I have to admit that I have not posted anything on Gift of Life for a very long time.
Too many initiatives, too many responsibilities, too many interests, painful knee, full time job, teenage son, the 24-hr ridiculously short days .......
Excuses! I know!
Meanwhile, I did cook a lot.
Really. Took photos as well.
A-junior (who is in his teens now and not the subject of this blog anymore) also said and did few things worth posting but ....
A-senior continues to be his 'cool' self , thereby adding more topics for my blogs but.....
Ok, I see it in your eyes.
I admit, I have ignored the "Gift of Life" for a while.
The Corona made me reflect.💓
The 'Gift of Life" must be appreciated every moment.
Eating healthy home cooked food had always been in the family. More so because both of us love to cook.
But with time (some of you will naughtily call it AGE :-)), I realized that my cooking habits are becoming more and more traditional. My taste buds are craving for simple tastes that I grew up with.
Flavours from my Mom's kitchen.
She was never fond of cooking when we were growing up. It was mostly very simple food which was cooked in very very short time. Her interest was more in housekeeping. The sofa needed to be spotless, the curtains absolutely matched and hanging straight and smart, not a speck of dust on the windowsill.....and all that required time which she saved from her cooking agenda.
My father left for work at 7:15 AM . He carried his lunch from home.
Hence her 3-4 course lunch menu was cooked and ready before 7:10 AM.
Daal, Bhaat, Bhaja, Macher jhol and Chatni.....
No recipe books, no measuring spoons, no non-stick frying pans.....
Simple tastes. Simple flavours. Healthy.
My love for cooking came much later in life.
Hostel life taught me egg-curry. 😊 We made different types of egg curries, creativity at the best. When "M" cooked hers, it was so good, that the rest of us opted for washing utensils.
The cook in me was born.
We also learnt to appreciate whatever was on our plates.
At home, plates were wiped clean due to fear (you have not see my mom's eyes 😀).
Hostel life taught me to be thankful for food on my plate. Any food. Especially the effort that goes in to prepare and serve.
Taught me to appreciate what my mom cooked and served everyday.
My REAL cooking began only when I started living alone in Japan and very soon realized that instant noodles is not healthy and is actually very boring. Eating out in Japan, for a student on scholarship was also not exactly doable. I was also highly encouraged by the international hostel kitchen where we prepared and exhibited food from our own countries. Indian food was super hit....anything yellow and faintly smelling of garam masala was appreciated to the moon and back.
The cook in me was encouraged.
Then A-senior came into life, a foodie who also loves to cook .
...after that there was no looking back. (for the weighing machine, I mean!!)
The cook in me was established.
Crazy situation!
As the Corona globally dances around scaring everyone with its novelty, we are stuck at home with our hand sanitizers and whatsapp messages.
Take care friends. Be aware, be careful, be and keep safe.
I pick up my "Gift of Life"
Keeping clean, Not panicking, Increasing social distance ---the three weapons we have to fight the virus.
.....and of course there is Lau-Chingri.
Too many initiatives, too many responsibilities, too many interests, painful knee, full time job, teenage son, the 24-hr ridiculously short days .......
Excuses! I know!
Meanwhile, I did cook a lot.
Really. Took photos as well.
A-junior (who is in his teens now and not the subject of this blog anymore) also said and did few things worth posting but ....
A-senior continues to be his 'cool' self , thereby adding more topics for my blogs but.....
Ok, I see it in your eyes.
I admit, I have ignored the "Gift of Life" for a while.
The Corona made me reflect.💓
The 'Gift of Life" must be appreciated every moment.
Eating healthy home cooked food had always been in the family. More so because both of us love to cook.
But with time (some of you will naughtily call it AGE :-)), I realized that my cooking habits are becoming more and more traditional. My taste buds are craving for simple tastes that I grew up with.
Flavours from my Mom's kitchen.
She was never fond of cooking when we were growing up. It was mostly very simple food which was cooked in very very short time. Her interest was more in housekeeping. The sofa needed to be spotless, the curtains absolutely matched and hanging straight and smart, not a speck of dust on the windowsill.....and all that required time which she saved from her cooking agenda.
My father left for work at 7:15 AM . He carried his lunch from home.
Hence her 3-4 course lunch menu was cooked and ready before 7:10 AM.
Daal, Bhaat, Bhaja, Macher jhol and Chatni.....
No recipe books, no measuring spoons, no non-stick frying pans.....
Simple tastes. Simple flavours. Healthy.
My love for cooking came much later in life.
Hostel life taught me egg-curry. 😊 We made different types of egg curries, creativity at the best. When "M" cooked hers, it was so good, that the rest of us opted for washing utensils.
The cook in me was born.
We also learnt to appreciate whatever was on our plates.
At home, plates were wiped clean due to fear (you have not see my mom's eyes 😀).
Hostel life taught me to be thankful for food on my plate. Any food. Especially the effort that goes in to prepare and serve.
Taught me to appreciate what my mom cooked and served everyday.
My REAL cooking began only when I started living alone in Japan and very soon realized that instant noodles is not healthy and is actually very boring. Eating out in Japan, for a student on scholarship was also not exactly doable. I was also highly encouraged by the international hostel kitchen where we prepared and exhibited food from our own countries. Indian food was super hit....anything yellow and faintly smelling of garam masala was appreciated to the moon and back.
The cook in me was encouraged.
Then A-senior came into life, a foodie who also loves to cook .
...after that there was no looking back. (for the weighing machine, I mean!!)
The cook in me was established.
Crazy situation!
As the Corona globally dances around scaring everyone with its novelty, we are stuck at home with our hand sanitizers and whatsapp messages.
Take care friends. Be aware, be careful, be and keep safe.
I pick up my "Gift of Life"
Keeping clean, Not panicking, Increasing social distance ---the three weapons we have to fight the virus.
.....and of course there is Lau-Chingri.
Ingredients:
- Prawns (for me they are the other name of Nirvana, so I was generous)
- Gourd (cut into thin slices)
- 2 Bay leaves
- 1 tsp whole cumin
- 1 stick of cinnamon and 2 pods of cardamom
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tbsp chopped green chilli
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- Mustard oil to cook
- 1 tsp ghee (optional)
- 1/2 tsp sugar
Ready steady cook:
Heat the mustard oil and fry the prawns (marinated for 10 mins with salt and turmeric) till they turn orange. Keep aside.
In the same oil add a spoon of ghee, add the cinnamon, cardamom, cumin seeds and the chopped chillies.
As it sizzles, add the gourd and the chopped tomatoes, Then add salt , sugar, cumin powder, coriander powder and turmeric.
Usually gourd releases a lot of water. Let it cook (covered) in its own water till it becomes soft.
Next add the prawns, cover and cook for a few more minutes on low heat.
Garnishing with chopped coriander is an option.
Your dinner on your plate is a Gift of Life.
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