Food evokes memories – mostly pleasant, sometimes heart tugging but always welcome! A good meal enjoyed with family or an outing with friends with loads of fun, food n frolic or simply cooking a favourite dish for near & dear stays with us for a long time and gently tugs us as delightful memories. I have so many recollections of the past associated with food, that promises to stay fresh always.
The parathas made today evoked a soulful recollection of a person who has managed to stay in our hearts forever. This gentle & humble soul whom we fondly called as Naseema ji had in her own ways made a difference to our lives. She joined us as a housemaid 4 years back while we were in Mumbai. Always smiling & cheerful, never having a bad word for any body and sticking to her work without unnecessary gossip & banter were just a few traits which I admired in her. That she had problems with her spouse was something I came to know after one year of her working — such was her grace that she did not like self-pity talks.
When my son who was born under stressful conditions, was very sick & on the verge of not making it any further, she used to pep me up by saying that God tests the bravest the most and to have unconditional faith in HIM. She added that my boy is a mighty warrior and will go places and that her prayers will always have my son’s name.
Now when I see my son who has almost become normal, those words that are still etched in my heart, gives me courage to carry on whenever I am down & out.
One fine day after finishing her work as usual she left with a cheerful smile. Unusually she refused to have breakfast and little did I know, that was the last I would ever see her. I got a phone call later in the day saying that she died because of an electrical shock when she was ironing the family’s clothes. We went to pay our last respects and I sincerely prayed that her soul Rests in Peace!
Coming back to this holy month of RAMADAN , I remember she telling me that she loved to break her fasts with fried stuff and parathas which were her favourite.
We have moved away from Mumbai, but the fond memories of that gentle soul still lingers.
In her memory……..
The parathas made today evoked a soulful recollection of a person who has managed to stay in our hearts forever. This gentle & humble soul whom we fondly called as Naseema ji had in her own ways made a difference to our lives. She joined us as a housemaid 4 years back while we were in Mumbai. Always smiling & cheerful, never having a bad word for any body and sticking to her work without unnecessary gossip & banter were just a few traits which I admired in her. That she had problems with her spouse was something I came to know after one year of her working — such was her grace that she did not like self-pity talks.
When my son who was born under stressful conditions, was very sick & on the verge of not making it any further, she used to pep me up by saying that God tests the bravest the most and to have unconditional faith in HIM. She added that my boy is a mighty warrior and will go places and that her prayers will always have my son’s name.
Now when I see my son who has almost become normal, those words that are still etched in my heart, gives me courage to carry on whenever I am down & out.
One fine day after finishing her work as usual she left with a cheerful smile. Unusually she refused to have breakfast and little did I know, that was the last I would ever see her. I got a phone call later in the day saying that she died because of an electrical shock when she was ironing the family’s clothes. We went to pay our last respects and I sincerely prayed that her soul Rests in Peace!
Coming back to this holy month of RAMADAN , I remember she telling me that she loved to break her fasts with fried stuff and parathas which were her favourite.
We have moved away from Mumbai, but the fond memories of that gentle soul still lingers.
In her memory……..
I made these parathas that got a thunderous reception . The recipe is adapted from Tarla Dalal. The fillings have been tweaked to suit our taste-buds and you are welcome to give it any make over by going in for more peppy ingredients! I enjoyed the parathas with little pickle, a dash of Tomato sauce and a bowl of curd and one paratha is enough to keep you fired up in the morning !
What’s in it :-
Filling no 1 :- (Carrot & Green Peas)
- Carrots – 2 – grated
- Green peas – a fistful
- Green Chillis – 2 to 3 – chopped finely – to taste
- Olive Oil – 1 tsp
- Cumin Seeds – 1 tbsp
- Coriander leaves – a few sprigs – finely chopped
- Splash of lemon juice – to taste
- Salt & pepper Powder – to taste
Filling no 2 :-(Cheesy Potatoes)
- Potato – 2 – boiled & mashed
- Onion – 1/2 – finely chopped
- Green Chillis – 2 – finely chopped – to taste
- Coriander leaves – a few sprigs – finely chopped
- Cheese – 1 chiplet – grated – as required – optional
- Salt & Pepper Powder – to taste
For the flatbread/ rotis :-
- Wheat Flour – 1 cup
- Water – as required
- Oli – little
- Ghee/Olive oil – for cooking the parathas – as required
How :-
Knead the flour with required water and add little oil for a smooth pliable dough. Set aside.
