes! 

I don't have much of contribution in cooking this rice, we call it Bengal Caterer's Peas Fried Rice! India, may be entire South Asia cooks same way. It seems bland to me! Our families would add sugar in pulao & fried rices, I went my family way more or less, lets name it GREEN PEA FRIED RICE! It is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, light vegetarian fried-rice recipe you may pair with choice of sides or have with batter-fries! I think the west, this island would prefer it without sugar! My Family made peas fried rice rarely as compared to other varieties!

INGREDIENTS : 

LONG GRAINED OR FRAGRANT BASMATI RICE : 1 COFFEE MUG

CASHEW  NUT : 8-10 [HALVED]

GREEN PEAS : 1 SMALL TEA CUP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1 TSP 

CLOVE : 4-5

GREEN CARDAMOM : 4-5

CINNAMON STICK : 3-4 ONE INCH SIZED

MACE : 2-3 [FAMILY DOESN'T USE]

BAY LEAF : 2-3

SUGAR : 1 & 1/2 TBSP [YOU MAY SKIP]

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2 TBSP [FAMILY USES CLARIFIED BUTTER / GHEE]

I used a bit of red chillies from chilli-vinegar

PROCEDURE :

Wash, cook rice in enough water, drain once done 80%!

I boil green peas to retain colour.

Heat oil in wok, add boiled peas, halved cashew nuts when its warm, not hot!

Take out when cashew nuts turn golden brown. Add bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, mace, green cardamoms, cloves, washed, chopped green chillies. Stir for 1/2 a minute.

Add rice, fold in well carefully, rice grains need not break!

Season with salt, sugar, chillies from vinegar [optional], Add green peas, cashew nuts! Stir gently, cautiously!

Serve hot, fresh with choice of side or fritters! Enjoy!

 

EASY GRILLED PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE

I wish sleeping after shower, good meals. Not that I don't wish to write, share recipe, unable to concentrate at this time! I wish lying down on the couch, cover legs with a bedspread, hold a favourite read, fall into deep slumber, while the book rests on chest, the scenario ever since my teens. Few times my spectacles broke. How time flies, I can't believe I have spent over half century on this earth. My aging skin, rough texture of hair bothers a bit, if not much!

I would keep showing up, needn't bother about age. The problem of attention deficit occurs to good looking guys, gals; all their life they get attention, the moment they get wrinkles, admirers fade, they get sad losing stardom. For us, there's no pressure, I maintain, people compliment. I enjoy, level headed not to get swept away. 

I would go slow today, unable to do anything forcefully. I don't earn, I don't understand pressure of performance. I am writing, then looking at social media handles, looking down at swimming pool that reopened after few months, It feels happy being able to meet people, coach Joe, an excellent trainer. I have no speed, I enjoy swimming, my brother used to bring home prizes winning competitions; swimming, flat race, playing cricket. I hail from a family of sports lovers, sports personnel, I wasn't. The man, son ain't in sports; my fear monger self hardly allowed them. Our television set also plays waterpolo is separate issue. I was upset knowing son-shine wasn't good in sports, he had flat-feet issue; an Indian mother, specifically Bengali mothers have this syndrome, "my child has to beat rest"! My level headed men did not allow me to practice that in Singapore, they did not allow me join parents' WhatsApp group, son didn't share phone numbers of his friends. In West Bengal, mothers notch teachers for that one mark her child scored less than rest, I wasn't an exception. This island changed me; today son makes me proud, if only he spoke about his achievements. Not only son, I watch other kids in LinkedIn. Their parents know I enjoy that. 

This food lover had waffles at McDonald's this morning; taste was good, it left me hungry though. 

I equally love rojak. Without sauce, it's pretty healthy. Then, it's not rojak without sauce, crushed peanuts! Singapore's hospitals have great food courts serving food at minimal prices. They are open to all, I feel I shouldn't take advantage! Also, I try stay within boundary! It takes one call, I would run for good cause, no voluntary service organisation called until date.

The greens in midst of desert happens to be "marichika", if I approach near, it would vanish! As kids, we learnt about "aleya" too, my curious mind wished to see, science says it's some released gas. I have always escaped from reality, I live in world of fantasy created by me. I guess I wish to remain entangled! Our minds harbour what we invite, allow to stay, may be I enjoy harbouring varied thoughts, my favourite pastime!

"Srishti"; creation, universe, nature is engaged bringing something into life! It feels beautiful to pause, watch, its my life!

