MICROWAVE MADE BANANA STEM FRITTER

 It's 2:59 pm! There's music playing, instrumental. I listen varied ragas, western jazz, jam sessions, classical vocals! Bollywood songs, specially old classics remains all time love. For the unversed, specific Rag-Ragas were created for different time in the 24 hours span. There are ragas to listen in morning, mid-morning, afternoon, evening, night time. Listening to these helps calm my nervous system I strongly feel. Mental pleasure is major reason too!

I fancy finer things, just can't survive without music, good reads, this blog, I need to unwind! I indeed love cooking, cleanliness freak! But daily cooking, cleaning corners isn't my thing! Creative, qualitative beings around fill my heart! I savour creativity around, make myself omelette, chutney butter toast, an instant semolina thatte idli! This variety of Oolong tea bags I pick up from Prime store at nominal price, it suits my tastebuds!

Today's chutney uses roasted peanuts, fresh coriander, green chillies, salt, lemon juice, less of ingredients from Maharashtrian Thecha Chutney I cooked day before. 

I have decided not to do mention in today's blogpost. No specific reason, it's my mood that controls me. I feel not talking of family, friends today would be better decision. It may also be that I have made friendship with people without any amount of communication; verbal or online! How to mention people without relevance? A blogpost doesn't hold enough space to mention all those I wish to today. In fact, it's being long I have stopped mentioning friends, relatives in this space!

It's all in our mind, head! I am dreamer, I make up stories inside my head! Because I fed on novels since childhood, mostly romantic genre since my teens, that vive occupy my head. I am fine with it as long as I don't disturb people. What I cook, eat are source of my happiness too.

We need not go near people who have no interest to communicate with us! It would be like invading one's space, peace! Social Media today lets us keep up with people, things, activities we adore! To meet at a point, our's & their's wish need to tally! This is called respecting wishes, and self of course.

Why is it feeling I would wrap up quick today, wouldn't write much? There's too much unrest around, loss of lives! Depression, Frustration among older kids seems scariest. We don't let them struggle in growing up years, a little stress becomes heavy on them to handle. Why can't they believe there definitely have few family members, friends to reach out? The environment around needs to feel warm, welcoming, friendly! Isolation is a threat to wellbeing! As long as we are willing to see a tomorrow, we are fit & fine. Singapore straightaway welcomes summer it seems, October to February are cooler, then rushes in hotter days. Here drumstick flowers bloom throughout the year, how to know spring has arrived? I have sustained South Asian summers, this island's heat doesn't bother me! More I age, World seems beautiful to me, Life is beautiful, I am not done with it!

This Vegan, Gluten-free MICROWAVE MADE BANANA STEM FRITTER isn't family recipe but Bengal cooks vegetarian fries/pakoras/ bhajabhuji this way! Who doesn't love fritters? I can break up instantly with one who says no! I forced myself stop frying them, I have ability to turn any leaf to yum fritters! I cook them in microwave oven using minimal oil! We cook couple of recipes with banana stem, not fritter. Making use of banana stem for fritter was an impromptu idea. It tasted really good! I must say mashing it with hot rice, adding bit of ghee, crushed green chilli is soul satisfying, if you share my tastebuds! Let us do it!

INGREDIENTS :

BANANA STEM : 1 STANDARD SIZED AS MOSTLY SOLD

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 2 TSP

RICE FLOUR : 1 TBSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP+1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 1 TBSP [I USED MUSTARD OIL]

PROCEDURE :

Wash banana stem. Thinly slice both ends, throw away! Discard outer soft, fibrous outer cover. We would use the core, hard portion, that too fibrous.

Cut slices, each time use fingers to roll fibre, discard! It's how tailors do with threads in sewing machine. 

Thereafter, cut into strips each slice, chop! 

The hardest above job I didn't do! I rest is my handwork!

Wash chopped vegetable taken in strainer!

I further pulsed 1-2 times chopped banana stem wanting to avoid using pressure cooker!

Thereafter, marinate it with salt, turmeric for an hour. It has to become soft!

Wash, chop green chillies. After an hour, use your palms to squeeze out excess amount of water!

Add oil, salt, rest of turmeric, chopped green chillies, rice flour, fold in well. We may use gram flour instead of rice flour! I ain't gram flour fan, also thought of non-South Asians! You may use cornflour too!

Make smooth balls, smoothen between palms. Grease an oven proof plate with oil, place the uncooked banana stem fritters on it.

