TASTY HEALTHY SNACK

 EARLIER I DECIDED NOT TO WRITE A BLOGPOST TODAY!

I changed mind today mid-morning. My actions depend upon my mood and situation. I had to use some leftover raw vegetables, a good recipe idea with them popped up, also had the willingness to share the recipe with my readers. Though starting late, I can have the satisfaction at the end that I listened to my heart. Until your heart asks you to be unfair to others, listen to it. I was out since noon to the afternoon, roaming locally from the market to the mall, buying this and that. It keeps me calm, also the walk. Keeping your mind occupied with something constructive is necessary. With a support like Cristine, I can venture out anytime. But you have to hold your anger because she would only inform you about the things required at home when the bottles are totally empty, be it a dishwashing liquid or detergent or room freshener. As you all know, when she is around, I am lost in my own world.

SIMPLE BUYS & MEALS MAKE ME HAPPY!

I truly mean it. If I calculate too much, I feel unhappy. If I spend too much, I get tensed as I always advocate the need of savings in life. I do talk about my beliefs to the son but in my own style because our unique son keeps to himself. That is the reason why his mamujan gets supremely happy when he talks unlimited, be it about a project. Mumma keeps asking if he has talked to B Aunty, Dimma, Dadu, Thamma, Piya & Her's. Mumma keeps telling this is his family, he needs to be in touch with them regular. Mumma is in a hurry to tell him many things, she doesn't know why. Mumma is unable to decide what feeling is stronger in her; the pain & worry of living far from him or the happiness to see him enjoying his academics at this time. Yes, his father and I like it that he enjoys the American higher education pattern. Trying to be positive, mumma buys a Nivea body spray, a Himalayan pain relief balm, this and that.

I am not curtailing my daughter-in-law's expectations exhibiting these general brands. Strong odours are not for me, I stick to certain brands. I have no fascination for expensive brands. I don't crave for things others have. I would be happy if the daughter-in-law does not turn out to be a spendthrift, I live to see that or do not. She has to take the baton from me, nurture this family with care, value the hard-earned money of her's, her husband's. Meanwhile, like my predecessors I happily engage in the kitchen; cook a spicy lentil soup for the man & myself on a Sunday night. I enjoyed it with chapati, the man with butter toasts.

On some days, I eat some roasted nuts, my body does not require the oil, fat from the nuts regular. They are good but not for everyone. Never knew my system would get such weak this early.

WHAT IS TASTY HEALTHY SNACK?

I had little of cut bell peppers left in the refrigerator, I had to use them in order to avoid wastage. Throwing away vegetables bought at a price is wrong, I witnessed such wrong practices in certain homes. At first, I thought of an Oriental stir fry but did not wish to have noodles or rice in the afternoon. I had two biscuits with tea in the morning, a small bowl of "Aam-Muri" in the mid-morning. Hence, a plate of vegan, gluten-free, oven-cooked TASTY HEALTHY SNACK in the afternoon was just perfect. This easy, quick,  vegetarian delight using minimal oil made me feel guilt-free, content.

I kept one for Cristine, one for the "papor" eater man and had four, suited my tastebuds.

Few other snacks recipe from the Blog are DHUKI PITHA-IN AN URBAN HOME, FRESH CORIANDER APPE, DRIED METHI FLAVOURED MADAN KOTKOTI, DALDAR LUCHI.

INGREDIENTS :

GREEN BELL PEPPER : 1/2 OF ONE

RED BELL PEPPER : 1/2 OF ONE

CARROT : 1 SMALL SIZED

ONION : 1 STANDARD SIZED

GREEN CHILLI : 1

FRESH CORIANDER : A SPRIG

OATS : 3 TBSP

CORNFLOUR : 2 TBSP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2 TSP

PROCEDURE :

Peel the carrot, onion; cut into smaller cubes. Discard the root end of the coriander sprig. Wash them.

Discard the stem ends, seeds of the bell peppers, cut small and wash. 

Wash the green chilli, discard the stem end.

Take all of them in a hand mincer, mince well, transfer to a bowl.

Add the oats, cornflour, oil, salt, crushed black pepper to the bowl, mix well.

Grease an oven proof plate with a bit of oil; shape the patties as you want and place on the plate.

Mine is a convection mode microwave oven. I placed the low height stool inside, atop it the plate.

