Oatalicious

Oats,commonly known as ' Daliyaa' in Hindi is becoming one of my favourite superfoods as its so delicious and can be used in so many ways. Classed as a foodgrain and consumed all around the world in various forms,its a healthy , filling and a vital source of energy known to aid cholestrol control and provide vital nourishment to children and adults alike due to its high fibre content .

Porridge is a classic staple breakfast in Scotland and in many other nations and is available in various versions and flavours.My favourite is ' golden syrup ' flavour where oats are flavoured with the wicked ' golden syrup ' which is a decadent overwhelmingly sweet and addictive thick syrup used in desserts just like ' Treacle syrup ' used in brown scones and maple syrup used in 'Appam ' like mini scotch pancakes .

Porridge can be simply made by adding milk to rolled oats and microwaving for 5 minutes, topped with honey ,its a delicious, warm breakfast and can be had with a topping of nuts and raisins or freshly sliced bananas too.You can also make your own 'granola' by simply dry toasting rolled oats with almond flakes with a little butter until its golden brown.This granola mixture is so handy when you need an instant no-cook breakfast - just mix a little honey to plain yogurt, thrown in a handful of freshly chopped fruit and top with toasted home made toasted granola and voila - you have a tasty,fibrous,filling breakfast at your fingertips .

You can use ' pinhead oats ' to prepare a classic apple crumble topping and for 'Cranachan' which is a retro dessert traditionally prepred for 'Burns' night'.I also add rolled oats in my favourite choco-chip cookie batter .Recently I tried making eggless oat cookies with dessicated coconut and it turned out quite good , so I'd like to share the recipe for my vegetarian friends :

Ingredients :

1/2 cup plain flour

1/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup dessicated coconut

3/4 cup rolled oats

50g butter

2 tablespoons golden / maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Method :

1.Preheat the oven to 160degrees celcius .Line two baking trays with parchment paper .

2.In a mixing bowl, mix together the flour,coconut and rolled oats.

3. Melt the butter and golden syrup.Dissolve baking soda in 2 tablespoons boiling water and add it to the butter and golden syrup . Stir this wet mixture to the dry ingredients.

4.Place heaped tablespoonfuls of this cookie batter and flatten with the back of a spoon .

5.Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Tip - Cookies will be slightly soft and brittle when you remove them from the oven,so do wait until they cool down completely before your store them in an airtight cookie container .

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year coincided last year with Valentine's day on a Sunday  and luckily my chinese friend  Mary had informed me about the festivities at the secretly hidden little China Town in Glasgow that had a parade and celebration every year to commemorate the event . So I took my Glasgow born and bred husband to this little Chinese gem of a restaurant for a festive meal as he had never been to ChinaTown in his own city ever .

 

Despite booking a table for two in time to watch the parade of the dancing lions, we had to wait in a long queue to be seated in the restaurant and ended up getting a seat in the centre table,beneath the centrepiece massive chandelier,my cheeky husband jokingly scared me by saying 'Let's hope the chandelier does not fall on your head ' !!

 

The restaurant was totally packed with Chinese people insterspersed with a few other nationalities, and very well decorated with the new year theme all over. The remarkable feature of this restaurant is that absolutely all their tables were huge round ones with a minimum eight seater capacity - ideally designed for big family outings and get togethers.

 

The menu was overwhelming and taxing to look through as there were scary dishes like shark fin soup and octopus .I tend to order my tried and tested favourites like chicken schezwan noodles so I did and in the midst of the meal,in the jam packed restaurant, a group of dancers entered with heavy drumming in the background with fabulous costumes and dragon masks made of paper mache . This chubby baby boy seated right next to our table started bawling with fear as they approached the centre of the venue and they just parked themselves next to our table after doing a round of all the tables .It was  a low -key version of the parade that happens in the far east , but enjoyable nevertheless .

 

After my trip to  the authentic chinese supermarket ,I was equipped to dish out hot ' Chindian ' cuisine at home , its awesome to see so many varieties of rice noodles available just like the variety of pasta shapes any supermarket stocks , not to mention so many kinds of tofu , oriental sauces etc at the Yin Yang supermarket .

 

I miss the 'Indo-chinese' cuisine served by restaurants in Bombay because in Scotland,the chinese takeaways hardly add any vegetables in the dishes - they know the scots are anti-veggies so they dish out recipes that keep the clients returning . Besides,its too bland for my tastes , so I'd rather prepare my own oriental delights as it hardly takes any time in my Ikea wok .

