A devastating Fire brokeout at Barabazar area in Kolkata

(Photo Courtesy : Anandabazar Patrika)

It was Sunday morning (13th Jan, 2008). As usual I was enjoying my weekend sleep with my mouth open. I was dreaming that may be today I'll get some thing different other than Maggi in my breakfast...in my subconscious mind I was waiting for the doorbell to ring because that means my "Bai" has come and the time is exactly 11:47 am.
Suddenly something started ringing and I started moving towards the door with both eyes close. But hey...one min..this is not the doorbell. Something ringing continuously and the melody is far better than the cacophony of my doorbell. I realized that this is my mobile phone which has done this mishap to make me awake before 11:47 in a Sunday morning. I opened my left eye, the flashy screen was showing "Chotomama calling..."
"Hello..." I replied to my uncle's call. "Hello..Hello Chotomama...are you there? ". After a pause a I heard a weary voice..." I am finished now..." and rest 15mins was the "Ga Ga of this years first Indian tragedy".
" The Burning Bazar" was the headline. When I finished reading the newspaper, I was nowhere in a mood to call my friend to book a ticket for "TZP". 48 Fire brigade engines, army disaster management cell, thousand of menatlly devastated shopkeepers and a burnt building called "Nandaram Bazar" was the "Clear picture".
Sorry Aamir, "TZP" can wait but I need to give my healing touch to my eclipsed "Chotomama", a small shopkeeper in "Nandaram market"

Recipe for Bengali Fish Curry

Lots of my nonvegeterian non-bengali friends in organisation asked me "What dada...Fish kab khila rahe ho ? " So folks..here is the recipe (not invitation !!!) for Fish curry. Enjoy it .

Ingredients :

- 800 gms, cut into small pieces Grass Carp (Rehu) Fish - 1/2 of a small one Onion - 4 pods Garlic - 1 inch Ginger - 1 tsp Turmeric powder - 1.5 tsp Red Chili Powder - 4 sliced Green Chili - 1/2 cut into small pc Tomato - 5 tbsp Cooking Oil - 1 tsp Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp Cumin Seed Powder - 1/2 cup Water - 1 tbsp leaves for garnishing Cilantro.

Instructions :

1. Mix the fish with 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and salt. Heat 3 tbsp oil in a frying pan. Fry the fish to golden brown. Set aside when done.

2. Make a paste of onion, ginger and garlic. Heat the rest of the oil. Add the paste, green chili, and all the spices, i.e. turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin seed powder. For in medium heat for 5 min.

3. Add the chopped tomato and fry in medium heat till the oil leaves the side of the pan.

4. Add the fried fish, and fry for another 5 to 10 min. Add 1/2 cup water, salt to taste and bring to boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 min.

5. You can garnish it with coriander (cilantro) leaves. Serve hot with basmati rice.