tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36372017917778754492024-03-13T22:07:10.408-07:00Shortcut Indian Weekday CookingGreat tasting food effortlessly. That is the mantra of this blog and it is achieved by shortcut recipes. For busy people on busy daysvarshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-80458096427441152802015-01-02T18:48:00.000-08:002015-01-02T18:48:54.097-08:00Before the Breath - the Memoirs of a Newborn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">Before the first breath – <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">the Memoirs of a newborn<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RJ2FHCI"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">"Before the First Breath -
the memoirs of a newborn"</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kucHMu2D3s/VKdYPbRbSJI/AAAAAAAAAIw/t7CSPiLX9qw/s1600/FINAL%2BBOOK%2BCOVER%2BDESIGN_HIGH%2BRes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kucHMu2D3s/VKdYPbRbSJI/AAAAAAAAAIw/t7CSPiLX9qw/s1600/FINAL%2BBOOK%2BCOVER%2BDESIGN_HIGH%2BRes.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">From the very first moment that I held my newborn daughter - I was
convinced that she had something to say.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I was excited!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Wow! This was a first! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">A newborn who wanted to talk - she must be brilliant - I thought. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">And, why not? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">She was my daughter after all.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">OK - I am not brilliant. But I do talk a lot.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">With pride in my voice I conveyed the news to my husband.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">He was pensively calculating how he was going to get his sleep that
night between changing diapers and following my nonstop instructions - and as I
made this announcement - the look of intense concentration on his face morphed
into one of dread.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The look he gave me said it all. It said - “Oh dear! Now a mad wife - to
add to the chaos.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">“Go to sleep. You must be really tired - go to sleep” was all he finally
managed to say.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The implied message however was loud and clear.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I looked at my baby - I was certain she looked indignant too.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">“Yes Mamma” she seemed to be saying “of course I have something to say”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Not one to give up easily on conversations -especially when they smelt
promising - I mulled over what this hour old creature could possibly have - to
say.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">“Hmmmmmmmmmm…………. there was no way I was giving up on this one”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Through sleepless days and nights of exhaustedly and yet proudly feeding
and changing my new possession - I mulled and mulled over this mystery.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">And one fine day when I was sufficiently sleep deprived - it hit me.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">This baby that I thought was just a few days old - was in fact just as
old as me.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">She was that one cell who had made it from the ovary to my arms when so
many others hadn’t and as a cell she had been born as soon as I was born.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">What adventures she must have had! No wonder she looked like she had so
much to share!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">It must have been so tough for her - a little cell in an obscure corner
of my body - with such a big dream!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I was certain hers was a story worth chronicling and I determined that I
would do it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">But how would I know what she had to say?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Hmmmmmm……… it would have to be my Embryology and Obstetrics textbooks to
the rescue.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">It was such an important story - I could not possibly be technically
inaccurate.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Between being Mom, doctor, wife and myself (where my procrastinating
self has certainly been at the forefront) - this book has taken me a while to
write - but at last it is done.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">It tells the story of a cell in the left ovary who suffers with fortitude
through her boring uneventful childhood - survives the trials and tribulations
of her Moms teen years - and hopes and prays to meet her Prince charming - and
one day finally does.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Marital bliss with her Prince charming morphs into an exercise in cell
resource management and meeting of deadlines - as she hurtles towards her dream
of being born a little baby and making it to her Mom’s arms. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">After several - “Will I make its?” and “How will I make that happen?”
she finally realizes her dream.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Read about it in my book<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RJ2FHCI"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">"Before the First Breath - the memoirs of a
newborn"</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Find out all that happens before you finally get to hold your little
one.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-55861525992080111472014-10-14T22:30:00.001-07:002014-10-14T22:30:27.099-07:00The Parenting Place<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-59391419618264111232013-11-06T09:00:00.001-08:002013-11-06T09:00:50.728-08:00My Platinum Day of Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span><a href="http://www.preciousplatinum.in/en/about-platinum/platinum-day-of-love">Platinum Day of Love</a> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>We got married in a hurry. </span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>A matrimonial column. A half hour
meeting. And we were married</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>My friends were shocked.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>Actually, so was I.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>It was only after the wedding that it
began to dawn on me that the two of us were as different from each other as
chalk and cheese.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>I was the dreamy eyed Princess who had
never moved house in the twenty five years before I met <span style="font-size: small;">my Prince Charming</span> and he was the <span style="font-size: small;">inanely</span> practical </span></span><i><span class="CharAttribute4"><span>Fauji</span></span></i><span class="CharAttribute0"><span> who had been
moving all over the country all his life.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>I wasn't sure what I liked about him.
Actually I wasn't even sure whether I really liked him.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>And one year into marriage, when we
visited Kolkata from Pune for<i> Durga Pujo</i> I was still actively looking for
something in our marriage to fit my <span style="font-size: small;">romanticized</span> definition of love.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>And on <span style="font-size: small;">that holiday</span> I fell in love.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>Not with the man I was now married to -
but with a beautiful <span style="font-size: small;">wind chime</span>.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>It was a terracotta <span style="font-size: small;">wind chime</span> with birds
and bells suspended at unequal lengths from a ring above, and it made a lovely
tinkling sound in the breeze.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>It was charming. It was exquisite. It was
just beautiful.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>It came into view, hanging tantalizingly
in a stall on our left, as the serpentine line we stood in, to get into one of
the famed South Kolkata <i>pandals</i> took us around a corner that brought the <i>pandal</i>
into view.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted
it to hang in my balcony back home in Pune.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>I could already imagine the bells
tinkling as we sipped our morning coffee.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>I jogged my husbands arm and pointed to
it eagerly looking up at him waiting to see the joyous look on his face as he
let his imagination run wild as I had.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>But no.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>One foot above me and six feet from
ground level my husband's appraising eyes narrowed as he looked at my latest
love. Then he pursed his lips, shook his head and said "We can't buy it.
It is breakable".</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>The tinkling in my head turned into a
resounding crash.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute2"><span> </span>I had forgotten that in the year since I had
married this </span><i><span class="CharAttribute5">Fauji</span></i><span class="CharAttribute2"> with a transferable job - the world had been distinctly
divided into the Breakables and the Unbreakables. </span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute2">The
Unbreakables ruled in our new home.</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute2">They
were smugly certain of their survival in our black trunks when we moved on
posting across the length and breadth of the country without being dependent
upon us for <span style="font-size: small;">buffering</span> and bubble wrapping and their tenacity popped into our
heads whenever we looked at anything Breakable.</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute2">I
disliked the Unbreakables </span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute2">My
heart was always with the Breakables. But I couldn't champion their cause,
because my packing and bubble wrapping abilities left much to be desired. </span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute2">My inabilities in the packing arena had become evident early on in our marriage, when the only wedding gift I had
packed to be transported to Pune from Kolkata had arrived there in eight broken
pieces.</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute2">Sadly
I realized there was nothing I could say to convince my husband to buy my
lovely breakable <span style="font-size: small;">wind chime</span>.</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>The line moved ahead and took me with it.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>I looked back at the <span style="font-size: small;">wind chime</span> with a
deep longing in my eyes until it was no longer in sight</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span><span style="font-size: small;">T</span>he rest of the evening <span style="font-size: small;">went by i</span>n a
distracted daze.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>My dreams that night were all about the <span style="font-size: small;">wind chime</span> and I could even hear it tinkling from time to time.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>As the first rays of light came in
through the window at my bedside the tinkling only got louder</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>Irritated I opened my eyes to end the
dream but it just <span style="font-size: small;">w</span>ouldn't go away.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>Even with my eyes wide open in broad
daylight the <span style="font-size: small;">wind chime</span> was all I could see.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>I rubbed my eyes.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>There was a grinning face that looked
familiar in the same frame now. It belonged to my husband.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>I sat up with a jump.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>"Good choice"said my <span><span style="font-size: small;">h</span></span>usband, jerking his head at the <span style="font-size: small;">wind chime</span><span> </span>now hanging at the window in front of me</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>"Bbb..but its breakable "I
stammered</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>"I'll pack it when we move" he
smiled.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>"I have to ensure that that my
wife's heart <span style="font-size: small;">doesn't</span> break right?"He added with a wink.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>I smiled - but I could feel tears
pricking my eyes.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>That was my Platinum Day of Love. The day
I discovered ultimate everlasting love in my hastily arranged marriage.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span><span> </span>This incident turned our love that was as
breakable as terracotta when we began our journey into <span style="font-size: small;">"happily ever after" </span>into something as resilient and unbreakable as platinum.</span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute0" style="line-height: 130%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="CharAttribute0"><span>Only a set of matching Platinum bands on
both our ring fingers could celebrate that.</span></span></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
</div>
varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-20910883351013920552013-10-22T23:21:00.000-07:002013-10-22T23:21:07.340-07:00My dream - a more Immune India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<u style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.daburchyawanprash.com/">http://www.daburchyawanprash.com/</a></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A
sick child is every parent’s night mare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
am a parent and I know how often a little running nose, a thermometer that has
shown a reading above normal or an upset tummy has brought my beautiful world
crumbling down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
the past seven years – ever since I graduated into a Mom – I have learnt, that the
one thing I want most in this world is that my daughter should be healthy and
happy. Because, when she is sick - even if it is a minor illness that I know
will pass in a day or two – my life turns into a chaotic mess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
this realization has taught me to value Immunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Immunity
is an almost magical gift that nature has bestowed upon us. While we are healthy we don’t really think
about all the cells tissues and substances in our body that are fighting
against germs 24x7 to keep us safe from infections and diseases. But when you
think about the hundreds of millions of germs surrounding us all the time –
waiting to attack, and realize how rarely you actually get sick, it is truly
amazing and awe inspiring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">My
top priority then is - to boost my child’s immunity, so that she is sick less
often and my life is not thrown out of gear frequently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
now understand that there are several things that I can do to create an
environment where my child’s immune system can function at its optimal best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