I cooked 12 minutes one side using the grill+microwave [combo-2] mode. I turned over, cooked the other side for another 10 minutes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the crisp snacks / appetisers.

It took about 40-45 minutes from start to finish.

ALOO OATS CORIANDER TIKKI

A CHOICE OF SNACKS MAKES ME HAPPY!

I feel happier when food tastes better than expected. We have Bengali's Shyama Puja, Hindus' Diwali celebrations on 31st October, Halloween    is celebrated on the 31st of October. This is pretty challenging, which recipe to share? Bengalis would prefer hotchpotch with vegetables, puffed bread with halwa or mutton curry with pilaf. Diwali observants wouldn't even touch garlic, onion. I could have shared a sweet recipe that would perfectly suit the South Asians, then how can I ignore the Halloween observants? Our boy has affinity for skulls, skeletons ever since tween hood. I don't know why. Ghosts are usually friendly towards me, my family though I am extremely scared of them. We like some specific sweets, do not want them regular on our plate. We are aging, also tastebuds don't remain the same always. Then what to cook and share? Let us come to it later!

LOVING MEALS ARE SIMPLE IN OUR LIVES!

I cannot cook just for the blog share anymore, we must be able to eat what I cook. I dislike wastage of food, I do intermittent fasting, the man & Cristine eat minimal, the son left home few years back. Hence, I need to be tactical while planning and executing a recipe. I can't eat something I don't enjoy. Snacks I love, more ever since I have learnt to use minimal oil. Learn to cook your pakora using minimal oil, eat with less of guilt. 

However less I cook, there are leftovers. I have to manage them well, right? I made two small parathas from a leftover dough, served them with egg curry to the man. A snack added completed the meal plate, we cannot have a bird's diet, please. I had my meal with leftover rice. Last Saturday, I cooked my choice of dishes, my tummy is satiated. I am extremely occupied. Just now, had some electrical works done, I have to clean the dusty rooms now. It is Dipaboli after all, no corner of your homes should remain dark, mind it.

WHAT IS ALOO OATS CORIANDER TIKKI?

Now you all know I had little of paratha dough, little of cooked rice, lot of cooked food on a Sunday morning, a Kalipujo cum Diwali cum Halloween friendly recipe to share with my readers on Monday. What to share became a big question. I was sure it wouldn't be a sweet, we still have narus I made on Lakshmi Puja. Aloo is a love we have at home all the time, how harmful it is depends upon the amount of it's consumption, do not overeat anything, not only potato. I stock oats at home for these purposes, to use as an ingredient for snacks and sweets. I like overnight oats but I do not have breakfasts. This vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian snacks, starter ALOO OATS CORIANDER TIKKI tasted great. It was cooking without any effort, you give it to me everyday, I would have with my tea or coffee. I used only few spices, confidently can challenge Japanese potato croquettes, such bland the latter is. If you deep fry them, they would get a nice even brown finish, I preferred to go healthy.

Few Oats recipes from the blog are EASYMADE FRAGRANT SWEET, BANANA ORANGE OATS CAKE, OATS MATAR GREEN KEBAB.

INGREDIENTS :

POTATO : 2-3

OATS : 3-4 TBSP

CHOPPED CORIANDER : 3-4 TBSP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1/2 TSP

RED CHILLI FLAKES : 1/4 TSP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/4 TSP

TANDOORI MASALA : 1/2 TSP

LEMON JUICE : 1 TBSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

CHOPPED DRY FRUITS OF CHOICE : 1 TBSP [I USED RAISIN & WALNUT]

OIL : 1 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Check the stepwise photos column wise!

I peeled the potatoes, cut each into 4 pieces, washed them. I took the potato pieces in a saucepan, added enough water and microwave cooked at low heat until they are boiled well.

I let the potatoes cool. I drained the water and mashed the potatoes. I added all of the ingredients except the oats to the boiled and mashed potatoes. I washed the chopped green chillies, fresh coriander leaves before adding.

I mashed well, added the oats. I folded in well, shaped as I wished.

I greased an oven proof plate with oil, placed the kebabs on it. Mine is a convection mode microwave oven. I placed the low height wired stool inside, atop it the oven proof plate.

