Burmese Khowsuey

This dish dawned upon me at 12 o'clock in the night. You will not believe how simple and blitzy this dish is.

Burmese Khowsuey is a one pot soup and noodle dish which originates from Burma, now known as Myanmar. I first tried this dish at a local Chinese restaurant at the chefs recommendation. I had no idea that this dish would surpass all my expectations.

It consists of noodles in a red coconut milk curry with different vegetables and garnishes.

The recipe I illustrate here is an instant recipe which will not disappoint you. It is a recipe for One which can be cooked in a Microwave under 10 minutes.

What you'll need:

- 1 Single Packet of Maggi- Romantic Capsica flavor along with the Tastemaker

- 1 Small packet of Maggi Coconut Milk Powder

- 2 Cups water

- Half a lemon

- 1 Tablespoon chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

- 1 Tablespoon of chopped and fried garlic cloves

- One cup boiled veggies like Mushrooms, Broccoli, Spinach, etc. (optional)

How to cook:

- In a Microwave proof bowl, mix the Maggi Tastemaker and Maggi Coconut Milk Power along with a few tablespoons of water. Mix it to make a Lump-free paste and then add the remaining water.

- Microwave this watery mixture for 2 minutes on High.

- Now add the packet of Maggi in the curry that you've prepared and Microwave it again for 5-6 minutes, till the noodles are cooked.

That is it.

Now serve it in a bowl and garnish it with the chopped coriander leaves and a squeeze of Lemon to give it a good tang.

Sprinkle chopped and fried garlic cloves at the end as a garnish.

Tastes best when served HOT.

Hope you enjoy it.

Demons In my Head

As I write this, my head hurts.

Since when did I start caring about what others think about me?

When I sit down to pen my thoughts on this, a new sense of establishment prevails. I have been tormenting myself a long time. Its been a terribly long time I did something good for myself.

Why this sudden Introspection you say?

I have reached a juncture in my life where things don't point anywhere but a Red Brick Wall. This reminds me of the Pink Floyd Song, Another brick in the wall. Its true, bricks are stacking up on each other and creating a higher wall.

I feel cornered. I feel suffocated. Absolutely direction less. Now, is the time I need an Internal GPS.

What has led to such a drastic shift in thought?

I just realized that all my life I did things to be accepted by the society, family, system and god knows what else.

But when was the last time SELF- ACCEPTANCE happened?

I'm guessing my carefree Teenage years.

When you are young, you are taught by your parents to explore things (at least not the destructive things) on your own.

You are taught to be curious about the way things work. Maybe even handed down a HowThingsWork series ( I know I was!).

You discover new things, sometimes succeed in unraveling the mystery. Sometimes, it doesn't just work, but you still look around it to find a way.

Those same principles that you were taught are all squashed by the very same people, once you enter Teenage. The Fear that Improper Experimentation will scar you for life. But the very reason gives you a Go to do things that your way. My way or the Highway!

You are forced to behave and conform to the society. Please the society with Good deeds.

However, they don't realize that these rules actually stunt the personal growth of an individual to a very considerable extent.

I think mine was.

Your primary duty of self-happiness is erased. In its place, the virtue of keeping others happy resides. This may be the most self-destructive habits one can cultivate.

You start acting according to others. Action and Reaction.

However, you do reach a point where you just STOP. Everything else just stops being important.

You then wonder how you ever got to that Point ( Like I did). And then you look forward to Breaking Free.

Analyzing all this I come to understand is the result of a faulty Self-Esteem and Fear of Rejection.

How you deal with it, is a matter of personal choice.

Today, I am not ashamed to admit that my Self-Esteem has taken a hit. Rather, all these years, I just had pseudo self-esteem.

Pseudo Self-Esteem- Appearing super confident and happy to others, the truth being otherwise.

Its like a non ending loop, a recurring decimal.

Leading the Life you want, pleasing yourself, keeping yourself happy is the way to go.

Now I wonder, all these years of extensive reading of Ayn Rand caused no upheaval what so ever.

Although, its not to say that she wasn't right, but it was my Implementation Error.

Hoping for a brand new start, but this hope can be scary.

These demons in my head need to rest.

Be my Guiding Star....

Lurking in this darkness of unknown origin,
Endless stumbles and scrapes.


Brushing off the grime and sand yet again,
I see no friendly space.

Walking away from falls ,
Is undoubtedly the wrong way,
Seeing no familiar face in the pitch of night,
I'm afraid.


I shrivel,
I cry,
Drowning in my own tears,
Wishing for a moment of miracle,
I run,Chasing a mirage.


Just guide me tonight,
Give me a sight,
Of direction,
Or courage otherwise.


If nothing else,
Just BE MY GUIDING STAR.

Pasta- My Soul Food!

Teenage is a strange phase in everyones life. You begin to understand new things about yourself and others too. At the same time your hormones start kicking out rather badly. And what teenager would be called a "teenager" without a fixation for food constantly?




Well, anyway it was also a time where I started discovering new things on my own. One of them being, my passion for cooking.




The first thing I probably learnt to cook was Pasta! Cliched as it may sound, it still is my best comforting food. Give it to me at lunch, dinner or even breakfast. I will down it. Never been the calorie conscious types anyway !









Well, this is a basic recipe that I follow to make a satisfying meal for one!

Fresh Mushrooms and Basil Pasta in White sauce

Ingredients:

1 Cup Pasta ( Any variety- I used Mixed)

1 Tablespoon Flour

1 Tablespoon Butter

1 Cup Milk

2-3 Garlic Cloves

Handful of Basil

250 Grams Mushrooms

Pepper Powder

Nutmeg Powder

Salt to taste

1 Cube Processed Cheese



Method:
1. Cook the Pasta in a Litre of Boiling water with some salt added. It must be done Al- dente ( Not overcooked).

2. In a Pan, add the butter, crushed garlic cloves and flour and keep stirring it till the Flouriness of the flour is gone. To this cooked flour mixture, add the milk slowly, to prevent the mixture from getting lumpy. If needed add more milk in case it gets too thick. Allow it to cook for a minute and then add Pepper powder, Nutmeg Powder and Salt as per your taste. This is your basic White Sauce. Add the Grated cheese cube to this sauce. You may add as many vegetables as you like to this sauce.

3. Add the sliced mushrooms and a handful of basil leaves to this sauce. Let the mushrooms cook in it.

4. Once, the Mushrooms are done, toss the pasta and sprinkle some grated cheese over it and Serve.



Hope you enjoyed this recipe.

Oh great! My stomach just started rumbling. I guess its time for another batch of pasta.



Do post your comments.



Bugs

Introduction

Finally, am here.
Gathered the courage ( if you may say so) to start introspecting about things are/may be a part of life. Of thoughts, of words, of feeling, of emotions.
Why I say courage you may ask? Cause after being born as a human, a complex living creature, it is very diffuclt to express anything without conflict.
Enough of gyan. My basic interests lie in a myriad of things. Food, Music, Books, Animals, Automobiles, Science are just a part of it. These are a few things that are my essence of living.

I hope you will enjoy and relate to my writing.
Bhargavi.