Memories are myopic? Are they?? Well i don’t completely agree to this belief,since i am amongst those who dwell in beautiful past.I hate to look at reprehensible stuff around me,but unfortunately i am always forced to throw myself in pits of gloom,corruption,political vested interests and rising prices and declining bank balances.Pity ,i can’t turn my eyes off the budging ugly head of terrorism and hatred but i wish i was allowed to be self occupied ,innocent,energetic and bubbly kid forever and ever and ever!
Well, i donot wear wishbones where my backbone out to be,i am as practical as a person is supposed to be,but still there are moments when i simply loathe growing up , coz no longer i enjoy the simple blisses of life as i did when life was all about toys and plays,friends and laughter,school and homeworks, Chuppa chuppi and chor police …two most fav. games of India’s EX-Kids….yes today’s generation is just not interested in such OUTDATED outdoor GAMES,when they have fancy gizmos to fiddle around for their amusements
Sincerely ,how many of you remember chasing your friends behind the nook and corners of houses to do a THAPI(patting the wall to declare out),or during blind buff.How many of you still cherish the memories of climbing the trees of neighbours to pluck the mangoes or guavas?Despite  a load of fruits being omnipresent at your home courtesy to your father ,doesn’t those secretly PLUCKED mangoes tasted much sweeter??
How many of you hid the bruised knee or elbows from your parents ,so that they don’t come to know about your adventure of climbing to a roof to get back that shuttlecock which almost always landed to the neighbour’s roof?
Is anyone still nostalgic about the so called DOLL’s wedding,a trip to a neighbouring park with friends,breaking glass window panes with your cricket balls,or that triumphant shout when you got hold of that kite at some higher branch of tree,the non ending talks with your friends at a terrace ,sharing your innermost joys and woes?The Group studies,the nights that were spend awake studying at some friend’s place with many rounds of milk ,tea  and snacks by the lovely aunts.The freaking feeling of going dud in exams ,or the most peaceful feeling in the world when you handed the last exam answer paper to your teacher?
The celebration of clearing exams ,at some roadside restaurant with menu of DOsa,pavbhaji or even Vadapav,when you were surviving on shoestring budget.The shrieks(of joy) of friends in hostel when you carried some home made Gaajar ka halwa or Ladoos,which your mother packed for them,so that the poor things do not miss their family on festivals.Those silly fears,ridiculous fights,melodramatic patch ups,all in all a great life !
Sigh,i still long for those days? Do you??
My mind was flooded with nostalgic memories ,since i made this Prasad rice and Bhee patata(lotus stem and potato curry)The reason?? Well because of two reasons….one that this preparation is generally distributed at Langars and they taste awesome, and secondly this lunch enjoyed the numero Uno position during marriage ceremonies in Sindhis,few decades back,when there was no trend of Buffet Lunch or Dinner as such.The marriage ceremony was held in simple way,with just biscuits and Sherbets or tea.But yes, Relatives and neighbours were included into the joyous atmosphere by sharing this Bheepatata and Degh Waara chaanwara.Huge(and i mean HUGE) Iron or aluminum pots or containers  were kept outside on logs of wood,or coal(sighri) or stove,and a generous quantity of rice and curry was cooked on it . It was called DEGH.The same was then distributed in the family,relatives and neighbors to share the joy of marriage.

So let me share, how i made this most wonderful Sindhi curry and rice combination.The above thali consists of Degh waara Chaanwara(spiced rice),Bheepatata (lotus stem and potato curry),Gulabjamuns, Roti(flatbread),Sindhi Papad,Ghogroon ji khatain(Turnip pickle), and KABABS(crispies made from rice flour)

For Rice:

Ingredients:

• 2 cup basmati rice or any brand that you generally use(i didn’t used basmati)
• 1tiny (1″) piece of cinnamon
• 2 tsp of oil(less will do)
• 2 cloves
• 1 whole black cardamom(vado photo or black elaichi)
• 2 -3 blackpeppers(whole)
• 1 Bayleaf (tejpatta)
• Approximately 4 and half cups of water(you may need more or less depending upon the type of rice and its quality)
• Few drops of orange food colour(optional)
• Salt as per taste

• Pick and rinse rice few times with water ,till water runs clear
• Let the rice soak in water for about half hour(or 15 minutes if using Basmati)
• In a heavy bottom pan,Add 2 tspn of oil,and put all the whole spices and stir fry for few seconds
• Add rice and salt and mix gently
• Add water(almost double the quantity of rice) and few drops of orange colour(optional).Mix well,allow it to boil and then simmer.Cover it with lid,and gently mix it for one or two times after some time(2 minutes or so)
• Cook till rice grains are cooked from the core,and all water is evaporated
• Serve hot with Bhee patata curry

For Bhee patata(lotus stem and potato curry)

Ingredients:

