Jeera Aloo

You know, once a reader mailed me saying, "Don't give us simple recipes. We know all that. Give us something we don't know". Ah well, Jeera Aloo is another of those recipes which you are most likely to know. But then again, I share recipes that I cook. Even if the recipe is a breeze, I still feel the need to share it. It's cooked by me, after all.

You should make Jeera Aloo when you don't want to make anything else. It will never dash your hopes. I promise. All you have to do is cut the potatoes into cubes and cook them in cumin seeds and some other simple spices. This dry sabzi when paired with any dal or a gravy dish is adequate to complement any meal. That's what I do to escape elaborate cooking on lazy days.

Ma's Murgir Jhol ~ Chicken Curry Bengali Style

An important part of my childhood memories is my mom's style of cooking the Bengali Chicken Curry. No matter how many years pass by, the taste and aroma continues to linger. As a child, Murgir Jhol made by mom would excite me. And even today, when I follow her recipe in my kitchen, I still feel that same excitement. As I cook this curry, it's like I am living my childhood again. That's the magic of mothers' cooking.

As a child, I hardly took a liking for any dish other than the chicken curry. Even the legendary hilsa would rank after that. Beside the other non vegetarian items that mom would make for dad and herself, she would cook this chicken curry for me all seven days a week (imagine!). No wonder this dish is so close to my heart and is so distinctly etched in my childhood memories. I believed one thing - no one cooks Murgir Jhol better than my mother. And I still believe that. All daughters (yes yes, and all sons too) would believe that.

Food Books That Inspire Me

I have been wanting to put a list of all my cookbooks here for a long time. Finally, when a friend insisted really hard, I had to do it. She even suggested how I should go about it. So, here are all the awesome food books I own. My list is ever growing. So keep checking.

Your suggestions for books that I should add to my bookshelf, are welcome.

Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes and A Holiday

I am back from a wonderful and much awaited holiday. This time it was a road trip down south, to the beautiful city of Vizag. Nothing like a great holiday with your family. We started an early morning from Calcutta and with just one halt in Bhubaneshwar for the night, we reached our destination the following day.

The moment we took the Beach Road I loved everything about the city. It's nice, clean and well organised. The very first breathtaking view of the city endowed with beautiful beaches created my first impression. We checked into a hotel situated on the sea front at the Beach Road which offered a panoramic view of the Bay of Bengal. We got this stunning view of the sea from our room.

Vizag, the city which is also referred to as the Goa of the East Coast has a lots to it's credit. Once a small fishing village has now been successfully transformed into a bustling port city. It is also the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.

Bengali Fish Fry ~ Deep Fried Bhetki Fillets

The Bengali Fish Fry I am talking about today is not the fish fry that you think you know. Usually when others think of it, they are actually thinking of the 'maach bhaja'. That's fish pieces rubbed with turmeric powder and salt and then fried in mustard oil.

This Bengali Fish Fry is the one that is served in Bengali weddings. It's a significant part of the sumptuous feast. Also, for me, a childhood favourite and my mom's speciality. The fragrance of Fish Fry from my mom's kitchen would travel down the staircase and draw me towards them. What all ways my mom had to pamper me.

These crunchy delectable pieces are great as appetizers or snacks served with hot tea. I also serve them with drinks when we have friends over. I have followed my mom's recipe. But then, there are always some variations. You can add more spices like roasted cumin powder or garam masala. It's all upto your imagination.