Poi Besara ( Fish Head and greens curry from Odisha )

The scorching summers in Odisha are fiery enough to bleach, burn and obliterate most greens from one's backyard garden. But one creeper that is not only capable of withstanding this heat but thriving in it, is the Malabar spinach or 'Poi'. I vividly remember watering most plants twice a day during the summers, once early in the morning and another time during the evening, just to enable them to survive the wrath of the sun God. But this dark green plant seemed oblivious to the misery of it's fellow plants as it continued to grow at a vigorous rate and bloom. That is, inspite of the regular plucking of the leaves and the tender stem. With the vegetable supply dwindling down during summers, the Malabar spinach was a much needed addition to the summer menu.

One of my favorite curries with Malabar spinach was a frugal but delicious fish head curry. To quell the sibling rebellion over who would get the choicest bit of the fish, aka the head, my grandmother would fry the bit, crush it to bits and fry it up again. This would be made into a curry with malabar spinach, some pumpkin, potato and any other veggie one would find at the time. Instead of the heavy onion-garlic-ginger paste that goes into the chencheda, this one would be spiced with an ultra light mustard-garlic-chili paste.

Read on for the recipe - 

Preparation Time - 30-35 mins

Ingredients -

• 2 medium sized potatoes ( cut into small cubes )
• 1 cup pumpkin ( cut into small cubes )
• 1 cup Malabar spinach stems ( slit into 2 )
• 2 cups malabar spinach leaves ( shredded)
• 1 large Rohu/Catla fish head 
• 1 medium onion
• 2 tsp mustard seeds
• 10 garlic cloves
• 2 dry red chilis ( use for if you want it hot )
• 5-6 tsp oil
• salt to taste
• 1/5 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp mustard seeds for tempering
• a pinch of nigella seeds ( kala jeera)

Preparation - Wash and marinate the fish head with salt and a little turmeric.

Make a fine paste out of the 2 tsp mustard seeds, half of the garlic cloves and red chilis. Dissolve this paste in 1 cup water and keep aside.

Crush the remaining garlic. Chop the onion into medium sized pieces.

Cooking - Heat 3 tsp oil in a wok. Add the fish head and fry it.

Once it looks browned on all sides, remove it and crush it with a heavy object. Add it back to the wok and fry to a crisp on a low flame.

At the same time as you start cooking the fish, heat the remaining oil in another wok. Add the mustard, nigella seeds and crushed garlic. Once they turn fragrant, add the onion. Fry to a translucent.

Add the potato, pumpkin and malabar spinach stems. Sprinkle salt over the veggies and let them cook for 6-7 mins on medium flame.

Finally add the malabar spinach leaves and toss on high for 2 mins.

Now carefully pour the mustard paste water over the vegetables taking care to leave the solid residue in the cup .( The solid portion can make the curry bitter )

Add another cup of water and adjust the salt. Cook covered till all the vegetables are done, especially the malabar spinach stems which take long time to cook.

Once most of the water is gone, add the crisp fish head bits to the curry. Mix and remove immediately from flame.

Serve hot with white rice and dal / pakhala. 

Note - If you do not have fish head, this can be made using other parts of the fish. But with fish head, the taste is best.

Garlic Ragi Mathri ( With Fortune Vivo Dia-Care Oil )

Incessant snacking has always been an integral part of the long summer days. But between a fussy kid and a diabetic MIL, I am always running short of options. And it was yet another dreary summer afternoon when I sat scratching my head for striking the right balance between health and taste when the doorbell rang shattering my concentration. I opened the door to find the delivery boy standing with a huge 5 L canister of Fortune Vivo Diabetes Care Oil. The Blogadda guys had indeed send me a generous sample for the review. They have been thoughtful enough to provide a two month's supply of the oil. That is more than enough time to test the efficiency of the oil on any diabetic patient.

Given my habit of checking out the nutritional information for every single item that I purchase, I promptly turned the can to check out the constituents of this oil. Turned out that it is a blend of rice bran and sesame oil (in a 80-20 ratio). Now that had me impressed for both oils have known diabetes controlling properties. Especially sesame oil, which has been in the limelight recently due to its proven ability to control high blood sugar levels and improves the effectiveness of the prescribed medication.

Initially, that is before I started cooking with it, I was a bit skeptical about the taste. Since it has that mild smell of sesame oil, I was worried if my fussy kid would pick it out. But thankfully, the smell goes off completely once I use it for cooking. With such a healthy cooking medium at my disposal, I could now try out almost any recipe without fear of compromising on taste/health.