Place bake stand inside microwave, on it the plate.

I cooked in microwave+grill option, one side 12 minutes. Then turned them over, cooked them for 8-9 minutes.

Have it hot, fresh alongside peeping hot steamed rice, spoonful of ghee or butter, a green chilli! We also had chicken curry, dal that day. 

We may refrigerate, reheat before having it, that wouldn't give best taste!

MY STYLE DOSA ALOO MASALA FILLING

 It's 3:10 pm, I have started writing blogpost, was correcting another blogpost VEGETARIAN CURRY PUFF, too many use of "the","and" had been there! I love to write, couldn't master the art. I need to update the pictures too, I cook it better today. I practically did nothing since the morning except going for swimming. I don't do outdoor walk on days I write blogposts. People balance work and home, I can't manage time, multi-tasking is not my thing! The good part is I never get bored with this unfruitful life. If I close my eyes, think, I see I haven't made any fruitful contribution to society! This hurts; wish my readers to say, "you have gifted us recipes", I would feel happy, if not thrilled, I have seen boutique blogs. My question is if blogs have become irrelevant, have reels taken over totally?

I know nothing beyond cooking, eating, arranging them in blogposts! It is you, my readers, to say if they are captivating, at least engaging or not. I am a food blogger since August 2014, I do not know about seo, traffic. I have not studied deeply about type of my readers. The bloggers I started my journey with are either big names or shifted to other areas of interest! I enjoy doing what I do, but wanted to have big fan following, fruitful interactions. You turn mad if popularity drops even after improving your quality of work, no one helped me with my passion except for few food bloggers at initial stage!

This hurt wouldn't ever go, I pursued my passion but couldn't achieve as desired, should have, that my own didn't help me a bit, encouraged! I hail from a family of great cooks, homemakers, why would I sit and sleep all day! I cannot watch soaps for five minutes, watching movies I like, failing to concentrate since last year. Last year was whirlwind, I doubted if I would be able to get back to blogging again, was in mental trauma! I can't say Almighty forgot me; my meditation, chanting got me back in track, of course medications; alternative medicine doesn't suit us! Without belittling health professionals, their years of education, expertise, experience; I would want to say I have noticed if I don't listen to music meant for meditation while meditating, my blood pressure increases. Those of you who meditate can play those soft music, use headphone.

Each day few times I pray to keep myself well, I work towards it so I need no medical care as long as I live except for the routine check up every month, few medications. If I had been careful fifteen years back, I wouldn't have required even these. I wouldn't claim I do clean eating, I ain't a soup & salad kind of person!

The giant stuffed flatbread, date palm jaggery with puffed rice, the onion pakoras I had at Chola Mart opposite Indian Heritage Centre do not speak of a health consciousness being. I explore small outlets, chat with them, yesterday met a Bengali Young man from Kolkata, served me good lemon tea! This island's favourite chilled Jasmine tea I love, this sugar-free one I got from Prime supermarket!

Rajdhani Enterprise got me more of date palm jaggery, sour jujube, they turn brown under day light, heat, thereafter I am to make sweet pickle. I find out ways to remain engaged. Like before, I cannot claim to be happy loner, I needed people to talk last year; few responded, stood by me. I do not wish to bother them, unless required! Those who misbehaved, I do not wish to see their face, they need attend correction homes to learn behaviour.

I don't wish to bother anyone, if I can walk to places without panting, pain, I have gotten lot. I don't want to revisit people or places where I didn't feel loved, valued; to build a home we already adjust, outside of it we need to as much as required! To world, feelings, relationships are all part of gameplay, I can't relate to maximum in this world, vives do not match, loud behaviour irritates me, I keep myself open for those who stop, exchange pleasantry! Yet I minutely watch the surrounding, as long as my public activity goes on, I have to. My contribution to the public today is an easy, vegan, gluten-free potato bowl; let's name it MY STYLE DOSA ALOO MASALA FILLING. In maximum Southern Indian eateries, vegetarian potato stuffing doesn't match my tastebud; feels bland. I tried it my way, not only with dosa, I also used it to stuff paratha. We had it with SHORU CHAKLI, you can call it soft Bengali Dosa or Bengali Crepe! You may use it to stuff sandwich too.

