The X-files with X-cellent Paturi

Some things never change.

"x" --Still as unknown as it was so many years ago.

No change.

pc: brilliant.org

Since last month, Algebra has come back into my life and with that, the "unknown x" has brought back memories from the depth of my childhood.

The pain, the struggle, the tears, the exams, the marks, the ......

One scene came back so vividly that it felt like 'just the other day".

[Present - Mom is sitting with A-junior and Algebra]

But Ma, why is the 'x' not known?

But Ma, why do we have 'a' here and not 'x'?

But Ma, you just said that x is not known.

But Ma, my teacher said that you have to write it on the left of the line....

[Flash back]

A small town in India. Durgapur. Evening time.

A father and his daughter are sitting on the bed. Algebra books scattered all around. 

Algebra & Geometry had just started at school.

Her face is scared and helpless. She is not very sure that she understands it all. She described her problem to her father, who had just returned from work.

He said, 'No worries, let me help you with the basics, it is not that hard...."

Little did he know what was coming...

Please note that the father has a patience level of infinity (Really!). He is one of the 'coolest' dads I have seen.

The daughter was not exactly a class topper but not a very dumb student either. So the session started with a basic hope that with her intelligence and his patience they will nail it.

The first few minutes were spent in turning the pages of the Algebra book and trying to figure out where to start, how to start. 

I told you, he is a very patient man.

"Dekhi kon chapter porache.."[show me which chapter they are teaching at school]
So far so good.

He begins, "Let the unknown be 'x' ".

Daughter: Why is it always 'x' ? Not other alphabets? Who chose that?

Father: It can be anything..any unknown. But for this sum let us assume it is 'x'.

Daughter:  [fidgets, not convinced.] : But if it can be anything why do you call it 'x'?

Father: It is not me calling it 'x', in general we all call it 'x'. But once the concept is clear, you can call it anything...

Daughter: Ok, if you say so...but it is not very clear.

[This went on and on and on and on for sometime]

Father (showing first flicker of irritation but still immensely cool): First try to understand the basics, we can call it whatever later, x, y, z, hathi, ghonra, pompi, tiklu......anything!

[hathi = elephant, ghora=horse, pompi,tiklu=our pet names]

He continued to explain.

She tried to understand but her nagging confusion with 'x' continued.  (don't you smile!)

At some point, even the infinitely-patient father could not take it anymore.

I clearly remember the scene.

I had tears in my eyes. I just could not handle x and its 'unknown-ness'.

He did not scold at all. Not a single angry word but surely a massive patience failure.

He (very cool, as if he had all the time in the world) took my book, my copy, my geometry box, the ruler, the rough book, piled them all together into one bunch, paused for a moment and just threw the whole bunch out of the window. 

Whoooossshhhhhhh.....They flew out like a frisbee and landed somewhere in the garden with a thud!

I kept on looking with tears in my eyes.

He said, "Ja, tor dara konodin Algebra hobe na' [You can never do Algebra]!!!

After a few sobs, I went out to look for my books and my father went out to get some Rosogolla for me.
Thankfully his prediction about my Algebra-future did not come true. Phew....

[Present - Mom is sitting with A-junior and Algebra]

Mom: First try to understand the basics, we can call it whatever later, x, y, z, hathi, ghonra, arno, ......anything!

;-)

Yes, we need to eat after such an Algebra session.

Paturi:

Paturi or 'Macher Paturi' is a very traditional Bengali dish. 

It is fish (marinated in Mustard paste and oil) wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. It goes best with plain steaming white rice. The taste is that of 'a piece of heaven in your mouth'. 
Algebra comes nowhere near to it...

Ingredients:  

• Fish fillet :  2 large (I used Sea baas)
• Mustard paste : 5 large teaspoonful
• Grated coconut: 2 large spoonful (Optional)
• Green chili: 4 (sliced)
• Salt, turmeric and mustard oil
• Banana leaves (for wrapping)
• Cocktail sticks

Ready steady go: 

• In a bowl mix the mustard paste, the grated coconut and 3 tbsp mustard oil, salt and turmeric.
• Take a banana leaf, clean it properly and then in the center put one tbsp of the paste.

• Clean and pat dry the fish with a dry kitchen towel. Place it on the paste on the leaf and nicely cover it with another tbsp of the paste. Drizzle few drops of mustard oil and some sliced green chillis on top.
• Carefully fold the leaf and pin it with a cocktail stick 

• Keep in the fridge for one hour.
• Take a nonstick pan and put just a few drops of mustard oil on it.  When the oil is hot, place the wrapped packets in the pan (one layer only). Reduce heat to a minimum and cover. Cook for 6-7 mins and then turn the paturi. Cook for another 5 minutes. The banana leaf should slightly turn brown. [It is also possible to cook in the oven]

• Serve with steaming hot white rice.
• Open the packs and enjoy the "piece of heaven in your mouth". I was so happy that I forgot to take a photo after opening it......