The Deep Fried Happiness - Thekua

 Yesterday I pulled out something ancient from the pantry. It’s made of wood and is called Thekua mould. My mother in law had got this for me because she feels I have an inclination for cooking which an ideal daughter in law should have but she knows that I write too and it’s important part of my life.

thekua mould 

So coming back to today’s post. Yesterday I discussed the recipe of thekua with my mother and aunts and finally pulled out all the ingredients together to try it. Since past few days I had been watching Servant series which had too much of food in it. That was another reason which pulled me in the kitchen. The batter was mixed and the patties were shaped and deep fried but I was not happy the way they turned out to be so I had involve my husband who is better cook than me.So in a way whole family was involved and later when my son tasted it, thekua reminded him of cookies. He has not eaten thekua which my grandmother would make but I want him to have this memory, that box of thekua which he can open and eat. That snack which I can pack for him anytime.

thekua 

Sweet and Tangy Memories - Papdi Chaat

 he texted me when I was preparing his lunch 

can you please add sweet chutney?
I always do I wrote him back.

he in this conversation is my son who is enjoying his home based learning which started last week. So now that we eat our lunch together at home I am trying to keep food interesting for him. So today when I asked him what he would eat for lunch his reply was chaat. So the papdi chaat was assembled for him and while I was doing the same he texted him. Chaat is therapy food for us and both the chutneys are essential ingredient for it. Now that we are at home a bowl of this takes us to India and brings back those colours which we have left behind. And I am happy that his childhood has the same old fragrance which I am carrying with me, he is a mcdonald kid but just like me craves Indian street food.

 Papdi Chaat 

The regular rogan josh

we all have that regular curry which is cooked at home that curry which doesn't need anything special just the regular ingredients which you know will go perfectly with a bowl of steamed plain rice.
its been years since i have been buying goat meat from this particular shop in tekka market little india singapore yesterday because i was in that area i had to go to that shop and the dinner menu was planned

rogan josh with steamed rice 

Roganjosh

now i need not look for recipe in the books i know what to add how much to add
ingredient
400 gm goat meat
three onions chopped coarsely
ginger garlic paste two tbsp
salt as per taste
one tsp each of red chili powder turmeric powder coriander powder and garam masala
curd one cup
pinch of asafoetida
one tsp of cumin seeds

procedure

heat two tbsp oil in a wok
add cumin seeds and hing followed by onions
keep stirring till onions become brown
now add mutton pieces and ginger garlic paste
once the mutton pieces become brown add powdered masala
ginger garlic paste and salt
stir for two minutes add curd and half cup of water
and cook for twenty minutes
after twenty minutes transfer the content to pressure cooker
pressure cook for three to four whistles
garnish with chopped coriander leaves
serve warm with rice.

and there are many more cakes - steamed cake

While growing up the only cake I has was pan cake , fruit cake and cream roll brought from a small bakery and the occasional birthday cake which would be too creamy slowly there was pineapple cake as we grew up which would have tiny bits of pineapple on the extra sugar cream layer with time I was introduced to black forest during my higher studies and to brownies and other fancy delicacies  and that's when I realised not all cakes are meant for us wheel of time brought me to Singapore and I thought I was in paradise so many to choose from more then cakes it was bun which enticed me so that's how I was introduced to croissant and other kind of bread this is how your childhood when you don't grow up in a metropolitan city and I don't think so I missed anything but yes life was different now a year in Lyon france made me fall in love with the breads there sold in the open market and now that I am back I am still trying each day something new always my eyes are searching for something new to relish - steamed cake is one such delicacy which appeased my taste buds its not creamy there are different flavours to choose from the one I had yesterday had berries in it light and flavourful perfect for my evening cup of chai .

and you were back - a letter

dear advay ,
this time it was different the wait was there but less of anxiety , I read a lot books after books and slept too so it was like holiday for my soul when you were away ,updates were sent but not too many in one pic I recognised you by your shoes in another by the colour of your shirt .only in one pic you were there smiling back as if telling us you are fine and we held that pic , the day you came back you showed us your hand which had a bandaid and the soles were ripped off from your shoes but you looked happy and you had stories to tell what else we needed
I will try to update this space more often
love
mummy

open letter to advay - heartfelt sorry

Dear Advay
I know its been a long time since I wrote to you here
This is heartfelt apology from your mother
I know how you must have felt when you must have seen other kids in coloured clothes yes its because of me I never checked the school mail most of the time school news is given by your father and just because he is travelling I forgot to check
So please forgive your mummy
I know this has never happened before I promise I will be checking the school mail daily
Happy children's day
Love
Mummy