Kudri Aloor Jhol

Ivy Gourd, known as ‘Kudri’ in Bengali is very common vegetable cooked in every Bengali households in day to day basis. ‘Kudri Aloor Jhol’ is basically what we call in Bengali to the ‘Ivy Gourd Curry’. The vegetable markets are filled with Ivy Gourds all around the city in every season, however, it is found in abundance during the winter season. And we Bengalis find this vegetable suitable for our lunch or dinner in any form that we prepare, especially the fried ones are very famous among the Bengali recipes. We also prepare it along with poppy seeds, which is known as ‘Kudri Aloor Posto’. Well to be precise Ivy Gourd is prepared with no hustle bustle, it is one of the simplest Bengali recipes of all times.

Ivy Gourds

The Ivy Gourd belongs to the gourd family. It very closely resembles the ‘Parwal (Pointed Gourd)’, just that the size differs. One of my close relative from a different place also mistook Ivy Gourd as the Baby Parwal, since they had never seen Ivies in their life.There are several names to this tiny finger sized green vegetable which I came across such as Kundru, Tindora, Tendli, but I am not sure about its Kannada name, even though I lived in that place for several years, as we could hardly find these Ivy Gourds in Bangalore city. I didn’t mind googling around to my curiosity and I’m really very thankful to Google Search that helped me cracking thousands of my queries within minutes and the Kannada name is Tondakai. Well, I knew that ‘Kai’ means basically fruits or vegetables, and I still remember the very first word that I learned in Kannada was ‘Maavinkayi’, a child yelling in the platform, I was just a kid and then we had no Google, that was how we used to learn new things.

Kudri Aloor Jhol

Anyways, now coming to the recipe that I am sharing today is the very basic Bengali Kudri recipe, which is quite often prepared in our kitchen. I’ve used a pressure cooker for this recipe, but most often it is prepared in the kadhai by my mother. I happen to make the recipe much shorter. Preferably dry red chillies are used in the recipe, however, I usually bring out a bit of twist in my recipes, so I’ve used red chillies freshly plucked from the kitchen garden. Kudri Aloor Jhol can be paired with chapattis or serve it along with hot steamed rice. Below is the recipe instructions, quick and very easy to prepare in less than 30 minutes and enjoy it hot in this chilling weather.

[Veg]

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Course: Side

Cuisine: Indian/ Bengali

Serves: 4

Measuring Items: 1 cup = 150 ml; Teaspoon

Ingredients:

1. Ivy gourd (Kudri)- 300 grams
2. Potato- 3
3. Onion- 1 big sized
4. Ginger- ½ inch
5. Garlic- 4 cloves
6. Chili- 5

Spices:

1. Mustard oil- ½ cup
2. Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
3. Clove (Laung)- 5
4. Red Mirchi powder- 2 Tsp
5. Turmeric powder0 1 Tsp
6. Cumin powder- ½ tsp
7. Coriander powder- 1 Tsp
8. Salt (as per the taste)

Method:

How to prepare ‘Kudri Aloor Jhol’ with step by step pictures and instructions:

1. Wash the ivy gourds properly with water.
   
2. Chop the vegetables in the desired manner.
   
3. Heat oil in a pressure cooker, once the oil is hot enough, start adding cumin seeds and cloves. Wait until they splutter.
4. Now add sliced onions, chili, minced ginger, and garlic. Sauté until they turn slightly brown in color.
   
5. Add the chopped potatoes and ivy gourd, mix them well.
6. Put the spices now- turmeric, mirchi, cumin and coriander powders. Finally, add salt and keep mixing them with the cooking spud until the spices mixes along with the vegetables say for about 4-5 minutes.
   
7. After 5 minutes add 1 ½ cup of water (the level of water should just be at the same level with that of the vegetables, as shown in the picture).
   
8. Close the lid of the cooker and wait for the whistle.
9. Just one whistle is enough to cook the vegetables (as soon as the second whistle blows, switch off the flame).
   
10. Remove the pressure and open the lid. Now for two minutes simmer in a medium flame and then it's done.
    

Serve hot Kudri Aloor Jhol along with steamed rice, green chutney, salads and of course fish, as Bengalis lunch or dinner would be incomplete without fish on the menu. Enjoy cooking, serving and eating!!

Paromita Pramanick ©2017. All Rights Reserved.