firmly believe that if every parent commits themselves to boosting their own children’s
immunity – we will have a more ‘Immune India’
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Immunity in children<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When
a baby is born it already has some immunity in place. Immune substances called
antibodies are passed down by the mother to her baby while it is still in the
womb to ensure that it is protected from germs when it comes out into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This
baseline immunity is further strengthened by more antibodies that are present
in breast milk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">These
antibodies protect babies until they are about a year old but after that they
start waning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
child’s body then slowly works towards building its own immunity which takes a
considerable amount of time. It is
during this time when the immune system is still developing, that children fall
sick again and again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">How can we bestow our
children with better immunity?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It
is impossible to speed up the development of a child’s immune system, but it is
possible to help it to function at its best and that is what every parent
should hope to achieve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ways to boost a child’s
immunity –<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Give
your child’s immunity a head start by breast feeding<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When
a child is breastfed for at least six months he becomes less prone to
infections and allergies later in life. Colostrum which is the thick golden
milk that is produced for the first four or five days after birth, is extremely
rich in antibodies and every baby must get this. Breastfeeding for six months
ensures that the baby’s immature gut is safe from germs for that period and
that his immunity is maintained at a high level until he is able to produce his
own immune cells and antibodies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Creating
environments that are conducive to breastfeeding will ensure a much more ‘Immune
India’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tip
the balance in your child’s favour by providing a balanced diet<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A
diet that provides all the nutrients in optimal amounts is vital to keep the
immune system functioning at its best. Minerals like zinc and substances like
anti oxidants are essential to keep the immune system going. Complex
carbohydrates, lean proteins, pulses, unsaturated fats, fresh fruits, green
leafy vegetables, nuts and pro-biotics such as curd must be part of your child’s
diet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> If families forgo the comforts of packaged
processed foods and champion the cause of eating fresh food cooked we can have
a more ‘Immune India’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Keep
every cell in the body happy with hydration<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Every cell in the body requires
water to function and immune cells are no exception. Water is also needed to
wash away accumulated toxins and wastes which do not allow the body to function
appropriately and cause a drop in immunity. Children must learn to love
drinking water in its colourless odourless and tasteless form.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Rising above the flood of sweetened
aerated beverages that are drowning us is the way to a more ‘Immune India’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Clean
up the environment – let the immune system breathe<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
cells of the immune system need clean and smoke free air to breathe in. Parents
are now acutely aware of the pollutants in the air that their children breathe
and in their attempt to minimize exposure to this contaminated air, they lock
their children away in air conditioned atmospheres. Air conditioned
environments themselves however are health hazards due to air pollution of a
different kind. Fresh air in natural surroundings is the only way to keep the
immune system healthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Recognizing that flipping a switch to create a
clean environment is doing more harm than good, actively working towards
creating safe outdoor play areas for children and attempting to reduce our
carbon footprint is the way to a more ‘Immune India’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Above all endeavouring to reduce children’s exposure
to the hazards of passive smoking is the way to a more ‘Immune India’. We need
to say ‘No’ to smoking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Catapult
immunity to its pinnacle with physical exercise<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
immune system loves regular physical exercise. Exercise increases the number of
immune cells and enhances their function. This results in fewer sick spells.
Children need all the physical exercise they can get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Getting
ourselves and our children off the couch and out in the open for a little while
every day for some physical exercise can go a long way in creating a more ‘Immune
India’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Help
immunity win by dealing stress a killer punch<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Children
today are stressed about their school work, their extracurricular activities,
their looks, their clothes and their possessions and parents constantly add their
own stress to all this stress. Stress suppresses the immune system. The fight
or flight mechanism triggered by stress leads to high cortisol levels in the
blood which suppresses the production of immune cells like T and B cells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Actively
working towards reducing stress in the lives of children and helping them to
combat and overcome existing stress is sure to make a more ‘Immune India’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Strengthen
immunity – do not sanitize<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
their bid to keep away illness it is not uncommon for parents to sanitize the
environment that their children live in. However such extreme cleansing is
detrimental to a child’s developing immunity. Some exposure to pathogens is
essential because minor pathogens that are present all around us serve as the
teachers that teach the immune system about the big bad world of pathogens and
equip it to combat disease. Overuse of disinfectants in households in the form
of floor cleaners or in bathing soaps must be avoided for better immunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Embracing
cleanliness without an obsession for sterility can create a more ‘Immune India’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Suffer
through minor illnesses with a smile – do not misuse drugs<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">For
parents, it is extremely distressing to have a sick child on their hands and
resorting to drugs and antibiotics for every little thing is commonplace,
especially since most drugs are available over the counter. However, a minor
sick spell is like a coaching class for the immune system. When antibiotics are
used to cut short the sick spell, it leaves the immune system with half baked
knowledge on the basis of which it is unable to combat the same pathogen when
it attacks a second time. This results in the child falling prey to the same
germ again in a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Resisting
the temptation to misuse or overuse drugs can lead to the immune system graduating with honours and lead to a more ‘Immune
India’ .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Wash
your hands – give immunity a hand<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Hand
washing has proved to be the most effective way of preventing illness. It is
important to teach children the importance of hand washing and tutor them to
follow the right technique to wash hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When
hands are washed frequently, disease causing organisms will have fewer places
to hide in and we will have a more ‘Immune India’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sleep
well to wake up your immune system<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sleep
is an essential prerequisite to an optimally functioning body and the immune
system is no exception. Sleep deprivation leads to a decrease in production
immune cells and immune substances in the body and makes the body more prone to
infections. Unfortunately in our media bombarded world, a large number of
children are sleep deprived and therefore not as immune competent as they could
be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ensuring
that children get their requisite sleep is a very important step towards
boosting immunity and creating a more ‘Immune India’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Give
immunity that magical jab – Vaccinate<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Several
deadly diseases are now preventable by vaccines. Unfortunately the current lot
of parents are not ones who have experienced the scourge of these deadly
diseases and a certain amount of callousness has seeped into the vaccination
schedules of many children. Every child must be vaccinated according to the
prescribed schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Age
appropriate vaccination is the way to create a more ‘Immune India’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
can create a more immune India. It is in our hands. Let us do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Let us join hands to ensure that the germs do
not have the last laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-29033252783393222722013-10-18T21:33:00.000-07:002013-10-18T21:33:36.174-07:00Festivals Foodie genes and Kale Chane<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">My
family is a curious mix of Bengalis and Punjabis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> The Punjabis are arguably more Bengali than
the Bengalis and the reverse applies to (some of) the Bengalis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">With
an equal mix of both these genes fighting for supremacy in my system, I
sometimes find that I am neither.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Fortunately however, I am married to a <i>Fauji</i> Bengali who is the only thoroughbred
Bengali in the family who is worse off than me. He is as un-Bengali as a Bengali
can get and is my solace in moments of misgiving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">My
Punjabi mother is unidentifiably Bengali. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This
may be justifiable and suitably forgivable considering that she has been
married to a Bengali for many years now. But my emphatically Punjabi Mami and
the rest of her Punjabi family are not so easy to brush off. Having lived in
Kolkata for many years now, they outdo us half bred Bengalis at our language,
literature, songs and dance. And that is certainly not easy to excuse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">These
glaring misdeeds by certain sections of my family fortunately, are easily
forgiven and forgotten when we meet at the dining table, thanks to the foodie
genes that dominate both sides. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Salivating
tongues merge the Punjabis indistinguishably with the Bengalis. The love of
Kathi rolls, Tele bhaja (pakodas), Shingara (samosa), Mishti (mithai), Aloo parathas and Maanh ki Daal
and their consequences on our waistlines, unite us seamlessly and irrevocably. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Once
a year however this unison is threatened by a festival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Autumn Navratri is the acid test of loyalties. The Punjabis fast as the Bengalis
feast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
mantras hammer themselves out in the minds of the devout fasters, the feasters
can only hear the loud growling of their stomachs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Luckily,
harmony is just seven days away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ashtami
restores harmony with dollops of ghee and oil. The gorging feasters unashamedly
devour the kale chane, puri and halwa offered by the fasters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
burps of ecstatic stomachs merge with the audible sighs of relief as the
fasters join the feasters in the gastronomical orgy of the devout - called Durga
Puja.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><u><b>Kale Chane</b></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Soak a katori of Kale chane overnight in water. If you are in a hurry like I always am, soak the kale chane in boiling water for at least two hours.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Wash the soaked chane well in at least 3 changes of water</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Put the chane in a cooker, cover it with water to submerge, add salt and pressure cook. After the first whistle lower the flame and cook for 30 minutes on lowest flame. Open the cooker when it cools</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a kadhai</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Add a pinch of Hing.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Then add whole jeera and let it sizzle. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Then add 2 teaspoons of chole masala and fry. Be careful not to burn it</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Now add the kale chane with a slotted spoon in order to get just the chane in without the liquid.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Fry this for a bit</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Then add the cooking liquid of the chane and boil.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Continue boiling until all the water evaporates.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Sprinkle bhuna jeera powder if you like</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 42px;">Serve with puris. </span></span></li>
</ol>
</div>
varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-12084403105976433022013-07-12T06:50:00.000-07:002013-07-16T00:10:44.834-07:00Gaffes at a Mumbai Irani Cafe and Dal Ghotala<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gaffes at a Mumbai Irani café and <i>Dal ghotala</i><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the
guerrilla war of the bulge you never know when your diet will be ambushed.
There are traps and lairs everywhere and you are ensnared when you are most
unprepared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Two Saturdays
ago, on a morning that appeared magically cholesterol free, our diets were
accosted once again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a
beautiful day in June and for once, instead of food, we had music on our minds.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We were
reverently visiting Furtado’s - the iconic historical music store opposite the
Metro cinema in the Dhobi Talao area of South Mumbai. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we
stepped out of the melody steeped environs to meet friends in Navy Nagar for
lunch then - we were brimming with music. So satiated was I with my musical
encounter that I almost said I didn’t think I could eat lunch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fortunately
for me however, I swallowed my words just in time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we turned
the corner a nondescript board made its appearance. And it read ‘Kayani’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kayani?