I would keep blabbering, let's share recipe instead! The same question lingers, who are you I cannot get over? Do you survive on grilled meats, veggies, soup? Anyway, our recipe highlight today is pineapple fried rice, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free! Let's name this vegetarian rice; EASY GRILLED PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE! Grilled pineapple recipe is there in blog! I love grilled fruits, even spiced, grilled bell peppers, not a favourite vegetable. Last night, we had fried rice & omelette! Cristine adds spring onion to it. You may add variety of vegetables in this fried rice, I used only carrot, cabbage, spring onion, tossed in simple seasoning!

INGREDIENTS :

COOKED RICE : 3-4 COFFEE MUG

PINEAPPLE CHUNKS : A BOWLFUL

SHREDDED CABBAGE : 1 COFFEE MUG

SHREDDED CARROT : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

CHOPPED SPRING ONION : A HANDFUL

SLITTED GREEN CHILLI : 3-4

CASHEW NUTS : 7-8

CINNAMON STICK : 1-2

BAY LEAF : 1-2

SOY SAUCE : 2 TBSP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/2 TSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2 TBSP +1TSP

PROCEDURE :

You may use refrigerated leftover cooked rice, I used freshly cooked rice!

I washed a coffee mug of rice, cooked in enough water until 70% done, transferred to colander. Let all of water drain.

Peel, wash, shred carrot, wash, shred cabbage. Wash, slit green chillies.

Marinate washed pineapple cubes with red chilli powder, salt, 1tsp oil! I grilled them manually on stovetop! Take down once done.

Heat wok, temper with cinnamon stick, bay leaves. Add cashew nuts, fry at minimal heat until golden brown.

Add the shredded cabbage, carrot. Season with salt, soy sauce, crushed black pepper. Stir fry at medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

Add the cooked rice, grilled pineapple, spring onions leaving some to garnish. Used two ladles to fold in well at medium heat, adjust salt. Transfer to a rice plate, garnish with remaining spring onion. We are done, it's simple!

COCONUT JAGGERY GREEN PEA RICE SNACK

 

I am yet under spell of yesterday's adventure! I visited Coney Island @ Punggol last afternoon, clicked, walked about 5km alongside sea, went inside island, in a total did 8.4km! I do trust the safety standard of this island. I enjoyed being there. Walking is low intensity workout that may not help losing weight that much, specially if you are my kind of walker. I would just pause, click, get lost in thoughts, I can't remember what I was thinking about last night, why I allow everything inside my head! I can live without them, yet invite. Once I come to senses, I see people suspiciously staring at me, why not if they see one lady standing with blank eyes, smiling or talking to herself. I indeed feel shy, flee that place!

I wish to make a reel with the clicks done, over weekend or next week. Yesterday evening I did not feel like at all, I don't have such agenda, I have to share a post daily, I have to do this, that. Because I didn't go viral, I don't have such compulsions. I wanted to but! I do things as per will. Mind it, people with such laid back nature don't reach heights! In the present day scenario my kinds ain't required! At times, I feel I wouldn't have made a good teacher if I continued teaching! Arranging cultural events, debates are not my thing; I have noticed I only enjoyed classroom activities, if entrusted with taking kids out to visit places. I am not a confident self but thinking of each of my mentors, colleagues having trust on me brings tears to my eyes. I wouldn't let my child go berserk with his career ever! 

How I dislike my useless self, I didn't wish to be in the "sit at home" league! On top of it, what I chose to eat at Punggol Coast Mall isn't congenial to my digestive system. My stomach does not approve of cold cut meats, boiled eggs; that bun had good amount of smoked chicken inside! I am bearing the burnt today. That cannot stop me from writing a blogpost, I must wish my readers on New Year's Eve, I also see there is birthday celebration in family circle. How to manage time is a question, we would go out at night to see fireworks with friends, dine, wish to get tipsy, to visit RKM early morning tomorrow! I need to go for a 4-5km walk before heading to eat in restaurant! The menu is not exciting me, it's an Indian restaurant, I know to cook the dishes they decided to order. For us, to be with friends, chat, take vibes of Boat Quay area is more important! 