PAPER COLLAGE ARTWORK

Paper Collage artwork is one of the simplest activities that is basically done by gathering of different sizable materials. Collage artwork is the best and the easiest activity for the children. There are numerous varieties of materials that are used for the Collage, they can be magazines, eggshells, plastic, stickers, cloth pieces, carton boxes, colored masking tapes etc. but the basic material that is most often used is the newspaper. Newspaper cuttings of different sizes are usually stuck to a model to give a 3D effect to the artwork. Kids enjoy doing the Collage activity because this activity requires only sticking part of the model. Paper Collage is the easiest technique to create a masterpiece by the assemblage of just the bits and pieces of different colored newspaper, magazines, old books etc.

In preschools, Teachers usually make the drawing of the model, for example, a kitten, a flag, an apple, sunflower etc. they also cut the pieces of the newspaper and keep them assembled for the children. The Teacher would apply glue to the model and call the children one by one for their activity. The toddlers part for this activity would be off just to stick the pieces of the newspaper cuttings into the model. And it is very easy for the toddlers to follow and enjoy doing this activity. For the KG students, they themselves are allowed to cut the newspaper into different shapes and sizes, they make the drawing, then apply glue on it and paste the cuttings on it. Collage artwork needs only three basic materials, ie, scissors, glue, and newspaper cuttings. And the best part is that this activity is not messy, not a prolonged and difficult one, it doesn't require hard work or needs any patience to complete the activity because you are just to stick the pieces anywhere on the spreadsheet of paper. The materials for this activity is easily available right at your home. And of course, the best home decorations are often created by the simple handmade things which we normally figure out from our heart.

Since Christmas is around the corner, and Santa is going to knock at your door, be ready to surprise our beloved Santa with a return gift to hand over him. On this page, I will share with you the most fabulous way to make a Collage art of Santa Claus with bits of newspaper. You can choose your own model to figure out the drawing of Santa and then cut the pieces of an old newspaper to stick to the model with glue. Christmas is the best time to eat, drink, sing carols, party hard and enjoy unlimited. So get your Santa’s return gift prepared ahead of the merriment, as the activity is very simple, it requires just about an hour of time to complete by a growing child.

SANTA CLAUS

Materials required:

1. Art paper
2. Pencil
3. Eraser
4. Old Newspaper
5. Scissor
6. Glue

Procedure:

1. Take a rectangular sheet of an art paper. Draw the figure of Santa using a pencil.
   
2. Take an old newspaper. Select the colors that the model requires. (for Santa- red and white are the main basic colors)
3. Now cut the newspaper into bits and pieces of different shapes and sizes.
   
4. Apply glue to one corner and finish sticking the bits there first.
   
5. Slowly finish up sticking the entire portion of the paper leaving the body of Santa empty.
6. Take yellow, green and maroon color bits of paper for the gift pack.

For Santa:

1. First complete sticking the detailed parts such as eye, nose, ear, lip and then make the face prominent using skin colored paper.
2. Take the bits of red colored paper to stick on Santa’s dress.
3. Paste black color paper pieces into his boots/shoes.
4. Now use the white color bits of paper for the remaining part of the body.
5. Don’t forget to stick a stripe of black color paper for his belt.
6. For the gloves, you can use any colors. (I had the skin color available on my old newspaper collection, which I’ve used here)

So finally your Santa is ready with his gift packet to knock at your door, go ahead to surprise him with your creative artwork. Isn’t it cute and colorful? There are numerous newspaper collage ideas for kids that they will enjoy while doing. Make your own beautiful collage by your imagination and creativity to gift someone you love. Surprise your loved ones this Christmas season by creating your own amazing artwork at home and decorate every corner of your home.

Paromita Pramanick ©2017. All Rights Reserved.

English Quotes

Once Heart asked Ego,

"Why do people give you so much importance,

when I have so much of Love within me." ❤

Ego replied,

"If people would only have Love in their Heart, then I 

would've never be born and occupied you from everywhere."😈

Who wins Ego or Love?

Heart says,

"As always it's only Ego everywhere,

but I will never give up on my Love"💝

This moment,

and a few moments more;

At this horizon,

where memories explore;

Ecstasty of joy,

believing the magical cure;

Living with nature,

nothing else need for sure.

Nothing stops you,

Until you stop trying!!

Give your love to the woman you love in your life.

And she will, in turn, give you double the love you give her.

"Death is inevitable;

But when it comes,

It is pure and honest;

This is the only time when

You meet your true soul."

No one can make you Happy!

Happiness starts with you;

It is within you!!

Love her for a cause,

Not because...

