My Scrap Book - Letter to my Father

20/07/2008

Bapa, I have put in my papers .

My name was not there in the Zone of Selection for the next promotion – that is just the immediate facilitating factor – the real story is that it is just the right time to call it a quit and start following my passion for so many other things in life !!

So many times I had been telling .. I would leave the job , chill out , do this , do that etc.. But everytime u would smile and say , “ No , you can not leave job . Your karmadhipati ( i.e.the lord of the Karma house in horoscope ) resides in your lagna , i.e. self . So u would always work . ”

Well , you are right , Bapa . But work does not necessarily mean a full time fixed job with one organisation . I am simply quitting my present job – just to switch course and pursue my other interests in life . You had sketchy idea of what they are , but now I have spelt those out for myself in clear terms – so no confusions!

Of course , when u used to say that I can never leave job , there was something else too that u never expressed in words , but I always understood ! You were always very proud of me ( strange – all your five children were good students , all others took up better jobs than me professionally – but u always took a lot of pride in being known as my father – since the time I was a child !!) Perhaps, you could never reconcile to the idea that I would be without any normally-accepted identity tag ( Oh, she is a blah blah with so and so company … ) . And I know, u had unshaken belief in my competence and were damn sure , I would make it to very high in the corporate ladder . I could see those twinkles in your eyes, when u used to relate about somebody known/unknown telling something about me ( obviously good things)! But promise u , even after leaving my current job, U would be as proud of me – up there – as u were earlier .

I had to take this decision now - TIME TO SPREAD WINGS, before I grow old & tired !! Time has changed and there is a world of opportunities to do newer things, follow your passion and give back something to the society .

Let me assure u , it is not a decision taken in haste or on the spur of the moment . Yes ! I had been seriously considering this ever since I completed 25 years of service in December, 07 . All said and done , quitting a secured job, for that matter even a career transition is a difficult decision and before actually executing this, I have to necessarily plan out on certain basic requirements :

First – financial security . Well , although being a married lady, I am in any case going to have that from my husband , there is something else which is personally vital for me - financial independence ! That must continue and children should never ever get to feel that they might have to suffer financially if mama’s regular income stops coming. So , now that I am eligible for pension , I have calculated, together with interest on the lump sum I am going to get even after repaying all loans, a fairly comfortable sum will be drawn by me even without the job . Of course, some one in my place – with keen sense of enterprise can also start earning by suitable investment of a part of the terminal benefits in mutual funds or stock market or otherwise. I am not interested – as of now .

Well , sum and substance - even if I leave the job now, I will have some regular monthly income, plus I get the lump sum from terminal benefits , which will be adequate cushion for my daughters’ studies ( plus I may take away a very small bit of it for philanthropy .)

Second - a house of my own . Yes , this is also a basic requirement for me , as after leaving the job , if I have to move around with my husband only , then how do I follow my dreams ? Need a permanent place to stay . AND I HAVE IT NOW . Last month only, we have moved into our own flat at Bhubaneswar . This will be literally OWN – as with my terminal benefits , the housing loan will be liquidated .

Third - clear goals and plan of action to be pursued after quitting . Yes , I had spelt them out quite sometime back – on my blog post , to put pressure on myself . Once made public , I can not go back on my commitments to myself . So , I will start doing those things. One more addition to my plans - I will try taking up a Public Toilet Chain Project at Puri Badadanda/ Seashore & roadsides on the way to Puri. A place like Puri, where footfall is unimaginably high with lakhs of floating population , it is miserable not to have the basic amenity of public toilets !- sic ! Something must be done .

Fourth - own state of being - Yes , I am going to be 49 . A few years more – I may lose the zest to do new things , who knows !! Right now, I find myself still bubbling with vitality and enthusiasm for new courses . Let me tap it !! Life would be much more meaningful and fulfilling !

Fifth - a facilitating factor / event . I just got it – not being in ZOS . Well, being positive does not mean taking injustice lying down all the time – this is going to be my way of protest – in a positive manner . Had there been 360 degree feedback system in our organisation , the decision makers would be surprised to know what exactly people who have seen me in various challenging roles from close quarters tell about me . Any guesses ? Kiran Bedi , Ha, Ha !

