My most beautiful penstand!

     "Abi's real schooling has started", I said when he was asked  to bring an old CD and an invitation card. We were skeptical about Abi doing any art work except for colouring (he can mess with colours as much as he wants). He cannot sit and listen or follow any instruction/ guidance for more than 10 seconds, for he thinks he knows everything!! In fact within minutes of you trying to teach him something, he will turn around start trying to teach the same thing to YOU!

    We sent the CD and the card and waited to see what are they going make out of them. Meanwhile raksha bandhan came. He did not bring any craft work home, which surprised us because we thought those things were for making rakhi. We tried asking Abi what did they do with the CD and card. But as is his habit, he wouldn't say a word!

     Then PTM happened and we came to know that they are going to make something for janmashtami with that. Then the day before janmashtami, Abi brought a pen-stand made in school and said, "Happy janmashtami naani, I made this for keeping my pencils"! Kudos to his ma'am who has made them all and could make children like Abi do craft work. We tried to find out which part of the work Abi did in making the stand without much success. 

I am sure it is a lot more of ma'am's effort and less of the children. But in the process Abi has learnt so many things like using old things, following instructions, keeping pencils in a stand and most of all he was so happy to show us something that he made. This is the first time he has made something with the help of his teacher and brought it home. So precious. Now is the time I think that even I can sit and have fun doing these craft works with him.

Bravo !!!!

    We must warn the class teacher about his shyness on stage, I said. So that she can leave him out and choose somebody else. One fine day after coming back from school Abi sang something. I think he did that by mistake because he does not like to discuss his school activities at home. It really takes a lot of effort to find out how he spends his day there. After a lot of coaxing he said, they were taught  some song and dance steps. When I asked him which song, after much pondering he came out with half a sentence of the song, " mere pyareeeee......!".

    Since raksha bandhan was nearing, we thought that children may be doing some activity for the festival in the school and  this song may be connected to that. Next day we pestered him more and he reluctantly showed us a dance move, blushing and feeling so shy the whole time. So it was confirmed that Abi is taking part in some dance programme. This made us all nervous, because in his last 2 stage appearances, he looked so frightened and pretty much cried through the whole song, without moving one step! So I said we must warn the concerned teacher just to save her from disappointment.

     Meanwhile we received a note from the school that Abi is taking part in a dance item and it is only in house affair and they are not inviting anyone. After discussing all the pros and cons we decided not to tell the teacher anything and let Abi take part in the function and see if there is any change in him as this is only for kids. The D-day arrived. Abi was sent in home dress (jeans and t-shirt) as per the school's instructions. We waited for his school time to be over like over eager parents waiting for some entrance exam result.

    Finally the result was out.....Yes!!! He did it!!! That too on a stage without crying (though we could not see). His ma'am explained that he did hesitate a bit in the middle, and stopped. But with a bit of coaxing, he took his time and completed the song. Our joy knew no bounds.We congratulated the teacher for her effort and told her about Abi's previous performances. 

Bravo..... my child. Slowly but surely you are getting rid of your fear/ shyness. So proud of you!

Umpteenth Time...

   Planning, packing, moving to a new place, hunting for a house, unpacking, finding a good school, applying for admission, buying new uniform and books, preparing abi for the new environment, settling down and adjusting to everything new around you... phew! Have I left out anything?  This is what is happening with us right now. Our daughter has been transferred. Although, this is not something new for us as we have been doing this since 1979! With so much experience, one might think we should be able to move easily (as a few of my civilian friends used to say).  But believe me, we still find it difficult and tiring (apart from getting emotionally drained out) more so with age catching on. This, by the way, is the reason for the long gap since my last entry.

   I look back at the golden days (when I was much younger). Whenever hubby was posted to a new place, I used to be excited and look forward to meeting new people and making a new place our home. No school hunting was involved then as my daughter was in a boarding school. Of course parting with old friends was always difficult but we part with the hope of meeting again somewhere as Army is a small world.  But with time the excitement is all gone. I cannot figure out any single reason for that. 

   We are temporarily settled now, quite comfortably. The place is a little away from the city and Abi has to travel for about 25 minutes (one way) to school, which is the biggest disadvantage. The place has its own beauty, quiet, charm with hardly any noise pollution away from all the chaotic activities which one goes through in a city (typically old people' mentality!).The surrounding hillocks staring back at us when we stand in the balcony makes one realise how small is mankind in front nature's majestic beauty. Equally strong are the plants and trees trying to survive in the rocky terrain proves that they are the real fighters / survivors.. 

 For the time being, we are enjoying our stay in the campus surrounded by greenery and waiting, albeit halfheartedly, to move soon ... yet again.

View from our balcony

Lemon Rice

  

      Third in the rice series is lemon rice. This is one of the most popular one amongst the variety of rice dishes I frequently make for my friends. An easy and quick to prepare and convenient to carry. A very refreshing and tasty lunch box dish. This dish always finds a place in valai kappu (baby shower) functions. Those who have not tried this must give it a try.

INGREDIENTS :

• Rice - 1 cup
• Lemon - 1
• Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt to taste

FOR SEASONING :

• Oil - 1 1/2 teaspoon
• mustard seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
• Curry leaves - A few
• Chana dal = 1/2 teaspoon
• Urad (white)- 1/4 teaspoon
• Green chillies - 3 nos
• Onion finely chopped - 1

METHOD: 

• Cook rice the usual way and let it cool. Leftover rice can be used.
• Squeeze the lemon juice, add salt and turmeric powder and mix them.
• Sprinkle the juice over the cold rice and mix gently taking care not to break the rice.
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds,chana urad dal and fry till the dal becomes golden brown.
  
