SouthIndian Breakfast

I'm from East and my husband is from North of India but one thing that we have in common is the love for Southindian Food. It is pretty light on stomach, very simple yet tasty. Usually when we travel by Rajdhani, we order continental food but when we travel by Shatabdi, South Indian Vada-Idli with Sambhar-Chautni...this is what we order all the time. India has such immense varieties all wrapped up into one, just taste it once. 

Gujiya

Chuski

If you are a street food lover and you are always on the look out for something unhealthy yet tasty then, this is one of the many, that you'll find on the streets of India.
How many of you know about "Chuski"? I didn't, till I met my husband, yes I had my first Chuski with my husband on the streets of New Delhi.
Chuski is nothing but "Ice gola"..solid ice crushed and then shaped with a stick in a glass then liquid juice is poured on top with some masala and is served to you. Now why the name "Chuski"...I think, it is because, isse chuss chuss ke hi khana hota hain...chusna in English means sucking ..you need to close your lips on the ice and suck the liquid out of it.
It is available in many flavours like Orange, Mango, Rose, Khus and my favourite Kala Khatta. Whenever I go to New Delhi, still I stop by, to taste my lipsmacking Kala Khatta.

Rasogolla

Pujo Aachee...Ma Durga is coming...what is celebration without the bengali sweets. And what tops the list? undoubtedly Rasogolla. A big round ball, you just put it whole in your mouth and then puncture it and feel the burst of sweetness. The last day of Durga Puja is called "Bijoya Dashami" and that day Ma Durga's Idol is submerged in water and it is believed that she returned to her home. On the way back, we all buy sweets..."Mukh mishti korano"..that is part of our tradition. And every year we buy a big handi of Rasogolla...for ourselves and for all our friends and relatives too.
                Another important point I would like to make here...when I was in New Delhi, I actually came across a big shop with the name of "Bengali Sweets", it claims to specialize in this field. So even if you are not in Bengal still you can taste it.

Paneer Pasanda

Omlette

Being a non-veg we just love eating eggs ...we make poch with the sunny side up or just boiled eggs for breakfast..egg rolls for snack...and  my husband prefers "anda bhurji" with his glass of drink...but my son's all time favourite is Omlette. My grandfather used to make the perfect folds to the omlette...my father loved it a bit wet and juicy inside within the folds and this one is made by my husband ...pan pizza style.  

Sugarcane Juice

This is a Sugarcane Juicer. Unlike the metal Juicer this is purely made out of wood. Now the question might be arised, "How these two are different?". For that you will have to taste the juice yourself. What I felt was, the juice that we get out of the machine grind, that does have sediments, very tiny particles which irritates the throat but this is just perfect. I've taken this pic at Naranpura, (Gujrat), but on talking to this fellow, he said he brought this thella from Shani Shingnapur, (Maharashtra). It is really interesting to see how far a person travels to make two penny. He has taken this on lease from someone. He charges 20 rupees for one glass. And even after such hardwork, he seemed contended and happy. He smiled for the camera and spoke to us so nicely. 

Little Hearts

Curries

"Curries" is a multicuisine restaurent set up in the year 2005. It won the Best North Indian Food Award given by the Times Group (2008). It also won the best Non-Veg Restaurent Award by CNN/CNBC/1BN7 (2009). They have three branches and later on extended into the "Tryst" (Lounge) and "Brownies" (Bakery). I went there for the first time in the year 2011, when I was going through an operation (Laproscopic Cholecystectomy) that my parents came to see me through this...and ofcourse to take care of my baby. Mostly they were stuck with me during their entire stay period of 2 weeks. So the day before their departure ...I insisted that we should go out for a dinner. So I remembered that once in ETV(Gujrati), Rasoi Show, I noticed a coverage on the restaurent called "Curries" and the people who were eating there, were of the opinion that their speciallity is North-Indian Food. So even I decided to stick by it. I ordered parathas with paneer special. Then I asked the person who was attending us, "what do you suggest?" and he replied "Sizzlers" so I said "OK". Then we had to wait a while, before the food could be served. Now the report card - well the ambience is good, staff is good, food is good but honestly that is not good enough for me. See, when you are shelling out a sum and going to a reputed place, these things are usually going to be rated as good. But what I look forward to is definitely something hatke...which will make me remember you and even refer...that something hatke was missing.  

Popcorn

Popcorn.....hmmmm....who can sit in a multiplex and watch a movie without a large bucket of popcorn and colas...atleast I can't.
         But at home, if you wish to eat popcorn, then? Well then the solution to your problem is "ACT II" popcorns. These are small tiny affordable pack for one and are available in variety of flavours, Classic Salted, Chille-Tomatto....my favourite is Butter Pepper.