Not because she loves you,

But because your love is the cause for her happiness.

Where there's Love in the Heart!

The Heart is always Pure!!

You are wrong in all the aspects of your Life;

You have failed in your Life;

You are a failure;

Fail again and again;

Till you are alive;

Failing makes you fall down,

But every time you fall,

you will learn to raise in your Life;

Fall again and again,

To raise again in your Life!!

Purity is in the Heart, not in Mind!!

A Smile is Deceptive; the Truth is in the Eyes!

Marriages are important for a disciplined Life and a stable Society.

You can get out of every trouble and evil sights;

Only when you Love and respect your Parents.

The purity and honesty of a joyful mind

gives a new desire to a withering 

soul.

A life without love is like a body without a heart

and a temple without 

Lord.

The purity and sanctity of a divine heart

shall earn a new beginning of a 

life that is fading away.

Effort means more than any Result!!
Try something new everyday and do not think about the outcome.

Paromita Pramanick ©2017. All Rights Reserved.

Cauliflower Leaves Stir-fry

Ever wondered that Cauliflower leaves are also edible! Yes, Cauliflower leaves can be eaten and are very rich in nutrition, and good for the digestion. They have high fibrous content and are generally helpful for digestion and removal of any other waste products from our humble tummy. Cauliflower leaves are good enough to be eaten either raw or cooked, as it has got quite a lot of health benefits. However, one should make a mark to limit eating these leaves. As eating too much of cauliflower leaves can cause stomach discomfort and other gastro problems. Just a handful of the cauliflower leaves is good enough for 2 people, that is how much we should prefer to eat these leaves in a day. It is recommendable to eat these leaves during the day, because at night its digestion is quite slow.

Anyways that does not stop us from experimenting and cooking the varieties in the vegetables. As growing these vegetables takes a lot of hard work by the farmers, and it is always a good idea to reduce the wastage of any food. So instead of throwing away these beneficial leaves, it is always better to cook some and eat in limitation.

We have always looked for varieties in our cooking and also in eating habits. There are numerous recipes prepared with the cauliflower florets, but since I was a child, I observed my mother never threw the cauliflower leaves and the stalks, she either boiled and gave us its stock, or made a stir fry of these leaves. I had not known about its nutritious value until I came to know about it in my Botany class. Since then I preferred to use the fresh and tender leaves and stalks of the cauliflower for a quick recipe preparation for the side dish.

Cauliflower leaves and the stalks are boiled to use them in soups, salads, stocks, curries etc. These leaves are usually stir-fried along with coconut or even some boiled pulses, and it is often known as Thoran in the South Indian states. We Bengalis also have a quite similar procedure of cooking these leaves, however, we don't add coconut or curry leaves to any sort of these dishes. We call this recipe as 'Saag Bhaja' in Bengali.

Cauliflower Leaves Stir-fry

Here I am sharing the Cauliflower Leaves Stir-fry recipe that is handed down to me by my mother. As most of my recipes are the excerpts from my mother’s cooking, but she has always made those recipes in her own unique or in the traditional method, whereas I have tried to keep those recipes quick and simple. Use the fresh and tender leaves and stalks, i.e, how many leaves one single cauliflower could hold is enough to serve 4 people. You can skip using the stalks for the recipe if you wish and use only the leaves, however, even the stalks have its own health benefits. We usually eat by spicing up with pickle or kasundi (mustard seeds chutney) and it is tasted best when warm.

[Veg]

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Course: Side

Cuisine: Indian/ Bengali

Serves: 4

Measuring Items: 1 cup = 150 ml ; Teaspoon

Ingredients:

1. Cauliflower leaves- 6 to 7 leaves
2. Onion- 1
3. Green chili- 2
4. Dry red mirchi- 1
5. Garlic- 5 cloves

Spices:

1. Mustard oil- 2 Tsp
2. Turmeric powder- ½ tsp
3. Salt (as per the taste)

Method:

How to prepare ‘Cauliflower Leaves Stir-fry’ with step by step pictures and instructions:

1. Take the leaves of the cauliflower. Wash them properly with water.
   
2. Chop the leaves very finely.
   
3. Chop the stalks of the leaves as well by slitting the middle of the stalk, then finely chop them into small pieces.
   
   
   
4. Take a pressure cooker, put the chopped leaves and the stalks in it along with a pinch of turmeric powder and salt.
   
5. Add half a cup of water in the cooker and cover with the lid.
6. After two whistles switch off the flame, then remove the pressure and open the lid.
7. Take a cooking wok or kadhai. Heat oil in it.
8. Once the oil is hot enough, start adding sliced onions, slitted green chili, dry mirchi, crushed garlic.
   