This little pride I take, I cook well. Surprisingly the man too takes, that man who never takes me seriously! My cousin in Cleveland, Ohio told few years back that son told he misses mumma's cooking! Why does it feel he doesn't need me anymore? Mumma cooks something of his choice, something new, her eyes get wet! But this is trivial, what is most important is him getting successful in life, to stay safe wherever he is! Mumma cooked this vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, salted, sweet COCONUT JAGGERY GREEN PEA RICE SNACK! I love kueh. When we leave Singapore, I would miss kueh varieties, some of which resemble our Pitha varieties! It's one hassle-free snack done with few ingredients!

I loved having it, man and Cristine ate. They wouldn't have had if they didn't like its taste! Some other recipes from Blog are STEAMED TAPIOCA CAKE, EASY STEAMED CHICKEN, DUDH CHITOI PITHA

INGREDIENTS :

RICE FLOUR : 1 COFFEE MUG

GREEN PEA : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

SHREDDED COCONUT : 2 COFFEE MUG

JAGGERY : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

SUGAR : 1 TBSP

GREEN CARDAMOM POWDER : 1TSP+1TSP

OIL : 1 TBSP [ALTERNATIVELY GHEE]

EDIBLE GREEN COLOUR : 1 DROP [OPTIONAL]

WATER : AS REQUIRED

PROCEDURE :

Let us prepare the jaggery-coconut mixture at first! 

Mix together shredded coconut, jaggery. Take mixture in wok, switch on gas stove.

Cook mixture at low flame for 15 minutes.  Keep stir cooking to avoid burning. Add sugar, keep stir cooking until sticky!

Add 1tsp green cardamom powder, fold in well, transfer to plate. Let cool.

Wash, blend green peas to a fine paste. Heat 1tbsp oil in pan, add green cardamom powder. Fold in well. Take down.

Add rice flour to clean pan, roast for 3-4 minutes, add water. Stir cook for 2-3 minutes. 

Add cooked green peas paste, edible green colour. Stir quickly to mix, a minute or two. Transfer to plate.

Knead to smoothen when it's still warm. 

Spread mixture in squared or rectangular container. On top spread the coconut-jaggery mixture. 

Once cool, cover, place inside refrigerator for few hours. Take out cut squares, serve and enjoy!

LIGHTLY SPICED PEAS RICE

 I AM TOO TIRED!

I must visit a Durga Puja venue each day of the occasion but don't like the idea of wearing sari, ornaments, travel to different venues. I mess with the attire, I sweat a lot. It irritates, more when I see the beauties around well kept. If RKM did it the traditional way as in Belur Math, I would have been there all four days, it is near to home. But I want to be with my family on such occasions. The man would not go inside a temple, neither the son. Since yesterday evening, I was thinking of sharing an old recipe from the blog with my readers. I was far from my much loved blog the past four days. How we managed home, attended our biggest festival we do not know. When we assist each other nothing seems a challenge. This would not be the case on Lakshmi Puja, he would not help with rituals, cooking. Today I was extremely busy cleaning my home, yet wished to share a new recipe.

YESTERDAY EVENING I COOKED AFTER FIVE DAYS!

We still have some food left that we would eat tonight. We cannot eat too many things in bigger quantity these days. I cooked"Luchi o Shada Aloor Chocchori"for our dinner last night, Priya's Mixed Vegetable Achar was there on the side. We love such meals. The son enjoys still I know, may be other Western Food are in the same league like Luchi for him now.

There was a little of dough left, not enough for the lunch box. I made four luchi made with it for my first meal. 

I cannot have roasted papad which I want deep fried, only sago papad I like oven roasted.  

Without the son around, without Cristine's assistance, we are managing our home well but as long as we are here, we would need Cristine.

WHAT IS LIGHTLY SPICED PEAS RICE?

My strong will to share a new recipe won over my tiredness. I thought of Oats Kachori, even Oats Balushahi. Those require effort to make, I am not high on energy at this time. I am not stocking much of food at this time, not required. I wished to share something related to Lakshmi Puja. I had some left over rice in the refrigerator, cooked a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free rice dish; LIGHTLY SPICED PEAS RICE. I am to cook a traditional khichuri / hotchpotch platter on the occasion of Kojagori Lakshmi Puja. But an expat can be excused from cooking a traditional platter in a foreign land. What if few guests are non-Bengali speaking? I am trying to be liberal these days. 

