Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Mohanji's "Samose"- मोहनजी के समोसे !


         
Samose, Singhara,समोसे, सिंघाड़ा- call it by any name !
 Who does not like "Samose" - the famous Indian snacks. But the taste of a 'Samosa' varies from shop to shop just like mangoes which has different tastes from region to region with many varieties. Its main ingredient is boiled potato cooked with spices and vegetable pieces which is filled into a wrap made of "Maida" (all purpose floor) chapati. The filling is also known as "Masala". It is this filling with different combination of spices that gives different tastes. Its tetrahedral shape is followed everywhere with slight difference from shop to shop due to different hands that make it.
           It is also known by the name "Singhada-सिंघाड़ा" in the eastern part of India due to its resemblance to a fruit with the same name and it grows hanging to its plant under water. Though "Singhada-सिंघाड़ा" is loved in Indian Sub-continent but many health conscious people resist themselves from consuming it because it is deep fried in oil. But most people occasionally eat it as an evening snacks. It is better to avoid its regular use and when buying, take it from shops where good quality of oil is used. Most of the roadside shops use cheap oils and fry it in reheated oil---in fact they do not change the oil only add to it when needed. It is this oil and leftover fillings more than 24 hours old that make an attack on the digestive system. So go for it at reputed shops or at those roadside vendors whom you know use good ingredients. 
          I have tasted "Samosas" of famous sweet shops, eg. Madhulika at Dhanbad; Rajsthan Kalevalaya, Punjab Sweets & Saraswati Mistanna Bhandar at Ranchi, Sweet Home &Sweet Hut at Patna and many popular roadside vendors at different places. All different and tasty. But till now the taste of "Samosas" of the sweet shop "Mohanji" at Patna tops them all. It is awesome! A few weeks ago I was in Patna after a long time and only for the "Samosas" we turned off route to "Mohanji" in West Boring Canal road near "Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir". Without using onion or garlic they create such an awesome taste that I ate three "Samosas" and digested them normally. Each "Samosa" is filled with a piece of "Paneer". 
             Eat "Samosas" at your favorite shop but be careful about the Quality, Quantity and frequency of "Samosa".
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Saturday, October 29, 2016

