Rajma Salad for Golu

Golu is a festival celebrated in many parts of India (particularly Tamil Nadu) that I recently had the good fortune to attend and celebrate in Chennai. Inspired by the traditional sundol treat during Golu festivities, I decided to make a Rajma Salad. Rajma used here instead of chickpeas or green peas which are used for making sundol. Why? Were chickpeas forbidden by your dietician?

A little bit about Rajma

I did so because, there was an excess of red kidney beans from Jammu leftover from earlier. First in first out and expiry dates are kept in mind. These delicious red kidney beans also known as rajma are loved by many in North India and often eaten with rice.

I did a version of a one pot rajma chawal and then proceeded to use the rest of the red kidney beans for the salad.

This one-pot rajma chawal turned out to be a mixed version similar to a few Mexican rice dishes. I remember learning from a visiting chef in Gurgaon from Columbia or Peru if I am not mistaken- something about Arroz de something. And then my head started spinning. Because I seemed to be going around in circles again! Why?

There was only 1 stone in that bowl of rajma when I cleaned and polished it out. Luckily, it was tiny, and I didn’t break any teeth.

Lakshmi Puja and Rajma?

Well, this is perhaps the effect of the full moon from Lakshmi Puja which was also the same time after the Golu festivities. Or have you checked blood sugar/pressure levels? Meals not eaten on time are tricky.

Are they linked? I don’t know to be honest. I’m not a doctor. Not even a witch doctor. (Hmmm).

Golu it seems is a celebration of many Gods and Goddesses which is usually done by ladies along with kids. I loved the way the dolls were dressed up; arranged and displayed. Different households had their own themes.

On a side note, the saree (not sawry) fall came out, but I did not trip as I saw it in time and picked it up when I ran to make it in time for an important date.

I cannot find my pair of scissors it seems for cutting ribbons or falls. (Very disorganized girl with folders all over the place. Even Mary Kom can’t help her!). How will she ever pass any exams!

Did you get the Coconut Narus?

I was staying with a dear friend of mine and this was during the Navratri celebrations which were very different from our Durga or Lakshmi Puja festival that I have attended many times in Bengal. Fun fact, I learnt that she was born in Kolkata too. How did I miss that?

I remember growing up some aunties used to have these haldi kumkum parties. So, I was curious- was this something similar? I’m proudly an aunty now and I can also be part of these festivities. I feared that I couldn’t add much to the local gossip and stories. But I could learn more and enjoy the food. And I got a few gifts too. Yippy Yayy!

I had to be a vegetarian for this period. It was not a problem though I love my non-veg dishes. I ate a lot. Loved the many delicacies which were new to me. There was this snack called Uppu Kozhukottai (savoury modaks) and coconut gur filled modaks which I had missed during Ganesh Chaturthi. What a good fortune to score so many there!

I also got to have plenty of podi ghee rice, sambhar and pullikachal. During our hostel days- we practically survived on these podis and bottles of pullikachal that our Chennai brigade of students brought from home. The other of course was buckets of mathris which I shall perhaps talk about some other day. There’s a trip to Jamshedpur and Ranchi which is still pending.

What’s the connection there? Well, there was a Sanghamitra Express from Bengaluru to Patna that had an accident near Chennai. I missed it. Unrelated perhaps, but my lunacy is well known. Does such a train exist? Nobody seemed to know about it in Chennai! That was an unexpected googly.

Rambling runs in the beans family

Coming back to Golu, I also visited a few houses with my friend. They seemed to visit multiple houses everyday decked up in fineries. I was exhausted after 1-2 every day. (A bit exaggerated- I didn’t count). The traffic situation wasn’t any better than Bengaluru to be honest. I do hope the metro rail work finishes faster. Just working on buildings is not enough!

But the real joy was dressing up in traditional attires, sarees and doing girly things like mixing and matching accessories which I haven’t done in a long time.

I didn’t get to help out much- everything was pretty well organized and completed every day at my friend’s place and her mother’s.

