Month: May 2020

Posted on

I am Wait…..ing

It is a small word but a long one when you “Wait” it causes a stir at first, a longing, pleasure and then pain. Even flowers take time to bud and bloom beautifully, The seeds have to be buried deep, yes the whole grain. Morning mists appear translucent, shining and pure, the birds wait to talk to us, chirping and flying at dawn The horizon a red glow, an aura of The superior sanctity! All awaiting to rise afresh , carry tasks and with the day get on. The damsel waiting at the bus-stop for her bus or is it her beau eager anticipation, fluttering butterflies make her believe, today he shall arrive and their meet would be a beautiful moment . Hours have gone by and she has to give up, cry soft tears and leave. Time waits for no one, just try to wait and see! Overly joyous feeling turns to become a painful tryst with destiny. Repeatedly one hopes, bears the stares, the sullen heart so heavy tomorrow I shall return, for today it is again not meant to be! As sands get washed by the surfing sea, I cling on to the shadows yes, the wave brings a song to the heart, and leaves mercilessly. The sun goes down beyond the horizon, purple, red and orange hues fill the sky and slowly burden my mind with his sweet little lies. Tomorrow the Wait shall be over, a miracle I shall see ! My love shall soon appear… my silly heart always cries!

Rohaina Tanveer ( Aqueel) 17/05/2020

Posted on

Baby steps in the kitchen

Do you remember your first dish ever cooked by you? Surely there was someone who taught you how to make it. My first learning was with 2 great ladies in my life. At 10 years of age, Sadiya my best friend who had a knack of already trying out dishes at home, helped me to make Potato tikkis. These are a delectable snack to be had piping hot with tea. Also served in Ramzan Shareef its a tasty treat to have with green spicy chutney. ( An Indian household always has to have chutneys accompanying their food) Potato tikkis are simply potatoes boiled, given a nice tadka ( tempering) with a few spices, cumin seeds and mustard seeds. A dash of lemon juice and chopped coriander all mixed into the potato mix. Then small flat tikkis made to be shallow fried rolled in flour/egg. Aloo Tikki with crisp outside soft inside is a real treat to taste buds at anytime. It’s so delicious that just name itself gets digestive juices flowing in mouth.

Aloo Tikki Chhole #AlooTikki #Street #Food #India #ekPlate #ekplatealootikki
Aloo tikkis…..crispy on the outside, simply melts inside the mouth.

Another dish I learnt quite early was making daal ( Hyderabadi way), tomato curry and then almost everything from my dearest mother. Ammi always let me do things step by step. She would make sure I write everything down so I dont forget and of course a day would come when she would test my culinary skills. Of course I have burnt chapatis, rice, daal ( lentils) and basic omelets and lots of recipe books! But that is what makes you learn to be more patient and loving. I think that is when I learnt that if you put your heart into anything, it always turns out to be special. So you have to go that extra mile to achieve it. Thank you my dearest mom, you have been my biggest source of inspiration always. I am sharing the tomato chutney recipe. Its highly recommended. Can be had with rice or with rotis/chapatis. Bon appetit.

Posted on

A whiff of fresh air !

Letters — Stock Photo

When days and eves seemed gloomy, A whiff of fresh air announced our dear Vimi Coupled with the technical skills of Rahil She gave us Home Scrabble leagues continuously She brought smiles and joy in our days of misery.

It started with a round robin league from twenty more enthusiasts pitched in as its their favorite game to be ! All ladies set aside their chores though they were maidless It reached a humongous number and two leagues to foresee The passion, dedication, continuous games a treat !

Lockdown has been so helpful for you and me to connect with each and everyone across the sea. Bonding with family time has been the big realization, but meeting up with scrabble fraternity is also family ! Yes ! we have enjoyed each moment of six weeks amicably.

Thank you wonderful organizers who took the lead. Precisely and perfectly you managed to a tee! If perchance conflicts arose unknown, you had a superb teamwork to resolve it sweetly. Yes Lockdown Leagues – we wont forget for eternity !

Rohaina Tanveer ( Aqueel) 4th May, 2020