 

Recently , I came across two moving books by author Lisa See : Shanghai girls        and     Snowflower and the secret fan.  Both are  very well written books about the life of two chinese women who grew up together as sisters and as friends and gave an insight to their lives under the circumstances that one can never imagine . I'd recommend these books to any avid reader or for anyone who wants a peek-a-boo to ancient domestic life in China . Their strong family ethic is as touching as is their dedication to hard work and determination to rise above hardships they are born under - a total inspiration .  

 

Burn's Supper

Every year, on 25th January,a classic scottish traditional event called "Burns Supper'' is held privately to commemorate the birthday of famous poet Robert Burns from Alloway near Ayr in Scotland . It started as a small get together of some of his friends reciting his poems over a wee dram (Drambuie whisky ) and Haggis ( a meat -based dish- because Robert Burns wrote 'Address to a Haggis' )and has now been adopted as a popular traditional event by most Scots when they prepare a classic dinner comprising of fine Scottish cuisine -Oatcakes with cream cheese and smoked salmon for starters,  Haggis which is a  spicy  dish made with foodgrains cooked with meat  (a vegetarian version is also available nowadays ), neeps(mashed turnips ) and tatties (mashed  /roasted potatoes) for the main course, and 'Cranachan' for dessert which is a delicious dessert made with pinhead oats,raspberries,whipped cream and golden/maple  syrup laced with a hint of whisky  . Gatherings can be formal in the form of ceilidh dances or informal at home with family or friends where the dress code is tartan .

            The first Burns supper I was invited for was 3years ago at some friends where a cosmopolitan mix of europeans toasted the event,each one bringing one dinner item from home like a potluck, and others like me,helping in cooking . Usually Haggis is bought from the shops as its too complicated to obtain all the ingredients from the butcher,and is the centrepiece of the dinner table .This is placed on the table after the lead male - usually a scotsman dressed up in a kilt leads the ' Haggis Procession ' followed by the youngest one holding the tray of Haggis behind him followed by the rest of the guests.Guests then gather around the dinner table with their scotch glasses in hand and each one takes turns in reciting a verse from the poem 'Address to a Haggis ' or the lead Scotsman recites it entirely ,stabbing the lump of Haggis with a big knife when the appropriate verse is recited.Dinner follows with everyone else helping themselves to the delicious simple food ,and this can be followed with a dance or games on history of Scotland etc .

            Last year, me and some of my friends decided to organise a Burns Supper my dear friend Karine's house .It took a lot of planning as we had a huge crowd of 25 people and had to estimate when and where to buy the food ingredients from and also, since we were making Cranachan which is a retro dessert recipe as well as cock-a-leekie soup(Chicken soup with Leeks) we had to research and try out recipes from scratch as not many scottish people from Glasgow had even heard of Cranachan , forget tasting it or guiding us with its recipe and cooking tips .

We shopped at three different supermarkets for the food ingredients including Costco  and   attempted a trial Cranachan a day before the party which turned out delicious and prepared for the rest of the dinner .  On the day of the dinner party, we had a hard time peeling the giant turnips as they were so hard,chopping them was even worse , we can't remember how we managed juggling all the tasks together as we do not have any domestic help but finally the starter, neeps , mashed tatties and   cranachan dessert were ready and Rosemary prepared the cock-a-leekie soup for everyone and brought it from home . Martyn was the only Scotsman in the gathering of mixed nationals so he was the star of the party in his kilt who led the Haggis procession and recited the poem and stabbed the lump of  Haggis at the dinner table . Though the preparation was so hectic , everyone enjoyed the meal , the dram and eventually a coffee with tablet which is a wicked scottish version of fudge -its sweeter and more brittle and heavenly though not so good for the teeth because of his heavy sugary content .  

Knitting bees

' Knitting bees ' is a group of friends who get together at each other's houses once a fortnight or more often and knit together .Women have been doing this for centuries,making things for themselves and for their family.Knitting is clothing made in spare moments using just a pair of knitting needles and wool sometimes   around the fireplace , a centuries old tradition that is still being kept alive via knitting lessons passed on through the generations  and various 'Knit and Knatter ladies clubs' being offered at local libraries for free .