Last but not the least , when after taking a critical decision , you feel good and spirited - it IS the correct decision, invariably . And same with me this time . Plus, guess what , for the last about a week , there have been so many good heavenly signs – I was first stunned when I did not find my name in the ZOS and thought how it is possible that on one hand I can feel God’s blessings , but at the same time , I am being denied justice in my professional life ! Now , after taking the decision to quit for making a new beginning to listen to my heart’s beckoning , I know exactly – that is what even the Almighty wants!!

Bapa, I am happy about it . Just need your blessings ! It will be a life without certainties – but then , as it is said ……. The pleasures are along the journey , not at the destination !!! I know u are always with me and will bless me from above from your Heavenly Abode .

Love

Diet Delight - Boiled Veggie

SANTULA ( ( BOILED VEGGIE WITH GARLIC SEASONING)

Here is a very common boiled vegetable dish of Orissa - absolutely healthy and tastes great if served right after it is done . Better to avoid storing this in refrigerator and serving after re-heating - as its flavour comes only from the seasoning and that is lost if re-heated .

SARU JAHNI POTOLA BADI

PAPAYA LAUKI

Ingredients : mixed vegetables ,one onion, one green Chilly , 7 to 8 Garlic flakes – crushed, one small tomato ( optional), Paanch Phutan , salt to taste , Badi ( 4/5 pieces , if available )

Recommended combination : potato ( not more than one for serving four people as other veggies together will make a large quantity ), raw papaya ( a little less than 1/4^th of a usual sized papaya ( or Lauki of Swami Ramdev fame - need not put both as both are watery stuff ), a small piece of Pumpkin, Muli ( Raddish), one Bringal, “ 3 / 4 pieces of “ Saru” ( called arbi in Hindi / perhaps colocassia in English ), a few pods of cauliflower( if available ), “Jahni” ( green gourd – something similar to Tori of North India ), Potolo ( Parval ), “ Chhueen” (Drumstick), Bhindi ( Ladies finger), Beans .

Actually , a marvellous combination of green veggies along with some really healthy stuff like papaya/ lauki go into this recipe . Except perhaps stuff like Capsicum, , carrot, cabbage, karela ( and I avoid plantain as it spoils the colour) – everything else can be combined . I know people who mix even carrots - I don’t like because of its sweetness . You can also mix some strands of Palak ( Spinach) and Pumpkin Flower .

Process : Heat enough water in a wide mouthed – deep pan ( Kadai ) – adding some salt . Cut the vegetables into thin slices or small cubes ( but all in a uniform manner ) - ONE By ONE in order of the usual time taken for their being cooked – and go on adding one by one . This way , by the time u complete cutting veggies, boiling also gets over . Further , this way u ensure that each veggie gets cooked just the right amount( Hum saath saath – Phir bhi Khaas khaas type , Ha, Ha ) avoiding the mix to be one big puddle of unrecognisable ingredients) . For example , first , put Saru( arbi) , then papaya, aloo, muli & pumpkin, drumsticks, beans, potol, janhi, brinjal, bhindi, some sliced onion & one green chillie . Cook covered . By the time u put the last veggie, everything is cooked .

Seasoning : Heat mustard oil , splutter Paach Phutan , add one whole red chilly , crushed garlic flakes ( about 8 /9 ), badi crumbs – fry and add to the boiled vegetables and cover immediately . Donot boil . Leave a bit of watery soup – many would like it that way . Badi adds to taste - but u may season without it too . Basic taste comes from the mix of the veggies & crushed garlic seasoning .

(Can also use refined oil for seasoning)

SERVE HOT WITH ROTI/ RICE . A simple healthy & tasty boiled veggie recipe . Worth trying by all . Especially, children should be made to eat this as these days they are getting very averse to green vegetables .

WHEN WORDS BECOME REDUNDANT ........

