Lucky Library Picks#8 ~ The Indian Clerk by David Leavitt

This week for Lucky Library Picks, I have picked only one book. My book shelf is overflowing with books from the library. Some of the books I had bought during my India visit are still waiting to be read. I thought it would be better to clear the backlog of books before picking more from the library.

You can see other posts of this series here.

I have picked up 'The Indian Clerk' by David Leavitt this week. Of late, I am really inclined to pick books which has an Indian element in it, hence this pick.

 

I am quoting a little from the blurb to give an insight about what the book is:

"On a January morning in 1913, G. H. Hardy--eccentric, charismatic and, at thirty-seven, already considered the greatest British mathematician of his age--receives in the mail a mysterious envelope covered with Indian stamps. Inside he finds a rambling letter from a self-professed mathematical genius who claims to be on the brink of solving the most important unsolved mathematical problem of all time. Hardy determines to learn more about the mysterious Ramanujan and, if possible, persuade him to come to Cambridge. It is a decision that will profoundly affect not only his own life, and that of his friends, but the entire history of mathematics." 

Isn't that intriguing? I have read a few reviews of this book and many suggests that it needs a patient reading, but in the end it is worth it. I am really looking forward to reading it. 

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers! 

Apple and Dried Cranberry Chutney

 I had seen this chutney recipe in one of Nigella's show and tried out instantly. It was long time back and since then I have been making it regularly. I love it. Try it to check yourself ; pretty easy and delicious.. Although it can be made with any type of apples, I prefer to use Granny Smith Apples only; as stated in the original recipe as they are tart and that adds to the tangy taste of the chutney. Lets move on to the recipe:


Apple and Dried Cranberry Chutney
Click here for printable version

Ingredients:

2 granny smith apples, peeled cored and diced.

¼ cup dried sweetened cranberries.
2 tbsp oil.
½ tsp nigella seeds.
1 green chilli (optional).
salt to taste.
1 tbsp sugar (optional).
¼ tsp dried ginger powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder.
½ tsp red chili powder.
½ tsp coriander powder.
½ tsp cumin powder.
2 tbsp lemon juice (or vinegar).

Process:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add the nigella seeds and green chilli.

2. Now add the chopped apples, cranberries and all the spices, sugar and salt. Let it cook in a slow flame. The apples will cook and give out it juices as it get cooked. It will take about 15 minutes.

3. Mash them and add lemon juice in the end.

4. Let it cool completely before storing in a sterilized jar. Keep well for up to 7days.

Have it with parathas or rotis. Also goes well as dip for chips or spread for toast.

Variation:
1. Cranberries can be replaced by raisins, sultanas or dried cherries.
2. This recipe can also be tried in a microwave.

 

 Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Home by Manju Kapur

I had read a good lot about the author, Manju Kapur and hence when I saw this book in the library I picked it up.
Home by Manju Kapur is a tale of three generations, of a traditional cloth merchant family in Delhi. After braving the partition the family had to leave Lahore and start their lives anew in Delhi. The novel chronicles their lives through three generations and how with the changing times the traditions and values of the family were put to test and changed to accommodate in the modern world.

Here is the blurb from the book:

"When their traditional Delhi business-selling saris- is threatened by the new fashion for jeans and stitched salwar kameez, the Banwari Lal family knows it must adapt to the changing world outside. But can it change, when tensions at home are so strong? so, begins a series of struggles- to have children, to find education or love, even to manufacture pickles- that will see the family tested to its limits."

I found the novel frustrating. The narration is slow and their is an aura of gloom, doom and resignation throughout the novel. In fact the whole story line seemed to be of one of the drab Hindi soap opera. The characters are well sketched, but none of them will make a place in your mind. The over-all feeling, while reading it was overwhelmingly negative and it took me quite a long time to read it. I just kept on reading this book with the hope that something will happen in the end. But, even the end took me for surprise by being so dull, it just ended for the sake of it!

I have seen some reviews of it saying it is 'insightful' and anyone interested in knowing Indian culture and traditions should read it. I DO NOT think so. The impression this book gives about Indian society is one side of the story, almost like half truth which is dangerous. India is huge and traditions, food, language etc changes when you travel from one state to another. The problems and issues narrated in the novel may be relatable to many but that is not similar to understanding the essence of Indian culture.

It was a dull, boring and unenthusiastic read. Not recommended.

Linking it to A2ZChallenge for Letter H and South Asian Challenge.

