I was about to write the very customary ‘Have a nice day’ before signing off while writing a mail when a thought just flashed through my mind. The intensity of it was so strong that I had to erase the ‘Have a nice day’ sentence and then I just pondered over it for a little while. Why do we wish that our dear ones should have a nice day? Any day is a day and will bring with it what it has to bring, what it is destined to bring. By wishing, that the day that comes to them should be good, we are actually underestimating the prowess of our dear ones. Let me explain a little more. By wishing that the source itself becomes perfect, we are trying to rule out the possibility of learning a lot of things, ranging from accepting what comes our way, handling it wisely and gaining the experience to enhance personal maturity. This all may seem like a daunting task compared to the situation when anything and everything that comes our way is favourable only. But then, isn’t long term status quo a recipe for degeneration?

As I felt quite pleased with what I unraveled in those 5-10 minutes, I just wondered what should I write instead before signing off. Yes, I had this perfect thing to wish my dear one - ‘Enjoy what the day has to offer’. Because I really think this should become our state of mind - to be able to savour every flavour that is dished out to us, to be able to experience with an open mind whatever any moment brings with it, to be able to appreciate the bigger scheme and learning in every situation, and to be able to enjoy the unpredictability and uncertainty. This becomes extremely important in order to develop the understanding that in spite of the ephemerality of situations and conditions in one’s life, the internal peace and stability is what one requires in dealing with whatever comes one’s way.

So dear readers - Enjoy what the day has to offer!!! 

I enjoy celebrating festivals, special days and significant milestones (in fact sometimes the milestones need not be that significant even). As I began composing this mouthpiece, I realised this is the 50th edition of this newsletter. Though a very humble one but still a milestone which gladdens my heart. Hope to keep sculpting my thoughts through this medium. 

There are many dishes that I have carried forward without any variation, from my childhood days. Bread rolls is one of the fancy breakfast options, which goes with any weather and any mood. It is a great snack time dish too. Being a person who has special liking for traditional Punjabi snacks like samosa, aloo-tikki and chaat, bread rolls is the home made version to satisfy that craving whenever it arises.

Potatoes : 5 medium sized (boiled and peeled)

Onion : ½ cup (finely chopped)

Ginger : 1 inch (grated)

Coriander leaves : 1/3 cup (finely chopped)

Green chillies : 2 (finely chopped)

Carom seeds: ½ tsp

Salt : to taste

Anardana : 1/3tsp (optional)

Garam masala : 1/3 tsp

Oil : for deep frying

Bread : brown wheat

Take a bowl and mash the potatoes in it. Add all the ingredients except oil and bread to the potatoes and mix well so that it is a consistent solid mass. Take another bowl and pour two cups of water in it. Now take a bread slice and dip it in the water lightly, remove it as soon as it gets wet. Squeeze the bread slice by pressing it between the two palms so that all excess water is drained out. Now place a small portion (1 tbsp) of potato mixture in the center of the bread slice and cover it with the corners of the slice. Give it the shape of a tikki or an elongated cutlet. Do the same for the rest of the potato mixture and keep them ready for frying.

In a kadahi take oil and heat it up ( to check if it is ready for frying, just put a small grain of bread in it and it should rise immediately). Now put the ready bread rolls in the oil (you can put 2-3 at a time) and turn them to make crispy and brown from all sides. Serve them hot with mint chutney and tomato ketchup.