Guru Kripa Anjan Payo more Bhai

Roopa Pahata Lochani

A beautiful vithoba bhajan. 

Jai Jai Aaarath Ram Tumhare

A simple Raama aarthi

Why Writing is Important

Before I write on any particular subject I read at least 10-15 articles and combine them with my ideas and then jot it down for the readers. Writing has helped me a lot. Writing has helped me move easily among facts, without confusing myself and gaining clarity on a particular topic with my entire energy focused on it. A few other advantages are jotted down.

1. Writing is the primary basis on which you will be judged throughout your life.

Be it school, college or your workplace. Our learning and intellect is often reflected on what we write. Even in our community our intellect is judged based on what we write.

2. Writing helps us express ourselves.

In my school as  a kid the assignments were given for summer vacation too. We were asked to write down the daily news. Write book reviews ( at least 5). We considered it to be a huge task. I mean 5 books? And read the papers daily? But all those things helped us shape our intellectual aspect and made us a person with our own opinions. Each person has a different perspective when he/she reads a book. Writing a dairy can help you keep a track of your own thought's and activities and reflect on them later ( and probably have a laugh a few years later).

3. Writing can help us make a complicated thing appear simple.

All the things can be explained in a much simpler way. We can rephrase any particular topic which appear difficult to other's in a much simpler way. With the help of examples we can make thing much easier.

4. Writing helps communicate with other's as well as ourselves.

We can get some response on (in case we are not certain about any idea). It can give us feedback. It can help us question our ideas too. It helps to evaluate the adequacy of your arguments. Our ideologies help shape up our society.

Punjabi French Beans and Aloo Stir Fry

Ingredients:

French Beans- 250 gms (Chopped into small pieces)

Potato- 2 big (Chopped into small pieces

Turmeric- 1/2 tsp

Red Chilli Powder- 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala Powder- 1/2 tsp

Amchur Powder- 1/2 tsp

Cumin Seeds/ Jeera- 1/ 2 tsp

Fennel Seeds/ Saunf- 1/2 tsp

Oil- 1 tbsp

Salt- According to Taste

Procedure:

1. Take a non-stick kadai/pan add oil and once the oil starts heating add the cumin seeds and fennel seeds.

2. Once the seeds start sizzling and turn slightly brown add the chopped potatoes and cook for 2 min.

3. Add the chopped beans mix well with the potatoes.

4. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt, cover it and cook for 5 min.

5. If the potatoes are getting stuck to the pan sprinkle some water.

6. Once they are cooked sprinkle garam masala powder and amchur powder.

Notes:

Cook this on a small flame or the vegetables might get burnt.

Aykere tu Putta-Sampoorna Sita Kalyana

This is Sampoorna Sita Kalyan sung in Konkani. I have previously used sound cloud to upload my songs. I have uploaded the same on you-tube.

This song goes on to explain the Ramayana. How was Rama born, how he was taken by his guru to kill the Asuras, how he ended up marrying Sita.

Mathura ki Dubki Wale Aloo ki Sabji

Well the above title can be roughly translated as Potato dipped in mathura's water. Isn't it a funny name? This is one of the simplest curry with no onions, no garlic and no tomatoes. Just spice powder's and potatoes.

During Navrathri season we had gujrathi neighbors who used to invite small girls (i.e. the girls who haven't attained puberty). It is a custom to worship young girls during the festival of navrathri.

I used to look forward to eating the food rather than the pooja. There used to be numerous items served like puri, sweets and this particular aloo ki subji. And I still have that lingering that in my mouth. Finally I found the recipe.

Ingredients:

Potato : 3-4 (Boiled. peeled and slightly smashed)
Green Chillies : 3-4 (finely chopped)
Cumin seeds/ jeera: 1 tsp
Coriander Leaves : 1 tbsp (finely chopped)
Water : 2 cups
Oil : 1 tsp
Salt according to Taste

Spice Powders:

Ginger Powder: 1/2 tsp or 1 inch ginger finely chopped
Chilli Powder : 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder: 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida : 1/4 tsp
Amchur Powder : 1 tsp
Garam Masala : 1/2 tsp

Procedure:
1. In a deep bottomed pan add oil, jeera and once the jeera starts spluttering add green chilli followed by chopped ginger in case you are not using the ginger powder.
2. Off the flame and all the spice powders except Garam Masala and Amchur and let the spices roast for 1/2 a min.
3. Add the smashed potato (don't smash all the potatoes, keep some small pieces in the curry) and mix with the spices.
4. On the flame and keep it on medium and add 2 cups of water and cook till it starts boiling.
5. Once it starts boiling add garam masala and Amchur powder.
6. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve with hot poori's. In the picture I have served it with neer dosa (as I had not made poori's :P)