MY STYLE GREEN PESTO MACARONI

 I didn't click stepwise pictures for this bowl of pleasure, I didn't have plan to blog about it. My readers know I don't enjoy usual pasta varieties unless it's aglio alio, I keep cooking my choice of pasta bowls that world may consider awkward, weird! I don't mind, individual taste matters. It was just a day last month, had good amount of green herbs in stock, proceeded with the recipe! I tasted spoonful, it clicked, then took 5-6 minutes clicking a few, I felt I must share the simple recipe with my loving readers!

It isn't my kind of day, raining harder now! If atmosphere isn't shiny, bright; it feels damp inside. Morning wasn't this clumsy, I had to do routine visit to GP! Carrying an umbrella walking gets difficult. I can take bus but walking is part of workout. GP, his team of sisters don't treat watching me in social media. It's big relief, thats happy place. I think they enjoy real games of cricket, football, water polo, Formula-1, etc. I speak against obesity, never see shadow, rebuke on my GP's face! He is one of cutest overweight persons I met. Either he didn't see me in social media, doesn't know I am food blogger[I never told], or he believes in real life interaction between me & him, my behaviour towards him & his team. 

I am scared now what to share here, Blogger is changing policy. I don't get clearly what it doesn't want in our blogposts, better I don't share what I eat outside, where I eat. I am not the kind to break rules. Those I would share in different social media handles. I fast on mornings I visit GP, fasting blood sugar is measured. If reading is good, I overeat thereafter; enjoyed Teh, Lo Mai Gai[kai?], steamed cake today! In the afternoon had upma, coffee. I can't have hot coffee with milk, sugar; get wind, acidity. Thereafter, kept having 1/4th of this sweet, 1/2 of that snack. Tomorrow again to set right my diet. I don't do right diet but measured diet.

Can you see the layers in Paratha / flatbread? Yesterday, got layers better! I make great instant idli, secret is to use more plain yogurt, less water! Of all rice meals, what do I love most? It's watered stale rice, fritters, salt, green chilli, onion! I want nothing else, can have 3-4 times a week. 

 

Yesterday, I was cooking, I enjoy! The baked snack needed be better, coconut sweet stole my heart, family recipe it is. Let me wish Saturday or Sunday morning with its recipe. I baked a cake too. 

Its 6 pm, I wish to wrap up, relax! Whats my plus point? Its missing a former colleague learning they left island, who I didn't interact with, met regular, even rarely. Feeling deeply for fellow humans is definitely my characteristic feature. I get angry easily, not with everyone but also with strangers. Then someday, I may cool down, may not, I don't erase memories I am keen about keeping within. Not necessarily I am right, or they have wronged me; its my habit of getting off, on every now & then. Better I keep cooking, gift recipes. I am happiest when I serve on your plates! 

Many of you would love MY STYLE GREEN PESTO MACARONI! Noodles we are having since early 80's, pasta I tasted first over a decade back. I prefer cooking pasta without cheese, at times sprinkle parmesan! This bowl is vegan, hence vegetarian. Not cheese, peanuts got creamy texture; my Thecha love was at work. It can be had as main dish or as snack anytime of day. You may skip 1-2 cloves of garlic but it would be compromise on taste.

INGREDIENTS :

MACARONI : 100-150 GM

FRESH CORIANDER : A BUNCH OR TWO

FRESH MINT : A BUNCH

BOILED BROCCOLI : 5-6 FLORETS

GREEN CHILLI : 2

GARLIC CLOVE : 2

SKIN OFF ROASTED PEANUT : A HANDFUL

LEMON JUICE : 2-3 TBSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/4 TSP

ITALIAN ALL PURPOSE HERB : 1/4 TSP

OIL : 1 TSP + 1 TBSP [I PREFER OLIVE OIL FOR ANY DIP]

PROCEDURE :

Boil pasta in enough boiling water adding little salt, 1 tsp oil. Drain water once al dente pouring into a strainer.

Wash fresh coriander, mint discarding root ends. 

Wash green chillies. Peel garlic cloves, wash. 

Blend together fresh herbs, boiled broccoli, roasted peanuts, salt, green chillies, lemon juice, oil! Try not to use water, let peanuts be little chunky.

Heat 1tbsp oil in pan, add pesto, stir for a minute. 

Add black pepper, Italian herb mix.

Add boiled macaroni, give it a good mix. Serve. You may enjoyed it cold too, as you wish!

