Kashmiri cuisine

Kashmir, paradise on earth, is renowned for its delicious and mouth-watering food, mostly non vegetarian platter. Meticulous preparation and customary arrangement of 36 courses long meal makes Kashmiri cuisine very special. Food is generally cooked in mustard oil and ghee. Conventional method of cooking Kashmiri food is called as ‘Wazhawan’. Rice is essential in Kashmiri food. Chicken and goat’s meat are the main ingredients for many non vegetarian dishes. Rogan josh, Gaustaba, Yakhni are the very famous ones. The use of mustard oil, green and red chilies, ginger, garlic, fenugreek seeds, aniseed, cloves and cinnamon make all Kashmiri dishes rich in taste.

Kashmir follows three different cooking methods viz. Kashmiri Muslim style, Rajput way and Kashmiri Pandit style. Though the Brahmins in Kashmir consume non vegetarian food, Pandits avoid garlic and onions in their meals. The Muslims do not use Asafoetida (Hing) while preparing dishes. This diversity of methods does not spoil the taste instead enhances it and makes Kashmiri cuisine sumptuous. The tea also is very different from the conventional tea drunk by most of the Indians. Kashmiri tea is called ‘Kahava’. It is a green tea consisting of a few spices. It is usually kept in a big metal kettle, ‘samovar’.


Kashmir is also known for the fruits and nuts. Kashmiri people use dry fruits and curd in various dishes to give them rich texture & special aroma. Asafoetida commonly known as hing is also added for enhancing the taste. Biriyani, Pulao and sweets are given additional color and flavor by using saffron as it is produced in Kashmir. Kashmiri food is inspired by Mughalai fare. Therefore fresh and dry fruits grown in the valley are used generously in the Kashmiri cuisine to give it a royal touch.


Rice is the main foodstuff, but corn bread is at times substituted for rice. Meat and chicken dishes are served as side dishes. Mushrooms are produced and eaten fresh during summer time. They are devoured only in traditional feasts as these mushrooms are very costly. These nourishing and flavorsome mushrooms are very famous along with other vegetarian dishes. Use of dairy products in Kashmiri vegetarian food makes it luscious. Paneer dishes are multihued. Sufiyana paneer is green. Use of milk, green coriander and cashew nuts in the gravy gives Sufiyana Paneer a different taste. Green chilies, turmeric along with tomato-onion gravy makes yellow paneer delicious.

Lakes in the valley are the great source of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food for Kashmiri people. Thick leafy vegetable called ‘Hak’ grows right through the year. Besides lotus root is a vital crop for the local Kashmiri people. It is considered as an excellent alternative for non-vegetarian food. Fresh fish is all time favorite of the Kashmiris. Drying and storing fish, vegetables for winter is the common practice in the valley. To give special flavor to the carries, Kashmiri people make particular ‘spice cake’ by mixing together different spices, locally produced chilies and onions. This ‘cake’ can be stored for quite some time.







Generally one is tempted to give a non vegetarian recipe. But very few people know the Kashmiri method of making Paneer. Sufiyana Paneer is green in color still it is very different from Palak Paneer which is commonly made in the North India.


Ingredients:


Paneer (cottage cheese) 200gms
Onion (medium sized) 1 (finely chopped)
Green coriander 1 cup (finely chopped)
Green chillies 1-2
Cashew powder 2 tbsp
Coriander seeds powder 1tsp
Red chilli powder 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Aniseed (saunf) 1 tbsp
Milk 1 cup
Oil 4 tbsp

Method:


Cut paneer in medium sized cubes. Mix chopped green coriander, green chillies, aniseed and grind to make fine paste. Heat the oil in the pan or kadhai. Add chopped onion and sauté till light brown. Add cashew powder and stir continuously till it leaves the sides of the pan. Add the coriander paste and let it boil. Add red chilli powder, milk and stir. Now put salt and simmer for a minute. Add paneer cubes and cook covered till the paneer softens. Sprinkle coriander seeds powder and serve hot. Sufiyana paneer taste delicious with steaming rice.
Try this special recipe and add Kashmiri flavor to your menu.
Want to experience that heavenly taste and tickle your taste buds in frenzy? Kashmiri Cuisine is the way. Experience a cuisine that takes care of both your taste buds and figure.


