BY RUCHIRA GHOSH She may well have been an icon of colonialism, pertaining to a bygone era, but modern-day aficionados of English literature in my home country India simply cannot do without Agatha Christie. This prolific author whose novels were outsold only by The Bible and Shakespeare (an unbroken record yet) still enjoys global popularity (including erstwhile colonies of Great Britain) decades after she walked … Continue reading India Loves Agatha
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH In India, the works of P. G. Wodehouse, Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton have mercifully never fallen out of fashion or favour. It is through these novels that many Indians learn not only the English language but also about British culture. Even on Enid Blyton’s 123rd birthday, she is as relevant as when I was a child and growing up on her … Continue reading India’s Love of Blyton
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: 750 gm mutton/lamb/goat’s meat 3 medium onions 1 1/2 spoons Meat masala 3 bay leaves 5 cloves 1 tsp sugar 3 medium potatoes halved 1 tsp garam masala powder Black pepper 4 green cardamoms 1/2-inch cinnamon stick 3/4 cup mustard oil For the Sauce: 8 garlic cloves 2 tsp turmeric powder. 1 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder 4 tablespoon yogurt (curd) 1 … Continue reading Mutton Masala
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: For the dumplings 1 cup besan / gram flour ½ tsp coriander seeds, crushed ¼ tsp carom seeds/bishop’s weed ¼ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp red chilli powder A pinch of asafoetida ¼ tsp salt 2 tbsp ghee / clarified butter 2 tbsp curd / yogurt Water For the gravy 2 tbsp oil 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp dry fenugreek leaves 1 bay leaf ½ tsp fennel seeds A pinch of asafoetida 1 onion, finely chopped 1 tsp ginger garlic paste ¼ tsp turmeric 1 tsp red chilli powder ½ tsp coriander powder ¼ tsp cumin powder … Continue reading Gatte Curry & Dumplings
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: 3-4 medium sized potatoes 5-6 pods of garlic Oil for cooking Salt as per taste Turmeric 1 pinch Chili powder ½ a tsp Water Method: Parboil the potatoes. After peeling them, cut them into medium sized pieces. Set aside. Chop the garlic pods finely. In a pan or wok heat the oil. After it gets hot add the garlic. Sauté. Next … Continue reading Spicy Garlicky Potatoes
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: 1 – 2 medium sized aubergine/ brinjal/ eggplant 1 cup shelled peas 1 large onion chopped 1 large tomato chopped 1-2 garlic cloves chopped 2 tbsps of chopped parsley Cooking oil Salt as per taste ½ tsp chilli powder Method: Dry roast the aubergines over an open flame. Peel the singed skin, wash the mass inside with water and transfer to … Continue reading Spicy Mashed Aubergine with Peas
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: Gram flour: 2 large scoops Plain white oats: 2 large scoops Salt to taste Cooking oil:2 tbsps per pancake Carom seeds/Bishop’s weed: 1 pinch Onion: 1 medium chopped Green chilli: 1 /2 large chopped Parsley: 2 tbsp chopped Procedure: Combine all of the above ingredients into a smooth batter neither too thick nor too watery. Heat a large griddle, sprinkle oil … Continue reading Gram Flour & Oats Pancakes
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH The creator of the world, Lord, God , Almighty, innumerable names; Is the greatest musician of all. Behold the harmony in the Universe, Not one discordant note, all steps matched. The magnificent sun rises punctually at dawn, At day’s end sets over the western horizon. Earth’s rotation and revolution accomplished, Day in and day out…in perfect symmetry. Tiny buds unfurl, blossom and … Continue reading Rhythm of Life
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: Eggs 3-4 Onions 2 finely chopped 1 tbsp Green chillies finely chopped Salt to taste Milk 1tbsp Potato 1 diced or wedged Tomato.1 chopped Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp Ginger paste ½ tsp. Yogurt 1 tbsp Coriander powder 1/2 tsp tsp cumin powder 1/2 Chilli powder 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 1 pinch Method: Heat oil in a frying pan. Spread the … Continue reading Spicy Omelette
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: Crescent of a medium sized pumpkin Nigella seeds ½ tsp Chopped onion 1 Cooking oil 3 to 4 tbsp Green chillies 2 to 3 Parsley /cilantro chopped I tbsp (0ptional) Method: Parboil the pumpkin after removing the seeds. Heat oil in a wide pan. When hot, add nigella seeds and onion. Sauté till light brown. Throw in the pumpkin and mash … Continue reading Stir Fried Pumpkin