I used the combination cooking method, grill+microwave; cooked one side for 15 minutes, the other side for 10 minutes. 

Serve and have them immediately with your choice of condiment.

KULAMBU SPICED OVEN COOKED FULKOPI

 I AM UNWELL SINCE THE MORNING!

I woke up with a blocked forehead and pain. I thought  my blood pressure may have gone up or down. Jokingly, I told the man, "if there is a sudden heart failure, you and the son would stay together, not far from each other." Though anyone can go through a heart failure any time, we have to stay healthy. Though I have lost weight, I am an overweight, I dislike heavy workouts. It is scary how my brother, his wife, some friends allow themselves to put on weight. I keep warning Bhai & son. Later in the day, my nose got blocked, I kept sneezing. I understood I have caught cold. Both of us feel that we had covid flu, may be it had low impact because of the vaccines and the boosters we have taken. Earlier Bengali Kids were fed mutton leg soup to strengthen immunity. The mother fed us regular. The man says Covid happened, we did not understand. On Lakshmi Puja day, I felt dehydrated in the evening. I was thirsty, had chilled water. Perhaps that is the reason I am unwell. We are managing our home well but we do not want to, we are used to a luxury called Cristine. I complain about the son not calling us enough, now can feel it is difficult to do all by himself after being pampered by mumma & Cristine didi until age 18. He had the courage to say goodbye to the safe, secured mumma's lap, step into an unknown land alone. Yet, I told him to set aside 1-2 hours every day for home cleaning. Even if I have fever tomorrow, I have to keep my home clean, I cannot sleep in a messy home. 

UNWELL, I DID SET A SIMPLE LUNCH BOX!

I prefer packing the lunch box. On the Lakshmi Puja day, I asked him to eat out. Yet, it took long hours to finish the puja. Separating the husk from the Khoi / popped rice, dressing and frying five varieties of vegetables take time. Kolkata sells de-husked one too at a higher price, I do get that. Feeling unwell, I made the quickest sandwich for the man, boiled potato in microwave, peeled mashed with butter, salt, black pepper powder, placed atop a bread slice with cheese.

In a hurry, I forgot to discard the bread edges. I make them eat food without much of wastage. Certain middle class values should be imbibed within us forever. Okay, licking fingers after meals is bad manners, I am helpless, I end my meals with a clean plate, lick my fingers. I made semolina toast for myself, I thought I clicked, now cannot find.

WHAT IS KULAMBU SPICED OVEN COOKED FULKOPI?

I was to share a Bengali tiny fish recipe of choice today. Something did not feel right about it. I had a cauliflower / fulkopi / gobi resting in the refrigerator, I forgot to bake it for the visiting friend last Saturday. I did a marination mainly with Kulambu Spice Mix, cooked this vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian appetiser, side dish using the microwave+grill option. I named it KULAMBU SPICED OVEN COOKED FULKOPI. It is time consuming but uses less of oil. We can call it healthy. I started to write late today, let me wrap up quickly. It is not a compulsion, I enjoy writing a blogpost in this era of "reels". I lack technical knowhow, also got busy watching son's activities in social media. Of course I am proud about the good things he is doing, it is natural.

Few other cauliflower recipes from the blog are; FULKOPIR DATA PATA DIYE SHUTKI, DIM FULKOPI CURRY, FULKOPI ALOO DIYE KOI MACH ER JHOL. 

INGREDIENTS :

CAULIFLOWER FLORET : OF ONE STANDARD SIZED

KULAMBU SPICE MIX : 1 TSP

CUMIN POWDER : 1/2 TSP

CORIANDER POWDER : 1/2 TSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1/4 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/2 TSP

LEMON JUICE : 2 TBSP +1 TBSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

SUGAR : 1/2 TSP [YOU MAY SKIP]

CORNFLOUR : 1 TBSP

OIL : 2 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Wash and soak the florets in hot water for half an hour. Drain the water.

Marinate with the spices, cornflower, salt, sugar, 2tbsp oil, keep at rest for an hour.

Grease a grill plate with few drops of oil, place the marinated cauliflower florets on it.

Mine is a convection mode microwave oven. I placed the low height wired stool inside the oven, place the grill plate on it.Close the door. 

I cooked at microwave+grill option for 20 minutes one side. Turned the cauliflower florets thereafter, cooked for 10 minutes.