CUSTARD POWDER RED VELVET CAKE

 Easier was my life when I didn't know details about Halloween! When festivals overlap, I face challenge as food blogger, what relevant recipe can I share for dear readers? I fear ghosts yet believe they won't harm. Halloween makes ghosts look friendly. If I share recipe on occasion of Halloween, thats because kids are associated with this event. About 10-12 years back, neighbourhood kids knocked our door, I got an idea about this event! Our weird son even though home wouldn't meet these kids, neither go celebrate with friends. Since then, I at least stock some chocolates, what if kids knock door? Their parents are innovative, how sincerely they do make up for kids. I was hopeless in this matter. Each occasion approached, I ran out of ideas about preparing son. His father enthusiastic in these matters, he had been sailing that time. Three of us spent only 10 years together!

I was interested taking out son, dine at different places, buy him Hot Wheels each outing. That he waited for entire week, I tried my best to be his father too. I learnt cooking wanting to pack his lunch box with homecooked food. In fact, I love cooking, till date I cook, other food blogger friends shifted interest to other areas. I keep writing recipes in blog, eat what I cook, eat out. If I don't do what I enjoy doing, I would stop living. I don't work, I need to remain fruitfully engaged!

How I am writing I don't know, its Sahir Ludhianvi numbers playing  on television! We read about real life account of Sahir Ludhwanvi, Amrita Pritam, Imroze's love triangle, we don't get bored. Its 10pm, Wednesday, 28th October, I am writing, want to share blogpost early hours tomorrow. I wish to go out somewhere tomorrow day time. Past one month I couldn't go out here & there, its festival time for us! I love going out to nowhere, sit, brood, eat, come back to resting place called home. My daily walks keep happening, else I would go crazy, health parameters would go frenzy.

Its morning, 6:40 am, 29th October, I am craving for those snacks or paratha or idli or poha or utthapam or warm bowl of soupy noodles with tea, coffee. Oolong tea is my favourite, few Twinnings variety, tea infusions. But I don't have food until I finish morning prayer after bit of exercise or swim, shower. Thereafter, I would sit with brunch, set music aloud. The rest remains busy at work! I want son to join latter group asap! Why tech industry had to get into crisis now, why our kid / kids are facing challenges in spite of holding good cvs is good enough reason for my disappointment. Yet, I continue doing what interests me, we must live well. I cook, write blog, listen to music, sing a bit too, do some random clicks.

I had been trying to bake decent cake since last Monday, baked fruity one with grape juice, banana, strawberry paste, etc. It looked beautiful, I felt it didn't fluff up well, texture is pudding like. Also, artificial fruit flavours I dislike, "fruit loops" is supposedly worst breakfast we serve kids. Our son too had but I didn't let him much. The day before I baked another, used oats that spoilt the colour of strawberry paste, didn't get fluffy either, got upset. Attempting vegan, gluten-free cakes is issue. Refined Flour, egg get best cakes. Yesterday, baked this CUSTARD POWDER RED VELVET CAKE, also vegan, gluten-free; vegetarian. I bought custard powder and red edible food colour; rice flour, banana, coconut powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, vanilla essence, gula melaka syrup, banana, frozen shredded coconut I keep. I don't buy expensive ingredients to cook recipes, Curry and Spice is budget friendly blog!

INGREDIENTS :

CUSTARD POWDER : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

RICE FLOUR : 1/2 COFFEE MUG

COFFEE POWDER : 2 TSP

BAKING POWDER : 1 TSP

BAKING SODA : 1/2 TSP

PSYLLIUM HUSK : 1 TBSP

SUGAR : 5 TBSP + 1 TBSP

GULA MELAKA SYRUP : 3 TBSP [SPECIFIC OF SOUTH EAST ASIA]

DESICCATED COCONUT : 1 TBSP

SHREDDED COCONUT : 2 TBSP

COCONUT MILK : 1/4 CUP

BANANA : 2 SMALL SIZED OR 1 BIG

RED EDIBLE FOOD COLOUR : 1/2 TSP

VANILLA ESSENCE : 1 TSP

OIL : 2 TBSP

PROCEDURE : 

Take custard powder, rice flour, baking powder, baking soda in bowl, whisk.

Add mashed banana, shredded coconut, mix well.

Take together coffee powder, coconut milk, red edible food colour sugar, oil, gula melaka, vanilla essence, beat. Add to flour mix. Give it a mix.