9. In medium flame to high flame, put the steamed cauliflower leaves and stir for 5 minutes.
   
10. Cauliflower leaves Stir-fry is ready to be served hot along with steamed rice and any other main course dishes.

Paromita Pramanick ©2017. All Rights Reserved.

Egg Noodles

Noodles recipes are very popular and mainly the most important staple food over all parts of the world. Noodles recipes are mainly a recognizable cuisine from the Asian countries. The basic recipe preparation is similar to the standard of boiling the noodles and stir-frying the vegetables alongside by adding to the varieties of sauces that is been used in different recipes. The noodles preparation is considered to be one of the simplest recipes among the most infamous cuisines of all times. The Chinese noodle recipes are the most famous ones which also include varieties in it such as the Hakka noodles, egg-chowmien noodles, fried noodles etc.

I have always liked the Chinese cuisine and any time given a choice be it for lunch or dinner, I would always prefer to eat Chinese over any other traditional or Indian foods or whatsoever. Also, since I'm from Kolkata, I find it is very famous for the street foods and noodles as the most popular among all, it has always attracted people all over the country too. I just love to taste the variations usually these street vendors offer in every corner of the city.

At home, we normally don’t miss out to prepare chowmein noodles during the weekends. As the preparation does not require much of hard work and also it is the most craving food in the family. We normally buy the master pack of the noodles for our monthly food bazaar and store the packet on the kitchen shelf to use it whenever the appetizer craves for. For this noodles recipe I have mainly used eggs and peas, keeping the other ingredients intact as usual, however, you can also add or replace any vegetables of your choice to make it more colorful and nutritious. I've used Frozen peas for this recipe, but fresh peas can also be used in it, just that you don't have to boil the fresh peas and put them along with the other veggies and stir fry. I have not added vinegar and chili sauce because this recipe is very much recommendable for the children, so I did not want to make it spicy and chemically bound, instead, it has been prepared keeping in mind the health benefits of the children and also for the grownups. 

Serve the homemade Egg-Peas Noodles hot along with some salads for the ultimate street food pleasure and beat the weekday's blues by motivating your appetite with this easy and healthy noodles recipe right at your home.

[Non-Veg]

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Course: Snacks

Cuisine: Indo Chinese

Serves: 2

Measuring Items: 1 cup = 150 ml ; Teaspoon

Ingredients:

1. Noodles- 2 bunch
2. Peas- ½ cup
3. Eggs- 4
4. Onion- 1 large sized
5. Green chili- 4
6. Potato- 1

Spices:

1. Refined oil- 1 cup
2. Red Mirchi powder- 1 Tsp
3. Tomato ketchup- 3 Tsp
4. Soya sauce- 1 Tsp
5. Salt (as per the taste)
6. Sugar- ½ tsp (just a pinch)

Method:
How to prepare Egg-Peas Noodles with step by step pictures and instructions:

1. Take a cooking wok, boil 3 cups of water. Wash 2 eggs and add them in boiling water.
2. After 2 minutes, add the noodles in boiling water and also the frozen peas in it. Boil for 5 more minutes and then put off the flame.
3. Keep the boiled eggs separately. Drain the noodles and peas in a strainer, and then rinse with cold water.
   
4. Sprinkle 2 tsp of oil in the noodles and toss gently. Keep the noodles spreading it thoroughly, so that moisture would escape and noodles wouldn’t get sticky.
5. Now take a pan, put 1 tsp of oil into it. Beat 2 eggs with a pinch of salt and fry them in the pan.
   
6. In the same pan, add the remaining oil. Once the oil is hot enough, start adding sliced onions, chopped green chili, and sliced potatoes. Fry them for 2 minutes.
   
7. Now add red Mirchi powder, salt, and the boiled noodles and peas. Gently mix them well. (always remember to keep the gas flame from high to medium, so that the noodles don’t get burnt)
8. Additionally, to it add tomato ketchup and soya sauce, toss all together.
9. Finally, add the fried eggs and add a little sugar for a flavor. Keep tossing them gently with a cooking spud for 2 more minutes.
   
10. Now switch the flame off. Crack those boiled eggs and cut into pieces to furthermore garnish them along with the noodles. (or you can just slice the egg into a half)

Paromita Pramanick ©2017. All Rights Reserved.