Kayani!!! Mumbai’s famous hundred year old Irani café – Kayani!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I could hear
some music again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Pianos
at Furtados?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> No. This was a familiar rumble and it was moving
away from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was
coming from under the green T-shirt on the tall man striding away from me. A
man I had thought was my dieting ally until a few seconds ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I stared
disgustedly at the receding green T-shirt on the man I had married twelve years
ago. One look at the Kayani signboard and he had turned traitor to our weight
watching cause.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So what if
he had long legs – I would overtake him!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We raced to
the marble stairs of the eatery and then suddenly we could walk no more. The
menu in large white lettering on the blue board outside and the sight of the
jellies and custards in the display at the entrance made us weak in the knees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That was
when we spotted the knotted blue rope considerately hanging at the entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A hundred
years of having weak kneed customers like us had prompted the owners to hang
that rope there to help people in predicaments like ours. And that day the rope
rescued us. We grabbed it to help ourselves up the stairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There was no
doubt this place belonged to the previous century. It certainly belonged in the
Pre Cholesterol Obsession era.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A hundred or
more eggs grinned unabashedly at us as we stood there. The Caramel custards and
jellies were a little more covert in flaunting themselves but their inviting
looks were unmistakable. As we stood rooted to the spot their cousins – the
creamy chicken patties arrived in tray loads and plonked themselves in clear
view next to the chicken lollipops and laughingly beckoned us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There was no
escape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
contemptuous waiter with his knowing smile waved us to the red and white
gingham print tablecloth clad table. Perspiring and breathing heavily we collapsed
there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i>Ch …….ch…….chai</i>?” I queried hesitantly
with an apologetic smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i>Haan, haan……. Bun maska chai na</i>?” The
generous waiter corrected me irritatedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We nodded eagerly
in relief. We hadn’t dared to hope for the <i>maska</i>
(butter) but what the hell. We had gone back a hundred years in time (the
prices on the menu under the glass slab on our table confirmed that) – we
needed the calories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our waiter
disappeared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another
appeared. We asked for chicken patties. He hung around suggestively with a
knowing smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Chicken
lollipop, chicken farcha, mutton cutlet, <i>keema
ghotala aur</i> eggs <i>akoori bhi le aao</i>”
my husband muttered hurriedly in a single breath and ducked under the table in
anticipation of a reprimand from the present era.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The tea was
tear-jerkingly sweet. The bun had so much butter on it. Everything was
deliciously deep fried and egg coated. And to reassure us as we ate the thin
wizened owner of Kayani sat in full view at his counter - allowing us to hope
that no matter what you ate here, you could still look like him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Every cell
in our bodies protested as we left. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We rode the
ten kilometres from Dhobi Talao to Navy Nagar in guilty silence for lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lunch????????
Oooops!!!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Through
lunch our friends gave us looks of confusion and irritation. They complained
several times that we looked dazed and distracted. And as the clock struck five
they exasperatedly said goodbye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The taxi
driver looked at us for instructions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i>Dhobi Talao</i>” we mumbled without meeting
his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i>Ch……ch…ai</i>?” I muttered again to the same
waiter who had served us that morning, looking steadily down at the tablecloth
in embarrassment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i>Chai, khari, nan, khatai</i>…………..?” he
asked scornfully<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We nodded
quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i>Aur ek</i> chicken nuggets<i> aur do</i> fish and chips parcel” we added with
eager nervous smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dal ghotala<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Measure out a cup of Sabut Masoor Dal.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wash it and add 5 cups of water to it. Add salt and half a
teaspoon of garlic paste.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Close the cooker and heat it on high flame until the first
whistle. Then turn down the flame and cook for another twenty minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Turn off the flame and allow the cooker to cool.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Meanwhile cook a packet of frozen seekh Kababs (Chicken,
Mutton or Vegetarian as you prefer) as per packet instructions. Actually just
microwaving for a minute at maximum power also works.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In a karahi heat two tablespoons of oil. Turn down the flame
and add 1 tsp of jeera seeds, 5 cloves of chopped garlic, ¼ tsp of garlic paste,
a green chilli and ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder and fry until golden. Be
careful otherwise it will burn.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Pour the dal into the karahi and boil well for about 5
minutes. Mash the dal against the sides of the karahi as it boils.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When the dal has attained a smooth consistency add 5
tablespoons of milk and boil some more.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now cut up the seekh kabab into centimetre wide pieces to get
rings.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Add these rings to the dal and boil some more.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Serve hot.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Garnish with sliced onions fried golden brown if you like.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-46207860828593118112013-04-24T23:53:00.001-07:002013-04-24T23:53:44.160-07:00Of Swords and Guns and Cheesy Garlic Bread<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the Ram Navami Holiday started with a distinctly worded
complaint from the man. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You never make puris” he said accusingly - wolfing down the
puris that had made their way to our house as part of the Kanya Pujan Prasad
from an assortment of neighbours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I have to tell you, I am a meek and submissive wife
almost all the time. I never object to the racket he creates when he gets up
early in the morning to make bed tea. I don’t even murmur when he burns the
toast. And I am very accommodating when he leaves a minor job undone from the
long to-do list on Sundays.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But when I am
criticised – my hackles rise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Watch it Mister” I warned him sternly. “Your bulging
midriff and that allegation you just made is the material for a deadly blog
post.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He gave me a wary look and a goofy smile. He apologised for
his reckless remark and sang lengthy praises of my cooking abilities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I then deigned to
forgive and forget.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah! The joys of being a blogger……….. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well my blog celebrates its first anniversary this month and
I must admit I have found that the pen (the keyboard in my case) is mightier
than the sword. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the eleven years that I have been married, I have often
wished for a sword. Unfortunately it is a wish that hasn’t come true and I have
never been able to lay my hands on one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My friends in the
kitchen - the frying pans and the rolling pins have been privy to my yearning
as I have muttered and mumbled about the wrongs being heaped on me to them. In
their own sweet way they have done their best to make up for the absence of a
sword in the house and have allowed me to use them for purposes they were never
created for. Unfortunately however they have never been successful in denting
the six footer at whom they were hurled (and have often got dented themselves
in the bargain).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is still no sword in the house but my husband claims
that there is an AK47 somewhere. He insists that he is often peppered with
bullets from it especially when he arrives home late.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have spent several
hours looking for that gun because it would certainly make up for that sword I
have been pining for - but I have never found it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the rare occasions when I have subjected my impeccable
persona to introspection I have wondered if perhaps the bullets he has been referring to are <i>my</i> words of wisdom that are frequently directed at him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever this has
happened however, I have noticed that the introspection has suddenly come to an
abrupt end.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway my trustworthy
kitchen has finally ended my quest for a weapon. My innocuous cooking blog
intended to share shortcut recipes has slowly morphed into the ultimate weapon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Long live – Shortcut Indian Weekday Cooking! </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On my blog's birthday I want to thank all you guys who have been reading my posts over the last year. Many of you have actually followed me as well and that has made me feel fabulous. All you guys who kindly comment on my posts - I really don't know how to thank you enough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On days when the words dry up and the clock ticks away menacingly trying to pry me away from the key board - it is you guys who keep me going.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lovely <a href="http://rajni-rajnigaqndha.blogspot.in/2013/01/my-first-award.html">Rajni Sinha</a> has tagged me for the Leibster award. I dont know any German but I Googled the word and discovered that it is an extremely complimentary word and implies 'sweetest kindest endearing and most valued'. Thanks Rajni - that has made me soooooooooooooooooooooooo happy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well Rajni tagged me in January but I still haven't got around to tagging anyone else and so I think Ill just let it go now. I'm sorry Rajni its not that I don't value the award but this year has been a little tough on the family and I truly haven't been able to pin down the bloggers I wanted to award. Thanks again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Here are 11 facts about me - </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>I am not even 5 foot tall</li>
<li>I love to live life</li>
<li>Amazingly I love to move cities which I do frequently with my husband who is in a transferable job</li>
<li>I am a 3rd generation doctor in my family and my husband is a 2nd generation one in his.</li>
<li>I am a trained kathak dancer</li>
<li>I love to read</li>
<li>I hate watching television but I like watching movies</li>
<li>I really like driving</li>
<li>I love to cook and entertain</li>
<li>I am passionate about throwing kiddie parties</li>
<li>I love being a practicing doctor but funnily enough I am really enjoying my sabbatical where I am doling out a lot of medical advice anyway</li>
</ol>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">And now to answer Rajni's
questions -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">My favourite flower is the Sunflower<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">About my favourite period in History -
actually I am really bad with history but I do find the Mughal era
fascinating<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">My favourite woman politician would
be the late Mrs Indira Gandhi.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">My favourite Indian singer is Sunidhi Chauhan<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">My favourite Indian sports person is Sachin
Tendulkar<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">My favourite food is Aloo ke pararthe<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">My favourite book is 'Gone with the wind'<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">I think I would prefer to listen to the sitar
over the violin<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">My favourite ghazal singer is the late Jagjit
Singh<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">No I don't suffer from stage fright. I love
the stage in fact. Public speaking is something that comes naturally to me<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Yes I certainly prefer to read the newspaper
over watching TV<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Yes I think blogging does relieve stress. I
think the wonderful people you meet in the virtual world actually relieve
your stress. You feel great when you find that the world is still as
wonderful as you imagined<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Since I am not tagging anyone I
am not including any questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">And Oh! I am almost forgot! Last
but certainly not the least I want to thank Indiblogger. Love you guys! you're
the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Garlic bread with
Cheese<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love garlic bread with cheese. Over the years I have tried
a lot of recipes for this dish. The results have been great but the procedure
has always been too cantankerous for me to handle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently my daughter has decided she likes it too and has
requested that it grace one of her snack boxes in school. After the first few
times of doing it in an extremely complicated way (and getting really really
late) I have figured that this is the method the works the best (and is the
quickest).</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Buy a loaf of garlic bread. There are ways to
make regular bread garlicky by mixing crushed garlic in butter and lathering it
on the slices, but that is certainly not for rushed mornings. OK so slice up
the loaf. A knife with a serrated edge always makes the cleanest cuts and I
love that.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Meanwhile set the oven to the grill mode and set
the temperature to a 150°C. The oven is empty at this point. For the
uninitiated this is called preheating. Set the timer for ten minutes and let
the empty oven heat up.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Now on a small plate sprinkle a little bit of