Add psyllium husk, beat well. I forgot to add it in first step, you better do that.

Cover, keep at rest for half an hour.

I used basic OTG to bake. I preheated oven for 15 minutes at 180*C.

Meanwhile grease cake tin with oil, dust with rice flour. 

Pour batter, tap on kitchen counter. 

Place inside oven. Bake at 180*C for 40 minutes. 

Temperature setting in every machine differs, baking time varies!

Once done, let it cool. Loosen sides with plastic knife, turn over onto a plate.

Powder together desiccated coconut & sugar, dust over cake at room temperature. Enjoy!

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!

EASY MADE KOFTA CURRY

Weather today is beautiful, so had been taste of vegetarian kofta curry I cooked on 20th September, 2026, at noon. The haze leaves us with an awkward feeling. It occurs regular. In this home, we ain't complaining type but adjusting, happy kinds. Food on table, good health, savings in bank gets peace. Pre 2020, I would complain, tell man had we stayed in Canada, America, Australia; we could have been in bigger homes, buy property, would get permanent stay visa easy if settled in Canada, Australia. Then came 2022, October, we visited son in Boston, I got to understand challenges of living in West, pleasure of"Cristine, get some water, pls"is dream. With few malls, food places around city centre, we got bored revisiting in 2024, April. Singapore is upgraded Kolkata, Mumbai, I mean better version of Indian metro cities. I really don't know about scenario in India's neighbours', they obviously don't have great public transport like India, Singapore's is great. My crazy American dream was always bypassed by man, once we visited got the reason. The quiet neighbourhoods got me depression. 

I am DUMDUM girl, who fits in Singapore. Man, also DUMDUM boy knows it, he would say,"life isn't your fantasy, I know you, regular household chores isn't for you who wants market at door step, neither I can help you with that, I hate doing clothes, utensils, cooking!" End of 2022, I realised Cristine is precious than big home, children don't play outdoors, men do not sit together for tea / coffee, women can't make quick changeover, run to market, as I did in DumDum. Mother would ask to get green chilli from "Bongar chashi" sitting near Lila cinema hall whilst her lentil would boil. The same mother today doesn't want to leave Barrackpore.

Post 2020, I started exploring Singapore, on foot, MRT, bus. Before that I remained busy upbringing son. These days, it feels safe without fearing assault in empty streets, pickpockets! Thats a gift. I don't know if natives dislike us, I rarely would get misbehaves, I chat with many! In present day, I feel close attachment to the place!

I ain't saying West is bad, one needs to go at young age, love driving, being alone, quiet neighbourhoods. How son is managing without car don't know. For him we couldn't hire car, visit Niagara, other places. He refused to go, my point was if we came to spend time with son, my happiness is in cooking, feeding him. I have it in genes, I enjoy doing it, It hurts if my efforts are ignored. We can order everything today, I can't quit what brings pleasure, I must pursue hobbies. I cook, write, sing, click, recite whenever willing, why to break head thinking this & that?

Thats my head, matter inside is less. If I am asked to think & act, I get irritated, confused, upset. I wasn't taking care of skin, in few months it has destroyed. My dark skin isn't an issue. Cristine is fair. Yesterday, we went shopping for raw stuffs, bought my hair colour too!

We had lunch at Saizeriya, my favourite. I don't have an issue if others don't take care of hair, skin. We should do what interests us. I believe in maintenance, don't use range of skin products. Powder, lipstick, eye kohl are must for me. I ain't jealous of Cristine's good skin. I have no time for pettiness, I am occupied with hobbies, I don't want to bother world! Let everyone do their part! A mere Pierre Cardin lip liner I bought yesterday is making me happy!

Since 2020, August, not a single day I bothered man for not buying me property, gold, diamond! He shouldered responsibility many do not in spite of having ability. He knows my mind, so could go ahead with it. Do you think my men admit? To praise me isn't in their plan! I repeat say these, son shouldn't misunderstand mumma. I prefer antique silver, Turkish alloy over gold jewelry. Around this time of year, I buy bit of gold, This year I didn't, I would once son gets us great news. Worry would go into ashes with me. He would get job, I would start fearing he may lose his job. Once he marries, next day fear of their separation would start bothering me. Some are built this way! We have to make peace with our characteristics, else unhappiness would rule us!

