A Foodie Raises A Toast to the Singaporean Chili Crab

Singapore is a melting pot of varied cultures. So, it hardly comes as a surprise that the local cuisine has influences ranging from Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian to even some Portuguese and English traditions. And most of this delicious food is eaten right off the streets, for this is a place where more people throng the hawker food stalls rather than paying a visit to a restaurant. Though the city has its fair share of good restaurants, street food wins hands down when it comes to the price and the sheer mind boggling variety.

For most folks, a Singaporean dish which brings instant recall would be the 'Satay'. Pieces of meat marinated in a sauce with distinct Asian flavors, grilled over a charcoal fire and served along with the skewer sticks still attached, it is always accompanied with a peanut sauce. So popular is this dish even in India that one will find it on the starters/entree section of the menu in most multi cuisine restaurants.

However Singapore is a seafood haven and any mention of the cuisine is incomplete without including one of the most iconic seafood dishes. For when it comes to the die-hard foodie in me, I cannot bear to settle for anything less that the luscious and tantalizing Singaporean Chili Crab. Meant to be eaten with both hands (take that as a mark of respect this dish deserves), it consists of a crimson velvety sauce with the right mix of the sweet, salty and spicy flavors enveloping a bright orange crab that has been cooked in its shell to retain all the juices (of course the shell been slightly cracked to let the seasoning just seep through). Highly celebrated by seafood lovers from any corner of this world, this is one of Singapore's national dishes for a good reason.

The very appearance of the dish packs in a powerful sensory punch. The fiery red hues of the sauce sets off the beautiful looking crab still ensconced in its shell which is the only thing standing in the way of pure ecstasy.  The succulent and juicy flesh of the mud crab perfectly complements the sweet and slightly pungent flavors of the sauce which is not generally not as hot as the name suggests. Though it is mainly tomato based, the addition of ingredients like shallots, garlic, galangal, soy sauce, eggs, shrimp paste and Thai chilies gives it a complexity and sensuousness that simply engulfs the tongue and the mind.  Even an iota of the delectable sauce is not meant to be wasted and so one have those accompanying buns (or even bread) to soak up every bit of that deliciousness.

No wonder that this amazing dish has made a mark for itself and is rated at No. 35 on the list of World's 50 most delicious foods complied by CNN Go in 2011. (And it also made it to my list of all time favorites)


This post is written for Far East Hospitality

Benefits of Consuming Gulkand (Rose Petal Preserve) !!

It is early summer and Gulkand is back on my kitchen shelf. Yes, it is one of those summer essentials like prickly heat powder or Margo soap or even Aloe vera gel. But unlike the latter three which work on the outside, Gulkand is an Ayurvedic tonic which keeps the body cool on the inside.

While it works best when consumed after a meal (given that it aids digestion), I find myself adding it various sherbats/lassis and even as a jam. Those suffering from acid reflux or constipation can have it just before going to bed at night.

Read on for its benefits -

1. It cures the ailments of the mouth and the digestive system in general. Controls acidity, mouth ulcers and body heat.

2. It is a powerful antioxidant and blood purifier. Consume two teaspoons a day for clear skin that is free from pimples, blemishes and boils .

3. Very helpful for ladies suffering from excess white discharge or even menstrual pain.

4. Consuming Gulkand can also reduce excess perspiration, body odour, itching and other such conditions caused by excess body heat.

5. It is an effective stress reducer as it calms down the nerves.

6. It improves appetite, digestion and metabolism.

7. It reduces uric acid levels in patients suffering from gout.

8. It gets rid of burning sensation in plans and soles.

9. It is given to pregnant ladies and kids who suffer from constipation as it is a mild laxative devoid of any side effects.

However, it is not recommended for diabetic due to the high sugar content.

There are many brands available but I use and recommend the 'Divya Gulkand' which is manufactured by Patanjali. It is very much pure and costs Rs 45 for a 400 gm pack .

Lamcha

I am back from a family wedding and in dire need of a mental detox. Even before the celebrations were over, my 'Hum saath saath hain' types extended family was coming apart at the seams. Not to be content with bitching behind each others back, some of them were having a field day hurling accusations at each other. And that too in full public view or hearing ( with the latter having a more damning effect). If one was ever in doubt as to why those ladies steal all the screen time in those silly soaps, the drama unfolding before my very eyes was proof enough to show that the weaker sex calls the shots on the domestic front. When they are not fretting over someone else's saree or jewelry, these women focus their energies on jacking up their position in the pecking list of a favorably disposed relative.

I am lucky that none of them have the slightest inclination in reading my blogs or else I wont be here pouring out my heart to you folks. This is my first recipe after a break and I am sharing a sweet that is a childhood favorite of mine. Thought of sharing this on Holi but could not find the time as was busy in the arrangements of the wedding. Read on for the recipe -









Preparation Time - 40-50 mins

Ingredients -

• 1 cup chenna (home made paneer)
• 1/2 cup milk powder
• 1 tbsp maida
• 1 tbsp semolina
• 2-3 pinch cardamom powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 11/2 cup water
• Oil for deep frying

Preparation - Gather the chenna in a cheese cloth and tie it up. Allow to hang for 1 hour so that the excess water is drained off. Take it on a clean kitchen platform and mash it with the heel of your palm for 3-4 mins.