olive oil with a spoon. Let the oil coat the whole base of the plate.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Now pick up each slice of garlic bread and mop
up the oil on the plate with one side of the slice. Do this for all the slices.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Once you have oil on your bread, take out a
cheese slice or a cheese single. You know the ones available from Brittania and
Amul and other brands to put between sandwiches. Take the cheese slice and tear
it up into four squares. Put one square each on the oil soaked side of each
garlic bread slice.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Wait for the oven to ‘ting’ and tell you that
your ten minutes of preheating are over.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Put the slices in a baking dish and pop them
into the oven immediately. Once again set the oven in grill mode at 150°C –
this time for 5 minutes.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->When the oven tings again, take out the bread.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mmmmmmmm…………….. garlic bread with crisp edges and a soft
centre with cheese melted onto it. Heavenly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am always tempted to dig in but just in time I remember
that I was packing my daughter’s snack box.</div>
</div>
varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-12867951701995443722013-02-27T22:49:00.002-08:002013-02-27T22:55:55.565-08:00Obstinate Taste buds and Tomato chutney<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Taste buds
have their own personalities. Mine are obstinate spoilt brats.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Parenting
them has been an unending rocky ride and the headstrong little monsters are
determined not to grow up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At thirty
seven they still insist on continuing their teenage affaire with chocolate and drool
shamelessly at long legged French fries. Self control is a distant dream when
they see pakodas and parathas and greed is the one truth in their lives when
they see ice cream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">As their
guardian, who is also answerable to various other parts of the body I often crumble
with shame at their appalling </span></span><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">behavior</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> I frequently recite my (now) well rehearsed
apologies to my midriff that wordlessly expands another </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">centimeter</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> in response.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is not
often that I chance upon an opportunity to avenge the wrongs heaped upon me and
my midriff, but when I do – I grab it with both hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I still revel in the vicarious pleasure that
was mine when I broke up my taste bud’s long standing romance with Pepsi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">About twenty
years ago my taste buds were madly in love with Pepsi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Now I have nothing against Pepsi, but
unsurprisingly as I acquired my licence to drink at eighteen - I aspired to
graduate to the adult drink. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My taste
buds however still had a lot of growing up to do. With the first sip of alcohol
they decided they were having none of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My friends
with more submissive taste buds succumbed to the magic of the drink. They flew over
potholed crowded roads, sang lustily in tuneless voices and danced in abandon despite
two left feet. I watched sadly from the sidelines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A life
devoid of such pleasures was what we were destined for - I regretfully told the
other parts of my body. The honour of selflessly and gallantly sacrificing first
our livers and then our lives would never be ours I sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I resigned
myself to being ruled by Pepsi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But a coup
was brewing that I didn’t know of. Several gastritis episodes later the other
organs compelled me to launch an offensive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They decided
on my behalf that henceforth I would only drink water!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I still
remember relishing every moment of the shocked dismay of my taste buds at that
assault.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Twenty years
later, the assault is still on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My taste
buds hate me, but the love from the rest of my body makes up for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomato chutney<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My mom used
to make this chutney almost every day when I was little. It was the one thing
that made me look forward to meal times at a time when I was fortunate enough
to be in the category of poor eaters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Take five large tomatoes and chop
them up roughly. The smaller the pieces the faster they cook but anyway if you
dislike chopping (like me) just do whatever size you like.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Take a 1cm piece of ginger and peel
it. Peeling and chopping ginger is something I abhor and steadfastly avoid but
this recipe leaves me no choice. Anyway since I don’t like chopping I crush the
ginger in the mortar and pestle. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, give it
a solid whack with your rolling pin (belan). That should do it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Now heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a
karahi.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Crumble one whole dry red chilli into
the oil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Add the ginger followed almost
immediately by the chopped tomatoes. The ginger should fry a bit to give off
its pungent taste but it should not get bunt so watch out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Cook the tomatoes stirring sometimes
until they begin to disintegrate.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Add 3 tablespoons of sugar to the
tomatoes and mix.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">I like my chutney to be slightly
watery so I add about half a cup of water to the tomatoes at this point. If you
want a thick chutney don’t add water</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Cook the mixture for about five
minutes by which time the whole thing should begin to look like a jam.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Cool
and serve.</span><br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
</ol>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This chutney
can be kept in the fridge for upto 5 days but it tastes so good, one invariably
falls short of it. If you can keep yourself from counting calories, try eating
this with fried papad. It is delicious. I save this indulgence for the Ashtami
bhog on Durga puja.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-75550125099809391232013-01-10T19:56:00.000-08:002013-01-10T20:04:44.439-08:00Life Saver King Khan and Bati Chorchori<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last year, Shah Rukh Khan saved my husband’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am married to a man without any airs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unpretentiousness may be a noble quality - but not in the man you marry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are times when a gloomy silence surrounds me. The doors of three wardrobes overflowing with clothes are invariably open in front of me at such times and predictably, there is nothing I can find to wear. At such agonizing moments, the man walks in. He is positively glowing in the same shirt he always wears, teamed with a mismatched trouser.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, he loudly munches cookies as I angle myself in front of the mirror in a vain attempt to look thin - blissfully indifferent to his own bulging midriff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And he extols the virtues of his crew cut that doesn’t require him to own a comb as I wrestle with my hair on bad hair days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the past, his insensitive behaviour used to incite a murderous rage in me. But Shah Rukh Khan changed it all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a lovely Sunday morning, I was skipping down a steeply inclined alley in Bandra with the man in tow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a strange alley. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In one part of the alley, a crowd of men were excitedly brushing their hair before politely queuing up to get photographed with none less than a violet coloured van. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And near the end of the alley a mini stampede was erupting, unbelievably caused by a crowd of normal looking people vying to get clicked with the nondescript external units of six split A/Cs affixed on a white building. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was looking at all this in amazement – when<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u> IT</u></i></b> happened. My heretofore unaffected husband asked to borrow my comb!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I watched open mouthed as he combed his hair, drew in his stomach, carefully tucked in his shirt and smartly walked past the violet van and the huge white building.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I followed him, I read the word “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mannat</i>” inscribed in gold on the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah! So this was Shah Rukh Khan’s van and house!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That evening I bought my husband a comb. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Giggling fits have thence replaced my murderous rages. Shah Rukh Khan has saved my husband’s life but now there is a chance of my dying of laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Potato Bati Chorchori<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is my all time favourite. My mom used to make this chorchori to carry with puris whenever we travelled. The minute we were on the train I used to insist that I was hungry and gobble it all up before the train could even pull out of the station.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bati in Bengali means Katori or bowl. I suppose this dish was a favourite with children through the ages and so desperate moms tired of washing huge kadhais made this dish in a katori for their little ones. It is simple enough to get done in a katori really. The ancient microwave cooking? Looks like it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pick up a few potatoes. This is a finger licking dish so I would gladly put in 10 potatoes but calorie counting and sheer laziness when it comes to peeling and chopping potatoes usually ensure that I restrict myself to just three or four.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway whatever the number – peel and chop the chosen potatoes. Now the critical step in this recipe is the chopping. Much as I hate it I still have to chop the potatoes to make about half a centimetre cubes and you will have to do the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then heat about three tablespoons of oil in a kadhai (mustard oil actually gives this dish a wonderful flavour, but if you can’t stand mustard oil, use regular refined oil)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add two slit green chillies, half a teaspoon of haldi and salt (to taste) to the oil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add the chopped potatoes to the oil and mix well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fry stirring for about 2 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add 2 tablespoons of water to the potatoes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cover the kadhai with a lid and lower the flame to a minimum<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cook covered for five minutes and check to see if the potatoes are cooked by breaking<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>one with a spoon. If the cubes are small enough they should have cooked. If not allow some more time for cooking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Done? Of course! What did you think? Have fun! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-71890990768342244282012-12-16T23:05:00.000-08:002012-12-17T21:45:40.177-08:00A Rocky Honeymoon and a Shortcut Chicken Bake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every husband unfailingly is an accomplished architect of his wife’s monument of grouses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband is certainly one. He has a large number of such creations to his credit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately for him and unfortunately for myself, inundated by the large numbers of such creations – I have lost count.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not every husband is that lucky however. My Dad certainly isn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My Mom has only one lasting protest to date and it occupies a place of pride in her museum. Forty years later she still lights a lamp to it every wedding anniversary. My Dad knows he will never be forgiven that one grievous offence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was an ill timed offence. It happened on their honeymoon when they were on the Scan Tour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I first mentioned the Scan Tour to my own husband he instantly assumed it had something to do with the interpretation of CT Scans. He imagined it would be a heritage walk through a jungle of CT scans and he was instantly hooked. When he found out that it was a tour of the Scandinavian countries of course he instantly acquired partial deafness and I added a storey to my latest magnificent monument of complains.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The straight forward X rays of the seventies fortunately did not have much room for sightseeing. So unlike my prosaic husband, my gynaecologist father remained a poet at heart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His romantic wedding gift to his bride was a poem. The verse waxed eloquent about how they would now always sip their morning cups of tea together. The poem ended with the surprise he had planned - a trip to a place where the sun did not set.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They landed in Helsinki in Finland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Early the next morning, they rang for bed tea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tea what tea? This was the land of Coffee drinkers. There was no tea here - bed or otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A chaste Calcuttan who had to be kissed awake every morning by her cup of tea, Mother was scandalised. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The exploration of the new land soon morphed into a quest for the elusive cuppa, as a splitting headache followed her around.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally as she relented and sipped the coffee she looked daggers at her new husband. His promises in his elaborate poetry were already coming apart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not Sweden, not Denmark, not Finland and not Iceland. No one in the peninsula served tea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The incident scarred my Mom forever. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She replaced her tea cup with a beer mug.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She still drinks beer mugs full of tea every morning to make up for the tea she didn’t drink that week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy anniversary Mom and Dad!</span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chicken Bake <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is something about December. Maybe it’s the chill in the air (though it is almost imperceptible in Mumbai) but it makes me want to bake. I would gladly join my husband in the category of people who only like to eat bakes but if I did who would bake? So I bake – but of course I cheat there as well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Open a packet of boneless breast of chicken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chop it up into small pieces (as small as you have the patience for – is all I’m going to say). Then wash it well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Peel a good number of potatoes. I used five. Chop them up as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a pressure cooker, add two tablespoons of oil. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tip the chopped chicken in and then add some pepper and salt to it. If you like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">masaledar </i>continental<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> khana</i> go ahead and add some <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">garam masala</i> as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The chicken tends to stick to the pan and so you need to stir.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then tip in the chopped potatoes. Fry for a few seconds and then add about 1 and a half glasses of water. The water should just submerge the potatoes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now close the cooker. Give it one whistle at full flame and then another four at minimum flame. Keep the cooker closed for a while even after you turn off the gas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now open the cooker and find that the potatoes are over cooked and crumbly. Be cruel just pick up the nearest spatula and murder them. Stab until they turn into a kind of a mash. Since I am taking a shortcut I forgive myself even if the potatoes are not uniformly mashed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now sprinkle two tablespoons of maida over the contents of the cooker and mix it in vigorously. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then add half a glass of milk. You will find the mixture coming together and the water disappearing. This is a time to be really cautious so spend those 2-3 minutes stirring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now you should have a gooey mixture. Tip it out into a baking dish. Grease the dish for easy washing later.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just before you want to eat it put it into the microwave and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aaaaand.........your bake is ready!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Admittedly it is not golden on the top but to get that golden effect you need to put in butter or cheese. I settle for this version because I am unable to afford a new wardrobe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-78559040220380265892012-12-01T20:33:00.004-08:002012-12-01T20:33:59.957-08:00Scheming Wives and Deadly Egg Scrambles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The moon I’m certain would be meekly handed over to me by my husband if I were to ask. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course there would be some scheming involved - like there was some eleven years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One August day my husband was embarking alone on a fun trip to Kolkata. A blushing bride then, all I diffidently asked my departing husband to bring back with him from there was -the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Joy Nagar’er Moa</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moa</i> is an exquisite sweet. Made of date jaggery and puffed rice, its existence is a closely guarded secret that only true blue Bengalis know of. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Classically <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fauji</i>, my husband of course is not privy to such secrets. He was delighted at my innocent request. Secretly congratulating himself on finding a bride with such meagre demands he flew away, happy enough to comply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The suitcase was large and the sweet shops were within easy reach. So the holidaying man decided to pursue the promised gift only on the last day of his weeklong trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the morning of that day, he strode into the nearest shop and nonchalantly asked for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moa</i>. They politely said it wasn’t ready yet. He missed their amused tones and twinkling eyes as they replied and assumed that the sweet would be prepared a little later in the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He made several trips to the neighbouring shops that day, but every time was met with the same answer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As his train’s departure began looming large, the vision of an innocent young bride waiting hungrily at the other end of the journey began to plague him. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moa</i> however was nowhere in sight. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brewing tantrum spewed. What was taking them so long he demanded?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The reply was politely Kolkatan. “I sympathise with your desire to please your new wife <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moshai</i>,” said the shopkeeper.”Date jaggery unfortunately is not that considerate. It still insists on arriving only in winter. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moas</i> will be ready only in December”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Going back from his weeklong gastronomic orgy of a holiday empty handed was unthinkable. Desperate measures were called for. The space in the suitcase for the large box of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moa</i> was taken up by a tiny box with a gift that was not subject to climatic disposition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I loved the little box and its exquisite diamond ring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Egg and Sausage Scramble<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The worst thing about going on vacation, is knowing that one day the good time is definitely going to end.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming back and unlocking the door, opening the windows to let out the musty smell and plonking down on the dusty sofa are visions that plague me on the flight back. Club that with an empty stomach and it makes for a sure shot nightmare. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then eggs jump in to brighten the scene. I always leave eggs in the fridge and some frozen delights in the freezer before I leave.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crack and beat as many eggs as you think will be enough. With the voracious egg eaters in my family I never take less than eight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add a pinch of salt to the egg. Not too much. You’re going to add more salt to the other ingredients later.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chop up a few sausages into small pieces. About half of what could be considered bite sized.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heat oil in a non stick frying pan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a regular day when the kitchen is well stocked, fry a chopped onion and a chopped tomato in the oil. In emergencies skip this step.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add the chopped sausages to the oil and sauté until they are cooked. They swell once they are done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sprinkle some salt if you’ve added onions and tomatoes, if not don’t because sausages are salty anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now add the beaten egg to the pan. Beat while adding otherwise the salt tends to sit in one place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once the egg is in - scramble it around in the pan with a spatula for a minute or two. Don’t overdo it – allow the eggs to be fluffy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take the scramble off the fire, toast a few slices of bread (if available) layer the eggs on the toast and take a bite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A sure shot remedy for the blues!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-81959513008214873752012-11-10T17:53:00.001-08:002012-11-10T17:53:13.326-08:00Shopping and Shrikhand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The news paper is my husband’s shield and ally. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is his armour against the torrents of words that are often directed at him and he gratefully hides behind it. He reads most of its contents with a cursory dispassionate interest, but an inexplicable agitation grips him when he reads reports of festivities in the farthest and most inaccessible parts of the city. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sometimes think my determination to attend all these events as soon as I read about them, may have something to do with his strange behaviour - but I always dismiss this thought as soon as it occurs to me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An exciting and agitating news report about a Diwali Bazaar once appeared at the beginning of the century, and it landed us in Pune’s Budhwar Peth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After, we had bowed our heads in reverence at the Daghdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple there I launched myself on the scattered shops and their potential bargains.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Arrogant in my prowess at sniffing out the best bargains, I rapidly moved from the crowd of shops selling diyas, earthen ware toys and coloured animal shaped candy in an open area, to the shops in the surrounding alleys. Icy courtesy and reluctance met me there, but I put it down to the unwillingness of the shopkeepers to part with their wares at a bargain. Excitedly I persisted in dodging and ducking into the maze of shops there in a semi trance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I waltzed down a certain lane, too busy to notice that courtesy had been replaced by curiosity and then by downright questioning gestures, my phone rang.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Annoyed at being interrupted in my dogged pursuit of bargains; especially since the caller was the man I imagined was just a few steps behind me –my husband, I turned around with a deadly frown. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then my jaw dropped.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my excitement I had failed to notice that I had walked into a lane populated exclusively by women. In their garish clothes and make up, they were standing around in suggestive postures and looking expectantly at my poor husband who stood awkwardly at the entrance of the lane stoically staring at his toes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I beat a hasty retreat and asserted my claim on the distressed man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ladies were kind enough to refrain from laughing out aloud.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shrikhand<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A mad frenzy usually grips me on Diwali. There is so much to do on that one day that I am left twirling on my toes. The house must be neat (impossible when the husband and daughter are around), the decorations have to be hung up, rangolis have to be made, diyas have to be lit, dishes that I never otherwise attempt have to turn out perfect and of course I have to wear my best outfit and ensure that it doesn’t catch fire. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A certain fail safe recipe then usually rescues me and here it is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Set a big bowl of curd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I usually use my biggest Borosil dish and set as much curd as it will hold. To set curd, take some readymade curd and spread about 2 to 3 tablespoons on all the walls of the bowl. Now pour in milk at room temperature and mix. Leave the bowl in a slightly warm area in the kitchen until it sets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once the curd has set, take a large sieve and cover it on the inside with a muslin cloth (or a handkerchief).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Place this over a bowl that can hold it and pour all the curd into the sieve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cover the sieve with the curd in it with a plate and place the whole contraption in the fridge overnight or for a whole day. The water from the curd drips out of it into the bowl below and you get hung curd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Diwali day, put the hung curd into another bowl. Mix in four or five tablespoons of Complan in the Kesar Badam flavour. Add some milk if the curd is too dry. Taste it and add more Complan if you like.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If it is not sweet enough for you, add some powdered sugar and mix it in. Taste again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chill the dish and garnish with a few strands of Kesar and a few slivers of almonds if you like.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stand around and bask in the glory of your dish as it is devoured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-54345712941614027142012-11-04T00:36:00.000-07:002012-11-04T00:36:48.809-07:00A sleepless husband and Baingan ka Bharta<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband loves Saturday afternoons. Weeklong he dreams about that delicious half an hour of sleep on that half day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love sleeping too, but for me afternoons spent lazing in the winter sunshine of Assam always won hands down when pitted against slumbers on full stomachs at the forbidden hour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would have loved my husband's company in the garden, but I knew I had an invincible opponent in “Siesta”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had reluctantly resigned myself to spending the delightful afternoons in the garden alone, but Ramlal changed it all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was short, plump and dark. He had a sing-song nasal voice and wore a soiled kurta, and he had all the ladies on campus vying for his attention. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I never imagined that tall ENT surgeons, proud Officers of the Indian Air Force, would feel threatened by Ramlal – but that is just what happened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few weeks into our stay in Assam, I was curious and baffled when my husband started suggesting going out for lunch and doing a host of other things on his precious afternoons. Then, I realized with devilish delight that his sleepless afternoons were engendered by envy for Ramlal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Ramlal breezed in with his bicycle load of the fresh and juicy home grown vegetables – he was almost like the Pied Piper in his ability to attract the ladies. A scuffle inevitably ensued over his cauliflowers and radishes as he smiled complacently. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As ladies indulged in closely contested matches to place one of the ten cauliflowers from his garden that week on their tables, even cauliflower worshipping husbands (like mine) were jealous.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A sigh of relief always followed his receding form as he departed having peddled his produce, and contented burps always followed the Gobhi parathas the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ramlal was then forgiven, forgotten and even reluctantly blessed until the next Saturday afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The relinquished Saturday siestas led to football matches in the lawn and I had several reasons to thank Ramlal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baingan Ka Bharta<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hate to admit this but cooking vegetables flawlessly has always flummoxed me. I was delighted when I learnt to make Baingan ka Bharta because it was the one dish that uncomplainingly turned to pulp and still tasted good. Until then I had been turning everything else into pulp with my cooking endeavours as well but they were just silently making their way into the dustbin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway now the Baingan ka Bharta has made me the invincible queen of the kitchen. The best part of it is, that the baingan can be roasted in advance and converted to bharta in a few minutes at a later time, tasting as fresh as ever and making you look like a magician.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take a nice big fat baingan (brinjal).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take a handful of cloves (laung) and pierce the baingan with their pointed ends and leave the cloves there. In effect studding the entire surface of the baingan with cloves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now turn on the gas and place the clove studded baingan on the hob on the naked flame. Go about other work as it roasts. Whenever you remember next, walk over and turn the baingan slightly so that by the end all the sides have been roasted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Check that the whole baingan has been done by inserting a knife into it from various angles (much like you’ve seen magicians piercing their wives at magic shows). If you find no resistance to your knife, you’re good to go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let the baingan cool for a bit and then remove the skin by dipping your fingers into a bowl of water at frequent intervals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This peeled baingan can be left in the fridge for whenever you want to exhibit your skills as a magician in the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the tadka. Peel and roughly chop an onion and wash and roughly chop a tomato. Also chop up some ginger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heat oil 2 tablespoons of oil in a kadhai, add chopped ginger followed by the onion and tomato simultaneously.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sprinkle salt so that they cook really fast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add a chopped green chilli and then put the baingan in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Break the baingan with the ladle and mix in the masala. Don’t mix too much.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Generously sprinkle as much fresh dhania (coriander) as you like into the baingan<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And ta-daaaa your bharta is ready. Dig in!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-20970328039528995322012-10-23T21:12:00.001-07:002012-10-31T22:53:56.205-07:00A Three Letter Word and Moghlai Paratha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hop was a three letter word that I learnt to spell with nonchalant ease very early in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I imagined I was the master of the word – until - it decided to challenge me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me puff, pant and stumble as it showed its true colours. I was compelled to retire an entire foot, in some foolish games and convert my easy amble into an uncomfortable jump in others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The scornful disdain I harboured, for the easily spelt word was replaced with disgust, for the action it implied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fortunately, successive birthdays added years to my life and saved me. They liberated me from the silly games and that hateful word. Relieved, I lived the next several years unburdened by the intolerable word - or so I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then in college, this most hated word in my vocabulary acquired extremely likeable connotations. Hopping stopped associating itself with uncomfortable balancing and began to imply moving from one happy place to another and having a whale of a time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was pub hopping and party hopping and I hopped uncomplainingly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then I discovered I had been hopping all along.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every year in the Autumn months I had hopped until my feet were bruised and bleeding - as I moved from one Durga Puja Pandal to another. The much detested word in my vocabulary had been my most favourite annual event all the while!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I hop with a vengeance. As I hop, I also pop (food into my mouth) and shop till I drop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">De- addicting Moghlai Parathas<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The day after Dashami is invariably haunted by the ghosts of Moghlai Parathas, Kathi rolls and Egg Devils. Plump well fed faces, wince visibly as Dal Chawal is placed in front of them. Urgent de-addiction is required and this is my recipe for it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Make a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>large roti (with whole-wheat or multigrain atta) or use a left over roti<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Place a tawa on the gas. I like to use the Dosa tawa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heat a tablespoon of oil on it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beat an egg with a little salt and pour it on the tawa. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scramble the egg until it is cooked and then take it off the tawa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beat another egg for the next roti in another bowl and keep it aside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spread a tablespoon of oil on the tawa and place a roti on it. Keep the flame low. Brush the surface of the roti facing you with the beaten egg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Place the scrambled egg in the center of the roti and then fold the roti from all four sides as if you are wrapping the scrambled egg in the roti.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since the roti has been brushed with egg the folds will stick easily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once you have a parcel turn it over and cook the other side. Add oil if required.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Press the parcel so that any liquid egg comes out and solidifies on the surface of the parcel as it cooks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You get scrambled egg parcelled in a whole-wheat roti coated with a crisp layer of egg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">No maida or ghee like the original Moghlai Paratha - but Hey! this is de-addiction!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is how it appeared</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4fLnArpjkk/UJINniGyPeI/AAAAAAAAADI/F2TBjo3zgc0/s1600/chDSC03775(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4fLnArpjkk/UJINniGyPeI/AAAAAAAAADI/F2TBjo3zgc0/s320/chDSC03775(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And then disappeared.......<br />
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-92186146980896240732012-09-28T08:02:00.000-07:002012-09-28T08:02:39.523-07:00Korean Kimchi and Chocolate Pudding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was easy to dislike the new Korean neighbours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was an engineer with two adorable children on a yearlong deputation to the Tata Motors factory in Jamshedpur – and his wife was far too slim and stunning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inexcusably – they did not socialize. So what if they spoke only Korean.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Impertinently – they were managing without maids as the rest of us were held to ransom by our household helps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And worst of all – they had dug up the smooth green carpet grass on their front lawn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heads were shaken collectively – grim and unforgiving. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until – Korean brisk walks slowed into leisurely strolls preceded and succeeded by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pakoda</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">puri</i> parties at the neighbour’s houses; slender faces became round,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>maids were employed who proceeded to victimise them and their front lawn started sprouting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">napa</i> cabbage that promised to turn into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kimchi</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dreams of tasting the delectable Mainland China <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kimchi</i> (which also turned out to be the national dish of Korea) in the rigid confines of the Steel city dominated minds and everything was forgiven and forgotten.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salivation threatened to create a mini flood on the Sunday that the jar of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kimchi</i> was finally brought forth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently dainty fingers (used to stuffing pakodas by the dozens into their respective mouths) lifted the first bits of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kimchi</i> in a show of restraint and popped them into their mouths.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An almost collective scream followed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Kimchi </span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">was supposed to tickle our taste buds with its mildly sweet flavour and lull us into complacently polishing off the whole jar - but the Korean version was spicy enough to call for the fire brigade. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coughing, spitting, gulping water and fighting over the sugar jar erupted, much to the bewildered unhappiness of Thong-Mei who thought that Indians were the lords of spicy food and so had spiced her <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kimchi</i> to please us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chocolate Pudding<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s recipe is a dessert designed to end spice feasts on a sweet note. It is incredibly easy, is ready in jiffy and allows you to bask in the glory of the hard work that you must certainly have put in (never let the people at the table in on kitchen secrets). Try it instantly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take 1 ½<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>glasses of milk. Pour it into a bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beat two eggs in another bowl and then mix it into the milk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the mixture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add 2 tablespoons of Cocoa powder to the mixture. I like my pudding to be intensely chocolatey so I add more and more cocoa until the mixture becomes dark brown. Add cocoa as per your preference of chocolatiness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taste the mixture. Add more sugar or cocoa if you like.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pour the mixture into a steel tiffin box which has a tight lid. Put on the lid.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a pressure cooker fill water to the depth of about 2 cms. Actually the depth of water would vary depending on the steel box you are using. Basically the water level should be below the level of the rim of the lid.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Close the cooker (without the whistle) and heat the water. When steam starts coming out lower the flame and steam for another 15 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Turn off the flame cool the cooker and open the box.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chill the pudding in the refrigerator and dig in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mmmmmmmm..........<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-65140380651245818512012-09-17T23:57:00.000-07:002012-09-17T23:57:13.313-07:00On the Whypoll blog again - Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This time its about public transport.<br />
After living in several cities and towns all over India - this is my verdict -<br />
<br />
India: Moving, shaking<br />
<br />
and its on the Whypoll trust blog<br />
This is the link-<br />
<a href="http://whypoll.blogspot.in/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=5#!/2012/09/india-moving-shaking.html">http://whypoll.blogspot.in/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=5#!/2012/09/india-moving-shaking.html</a><br />
<br />
About the recipe - yes I haven't uploaded one in the previous post but here is a fabulous Cabbage recipe.<br />
It takes no time at all - is effortless and a sure shot winner.<br />
My husband is CRAZY about it.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<u>Sweet and sour cabbage</u></h3>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Chop up some cabbage. I like to do long shreds but squares are ok as well. In fact just lunge at the vegetable with a knife and whatever emerges out of it is fine really.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a kadhai.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Add 1 tsp of garlic paste to it. Be careful not to burn it.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Then add the shredded cabbage to it.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Cook it for a while tossing it around in the kadhai so that the whole mass gets cooked and you dont end up with bottom burnt special.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Allow the cabbage to wilt a little in the heat so that it attains its final volume which is going to be much less than the original volume.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Now add a tablespoon of soya sauce, a tablespoon of honey, a tablespoon of vinegar and 1/4 tablespoon of chilli sauce.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Mix well</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Add some salt. be careful here because Soya sauce is already salty.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Mix well and cook until all the water in the kadhai has evaporated and the vegetable looks glossy.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Serve hot (or cold). I sometimes wrap it in a paratha and make it into a quick tiffin box special.</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: left;">