• Now add curry leaves, onion and green chillies. Saute them till the onion is translucent. Lastly, add the rice adjust salt and toss around slowly keeping the flame low.
• Remove, sprinkle chopped coriander leaves and serve with papad.

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Arisiyum paruppum recipe

   Arisiyum paruppum means rice and dal cooked together. I'm not aware if this dish has another name. It 's a popular dish in our side (Tiruppur, Coimbatore), usually made for breakfast or dinner. It's meal by itself and does not need any other side dish. It's quick and a time saver when you have unexpected guests at meal time. It can be served with dry vegetables, pickles or curd. Variations can be made by adding veggies to it. I've made a simple one without adding vegetables to it. Serve this with home made ghee and you will be left wanting more. Here is the recipe.

INGREDIENTS :

• Rice- 1 cup
• Chana dal- 1/4 cup
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt - To taste 
• Water - 3 cups

FOR SEASONING :

• Oil - 1 teaspoon
• Ghee - 1 teaspoon
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
• Curry leaves - A few
• Garlic - 2 small
• Onion - 1 big (I've used shallots. They taste better)
• Green chillies - 2 or 3
• Tomato - 1 small

METHOD :

• Wash rice and dal and keep aside.
• Heat oil and ghee in cooker. Once it is hot add mustard seeds. Let them splutter. 
• Add diced garlic, curry leaves, onion, green chillies. Saute till the onions are translucent.
• Add tomatoes and saute for a minute or two. Now add  rice and dal with water, turmeric powder and salt. Mix them all nicely, close the lid and cook upto 3 whistles (as you normally cook rice).
• Once the gas is turned off, let the steam in the cooker go by itself and then open. Serve it with ghee, curd, pickle or fried brinjal.

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Ven Pongal

There are so many dishes to cook with rice. It was very difficult to choose only three of them. My first one in this series is ven pongal as I made this when my father had come to my place. This is one of his favourite dishes.

This is a very popular and simple dish which can be made in a jiffy. It neither requires many ingredients nor needs much time. It tastes great with coconut chutney. Now for the recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• Rice- 1/2 cup
• Moong dal (yellow)- 1/4 cup
• Cashew nuts &Raisins- 8 each
• Salt to taste

FOR SEASONING:

• Oil- 1 tablespoon
• Ghee- 1 1/2 tablespoon
• Ginger chopped- 1 teaspoon
• Cumin seeds- 1 teaspoon
• Whole black pepper- 1 teaspoon
• Curry leaves- A few

METHOD:

• Dry roast moong dal and rice separately until it is hot to touch. Do not over fry it.
• Heat oil and ghee add finely chopped ginger, saute for 2-3 seconds, then add pepper, jeera seeds (you can pound pepper and jeera slightly for more flavor), cashew nuts,raisins and curry leaves.
• Add rice and dal with 3 cups of water and salt. Cook it for 3 or 4 whistles.
• Let the steam go off and then open the cooker. Mix the contents nicely.
• Serve hot with white coconut. 
• PS: One can cook the rice and dal separately and the seasoning to it.

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Pavakkai kulambu / Bitter gourd Gravy

This one has surprised my North Indian friends as they had not heard of karela gravy. They mostly make stuffed karela or karela fried (chopped). Even our helping staff were taken aback when I made this gravy. My sister makes it often and it's liked by everyone at home. I followed her method and it turned out well. I do not make it very often as it involves a lot of tamarind and my hubby  is not very fond of it. But for those who like tangy and pungent taste would love it. Now for the recipe, made from home grown fresh organic karela!

INGREDIENTS TO GRIND :

• Onion sliced : 3 nos
• Chana dal : 1 and 1/2 tablespoons
• Coriander seeds : 2 tablespoons
• Cumin seeds : 1 teaspoon
• Red chillies : 3 or 4 nos
• Curry leaves : A few
• Coconut, grated : 1/2 cup
• Oil : 1 tablespoon

FOR SEASONING;

• Oil : 1 teaspoon
• Mustard seeds: 1/2 teaspoon
• Curry leaves : A few
• Sliced bitter gourd : 2 nos
• Turmeric powder: 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt to taste
• Tamarind juice : 1 and 1/2 cup
• Jaggery / sugar : 1 teaspoon

METHOD:

• Soak the tamarind (lemon size) in a cup of water. Squeeze out the juice from it.
• Slice the bitter gourd, remove the seeds and keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan, fry red chillies and channa dal till golden brown.
• Now add sliced onions (I've used shallots)  coriander and cumin seeds and fry till they turn golden brown in colour. Add the curry leaves and give it a nice toss.  
• Remove from heat and add the coconut and let cool.
• Grind to a fine paste adding enough water.
• Heat oil for seasoning add mustard seeds. After it splutter add curry leaves and the bitter gourd, saute for a few minutes.
• Add the tamarind juice and a cup of water. Add turmeric powder, salt and sugar. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat and cook till the bitter gourd is nicely cooked.
• Now add the ground masala adjust salt and water and let it boil for a few more minutes.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with plain rice.

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