By - Prajakta

The Art of Diary Writing

I stumbled upon diary writing 5 years ago. It is the best thing that has happened to me. Some times it is essential to look for inspiration in droning period of life. Reading a few pages of diary puts the zing back into the tedious life. Writing diary helps me relive the cheerful moments that makes me happy again. In fact it is fantastic to look backwards and find the lost days again. Maintaining the habit of diary writing helps improve memory. One can come to more logical conclusions of the events happened in the past as the strong emotions attached to the incident melt down and one can think calmly and reasonably.

When to start writing diary?

There is no hard and fast rule as to when to start writing a diary. You can start at any age. But if you can make your kids keep journal from the age of 10, it will help them know themselves better. What if you have not started writing diary at that age? Better to start late than never.

What is online diary?

Online diaries popularly known as blogs started in 1994. The term ‘web log’ later became ‘blog’. You can write about your daily experiences, grievances, objections even your poem in the online diaries. You have an option to keep your online diary private or you can make it available to one and all. Blogs usually let other readers to post their remarks, observations about the posted matter. Writing blogs helps find the solutions even faster as the readers are of different mindset and are from different social background. Posting comments in a blog is similar to writing diary because in the blogs you can write whatever you feel about a certain event or subject. Daily news, gossips, discussions and many more topics can be written in an online diary i.e. blog. You can read other people’s opinions and views about some problem; social or personal.

What are the advantages of writing a diary?

Today our life has very fast pace. There is hardly any time to ponder upon our acts and the consequences. Writing diary at the end of the day will help you face your actions. If you jot down your problems the way out will be clearer as writing about your troubles helps finding solutions faster. Pen your daily work and see the sea change in your routine. Mark your completed tasks and see yourself nearer to your goal. Diary will constantly remind you of your ambition and desire and will prevent you from distracting from your focus. This is a good exercise for your brain keeping it energetic and razor-sharp.

Many surveys illustrate that the persons who write diary have a greater chance of shining with flying colors than those who do not maintain journal of any kind. In one research carried out in Yale, barely 5% students of 1953 batch put their ambitions in black and white. After 20 years, in 1973, this five percent was the owner of the 90% of the batch’s net worth. People who have an idea of what they want to become in their life, attempt to reach the target. But they are somewhat successful as though they had aim in their mind, they did not have particular, distinct in front of them. Honesty and discipline are other factors that join hands with success when one makes writing diary a routine. Thus writing about your goals in a diary encourages taking positive steps towards the achievement of your aspirations in life.


You have lived that day. Don’t you want to ponder over the day at the end of it? Critically analyze every day activities, people, mistakes and moments of fun with the habit of diary writing.

By- Prajakta

Latest Moview Reviews

HELLO For all those who felt that Chetan Bhagat’s “one night in a call center” was worth the read, beware the movie Hello based on this book may not be worth the watch. The actors have done full justice to their roles but the story fails to bring about the same emotions and intensity that one feels while actually reading the book. At times the story just kicks off and the audiences are left to wonder as to why this particular thing happened at that particular time. A few shortcomings that I found were for example the character of Bakshi. While reading the book I was myself getting angry with him and could have hit him if he came in front of me for the kind of boss he was, but in the movie Bakshi’ character just passes of. The lovemaking scenes between Priyanka and Shyam lacked the passion. And finally the Call from God when the vehicle is hanging in the construction, which is actually the turning point in the story, is definitely not given enough emphasis. It is that important point in the story, which gives explanations to the actions of the team against their boss. To sum up, the story is just about One Night in a Call Centre and revolves around a team of 6 colleagues. The characters are Shyam (Sharman Joshi), Priyanka (Gul Panag), Vroom (Sohail Khan), Esha (Isha Koppikar), Radhika (Amrita Arora) and Military Uncle (Sharat Saxena) Bakshi (Dalip Tahil). Katrina Kaif tells the story to Salman Khan. In all Atul Agnihotri could have done a better job?




DRONA This much-awaited movie is a classic example of all hype, but no script. Looks like Goldie Behl is a confused kid on the block. With all this I would still say that the movie wouldn’t have gotten better in its technical aspects. Excellent costumes, sets and makeup gone waste. Abhishek Bacchan plays Drona and Priyanka as his bodyguard (Sonia) is looking her best.