Add the milk powder, maida, semolina and cardamom powder to the chenna . Mix everything into a smooth dough. Knead this dough for another 5 mins. Keep aside for 10 mins.

Take the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 7-8 mins till the syrup reaches a medium consistency.

Heat the oil in a wok. Break small portions from the dough and shape each one into a smooth cylindrical shape. Ensure that there are no cracks.

Drop 3-4 pieces into the hot oil at a time and fry on a low temperature. Once they become brown uniformly, remove from the oil and place them in the sugar syrup. 

Bring the already hot sugar syrup to boil for 1 minute. Switch off the flame and allow the 'Lamchas' to soak for a minimum of 30 mins.

Serve warm.

Together we will overcome!!

Motherhood is a beautiful emotion that has been highly celebrated by poets and writers. But with the spotlight focused exclusively on the highs, most new mothers get a rude jolt when faced with the reality. Postpartum depression is made worse by sleepless nights and lack of a support system (given that most of us live in nuclear families away from our native). My case was no different. And my woes were made still worse when I had to give up a corporate job and become a stay at home mother to care for my young one.

The first few months were spent changing diapers and feeding an ever hungry baby who was born with an inverted body clock. With no energy left after those endless rituals, I would just collapse on the bed at any given chance and had no time left to think about my career goals. But as he grew, he became less demanding and I was left with quite a bit of time on my hands. With nothing worthwhile to do, I spent the time watching TV and eating whatever I could lay my hand on. As a result I put on weight and started feeling even more low.

However, everything changed after a trip to my parents home. Maybe it was the change of surroundings or routine or the emotional support that I received, or even a combination of all factors, I became more focused and changed my outlook towards things. When my Dad explained that circumstances are beyond our control but what we make out of them is entirely within our control, I realized that I still had more fight remaining in me. It was on his advice that I revived my old hobby of writing. And suddenly life took on a new meaning. I had a reason to get out of the bed every morning.

The freedom to articulate one's ideas and allowing those creative juices to flow freely has a pronounced healing effect on the mind and soul. It effectively engages our thought process and does not allow for negative thinking which makes us sink into depression. The initial days were tough but I trudged on with patience. Every time I thought that I hit a roadblock, I called up my Dad and spoke to him. His motivating words kept me going. Before I could realize it, I was back into the flow. I started getting quite a bit of freelance work and soon I found myself earning a decent amount right from the comfort of my home. The appreciation and love that I received from my readers was a welcome bonus. It made me more optimistic about other things as well and I started eating healthy and going to the gym. People around me started to take note of this positive change in me and I was back to my old self.

This post is written for Housing.com .

Say Yes to New Beginnings !!!

The first time is always special and is etched forever in one's memory. Be it that first best friend, boy friend/girl friend, or even that first job, there are always special feelings attached to the first time one tried sometime new. And buying that first house is something that elicits that uber special emotion in each one of us.

Right from the first year of our marriage, me and my husband have lived in a number of rented accommodations. Each house felt a little strange at first but then we started getting used to it. However, before we could develop that sense of belonging, we had to change the flat for some reason or the other. Every time it was a new set of neighbours, and I really missed the old ones. The feeling is something akin to changing schools and getting a new set of friends each year. It hardly allows any time for making a lasting relationship. But as we planned our first baby, we knew that we should do something about it and that our child deserved a place that he/she could call his/her own.

We needed a place that was near to my office ( my husband agreed to do the travelling part ) and also had good schools nearby. Plus a supermarket, a hospital and a park too. Another important requirement was a gym (both of us being health freaks) and a play area within the premises. But there was the concern of being able to pay the EMIs and managing the family finances as well. I assured my husband that we would manage with careful planning and cutting down on needless expenses.

It took us time to narrow down the options available to us but finally we were able to zero in one a property that was hardly a 10 mins walk from my office. Though small, it was something that I had always desired. Open on three sides, it offered very good ventilation. It had those large windows facing the east which flooded the house with sunlight and a small balcony which I could transform into my herb garden. Every tiny detail was well planned and it was every bit the kid friendly house that we had envisioned. I set my heart on it the very first time I saw it. 

But it was barely furnished and that looked like a problem. We had been living in furnished houses and this one seemed rather inconvenient. After managing the initial down payment, we did not have that much spare money to do it up. However things sorted out once we had a proper chat with our parents. With a kid on the way, they advised us to postpone buying stuff that was anything but essential. They assured us that kids enjoy open spaces more than furniture that bars their free movement. This argument seemed convincing and within a month we moved into the new house.

I revived my old hobby and turned the balcony into a kitchen garden of sorts. And both of us got up early in the morning to tend to it before doing a few rounds on the jogging track that surrounded the apartment. With no fridge at our disposal, we start cooking fresh meals everyday. Though it was tiresome, it felt good and we could spend some special moments together. Slowly we saved some money and bought the household goods over a span of three years. In the meanwhile our kid was born and I used the maternity leave period to strike up a special friendship with some of our neighbours. And today when we look at our young one surrounded by his friends, we are proud of our decision.

