Sarika talks about the trials and tribulations life, heartbreaks and yummy Bhapa or Steamed Sandesh, in the weekly column, exclusively for Different Truths.

There’s no free lunch in life! You have to pay for everything on this earth. Even love. Unconditional love is a myth. Parents too expect from their kids. You presume some people love us just the way we are and within a few days they prove you wrong. Life is funny most of the times.

We meet many people in the social media or through some common friends. Perhaps all few of them made you feel so good that you feel why we haven’t met them until now. And the next day we realise they were here just for a reason. Life is like that, we should not feel remorse or shame. No regrets either. Life is quite unpredictable. One moment is filled with heavenly pleasure and the next moment everything is in a nebulous blur. Can any relationships be over within a night?

A few days ago, I met one of my new colleagues, who just joined my school. Over a cup of coffee, I came to know that she is a mother of a four-and-a-half-year-old toddler and had recently lost her husband. She added with tears in her eyes how her teetotaller husband died because of cancer and since then her life changed forever. I had no words to console her, I just hugged, and she shed some tears from her beautiful eyes. She added, “Everything is over. It was just six years journey together, though he promised to stay lifelong.”

I am an emotional person, and that is my weakness. No matter how many times people break my trusts, I will still believe in relationships. When someone hurts you, there is always someone else who fills that gap to some extent. You just need to keep your doors and windows open for the world.  I must say every relation teaches something new to us. So, let’s make everyday happening and every relation worthy.

As I discussed so much about relationships, let me end it on a sweet note. Today, am sharing one of my recipes that I prepared. My mother-in-law loved it. One day I might write about my relationship with her.

Bhapa/Steamed Sandesh

It will ready within 30 minutes

Ingredients

I prepared chhana (fresh cottage cheese) from two litres of milk 4 tbsp. liquid date palm jaggery or nolun gur Ghee for greasing.        

Method

Place the chhana on a flat surface and knead it with the palm, for about 5 minutes.

Now add the jaggery to the chhana and mix well. Continue to knead for another five minutes approximately. We need to knead till the point palms are oily, and gur is completely mixed with  the chhana and the dough is smooth (kneading is a crucial part of this recipe)

Take a steel container with a proper lid and grease it with very little ghee.

Now, gently spread the chhana mixture into the greased container with a spatula.

 Close the lid.

This is the time we need to place the container in a steamer,

Steam for 15 minutes and switch off the flame.

Allow it to stand on the stove for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Once the container has cooled to room temperature, just leave it in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours.

Remove from the refrigerator. Use a sharp knife to cut them into one-inch squares, or the way you like.

 Serve chilled.

©Sarika Sarkar Das

Photos by the author

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Sarika Sarkar Das

A teacher, day dreamer, random experimental cook and some hit and miss photography, and at last love to call myself a full time mother. ​

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