Hulla:


This is one of those decent low budget movies on burgeoning upper middle class. The story revolves around a young happily married couple with extremely good careers. The problem however starts when the couple moves into their newly acquired two bedrooms flat. The watchman is instructed by the building secretary to blow the whistle and hit with the stick continuously throughout the night so as to keep the robbers at bay and also to make sure that the he watchman stays awake in the night. There is also the disturbance from the neighbours music system, which is again a major cause of worry for the young couple.

In all, this movie depicts the typical problems faced by upper middle-class families in cities. Sushant Singh and Kartika Rane play the role of the young couple, while Rajat Kapoor plays the buildings’s secretary role. The movie is directed by Jaideep Varma. But me, being someone who can go off to a deep slumber even in a crowded market, cannot understand as to how a whistle can be such a distraction to someone’s sleep!!!!!!!!!

By Tanu Samak

Bollywood Gossip - Movies n Masala

Guess whoz Salman Khan’s latest fan? Well, it’s none other than his bubbly co-star in Heroes Preity Zinta. This chirpy actress just couldn’t get enough of him in his Punjabi munda avatar during the shooting of Heroes and says she is completely in awe of his Sardar looks. So, is Katrina listening? However the pagdi seems to be the flavor of the season in Bollywood. Saif Ali Khan will also be sporting one in his yet to be titled home production, which stars Saif and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. Imtiaz Ali will be directing the movie.

But sister Soha Ali Khan who has moved on from Siddarth to Kunal Khemu turned 30 on 4th October has chosen mom Sharmila Tagore’s company over boyfriend’s for a trip to South Africa.

A sneak peak into who is ruling the covers of the magazines. Deepika Padukone, after gracing the covers of all national magazines will be featured by International magazine Grazia on their cover. The magazine, which had international celebrities like Victoria Bekham aka Posh Spice, has now decided on our ‘desi’ beauty to do the honours. Just before you completely forget who Aditi Govitrikar is, Maxim has decided to remind you of who she is by featuring her on their cover. She surely does justice to the magazine!! ‘Kohl’ magazine. Heard of it? ‘Diya Mirza’? Yes she is on the cover of the magazine and it is for you to decide which is bigger the star or the magazine? Genelia D’Souza after creating waves in the South has turned out to be a popular actress in Bollywood too. She is in on the cover of latest edition of FHM. Minnisha Lamba has finally moved on from being the girl next door to a bikini babe. Maxim’s October’s India edition features this pretty actress in her sensuous best.

This one surely is sensational news, but not definitely heart breaking as the heartthrob of the nation Aamir Khan is linked to be Jiah Khan’s stepbrother. Aamir’s father Tahir Hussain is supposed to have had an affair with Nishabd star’s mother.

Shilpa Shetty known for the great body that she has has been roped in to play the role of Protima Bedi for a film on the danseuse. She seemed to be the obvious choice considering the resemblance in their looks.

Ever heard of one bollywood actress being an inspiration to the other, especially when they are of the same genre? Madhuri Dixit was quoted as saying that Kajol was an inspiration for her to make a comeback though the former’s movie failed at the box office?

Two of the greatest legends of Bollywood who shared a perfect chemistry onscreen (and offscreen too) also share their birthdays. We are talking about Amitabh Bacchan (66) and Rekha (55). Both of them had a quiet birthday, Amitabh because he was unwell and Rekha doesn’t consider birthday’s a big deal. But it is for sure that both of them are getting only younger by the day.

By Tanu Samak

Trvelling to Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh - My first home

When ever I sit fondly remembering my married life, one thing that surely brings an embarrassing smile to my face is my maiden journey with my husband.

Few days were left for the marriage to be solemnized. And then Somen called up and declared, “We will move to Pasighat after marriage, I have got posting order”.
Puzzled at this weird name,” ghat……..Where the hell is this place?”

“This is in Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern most part of India”, explained Somen

I had a mixed feeling, there was an ache of not going to a metro city, also there was anxiety over this completely new, never heard of place called PASIGHAT.

Well as a traditional Indian bahu, I was not given much time to think. my baggage was packed and we were given a moist adieu.

So I began the journey towards my home, my own home.