[ Credit : This pic had come out in one news daily - I ve just taken a photo of that picture)
At times I feel words are just a wastage of breath and simple observation of a particular phenomenon or happening is eloquent enough ! I am trying to capture some of these by way of images/pictures . Tell me, if any words are necessary to explain !!

PAUSE & PONDER - FACE YR FEAR

A few days back , I stumbled upon an interesting article by Steve – Whatever you fear, Face it . I agree 101% with what he suggests. Yeah .. if we fear something, we must face it and that is perhaps courage in the real sense. Courage is not the absence of fear - it is doing something worthwhile despite fear . And what u experience and gain in the process in terms of pure happiness that comes out of conquering fear & personal inner growth is a treasure, that eludes all those who keep to their safety zones and spend a lifetime without living a moment !

When I started my Blog ( gosh ! last year – and let it remain without any post for almost a year !!) – my wish was to paint different strokes !! At the moment, time apparently is a big constraint. I said apparently – as I find, for one year I just started the blog and did nothing – then since last one month, I am somehow making this time at least once a week to scribble something, now that I want it. Perhaps, that is the secret - really wanting to do something intensely . That is perhaps also the key to mustering up courage – to stand by yourself - to face the fear – the fear of uncertainties – the fear of failure – the fear of being ridiculed - the fear of what the world would think … etc.

Well I know I am basically a courageous person - have displayed it umpteen no. of times as I know it myself – and I know many others also acknowledge that ( ha, Ha ). But , good lord … , when it comes to pursuing my life goals ( now that I have finally spelt these out clearly before my self at least ), I find myself still dilly dallying . Clearly , that right amount of courage to switch course at this juncture of life perhaps is missing as yet !

Let me spell out my goals here – so that I will feel more responsible and be under more self-pressure to muster up what it takes to pursue them !

a) Use my God-gifted singing talent –for my own satisfaction and for giving something back to this world . I don’t know how much daring it will be to dare dream becoming a professional singer at this age – that too without learning music . But surely, God has blessed me with abundant talent to use it for charity shows.

b) Get associated with some orphanage/children’s home etc – do some charity plus “Shramdaan” ( i.e actually spend time with them and do things for them etc. ) .

c) Start writing ( feels a bit nice that at least there has been a beginning towards this goal …)

d) Popularise Oriya cuisine – there are so varied and tasty and healthy and typical dishes we cook , which are yet to be commonly known as, say the southy dishes or north delicacies or Bengali dishes . Let there be Oriya Thali concept – like Gujju Thali – and I m sure , many would love the taste and the combination .

Coming back to Courage - Courage is shedding fear and also shedding the habit of not shedding many things !

I will continue … . Meanwhile , any thoughts on this ? Would love to know .

CHICKEN DELIGHT

CHICKEN THAI DELIGHT

A few day’s back , I just happened to find a Thai sauce ( looked like a sweet & sour sauce from ingredients ) in a store. Instantenously, I started salivating – it reminded me of the delicious starters that I usually order when we dine out at Sanghai Express ( that’s a small but authentic Chinese restaurant here in Bhubaneswar). I love Chicken Taipei - dry sweet & sour boneless grilled ( or fried, I don’t know exactly) chicken pieces . Once I had tried it out with prawns – with a mix of vinegar, honey, garlic paste & red chillie flakes . Tasted nice, but not what I was exactly looking for .

When I got this sauce, I could not wait to experiment. So, my experiment started – and look at the photo ( mobiles are these days amazing – with camera & blue tooth for transferring to comps ) !! Is it not exotic !! Tastes as delicious .

How I made it : Slice boneless chicken – wash, put a little bit ( a drop or two – very little indeed) of soya sauce, salt ( on a lower side than needed) and just a dash of cornflour powder. Grill it in Microwave (till cooked and very slightly brown).