INGREDIENTS :

POTATO : 2 BIG

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1TSP

CHOPPED COCONUT : 1 TBSP

RED CHILLI FLAKES : 1/4 TSP

CURRY LEAF : 5-6

CRUSHED SKINLESS ROASTED PEANUT : 2 TSP

BLACK MUSTARD SEED : 1/4 TSP

SKINLESS BLACK GRAM DAL / URAD DAL : 1/4 TSP

BENGAL GRAM DAL / CHANA DAL : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

TURMERIC POWDER : 2-3 PINCH

OIL : 1 TBSP

This amount serves 3-4 heads!

PROCEDURE :

Boil potatoes, I boil in microwave! 

I prick with a fork all over washed potatoes, take them on microwave proof plate, microwave at low for 5-6 minutes. I allow them to cool, then mash.

Add salt & turmeric to mashed potatoes, mix well.

Warm oil in wok, add washed curry leaves, fry crisp at minimal heat, take out to use latter. Burnt curry leaves put me off more than my burnt skin.

Add rest of ingredients to hot oil except crushed roasted nuts, mashed potato, fried curry leaves. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes at minimal heat.

Add maximum of crushed roasted peanuts, fried curry leaves. Stir fry for half a minute, add mashed boiled potatoes. Stir cook at low heat for 7-8 minutes. We should be done!

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!

PAN ROASTED SPICED ALOO IN AVOCADO

It's Sunday, around 8:25 pm, today's entire morning went planning, buying ingredients, executing this recipe! We enjoyed having it! 

 I dislike complications. I have security sitting with me on the couch although we ain't watching same, neither chatting, our areas of interest are different! That doesn't affect peace, a home built gradually over a period of twenty eight years! The son called today, most of the time he shouted at me, at least heard voice. Yet, why my mood isn't in place I don't know! It is not an attribute of menopause, mood swings is part of me since childhood! I still couldn't forget a five year old girl getting down the dance floor of Mary Immaculate School! She felt ignored whilst teacher who loved her most was few classrooms away! Sister Marilyn's utmost negotiations could not take me on stage! I remain same, I do not remember the day I bid her good bye! Sitting in Kolkata, we did hear entire Krishnanagar City witnessed her mortal remains being taken in procession, cancer took her away at age 30. My pre-school was spent on her lap, she used to visit our maternal grandparents' home with other nuns, they ran charitable hospitals, our maternal uncles were renowned wholesale medicine dealers. When we left for Kolkata, she gifted me finger ring, pendant with Jesus & Mary, I treasure! I have to wear them, get clicked! I have discussed about this angelic Keralite Christian earlier. I tried to be like her with my kids, couldn't inherit her poise, wisdom! I get caught in own thoughts, suffer, get angry, what not! But I am always ready to, willing to gift my readers good recipes!

It is 10:50 pm, local time! I need to retire to the bed. There is no winter here, but monsoon. I have noticed, like Indian winter, there is need for heavy moisturiser, lip balms, thin bed spread gets that cosy feel of winter, "ummm"! I am a morning person always, my eyes are wide open as early as 4:30am-5am, how late I sleep! In my side of family, we used to sleep early, wake up early. Once at man's home, I found everything different from mine. They had lunch at 3 pm, tea even at 10 pm was fine, dinner was at 11 pm. It took me time to adjust. One thing I must say, their home had fun all over, friends & relatives were welcome 24/7. The mother-in-law I was loggerhead with is no more hot headed, we would chat about our respective son's weird behaviours, the father-in-law is always easy going. 

It's Monday 10:40 am, I didn't take shower, do prayer; that doesn't give me comfort! I wish to write, wrap up, colour my greys, greying since young! Cristine anyway offers once to my God family, I offer two times. I forgot there's a monastery in the neighbourhood, nearer than RKM. I just want to visit, sit for long, that calms my mind! I am an over thinker, self doubted person, to worry is my pleasure & pain both, my soul easily becomes chaotic! Writing blogposts, learning favourite numbers, giving voiceover to recipes get me pleasure! I am back stage person, love those smart, accomplished who have reached where I couldn't! It hurts me if people question my intents, I just do not wish to be "kebab mein haddi", I don't wish to play extra's role in others' lives! I don't have understanding of surroundings, expect intelligent to come clear, tell me where I went wrong! I would be left with nothing if I quit social media, I do not have work life, also enjoy being known around bit! Off course, I wish for fame, have lakhs of followers! That requires skillsets I lack!

My fears are manifold. I fear I have put on weight, had an unhealthy breakfast this morning!