My daily happiness starts with choice of first meal. You know I cannot eat what I dislike. I get sick. My digestive system is ever deteriorating, major reason for my skin disorder! I wouldn't stop living, would keep buying clothes, lipsticks, eye kohl; to live is beautiful!

Morning I had tapioca upma, now had chapati, weekday night we have rice meals. All my meals are carb loaded. My readers already know I tried millet varieties to quinoa but I can't digest them if taken regular. Let me eat what we grew up having, but in moderation; control intake of salt, sugar, oil; health would be better! The thought of mushroom-broccoli omelette with four eggs for brunch gets me trauma. 

Paneer had been favourite of me & son, man prefers curry made with freshly curdled milk. I wanted son to take me to desi shop last May, so I could buy for him, cook; he didn't take me. I am not that smart to see map, visit city centre of an unknown city. Else, would I allow him to order online Bob Mill's flour, that too 2kg for 10 days, for two people? What he did with leftovers he knows, I didn't bring back anything except for "laccha shemai". I wish he learns basic cooking, household skills. Our mother spoon fed us. Until an age its required, thereafter parents need to help us learn. Well, my wishes do not commensurate with what is right to do. I am a mother, that too our mother's daughter, I wish we get to stay in this island, son too comes & make life here, he may stay in separate home with partner, so both parties enjoy freedom, respect boundaries; and all of us keep visiting India frequently. Man, I must have home in Kolkata, later son inherits that. But we don't know where life would take us!

Better I share with you one lovely vegetarian kofta dish. We had guest during that time. I use frozen paneer for starter, sandesh sweet making these days. Malai paneer I used to enjoy in restaurants back in India, also how Catering houses do there. But I dislike using cream, dry fruits pastes in food. We are Bengalis, that section who enjoy light curries. With guest at home, I planned quick lunch, not usual weekday Bengali food. I made grilled chicken, a vegetarian, gluten-free EASY MADE KOFTA CURRY. The kofta is made of paneer / kind of cottage cheese, potato, few spices! The gravy has onion, tomato, white sesame seeds, watermelon seeds, ginger extract, cumin, coriander, red chilli, green chilli, turmeric. Use Tofu instead of Paneer to make it gluten-free!

Few kofta recipes from blog are SOYA KOFTA CURRY, MUTTON KOFTA MALAI CURRY, RAW JACKFRUIT KOFTA CURRY

INGREDIENTS : [FOR KOFTA]

PANEER : 150-200 GM

BOILED POTATO : 1

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/4 TSP

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLI : 1 TSP

DRY MANGO POWDER : 1/2 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/4 TSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

SUGAR : 1/2 TSP

CUMIN SEED : A PINCH

OIL : 1 TSP + 2 TO FRY IN APPE PAN

INGREDIENTS : [FOR GRAVY]

THE COOKED KOFTA

ONION PASTE : 3 TBSP

TOMATO PASTE : 2 TBSP

GREEN CHILLI PASTE : 1TSP

RED CHILLI POWDER : 1/4 TSP

CUMIN POWDER : 1/2 TSP

CORIANDER POWDER : 1/2 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER : 1/4 TSP

GINGER EXTRACT : 2 TSO [JUICE I MEAN]

SALT : AS REQUIRED

SUGAR : 1 TSP

WATERMELON SEED : 1 TSP

WHITE SESAME SEED : 1 TSP

CUMIN SEED : A PINCH

BAYLEAF : 1

BUTTER : 1TSP

OIL : 1 TBSP

FRESH CORIANDER TO GARNISH

PROCEDURE :

I mashed together paneer & boiled potato discarding skin with hand.

I heated 1tsp oil in wok, tempered with cumin seeds, chopped, washed green chillies. Stirred for 1/2 a minute.

I added paneer-potato mash, turmeric, salt, dry mango powder, sugar, butter. Stir cooked for 3-4 minutes. 

I transferred mixture to plate, let it cool! Cristine made balls, we fried them in "appe pan" adding few drops of oil in each hole. 

NOTE : You may bake them or fry in wok, may require more oil!

For gravy, I pasted peeled, cut, washed, deseeded tomato, onion, green chilli, watermelon seeds, white sesame seeds together adding little water.

I tempered oil with cumin seeds, bay leaf; added paste, ginger extract! 

I stir cooked for 3-4 minutes, added cumin powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt, cooked for 2-3 minutes.

I added coffee mug of water, gave a stir, let it simmer for 6-7 minutes. I added sugar, you may not.