Take out and have immediately if you are eating it as a starter, appetiser. I had to refrigerate. We would have it tomorrow with hand rolled bread. I can get you more of recipes if I am alive, it got pretty hot, but Kulambu mix is a wonder spice blend.

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.

EASY ORANGE SPREAD

THAT CHILDHOOD LOVE CONTINUES!

Our tastebuds keep changing, my love for homemade jam, jelly, spread however continues. Eons back our mother made jam and jelly, also a bottle of Kissan's mixed fruit jam was stocked. We would spread it atop Cream Cracker, Mary Biscuits, no other biscuits were allowed. Later, Priya's butter biscuits, Good Day, Biskfarm's, Parle-G were allowed. I used to eat countless biscuits, today I don't fancy them. I want sugary toast biscuits I am not allowed to, better I quit. On this day, I prefer having organic jam I make at home, that amount of sugary stuff I allow myself once a week. I regret not making them often when the son was in school. He mostly had store bought jam, spread. I have mentioned earlier his earliest lunch box had luchi-jam roll, idli, Luchi-aloo bhaja. The man used to carry bread-butter or bread-jam in his lunch box while in school, had boiled eggs, fruits too. He doesn't want fruits, jam in the present day, love eggs. The son shifted his allegiance to cheese may be, neither my brother enjoys jam anymore. Till date I love jam, preserve, spread, jelly. I knew their difference but forgot.

BREAD-JAM-BUTTER SEEMS LIKE A DESSERT!

It seems to me a dessert ever since I was diagnosed with diabetes and desserts got restricted in my life. At home I stock jam and butter, I wish I could add whipping cream too. I do not keep fearing a spike in the blood sugar level. Cream Cakes I avoid having regular, similar to it is bread with butter and jam, I allow myself though not regular. I wish I could have "Bun Maska & Chai" every day. I can't digest milk tea but like. I mentioned earlier it is in 1997 December at Toshali Sands, Puri the man asked me to have the bread toast together with butter and jam, till date I enjoy it. He told he had seen American's eat like this, I see it is similar to Parsi "Bun Maska".

WHAT IS EASY ORANGE SPREAD?

I did not follow rules and regulations of making a spread or jam while doing a vegan, gluten-free condiment EASY ORANGE SPREAD. But it is organic made with fresh juicy oranges; Mandarin or Clementine I could not distinguish. They turned out to be sour. I was surprised, they are sweet in general. I cannot have sour fruits, made the easiest spread  using them. They were seedless, I did not even take out the skin. Some variety of citrus fruits' skins do not taste bitter. I tasted the skin, felt little of bitter tone would balance the sweetness of the spread.

I fear to add generous amount of butter, jam on toasts, I am a diabetic. Your kids would love generous servings. The stepwise pictures below would encourage you to make a fresh orange spread in less time. I was at the Far East Plaza today and enjoyed a Korean meal.

INGREDIENTS :

ANY ORANGE VARIETY : 5-6 [PREFERABLY SEEDLESS]

SUGAR : 6-7 TBSP

LEMON JUICE : 3-4 TBSP

ORANGE ESSENCE : 2-3 DROPS [I DID NOT USE, DO NOT LIKE ARTIFICIAL FLAVOURS]

PROCEDURE :

I cut the small sized oranges each into four pieces. I did not discard the skin. Only kept aside a little bit to add later.

I blended the cut oranges with skin into a paste. They were seedless.

I strained the fresh orange pulp, I was left with a bowl of fresh  juice.

I transferred it to a vessel with the sugar, put for boil on the gas oven.

It got simmered at minimal heat for 10-12 minutes. 

I added the lemon juice and the washed orange skin cut into strips.

It got simmered until thick and sticky.

Once cool, it is to be transferred to a sterilised jar. I always refrigerate.

RICE VERMICELLI VEGETABLES NOODLE

AFTER A LONG TIME, I GOT LATE STARTING TO WRITE A BLOGPOST!

Many of my readers know the reason, Cristine is in Philippines. It got preponed because her father expired suddenly. She was scheduled to go in the first week of November post our festivities. I am in a mess at this time. Questions like who to help me arrange the puja thali, who to shape the betel leaves with betel nuts for Bijoya Dashami when we would be out on the Nabami Night, who would accompany me to the market before the Lakshmi Pooja, are turning me mad. The situation is such we cannot stop her, that is unethical. Two days post her departure, I am finding out dust and grim from the corners. Today, I bathed the main dustbin. I cannot tolerate stains and smell even in the dustbins.