• 2 Potatoes -Do not peel the skin.Just clean the surface thoroughly and if needed soak whole potatoes in warm water for few minutes and then gently scrap any mud residues).You can go ahead and peel it too if the skin is not clean enough
• Lotus stem(roots) or Bhee.Here again thoroughly wash the stem and get rid of the mud.The pores of stem ,if still muddy,could be cleaned with tooth picks,or again soak them in warm water and hold them under running tap for few seconds to wash away any residual mud. Depending upon the size and thickness ,you might need about 8-10 ,1″ thick  pieces of bhee.And don’t forget to slice them slantly
• 1  Onion (medium sized)
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 small brinjal (use half  brinjal if it is big sized)
• Shelled green peas,a handful
• Ginger about 1″
• Green chillies 2-3 depending upon your taste
• 1 /4 tspn Garam Masala
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Dhania Powder
• 1/2 tsp Jeera powder
• Salt to Taste
• 2-4  tspn Oil
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

• Clean and cut bhee into slanting slices and pressure cook them with some salt and water till 2 whistles are heard(If the bhee quality is really good,it will be soft in just one whistle,so be aware).
• Remove the bhee from cooker and place aside.Clean the potaotes and cut them into large chunks.Wash and add salt and keep it aside for few minutes,taking care not to let them blacken(soak them in water in case they start turning black and you still are not ready to put them into curry)
• In same pressure cooker,add 2 -4 tspn of oil(depending upon your health consciousness),and saute chopped onions
• When onions turn pinkish,add chopped brinjal(with skin) and saute it till the mixture is brown in colour
• Add chopped tomatoes,salt ,chopped green chillies,ginger and all dry masalas
• Stir fry it for some more time and add potatoes and bhee and mix them very well.Add few spoons of water if the mixture is too dry
• Fry them for atleast 2 minutes(keep adding some water if mixture sticks to the bottom of cooker) and then add water(above the surface of bhee and potato mixture) and shelled peas
• Close the lid of cooker and wait for one whistle.Put the gas on sim for a minute or so and then put off the gas
• Check for the seasoning and consistency of gravy and adjust according to your taste
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and enjoy it with piping hot rice

People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, whereas they should  actually worry about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.~Author Unknown

Well i am not worrying about what i ate between New year and Christmas 2008,but i am Sharing some of my Favorites,amongst the numerous food recipes that i shared with you all during the year 2008

Being a Hard core Foodie, it is really tough to select just a few,but still walking down the memory lane,i am picking up some real all- time -favorites- of- mine.And yes,Don’t expect just healthy ones, coz i  am …and will always remain, partial towards street food

So lets begin….

The Two breakfast items that i will prefer any day are:

Dal Pakwan

or Sael(seyal) Pao

An ideal lunch for me could be an option between :

Kadhi chaawal

Or Varriyun(wadi) Patata

Or the simplest lunch,Dodo with buttermilk

If at all i need to snack in during evening,i will, without pondering ,choose between ……what else but Paanipuri

or Batar Papdi

Dinner could be some rice and dal combinations like:

Saayi Dal,rice and karela stir fried

or a perfect meal

or simply this one:

I am not a dessert person but still can have few scoops of lovely  falooda

That’s my Ideal menu combination for any special day.What about yours?? Do share some FOOD THOUGHTS with me.Share with me how would you like to Ring in New year(in terms of food of course)

And Wishing Every one, landing on this page…A Very Happy New Year.May you and your family enjoy all the Joys of World,through out the year(and many more years to come)

This goes to Srivalli’s “Best Of year 2008” Event ,wherein she invited “all fellow bloggers  to share their “Year’s Best” in an event that does not require you to cook, click foodie pictures, anything. Just doing a recap of your own sweet blog.“

Keep cooking,keep smiling and be in touch

Few days back i was STUDYING with my kid and preparing him for his exams.And all the mothers(ok.. fathers too) know how many questions are bounced at us by our little wonders ,during such study sessions

So while revising his Gk syllabus he asked me what does goats eat….I replied Grass

Pat came another question….Then why its mutton is called NON-VEG ??

Ahem ..i was boggled for few seconds ,then i composed myself and answered him that Goat is veg. (herbivores) but people who eat its meat are called Non-vegetarians.And if you think he was satisfied with this answer and that he didn’t bombarded me with more questions then  probably you haven’t yet came across a six year old lad

Amused by the topic he started,my mind wandered to one of the email that i got from a visitor of my blog ,and i, like a  weirdo started searching for the mail with eye catching recipe named “Vegetarian Fish “.

This is a recipe from Uncle Basantlal Nagdev, who has posted more than 100 recipes on Orkut, and many of his creations are lying in my (email) Inbox too.After trying this recipe ,be assured that i will experiment with more of his recipes and will gradually share them with all of you

So for now,here is the Recipe of FISH which is made from Arbi(Kachaalu) ,it looked like fish( well umm …almost) ,tasted like fish and come to think of it that my kitchen too smelled FISHY

Ingredients:-

• 250 gms. Arbi (Kachalu /Taro/Colo cassia root),boiled and mashed.
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp green chilly paste
• 3 tsp. tamarind (imli) paste or freshly squeezed lemon juice of 1 lemon(or more)
• Salt as per taste
• Black peppers  to make eyes of fish
• 1/2 cup fresh bread slices (crumbled)
• Rava (Sooji) to coat the “fish”
• Red chilly powder ,Amchoor powder and /or chaat masala to sprinkle