Now my MIL and my kid are big fans of fried snacks. And 'Mathri' happens to be one of their favorites. To make it extra healthy, I added some ragi flour to the whole wheat flour that I normally use. And a touch of garlic for extra zing. Used Fortune Vivo Oil both for kneading the dough and deep frying the it. The 'Mathris' turned out to be delicious and for once I was not worried about serving fried stuff to my diabetic MIL. Given the win-win scenario and buoyed by the success of my first trial, I extended the use of this oil to every dish that I prepare. And every time, it lived up to my expectations.

So, this us a short review of Fortune Vivo Dia-Care Oil -

Pro's 

1. Contains health benefits like tocotrienol and Oryzanol.
2. Contains sesame oil which has proven properties to regulate blood sugar levels.
3. Priced economically at Rs 675/- for 5 liters. 
4. Taste is neutral.
5. Easily available.
6. Less absorbed while frying.


Con's

1. Smells lightly of sesame oil. But it goes off during cooking.

Overall, it is one great choice not only for diabetics but for everyone looking to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

And this is the fabulously yummy and healthy 'Garlic Ragi Mathri' recipe. Read on -

Preparation Time - 40 mins

Ingredients -

• 1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
• 2/3 cup ragi flour
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• salt to taste
• 5 tsp oil for kneading + sufficient for deep frying ( I used Fortune Vivo Dia-Care Oil )

Preparation - Take the wheat flour, ragi flour, grated garlic, chili powder, baking powder, salt and 5 tsp oil in a mixing bowl. Mix well. 

Sprinkle water little by little and knead into a tight dough. Smear it with a little oil and keep aside for 1-2 hours.

Cooking - Heat the oil in a wok.

Roll out the dough into a thick circle ( about 2 mm thickness ). Take the cap of a bottle and cut out small circles ( abt 3 cm in diameter ). Pierce holes into the circles with a fork.

Add 4-5 circles to the hot oil and fry till brown on both sides. Take out and place on paper napkins.

Repeat for the remaining dough.

Once the mathri had cooled down completely, store it in airtight containers.

Note - Both Ragi and garlic are beneficial for Diabetic patients. And combined with the health benefits of the Fortune Vivo Dia-Care oil, they makes for a great addition to a diabetic menu.

***Important - “I’m creating a dish using Fortune Vivo Diabetes-Care Oil for the #MakeIndiaDiabetesFree activity at BlogAdda.”

GingerCup - Innovative Marketing Platform

'Food for Thought'. Or rather 'Tea for Thought'. That's what gave birth to the widely used expression 'Chai pe Charcha'. India covets the cup even as it savors the refreshment offered by it. Right up to the last dredges of it !! And since the mind is as it's relaxed best when one is holding a cup in one's hands, it is one helluva opportune moment to initiate it to something new.  Or even to adopt a fresh perspective of looking at an existing dilemma.

Yep ! It is yet another opportunity to grab eyeballs for one's business. And GingerCup will show you the right way of doing it ! 

Press Release ***

True goes the adage, “Old is gold”. No matter how far we have come, how smart we have become, the things from where we have evolved will remain the mainstay of our lives. For instance, reading a book will never go out of style. We are not sure about an e-book though! Olden times bear the essence of life. No denying trends are impactful but then they carry an ephemeral impact. Calm down! It is not a philosophy class. It is rather an opportunity to talk about a marketing strategy that bears the essence a modern man misses.

Equipped with high-tech gadgets, today’s virtual world is on the top of popularity and convenience quotient. Every possible desire can be fulfilled online. While online marketers are playing it hard with their tactics, there is this company GingerCup which still sticks to offline marketing and busts the idea of an ad getting unnoticed. Essentially, GingerCup optimizes two interesting offline marketing platforms. So, what do they do?

1.       Paper Cup Advertising – GingerCup’s marketing strategy entails bringing a brand into the limelight through exquisitely designed printed paper cups used for tea/coffee. The strategically designed quality paper cups feature the client’s logo, website address, offer code, contact details, etc. upon them. After getting designed, they are then printed and distributed for free where they are likely to come in contact with targeted audience. The expert team at GingerCup first decides the right set of people to target, the quantum of cups to be distributed, and the places where the cups are to be distributed. A purposefully designed quality tea cup gets the brand noticed and spoken about. People seem to enjoy every sip of their kick-start drink (tea /coffee) and thus spend ample to have it. So, while having it, they see an alluring ad right in their hand. Resultantly, it is not only welcomed but also shared further through word of mouth.

