TOMATO CHUTNEYS

ORIGINAL TAMATAR KI CHUTNEY

It is very simple, you just have to fry/saute 2-3 onions in oil, but don't let them turn golden brown. Add 3-4 chopped tomatoes along with salt and chilli powder (About a tablespoon of each) and cook it with a lid on low heat for 5-7 minutes. Do not add water to this as the juice in the tomatoes will be enough to cook the chilli powder & will not let the mixture burn either.
That's it... you're done!

CHUTNEY FOR A MEAL

One of the variations on the ‘Tamatar ki Chutney’ I make!

For those who love veggies and colour in their food! Besides salt and red chilli powder it has got tomato, onion, capsicum, green chilli, and a hint of chicken to tease your tentacles, sprinkled with a dash of chopped parsley!

1. Cut two medium sized onions and saute, do not let them turn brown. 
2. Into that add two kebabs, I used frozen chicken burgers. Break them into smaller pieces with your spatula. Do not add water, the onions can also get slightly golden while the burgers are being fried.
3.  When you feel the burger is just about done, at this point add about two tablespoons of tomato ketchup!
   *This is a tip for Chicken recipes by the famous Pakistani Cooking Expert 'Kokab Khwaja'.
   Whenever I am cooking '10 minute' Chicken dishes like this one, adding tomato ketchup enhances the taste and I feel works well to reduce the odour of chicken too!
4.  When the burger pieces are fried, add three diced tomatoes. (The pieces should be neither too small nor too big) Then immediately after, throw in finely chopped green chillies.
5.  Then add very little water for the spices to dissolve. Salt and Chilli as per your taste. I would say 1 flat tablespoon of salt, 1 & 1/2 tablespoonful of chilli powder. And about 2 tablespoons of coriander powder. Mix it and let it cook for 3-5 minutes. 
6. Now add diced capsicum in the end because we don't want it to be overcooked.  
7. Then lower the heat and cover it all for about 5 minutes. 
8. For the final touch of perfection, sprinkle finely chopped parsley or coriander on top for a delicious aroma! And you are done! =)

A RARE UNFOLDING

That morning was like any other morning at home, boring and dull. Little did I know what the day had in store for me. I woke up late and was lazing around. Its one of those times, when you have slept sufficiently enough but you still wonder why your head is feeling heavy. Should you make your way to the bed again or will a hot cup of tea wake you up from dizziness.

It took a moment to decide. A cup of tea would do the magic, besides I had so much pending work to finish. My brother’s graduation ceremony yesterday and my sister’s wedding last week have left me flustered about my own tasks to be sorted.

Before going my way for a brewing cup of tea, I stopped to listen to my mom and sister conversing about the month’s festivities. I actually miss all of it, but is there any time to reminiscence those memories with such an irritating headache and the idea of getting back to finishing my deadlines. My headache shrieked with thunder, when my mother reminded, “Kokab, we have to pick up the pictures of your sister’s reception today!”

My thoughts paced about. What a wonderful celebration it was! My mathematics assignment is due tomorrow!!! The reception was simple, plain and beautiful! That thesis I wanted to do, the research draft is 1000 words!!! I got such amazing compliments during the reception! I haven't been to lectures for four weeks; I can’t remember when is the quiz!!! I wish I will live the dream wedding like my sister…. “Kokab make us a cup of tea, please”, broke my sister into my trail of thoughts.

So I obediently went to make tea and arrange breakfast for the three of us, having all those thoughts running about in my mind; the wedding reception which was done with now and the thought that when would I attend my Graduation. “But that’s all in the past now. Life is back to the same old monotonous routine and there’s nothing more to look forward to! At least not yet...” I thought to myself.

I quickly filled the saucepan with water and left it to boil on the stove. I was just organizing the breakfast tray when I heard a loud explosion followed by a shriek! And then there was dead silence. I stood still, stunned at the point. The cry was so short-lived I can’t even recall whether it was as frightening as the BOOM! “Kokaaab! Kokabb!! What was that sound?! Kokab, what happened?!” asked my mother anxiously as she rushed into the kitchen. It took me some time to react. I startled when she repeated her questions. “How could this happen? The tea carafe just exploded!” I managed to speak “Why would the carafe explode?! It has got a plastic exterior!”

Mom did not care. She and my sister were relieved that the house wasn't on fire. But I needed an answer. Why will the tea carafe explode!!! And I need tea badly!!! Mom finally spoke as she went out of the kitchen, “How did it break? You have to be more careful Kokab!” Now that’s it! It wasn't my fault. But what could I come up with to explain! I myself had no idea what had just happened!

The glass liner had collected at the base of the carafe in the form of glass powder. I remember putting in tea powder. But what happened after that, I had nothing to do with it. The next thing I see is shining powdered glass pieces and smoke rising from it. Anyway, I don't get tea, but I have an extra job now, clean up!

There were minute glass pieces powdered all around the flask. I cleaned the cabinet-top and the floor. While doing this, my mind raged another war. Why do I have a headache today!? Why did this have to happen to me?! Will someone get me tea?! Why would this carafe burst?! I recalled again… I had rinsed the cups prior to preparing tea thus my hands were wet. When I was adding tea to the empty flask, the spoon that I was using got wet too and so did the tea granules. So I put the metal spoon further inside and tried to jerk off the damp tea. This means nothing! One last try, but my headache seemed to tear apart my spirits and I suddenly realized how the explosion may have happened. The flask was kept next to the window with its lid loosened!! This is science. As the day hours passed, the sun heated it up to such an extent that the mild resistance created by the spoon hitting at the glass caused it to explode. Had I not struck the spoon inside the flask and poured in the hot boiling water, I can only imagine how horrific the eruption might have been! Thankfully, I have survived from a mistake. Suddenly, I felt no regret of missing tea this morning. This lesson unfolded much more!

I hope that all those reading my incident take this series of events seriously as a word of warning and caution everyone around them. If you have big windows occupying your kitchen, make sure the curtains are always down, and if not, keep your glass-lined carafes away from the sunlight. Especially the ones having a thin glass interior!

Home is presumed as the safest place, and God Forbid can be very dangerous if we carelessly do our chores around home. Bear in mind that house accidents can be of any degree when it comes to damage! So, all I can say is what my mom keeps telling me, “PLEASE, BE CAREFUL!”

- Written for Bangla Express, November issue, 2011 

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