Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Green Peas Pulao - Jihva for Love



This post is a departure from my usual way of blogging - I often find it hard to cook specifically for an event.....well this time I am blogging especially for the Jihva event. This month's event is being hosted by Pratibha and Jigyasa on their spanking new blog dedicated to Pedatha.

Jihva is a food blogging event which was begun by Indira of Mahanandi and focuses every month on one ingredient. This month's ingredient is a fitting tribute to the memory of Pedatha - it's that ever so intangible thing which makes each home cooked meal a comforting one - LOVE.

When they asked us to blog about the one person whom we really love and honour in our lives - I found it so difficult to choose. My life is filled with people who have touched it in so many different ways and with so much of love that I couldn't imagine a life without them.

So, I wondered (being a true Gemini) how I could choose just one person. These people are difficult to separate from the person I am. They make me complete in their own unique way.

My biological mother - Amma - of whom I have very few memories; she passed away when I was five.
My mother who raised me to be an honest, responsible and caring person and broke all the stereotypes about stepmothers.
My father who is the best father ever - there is nothing I can't talk to him about, he has always stood by me - even when he didn't agree with me.
My husband who is my Rock - the one who nursed me through my illness, fought alongside me and believed that I would make it, when so many others didn't.
My daughter who has brought new meaning into my life and made us give thanks every single day for the beautiful blessing that she is.

BUT there is one other person, not part of my family, but as dear and respected to us - without whom I wouldn't be here today.

My surgeon - the most sincere and forthright person I have known. He did everything in his power to keep me alive when other doctors were just looking to add a "rare case" to their records. He experimented, researched, kept me going with some path breaking methods of nutrition and then performed a surgery that he truly believed would be best for me - not for the money, not for the "case sheet", but for me. I am here today, so I guess he succeeded!.
Tragically he died last year of cancer and I was left ranting at the unfairness of it all - one so young and so dedicated to his profession should have had more time...

This is my tribute to him through Jihva for Love. I don't know whether he would have actually liked this dish - the only thing I have made for him is coffee when he visited home (yes, he made house visits just for me!!).

But since it is one of the few things I remember my mother making (the others being a tomato raita and an egg curry) I would like to think that the one who brought me into this world and the one who gave me a second life might have similar tastes....


Peas Pulao

simple and satisfying - served with vegetable kadhi and stuffed eggplant

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice - 1 cup soaked in 3 cups water for 15 minutes
Peas - 3/4 cup
Cinnamon stick (laung) - 2 " piece
Bay leaf - 1
Cloves - 3-4
Cardamom - 2
Onions - 2 medium sliced long
Ghee - 1/2 tbsp
Oil - 1 /2 tbsp
Salt - to taste

Method:

1. Take a non stick pan and heat the ghee and oil together. Add the whole masala - cinnamon, bay leaf, cardamom and cloves and wait till they change colour.Add the cumin seeds and saute half a minute, then add onions and saute till golden brown.
2. Drain and add the rice and peas and saute 1 minute, then add the drained water and bring to boil. Add salt.
3. Lower flame to medium and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes. Stir the rice just once in one direction and check to see whether it is cooked.
4. Cook for 3-4 more minutes; the rice grains should be cooked and separate, but not mushy. Turn off flame and cover till serving time.

If the rice isn't cooked for some reason, add hot water only one fourth of a cup at a time. The rice will continue cooking when it is closed, so allow for that extra cooking time.

If using frozen peas, add them halfway through since they are already cooked.

29 comments:

indosungod said...

Miri, what a lovely essay.

FH said...

Beautiful post paying tribute to your loved ones girl. Hope you are 100% healthy now!:)

Pulao is yummy, simple and delicious.

ServesYouRight said...

Many thanks for sharing - very humbling to read about the ups and downs.

Smita

Anonymous said...

This is a very special and touching post, Miri.

Cham said...

One of the beautiful post Jhiva for love. Definetly, the doctor would love anything made by you ... Unfortunetly, he is no more to save those valuable life...Awesome and emotional tribute.

evolvingtastes said...

Miri, I really loved the tribute. Having undergone a surgery not too long ago, I can relate to how a surgeon can hold a very special place in one's life. They come into your life for a few hours, or a few days, but eventually, they cut you up and sew you back - how many people can claim to have done that to you!

Kalai said...

Wow, Miri... I was totally moved by your story. Am so glad that things turned out well for you despite having gone through so much. You're right that things seem very unfair at times... Wonderful contribution for JFI. :)

Unknown said...

Nice reading ur post and nice recipe for peas pulao too..

Unknown said...

Nice reading ur post and nice recipe for peas pulao too..

KayKat said...

Such a beautiful tribute to all the people who have touched your life.

Thanks for sharing it!

Cynthia said...

I love these one-pot rice dishes.

Miri said...

Thank you so much everyone for your kind words....I am glad I could put down my feelings about this here, now that I have made my peace with it.
He was such a big part of our lives for the three years that I battled, it seems unreal that he won't be there anymore with his acerbic wit and genuine concern ...

I just realised that I made a mistake about the Jihva deadline, so I'm not sure whether this will make the round up.

Uma said...

A really touching post. Very well written. A great way to pay tribute to the loved ones. The peas pulao looks so delicious.

Jaya M said...

It is so touching to read Miri ..
and Pea pulao is mine fav too ..
hugs and smiles
jaya

Unknown said...

lovely and touching post miri...

sunita said...

Miri, that was a really touching post...my gynaecologist during my very difficult, bed ridden,nearly at death's door, second pregnancy, was a similar person and did all those that you've mentioned...he too kept our hopes alive...such people do touch our lives in such a special way!

...your surgeon would have happily had your pulao.

Richa said...

what a beautiful tribute, Miri, now I've a lump in my throat!
There sure is so much to be thankful about!

Vaishali said...

What a lovely tribute to someone who made such a difference in your life. I enjoyed reading this, Miri.
The pulao looks delicious.

Jayashree said...

A very touching post.....

Anonymous said...

Your posts are so beautiful - you really have the talent to silence the craziness around me & allow me to leave myself to enjoy what you write. Wow, to be so young & have your health at risk.... I'm happy to hear that you are better & wish you continued health.

The dish is lovely & a great tribute to someone who means so much to you & to all who love you.

xoxox Amy

Mansi said...

excellent post Miri! truly touching in every aspect!

Raaga said...

very touching post Miri

Sagari said...

love the post miri,puloa looks delecious

sra said...

Miri, that's a truly moving post, and how nice of you to also look beyond your family!

Shri said...

Very touching post!Sure your Doc will love this dish.It looks great.

TNL said...

A heartfelt post, Miri. Thank you for sharing.

Trupti
The Spice who loved me

Meera said...

Very touching tribute, Miri. God bless.

TheCooker said...

Such a touching post!

Anonymous said...

Miri,
This is such a touching post.

Mamatha