In a small pan, add oil and as it warms up let the cumin seeds crackle. Drop the green chillis and the green peas and saute for a few minutes. Add the grated carrots and let it cook for a few minutes before seasoning it with salt & pepper. Take off flame and lemon juice to taste . Garnish with greens. Filling No 1 is ready.
Mix the ingredients for Filling No 2 in a bowl and adjust the seasoning. Set aside.
Take a small ball of dough and spread it across thinly for the flat bread. Make 3 of them for one double decker paratha. Take a heaped spoon of the carrot-peas filling and spread on one chapatti and cover with another chapatti. On top of it again spread a spoonful of the cheesy potato filling and place another chapatti on the top and press firmly to seal the edges.
Mix the ingredients for Filling No 2 in a bowl and adjust the seasoning. Set aside.
Take a small ball of dough and spread it across thinly for the flat bread. Make 3 of them for one double decker paratha. Take a heaped spoon of the carrot-peas filling and spread on one chapatti and cover with another chapatti. On top of it again spread a spoonful of the cheesy potato filling and place another chapatti on the top and press firmly to seal the edges.
Cook the double decker parathas on a tava (griddle) on both sides, using a little oil/butter/ghee . Repeat the process for more parathas. Serve hot.
RAMADAN KAREEM TO ALL MY READERS ! Sending my Ramadan Musings to Lubna’s Joys from fasting to Feasting – IV and also to Jabeen’s Iftar Nights
Hey I had read this one but since Chapatis /Parathas are something that I dont enjoy making I have never tried these. But your pics are making me rethink ! Lovely ! Best solution will be you make I eat.
@ Archana – done gal ! drop in !! xoxo
Nice parathas and nice name..
Really superb!!!
Delicious and really healthy! My kind of food.
Memories linked to food are always wonderful.
Cheers,
Rosa
This is so lovely. God always sends someone to draw strength from when feel so beaten and let down. Good of you to think of her.
This looks awesome..healthy and filling meal
Your story brought tears to my eyes – Lovely tribute to a stellar lady- And the parathas looks YUM
Lovely recipe:)
Ur story moved me a lot dear. Awesome lady she is… My heartfelt condolence to her… And this parathas looks so yummy and lovely idea
Wow…delicious paratha…loved the double stuffing idea…Great that you remembered her…only few such precious people pass through our lives…
I am not a great fan of parathas..but this 1 really got me thinking..looks yum..and the fact that i got to meet naseema ji when i was there is indeed something to feel good about..
Hey, this is a brilliant idea..Fun making as well. Thanks for letting me know that I won the prize, Everytime it's U who always tells me I've won something..Thanks
a lot Priya
நசீமா அவர்களைப்பற்றி படிக்கும் போது மனம் கலங்கி விட்டது…இப்போழுதும் நீங்கள் அவர்களை நினைக்கும் போது சந்தோஷமா இருக்கு,அதுவும் ரமலான் மாதத்தில் அவர்களுக்கு பிடித்த ரெசிபி போட்டு அசத்திட்டீங்க…….ஸ்டப்பிங் பரோட்டா ரொம்ப நல்லாயிருக்கு..
OMG!!!! they are awesoooooooooooome!!!!!!!!!super like!!!!!!!!!!!
Very touching story…hope your son is doing well!!
This is surely a double treat!! I'm sure one would be more than filling.
Anamika
Thats a truly touching story..Double decker parathas look yummy Priya..One of my friends shared this idea sometime back, but with 2 chapatis, and now I make this once in a while with either paneer/chicken filling..
May her soul rest in peace! Touching story priya!
Nice tribute and the paratha looks yum!
awesome dear….love the filling!
http://anuzhealthykitchen.blogspot.com/2011/07/event-berries-strawberry-desserts.html
Priya, my eyes are wet now. May her soul rest in peace. She will surely be rewarded for her graceful traits. I shall include her name too in my prayers. It was nice of you to recollect her memories. :)
By the way, the double decker idea is new to me. Looks super good and healthy with those veggies :)