This post is written for Housing.com.

Baby Uninterrupted

Babies do silly things and we love them all the more for the same reason. Laughing out aloud at the smallest gestures, gurgling with food/juices, trying out some really hilarious poises, or even making gibberish out of the simplest words, they can do it all and even more. And they can go on and on doing the same stuff for hours at an end  if they have the energy for it.

While the primary criteria for boundless energy can be put as a full tummy and a good night's (or even day's) sleep, comfort comes across as a very close secondary criteria. Comfortable clothing which is in accordance with the weather and most importantly a dry nappy ( given the frequent urination ) are important to keep a baby happy and bubbly. With my bundle of joy, I have never had a dull moment thanks to Pampers which ensures that my tiny one remains equally comfortable whether it be day or night, or even summer or winter. The Magic gel locks up all fluids to ensure that the diaper remains dry on the inside for up to 12 hours while the soft cottony cover allows for proper circulation of air. The result is healthy and rash free skin and uninterrupted happiness.

Coming to the favorite activity of my baby, it has been playing with building blocks of all shapes and sizes. Ever since he started to crawl around and was presented with a set of blocks by his grandparents, he has been besotted with it. Stacking them haphazardly, pulling them down, putting one inside the other and slowly including other objects lying around to create tall vertical mounds that teeter precariously while trying to defy the forces of gravity, the activity can keep him engrossed for the better part of his waking hours. Since there is evidence that suggests that encouraging playing with such blocks and puzzles may actually improve the spatial ability for children, I consciously buy more of such toys. With the diaper taking care of any wetness and discomfort, he does not get distracted unless his tummy starts rumbling or it gets around his napping time. Of course, it translates into stepping carefully around the house which resembles a maze ( or a minefield ) by the time he is done with playing. But I am not complaining as it gives me the opportunity to feed him without much fussing and running around. As a bonus, I use the time to pen down some of my blog posts and catch up on my reading ( and sometimes even napping ).

With Pampers, it is not just the babies, even the mothers are happy around the clock. This post is written for Pampers.

The Messiah in White !!

I am not a religious person or at least I do not believe in rituals. But I bow my head to the superpower that makes things work in precision and allows life to move ahead smoothly in a world that is driven by madness. And this is one such story about my encounter with 'HIM' which made me believe that nothing is impossible if we have the desire to grab it with both hands.

Even during since my school days, I had the dream to be a part of the workforce of a certain Indian IT major. One of the founders of this organization has always been my idol and I always lapped up his interviews in whichever media they appeared. But my entrance rank was not enough to secure a seat in NIT/REC and I had to take admission in a college that did not feature on my wish list. Though it made me sad as I thought it to be a setback which diminished my chances, I never gave up hope. My resolve grew stronger and I started working consciously on my soft skills along with bettering my programming abilities. Plus I practiced a lot of Shakuntala Devi's puzzles which are a regular feature in the written tests of that particular organization.

To get an edge during the interviews, I started attending GD and PI classes. Our faculty, an retired Air force man who always wore white, was a great source of inspiration. He helped us master the finer aspects of a personal interview and gave us generous tips on cracking every kind of interview. Though it was a short program which ended in two months time, I continued my association with the institute and started taking part time classes along with my college studies and programming classes. It provided a boost to my confidence and improved my communication skills as I had to deal with folks who were much older than me and some of them were already working. As I was making a decent money, it also reinforced my belief that not being able to crack the entrance did not mean the end of the world and I could take up teaching which I really enjoyed.

During my final semester, I got a call for campus interview twice from my dream organization but could not attend the same as my seventh semester results were not yet out. Still, I was hopeful of bagging my dream job. Finally, I finished my B Tech and moved to Hyderabad . After a month, I received the third call and made it through the written tests. But I had butterflies in my stomach before the interview and I decided to offer a prayer at a Gurudwara near my hostel. Now, even though I have been raised a Hindu, there was no hesitation in me as I walked the steps of the Gurudwara. I offered a white sheet and some flowers and promised to come back if I cracked the interview.

After offering my prayers, I boarded a bus and reached the interview venue. Though it went quite well and I was able to crack most of the questions, the seasoned HR guys did not let out any hint to whether I had made it or not. And the next week was full of agony as I kept checking my inbox twice every day for any mails from the HR. Finally I gave up hope and did not check my mail for the next couple of days. Then I had a dream early one morning and a guy dressed in white kept asking me to check my mail. I was stunned but it seemed like some kind of divine intervention. I quickly logged into my system but could not see any email from the HR. I was about to dismiss it as a dream but then I thought of checking older mails. And it was there in my mailbox. I had received the offer letter five days back but I had not logged in to check my mails. My joining date was just three days ahead and I would have missed it had it not been for the strange dream and the messiah in white. Till date I remain thankful to 'HIM' and believe that he is there to help me at every step in my life.

This post is written for Housing.com.