Few other rice based recipes from my blog are these; MATAR DAL O BASMATIR KHICHURI, CHICKEN RICE IN MEMONI SPICE MIX, GHOROYA BANGALI POLAO

INGREDIENTS :

LONG GRAINED RICE : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

GREEN PEA : 4 TBSP

POMEGRANATE KERNEL : 1 TBSP

CASHEW NUT : 8-9 [HALVED]

CUMIN SEED : 1/4 TSP

CHILLI FLAKES : 1/4 TSP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

SUGAR : 1/2 TSP [OPTIONAL]

OIL : 2 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Wash the rice few times, cook in enough water until 70% done. Drain the water fully.

I have thrown away the skin of the green peas, you do not need to. 

Heat the oil in the wok, temper with cumin seeds. Add the cashew nuts, fry for half a minute, add the green peas.

Season with salt, crushed black pepper, red chilli flakes, stir.

Add the rice, gently fold in. Add more salt if only required.

We should be done. Pair it with a choice of side.

MY STYLE PUMPKIN RICE

 SOME MONDAYS I WISH TO SHARE A SIMPLE RECIPE!

It is my pleasure to write a blogpost, not lengthy recipes always. Our mood hardly would stay the same always. I personally require an elevated mood, the willingness to perform. I know this is a luxury that we cannot afford at workplace. I do not understand the terms "mental stress", thereafter an extreme step called "suicide" related to the workplace. Why would such a situation occur, bosses are also human beings. These are all new developments, the more the world is progressing, more such problems are seen. I think of these because it is the time to brief the son about the pros and cons at the work place, that he need not worry and be happy, that his life is precious. I can see his father enjoys going to his work place.

I DO NOT REQUIRE TO HAVE THE RIGHT MOOD TO EAT!

Even when I am not in the right mood, I eat. These days I am not clicking my food plates much, today I did. My first meal today had been good amount of vegetables, oats, beaten rice  cooked together. 

I like oatmeal in cakes and beaten together with eggs to make an oats omelette. The moment I add water to oats, it seems tasteless to me. But I like oats with yogurt and fruits. I do not have breakfasts, do not need that regular, also I am unable to have unsweetened yogurt every day. Saturdays & Sundays, I eat uncountable times. I planned  to have a light first meal today, couldn't, neither clicked the watermelon pieces I had thereafter. I clicked a few food platings from last Saturday and yesterday, would share soon in public.

WHAT IS MY STYLE PUMPKIN RICE?

About 15-20 days back, I had chicken-potato soup and pumpkin rice at the Hougang Mall.

I loved the chicken soup, found the pumpkin rice smelly, did not get the source of the smell. I usually like chicken or mutton meat broth  but the smell was from something else. Back home, I decided to cook a pumpkin rice.  Last to last weekend I cooked it but the rice seemed messy, it tasted good. Last Saturday, I cooked it again, I was eager to blog about it. I used long grained Basmati Rice for the recipe, the food court's was made with small grained rice which was not the island's favourite fragrant sticky rice.

A Bengali Home's Pumpkin Rice means it would be eaten the Bengali way with fries & fritters. While many Bengali Homes like their pilaf with meat & fish curries, we enjoy pilaf with fries, precisely fish fries. I got home Ilish / Hilsa fish, had the vegan, gluten-free MY STYLE PUMPKIN RICE with pointed gourd fries and Hilsa fish fries. It was good. You can cook this nutritious bowl any day of the week using few ingredients always present in your pantry.

INGREDIENTS :

YOUR CHOICE OF COOKED RICE : 2-3 COFFEE MUGS

BOILED PUMPKIN : 2 COFFEE MUGS

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 2 TSP

RED CHILLI FLAKES : 1/2 TSP

CHOPPED FRESH CORIANDER : 2-3 TBSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP

CUMIN SEED : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

You can cook the rice fresh or use refrigerated day old cooked rice. In the case of the latter, take the rice out an hour before the cooking.

Peel and wash the pumpkin, cut into smaller cubes and boil. Drain the excess water but don't squeeze entirely the water present in the boiled vegetable. 

Mash the boiled pumpkin. Chop, wash the green chillies, coriander leaves.

Heat the oil in a pan, temper with the cumin seeds. Add the chopped green chillies and the turmeric powder. Stir and add the boiled and mashed pumpkin.

Add the required amount of salt, stir cook at medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Add the rice and the coriander leaves. Use two ladles to incorporate the rice well in the freshly made pumpkin sauce. Switch off the gas stove.

Enjoy the pumpkin rice fresh and hot with your choice of side dish.

SPICED BROWN RICE PATTIES

ANOTHER MONDAY ARRIVED AND I HAVE NOTHING NEW IN MY KITTY!