Okay, sweet orange is my favourite & healthy! I am not a cookie lover, neither buy! The man gets from office, he is off biscuits! I never ask who gave, he dislikes discussing office at home! When willing, he would! I am waiting for their Dine & Dance Event end of this month, for seven course Oriental meal, there's Indian option, why eat out what I can cook? 

Boh tea is to be made with milk, sugar! I rarely have, he doesn't touch, gets acidity! I need to wrap up, switch off music that is playing, I cannot multi task! It's such nice of Cristine, she wouldn't bother me unless I call her! We stay together all day, in our own spaces! She is twelve years with us, knows maam is lost case, entangled in her own thoughts always. I wish I could be as cheerful, with broad smile like others around. But No, melancholy rules over me! I have food on plate without earning a penny, a minuscule part of my savings is what I have earned working nine years! Son would be completing MS in few months, mumma need not guide him anymore! Yet, what gets me anxiety, sorrow I do not know! Why did I have to be sensitive, why I had to imagine, make up stories inside my head, then brood, feel sad, don't know! I cannot get overwhelmed, daydream about strangers I met once, twice in life! Is my man reading? I use this space not for recipes alone, but for honest confessions, to unload my heart, soul, mind; all same and enclosed in "Podi Pishir Barmi Baksho?" I wish to watch a movie of choice this afternoon instead of going for walk!

I personally don't believe in celebrating particular dates, everyday we should be thankful, every day is as beautiful as birthday / anniversary! Then, this world is not what I believe in! As food blogger, my wish, my job is to greet world with recipes relevant to the occasion! Today, our mother's "chalkumror pur bhaja" or mother-in-law's "moong dal-lau jhali" wouldn't work! We thoroughly enjoyed this vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free PAN ROASTED SPICED ALOO IN AVOCADO! A couple of recipes worked on my mind getting this spiced, yummy treat tossed in Bengali style roasted & ground spices! Cristine hates potato, loves avocado, what I cook on Sundays, I keep for her to have on Mondays! Have it on its own, serve it with baked breads, handmade breads! We ate an egg meal last night!

Few similar avocado recipes from my Blog are CHILLI AVOCADO BHARTA, AVOCADO COCONUT CHUTNEY & SESAME-CORNMEAL BREAD

INGREDIENTS :

AVOCADO : 2

POTATO : 2

FRESH CORIANDER : 2 SPRIG

GREEN CHILLI : 2

SESAME SEED : 1 & 1/2 TSP

LEMON JUICE : 2 TBSP

CORIANDER SEED : 1 TSP

CUMIN SEED : 1 TSP

RED CHILLI : 1

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 1 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Peel, wash potatoes, cut each into 4 pieces! Put for boil adding enough water! Drain water once 75% done!

Marinate potato with salt!

Wash, cut, scoop, mash avocado! 

Mince washed coriander, green chillies, add to mashed avocado, also lemon juice, salt! Fold in well.

Dry roast and grind white sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilli! 

Add spice powder to avocado mix. Fold in well!

Add 1 tbsp oil to pan, slow cook each side of potato until brown! 

Potatoes you may oven cook!

Toss potatoes in avocado mix, sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds on top, serve hot!

BENGALI STYLE DUCK EGG POTATO CURRY

It is 1:30 pm local time! Until sometime back, I was unable to decide which recipe to share in blog! Okay, I had been productive too, baked vegan gluten-free scones. 

I wished to get it, may be on a later date! I came across mesmerising Bengali posts, got to be nostalgic. Now I am listening to old Bengali songs, I felt like sharing a Bengali recipe today, can't be otherwise! I cannot do mentions, they are many, integral part of our being! Okay, let us do one mention, if we can get it, our life is sorted; "jibon khatar proti patai jotoi koro hisheb nikesh, kichui robena... luko-churir eeije khyala...." The Bengali Music Industry then, now, both I love. The Bengali film industry faced a drought in the 80's & 90's, we detested, then comeback started with telefilms post 2000, thereafter some actors, directors came together, made us believe it hasn't died!

Why I reveal myself to world do not know. I love to write is true. I want to be cautious, next moment I asphyxiate if I do not exercise my right to expression! What I was at 15, I remain same at mid-fifties. The streets of Singapore, every lane, by lane are witness to my stupid self! I do not know if Bossy reads my stuffs or not, he never does any mention about what my heart spoke on posts, oblivious of what this world would think of me. That's the reason why he is dear, only that he fails to make the son behave normal with mumma. He has to talk to me regular! 

