Thank God!

God created world, God created us

Then we all made the world get into a rumpus.

God created love, God created life

Then we all made true love get into strive.

God created heart, God created passion

But we mistook emotions for obsession.

God created freedom, God created bond

And we built boundaries all around.

God gave us soul, God shows us the way

Which we follow and come out from dismay.

God created darkness, God created light

And also gave us the might to fight.

For every mistake we make

For every wrong steps we take

God brings us back into light from the shades.

So,

when we say THANK GOD make it more meaningful...

Say it from the heart and be truly grateful.

Bongs & Burps!

(log on to: www.foodtuts.com, to celebrate taste)

At every part of the world, 1^st of January is celebrated with utmost pomp & show, as a welcome gesture for the NEW YEAR! In this, Bengalis are no less a participant! Still, no matter which part or corner of the world a bong lives, its not only new year but also NABO Barsho that brings with it equal excitement & curiosity about the beginning of a new (oops! Sorry) Nabo barsho!

We all know, Bengalis ‘Live to EAT’, for every occasion, for every day and for every time of the day there has to be variety of dishes served to a bong. And, for any bong, a meal is never complete till he feels like stealing an hour or so for a quick siesta (you see we bongs are the most immaterialist on earth! We never bother or greed for more earning rather we prefer simple and a relaxed life).

Talking about greed though bongs mostly non-greedy, peace & Rabindranath-loving species but the greed for good and delicious food is very evident across bongs of all age groups.

Thus, for nabobarsho as well, bongs have their special and delicious variety of recipes that are religiously cooked, served and relished on Nabobarsho. One such dish is Peas Kachori (Karaishutir kachori)- http://www.foodtuts.com/peas-kachori-recipe/  has been updated on my website: www.foodtuts.com

Along with it, there are various other sweets that are also relished by bongs.

It’s an age-old tradition that on Nabobarsho a bong visits his/her local jeweler to open a new credit a/c (though there is no guarantee that he/she would use the a/c ever). Such a/c are normally opened by paying the jeweler a token amount from Rs.101 onwards.

But the intention for any bong to visit such shops is the food!

But, whatever said, it is very true that Bengali cuisine is very relishing and involves immense variety, thus for bongs-burping with a satisfying smile on their face after every meal is nothing surprising.

To all my fellow bongs wishing you a Shubho Nabo Barsho- keep burping & keep flourishing !

Well-cooked LIFE- The journey from boiling eggs to www.foodtuts.com 

It’s just 6 years ago, when I first landed on Mumbai; the city threw at me various challenges at every step. First, the challenge of getting accommodation, the challenge of finding a job, the challenge of learning how to wash clothes and yet catch the train to reach office on time. But the challenge of cooking was something in my life that I was very sure that I would never be able to conquer!

I still remember seeing my mother pack at least 20 Maggi packets and 10 pasta packets with 5-6 soup packets when I was leaving Kolkata. Her act was very evident of the fact that even she was confident of me failing in learning the art of moving the ladle on a wok to turn raw vegetables edible!

As for me, cooking or for that matter food had never occupied a priority in my life.
But, as they say you search throughout the world just to find your true love always following you- in the same manner, my true love (cooking) started following me  quite early- without any further thoughts I decided to take up  Nutrition & dietetics major in college (again Food science). Through my curriculum I mastered the knowledge about the nutritional factors of food but never could think of mastering the art of cooking.

Coming back to my journey in Mumbai- after getting a job, I even managed to win the heart of my long secret love (who was also in Mumbai ). During my courtship, I learnt that he was a keen food lover. And as the old saying goes ‘the path to a man’s heart goes through his stomach’ I understood the only way to make him feel happy was by cooking! Now, it sounds very easy but for me fighting for him with the world was easier than cooking for him! But, I started learning- It all started with boiling eggs (time:45 minutes) then, half cooked shapeless chapattis, raw vegetable curry , etc.

But in two years time I was cooking delicacies for 12-15 guests!

I would say, such is the power of love.

It was merely for my love (now my husband) that I decided to cook. Now, after 4 years I see myself cooking any and every delicacy.

Now, I not only cook to make my husband happy but also do it commercially. I have started the India’s first Food tutorial website. I have realized while going through the self-training of cooking, we come across various recipe websites or videos- we follow every step according to instruction but still the perfect required taste of the particular dish at times cannot be achieved.

This is due to few small and intricate techniques that most of the recipe websites, channels, books or videos miss out on.

I believe it is not the amount of salt that matters but how and when its added that helps in achieving an extra edge over others while cooking the same dish.

Keeping this need in mind I have developed this website which has all possible categories required for any learner to get self-trained about cooking.

The general recipe category offers recipes from Starters to main course to desert and also continental. The quick recipe category solves the big problem of working people. They can follow the daily updates and cook variety of food at home in less than 20 minutes!

Then, the video recipe category includes all those elaborate recipes that needs greater training.

And of course while cooking knowing about food is very important, hence I have also incorporated a category that talks of nutritional value of the commonly used food items.

My website www.foodtuts.com  is thus a complete solution for people like us to get self-trained on cooking.

Now, I can proudly say, I have conquered the challenge of cooking, as well.

