Yakhni Pulao

Yakhni Pulao

Yesterday I was discussing on Instagram, the difference between Biryani and Yakhni Pulao and why the latter is closer to my heart. So taking this thread further.

Yakhni word first found its mention in the Persian journal “Ain-e-akbari” during the regime of Akbar the great. Abul Fazl was the great historian and author of this priceless journal.

Yakhni pulao is made by first cooking the mutton in the traditional way with lot of dry aromatic spices like cloves, pepper, cinnamon, badi elaichi, chhoti elaichi, etc and wet masala like ginger garlic onion paste. After it’s cooked, we need to add measured water to it. Once it’s boiling we add the pre-soaked rice. Don’t forget the pudina leaves before closing the lid of pressure cooker.

We used to eat this almost every Sunday during my childhood. My mom was an amazing cook and this was one of her trademark dishes. I spent a significant part of my childhood in the coastal town of Berhampur in Odisha. For picnics, we often used to go to the nearby Gopalpur beach and we used carry this Yakhni Biryani in steel wala tiffin-boxes. After frolicking in the silvery beach for sometime, we used to spread a bed-sheet  on the sands and the lavish fare of Yakhni was laid out. Such beautiful memories. I still remember my daddy’s dark green Bajaj scooter and how we all used to pile on it like sardines! I was the youngest so I used to stand in front of my Daddy holding the handle of the scooter!

Wish I had a pic of those trips... It’s interesting how some food item or flavours evoke such strong recollection of old forgotten

Ramadan...

What is it about Ramadan, that it fills your being with such warmth and goodness. It’s as if you are a transformed person with just day 1 of the fast.
I admit frankly that I was never a regular rozedaar till 2015. So how did this turnaround happen? I happened to be in US in 2015 for a two year stint and I got a roomie from Afghanistan who became my BFF and more of a sister now. Atefa sharifi. At her behest and encouragement, I fasted the entire month of Ramadan for two years. And it was such an amazing feeling! The whole camaraderie and doing sehri, iftari, offering namaz together and making preparations for Eid... going to Al-Markaz (Most famous biryani restaurant in Plano, Texas) for Eid feast... going for Eid-Milan party and what not! It turned out to be a memorable experience. After returning to India, I just couldn’t discontinue the Ramadan fasting. I feel purified and rejuvenated after Ramadan. I feel mentally and spiritually so strong as if I can handle anything that the world throws at me.
I am not an overtly religious person. But this is one thing which I try to follow every year.

Ramadan Mubarak!

The New Normal versus the Old Normal

Hmmm...So its day 10 of the lockdown in India and slowly this way of life is creating a feeling in all of us that this is the new normal. Unfortunately, of course. Especially for people like me. Who crave being around other humans, ones who look forward to the humdrum of India Markets...office foodcourts...what earlier seemed like a cacophony of noise has become my most looked forward to things now. The whole reason why I craved to be in India after my 2 year stint in US, was the hustle and bustle of Indian bazaars...the street noise of roadside hawkers...the liveliness of the Indian spirit, easy availability of things we love and cherish. Where I won't have to drive 10 miles to eat Samosa, where I won't have to go to a nearby town to buy Haleem during Ramadan ...where we share the Dish of the day with neighbours etc. Sadly with the onset of this terrible virus, all of the above has become only a dream now. 

Counting days to when this madness will end...waiting for a new dawn...Wherein I will wake up early morning and reach office by 7:30 AM, to have my favorite breakfast of Idli with Coconut-coriander chutney at my fav "By two" vendor in office FC. After breakfast, I will make a big glass of black coffee and sit at my desk to deal with the work for the day. When my friends will ping me for coffee break at Chai point and I would rush to meet them and exchange interesting data points/news of the day. Come evening, I will eagerly merge into Bangalore traffic and play my fav songs or call up my fav ppl on the way home. Will reach home and then me and my spouse will brainstorm on what to have for dinner. Sigh....All this and much more...Waiting for the day, when the above will be the new normal and not the present sequence of gloomy and endless WFH where I can't meet my friends...where a sense of melancholy threatens to overtake all my emotions.

Waiting for the Old Normal. Truly, deeply and madly.

#Weshallovercome

My post lockdown bucket list

So the lockdown is on and I see the hidden Nigella in everyone coming out in full bloom. All of us are forced to cook at home, hence we spent most of our free time on Pinterest searching for interesting recipes. 

As for me, I am a big foodie and I spent most of my waking hours talking and thinking about food. Its been 14 days, since I had restaurant food and I think this is the longest I have gone without eating outside food. My taste buds are craving road side pani-poori, chaat and Odia style Dahi bara. Wish I could take the next flight to Bhubaneswar and hog on the delicacies like Dahi bara with Alu Dum. I often find myself making a mental bucket list on the things I will do, post lockdown. 

1. Go to the tiny hole-in-the-wall Odia restaurant near Jagannath temple in HSR. Its named Chhapan bhog. And eat bara-ghoogni and chaat till I am ready to explode.

2. Go on a long drive to Murugan Idli in Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu) and hog on Podi Idlis.

3. Take the next flight to the foodie's paradise, Kolkata. And have the double egg chicken roll there. Also how can I forget the Chelo Kebabs at Peter Cat. Will also squeeze in some road-side Luchi with Chanar Dal. I will also go to Haldirams there and have a fill of the gudh ka sandesh.

The top 3 in my bucket list is all about food only. That goes on to prove how much of a foodie I am! 

4. Meet all my friends in BLR and ensure I continue to meet them once every month. (Non-Infy ones)

Infy ones anyways, I will get to meet in office everyday

Sigh...Hoping and praying for quicker lockdown end. May we get rid of the Covid virus soon. Amen.

Lockdown ramblings

Interesting how life gets transformed in a matter of hours.
Till yesterday, I could roam the world whenever I pleased.

Visiting a friend to catch up. 

Dropping in to a Fabindia to get a glimpse of their latest collection.

Driving to Forum to participate in the hustle-bustle of weekend revelries.

Picking up the latest best-seller from Landmark with a coffee in hand.

Missing family? Book the next flight to Kolkata.

Activities that seemed mundane and normal, have become a taboo now. 

March 12th was the day, when I went to one of fav places on earth last, ie., office. I crave for human company, but can only view them on video chat now. Work used to be fun, due to some great friends at work. Now I am not sure, when will I get to meet them next. WFH is so stressful,  long hours with hardly any break. Meal timings have gone for a toss. Confined to the four walls, home seems like a cage.

So what am I doing to keep my sanity intact? Apart from work, I am trying to spend some quality time with books. Have to finish "The Anarchy" this weekend. Its such a beautiful read replete with interesting details of the monstrous East India Company and its devilish plans to rule India. Just don't want it to end, hence reading slowly. William Dalrymple has proved yet again, that when it comes to history narratives, he is the ultimate best. I wish I could get my book signed by him...

I have become hyperactive on Insta. Posting pics of food, coffee and what not. Spoke to two of my very old besties last evening. Tasneem and Lucky.  Two most selfless and kind hearted people. They were such integral part of my life many years ago, and they continue to fill my life with such joy even today. Even a telephonic conversation with them is enough to fill my heart with warmth.

And I resolve to be more regular on my blog updates. Henceforth you will see more postings...more heartfelt conversations....more candid interfacing!

Till then, be engaged.