Wengers Connaught Place - After many years 30 July 2016

Today I went to Wengers after many years. The succulent Shami Kababs and the crispy chicken patties are to die for.

Also a Metro ride to Rajiv Chowk after years.

Sad, remembering the old days.

This shop has been around since 1926 and till today, the old residents of Delhi can swear by their products. Over the years, their prices have shot up. A kabab cost me 70 rupees and so did the chicken patty but they cannot just be compared with any other place.

Years back, someone had told me that Flurys in Kolkata, but having eaten in both place, Wengers is way above.

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/12/21/wengers-new-delhis-oldest-bakery/

Lunch with a friend - 29 July 2016

This was totally unplanned for. My friend, Ajay, kept telling me to come to his house, and I kept procrastinating.

Today morning, he called and said he had taken a day off. 

I was going out, so I told him I will call him when I was back home.

After finishing my work outside, I called him around noon. Lunch was not planned. He was at home alone, and wanted to order food in. His wife was adamant - Nothing from outside. So nice bengali lunch at home - shukto, torkari, dal, and two kinds of fishes - pabda and prawns.

My Dad and uncle at home had something while I went out and enjoyed my day out.

Happy Birthday 25th July 2016

Its a year since I started this Blog. It was the evening of 25th July 2015, when I started. A week after I had returned to Bangalore from Delhi.

Never realized that a year went by.

A whole lot has happened in this past year - have to take that as part of life and move on.

Happy Birthday

Happy Anniversary Ma

Its a year (as per the tithi) since you left us Ma on 06th July 2015.

Today, 24th July 2016, we had a batsorik puja for you. My school friends were there, talking about you and so were some of my other friends.

All of them miss you.

Travel and a bit more 23 July 2016

Yesterday, 23 July 2016, came to Delhi.

My Jet air flight was at 7 AM, which meant to be checked in by 6 AM, I had requested for the taxi to come at 3:45 AM. Whole night I was up, packing and then watching TV till 2:45. Then work up Dad. At 3:30, I got a call from the Meru Cab guy saying he would be there in 10 minutes. Fine.

At 3:45, I called the cab guy. He said was at a fuel station, for getting his tires checked for air.

At 3:55, he came. Luggage kept in the car when the guy realized he had a flat tire.

H asked me, You have some time in hand. I said - 10 minutes. He then struggled with the jack and in about 15 minutes, he managed to get the punctured tire replaced.

So around 4:10 or so we started. And around 5:10 we were at the airport.

Then the Jet Air counter. I asked for a wheel chair for Dad. Got one. And going with him, I went from the staff gate, so my security check in happened in 10 minutes. In a normal scenario, It would have taken at least an hour.

At 6:10 we boarded the flight.  The flight stewardess ( not sure if air hostess is still a politically correct term or not) came by. There was a time when these people were known for their beauty. And this lot was diametrically opposite of that.

Anyway, food was served - a nice breakfast and the flight was in, 10 minutes before time.

Was home by 11:30M.

Went and got chola bhatura and had that for lunch. Then a nap in the noon.

Evening had roasted corn and then dinner was the great tandoori roti and dal from the neighbouring dhaba.

Great day.

Dal Roti and Sambhar Masala - 19 July 2016

Dal Roti - A simple thing in North India. Having Dal with Roti. But making a single meal out of it?

I tried that last night and the outcome was nice.

I had some left over boiled moong dal . Added that in the wheat flour and kneaded that.
Chapatis were made out of that. I purposely left the oil out.

The outcome - these rotis did not puff up like the normal wheat chapatis do, but the outcome was tasty. Good to have with any other dish.

And then I wanted to have sambhar made out of the red lentils - masoor dal. But where was the sambhar powder? No worries. So a little jeera (cumin), coriander seeds, red chilly, black pepper, curry leaves were dry roasted, cooled and ground and added to the boiled dal. A little hing was added.

Sambhar powder also has dry roasted urad and chana dal in it, but I added what I had, and the outcome was lovely.

Dad was happy which meant it was good.

Happy Guru Purnima - July 19 2016

Today, July 19, is Guru Purnima. Believed to the birthday of Veda Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata, who is also have said to collected all the Vedic Hymns and consolidated them.

Today is also the day I wish all the people in this world that I have interacted - my humble offering of a pranam. All have taught me something or the other in life.

Happy Guru Purnima to all.