Add kofta in serving bowl, pour gravy over them! Garnish with washed, fresh coriander. Serve & enjoy with handmade bread, plain rice, pilaf, fried rice!

CHILLED ATA FRUIT PUDDING

A successful experiment ushers in happiness! A dessert with Aata phal / Custard Apple wasn't ever made in our Bengali household, we had it seasonally as fruit! Loving it, when I saw Custard Apple orchard inside Chittorgarh Fort touring Rajasthan in 1996, I felt overjoyed! Rajasthan isn't state we cover within 16 days, we have to visit multiple time, stay longer to unfold it's historical importance! That was my last tour with parents & brother, later I visited Jaipur with man, toddler son, friend's family in 2005 or 2006, don't remember! I remember of beautiful memories created together, frequency increased since son left home in 2020! I cooked dessert today, I cannot serve him, how beautiful it was to watch father-son having what I cooked, served. Cristine too did lot for our son, she is our mental support in an empty nest! Then, I am not the only one to suffer from empty nest syndrome!

During festive season, I get busy writing recipes. Anyone tries them in their kitchens or not I enjoy sharing festive friendly recipes this time of year! Cooking is fruitful activity for me! With excitement of sharing untimely recipe, I started writing last evening. I can't skip my weekday exercise routine, its directly related to my health! If aware since youth, I wouldn't be taking four medicines, supplements! Last night, also got busy making "Missi Roti", ran out of coriander leaves, dried fenugreek leaves, didn't use ghee either!

I prefer sattu [roasted gram flour] over besan [unroasted gram flour], in those days our kind of middle class Bengali homes stocked both! Our mother used soaked rice paste for batter fries instead of gram flour. But you cannot do potato [aloor chop], eggplant [beguni] batter fries with rice paste, gram flour is must. We didn't know use of corn flour, she perhaps doesn't buy in present day; I use lot! She would cook Bengali, handmade breads, curries like Dhaba, jam-jelly, Bengali pickles! Our parents loved Dhaba food while on tour. Once in college, I would take our mother to Southern Indian eateries which only knew about dosa, idli, utthapam. After relocating to Singapore, I have learnt more about their cuisine.

I must cook Family style Bengali Food on Saturdays but I have learnt about world food starting to blog about food. I enjoy experimenting with ingredients! Last Saturday, cooked vegetables, locally got choice of Bhola Mach, cheaper variety of sea bass [croaker family], extremely fond of it. I ain't fond of sea bass, only it's boneless version! I cooked chicken too, eggs can be had anytime!

These days, I cook less desserts, sweets. However, I get cravings every few days for few varieties. I started loving local desserts. I try making dairy-free versions! Today's is one such! 

Chilled watermelon, choice chilled fruits can be my dessert bowl these days. Too much of fruits too a diabetic isn't allowed to have. I prepared this vegan, gluten-free dessert, CHILLED ATA FRUIT PUDDING, it would not only serve those fasting for Navratri, but my community during Durgapuja, Xmas, Kali puja / Diwali, Muslims! This light on stomach vegetarian dessert bowl can be your weekly pleasure. Made with pulp of custard apple, coconut milk, desiccated coconut, sugar, rose water to flavour, pomegranate to garnish, its sooth in your mouth, food pipe, to stomach! Come, let's do it! Life would get us challenges at every turn, we would face bravely, win for sure. I don't have courage to face, I bypass, just this way, indulging in my hobbies! I overcame absurdity inside my head earlier, I would in future, just a matter of time. 

INGREDIENTS : 

CUSTARD APPLE PULP : OF ONE BIG SIZED

COCONUT MILK : 150-200 ML

DESICCATED COCONUT : 2 TBSP

SUGAR : 4 TBSP

ROSE WATER : 1/2 TSP

PROCEDURE :

I prefer using coconut powder to make coconut milk, you may go your way.

Boil thick coconut milk at low flame not more than 5 minutes.

Scoop pulp from washed Custard Apple, discard seeds!

Dry roast desiccated coconut at minimal flame for 3-4 minutes, let cool.

Powder it along with sugar! Add fruit pulp, blend well.

Transfer to bowl, cook in microwave at minimal temperature for 4-5 minutes. Pause every minute, stir!

Once both are cool, beat together well, add rose water, stir!

Chill for few hours in refrigerator. Garnish with pomegranate, serve, have!