2.      Flyers – Not all the flyers in the world are distributed with a strategy. GingerCup does it purposefully. It is beyond someone’s imagination how the booming online world can be a boon for an offline marketing campaign. Right from shopping clothes to give them for laundry, from buying books to ordering a pizza, everything is done online. We know everything which is bought has to get delivered at a customer’s place. GingerCup prints enticingly designed flyers that speak about their clients’ brand / product / service and all the essential information the targeted audience would require knowing about them. Having tied up with the delivery providers, GingerCup gets the flyers delivered at a place along with the products being ordered online. In a fit of excitement to open a newly bought item, people notice what comes along with it. It then makes it certain for the flyer to get read and create an impact about the advertised brand on the reader’s mind.

Carrying a distinctive strategic approach, these marketing methods are easy on the pocket and fertile enough to breed the desired level of brand recognition for an advertiser. Therefore, when there is every possibility of an online ad getting scrolled down, GingerCup’s potential ad weapons are hard to ignore. Indeed, it is something here to stay.

Contest Alert : #StyleYourHoliday with Limeroad !!

Yes, it's that time of the year. Even as you have your bags packed and are all set to go on that vacation, the timing is right to bring out the fashionista in you. For each woman is created unique and possesses a style quotient of her own.

Limeroad, the one stop fashion destination is hosting a contest that allow you to show off your style, win some admiring fans and also a chance to win 500 Limeroad points ( equivalent to Rs 500 shopping credit ).

So, here is what you have to do -

1. Login to limeroad.com

2. Go to the scrapbook. Select any one of the holiday templates.

3. Click on each product and choose one from the many options.

4. Put together a look that would make you proud !!

5. Finally tag it with #StyleYourHoliday and #SwetaBiswal


Yay !! You are done in a few minutes :)

The winner ( for my blog ) will be chosen by me. But do hurry up as the contest is only till tomorrow (30th April) midnight !!

Chaula Bara ( A Rustic style Vada from Odisha )

Have you ever wondered if there is a key to your memory ? If yes, is it just one ?  Or do such multiple keys exist which have the power to selectively unlock small sections of one's memories ? To me, the human mind sometimes seems like a beehive with cell upon cell crammed together. But while they may seem identical, each one is unique and holds something specific. And most importantly, there exists a singular key for each cell.

But at other times, digging into the human mind reminds me of looking/ exploring for water /oil under a rocky terrain. Just like the water or oil which is trapped between two layers of solid rock and can be harvested only if we reach a specific depth, neither less not more, the human mind seems to have layer and layers of memories superimposed one upon the other. Reaching for a specific memory thus requires knowledge of a very specific nature which can enable one to penetrate to the particular layer which holds the information.

The reason that I have been ranting about the human memory is because I sometimes fail to recall certain things even after people remind me about them. And then, all of a sudden, things jump at me when I am least expecting it . This recipe for example evaded me till I got to sample some prepared by an Odia neighbor of mine. This old lady is one of the few who still prefer to make 'bara' in this manner while most of us prefer to follow the biri 'bara' recipe.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 30 mins

Ingredients -

• 1 cup split biri / black lentil ( i use the skin variety )
• 1 cup arwa rice ( jeera rice or sona masuri will do )
• 1 tsp whole cumin seeds
• 2-3 green chili ( finely chopped )
• 1 small onion ( finely chopped )
• 2 pinch baking powder
• salt to taste
• oil for deep frying

Preparation -  Wash and soak the biri and rice for 7-8 hours ( overnight ).

Drain excess water and grind into a thick smooth batter .

Keep aside for ferment for a good 4-5 hours .

Mix in the cumin seeds, green chili and onion along with the salt and baking powder. Let it sit for 15 mins.

Cooking - Heat sufficient oil for deep frying.

Drop small balls of the batter into the oil. Cook till brown on one side and then flip to cook on other side as well.

Remove and drain on paper towels.

Serve hot with ketchup and green chilis.

Note - One can also use crushed ginger, curry leaves and cilantro to enhance the flavor. The smaller the size, the more crunchy it will be, so take care to keep them small.

Tangerine unveils ‘Coolers’, a summer collection with a twist !!

Coolers. Do you always associate the word with the images of tall glasses filled with chilled liquids in beautiful shades of mint, aqua, lavender or rose that soothe the senses even before they tickle your palate ? If yes, it is time to do a rethink. For Tangerine, the home decor specialist introduces 'Coolers', a range of summer bed linen that is designed exclusively to soothe the scorched mind and imbibe the tired soul with a sense of inner calm.

With the bedroom being the oasis of our existence, it becomes very important to strike a balance with the colors we use in this area. With a single color dominating the bedroom space, it becomes tough to balance the energies. Hence, the use of two solid colors is always recommended by home experts .

So, get ready to chill out this summer with a new range of 'Coolers' .