Bhunja-Roasted Cereals, भूंजा

 
Bhunja combination of Chana(Gram), Mungfali(Groundnut) and Chuda(Flattened rice)
                          Bhunja (Noun) means roasted cereals which is very popular in eastern part of India. These cereals are dry roasted over hot sand. A variety of cereals are used for roasting like - rice, Bengal gram, groundnut, Bajra, corn etc. 
             Rice is an amazing item which produces different types of "Bhunja" with different processes. For example with a salt treatment if rice is roasted it gives "Mudhi-मुढ़ी" which is very much liked in Bengal and eastern Bihar and Jharkhand. It is also used in "Bhelpuri" which is a popular snack in Maharashtra. There are two more very popular snacks in Bengal and Bihar/Jharkhand containing "Mudhi-मुढ़ी" - 1. 'Mudhi-Gughni' and 2. 'Jhal-Mudhi'.
          'Mudhi-Gughni' - Ghughni is in fact "Chhola" made with Bengal Gram (चना, बूँट). The combination of 'Mudhi' and 'Ghugni' is awesome in taste. People like to take it as breakfast or evening snacks. In some popular shops they serve it in green Sal-leaves plate with added items like 'Aloo-pakodas','Pyaji' and a mixture called 'dalmoth'. 
          'Jhal-Mudhi' - If you have ever traveled in a Non A/C bogie of a train in Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and adjoining areas you must have seen hawkers selling it in trains. It is like 'Bhelpuri' and also known as "Barah-maja" (Twelve enjoying tastes). The hawkers hang an open box of 'Mudhi' at thier belly with the help of a belt from the neck. On the outer sides of the box there are twelve smaller containers (Dabba-डब्बा) with different items. 'Jhal' means pungent taste of green or red chilies. So 'Jhal Mudhi' essentially contains red chili powder and pieces of green chilies in 'Mudhi'. Small pieces of red onions, boiled potatoes, ginger is added in it. Next comes the mustard sauce (Sarson ki chatni) and a bit green coriander sauce (Dhaniya ki chatni). Few sprouted 'Mung beans' are also added. In a tumbler it is mixed speedily along with the help of a spoon. The hawker will give this 'Jhal-Mudhi' in a small paper container called 'Thonga' and top it with a slice of fresh coconut.
                     Let us know other dry-roasting (Bhunja) of rice. If rice is roasted with its husk on, another type of 'Bhunja' is produced which is called 'Lawa' or 'Dhaan ka Lawa'. 'Dhaan' is the rice with husk. Though it is not so popular but it is traditionally used in some worships in Hindu religion. It is an essential item in "Nag-Panchami" and "Lakshmi-Puja" festivals. Some people like to eat the 'Lawa-Bhunja' by soaking it in hot milk made sweet by adding sugar. It is also believed that 'Milk-Lawa' is favorite of 'Nag' Snake. 
                    If rice is dry-roasted without salt treatment the 'Bhunja' we get is called 'Chawal Bhunja'. It does not grow in size as much 'Mudhi' do and also not so puffy. 
                    Another very popular 'Rice-Bhunja' is "Chuda-Bhunja". "Chuda" is also known as flattened rice and known as "Poha" in some parts of India. "Chuda" is itself a popular item in Mithila and Angika regions of Bihar but its interesting story will be discussed some other times. Poha or the flattened rice when roasted gives "Chuda-Bhunja" which is also very tasty.    
                     Other cereals roasted are Bengal gram (Desi Chana), groundnut, Bajra and corn. Roasted corn bursts into popularly known "Pop-corn" world wide and eaten separately. In Hindi it is known as "Makai-Bhunja". If the corn does not burst on roasting it is called "Makai-Bajdi" which is also popular in western Bihar and Eastern UP. It is ground to get "Makai-Sattu". Another type of corn roasting is called "Makai-chuda" (Corn flakes) which is flattened corn.  
                    'Bhunja' of Desi Chana (Gram) is also very popular in western Bihar and Eastern UP. It is eaten with its skin on. "Chana-Sattu" (Gram flour), a popular food of Bihar is prepared by grinding skinless "Chana-Bhunja".  
                   Ground nut is roasted in its nut-shell. Then it is separated from the shells. Roasting enhances its taste. 
                  Roasted 'Bajra' is not so popular but it is used in "Lakshmi-Puja" along with "Dhaan-Lawa". 
                 With so many 'Bhunjas' there are different combinations which is liked by different people in different regions. In these combinations the "Mudhi" is liked mostly in Bengal region which is gradually replaced by 'Chana' as we proceed west ward. Different Bhunja-combinations are either liked without adding anything or by adding onion, green chili pieces or roasted cumin powder. As people are growing more health conscious popularity of Bhunja is increasing. Near offices and Court/Kutchery you will find Bhunja-stalls. Workers who are unable to bring lunch, happily take Bhunja.
These Bhunja stalls have a brisk selling on Saturdays as it is believed that eating Bhunja on Saturdays keeps away enemy and ill effects of Saturn Planet astrologically.  
                If dry Bhunja combination is chosen the Bhunjawala gives masala-salt, green chili, a piece of onion and a thin slice of ginger in a separate paper wrap.    
Some Popular (without oil) combinations of Bhunja       
1. Simple Mudhi with green gram (Hara Chana/Gada)  
2. Simple Mudhi with "Mung" sprouts 
3. Groundnut (मूंगफली), Chana (चना) and Chuda (चूड़ा)Bhunja. (As in picture at the top) 
About Bhunjawala 
The Bhunja-seller is called Bhunjawala but traditionally the person who roasts cereals is called "Bhadbhunja" (भड़भूँजा) and the earthen pot in which it is roasted is called "Bhad" (भाड़). I remember a Hindi saying (कहावत) - Akela chana bhad nahin fod sakta par Bhadbhunje ki aankh to fod sakta hai (अकेला चना भाड़ नहीं फोड़ सकता पर भड़भूँजे की आँख तो फोड़ सकता है). Means a single gram can not break the roasting pot but definitely it can puncture an eye of the roaster. 
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Saturday, August 20, 2016