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: Semolina 100 gm Milk 500 ml Sugar (according to taste) Raisins/dry fruits ½ a cup Instructions: In a wok stir fry the semolina over low to medium heat. When slightly brown (be careful not to burn the semolina) add milk. Continue to stir till milk begins to boil. Add sugar and keep stirring. When the mixture begins to thicken add … Continue reading Semolina Pudding
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: 2 /3 medium sizes brinjals cut into circular /semicircular pieces of medium thickness Salt to taste A pinch of turmeric Cooking oil. Sugar (optional) Instructions: Heat oil in a wide rimmed pan. Take the circular pieces of brinjal and smear them with salt and turmeric. Next lower them gently into the boiling oil. Use a slotted spoon to flip both sides … Continue reading Crispy Brinjal Fries
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH In a little town by the seaside, Many moons ago, I met a sailor; Who had traversed the globe, Many times over; the roaring oceans, The massive continents, were, Trivial to him, as toys to a child. He spoke of his numerous voyages, I caught a glimmer in his eyes; Tremor in his voice as he ruminated. Fate had thrown us together, … Continue reading A Page from Life’s Book
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH O beautiful, enigmatic ocean, What secrets lie hidden in your bosom? O mighty ocean you fill human hearts, With a sense of awe and fear. Your latent energy & passion, Come to the fore as towering waves. Frothy, rippling waters hurtling down, On the sandy shore, is music to the ears. The roar of waves, has a certain rhythm. Since the … Continue reading Ocean
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH The looks were divine. He towered tall among other men. The magnificent physique granite like, The fair glowing skin white as alabaster; His eyes like two limpid pools, holding secrets, Within their unfathomable depths. The majestic head, encircled by raven locks, Some falling limply on the massive forehead. The aquiline nose, sharp as a dagger, The firm chiseled lips, dark sensuous; … Continue reading Unrequited Love
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: Dessicated fresh coconut 500 gms, Sugar 250 gms, Black cardamom powder ½ tsp. N.B. In case fresh dessicated coconut is not available, you can use dried & packed coconut powder available in most supermarkets and grocery stores. Method: Take a wide, deep pan /wok. Over a low flame, sauté the coconut until the oil begins to leave the sides. In case … Continue reading Sugary Coconut Balls
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Just a tiny little world So replete with meaning Everyone desires peace Men, women, children Birds & animals seek peace In their own little ways There is peace in humming of bees Murmuring of brooks, rivulets Snowy clouds in the azure sky Usher in a sense of peace A walk through a forest glade Midst profuse greenery & foliage Evokes serenity and … Continue reading Peace
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Since the dawn of civilisation, Mankind has sought Happiness. Happiness in daily life, Happiness in body, mind and heart; Humans relentlessly seek happiness. Sadly it eludes their grasp, So they wander around in vain, Seeking happiness in all directions. Happiness is a state of mind, How varied people’s minds can be ! Fair Sex craves for jewels, apparels, Silks. satin, other elegant … Continue reading Happiness
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: 1 medium sized cauliflower 100 gms shelled peas. 1 large potato diced Bay leaf 1 or 2 green cardamom 3 cloves 3 cinnamon sticks 1 or 2 small cooking oil 3/4 tbsps cumin seeds ½ tsp turmeric one pinch, salt to taste Fresh Parsley /cilantro 1 tsp Method: To ensure fine cooking, steam all the vegetables for minute or two Take … Continue reading Stir Fried Cauliflower
BY RUCHIRA GHOSH Ingredients: Prawns -250gms cleaned and deveined. Garlic paste 1 tablespoon Ginger paste 1 tablespoon Cumin powder ½ tablespoon Red chilli powder ½ tablespoon Paste of 1 small onion Coconut milk 1 can. N.B Milk obtained from freshly crushed coconut enhances the taste of the dish. Mustard / refined oil 4 tbsps Salt 1 tbsp Garam Masala (Aromatic spices) powder I heaped tbsp … Continue reading Prawns in Coconut Milk Gravy