Method:

• Boil Arbi with enough of water and 1 tspn of salt till 2 whistles of pressure cooker(or if in pan, boil them till cooked)
• Peel and mash the arbi,and add bread crumbs,salt,ginger garlic paste,green chilly paste and tamarind paste or lemon juice
• Mix very well,if the mixture is sticky ,apply some water or oil
• Take a small portion of this mixture and shape it into FISH LIKE(or you can give any shape you like)
• Place black peppers  in place of “eye”
• Coat with Rava and shallow fry till light golden. Sprinkle some “chaat masala”, red chilly powder and amchur (dry mango powder)
• Enjoy this Veg. Fish with rings of onion, tomato slices, chutney/sauce.

Ps:Uncle Ji i hope i had done justice to your creation and not made a mess of it

Other recipe of Arbi

Kachalu

Other Guest recipes:

Daag Bhat

Dhaas Karela

Mirani Khichdi

Kindly note that these goodies survived  a storm of huge crowd in train, thus losing their shape and texture but not the Taste :-).You can view the yummy pics of the cookies and brownies at Tongueticklers,nicely dressed up,fresh and glazing

Few days back when i received a mail from Sunshinemom ,about the Mumbai Blogger’s meet, i was thrilled.I was unsure whether the day will clash with my Son’s school Exams or will i be able to Meet some wonderful bloggers from Mumbai with whom i just communicated via comments and Emails. A first call to Sunshinemom ,and i was hearing the most giggling voice in my life time. Immediately i visualized a chirpy,bubbly,charming person who is as addicted to food and blogging as your’s Truly 

She was the one who was co-coordinating between me, Simran of Bombay foodie,and Marie of  Flavours and aromas .A few emails ,a few calls and  few days later ,the stage was set(no no not THE stage),i mean the location was decided, the timings were fixed, and now it was time for deciding what to carry as a token of our Maiden Meet.After lots of IFS and BUTS, yes and no, This or that,i finally settled upon Koki and Nariyal Mithai.Though i wished to make some Sindhi Curry,but it was not possible to carry it to the decided location since it required adventurous train journey(c’mmon those who travel in Mumbai local trains know what i am talking about)

After an extended PTA meeting at my son’s school,in great hurry  ,with lots of excitement,i started my journey running late than predecided time.After few calls to sunshine mom,amongst great confusion,and the  unreliable mobile network,which played the prank ,i came to know that she MISSED me. As decided she was to board the same train in which i was travelling ,at Thane station,dressed in Blue.So when Thane came , i was searching for the lady in blue and to my utter frustration there were plenty of them .To decide who was the one i was looking for ,i called her again and to my  surprise she was in different train. All’s well when it ends well,so finally when we met and started our journey to Carter road from Sion, i was surprised by this bubbly lady,full of energy and enthusiasm,and mind you well she didn’t looked like a mom of teenager.

When after  ,what it seemed like a never ending ride in three wheeler(dhinchaak autorikshaw) ,we finally met Simran ,who was waiting from long long time for us, i was in for some surprises.The one being that Marie will not be able to join us

The place was perfect(Carter Road Promenade),the foodies were chatterbox, the weather was breathtaking,the breeze was soothing, and the drizzling rains had turned around everything into mesmerizingly  beautiful .

I didn’t wanted to step in any restaurant leaving that beautiful view of silvery Grey sea, and clouds covered sky,but kept it to myself, coz as per plan we were supposed to be having chat over food in some cozy food joint.So i almost jumped with joy when the two  ladies decided that we will rather sit besides promenade and chat for a while. And what did we talked about? No marks for guessing …..food,bloggers, kids, books,work..practically anything and everything under sun.

A foodies meet can’t proceed without some home made food, so while i handed them koki and nariyal mithai,i got lovely cookies ,with checker board  look from Simran,and beautifully packed  brownies and  cake  that were vegan and made by using minimum possible fat,  by Sunshinemom.

While i was amazed by the passion of baking that both lovely ladies share, the adventurous streak in sunshinemom,and confidence of being independent in Simran was impressing.

The time just flew away, and the lovely evening was coming to end ,not before we enjoyed Coffee latte..a perfect drink in the breezy atmosphere,watching the grey waters turning orange and then lovely black with the reflections of neon light hoardings, creating the most awesome ambience .

After sweet good bye’s all of three headed towards our home,with a warm feeling of meeting like minded people, promising to share more such wonderful moments, keeping in touch and continuing doing what brought us closer…….yeah….food blogging !

When i reached home, my son couldn’t wait for me to first click those beautifully wrapped goodies, and he wanted to have them ASAP.

The cookies,brownies and cake were mind blowing ,though i eat sweets like pauper, hubby dear and son enjoyed them to their heart content,and my son is impatiently waiting for me to get an Oven ,so that he get more such lovely sweets to binge upon day after day

Thank you ladies for the beautiful get together, and those amazing sweets and cakes,chirps and giggles.You both surely made my Day