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Kholmbo Pitti / Konkani Sambhar Powder
What is it about nanis (maternal grandmas), and their granddaughters? This bond has to be amongst the strongest, for even though my Biji's been gone these past nine years, she lives in my writings. Biji was tiny, plump, and beautiful. Amongst my happiest memories of her are those wherein she pottered about the kitchen, fixing hot meals for the ( Read more... ) -
Unfettered
The muse rummages through/The caverns of my mind.
He opens a window/A swarm of words is released.
-Shalu. -
Pickled Pink
"It takes a sour woman to make a good pickle." Thus quoth Michael Chabon in his 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union.' I remember my laughter when I first read this. Of all the chump-headed things to write! I think of the extraordinarily mellow people-who first whetted my appetite by feeding me pickles, and then those who taught me to bung my own ( Read more... ) -
दाल-के-पकौड़े । एक विधि इलाहाबाद/प्रयाग से ।
TIL how to cook a traditional pakoda/fritters recipe from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
https://instagram.com/p/BAChtYljtmm/
I started with 2 cups lentil/daal (moong daal with bran/chilka). Soaked the daal for 2-3 hours, and discarded half the chilka. The daal was crushed fine with a generous pinch of asafoetida. Next, added 2 cups of chopped/grated ( Read more... ) -
More Mango Madness
Gudamma/Gulca
This is a sweet-and-tangy chutney from the erstwhile Uttar Pradesh, in India. Think monsoons, think rains, and think Gulca. To prepare this chutney: 1kg raw mangoes were peeled and chopped into ½ inch pieces. Next, added 1 tsp oil, Fenugreek/methi dana (5-6 seeds), Black Cumin (5-6 seeds), Black Cardamom (2-4), ½ inch piece of ( Read more... ) -
Translations from Punjabi/Urdu into English
I love my mothertongue-it's the language Bulleh Shah penned his verse in and legends such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parvin sang/sing in. I've two humble offerings for you.
Song 1. The soundtrack of the movie Queen featured the lovely song 'Ranjha' with lyrics by Raghu Nath and music and vocals by Rupesh Kumar Ram. The context: http://en. ( Read more... ) -
Mishri-Ki-Dalli
I first saw you cowering away from a dish containing curd-rice. Runt-of-the-litter, you were being bullied by your siblings who growled each time you came close. I kneeled down by your side and offered my hand for you to lick. You looked into my eyes and I melted, cooing encouraging nonsense. Suddenly, you turned, growled deep, and launched ( Read more... ) -
Bharwan Bhindi (Stuffed Okra/Gumbo)
I stuffed bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) with peanuts and slow roasted it to crispy crackling goodness. The ease of bunging this recipe together makes me giggle.
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Noni di Dum-Puhkt Mutton Biryani
My dad got me started in cooking. I'd just finished twelfth grade and been accepted at Veterinary college. Dad had come over from Srinagar (where he was posted then) to see to the formalities. We were invited to an aunt's home for a celebratory dinner. I remember she was built like a M46 Patton and was equally intimidating. The quintessential ( Read more... ) -
More Mango Madness
Earlier.
Cut to present. Mum’s had a fall and my poodle Mishka is on her very last legs-reasons enough for me to get trapped in malaise. So this Sunday I shook myself (just as Mishka taught me) and decided to head out to Lalbagh. The botanical nursery there affords me unadulterated pleasure, there is a mango and jackfruit mela (fair) in progress ( Read more... )