We took a train from our hometown and this was my first longest ever train journey….3 ½ days. I felt as if that place would never come. Ours being a completely arranged marriage, I was a bit skeptical also…….

Well at last Somen announced,” another 1 hour and we reach the destination station”. Believe me this was the most awaited statement of my life. But poor me, in my anxiousness I forgot to deliberate on the term used “destination station”

It was only later that I realized that train journey was only ¼ th of the destination. Completely exhausted after almost four days of chuk chuk journey we got down at Tinsukhia railway station.

A new energy sprang into me , so “Somen how far is our house?”, he gave a cunning smile and showed me the way to resting room.

Ready in 2 hrs, I saw a jeep waiting outside. We hopped into that with 2 suitcases and 3 airbags. Both the sides of the road were lined with tea gardens. It was early morning and the sight of women plucking tea in their traditional cane baskets ( till now I had seen it in some Hindi song sequences), filled me with a new excitement . Though the sights were picturesque but the roads were bumpy enough and innumerable times did I hit my head to the jeep sides……..but this was just the beginning.

After 4 hours of such a jeep ride , we finally got down with our baggage to a river bank ………..actually only a bank without a river.


Boat men who had collected there to exploit poor forced travelers like us, told us, “ Saheb the river has shifted 5 kms”; now what in the world is this , myself being always weak in geography, could in no way understand this shifting of river. When I tried to question my husband, he gave me a wise man’s look and I nipped the question I the bud itself.

Price was negotiated and two people took our luggage and we walked behind them on sandy beach. Well a point to remember is that in all the happiness of portraying myself as a new bride I was wearing sandals.

Finally after painfully walking 1 ½ Km , my eyes glittered seeing traces of river, so we had to travel by boat to reach our final destination. But , “Somen isn’t this river a little less wide”. Somen gave me a whimsical look and said, “ Dear wife this is just a sublet of river, the main Brahmaputra river is ahead”.

So, without much questioning, I sat on one side of a narrow but long boat and Somen on the other side with two suitcases precariously positioned on each side to maintain balance. I was commanded by the boatman not to even move an inch otherwise all of us will be food to the mighty Brahmaputra. So for the next ½ hour, I even tried not to breathe.

Took a deep breath after getting down!!! Next was travel by foot but this time it was wet sand………..so I had to balance my chunni, purse and tread very cautiously. Somen was walking ahead checking the sand and I was to follow his footsteps. But but……..i was educated, smart, modern woman, I could not accept the fact why he was taking a curve rather than walking straight.

So in my zeal to prove my smartness and save time, I walked straight and…………IT WAS WET SAND. The moment I kept my foot, I sank knee deep and fell. Somen turned back and chuckled seeing my pathetic condition, knee deep in sand, with sand all over my dress , hair and purse and myself sweating for it was 12 in the afternoon.

I was so embarrassed ……………..such a showdown for a new bride. But as it is said , show must go on, we kept walking, “ Somen will we reach our home in this life span”.

Extremely fatigued and disillusioned we could now see the main boat and the Brahamputra River. It is such a mighty river, it is called the father of rivers for its might. It is such a wide river that it took almost 5 hours on boat to reach the other side.

This boat ride is another interesting anecdote. Such narrow benched that an able bodied woman like me was literally half hanging. Local tribals smelled badly and more so the smell of indigenous tobacco and dried fish. It was a nauseatic journey.

I was once again optimistic and happy to see the shore, only to be told that a jeep is waiting and it is another 5 hours journey. Infact when I sat on the jeep , I realized that the jeep was not on road for there were no roads……………Yes it was monsoon times and all traces of road was washed away, it was only mud and water.

The jeep journey was so adventurous that for minutes together the jeep would move on one wheel. Throughout I kept on shouting,” Mummy , oh my God”. But the skilled driver kept on moving. There would be streams of water in between, where the gushing water would rise above the bonnet level. My adrenaline level would rush and I could feel butterflies in my stomach. It was a complete roller coaster ride.

Finally when we stopped in front of something like a gate, Somen opened the door smilingly, “Welcome to our home, my dear”. The breathtaking view of my home sitting beautifully in the pictureous surrounding took away all my tiredness and I started on a new journey of life..

By - Gitanjali Banerjee