Watermelon

During the season, the vendors at the streets make bulk purchases of seasonal fruits.
             After dinner, many Gujraties are fond of strolling round the streets with family. And at times they prefer to stop by a fruit stall. The vendors chop and serve the fruits with masala sprinkled on top and a tiny toothpick to eat with.
            This makes a mere fruit eating an excuse to go out, sit at a shop, eat and enjoy a time with family.

Boiled - Are We?

New Delhi, there is a Hindi song “Delli ki sardi”…which hints at the extreme chill of wintry winds. I’m from Kolkatta, so even 2 degrees was just impossible for me to bear. My husband used to come back home from office as late as 7- 7:30, after that I used to serve him tea and snacks and then almost by 8 P.M. we were out for some fresh air. Usually due to jam and all, we used to get a bit late for home. So on the way, we were in the habit of munching something almost every day. Today, I’m going to talk about one of our favourites in that list - Boiled Eggs.

Yes, during winter one stall which frequented every corner of the street was this. Hot boiled eggs, two in number are sliced and then some onion, tomato, green chillies with some magic masala on top is served on a plate to you. Very simple dish and trust me, hot-hot it tastes heavenly.

But there is a twist in the tale. One night, we stopped by a stall. While I was standing next to our bike, my husband went down for placing the order. Within no time it was ready. My husband was carrying two plates in two hands; he without turning round, just stepped back a few steps and ……BITE..... I did scream out to him, because I noticed some movement from a distance but it was too late. There was a dog sleeping next to that stall, black dog in black night, my husband failed to notice and stepped on him, poor dog had no choice but to BITE.

Phir kya tha…we rushed to the nearby hospital – Safdarjung, it was almost 11 P.M. We reached the emergency ward. And I could not believe my eyes, there were so many patients with the same complaint – Dog Bite. Many kids were also there, waiting in anxiety, holding their mother’s hand tightly. It was a long wait before my husband could get his big injection in the buttocks.  Thanks to the Govt. that medical facilities are provided to the poor at a subsidiary rate, otherwise what would happen to all those who can’t afford to buy it?

Anyway, since that day, till the last day of our stay period in New Delhi, we could not master any courage to get to any such road side stalls again.

Idlli

While travelling I love to eat something less cumbersome, like idllies. I’m not South Indian, but I’m sure many will agree that South Indian food mainly like, Dosa, Idlli, Uttapam appeals to our taste buds.

My husband, being a North Indian  loves South Indian food so much that he specially ordered the required utensils from his colleagues who are from South India(like the idly maker and specific tawa for making dosa). My husband’s passion is food, and it is him who first made an attempt preparing this at home.

Preparing idlli is very easy. Buy the ready to mix packs and just follow the instructions on the back. Here in this photo, if you look carefully you’ll notice some innovative move from my husband. He mixed the plain batter with some special ingredients which gives a different flavour to the plain idlli. And my husband also serves different chutnies with this. No, not a plain, dull, coconut chutni.  We get to relish his special coloured coconut chutni (all mixed up with ingredients to get different colours like green or red). Trust me, the more colourful, the more appealing it is.  

Phulka

You all must be wondering why exactly on earth I'm putting up a picture of "Roti" ? As it is the famous line of a film - what do we need to survive ? "Roti, Kapda, aur Makan". So you can see "Roti" is the most vital thing. Actually, there is another reason why I've chosen this topic today. Well before marriage I never entered the kitchen. I never needed to and more so, though I enjoyed eating but had no inclination for cooking. During our courtship period, I realized that my boyfriend, now husband is a big foodie. He once went to someone's party and made it a point to ask the recepie of stuffed capsisum from the host's wife. He is just so passionate about cooking. So its a shame if I tell a person like him that I do not know how to cook. So as I loved him, I decided to prepare myself for the forthcoming big change in my life. I took more initiateves at home, offered help at the kitchen. Tried my hands with some basic things like dal, bhat, sabji. Unfortunately my preparations were good enough for me, my mother was also very happy but I realized only after my marriage that it was not the same for others. They are non bengalies thus roties or "Phulkas", as they commonly call these, are integral to their lives. And here I was standing, having never dirtied my hand with flour before, did not know how to knead, did not know how to make a roti. It took only a day for this interesting news to spread like fire. Relatives were talking. One fine day, one person was at our home, and I was sitting alone with her for a while, so  before my mother-in-law could repeat this whole thing in her own mother tounge, I told her myself. To my surprise, she did not raise her eyebrows, rather she said " Even if you don't know, don't go on talking about it. Take your time and learn. Its nothing difficult, it just needs practice that's all." I really wished that in-laws understood that. Anyway, at home in New Delhi, I was prepaering tiffin for my husband since day one. And whatever sabji I made (palak paneer, kofta, mix veg) one thing was common with all of them and that is - "Phulka". And I used Pillesbury chaki fresh atta, that gave me a little boost in getting things right. Though I did not knead the dough still, I made the rest. A complete circle roti is still to be perfected but "phulka phulta zaroor hain". And another thing I'll mention here that my husband never complained of what I made or how I made.