I told her many times to be cautious about these because her ma'am is a cleanliness freak. She listens, does for few weeks, then stops. She is interested talking about bitcoin, buying property in Philippines. She holds a diploma in Computer Science, takes interest in many matters. She has become part of this home. I shout, at times she  retaliates, we forget too, she massages my frozen shoulders using a medicated oil she purchased with her hard-earned money. All of this is possible because she is a good human being living with us for over ten years. Both side of our family say she is good. She took good care of our son, the man would advice her about savings, about buying farm lands.

EVER SINCE THE SON LEFT HOME, CRISTINE IS LIKE A COMPANY!

Else the middle-aged couple feel lonely. We stay worried about him, he does not communicate. We try utmost to make him behave normal like the majority, he would do what he wants when. At least, I can talk to Cristine. She understands our requirements but her father expired. Every two years she would visit Philippines, it takes me few days to get used to a routine. Except for cooking, I do nothing when she is here. My expectations of cleanliness is higher, difficult for someone to satisfy me.

Above is the apple cake I baked last week, I picked up that cornflakes mixture from the Mustafa Centre, the only snacks from the "chanachur family" I like once in a while. Today, I was out locally to buy a dustbin  for the master bedroom, this and that. A heavily discounted wok at the Isetan caught my fancy. I am not the kind to shop at Isetan, things are pricey there, high quality too. I don't buy pricey stuffs, have no regrets. I have seen they keep giving discounts, I visit often, buy what I fancy. Doing all these, I got late.

WHAT IS RICE VERMICELLI VEGETABLES NOODLE?

I wished to blog about a vegan, gluten-free noodle bowl some day. The vermicelli variety we eat is different. Our island sells noodles made with rice, wheat-flour, sago, cassava. I cannot keep up with variety of noodles, sauces. My kitchen is devoid of excesses. I usually stock egg or plain wheat-flour noodles, at times handmade noodles. Early September, I have cooked rice vermicelli noodles with beans, carrot, onion, garlic, bell peppers. The RICE VERMICELLI VEGETABLES NOODLE snacks is vegan and gluten-free. 

Few other noodle recipes from the blog are PRAWN & CHICKEN NOODLES, NO ONION NO GARLIC NOODLES, FRESH HERBS NOODLES, CHICKEN SNOW PEA NOODLES .

  INGREDIENTS :

RICE VERMICELLI : 200-250 GM

RED BELL PEPPER : 1/2 OF ONE

GREEN BELL PEPPER : 1/2 OF ONE

GREEN BEAN : 5-6

ONION : 1 

MINCED GARLIC : 1 TSP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1 TSP

CHILLI VINEGAR : 2 TBSP

LIGHT SOY SAUCE : 1 TBSP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/2 TSP  

SALT : AS REQUIRED

OIL : 2-3 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

Soak the noodles in hot water. Add little salt, few drops of oil to the hot water. Soak the rice vermicelli in that water for 3-4 minutes.

Drain the water, apply little oil to the cooked noodles, mix. 

Peel, wash, cube the onion.  Peel, wash, cut the carrot length wise, also the washed bell peppers.

Heat oil in wok and temper with the minced garlic. Add the vegetables except the cubed onion, chopped chillies. Stir at medium heat adding salt.

Add the onion and chillies once the rest are cooked, add the chilli vinegar, soy sauce and stir for 2-3 minutes.

Add the noodles, crushed black pepper, adjust salt if required. Use two ladles to mix at high heat. [I forgot to click the last step].

BARNYARD MILLET FRIED RICE

 BETWEEN LETHARGY AND WILL POWER, WHO WINS?

Lethargy tries to rule my life, I shove it away. I have seen the disastrous effects of letting lethargy take the prime position within. You allow it, you would find out hundreds of excuses to let it take over you. It destroys the purpose of living. I am lazy since birth, hence I have the scare about becoming inactive any day. People like me love to lie down on the couch, read or watch something or just brood. I don't allow myself that. I go out for walks, swim,  visit malls even if my body craves for the couch. I could not become independent, I should not at least give in to lethargy. I doubt if at all I wanted to earn. At least, I regret not working but the family veteran ladies and gentlemen do not even had / have the mindset that women should step out, make an independent life. A mere degree does not make us enlightened, we have to heighten the level of our thinking. Families like mine have to think big for their girl child, then only the society can develop. My daughter-in-law would be a woman of substance.

