To me this small acts done with great love to deepen the bonds between me and my daughter in laws both Manjuri and Bhavika whom I value the most

Cross stitched table runner and table cloth

I first learnt cross stitch from my grand mother when i was very young. Our school sewing projects also involved a lot of cross stitched stuff! so cross stitch is something which makes me very nostalgic.....Cross stitched this white table runner and the brown table cloth a couple of months back.

Doi Manch(Curd-Fish)

Doi Manch or Fish with curd is a popular Bengali dish. There are several ways of cooking Doi Manch. I am mentioning just one of the many ways....

Ingredients:Fish 300 grams

Curd:100 grams

Medium sized onions:2(Grated)

Ginger paste:1 tsp

Turmeric powder:1/4 tsp

Sugar:2 1/2 tsp or to taste

Salt:to taste

Mustard Oil:2 Tbs

Bay leaves:2

Choti elaichi/green cardamom :2

Dalchini/Cinnamon:3/4th"

Cloves/Laung:2

Red chilli powder:1/2 tsp

Green chillies:2/3

Method:Whisk the curd.

Add turmeric powder,red chilly powder,salt and sugar to the mixture.Add the fishes to it.(Do not fry the fishes).

Now heat oil in a pan. Add bay leaves , choti elaichi,dalchini, laung to the oil and after a few seconds add the ginger and onion paste to it. Saute' for a few minutes. Now add the curd and fish to it and bring to a boil. After this lower the heat to sim and simmer for a few more minutes till you get a thickish gravy. (Add very little water only if necessary).Garnish with green chillies.The dish is now ready to be served with steamed rice!

Doraemon

I was trying to pre dispose " Doraemon ' for my little grand daughter Gia but as my first attempt I felt, I still need some perfection in it, which will be done to gift the same in near future to Gia.and

Chicken Chettinaad

Cooked Chicken Chettinaad for my aunt in law with a recipe from the net. ...Not posting the recipe as there r already so many on net.This dish however is pretty hassel free n easy to cook and tastes pretty good!

Cushion covers

Tutored by Bandana, I made these cushion covers for mom in law's b'day. She loved it as much as i loved making them! Thanx Didi!! Will learn to weave the violet cord bag that you made --thats my next project!

Chutney

My friends turn to their moms whenever a guest turns up, for quick n tasty recipes. I turn to my sister Bandana who cooks tremendously tasty food. This time she taught me a very palatable chutney which i cooked up for my friends and they simply loved it! Even my hubby and my in laws were bowled over and asked my to cook this up again.... :)
For this we will need:
5/6 medium sized tomatoes
100 grams date palms/khajur
100 grams aamsattva/aampapad/mango candy
50 grams kishmish
Methi / fenugreek seeds: half tsp(Roast and grind)
Saunf/fennel seeds: half tsp(Roast and grind)
Dried red chillies(optional)
Lemon juice 1 tbs
salt half tsp
sugar 75 grams /to taste
Method:Soak the khejur, aamsatva and kishmish in a little water for 15 to 20 mins. Microwave the tomatoes in high for 3 /4 min with half tsp salt.
Blend and strain thru a seive to extract the pulp.
Boil the mixture.Now add the soaked khejur aamsattva and kishmish to the boiling mixture along with the water they have been soaked in .Boil. Add sugar. Cook for 2 -3 mins more. Now add the juice of a lemon or vinegar or tamarind pulp to this . After this add ground methi and saunf and roasted red chillies(Optional) to this mixture. The chutney is ready!
This is meant to be a sweet dish to be served after food But before dessert in Bengal.One may adjust the sugar ,salt or tangy taste of lemon to one's own taste.