ENJOY!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-86681475675015829652012-09-14T08:44:00.001-07:002012-09-14T08:44:31.021-07:00I am on the Whypoll Trust Blog!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everybody<br />
I am writing a guest blog for The Whypoll Trust which is India's only open government platform that strives to link citizens and government using technology<br />
<br />
The post is called "Whats in a Garment?" and this is the link<br />
<a href="http://whypoll.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/whats-in-a-garment/">http://whypoll.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/whats-in-a-garment/</a><br />
<br />
Check it out!!!</div>
varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-52444569818495402482012-09-03T00:09:00.000-07:002012-09-03T00:09:42.721-07:00"The Liberals" - with a cup of coffee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a dark rainy Mumbai evening, dishevelled and dripping after a two hour commute, we were pushing open the doors to Kitaab Khana to attend the launch of “The Liberals” when suddenly - the question popped into my head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What was I doing at the launch of a book on the post liberalisation era?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am numerically challenged! And since numbers make no sense to me I have never understood economics and do not relish politics. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then what was I doing here? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The question had no answer and I sat cowering in the last row, anticipating a barrage of unfamiliar technical terms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To my amazement however, the discussion emerged as a nostalgic trip into the past two decades, and excitement rapidly replaced trepidation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started reading - on the commute home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I loved the book from the very first chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It read like a heart to heart with an old friend who had led an exotic life in the world of fashion, television and politics. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With his hilarious irreverence, candid admissions, insightful introspection and amazing ability to refrain from sounding condescending, Hindol Sengupta in his book, comes across as the boy next door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In his story of growing up and finding his identity in a changing liberal India, he splits open middle class life in Calcutta, Delhi and Mumbai and lays bare desires and fears without sparking animosity or shame.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Objective, compassionate and most importantly relatable this is a fabulous book after reading which I found myself revelling once more in the joys of liberalisation with the brief look at the gloomy past that this book afforded me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the book, I found a confidant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It made my weekend!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Choca Mocha<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This recipe today is just like “The Liberals”. The name sounds intimidating – but the recipe is extremely simple.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a small bowl (katori) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mix together 1 heaped tablespoon of drinking chocolate with ½ a teaspoon of coffee powder and 1 tsp of sugar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add a few drops of hot water to this and mix.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Put the mixture in a glass and top it up with hot or cold milk mixing all the while.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taste it and add more sugar if you like.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sprinkle cinnamon powder before serving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I always like to drink this cold and my husband likes it hot. It is easy enough to make both simultaneously. The hot milk dissolves the mixture instantly. Cold milk is sometimes problematic. If you think you may not be able to dissolve the mixture in cold milk – add a quarter glass of hot milk initially. Mix well to dissolve and then add chilled milk followed by ice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-18845953042945837672012-08-24T17:53:00.000-07:002012-08-24T17:53:33.570-07:00The "Just Married - Please Excuse" Contest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the year 2001 we were impoverished newlyweds. We had just squandered whatever little wealth we had amassed as singles on our wedding and honey moon and in our attempt at lavishing away the little that still remained in our banks, we were holidaying in Mumbai. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Riding high on romance, we decided to travel the length and breadth of the city by local trains. My newly acquired husband was a little wary but I overthrew his doubts with my enthusiasm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My travel apparel drew a hesitant murmured protest from Mr Tactful as my white T-shirt and blue jeans clashed violently with my glittering<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> chuda</i>, excessive <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sindoor</i> and bright red lipstick, but I breezed past him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The crowd in the train allowed us to stand at a decorous distance when we boarded. In a few stations time we were romantically close and then we were claustrophobically wedged. I was on the verge of breathing my last when a considerate co-passenger announced that we were near our destination and we began inching our way towards the door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I moved, I was thrown forward by a sudden jerk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As fellow passengers steadied me, I was horrified to see my lips imprinted in stark red on a sparkling white shirt. Time stood still and luckily the train stopped as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sandwiched between the glares of the new legal claimant of my kiss and its latest inadvertent recipient – I sheepishly stumbled out onto the platform. A steady stream of our hurried apologies followed the receding train and we then burst into laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wordlessly -I retired my bridal facade that day in deference to the uncomfortable questions my victim may have had to endure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.yashodharalal.com/2012/08/the-just-married-please-excuse-contest.html"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.yashodharalal.com/2012/08/the-just-married-please-excuse-contest.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cold coffee with ice cream<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This can also be called the life saver shake. When I was the shy young bride who managed to successfully burn dinner beyond recognition – this drink would double up as dinner and save the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pour a glass of chilled water and a glass of chilled milk into the blender jar of the mixie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add 2 teaspoons full of coffee powder and 2 tablespoons of sugar to it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blend well. If you don’t have a mixie just go for the blending with your bare hands. It works just as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taste once and add more coffee or sugar as required. Blend again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take 2 tall glasses and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pour the blended cold coffee to the glasses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Serve with a stirrer or spoon <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ENJOY!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-74046156959028778262012-08-15T01:31:00.001-07:002013-02-10T21:03:50.896-08:00Speechlessly in love : My entry for the get published contest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><u>The idea</u></b> - Introducing the protagonists, the theme and a bit about the story</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eleven years into marriage and I am still unsure whether love really exists. I am happily married yes – but I do wonder sometimes if I am in love. Was I ever in love? What is love anyway? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If love is the giddy feeling that smothered me several times before I decided to get married – then I am certainly not in love with this man. If however, it is the feeling that even though I may detest the sight of this fellow human being at times, I just cannot imagine life without him – then I would say I have been in love ever since I ran into this awkward man eleven years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ours is the most unlikely combination. He is reticent and prosaic. I am vivacious and romantic. If love stories are about communicating – ours was one where despite the profusion of communicating devices, we had nothing to say. In retrospect it was probably just as well - considering how little my husband has to say (at least we had something to talk about after we were married).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ours is a love story that needs to be told - if only to dissuade the love struck from hankering after fairytale romances. An arranged marriage, a mini <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">swayamvar</i>, a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fauji</i> who shocked everyone with his inane practicality, a girl who insisted on a fairytale wedding and a comedy of errors that ended in - happily ever after. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><u>What makes the story real</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a story that convinces you that marriages are scripted in heaven and do work even though they look slightly unreal when they are played out in 3-D on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am inspired to strike the keys on my keyboard - by my beautiful marriage, my comical wedding and the desire to dispel the myth of the much hyped fairytale romances.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0OF2LQNUmA/UCteGvggrpI/AAAAAAAAAC0/QS7UA2o0gYI/s1600/varsha+wedding+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0OF2LQNUmA/UCteGvggrpI/AAAAAAAAAC0/QS7UA2o0gYI/s320/varsha+wedding+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This is my entry for the </span><a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/getpublished/" style="text-align: left;">Harper Collins Indiblogger Get Published Contest</a><span style="text-align: left;"> which is run with inputs from </span><a href="http://www.yashodharalal.com/" style="text-align: left;">Yashodhara Lal</a><span style="text-align: left;"> and </span><a href="http://www.harpercollins.co.in/" style="text-align: left;">Harper Collins India</a></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-90012987198793261152012-08-14T20:14:00.000-07:002012-08-14T20:14:40.210-07:00Independence Day - the Tata way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A sleepless 14<sup>th</sup> August night in the heavily surcharged atmosphere of expectation - was the norm when I was growing up. Independence Day always left me breathless with its promise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I didn’t know much about what independence meant in those days, but I could feel the tears that were just beneath the surface in my mother’s eyes as she spoke about that day in 1947 when they listened with disbelief as the news of freedom travelled to them many hundreds of miles in distant Kharagpur from Delhi. As the long play record of patriotic songs trilled on continuous replay she told us about how the streets were filled with a joyous madness when independence was announced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her sentiments would probably have remained alien to me had it not been for the Tatas who even thirty years later managed to inject the same mad enthusiasm and patriotism into this national holiday. If you lived in Jamshedpur it was impossible not get swept up in this wave of patriotism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In our little town this was not a day for sleeping late. We would patter out in our pyjamas at 4 AM to watch the Prabhat Pheri as senior school children paraded the roads of the town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the Prabhat Pheri permeated our sleep drenched eyes it would dawn on us that the long awaited day was finally here. Frenzied fights would ensue as we fought to get to the bathroom first in our rush to be the first ones to be dressed for the Flag hoisting and our faithful record player would be silenced in deference to the patriotic songs now booming all over the TELCO Colony. Even the worst cynics would be forced to sing along.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we threaded our way through the sea of people on the way to the stadium, we would buy armloads of paper flags and wave them high in the air. Then inside the stadium, my parents would have to struggle to keep us in our seats through the flag hoisting and the march past of the twenty odd schools and ten departments of Tata Motors. They would finally relent and lift their restraining hands as the crowd favourites – the canine section and the live band went past.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were no televisions to drag us home and a palpable sense of regret pervaded as the ceremony wound up. Reluctant to go back to the mundane, little groups would crowd into friend’s houses and breakfast with more tales of those years before 1947.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now – so many years later – when my eyes cloud with tears every time I hear the Jana gana mana my heart fills with gratitude for those lessons in patriotism that the Tatas taught me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This semolina pudding was my Mothers Independence day favourite - probably because you can make large quantities in minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Semolina Pudding <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a pan mix 2 tablespoons of sooji with a glass of milk<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add sugar to taste. I add less than a tablespoon because I am not a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sweet lover<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put the pan on the gas and allow the milk to come to a boil. Stand right there to avoid a mess.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once the milk boils – lower the flame and simmer, stirring continuously.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The mixture slowly thickens. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When it starts going “phut – phut” turn off the gas and transfer the pudding to a bowl<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Put the bowl in the fridge to chill.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It can be served hot but I love it chilled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enjoy!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-82843661568150302372012-08-09T21:18:00.000-07:002012-08-09T21:30:54.191-07:00My salvaged ego and eggs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Assam was magical! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In our help’s tiny house behind ours, two birds ruled the four human inhabitants - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mithu</i> (the parrot) with his tart admonishing and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kholi</i> (the hen) with her demure coaxing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They subjugated us as well, because the chiding and cajoling continued day long, as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mamun </i>went about her work in our huge house. We were wary of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mithu’s </i>sharp tongue, but were completely bowled over by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kholi’s</i> decorous directives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vying for<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Kholi’s</i> attention as she followed<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Mamun </i>around the yard was a favourite pastime, and each of us imagined ourselves the chosen ones - until one day, our pride was dealt a sudden numbing blow, when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kholi</i> decided she had had enough of us . Mournfully - we ousted humans, brought in a cock.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We, the spurned lovers found the new entrant’s strutting insufferable, but oblivious to fragile crashing egos, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kholi</i> was instantly enamoured of the brutish disposition of our competitor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Injury compounded insult as His pompous majesty crowed himself hoarse every hour with cuckoo clock like accuracy to stoke our guilt about the hours we were whiling away and the precious minutes <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we were wasting in bed after the crack of dawn. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soon <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mamun</i> looked exhausted,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Mithu </i>looked bleary eyed and we looked guilt ridden. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kholi</i> thankfully in her glowing happiness at last laid eggs. As she contented herself with warming her eggs we quickly banished our rival to the village.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were triumphant – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kholi</i> was back!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Kholi</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> gave us lots and lots of eggs. These fertilized ones that she warmed hatched into chicks but before and after the arrival of our arch enemy, she gave us lots and lots of unfertilized (vegetarian eggs) that we relished.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qG4LY9nNcCA/UCSOYMA8q8I/AAAAAAAAACc/PNOMKptOehM/s1600/DSC02659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qG4LY9nNcCA/UCSOYMA8q8I/AAAAAAAAACc/PNOMKptOehM/s320/DSC02659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baked Eggs<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is my favourite when I want to eat something different without expending too much energy<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take a Microwave safe glass bowl (small katori) and break an egg into it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Top the egg with grated cheese.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add salt (add carefully – cheese is already salty) and pepper. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I like it runny so that I can dip in my toast, so I add 2 tablespoons of milk. If you don’t want it runny skip this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Microwave for 1 minute at full power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eat it hot with toast! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-51844021557830208182012-08-03T19:52:00.003-07:002012-08-03T19:53:30.149-07:00Hunger, sleep deficit and Biryani<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">The year 2000 for me is clouded in an exhilarated sleep deprived haze. As an intern that year, life was a heady cocktail of emotions. Elation at finally being a doctor was mixed with generous proportions of despair at still knowing too little and fogged out everything else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">The incomparable intoxication of sleep deficit ruled and left room for little else. One memory that does stand out though – is that of lumbering noisily up the stairs to a first floor apartment in Frazer Town. A bunch of us would arrive there sometime in the late afternoon – invariably unannounced, insatiably hungry and unerringly boisterous after hours of being cloistered in our white coats. Triumphant survivors of self generated near wreckages of the wards we were posted to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">As we pushed open the door to the apartment oblivious of the existence of non – intern life on the planet, we would run headlong into a beautifully serene sight. Razia Aunty would be seated on the corner most sofa with her head covered, her eyes on the Quran and her beads in her hand. One look at us – dishevelled but proud, battered but not done in yet and she would quickly stall her prayers to rush into the kitchen to put together a meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Everyone has their own Ramzan memories and this one is mine. All through the month of fasting when she wasn’t cooking for her own family she would conjure up these wondrous meals for a bunch of hungry aspiring doctors so that they could revel in their few successes and go on to greater ones. Today’s post is just for you Aunty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 200%;">Ultra quick Biryani<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Wash and clean Curry Cut chicken (chicken with medium sized pieces basically).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Measure out 2 cups of rice. Use the best Basmati with the longest grains that you can find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wash the rice well and place it in a strainer to drain off the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pressure cooker. Fry a chopped onion till it turns golden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Add a tsp of ginger garlic paste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Add a chopped tomato – followed by a good amount of salt. The salt should be a little more than you would normally add to a curry because the rice will be added to this later and needs to get salted as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Wait for the tomatoes to lose all their water and become a thick masala.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Now add Shahi Biryani Masala and fry a bit. You get this heady aroma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Now add 4 cups of water to the masala and add the chicken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Give the chicken one whistle in the cooker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Allow the cooker to cool and then open<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Add the washed rice to the cooked chicken and mix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Now cook the rice in the same cooker without the lid on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">When the rice is done, mix well with a fork and serve hot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-27396458472880641092012-07-26T23:17:00.000-07:002012-07-27T00:32:44.966-07:00Jeera aloo and its fight for supremacy in dieter's fortress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my house right now - the clothes are not drying, the shoes are stinking and there is a stench from the garbage dump half a kilometre away that even sealed windows cannot keep out. Classical monsoon smells and I am not complaining. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My problem is mammoth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am protesting against the aroma from the kitchen of the “Deadly Deep Frying Diva” – my new neighbour to be precise, who appears to be the invincible queen of grease. The heady smell of her deep fried cuisine and her “ghee ka tadkas” ride the humid still air around her flat and have given the word “temptation” a new meaning in my life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fortunately our fifth floor abode is a virtual fortress and does not allow the smells inside the hallowed interiors of our blessed aspiring dieter’s paradise – but it has become a torture to open the front door and step out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seven ‘o clock is the chosen hour at which we step out after our staid breakfasts of dalia and fruits – and that is the time she decides to fry her “pyaz ke parathe” in ghee . I am almost swooning as I attempt to lock my door and I would give anything to eat that paratha with a huge dollop of butter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully however - as I inhale a lung full of the mouth watering aroma – just the excess air in my body stretches the stitches on my clothes and reminds me that this is an expensive wardrobe that I just cannot afford to outgrow, and so I scoot towards the lift (promising myself that I will take the stairs from tomorrow). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deep fried diva does not give up so easily though. In the evening as three growling stomachs belonging to Baba Bear, Mamma Bear and Baby Bear - step out of the lift – she strategically drops a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">puri </i>into the oil and stirs the intoxicating <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aloo ki sabji </i>on her gas stove. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s it – my defences are down!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fling caution to the winds!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">puri</i> – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aloo ki sabji</i> is definitely on today’s menu!!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No I didn’t ring her bell (though I was tempted to) I made my own!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a life saving recipe and has saved my gasping meals from drowning several times. When I attempted it the first time, my Bengali (and therefore connoisseur by birth) Dad rubbished my attempt because the potatoes were not adequately salty at their core. Thereafter I devised this trick of cutting the potatoes small and adding a good amount of water to the final sabji and then allowing it to evaporate. The end result is not the dry jeera aloo that you can order in restaurants but a dish with adherent gravy. If you like the sour taste to predominate – you could add 2 tablespoons of curd instead of water. I love this! I just didn’t have curd on hand that day.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeera Aloo</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Boil 3 large potatoes. They need to be cooked to their centres but should not disintegrate. I generally do three whistles in the pressure cooker and then allow the cooker to cool on its own.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cut up the boiled potatoes into small cubes</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a karahi and add 1 tsp of jeera to it</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Follow the jeera with a pinch of haldi powder and salt (to taste)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add the cubed boiled potatoes to the oil and mix well to coat them with the masala</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now add about 4 tablespoons of water to the karahi</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAjh9-mYTDU/UBJDpkYvbfI/AAAAAAAAACM/Ve0TCtVbkNo/s1600/DSC03401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAjh9-mYTDU/UBJDpkYvbfI/AAAAAAAAACM/Ve0TCtVbkNo/s320/DSC03401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Allow the water to boil and evaporate</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Serve hot – on indulgent days. </span></span></div>
</div>varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3637201791777875449.post-10244802160061554302012-07-13T20:15:00.002-07:002012-07-13T20:15:48.380-07:00The link between Real estate and Tuna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last Sunday we were just three days away from our wedding anniversary. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gifts have been rather one sided in the past eleven years and I have been at the receiving end. So this eleventh year I decided to push the envelope. A small push - with ideating rather than funding at its core. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The buy would smoothen our furrowed brows, reassuringly wipe away our friend’s concerned looks and purge us of the disgusted disapproval of acquaintances. It would kick-start our heretofore nonexistent foray into real estate and glean the envy of the diamond and platinum buyers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday was the chosen day and we set off with the firm resolve to sign the papers and follow it up by well deserved fine dining.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a reason however why certain people don’t own houses and we were destined to learn that that day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the agent giving us directions on the phone we were driving down a road when we passed the beautiful Pandav Garha waterfall. Picnickers were embarking on their journey up the waterfall and we began looking at them longingly. The agent no longer had our attention and we involuntarily stopped the car. In a trance we followed the picnickers down the path and up the mountain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was the most fun we had since we migrated to this metropolitan mela. High end shoes and sandals were soaking wet, clothes that had looked chic a few hours ago looked tattered at the end of the climb but hearts were soaring high.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course the flat didn’t get bought and the fine dine restaurants were closed for lunch by the time we made it back. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In our exhilaration at the miracle of nature that we had just witnessed however– we were happy with Tinned Tuna on Toast.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuna on Toast</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am not sure this should be called a recipe but it definitely is a winning dish in the hands of the hungry and the exhausted</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Open a tin of Tuna (with the good sense of a weight conscious doctor pushed into the darkest recesses of my mind - I always pick up tuna in oil rather than in brine)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overturn the contents of the tin into a large bowl</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Generously add 4 or 5 tablespoons of mayonnaise.( It is best to indulge in something like mountain climbing like I did before this so that you can justify your indulgence.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mix the mayonnaise and the Tuna.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pop slices of bread into the toaster and wait for them to become brown and crisp</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Layer the Tuna mixture on the toast and pamper your taste buds.</span></span></div>
</div>varshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06125012666137477381noreply@blogger.com11