No Butter is added to this milk

What is this? This is a glass full of chilled "Buttermilk". As I was telling yesterday, every place has some unique eating trends of its own. This is an integral part of Gujrat. My husband was posted to a place called Porbander, popularly known for being Gandhiji's Birthplace. The day we reached that place, we had a welcome party at the Circuit Villa. That was my first exposure to the famous "Gujrati Thali" ( about which I'll talk at some other time), along which was served this - Buttermilk. I was avoiding it, thinking it to be a very watery version of a glass of lassi. Then, one of my husband's staff approached me and said "Madam, you are not drinking this!! this is buttermilk, we believe it is good for digestion. Porbander is a place for acidity, you'll experience it as you spend more time in here. We might eat lot of oily stuff but we make sure to wash it all down with this "Buttermilk" - Try it". That talk on "Buttermilk" insisted me to drink at least one glas, as a mark of respect to him, but I did not quite like it. Then on, I noticed whenever we were invited to anyone's house for lunch or dinner, the very first thing that used to be brought on table was a huge jug of "Buttermilk", that made things clear that it was a very integral part of their dietery chart. Well, he was right I started getting all those acidity pangs. I still did keep this at bay as I was not convinced with it's taste. I was pregnant at that time, so taste did mean a lot to me, as slighttest dislike made me throw up. It was well after my delivery that once my husband took me to a place called " Bombay Dinning Hall". I was damn thirsty and as a welcome drink I was served "Buttermilk" with spices sprinkled on top and chopped corriander added for that touch of green. It was served chilled in hot summer noon, thus the setting was perfect to quench my thirst. Then on I realized that nothing was wrong with the buttermilk, may be it was not served perfect to my taste. and more so presentation also counts. If it appeals to your eyes, automatically half the battle is won. Rest depends on how much in need of it you are, like me in this case, I was thirsty enough to be willing to accept everything. Lastly the level of expectation, I was expecting nothing. Thus it pleasantly surprised me with its soothing salty taste. So since that day till now it is part of our daily diet too. And my son being born in the land of Gujjus, he actually makes sure to remind me of pouring a glass for him even if I forget.

Egg all Rolled Up

I am from Kolkatta - a land of big Foodies. 
Today I'll talk about my favourite "Egg Roll". Though it is not a traditional food still if you walk on the lanes of Kolkatta, you'll find every shack is  selling this. The most convenient snack - Paratha with egg in it all rolled up nicely and handed over to you...just bite it and move on.

I gradually started eating other derivates of roll like - pottato roll, paneer roll, mutton roll, chicken roll, fish roll, kabab roll etc. But still I'll say that my tummy lies with Egg Roll. Once during Durga Puja, one of the Bhaiyas in my area thought of setting up a puja special roll stall, and I remember me getting all dressed up in my new dress and asking for 10 rupees from my grandmother and heading straight to the Bhaiya's shop. I placed order to his employee and waited on and on and on. As I was known to him "parar to/ muhalle ki" so that proved to be a hindrance in my case. He was more keen in pleaseing big customers who had multiple orders, my one single order was not tempting enough. He was paying a lot of attention in  bagging new customers, in the process ignoring me completely- "ghar ki murgi dal barabar" - "where shall she go, guranteed, she will buy from me only". That day my favourite egg roll helped me get an insight into human behaviour. Well I was in school then. I grew up with my loyalty towards egg roll. It was there for me, when I was coming back all tired and hungry from my tution classes during my colleage days. It was there when I was sitting up late in the National Library breaking my head over some big fat books during my University days. It was there when I was running after Doctors as a medical representative and never had enough time for lunch. When my fiance (who is from Himachal) came down to Kolkatta for the first time, I fed him Rolls and he loved it. Then I got married and left Kolkatta for New Delhi, there trust me I missed a lot my Egg Roll. Every place has got some food trends of it's own...and sadly Egg Roll was not part of Delhi. Once when I went to Gurgaon Mall there in one of the shops at the Food  Court, I saw "Roll" was written so instictively I rushed there and places order and eagerly waited for it. It was delivered to me in nicely wrapped box, but the momment I openend it I realised it was not the same. It was egg rolled up in rumali roti and sliced up into two - it had a variant name - "Kathi Roll" and it is not anywhere close to "Egg Roll". Then my husband was transferred to Gujrat. I felt starved of my love. So one fine day I decided to do it myself. So I made the paratha first, poured out the liquide egg on top which in no time settled down inseparably, stuffed it with greens and painted it red with sauce...then only one thing was remaining ....Bite - Bite - Bite