I am still not bored with life, getting to live is beautiful. I I do not have a success story about myself to tell you but I have tales to tell about my own; the son, man, brother, sisters, even about our mother's same old stories of her inhibitions. Most importantly, I am yet to taste many a dishes. The Burger King has recently launched a 3$ worth Chocolate Affogato done with Milo. I don't know why they did not name it Milo Affogato. I am not a chocolate fan, yet would try it. Affogato is new to me, you would not find it easily in Kolkata. I did not have it till date because I was unwilling to spend some 8$-10$ on something that has chocolate in it, that I have never tasted. I would not mind spending 3$ to try it. A couple of new items Burger King has launched, Cempedek Mochi to the chilli-garlic balls, it's decent pricing attracts me. I love most Popeye's fried chicken; earlier KFC's was my favourite. I still have KFC's given Popeye's is a bit pricier, but it's garlic rice and the spice factor of the fried chicken is unmatched. Then, you would not find it's branches easily here like KFC and MacDonald. I remember I first had a fish burger meal at the MacDonald of Essel World, Borivali, Mumbai back in 1999.

IN 1999, IT FELT KOLKATA IS LAGGING BEHIND!

Back to Kolkata from Mumbai, I felt I have to move out of Kolkata. I do not earn, I do not have to bother about the finance, I wanted to taste how life is in a financially stable place. That happened after 11 years, in 2010, we did not move to Mumbai but to another seaside, in this island. No one can say I spend extravagantly but I enjoy the upwardly living standard of a first world country. Since I do not have to earn, I remain obsessed with the jazzy outlook. The mother is in safe hands and happy in her world. May be I am self-centric and have no qualms thinking in this way that our mother has led the household the way she wanted, she has lived without much of regrets, I need to concentrate more on our son's future. Your kids need your care and attention, it comes naturally to me. Not a minute I can stay without thinking about the son. Today, I wish to wrap up quick and watch something on the OTT Platform.

WHAT IS SPICED BROWN RICE PATTIES?

The idea behind this can be the Arancini, actually not the Arancini but from the Bengalis' version of Arancini, "leftover rice pakora"! We rarely would have it. Our mother would cook fresh the right measure. Unless there had guests at home, not much of leftovers would be there. I know about Arancini for the past ten years of blogging. Before I have started the blogging journey, I shared the leftover rice pakora pictures in G+, later I found out it is common among the other South Asians, many bloggers did blog about it. I thought of blogging about leftover khichuri pakora, did not happen as yet. Another source of idea can be the Moss chain's rice burgers, I have to taste it. The SPICED BROWN RICE PATTIES are vegan and gluten-free with the added goodness of vegetables and herbs, some spices. The local brand turnip and cabbage pickle somewhat near to Kimchi in taste gives it an Oriental touch.

Few rice recipes from my Blog are PRESSURE COOKER MATTA RICE KHICHURI, KHUDER CHAL DAL SHOBJI KHICHURI, CHICKEN RICE IN MEMONI SPICE MIX

INGREDIENTS :

COOKED BROWN RICE : 1 COFFEE MUG

CARROT : 1 STANDARD SIZED

GREEN BEAN : 3-4

RED CHILLI PADI : 2 [OR USE CHILLI FLAKES]

GREEN CHILLI : 2

CORIANDER LEAVES : 2 SPRIGS

ONION : 1

GARLIC : 2-3 CLOVES

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1/2 TSP

LEMON JUICE : 2-3 TBSP

CORNFLOUR : 1 TBSP

A PICKLE OF CHOICE : 2 TBSP [I USED A LOCAL OILY TURNIP AND CABBAGE PICKLE] 

SALT : AS REQUIRED

PROCEDURE :

Wash the brown rice 3-4 times and soak in water for 2 hours.

Peel, cut and wash the vegetables, take in a mincer and mince.

Take the rice and 2 coffee mugs of fresh water in a pressure cooker, cook up to 3-4 whistles at minimal heat.

Once the lid opens, mash the rice grains a bit. Transfer to a bowl.

Add to it the rest of the ingredients, shape into patties. Grease an oven proof plate with a bit of oil and place the patties on it.

Mine is a convection mode microwave oven, I placed the high wired stool inside and on top of it the oven proof plate with the patties.

I cooked them in grill mode for 15-16 minutes. Enjoy them with sauce. Adding an egg or two to the mixture would have made the patties tastier, but I wished them to be vegan and gluten-free.