BAIGAN [AUBERGINES] – 3 STYLES

1. Bharwa (East UP style)
Roast saunf, methi seeds, dhaniya seeds, kalaunji, jeera and grind into a powder.
Make paste with lehsun, green chilli, amchur and salt.
Slit baigan (look out for any larva/insect), fill up with above paste.
Take little oil in karhai/pan, heat and put cook the stuffed baigan on a slow heat turning them over so that they are cooked all over.

2. West UP style
Make paste of lehsun, dhania powder, haldi powder, amchur and salt.
Baigan to be either slit or cut into four pieces.
In heated oil put filled baigan. (You can add pieces of mooli in it if you like it)

3. Baghara (South) style
Take small baigan and slit into four, leaving joined at base.
Roast groundnut, till, dry coconut grated and grind into powder.
Add powder of dhania, mirch, haldi, garam masala and roast it further.
Add imli juice to this, put some water and boil whole mixture.
Add split baigan to this mixture and cook some more.

Alu Dahiwale [Potato & Yoghurt Curry]

This is a simple and easy cook potato recipe to remind you of home cooking.

1. Boil alu until they are tender enough to break/crush with your hand into rough chunks.
   
   
2. Prepare a chhaunka of heeng, jeera and whole red chilli and add the crushed alu to it.
   
   
3. Fry a bit in oil then add dhania powder, chilli powder, haldi powder and salt. Then add water.
   
   
4. Once it is boiling, add a cup of beaten dahi ( yoghurt).
   
   
5. Cook 2-3 minutes more and serve.
   
   
   Enjoy.
   

The Joys of Fresh Snow...brrrrr

Enjoying the locality despite the weather

Quick Vegetable recipes

Continuing our tips on different kinds of chhaunkas for different vegetables:

Potato-Methi leaves
Heeng and green chilli

Katahal (raw Jackfruit) with Potato
Fry katahal aloo in oil and take it out. In same oil add chhaunka of tejpatta,
heeng and methi seeds.
** Variation Kanpur style
First do a chhaunka of heeng, jeera, whole red chilli and to this then add the
fried katahal/aloo.

Soya Alu (Tariwala) Khandwa style
Lehsun chopped and green chilly chhaunka. (To steam cook - put in same cooker
with chopped tomato, enough to make Tari)

Lotus Stem(Kamal Kakri)
Heeng ,Jeera and whole red chilli.
To cook
Fry the kamal kakdi and aloo. Add dhaniya powder, haldi powder, chilli, garam
masala powder, salt, 1-2 spoonfuls of besan and fry. Add a little water, cover
with the cooker lid and cook.

These are some initial suggestions to get you going. I will keep on posting some more suggestions and recipes. If there any particular dishes or recipes you want me to cover then do let me know and I will try my best to oblige.

Indian Cookery for Beginners

When abroad and fed up with eating out, every Indian/Pakistani craves tasty home food. Most of us will fumble at the beginning if we’ve never done any cooking at home. That first step is always the most difficult.

However, if you learn some basic principles of Indian cooking you will find you are able to prepare a wide range of dishes.

First, start by preparing your ingredients and setting them all out ready for the cooking. Most Indian cooking starts with a ‘Chhaunka’ of ‘tempering’ i.e. heating oil in a pan and adding the spices that will usually crackle and splutter and release its flavours and aroma. The prepared vegetables are then added to this ‘chhaunka’ or ‘tempering’ and cooked, either dry or with a little water, until the vegetables are tender and cooked.

For various vegetables some of the ‘chhaunkas’ popular in north India are:

Potato Raw:
Methi seeds, Whole red chillis (two or three- broken in two/three pieces), Heeng( just a wee bit). This is for both dry or with ‘tari’ preparations.

Potato Boiled
Heeng, Jeera, Whole Red Chilli

Pumpkin( Yellow Kaddu)
Methi seeds ,Heeng, Whole red chilli

Brinjal (Baigan)
Methi ,Heeng

Kunderoo
Methi ,Heeng, Red chilli whole

French Beans
(a) Either Jeera or Methi
(b) South Indian style –Rai(Sarson), Chanadaal, whole Red Chilli, Curry Patta (add fresh coconut grated towards end of cooking)

More easy recipes coming soon, come back soon.

Returning home

Pack light but leave back things for next trip provided you feel you are welcome next time and are expected.

Buy gifts for friends/relatives at home, keeping in mind weight restrictions and comparative usefulness and cost-effectiveness of the gift. But remember you can never satisfy everybody and inadvertently create misunderstanding between two persons.( my gift is better than yours)

Mark your bags in such a way that you can identify it on conveyor belt at Airport. Make sure you pick up your own luggage from the belt.

