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.

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.