** Press Note -

Tangerine unveils ‘Coolers’, a summer collection with a twist

~ Inspired from shades of summer beverages, Tangerine’s Coolers collection is soothing to the eyes, soft to feel and refreshing to the core ~

Mumbai 2016: “What’s your color this summer,” asks the home décor solutions specialist, Tangerine. With Coolers, Tangerine walks an extra mile to add to summer homes a cool and contemporary twist. The all new range of bed spreads and pillow cases has a cool, calm and refreshing appeal akin to the effect summer coolers have on our senses.

With this unique bed sheet collection by Tangerine, lime meets mint, lavender meets beige, aqua meets rose to add to every bedroom, a twin touch of calm and comfort. As the name suggests, Coolers is inspired from subtle shades of summer coolers such as Blue Lagoon, Lavender Lemonade, Lime Kiwi Punch, Cucumber Punch, Mojito and shades of the refreshing Ice-teas.

The collection is designed keeping in mind what every summer homes truly deserves, a look that is serene, soothing and stylish in equal measure.  Known to be a trendsetter, Tangerine has beautifully placed two solid colors in each combination to create a look that beats the heat.

The self-textured dobby weave bed sheets and pillow cases in solid colors are made in 100% cotton combed yarn. Tangerine has brought in a double mercerized finish to every piece of linen, adding a delicate sheen that exudes class, comfort and the contemporary look the brand is known for. Weaved in a high 330 thread count, the Tangerine Coolers collection is a perfect blend of textures that pamper in a super quality fabric that feels soft and comforting.

Mr. Rajiv Merchant, Founder, MD & CEO, Tangerine shared, “Coolers is a unique way to welcome this summer on a calming note. We have put in a lot of thought behind blending two complementing solid colors, the detailing, the texture and its feel, to ensure every home brings in a summer makeover with a twist. Coolers as the name goes, is meant to refresh, rejuvenate and keep it light in the bedrooms when there is bright sun shining outside.”

With Bed sheet sets in King XL size comprising one bed sheet and 2 pillow covers to match, the range priced at Rs.2,499/- onwards is available at the Tangerine stores across the country.

Let’s go the Coolers way with Tangerine and bring along, hues your home will love this summer!

PLACEofORIGIN.in - Discoveries and Reminiscences

My day starts with it. But my rendezvous with 'Tea' does not end at that. I usually have a couple of cups throughout the day interspersed with a caffeine shot or two for that extra kick. As a Mom of a hyperactive four year old boy I need all of it and even more to keep me going throughout the day. And since these brews are such an integral part of my daily routine, I prefer nothing but the best that I can procure at my convenience. To be honest, I do not have the energy to drive half-way across the town to some quaint little shop selling gourmet/connoisseur teas. Nor do I believe in pleading with a relative to bring back a few kilos of tea from a trip to the North-East. Not my cup of tea as I would put it. Pardon the expression, but that is how I am.

With PLACEofORIGIN.in I have finally discovered that now I can have my tea and drink it too ! It is just the right website for people like me and everybody else who covet the good things in life. It could be something that one has grown up with or discovered in the course of one's travels. But with 'PLACEofORIGIN.in' one is guaranteed an encore of the flavor experience without ever resorting to substitutes or inferior replacements. As the products are curated from the very source producers, rest assured that you are getting the best of it.

That brings me back to my favorite cuppa. Given the wonderful benefits of green tea, which include fat burning and lowering cancer risk, I am quite particular about the brand (preferably organic) that I pick. And with this website, I am ensured a steady supply of my favorite brew. Plus with the numerous options that are available, there is always that additional benefit of having the freedom to switch between multiple blends and flavors. Green tea flavors like Saffron-Kahwa, Himalayan Tulsi-Rhododendron and Berry Blush are virtually impossible to procure from supermarkets or even other online sources.

Image courtesy : www.placeoforigin.in

Coffee connoisseurs can get their pick from the multiple options available on the website. The names of all the various blends in stock read like a dream. Rain Song Dark Roast, The Deep Bliss Blend and The Sunkissed Blend are enough to make me feel caffeine deprived. Don't you agree ?

But the best part is that they also sell those yummy snacks that go really well with your chosen brew. The website stocks the Shrewsbury biscuits and Chitale Bandhu Bhakarwadi from Pune, Almond House Bisticks from Hyderabad and the most decadent stuff from Moshes and Sleight of Hand from Mumbai. But these are just the ones that I am partial to. Foodies can look forward to savoring stuff from across the length and breadth of the county. Bakes, sweets and savories from places like Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Indore and many other cities are waiting to be grabbed. In short, if there is a city marked on your foodie roadmap, the guys behind 'PLACEofORIGIN.in' might just beat you in the race to get there.

Still on the same page ? Then, go ahead and try it !