Food Fiction - Of Spinach leaves and Sapeta

She was clocked up with thoughts about dinner,even though it was just 5pm but still she had to rush with things as she knew once her son would be back from playground she wouldnt get any time,cooking was something which she enjoyed the most when she was alone because she could be herself ,she pondered a lot and then decided to prepare Sapeta,plain rice and onion raita  for dinner .

(photo taken from here )

In a basket she kept all the ingredient she needed tomato,onion,green chili,garlic and spinach leaves,she tuned to her favourite radio station and started with the preparation .Her one of the favourite song Babul Mora Naihar Chuto Jaye was playing on the radio ,as she started chopping spinach leaves her thoughts went back to her childhood days.
It had been some four years since she last visited them ,because of her son's school . she just didnt get time to visit her parents .It was just either phone call or skype which kept them connected,but now since her son's exams were over she thought of planning a visit soon.Once spinach leaves were chopped,she washed and drained the leaves and started with the  preparation of  dal but mentally she was still at her parents place.Anjali was so busy frying onion that she didnt realise that the  door bell was ringing ,surprised that who would  be at this time she wiped her hand in the kitchen towel and rushed to open the door.
Vivek - "what took you so long ?"
Anjali - "Oh i was so busy cooking that i didnt realise,how come you are early today ?"
Vivek - "I thought of surprising you -) "
Anjali - " thanks i just had tea what would u like ?"
Vivek  - "nothing i am going on office tour for few days,and as Akshat is going for his summer camp the same time i thought you can join me for the tour."
Anjali thinks ( i cant go to my parents place again  this summer ),"oh ya sure i gonna join you."
Vivek-  " I knew you would be ready , have booked the ticket and spoke to Akshat too."
Anjai wiping tears from her eyes adds tomato and powdered masala to the fried onions,her younger sis was coming after two years from States ,she knew that she cant tell this to her hubby ,keeping her emotions to her self she adds chopped and drained spinach to fried onion and tomato mixture.
Vivek - "what are you preparing it smells so good ?"
Anjali - " i am preparing Sapeta this reminds me of my Dadi ,you know when i was kid i never used to like this,but now not only i prepare i like it too."
Vivek -" hmm you missing your Dadi ?"
Anjali - " no its just that some recipes makes us nostalgic."
Once Sapeta was prepared and the table was set Anjali saw a envelope addressed to her on the kitchen table.
Anjali - "Vivek when did this come , evening there was no mail."
Vivek -" its addressed to you so i didnt open"
Anjali opens the envelope slowly and finds a card and ticket to India for her hometown tears filled her eyes and she knew who would do this,Vivek was looking at her expression with a grin on his face,
Anjali -" so this is it ,thanks a ton ."
Vivek  -" Thanks now when did this word come between our relationship,you deserve a break its been so long since u visited your parents ,so i planned it i know ur younger sister is coming from States."
Anjali - " I thought of telling you today but when you told me about the trip I dropped the idea anyways thanks for making my day ,.:-)"
The above story is my entry for Of Chalks and Chopsticks hosted this month by
Jaya of Desi Soccer Mom event started by Aqua of Served with Love .

Recipe name- Sapeta
Recipe source kitchen experiment
Ingredient for the dal
Toor dal half cup
salt as per taste
turmeric powder half tsp
Ingredient for fried spinach
spinach leaves chopped one cup
onion one chopped coarsely
garlic clove two chopped coarsely
green chili two chopped coarsely
tomato one chopped coarsely
cumin seed half tsp
asafoetida pinch
bay leaves crushed two
dried red chili crushed one
oil to cook
coriander powder half tsp
red chili powder one fourth tsp
Preparation
pressure cook dal for one to two whistle and keep aside.
Procedure
heat two tsp  oil in non stick wok
once oil is hot lower the flame add cumin seed,asafoetida,dried red chili and bay leaves
once they start spluttering add chopped onion,garlic and green chili
keep stirring till onion starts changing its colour
add chopped tomato ,red chili and coriander powder followed by salt
keep stirring till oil is seen along the sides
add chopped spinach leaves and mix everything together
after 2 to 3 mins add cooked dal and let it simmer for 5 to 10 mins.
serve warm with rice and raita.

Also linking this post to
Weekend wrap up 40 hosted by Colours Dekor
My legume love affair 37  hosted by Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook.
Thats all friends,will catch up with you all soon,
take care and happy blogging ,.



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