Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Bruschetta & Some after thoughts


I prefer the road side Chaiwala to CCD or Starbucks any day. First because the Chai tastes much better here …… plus it is hassle free. There is no need to add milk and sugar and stir it. Convenient enough for me. Tea to me has to be Chai, Masala Chai or Adrak wali Chai. I still don’t understand the lingo of Green Tea, Decaf Tea and all that. As soon as Chotu handed me my masala chai I dunked a biscuit into it and slurped it noisily without the fear of being judged. Irrespective of the city or the tea stall, there is always a lanky looking Chotu in every stall. Much said about Chai and Chotu ……. I was there at one of the oldest Chai stalls waiting to catch up with a friend of mine…. It was the same small noisy place where the common man pays five rupees for a chai …….. a place where you can shout out to Chotu for another cup or for fetching u a packet of biscuit ……… nothing fancy !

This used to be my favorite hangout spot during college days. A place to unwind and talk about the day and muse about useless things. Now there is a mall across the street. The place looks busier than before. I leaned against my scooter sipping chai while I waited for a friend of mine. I was distracted by an old woman and a kid at the other side of the road. They were like two playful kittens playing with a bundle of clothes, totally ignorant of the crowd around them.

But then this black Audi that vroomed in was good enough to distract me from the playful duo. I checked out the car. Driving an Audi in this part of the country is a big deal I tell ya. Also you dare ignore the lady who stepped out from it ……… she was flawless. Designer Clothes, handbag and six inches stilettos! I smelled Dolce n Gabana too. I believe the other girl who stepped out with her was her domestic help, Maya.

Memshaab would have uttered her name a thousand times in the last five minutes. Maya this …… Maya that , without giving that poor girl a chance to breathe. Certainly she is the most indispensable part of her life ……. which is pretty much understandable. Memsaab will not be able to bear the loads of her shopping and walk in the six inches had Maya not been there. All hells would break loose without her. Not to forget the cranky toddler in the stroller she had brought along who was constantly licking a piece of chocolate and poor Maya wiping his face every time with a fresh piece of paper towel. Well this fiasco went on for a while till Memsaab handed a thousand rupees note to Maya signaling her to take the kid to the play area.

My attention shifted back to the playful duo on the footpath. They were bubbly and playful. My phone beeped. This friend of mine had to drop out in the last moment for some urgent work. I saw the kid running after a Gubbarewala wanting for a balloon …….. like every other kid she longed for one. The Gubbarewala shooed the little girl away. She was scared and disappointed …… tears rolled down her cheeks. I saw her hide behind one of the parked cars staring at the balloons from a distance. I handed the Gubbarewala a five rupee note and asked him to handover a balloon to the kid as I watched from a distance. The duo again burst out into laughter as the balloon fluttered and danced in the air.

I started my scooter, heading homewards and with a lurking thought ……… Can happiness be bought ??

It's Spring time and with Summer just round the corner, this is a perfect recipe that can be done in a jiffy. Great for those fun filled family picnics or even as a camp food. You can also eat it if you have those hunger pangs and when you are so not in the mood of cooking.

Preparation Time - 15 minutes

Ingredients
Brushetta (can be replaced with any other bread) - Cut into 8 medium slices
Ripe Avocado - 1
Cucumber Sliced - 1 Cup
Red Onions Sliced - 1/2 Cup
Red Cherry Tomatoes cut into halves - A handful
Cilantro - for garnishing
Red Pepper flakes - 1/2 tsp
Olive Oil - 2 tsp
Lime Juice - 1 tsp
Fresh Cracked Pepper
Salt per taste

Method of Preparation

1. Drizzle a generous amount of Olive oil on the sliced bruschetta and sprinkle some pepper on it. Put it inside the over at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes.
2. In the mean time drizzle 1 tsp of oil on a pan and pan roast the cherry tomatoes till they turn soft and mushy.
3. Scoop out the flesh of Avocado. Give it a rough mash. Add salt, pepper, chili flakes and lime juice and mix well.
4. Once the bruschetta is out of the oven, top it with mashed avocado, slices of cucumber, onion and tomatoes.







22 comments:

My Kitchen Antics said...

you know what, ive never tried a bruschetta at home. i always think i should but never end up doing so, especially when its a perfect as appetisers at a party. i like how you have used avocado as the base instead of pesto

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Certain things are better when served in simple chai or having golguppas in shal patta on rodeside stalls....
Nice pics...

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Kavi said...

1st time here Satrupa.. You write beautifully. I loved your blog. :)
Edible Entertainment

Suja Manoj said...

This is superb,your pics are so tempting..thanks for sharing.

Sayantani Mahapatra Mudi said...

your post always refreshes me...though i dont like the tea shop's teas as its way too sweet for me.
the bruschetta recipe is great. i wanted to make it for a long long time after watching julie and julia and even baked a baguette for that purpose. but the bread tasted so good in itself that we just finished it off standing in the kitchen. LOL

Rookie Qookie said...

Bruschetta is always ordered when we go to Italian restaurants. I make it simple with Tomatoes and simple spices/leaves...
I miss Avocado's, of late I have become allergic to it :(

Home Cooked Oriya Food said...

yummy and simple...
loved the balloon story!

Bikram said...

this looks like nice and easy even I shud be able to make it ..

yummmyyyyyyyyyyy
Bikram's

chef and her kitchen said...

Small things make ppl happy,n I can imagine how a balloon would have made that lil gal smile that day...nice bruschetta..

Pragyan said...

What a flair for writing - so very thoughtful and observant! That was sure a very valuable Rs. 5 - a nice investment! Loved the recipe as well..have a great day!

runnergirlinthekitchen.blogspot.com said...

Hi Satrupa,

Stumbled upon your blog and loved reading it!
The pictures are very colourful and your recipes look tempting!
A blogger my self,following you and looking forward to reading your posts.
Cheers
Gauri
runnergirlinthekitchen.blogspot.com

Rumana Rawat said...

Simply superb recipe:)

Ruchira Hoon said...

What lovely pictures! Love bruschetta, feel like eating it right now

Raks said...

I love eating bruschetta, nice recipe and beautiful clicks!

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Beautifully written...Loved reading it...Bruschetta looks yummy with lovely clicks..

themustardseed said...

My first time here and I loved reading this post of yours. You captured the stories of the children from two different worlds so well. It is also reminiscent of my memories from back home...of having tea at roadside sitting on my scooty.

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

wow..you've penned it beauuuuuutifully..love it.
bruschetta looks incredibly fab..:)
Tasty Appetite

Raks said...

I tried avocado dip recently, this sounds likea great idea to use it. Love bruschetta with tomato salsa, this sounds great!

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

Hi Satrupa...
Thanks for your lovely comments.... You have a very beautiful blog and liked the way you write the posts.... interesting.

Ramya said...

U said it! I am also a big fan of road side Chai wallas:-)
The bruschetta and the topping looks soo inviting!Lovely clicks!

Unknown said...

I am just like you, prefer the tapri/road side junk food compared to these fancy restaurants :)

Colorful recipe of bruschetta - soothing to the eyes
Loved everything about your blog!! Great Narration & awesome pics
Happy to follow you :)
http://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/

Jagruti said...

Captivating pictures and a lovely space...My first time here and am loving it already! Following you girl..keep up the good work :)

Post a Comment