I COOK AND EAT TO HIDE MY MISTAKES!

May be also to spend quality time, I do engage fruitfully. If I go out everyday to explore this island, I would end up spending beyond the budget. I love to stay indoors, read  or watch. Because I am occupied with updating my blog, my primary hobbies took a backseat. Once I am done with the first round of updating the blog, I would get back to reading and watching. It is true I work on a budget but it is not the reason why I do not go for coffee sessions or restaurant hoping with my friends. I do not go because I do not enjoy, I prefer family meet ups or may go out once in a while with a friend or two, I prefer calling them home or visiting their homes. Kitty Parties I would never join, nor regret; I do not understand what to talk or do in such gatherings, I visit homes to eat the food on display. A plateful of choice food, vodka or Bloody Mary or Martini and a quiet corner I do look for at intervals but that does not happen much. As a couple, we do enjoy each other's company on weekends, watch a thriller, wait for our next trip to the son, wait to talk to him, also look forward to our Kolkata trips. Our lunch yesterday was a rice meal and the dinner was luchi with Masala Okra.

In between, I had Chiku fruit, Mango cake; I do not click everything that I eat these days. Life got less eventful, though not bothered. The moment boredom sets in, I sit in an eatery, go for massage, nail and face treatments. I prepared the luchi dough without semolina, they did not remain fluffy enough. I did not like it that they browned.

WHAT IS BARNYARD MILLET FRIED RICE?

For long I had the plan to prepare something other than   SAMA CHALER KHICHURI / Barnyard Millet HothchPotch. I love Sama Chal-Dal Khichuri the most but you cannot repeat share same recipes. I kept thinking about cooking it in a similar manner like a CHIRER POLAO [BEATEN RICE PILAF]. Today, I prepared this BARNYARD MILLET FRIED RICE to have as first meal of the day. When I discovered millet varieties at the Mustafa Centre, I was awestruck. I never knew about them whilst my stay in Kolkata. My family ate only Barnyard Millet. The mother ate it on the days she fasted. I kept bringing each variety in turns, I was getting wind and constipation, also read somewhere one with thyroid gland anomaly should not have millets regular. I stopped getting them, only stock this Barnyard Millet / Shama Chal / Samo Rice, eat at times. To keep it both vegan & gluten-free, I have not cooked it in ghee, that is a compromise with the flavour. I tried to compensate using good amount of whole garam masalas.

I had a bowlful with coconut-fresh coriander-green chilli chutney.

INGREDIENTS :

BARNYARD MILLET / SHAMA CHAL / SAMO RICE : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

CHOPPED CARROT : 1/4 SMALL TEA CUP

CHOPPED GREEN BEAN : 1/4 SMALL TEA CUP

GREEN PEA : 2 TBSP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 2 TSP

CASHEW NUT : 5-6 [HALVED]

RAISIN : 7-8

CINNAMON STICK : 3-4 ONE INCH LENGTH

GREEN CARDAMOM : 3-4

CLOVE : 3-4

BAY LEAF : 2-3

SALT : AS REQUIRED

SUGAR : 1 TBSP

OIL : 2 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

We would take the seeds in a vessel, wash 2-3 times, add water and put for boil. Do not soak.

Once the water starts boiling, add a teaspoon of oil, this would prevent the samo rice from breaking. Yet we have to stand in front of the gas stove, immediately pass the seeds through a strainer once cooked.

We would wash all of the vegetables, soak the raisins in water for 1/2 an hour.

 We would heat the oil in a wok, temper it with the bayleaves, cloves, green cardamoms, cinnamon sticks.

We would stir, add the washed vegetables, cashew nuts, salt.

We would stir fry the vegetables 3-4 minutes at minimal heat, add the raisins discarding the water.

We would add the cooked Barnyard Millets, salt, sugar, fold in well.

We would stir cook at medium heat for 3-4 minutes, take down and serve hot.