Sunday, September 29, 2013

Rui Mach-er (Rohu Fish’s) Day out to China Town

The fish was there sitting in pieces on the plate. They stared at me straight into my eyes. I could very well find they were reading my thoughts. Staring, blinking, winking, what they were doing was hard to tell. But they looked straight at me.

By now I took some haldi powder and salt and started rubbing onto the fish pieces. As the rubbing went on I thought about the Kerala Body Massage we can take to feel fresh and energetic. As my hands carried on, I think of that day and smile. On a trip to Bangalore, we travelled some distance to a lovely place and stayed in a very luxurious accommodation. The Kerala Body Massage was something unavoidable. It was a great experience. By now my act with the fish pieces was over.

I sat the Kadhai (wok), poured some oil and lightly fried the fish. I could read their thoughts…not in wonderland or dreamland…but actually I felt I could hear their language. One said to the other, “Today Didibhai is not doing the usual Macher Jhol”.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Chaltar Tak/Ambol with Tak-Misti-Jhal Taste – Elephant Apple Sweet and Sour Chutney


The Chalta came to my house as a gift from a friend. Chalta is not commonly found and is rare. I had seen a Chalta tree in one of my Uncle’s house. That was the first and last I have seen a Chalta tree. The tree bears lots of fruit at one time and this is seasonal sour fruit cooked to make tak/anbol/chutney.
Chalta is known as Elephant Apple in English.

When I got the Chalta/Elephant Apple, I was very happy as I was thinking about it few days back. I knew I had to spend some time dressing the Chalta before cooking it.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Murir Moa and Ganesh Chaturthi


Ganesh Chaturthi came and went away. This is Incredible India, where festivals come and go. But festivals don't have their own time of appearing. There is the Almanac which is followed to know the date and auspicious time of the Puja rituals...otherwise what a bizarre it would be...

Almanac/Ponjika

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Egg Roll with a Healthy Bite

It was the weekend evening and I knew there would be words about some tasty snack for gobbling up by everyone present. I had tucked my feet on the chair and in no mood to do anything other than watching the TV.

On the one hand it was Snacky Hunger Calling and at the same time dusk had fallen and it was quite dark outside. But I was enjoying the cool from the air conditioner with the idiot box doing all the noise in the room. The tray with the empty cups was on the center table waiting to be carried to the kitchen sink. We had just finished our cha and biscoot (tea and biscuit) but still then hunger tried to squeeze in into the stomach and there was want for food…at this time what more than a heavy snack…for dinner would be late all knew.