Pack things yourself so that you know where each item is. Keep hand bag light if heavy take one with wheels particularly if it is not a direct flight. DO not carry things for others specially if not family members.

Be sure you do not carry liquids/Gels/creams or other restricted items in hand bag.

Best buy liquor/chocolate etc. only at home airport duty-free Shop.

Observe custom regulations strictly.

Relationships with the son/daughter-in-law

With all the good intentions you might have, misunderstandings do creep in relationships with family members who are imported from other families. Reasons might be - different backgrounds, your own or others expectations, preconceived notions or different perception of family values in a foreign land.

A few suggested tips which may (or may not) work can be :
Treat other party as your own offspring yet maintain dignity and distance
Uninvited interference or suggestions are at times not welcome- so the best course is to avoid

Be truthful and honest but give next Gen space of their own. Respect their views if possible, at least do not outright reject it.

Be flexible and compromising, your own 40-50years of wisdom (?)may not necessarily match next generation's views, so best not to impose it. Accept changes gracefully and you would not be disappointed.

Do not be judgemental , Think what your own son/daughter would
have done/acted in similar circumstances

Humour lightens the life but be sure the recipient is accepting it as such. Sometimes it may backfire.

Let children plan their own life. suggestions should only be given if asked for unless you feel strongly about something. However be tactful if giving suggestions. Pretend it is their own idea.

Remember you did not always listen to your parents, so don't expect it from your children or grand children and you will not be disappointed.
Good luck.

To keep occupied

Options are:
Spend quality time with family/ grand children

Admire local scenery, markets and Pubs (be a bit careful)

Indulge in your favourite past time which you could not do during your active life.( Music, Study exotic subjects including religion, Learn more about the wonders of computer.....)

Mend your children’s garden/hedges
Cleaning

Above all experiment with foods ( at least giving helping hand in preparation)

Explore local travel options

Watch Movies, TV, internet wonders

Hone your writing skills

Now you have the time to enjoy life so enjoy it, while making yourself useful at the time of need as well fulfilling your own life.

Driving a car

One can hire a Car or use personal Car. You need valid international driving licence and Insurance. It is an offence to drive without insurance and a valid driving license.

Make sure if you have GPS you can use it, it is a wonderful way to make your travel independent and stress free. However always carry the maps and road book and the telephone number for the breakdown service if required.

In view of changed speed limits and some rules better read driving rules of the country or have a few driving lessons . Anyway you can always trust public transport.
If driving remember,here pedestrian has right of the way and not the car . Do not ever try to bribe a policeman if stopped, and always stop if asked by a policeman. Also always obey the traffic lights they are fitted with cameras.

Travelling

For all Asians,travel in Europe is although costly but very satisfying and organised. Absence of crowd in trains and buses pleasantly surprises. To keep it that way:

Plan your travel in advance- you get financially better deals as well as confirmed accommodation.

Use computer for bookings-you get cheaper and better deals.

Be careful in giving your Credit/Debit Card details.

Carry with you own reading material, drinks and snacks. It is cheaper and convenient.
All places are well marked, however do not hesitate to ask road/rail employees, if needed. Follow instructions and timings.

Travel light and keep your luggage at appointed place in train/Buses. Generally travel is safe, however it is better if you take a travel insurance in advance
Carry only required cash and take care. Some local journeys by Underground/Metro can be quite unpredictable. Pickpockets are universal '

Public transport is always reliable and economical and should be preferred. Do not think of the taxi as a status symbol. Although it can be convenient at some time and place when public transport is not easily available.

Guard against the weather - always

The weather is always unpredictable, particularly so in UK/Europe. It is better to dress up in layers so that you can put on /off as required, when outdoors.

Entering a closed space (house or any other heated building take off outer jacket which is usually weatherproof/padded]. Even in summers it is good to carry a light outer jacket.

Do not fight weather, learn to enjoy it. One finds scenes changing dramatically in each season. All you need is appropriate clothing and a mindset to enjoy it.

Money Money

From home country bring only foreign currency permitted. Do not exceed limits. A credit card with chip and pin is invaluable.

Carry only required money in pocket. Bulk funds/TCs/Passport etc to be kept in safe custody.

Carry only one Credit/Debit Card when moving around. Better use Debit Card, if needed. Keep in mind you pay for every transaction by way of low conversion rates by Banks.

If senior citizen use rail card and similar privileges. Find out from locals or information is available on the net for rail and coach cards. Carry a photocopy of your passport.

Purchase gifts for home only towards end of stay and always keep in mind weight limits. Airport shop(Duty free) in India and Dubai etc are cheap. If changing flights ensure not to buy liquors at starting point as at intermediate change station you will not be allowed to carry liquids over 100ml in a bottle. Do not buy gifts for home as everything is available cheaper than here.