 

There is something strikingly simple, constructive and bonding about the ladies who knit as they are a close set of friends who have been doing this for years. Learning new patterns from each other, chatting away while working , reminiscing the old days of childhood and newly wed life , laughing at the good times they have had and comparing their finished products to gift away to their loved ones seems like a much needed change from the hedonistic 'Kitty parties' we are used to back in India with ladies who compete to prepare the best dishes and overfeed each other, gossip and occassionally play card games or gamble to pass the time .

 

It seems like nowadays , knitting is the new Yoga - the peaceful clacking of needles creating a heartbeat , a rythm of rest , a meditative oasis in the midst of a frantic lifestyle . This trend may have started off as a marketing ploy by the wool industry but its certainly taken off . When  I asked a lady why she knits , she replied ''Because it gives her a sense of calm and order as its easy to keep order in knitting.'' And sure enough it is - count one,two,three.Simple numbers,knit one, purl one, yarn over needle , slipstitch.Easy does it.Drop a stitch and catch it up again.It's easy to fix mistakes in knitting .

 

Knitting is straight , orderly , neat rows with even numbers .Though the mind is not like knitting as its always messy and tangled , perhaps knitting in a simple order gives a sense of calm and peace at the times of stress .

 

Farmer's market

A farmers' market is a market in which farmers, growers or producers from a defined local area are present in person to sell their own produce, direct to the public. All products sold should have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked or processed by the stallholder.

FARMA, the National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association indipendently assesses and certifies farmers' markets round the country to make sure they're the 'real deal' so you can be confident you are buying the freshest, most local produce possible, supporting your local community and economy, and helping the environment by reducing food-miles.

    What makes farmer's markets special is these are probably the only open air food markets available in cities . Besides, there is the added benefit of regional produce that is available  directly from the farmers and butchers who proudly display and sell their wares . Over the years, I've seen farmer's markets with varying stalls selling unique food items like ' seaweed crisps ' from isle of Bute , ostrich burgers , delicatassen from the Provence of France , handmade medicinal soaps with herbs like Nettle, and even whisky ( The oldest soapmaker  Caurnie just perfumes the entire market ) .There is home brewed beer ,fresh  farm vegetables , fresh seafood , homebaking  and seasonal treats for everyone who wishes to have a morning out .

        





     
                    

Tea Room

  A traditional ' Tea Room'  is a must-see place for anyone visiting Britain. More than just a cafe that serves tea , its mostly a family-run , charming place that aims to provide a friendly welcome with home-baked delicacies, a relaxing peaceful atmosphere and an amazing range of teas and coffees too . 

        I happened to visit ' The Buttery ' - a classic English tea room in the city centre of Chichester recently on my day off work when I slept in late and decided to head out instead of spoiling myself all day by hibernating and cooking myself treats all day long . It was beautiful , non-pretentious and truly epitomised the essence of a tearoom - a far cry from the monotonous standard service offered by cafe chains , it has its own unique character that makes you instantly relax and marvel at its atmosphere rightaway.

             The buttery building on South street is known as the crypt but it should rightly be called an undercroft . The structure was originally part of a Guildhall that is known to have been there on the site in the 12th century .In 1396 it was demolished to build the new Vicars hall.

             

      The undercroft was probably used  as a cellar for storage . It has had several uses since then - an antique shop , a horticultural store and for a brief time in the 19th century - the city's post office before it was converted to its present use as a tearoom in 1957 .


                        I ordered a cup of Earl Grey tea and a scone for my 'brunch' which was served freshly within a few minutes.It was the biggest scone I 've seen and was deliciously warm and the tea refreshing. It was pretty busy with people of all ages who seemed busy and peaceful , some enjoying a quiet solo time reading the newspapers, others catching up on casual banter and groups of people at another table in conversation . I paid only £ 3.50 and had a satisfying time out by myself reading my magazine and enjoying one of the most common and simplest pleasures of life - a hot cup of a tea on a bitterly cold day .

          I've seen lovely tea-rooms that display an array of antique ceramic teapots of various shapes ,sizes and colours on the mantle . A few others in smaller towns and  picturesque villages   have a gorgeous setting like a view on the meadows , riverside view or a cathedral view . Most of them offer breakfast and lunch like quiches,pies  ,sandwiches etc . I'm  sure its  the perfect setting for people of all ages , men and women who want nothing more than comfort , peace and warmth to take a break from their hectic lives .