Cut Capsicum in to cubes and Onions to cubes ( so that after cooking, layers of Onions will remain nicely – neither too soft, nor too hard) . Heat refined oil in a non-stick pan, add the onions and capsicum – fry on high flame . Sprinkle a bit of salt to taste & a bit of black pepper powder. Add the microwaved chicken – add Thai sauce ( two/three table spoonfuls depending on quantity – ladies can make amazing guess work as to the measure of ingredients !! If u err on either side, try the second time – u will make it perfectly , I swear ! Already happened with me many a time, ha, ha. ) . Cover & Cook till done- stiring in between . Towards the end, a little bit of water will start separating – sprinkle some cornflour ( do not put much at all – just enough to soak up the water to make the consistency as it looks in the picture ) – mix it well while frying . Lo..o - It’s done . Looks so tempting !! Tastes yummy – sweet n sour n chilly !! Great combination.

Want to try it out by grilling the chicken in an OTG – Micro wave makes everything moist . Next time, I will also try cooking the chicken first on low fire on stove top .

I had prepared this when my daughter came back from a three weeks project with some NGO in Rajastan and had no chicken ( for that matter, no proper food , as they were staying in real villages for first hand feedback from grass root level ) and she loved it. My day was made!

Diet Delight ( series - 1)

DIET DELIGHT ( Series – 1)

My father was a heart patient ( passed away recently ). He was a very simple, honest person, without any costly habits or other obsessions. Perhaps the only thing he relished was food – but as a heart patient, he had to keep away from too oily or rich spicy food during the last four years after he got the heart attack. So , during the last couple of years, when he used to stay with us, I was trying out various recipes – without oil altogether, or very little oil and masala .

Actually, I never think that only richly cooked dishes are usually delicious !! But somehow, we Indians usually market only our spicy dishes to the world ? Do n’t we –in every nook and corner of India – cook nice simple stuff as our daily food ? I swear - there are so many ways to cook simple dishes – without much oil or spices – yet very tasty & healthy . Giving below a few of them . Do try out …

GINGERY FISH

Nothing fishie about it …. , no onion or other spices, no excess oil , no elaborate process of cooking . Just try it out . I will give credit for this to my Aunt “ Baby Maain “ ( wife of my maternal uncle , who is a really terrific cook !!) . I have made some changes to the original recipe in my own way .

For 4 pieces of fish, take about one & half inch piece of ginger, ½ of a small green chilly ( or else, it will be too hot ) and one medium sized tomato - grind all together with a bit of water in a mixie.

Sprinkle salt & turmeric powder over fish pieces, mix well and fry in oil. Keep aside. Heat the remaining oil, add fenugreek seeds ( only ! ) for seasoning ( about ¼ teaspoonful) – add haldi ( turmeric powder) , salt to taste, bit of red chilly powder.

- add the fried fish pieces - just toss a little and add the paste with water generously and after bringing it to a boil , leave it covered on low fire for quite sometime – about 15 mins , so that the jhola( gravy) does not taste watery although it remains very thin.

Tastes lovely with that great flavour of ginger . Goes well with plain rice .

The original recipe had only ginger for paste without tomato/chilly and there was not much gravy– just enough to leave the fishes with a little bit of gravy for rolly-polly . I had done this way the first time , and it was nice . But as we like a bit of watery gravy with tinge of sourness , I modified it a bit and l.o.o., behold – it became a big favourite of my father and daughters !! You may like it the rolly-polly type with just a bit of gravy .

I will continue posting more simple recipes in days to come - both veg & non-veg – as we cook ; original and/or improvised . Bye for now .

I lo..o..ve cooking! and honestly, I find it one of the most creative things under the sun. Ever tried to count how many recipes are prepared around the world out of a limited number of ingredients ! Just amazing !!

And of course , there is that saying – the way to one’s heart lies through one’s stomach . How true !! It feels like heaven when my kids tell – oh , Mama – the dish was yum.m.y !! And of course , a lot other admirers !!

I would add one more feather to the cap . Cooking is a real stress buster too ! And that’s the time when I sing to my heart’s glory , ha , ha !!