I decided to write a blogpost today also to save myself from wrath; I do not blame Bossy, often times I feel like calling him in office, say I am having pain here & there! Since last December, a serious fear made safe haven inside, some friends, family know! All of a sudden that fear subsided, something else creeped in! I let it stay, didn't deny! Life isn't only about give & take to me, I don't make business deals. Then emotional upheaval requires great amount of effort to handle.

My positive self feels if I have invited it, I need to deal with it! In extreme scenario, I would sell off my heart, kidneys; that finances my shopping, go frenzy shopping till I drop dead! There is no guilt inside, only a question, why, how? In all these, I feel I need some explicits coming from Bossy! I would call & say, "I feel Dr. V's stethoscope is not getting it, something is seriously wrong with my beats, it pains at times!" The explicits that would come to me over phone do not startle me anymore, they are required to handle an emotional disaster like me! 

Truth, however bitter or painful, is always better than sugar coated lies! Expectations hurt, is an eternal truth, it is unavoidable is another truth!

I would not bother, disturb, approach anyone involved, I stay firm on my belief that one who wants me would find me. I may be proven wrong, yet! I can send them some beautiful blooms from our tiny space, share my plates, that says I care!

Let me cook & serve hot, fresh food on your plate. That I do well. On my 2023 visit to Kolkata, India, I cooked this Bengali Duck Egg-Potato curry, but I forgot to fry boiled eggs. That's signature Bengali, I deleted those pictures. This year, October, day of departure, I cooked this curry, rest of dishes our mother cooked, we all ate. Bossy ate duck egg curry at his parents' home. Duck prefers laying eggs in winter, also spoils quickly in hot season!

In our childhood, egg curry meant fresh duck egg curry. Until date, I want it! I read various theories about why Singapore doesn't sell duck eggs. In 2024, we hunted H-Mart perhaps for duck eggs in Boston, Ms. Bhaduri of Houston recommended us to. Bossy, his mother are egg lovers, I enjoy egg curry these days not loving sea fish. Now, my side of family says they eat chicken eggs mostly. 

Let's cook this gluten-free, non-vegetarian Bengali egg recipe; BENGALI STYLE DUCK EGG POTATO CURRY before I blabber more, I need to go for walk. I do not like sharing what Singapore cannot eat but a Bengali Food Blogger should have these recipes in collection!

INGREDIENTS :

FRESH DUCK EGG : 6-7

POTATO : 2

SLICED ONION : 4 TBSP

SLITTED GREEN CHILLI : 2-3

GARLIC PASTE : 2 TBSP

GINGER PASTE : 1 TBSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1 TSP

CUMIN POWDER : 1 TSP

CORIANDER POWDER : 1 TSP

CINNAMON POWDER : 1/4 TSP

GREEN CARDAMOM POWDER : 1/4 TSP

CLOVES POWDER : 2 PINCHES

TURMERIC POWDER : 2 TSP

CUMIN SEED : A PINCH OR TWO

BAYLEAF : 1

CINNAMON STICK : 1/2 INCH LENGTH 2-3

GREEN CARDAMOM : 2-3

CLOVES : 2-3

SUGAR : 1 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2-3 TBSP

GHEE / CLARIFIED BUTTER : 1 TSP [OPTIONAL]

PROCEDURE :

Wash eggs gently, boil in enough water for 10-12 minutes adding a tsp of salt. Switch off gas stove. Let it cool.

Peel, cut each potato into 4 pieces, widthwise, then lengthwise. Wash, Marinate with salt, turmeric. 

Remove shell from eggs. Wash, make slits on body, apply turmeric, salt.

Heat oil in wok, lightly fry eggs, take out. Fry potatoes, take out.

Temper oil with cinnamon stick, green cardamom, clove, cumin seeds, bayleaf! Add the washed & sliced onions. Fry until brown.

Add ginger, garlic pastes. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes! Add the cumin+red chilli+coriander+turmeric powders, salt. Add 2 tbsp water and stir cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add fried potatoes, fold in well! Stir cook for 2-3 minutes, add 2 coffee mugs of water. Cover cook at low heat for 10-12 minutes.

Remove cover, add boiled, fried eggs, washed & slitted green chillies; cover cook for 5 minutes at low heat.

Remove cover, add cinnamon+cloves+green cardamom powder, sugar!  Stir, let cook for another 2-3 minutes, we are done!