Besan ki Puri ~ Crispy Chickpea Flour Crackers

These 'besan ki puri' is my childhood favorite. It was one of those special breakfast mom used to make once in a while and each of us used to get no more than 2. Fresh off the pan and served with a hot cup of ginger tea, it was unbelievably tasty. It keeps well for a few days, so whenever we went to Rajasthan to visit my grand parents during the winter holidays, it was made in good numbers for the train journey(from Assam it took 2 days in those day as there was no direct trains). I have made it on my own a couple of times and every time I call mom up to confirm the process and measurements. When I saw Gayathri's event -Walk through the memory lane, I thought to share this recipe.

Makes 8 
Click here for a printable version

Ingredients:

1¼ cup whole wheat flour.

¼ cup AP flour
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp salt.
Water to make the dough.

For the filling:

½ cup chick pea flour (Besan).
2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves.
2 tsp coriander seeds lightly crushed
1 tsp red chilli powder.
3- 4 tbsp oil.
1 chopped green chilli or as per taste.
½ tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp water.
1 ½ tsp salt or as per taste.
Oil for shallow frying.

Procedure:

1. Mix whole wheat flour, AP flour, salt, oil and knead the dough using water as necessary. Dough must be a little tough as for the puris. Let it sit for 15 mins before rolling.

2. For the filling masala, heat a pan and add the oil. When the oil is ready, add the chick pea flour and heat it for 2-3 mins such the raw smell goes away. Do not overdo it, or the mixture will become very dry.

3. Turn off the gas and add all the spices. Sprinkle a few drops of water over the mixture and using your hand rub it to mix it well. The filling mixture should be moist yet crumbly. This is very important; otherwise it will be a little problem in rolling the puris with filling inside.

4. Now knead the dough well again and make 8 Golf size balls. Using some dry flour roll it into a roti about 3cm in radius.

5. Using a spoon place 1 tbsp of masala in the middle. Join the edges and close it forming a ball.

 Roll it again about 6 cm in radius.

6. Keep a heated tava ready. Heat the roti on tava, when one side is done turn it over and heat on the other side. Brush oil in the top side and turn it over again. Brush oil on the other side as well. Apply pressure with a big spoon while heating. It will help it to become crisp.

7. Repeat the process with rest of the dough. Place the puris on a paper towel separately and let it cool completely before storing.

It is an excellent snack with tea and even goes well with yogurt. It can be stored in air tight container for at least 7 days. How ever, it does become a little soft after storing, still it is great in taste.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Dalkey To Killiney ~ A Beautiful Coastal Walk on a Sunny Day ~ A Picture Post To Feed My Blog

 I have been away from this space for a while. It has not been that long, still I feel guilty for not having updated it for the past few days. I hope, all of you who celebrates Valentine's day had a great time. With Valentine's day around the corner, the big debate on the importance of this day was everywhere, from TV to Newspapers, Twitter, Facebook et al and now that the day is gone, the debate is behind closed doors, only to make an appearance next year.

I belong to the type who doesn't fuss over the day too much, although I wouldn't mind an exchange of a few gifts and a good dinner at home or outside wouldn't hurt. Still, I didn't plan anything big for that day. Even if I had planned it wouldn't have materialized. You would ask why? Well, I fell down a couple of stairs and sprained my ankle on the day and had a real bad head ache after wards, and later DH had to settle for food from a takeaway joint! My only face saver was that, I had baked a special cake over the weekend and DH got to eat some left overs of it as dessert. We had a great time last weekend though. Sunday was a sunny day and we went for a coastal walk from Dalkey to Killiney.

Dalkey and Killiney are two suburban areas in South Dublin. It is best to take such walks on a sunny day, the sea looks stunningly beautiful and all in all it is a refreshing and memorable experience.

I will let the pictures do rest of the talking! The day was bright, cheerful and sunny at the start as you can see in the first picture.

The sky and the sea were a different shades of blue. It was serene and very soothing for the eyes and mind. It was great to have a good bright day in the month of February. It was a rare privilege to have bright blue day after so many grey, overcast days!

There was a narrow lane in between that lead to the sea. We went down and sat in a clearing. The sound of the sea was mesmerizing.

Yes that's me! Time for ice cream :-)!

There was a small beach downhill by the name of white rock and we spent some time there. But, by that time the sun was playing hide and seek and grey clouding were crowding the sky from all directions!

I took the picture on my way up from the White Rock Beach. It was over cast by the time we left as you can see in the picture below. But, it was great day, refreshing and memorable!

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!