Charity shops have small knick knacks at fraction of the cost-good for presents at home

Don’t be a miser but also do not throw money around. Seniors usually are thrifty. Good for them.

Health - senior citizens in particular

Inspite of a nominal health insurance (which is rather costly) personal health is the biggest worry for GPs when they travel abroad.

Open any baggage of incoming GP at airport and you are bound to get tons of medicines, churans and other local herbal remedies. Away from mother country you cannot approach a Doctor unless you are covered by Insurance. Post-60s one needs it most. So best is to keep fit and remain healthy.

Broadly we put it in two categories- food/drinking habits and physical fitness. We can share information and benefit from each others personal experiences . Caution IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL THAT ONE PERSONS MEDICINES OR EXERCISES CAN BE APPLIED TO EVERY ONE BLINDLY. So do please tread with caution when trying out something new.

Food - Native food habits at times may not be best suited for a foreign location and you cannot always carry your home packets everywhere. My suggestion is innovate, accept variation and be flexible in adapting new dishes/drinks without being blind copycat.

A few things which helped us are:

-Try stores like ASDA/TESCO/Foreign grocery shops- you will always find some things similar to your native ingredient. We go for greens, frozen fishes( these are frozen within short time of catch so are very fresh when cooked.
- Choose the category (VEG/Fish/Lamb meat/Poultry )and seek help from others to try foods of the land
-Don't hesitate to enquire/read cost and ingredients whatever is chosen
- Do not always convert local costs with your native currency- you may remain hungry.
- Take plenty of liquids i.e. Juices, water and light wines/beers only if necessary. In colder climate we tend to drink less
- Eat timely and eat well to remain healthy. A menu we generally adhere to is --- MorningTea, Breakfast of Cereals/Muesli/ Oats, Wholegrain bread which also has seeds in it. Once in a while try Mooli/Alu Paratha with oil on one side, Frozen Corn boiled and add Ginger/Green chillies and Dhaniya leaf and lime juice if required . In the food section of this blog we will look at the Breakfast choices.


PHYSICAL FITNESS
-Long walks ( keep your complete address, phone no . Some money and change, local Taxi numbers, Police and Hospital numbers, and neighbours no in your pocket). Before start plan your route with local help, dress well, carry umbrella/raincoat if needed, Have very comfortable shoes(not new). A mobile phone is necessary. Don't be afraid of asking for help from a policeman.

These tips have helped to make our stay, outings and shopping here easier and more enjoyable. Please feel free to add your comments and tips about anything you have found very useful and helpful in easing your stay here.

Computer - a must in today's life?

Our view is this is essential, it helps in so many ways:

To network with friends /relatives at home and in new place
To get travel maps, locations , bookings, best way /time to plan journeys, cheapest tickets etc.
Buying things on eBay- it can be fun but be careful with the credit card
Movies- latest blockbusters
Blogging – It can be fun and educational too.
Knowledge base- whether it is cooking, medical, sciences or any topic under the sun . It's your great opportunity to learn new things with facilities which are available here but not so accessible back home e.g. easy broadband access.
Video/Pictures exchange, books and discussions about anything
Video chatting with friends/relatives

Tips to settle down in a new place

Some main areas requiring adjusting:

Adjust biological clock- follow time and customs of new environment
Review your relationships with next generation, be positive and accept changes
Eating and (more important) DRINKING habits- adjust as required
Dry and single bathroom -have to adjust
Compensate for physical inactivity – long walk, gardening, house cleaning
Credit cards/Cash handling
Social norms and nurturing own needs and idiosyncrasies
Clothing/shoes-must match your travel/living and social environment and conditions
Do not be critical about anybody or anything. Let others live as they wish
be aware of social requirements and responsibilities
observe the laws of the adopted country however brief your stay

A typical day in our life here

-Pranayam/exercise
-Spend as much time as possible in remembering God (or till household comes awake)
-Try hand on new/quick breakfast acceptable to all
-Childcare/cleaning/gardening
-Long walk (weather permitting)
-Lunch with advance planning for dinner
-read/snooze/TV/Movie on DVD
-Walk with Child in pram
-Exchange notes with tired parents giving them space for personal interaction
-Weekends depend on Working couple’s plans or you be on your own and travel availing weekend offers

Why leave the familiar home environment

Often, the main reason is the grandchild/grandchildren.

To stay with own offspring and enjoy the family growing together
boredom and loneliness in post retirement life at home
You like travel and seeing new places

The Purpose of this Blog

For networking GPs (not doctors but Grand parents) living abroad for whatever purpose.

Exchanging tips, views and ideas to make life more fulfilling in this new environment

Exchange views on subjects such as travel, cooking, available facilities/concessions etc. - generally anything of interest

If feasible to set up support and networking groups to travel together, meet if practical and exchange views over anything and make new friends

Provide moral support, if required.