Cook in me Part II

So I was left with Banana flower, which was given by "A"'s friend
Banana flower is malayalam is vazha koombu/Vazha Poovu

During my childhood, whenever we used to visit Kerala, my grandma used to make this dish...I was always told that its very good for health and hence used to have it for the sake of good health
Now when I have a child today, I have developed this taste of liking towards these dishes which are good for health and thank my grandma to give this experience

I called up my grandma and mother in law for their inputs...its funny because both are from opposite parts of Kerala
I belong to North Kerala and hubby belongs to South Kerala...so whenever I make a recipe, I get ideas from both sides and try to make the best of both worlds

So let me share my version of Vazha poovu.thoran

Ingredients
Chopped Banana flowers
Moong dal-1/2 cup
Urad dal-1 tsp
Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
Curry leaves-1 sprig
Dry Red chilly-1
Oil-1 tbsp
Salt to taste

For coarsely grinding
1 cup Coconut
1 green chilly
2 garlic pods
1/2 tsp Jeera(cumin) powder/1 tsp Jeera (cumin) seeds
2-3 shallots (small onions)

First of all you need to peel layer of petals, under each petal you will find a set of flowers.
Take out the flowers and remove the black head which is found in the middle of each flower. Pull out this entire thread and discard them
Cleaning is the only time consuming part of this dish, trust me its worth it :)
Now chop the flowers and as you chop, put them them in a bowl filled with water and turmeric
Once all flowers are chopped, wash the chopped flowers with water

Take a pan, add some oil. When the oil is hot add mustard seeds,urad dal, dry red chilly, curry leaves and saute
Once seeds are spluttered, add chopped banana flowers and moon dal. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and some water. Add salt and close the vessel until both are cooked well
Make sure that moong dal does not get mushy

In the meanwhile, coarsely grind the ingredients below "For grinding" section

Once banana flowers and moong dal mix is done, make sure that water is evaporated completely
Add the coarsely ground mixture, mix it well and increase the heat level and mix them for 2 minutes and switch off gas.
Immediately transfer to a bowl and add some more curry leaves
Dish is ready to accompany rice and curry :)

Little "K"

Two days back, we were called by a good school for Interaction process..it was "K's" interview day to lower kindergarten...we told little "K" that teachers will be asking you questions
He was so excited..we reached and in the first round we were taken to meet his teacher
She kept on asking him questions and this fellow was just waiting to answer..it was cute and surprising because me and "A" had never taught him anything...and then the teacher told him to tell a story
It was so so funny coz I always tell him one story before sleeping in Malayalam.He told the teacher the complete story in English, she was quite happy...me and "A" were baffled!

This was his way of translation

Once there was lion who told all animals that Come to my den and I will eat you everyday
First day he ate the donkey, next day he ate the horse.Then rabbit came very late, lion was hungry and shouted at the rabbit...Why you coming late?
Rabbit said sorry but I saw another lion...lion said there is no another lion in this forest. Rabbit said Come I'll show you. Rabbit look the lion to the kinarra...(hehe we laughed at that one :) ) and said look down
Lion looked down and saw his face..because of mirror(he meant reflection). He growled at the other lion and fell down. All another animals said Thank you Rabbit :)
That was my little one's story in his own words

I could not believe that my little one has grown so much..he is now all set to face the world!!! :)

Cook in me Jagaa :)

Yesterday "A" went to collect a parcel from his frens place. His fren had just been to Kerala and gave him the parcel alongwith a long Kappa and a banana flower
Wow that was a good change..sine for lunch, I had prepared typical kerala curry, kappa reached just at time
I quickly puzhingyafied kappa and oolalala it was yummy time!
Here's the recipe

Kappa : Cut big pieces : 10 big pieces
Turmeric Powder-2 Pinches
Red Chilly Powder-1 pinch
Salt to taste
Water : 11/2 Cup

Cut big pieces of kappa(tapioca)
Places the pieces inside the pressure cooker alongwith turmeric,red chilly powder and salt
Pour water, just enough for the kappa/tapioca to boil
Close the cooker and let the pieces steam well
I waited for 5 whistles to blow

While the kappa is getting steamed, get the next set of ingredients ready

Grated coconut-1Cup
Small Onions/Shallots-4/5 in no.
Green Chillies-4 in no.
Cumin seeds or Cumin Powder-1/2 tsp
Curry leaves-2 Sprigs

Grind coarsely the above  ingredients

Now once Kappa is done, take out the pieces and mash them well, add the coarsely grinded ingredients and  finally add a drop of coconut oil to the mashed Kappa
Hmm yummy naadan kaapa puzhukka is ready :)
"A" helped me in mashing Kappa, he was excited to have Kappa and Meen Curry
However I also made coconut chutney without water, as even that goes well with Kappa

To Quit or not?

I have been thinking of switching for sometime and finally have made the decision
I have been working in worlds top MNC, its a brand which is famous across the world and known to almost everyone!
I have been here for two years now, am in a very responsible position, as the numbers which I publish is considered as final market share...its great because even the CEO of such a firm looks forward to my mails
But honestly, I don't enjoy a bit, experience wise, its been great but at the end of the day, I don't have any emotional connect to the firm and mua being an emotional person, feel that any employee should have an emotional connect as that motivates him/her to work better!
Maximum time is spent on meetings as there are number of agencies to work for each project
Anyways coming back...I have been toying with this idea of quitting for sometime
I have been tired of the dialogue-"how can you think of quitting such a firm?
To everyone, they see the rosy pictures like the brand name,the flexibility of working from home,the perks etc
But issue is that my work starts @6AM and ends at 11PM...I am not exaggerating
Even though I am at home, I am always in calls
And I have to go to office when there are meetings, funny part is that there are atleast 3 full day meetings in a week and during those days, when I go to office, I reach office at 9AM and come back by 12 PM
Last one year, I have hardly spent time with my little one...I am on full day meetings even during weekends
I genuinely don't think that for a brand name, one should compromise with life and hence have finally taken the step
I am in state where right now brand name has no value, all I want to do is have a life!
Am I asking for too much? I am a simple person with small wishes..when I die, I just want to be remembered as a wonderful wife, mom,daughter,daughter-in-law,relative,friend and human being!
When I die, no-one will remember me as the person who had made that great presentation hehehe :)
I am so thankful that God brought clarity into my life and I took the decision of quitting!
Thankfully "A" is also fine with my decision but convincing my parents and in-laws was the tough part...but I have been always like this...
I have always made my own decisions in life coz I believe that we just have one life, and we should be responsible for our actions, we should never blame anyone else for the situation we are in :)