Cold or Hot? It maybe just warm

Her mother shared a recipe book with me, and I want to try the Cold Cucumber Soup later when the weather is warmer. Right now, some warm salads are perfect. It’s neither here nor there – weather is very tricky! Tonsils are to be kept in mind.

We also visited an exhibition of dolls where I learnt about Andal. She’s South’s answer to Meerabai. I am in awe of various singers from the South. My friend and her daughter are my personal favorites of dueting couples. I badgered them to do a couple of songs.

Her daughter plays the piano and has a beautiful clear voice. She was sweet enough to humor me and sing a few of “our kind of songs”. You know what I mean- the oldies favourite pop artists like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga…

I think she was bribed with emotional manipulation. She soon wizened up and shooed us out. We didn’t get to Taylor Swift. I was also kicked to see her watching The Mentalist which was another old favorite TV series. (This was before I realized what it was all about). It’s still funny in parts. I remember the Ally Mcbeal phase too…Would that be funny now if Harrison Ford is no longer our favorite carpenter.

Location of the Rajma Salad?

Are we circling back to some Landmark moments in life? Too much of circular connections in this interconnected world is not good for health I’m told. Mental or physical. But this bromance can be woemance too you know. Is that a term? 🙂

Truly, it was an enjoyable and enriching experience which I will cherish. We had some sad news during the festivities but nothing untoward happened to us luckily. I wasn’t allowed to cook in the kitchen you see. I came back feeling well fed, loved and blessed with a new potbelly. (Your veins are popping, again!)

Getting back to more important and real issues. What about the Rajma salad? I think you are taking everything too lightly. We need some heavy-duty earthing before the cyclone hits us.

Rains are important for some places which are drought prone. (Like Uzbekistan?) Well, what about mining areas and deserts in India too?

Can we make sweet soups with Rajma, please?

I said deserts- not desserts. I ate many laddoos, kaju katlis, homemade payasam and baklavas. That’s the risk of going for festivities. But it’s a joy as well.

How about cake? Well, I had muffins instead of cakes. With butter and jam. There were no cucumber sandwiches. I checked the menu. There were many cats in that garden. But I saw there were many ladies too who were able to shoo away the cats with their mobile phones.

I was left undisturbed to enjoy a rare afternoon in the sun at the Amethyst– reading, drinking iced Americano and having a favourite snack. You can’t even check the price these days on the items there! But the muffins were good. 🙂

Muffins have nothing to do with Rajma salad. You will get no stuffings in your stockings if you go about rambling and ambling! Angling is another story altogether. Best left for next month.

Too many salad dishes

Ok, fair point. But I luuurve Rajma salad! Rajma salad can be made simply or with many other fruits and vegetables. I have shared below two different versions- one vegetarian with methi mathri and another non-vegetarian with chicken sausages and cheese. They were both yummy. But there may be some issues with both. (I’m told there are always some issues).

The veg version had methi mathris, alu bhujia and yoghurt. Not gluten free. Not dairy free. Loaded with carbs and calories. Just my way of sneaking in some healthier elements into a popular favourite street food in India- papri chaat. Perfect as a one bowl meal while you work, study or watch TV.

The non-veg version with sausages have more protein content but sausages are preserved packaged foods and full of nitrates. So, there you have it. I don’t want to be dragged into another warfare.

But it’s quick and easy to make. A little short-cut for busy working professionals or for students who don’t want to get into the hassle of cooking everything from scratch. Healthyish is better I say. Is that a word? I don’t care.

After eating these salads, you may want to go for a walk- just to get a bit of fresh air. Which reminds me, I am still waiting for a hot geyser delivery and exchange which I ordered online.

Sigh! Everything cannot be done in a jiffy. Jiffy not Giphy. We are going for some patience right now. Playing some cards in the meantime helps. Just saying.

I said multiple times, send the papers, pretty please!

Footnote

I love Ping-Pong but I don’t have the focus

Pickleball is a very confused game

Some resting with stress relief medication is ok

Why medication with no dedication

I said medication not meditation

This is one Odd conversational Couplet

Random Linking 17 years ago

B&W! OMG!

Space is required. Hai Huku Hai Kuku.

-Melting Lemon Drop 20.10.2024