My life is now 'well-cooked' with a desired profession as a writer, husband-cum-lover and acquiring the tag of a good cook!

So, to all those who feel that they can never cook, turn to find the person you would love to cook for, then just wait and watch to find yourself grow as a cook (because now you have the assistance of www.foodtuts.com!)

All the best,

Happy Cooking!

Life of a LIFE

It all started on 5^th January 1996 when Stacy gave birth to Raja. Raja was born in an old dilapidated house of Kolkata. The huge size of the house was enough to conclude that it had once belonged to some rich landlords of the then Calcutta, which now stands under the care of a 75year old bihari man, Bansi.

Bansi, was alone and he knew what the pain of solitude is. Hence, when a year ago in monsoon he saw Stacy standing near the door all drenched and hungry he didn’t give a second thought before asking her to come inside. He provided Stacy food & shelter while unknowingly Stacy provided the old Bansi, accompany.

Last summer, Stacy met Jackie, also an orphan adopted by a Chaiwalla! Stacy’s dark big eyes were enough to sweep the young blood off his feet. But little did Stacy know that Jackie never believed in commitments. He left Stacy after 6 months of being together. Stacy was heart-broken and pregnant, too!

Again, Bansi came to her rescue. He comforted her and showered all the care & support she needed to bravely tread through her trimesters.

Then, Raja was born.

His dark eyes resembled Stacy but his dark brown complexion was enough to remind of Jackie.

They say, Raja got his name from the movie Raja Hindustani. It happened when Bansi, took him in his arms for the first time and looked up, his eyes caught sight of a torn poster of the movie stuck on the walls of the road just outside the house.

Bansi, wished may the baby grow up to live a life like a king. So, he was named Raja!!

As a young boy, Raja turned highly popular in the locality. From the fish vendors to the grocers to the Chaiwalla or the Cobbler, all knew and somewhat loved Raja. His energetic face and loveable eyes could melt any heart.

So, Raja though got introduced to a tough life never had to face problems like hunger (since everyone used to give him food) or shelter.

One day, Raja was playing with a newspaper ball near the staircase of the house he was born in- a girl in her early twenties came and picked him up in her arms. She readily fell in love with Raja and hence wanted to adopt him. Later, since all these years Raja had been in the custody of Bansi, so the girl asked him about it. Bansi, considering his own age and financial conditions did not mind to give away Raja, hoping for a better life and comfort for him.

Little did he know that Raja would get more than just a comforting life!

Raja was given his own room which was light blue in colour and full of toys. Raja jumped with joy seeing his new world.

As predicted by Bansi, Raja did grow up to be a brave, courageous & charming youth who ruled over every heart (thankfully he stood up to his name).

Every, feminine counterpart in the locality wanted to be spotted with Raja. He had many eyes following him, whenever he walked in the garden or went out for a casual stroll with his sister, Juhi (the girl who adopted).

All looked like a dream life for Raja before his life again hit the rock!

It was celebration time in Raja’s house as the news of Juhi’s marriage broke. Everyone was busy and even Juhi was too excited and occupied with her marriage preparations.

Amidst all the pomp & show, glitterati and noise of marriage, Raja started feeling lonely. It was for the first time that Raja, felt like an outsider in the house. Suddenly everyone started ignoring him and even stopped spending time with him. Juhi would shout at him, if he tried entering her room, as she would be busy with her girl friends.

He felt lonely!

 It was as if, the true life of Raja came back to him. A life full of misery, solitude and grief.

One night before the wedding, Raja decided to leave the house.

He silently opened his room’s door and slid though the garden gate.

He ran in the open air but tears made him blind. He could not run very far, as he could not run over the love, care and comfort the family have given him all these years. But, Raja knew the truth- that he is not an integral part of Juhi’s family.

 He ran miles & miles till he was tired. He sat beside a lamp post on the road and fell asleep. In the morning, the hustle-bustle of the street, the honking of the cars, busses and trams woke him up.

He found himself beside a beggar. The man offered him stale bread. Raja figured that the beggar could not speak or hear. But, his silence could make Raja hear his hearts that spoke of love. His eyes would speak of care and attention for Raja.

Raja, always longed for this.

It does not matter from whom he gets. What matters is this bliss in life.

Raja, never left the man alone. He would walk with him, sit with him, sleep, eat and even beg with him.

People passing by would sometimes stop and ogle at Raja, since he did not look like a beggar but nobody dared to ask him as his fierce stare at the strangers were enough to ask the people to leave.

Years went by; Raja continued being the beggar’s best friend. They were faithful to each other and support for each other. They shared joy & sadness, shelter and heat, hunger & thirst together. It was their togetherness that was the prized possession for them.

Raja, lived through some very happy, adventurous and excited life till, one winter night sleeping beside his best friend he closed his eyes for the last time.

Raja died at the age of 16.

He lived his full life going through all the emotions just like any of his friends-Bansi, Juhi or the beggar! 

He lived through hardships, hunger and dangers and on the other side he even experienced luxuries, joy, love & care.

He lived life like a human!

It does not matter which species one is, what ultimately matters is living life.

And, Raja lived his.

Raja, a Labrador

Born: 5^th January, 1996

Died: 24^th December, 2012