Epitome of Smell

A young boy called Mussallam once joined my tuition class. Teaching has been my profession for almost two decades and I prided myself on being a good disciplinarian. Most of my students therefore, treated me with deferential respect with the newcomer being an exception. Each time I meet a new student, I’m reminded of an incident that happened two years ago; my encounter with a smelly person that still resonates deep in my mind.

Funzoa will Never Beat Reality

To be honest before I start opining about Funzoa, I’m not a technophobe. The modern trend decrees that we must be techno savvy, but- rather like a robot or a device without any originality, we are ever becoming a soulless fad-albeit the fact that it supplies us with gadgets, widgets and apps to distress us from monotony. The funzoa currently leads the funny videos in our smart phones andlaptops - Youtube.com/FunzoaTV with the catchy, colourful songs that cater to friends, families and mostly kids. Most obviously, the Funzoa Teddy appear very cute with eye-catching appearance, super speed acrobatics cum percussion skills thereby creating hilarious sight for the onlookers evoking light hearted comedy. The realm of Funzoa Teddy is a regular feature in birthday or anniversary bashes or any occasion for that matter creating immense amusement for people. A teddy bear perhaps has become a universal life tool as it fosters a great sense of well-being. Unarguably the healing power of the velvety soft teddy bear with a gentle approach is synonymous with a positive effect for people of all ages.

A Lease of Life

Human existence is punctuated by various phases: from one particular stage with its joyfulness and specific crisis to another realm. We therefore, have to alternate between exuberance and apathy, when life is light and easy, and those periods when obstacles block us in every direction.

For Maniamma, a woman hailing from Muthukulam village in Kerala, it was the veritable test of time, loyalty and patience when her husband met with an accident while climbing a coconut tree. On that fateful day, Maniamma and her husband accompanied by a few villagers were on their way towards the coconut grove to fetch the coconuts from the trees.

Chapati Noodles

Ingredients

• Chapatis - 4
• Bell peppers - 2
• Garlic - 1 tsp
• Onions - 2
• Ginger (chopped) - 1 tsp
• Butter - 2 tbsp
• Soya sauce
• Lemon juice

Process

Cut the chapatis into thin strips like noodles. In a pan, fry the chopped bell peppers, garlic, ginger, onion and pepper powder in butter. Add a little soya sauce and lemon juice. Serve hot. Garnish with chopped green chillis.

Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients

• Eggs - 3
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Pepper - 1/2 tsp
• Milk - 1 cup
• Vegetables (carrot, beans, cauliflower) cut in cubes, par boiled - 2 cups
• Apple cubes, fresh cherries - as required
• Grated cheese - 1 cup

Process

Mix all the ingredients. Pour it in an oven proof mould. Microwave for six minutes. De-mould and serve with sprinkled cheese.

Fried Chicken Wings

Ingredients

• Chicken wings- 6 pieces
• Buttermilk - 1/2 cup
• Flour - 1/2 cup
• Grated cheese - 1/2 cup
• Pepper powder - 1 tsp
• Egg - 1 piece
• Cornflakes crumbs -  as required

Process

Marinate the chicken wings in buttermilk for two and a half hours. Then dab the pieces with flour, grated cheese and pepper mix. Finally, egg wash the pieces and roll them in cornflakes crumbs. Deep fry till golden.

Amazing Sweet Bread Toast

Ingredients

• Leftover sweets like Kaju Katri, Barfi or Anjeer, cut in cubes - 1 cup
• Orange juice - 1/2 cup
• Bread slices - 6
• Honey - 4 tbsp
• Butter - 2 tbsp

Process

In a pan, reduce the orange juice. Cool. In a bowl, add the sweets cut in cubes, mix butter and honey to it. Now, cut the edges of the bread slices and add butter to both sides. Cut it into halves, pour the orange and honey juice, the sweet cubes and cover it with a buttered bread slice. Repeat the process. Refrigerate and serve a delicious dessert after an hour by topping it with orange juice and honey.

Motichoor Muffins

Ingredients

• Motichoor Ladoos - 6
• Khoya - 1/2 cup
• Sugar - 4 tbsp
• Melted Chocolate - 1/2 cup
• Cream - 4 tbsp
• Cardamom Powder - 1 pinch

Process

Blend the motichoor ladoos into a smooth paste. In a microwave safe bowl, mix the motichoor paste, melted chocolate, sugar, khoya, cardamom and cream. Put the mixture in muffin moulds. Microwave for three minutes. Cool and refrigerate. De-mould and serve.