Clarification - I am neither a housewife nor a Chef . I m a senior executive in a bank and normally I have very little time for myself or my hobbies . So , as a matter of principle , I prepare the lunch for the family in the morning – have carved out that 1 to 1 &1/2 hrs time in the morning before I leave for office . Advantages of cooking the lunch myself in the morning before leaving for office at 9:

- End up managing my time and so , am never late for office

- Get to cook for the family and so, able to keep that emotional bond alive despite lack of time for being with the family

- Get to retain and sharpen cooking skills for ever, one of the skills most useful till the last breath

- Enjoy the creations

- Enjoy singing while cooking – so get to maintain my singing talent even without real practice

I think, those are quite enough to motivate anyone – at least me – to continue with my rendezvous with recipes !!!

So .. I thought I would start my blog with Ode to Cooking and to my utmost pleasure , I just read from Asha (foodieshope), Zorra has organized an event for them to cook or bake something "Yellow", to celebrate and support the economic, political and social achievements of women. She says color Yellow represents respect and an expression of solidarity with the women in their support for oppressed women worldwide.

Here I join hands with millions of women around the World in celebrating this great day by placing below a “ Yellow” item ., which I had cooked yesterday and just coincidentally , my daughter had taken a snap out of fun .

MACHHA BADI BESAR (Fish in Mustard Gravy)

It is a typical fish curry dish of Orissa state in India .

Ingredients : Fish pieces ( recommended fish : Rohu/Katla/ Hilsa) , oil ( recommended oil : Mustard Oil) mustard paste * , chopped onions, tomato, Panch Phutan **, Haldi ( turmeric powder), Red Chilly powder, Jeera powder ( cumin seeds powder), salt to taste and Badi #

* Mustard Paste : Heat some water and take out of stove; soak mustard seeds in warm water for 8 to 10 minutes – drain and grind together with garlic flakes, a little bit of Onion & a bit of turmeric powder ( Roughly 2 tablespoon of mustard with 7/8 garlic flakes , half of one medium onion for 4 to 5 pieces of fish).

** Panch Phutan ( seasoning of five ) : mustard seed, jeera ( cumin seed), black cumin seed, Saunf , Fenugreek seeds – mixed together . Usually we keep this mix in a large measure and use only 1 or half teaspoon for seasoning .

# badi : these are pre-prepared stuff stored in dry condition . Grind black grams( deskinned) - the gram used for batter of Dosa/Idli etc . Do not make it watery . On a plain loin cloth , put small small measures of this , and dry well in sun . Peel off from the cloth and store in air tight jars .

Wash the fish pieces – add salt & termuric powder . Heat a frying pan – add oil

( roughly 1 teaspoon per piece – I m very bad at giving measures for recipes – I am sure, anyone who cooks would have the knack for knowing the proportions - by eye estimate & tasting before finish). Fry the fish pieces well ; keep aside .

Heat some oil ( 2/3 teaspoons) in a Kadai ( or frying pan with space for gravy), add paanch phutan ( 1 teaspoon) . When they splutter fully, add chopped onion, turmeric powder, red chilly powder and a little bit of salt . Add cumin seed powder ( about 2 teaspoon) , chopped tomato ( about 2 medium sized). Stir fry for some time , add boiled potato pieces or raw patato slices ( may avoid potato also )- stir fry, then add the fried fish pieces – mix carefully without breaking the pieces. You may also add long pieces of Spring onions at this stage of frying ( as shown in the picture – I had put only this and no potato or coriander leaves) . Keep cooking on low fire for about 2 mins . Mix the mustard paste with water and pour into the Kadai. Add enough water ( about 1 tea cup per piece ) and salt to taste . Cover lid and bring to a boil on high flame – then leave simmering with the lid on for 15/20 minutes . Add chopped fresh coriander leaves ( avoid this if you have put spring onion stalks).

After switching off the stove, add fried “ Badi ” pieces and cover . The curry will taste as delicious even without badi.

This curry is also ideal for adding drumsticks .

This curry can also be prepared with thicker gravy ( but my kids love the “jhola” i.e the watery gravy , which goes very well with Rice ).

Trust , some readers would try this out and comment honestly !!