El-Bihari Kabja - Concealed hydraulic Door hinge called El-Bihari

L-Bihari Kabja/Hinge
          When I knew the name of this door hinge I could not understand the reason behind its name. This costly door hinge is called "El-Bihari Kabja". Kabja is Hindi name for the hinge. The "El" in the name may be due to the fact that hinges may take a shape of 'L' or it may be a short form of "Elegant". But why is it called Bihari?
            It is a concealed type and hydraulic hinge and used in fancy wardrobe shutters. It comes in steel color and looks beautiful. Shutters with "El-Bihari Kabja" are smooth and auto closed when near the closing position.
           I was glad to see something good named as Bihari.
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It is available at online marketing site Amazon by the name of Concealed Hydraulic Hinges. If needed you may click links below:-

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Thursday, July 21, 2016

Life Around Kutchery - Unique style of 2 in 1

Unique 2-in-1 style of Mr Ashok Ram,
The Paan Seller
                  In every district the life around Kutchery is very interesting as I have mentioned in the last blog, but there are some vendors who are unique and and you will not find similar character in other places. Mr Ashok Ram the "Paan" seller is exactly such a unique person whose look alike is hard to find. Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is in the neighborhood of Ranchi Kutchery. Just outside the boundary of RMC is Mr Ram's shop. He knows well how to attract the attentions of passersby and for this he has taken a bold step of keeping himself and his things in two contrasting styles at the same time i.e. half portion is just opposite in style to the other half. He has one color for right leg of pant while other for left leg. Same is for the shirt. Most daring is the style of his mustache and beard because it is only half on the right side while on the left it is clean. 
Mr Ashok Ram on his 2-in-1 scooter and his shop
                  Even his old scooter has different colors on each half. Whoever sees him, can not remain without smiling and everyone notices him. It is a strong attraction of attention which is the motto of his advertisement. He has another shop at Vardhman Compound, Ranchi and he mentions it in a banner hung in front of his shop. Even his banner is unique. On it is God Shiva in the "Ardhanarishwar-अर्धनारीश्वर" form to support Mr Ram's style because "Ardhanarishwar" is half Shiva on the right side and half Parvati on the left side i.e. half male - half female. Beside God "Ardhnarishwar" is his own photo in his unique style. Then there are different slogans, one of which says,
"पान है मर्दों की शान / 
गुटखा करता है माता, बहनों और बच्चों को नुकसान /
 यही है 2-इन-1 का ऐलान"
(Paan (betel leaf) is style of a man while Gutkha harms ladies and children, thus declares 2-in-1)
There is also a 2-in-1 dog in the banner sitting on a 2-in-1 scooter in the banner. Due to two colors of the dog its name is Chhotu the  'Duranga' (दुरंगा) . Below it is a slogan visibly said by the dog as follows:-
"हम हैं छोटू दुरंगा /
हम नहीं पहनते अंगा" 
(I am Chhotu the Duranga, I do not wear clothes)
Visiting card of Mr Ashok Ram
                 And then there is Mr Ashok Ram's stunt picture on it in which he is riding in his 2-in-1 style clothes on five 2-in-1 scooters. He has even printed his mobile number on it. The whole picture of the banner has been printed on his visiting cards which he happily gave us when we visited his shop. I snapped a pic of his shop and asked to pose for his pic. He posed smiling for the picture.
                  Mr Ram is an interesting and unique person around the Ranchi Kutchery. 
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