                                         







               

 

Test to become a Brit

I had been studying the immigration statistics,I also memorised the wide variety of welfare benefits available and learned all about the National Insurance . I had pored over the 145 page Home Office publication encapsulating everything I needed to know about the history,the education system,the political system and confusing general trivia about living in the United Kingdom . Studying for an exam after donkey's years is not only challenging,but also unnerving when its a citizenship exam that you pay £ 35 for . Its a tough passing score of getting 18 out of 24   multiple choice questions correct in 45 minutes and if you fail, you pay again till you succeed .

     I had taken two days off work to study as it required serious concentration and pointless browsing through the book was futile as each detail was too specific to remember . I took some practice tests online and prepared myself for the next day which would be my                 ' judgement day ' .

           Then , the fateful catastrophe happened.My just the night before the test at 7pm,my mother in law called to ask me if my family and friends were safe because she'd been watching the latest news that showed horrific terror attacks in Mumbai on the 25th of November 2008 . Because my in -laws had stayed at the Taj the year before that for my wedding,they were more concerned as they could envisage the seriousness of the attacks. Hell had broken loose not only in India, but also worldwide .

       Though my family had quit Bombay to retire in Manglore - our hometown in Southern India, I was obviously shaken watching the news reports on NDTV . It was too late to call India and I spent a sleepless night, and to add to my nervousness on the day of the exam , it was raining in the morning , my taxi arrived late , and he was as clueless as me about the exam centre address . Somehow I made it to the building only to be faced by a mini- sea of 30 other nervous and shivering candidates of various ethnicities .There were Chinese people, Carribean people, Indian and Pakistanis , all obviously discussing the attacks happening in Bombay . Most were economic migrants looking for a better life or , like me, had moved here for love . Some were attempting the test for the second or third time .We all agreed , in whispered exchanges that the test questions seemed irrelevant to British culture . 

       After an unnecessarily laborious form-filling process which took so much time, our exam fee was collected.We then sat in silence .Talking is forbidden . We were even made to remove any hats and scarves  and tuck our hair behind our ears in case anyone was cheating by receiving electronic feeds . The test was tricky, boring and difficult. I don't know how I managed to pass the test in such a tensed state of mind , luckily I had to work after that to keep my mind off the gruesome attacks in my beloved homeland.

        Clutching my passing certificate I called my folks in India to enquire about their safety . I informed my family and friends that I had passed the test though I was not informed of the score. I had mixed feelings - utter devastation at the aftermath of terror in Bombay and joy that I nailed the exam at the same time . It got me nostalgic about the first time I had visited London, just after the terror attacks there in 2005 and how tense the whole city was with security everywhere . Despite that I found Britain utterly beautiful during my stay  - the ecstasy I felt when I first saw huge golden fields full of daffodils , the woods carpeted in bluebells ,  whole mountains purple with heather ,the awesome beauty of the heavenly highlands of Scotland, Loch Ness , the medieval city  Edinburgh that transports you to another era when you step in , and the crazy bargains on the British high street that you can't find elsewhere in the continent .

     Living in Britain also means the much talked about dull, gloomy weather but hey,as my american friends say,British weather is ' tropical ' compared to Chicago or most places in North America which have harsh winters . Here the indoor culture is highly evolved to suit everyone's tastes - the theatres, art galleries and museums are one of the best in the world , and above all, free to enter (most of the museums in Scotland at least) .The Botanical parks are fascinating , so are the vintage pubs and shopping galleries . You meet a cosmopolitan mix of people who could be typical tea drinking sophisticates with impeccable manners , or fun loving quirky ones who work hard and party harder . Strikes are almost non- existent and you have access to food from all corners of the world to suit your pallette . 

           More than anything, Britain is almost the centre- point of the world for transit passengers shuttling between Asia and USA , which makes my home a convenient ' transit point ' for my globetrotting friends . Only six hours by direct trans-atlantic flight from New York , I've had my american friends visit me ,  friends from India have visited  my home too, my sister from Dubai who comes every summer ( daylight till 10.30pm at night in summer  is still fascinating for both of us ) and others who cannot wait to visit .

           My citizenship ceremony was fun for which I enjoyed designing my ' Indo-tartan ' avataar . No longer an outsider, I can now wholeheartedly join the robust debates about British society . A few of my girlfriends from Bombay have already moved and settled here which is a great feeling for me , I hope  many others will soon follow suit , or at least keep visiting me on transit at least , just like my home in Bombay used to be a ' transit point' .