Todays dinner

Today's Dinner

Way back in the early nineties , when my third brother in law Probir Chatterji (mithu) got married, Uncle ( Choto Mama) invited us to his  place. Packed into our new Maruti 800 ,we set out from Siliguri.
The perfect opportunity to show off our brand new car to our relatives.We previously owned an Ambasador, the mighty old car from Hindustan Motors. Choto mama was posted in Cooch Behar.
After a good journey we reached the venue. Multiple rituals , interesting fun filled ceremonies, fun-frolic and laughter filled up our days. One such day was the visit to the fair. A trip to the Fair ......Mela..... in  a Bengali wedding.....never heard of it you will say, but believe me it was great fun Mela  in a town meant a great opportunity to meet people, see  different things, experience the vibrancy until we entered an arena called "Maut Ka Kuwa" or "the well of Death". A dangerous game was about to begin. A strange
experience for all of us. there was  excitement all around. I didn't know who had planned this , but we were a large group of  the young....all out to have fun. It was a huge man made well with spectators all around,clapping and shouting out loudly. There was a strong smell of burnt oil/diesel  ,smoke and
the continuous sound of bikes   acceleration . I didn't know what to expect as I had never even heard the name having lived in Mumbai all the while. The tent was large.  Next to me was my sister in law who  explained very casually that a few young bikers would be riding their vehicles in the well . Standing at the edge of the well I I was getting a bit weary.
Suddenly , with a loud roar and a lot of smoke gushing out the exhaust pipe 4 bikers entered followed by 4 cars. Everyone clapped excitedly welcoming the start of the act. Defying the laws of gravitation and all such laws they circled the well at top speed. Crossing each other,  holding hands and riding together, waving to each other , picking up money offered by various spectators.........proving their skill .
While I stood numb, unable to enjoy the terrifying act, see the purpose of these young 20 year olds putting their lives in such danger,  the crowd started leaving .The performance had ended !!
I left with everyone but just couldn't stop thinking about the experience.

Today, on receiving another invitation for a town wedding in the family , the whole thing came right back to me ,so I put it down in writing . It's still as fresh as if it happened just yesterday to me.

Above is a simple dinner menu I served the family .....Yellow rice with peas and sausages , Egg curry and Soya nugget curry.

Yellow Rice with Green Peas

Ingredients I have Used

1 cup Basmati
2 1/2 cups Water(Hot)
1-2 drops food colour
1/4 tsp Rose water(Optional)
1/4  cup Green Peas
 4-6 Chicken Sausages
 2 tbsp White oil (use which ever brand you like)
2 tbsp Desi Ghee
Salt as per taste
1-2 pinch Sugar


Method of Preparation

Soak the rice for fifteen minutes in clear water and then drain well.spread to dry completely.

Heat  the oil and lightly saute the sausages and when brown remove them to a dish .cut them into two halves or smaller pieces.

Add the Desi Ghee in the same oil and then add the rice . Saute a bit and then add the peas , salt, sugar, water, rose water and yellow colour. Put a lid and cook covered till the rice is soft.

Add the sausage pieces.

Use a fork to stir the cooked rice . Mix lightly after its done.

Serve hot.

Egg Curry

Ingredients I have used

6 Eggs (Duck Eggs)

3 Small size potatoes (Cut into halves)

1 Small Onion

1/2  inch piece of Ginger

2 pods of Garlic

1 small Tomato

2 Green chillies

2 Bay Leaves

2 Green Cardamoms, 1 tiny piece of Cinnamon, 2 Cloves

1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder

1-2 pinch of Sugar (optional)

1/2 tsp Salt(or as per taste)

1/4 tsp Kasmiri Red Chilly Powder

1-2 pinch of Everest Garam Masala Powder

2 tbsp Mustard Oil

Method of Preparation

I use duck eggs but you can use poultry eggs  or what ever you usually eat.

Boil the eggs and peel .Take the potatoes ,wash and rub dry.Then, peel the skin of the potatoes and make halves.

Make a fine paste of onion-ginger-garlic-tomato and green chilly

Heat  the  mustard oil in a pan and when smoking hot.Reduce the flame and stir fry the boiled eggs till golden and remove to a dish.

 In the same oil, Crush the cardamoms-cloves and cinamon  and  add it to the oil .

Stir a bit and then add the potato halves and fry well. When they are light brown  remove.

Add the paste and fry till oil separates. Keep stirring so that the mix doesn't burn. Add a few spoons of water when ever required.

Add the dry spices and stir fry the spices till a nice aroma fills up your kitchen. Keep the 

Garam Masala Powder for the end. Only then you will know that its time to add the potatoes and eggs back. Now you have to add enough hot water to the dish to make your gravy. 1 cup should be good.

Cover and let cook on low heat.

After 5 minutes remove the cover and check the dish. You do not want a lot of gravy  in this dish. Sprinkle the Garam Masala Powder.

Tastes best when its served hot........

Soya Nugget(With a filling) Curry

Ingredients I have used

A handful of soya nuggets

2 Small size potatoes 

White refined Flour(Maida)as required

Onion-ginger-garlic-tomato-green chilly paste

Salt-Sugar (as per taste)

A handful of Raisins(kishmis) and Cashew nuts(kaju badam) Finely chopped

1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder

1-2 pinch Garam Masala Powder

1/2 tsp Desi Ghee

2 tbsp White oil

1/2 cup white oil for deep frying

Method of preparation

I have  made and put up this recipe for you all to try. Its a simple dish , nothing fancy and made quite often in Bengali and non-Bengali homes.

I have seen this being prepared in a popular television show  recently but I have been cooking it since ages. My family members have never been too fond of soya nuggets.The dish I prepare is  therefore as per my tastes.

Soak the Soya nuggets for a few hours .

Finely chop the Cashew n Raisins.

When  the soya nuggets are soft drain the water and wash well. Now pressure cook with the potatoes. Then remove and drain off the water. Mash well in a grinder and then add as much flour as required to bind. Make a soft dough with the soya-potato-flour mix. Divide the soya dough into small balls . Now make small bowl shapes and fill the chopped cashew-raisin mix .Cover and close the bowls to form small balls.

Heat 1/2 cup white oil and deep fry the balls till golden and remove them all to a dish.

Now make a gravy with the onion-ginger-garlic-tomato-green chilly paste.When oil separates ,add turmeric powder-salt-sugar and fry well.

Add the soya balls and 1/2 cup water. Let it come to a boil and cook slowly.

After 2 minutes, add Garam Masala Powder and Desi ghee and transfer to a serving dish.

I like to keep a bit of gravy and serve it with fried rice.