“Combo Breakfast : Jeev Kadgi Bajo (Breadfruit/ Nirphanas/ Jeegujje Fritters), Rulav Panna (Rava Upma), Farsan (Sev), Kadak Adraki Chai (Strong Ginger Tea)” … these are some of the traditional combo packs handed down generations from GSB Konkani Saraswat Cuisine … it's a set of dishes usually served together in homes in their own combinations depending on their family preferences to be served with steaming hot ginger tea (chai)/ filter coffee (kaapi) that made one all set for the day after enjoy the scrumptious breakfast … Yummilicious …
** Upma or Rulav Panna as we say in Konkani is a simple delicious healthy and common dish prepared almost in every home on weekly basis or even more at times. During childhood, I just loved to hate it and hardly ate it to my amma’s worries, sometimes her stern voice would make me eat a few spoons, however, most of the time I would just eat some biscuits or run away without letting her catch me. Sigh, those days with large families it must have been a pain to parents to meet kid’s demands, which is what I realize now to my regret. It is only as we grow older shouldering of our own family responsibilities that we realize the importance of good healthy food served for years at a stretch.
** I am sure my childhood story is nothing new as most of you either have gone through the same or are witnessing their children do the same. Life is a vicious circle and be it problems or happiness they always move in circles. I must mention here that the rava used here is from Mangalore, my hometown that is usually referred to by GSB Konkani Saraswats as Gavunche Rulavu, again which is known elsewhere as barik lapsi/ bansi rava. Rava is nothing but whole wheat ground to grainy texture of various thickness ranges and each town boasts of its own, so I guess you need to experiment with what is available in your vicinity, though regular Bombay variety is available everywhere.
** Here I am sharing the simple recipe of Rulav Panna/ Rava Upma, however there are plenty of variations to this humble dish, each home having their own method of cooking and serving. The accompaniments too vary, so in coming years I will be sharing them all as and when prepared. This one is the most common and healthiest one of all that is definitely a no fuss, time saving, quickie for sure. One of the most reliable when you are in a hurry or when you need to serve some unexpected guest, so make sure you always keep in stock rava at home, it really falls in handy. I am sharing a common link to all upma shared in blog at the bottom of this recipe, do browse through for more options.
** Bajo or Bajia as they are known worldwide are deep fried fritters that tastes best served hot with any steaming hot beverage to beat away the blue be it of monsoon/ winter or otherwise. Every Amchigele/ South Indian relates to Jeev Kadgi/ Bread Fruit as almost everybody waits for the season eagerly to prepare and relish the fries. In my vicinity it is difficult to get them and when I do get them I try my best to prepare dishes amma used to do just to share them over here. About Jeev Kadg Bajo/ Bajia, I have written in detail in that particular post to which also the links are shared below, so if need be do browse through, prepare them and enjoy in your home with your family and friends.
** Combo packs of meals, breakfast or dinner, each home includes their own list of favorite dishes to serve and it is no different in my home. However, there are plenty of traditionally famous combo of dishes that have been served in GSB Konkani Saraswat Community for decades now be it at homes, events or celebrations. Amma followed her own pattern of combination of dishes usually that which my father prepared as being diabetic his eating dishes had to be observed well. I have learned a lot from Amma and along with here combos I will also try to share my own mix and match of dishes here so that you not only enjoy the visuals but also prepare and enjoy them.
** I hope each one of you who read these posts do not consider it as a waste of time and undo our ancestor’s efforts. Unfortunately, we neither have understood it or followed it, maybe out of ignorance/ laziness/ lack of time, but we must get back to our roots and follow their healthy routines for our own benefit. The present eating habits have done nothing but played havoc on our health and again we are advised healthy protein bars/ powders and what not’s that are actually filled with chemicals and preservatives. I just cannot understand how it is permitted to be sold as healthy; there is a vast knowledge and experience in preparation methods handed down to us which is loaded with health benefits.
** I guess it’s high time we try to include healthy home cooked meals into our routine and if well planned its easier than one thinks and when regularly followed it’s breeze work, think about it. I observe many reels these days that share recipes with addition of cooking soda/ eno claiming instant and my heart literally skips a beat. By cutting down natural fermentation method, you are just playing havoc with your gut health not to mention missing out on loads of health benefits. Amma, hardly prepared dishes with “Cooking Soda” except a few which is fine, just check out how harmful it is for regular use from reliable source and you will think a dozen times before feeding it to your precious family.
** Combo Meals/ Breakfast pattern is not something that has come into existence now, it has been picked up from going back on decades old pattern of food serving patterns, that’s all. In our community whenever deep fried dishes were served it always was accompanied by a healthier dish to curtail excess consumption, that is the sole purpose of combo meals; to balance nutrients and distribute health benefits evenly. Well, I am sure many of you know about it so, I will not run into more details but share recipe links to dishes in picture as they are blogged separately. Please browse through, try them and relish with your family and friends, this one is indeed a loved combo for breakfast.
** Given below are the links to the recipes of individual dishes in the picture above, please go through the link for that particular dish ..... do try them out in your home and enjoy with family and friends, they are all tried and tested in my own kitchen many times and are very tasty …
** For “Jeev Kadgi Bajo (Breadfruit/ Nirphanas/ Jeegujje Fritters)” recipe, please follow the link given below …
** For recipe “Rulav Panna/ Uppittu/ Upma” please follow the link given below. Also sharing a common link to all shared in the blog before …
** For “Adraki Chai (Ginger Tea)” recipe, the most sought after beverage in northern parts of India is a lifeline for many of us, just a cup with dash of ginger lifts morning moods and makes the day. Every home has their own method of preparing just like mine, sharing a common link to few recipes of chai/ tea shared in the Blog …
** For more “Breakfast” options, browse through the common link shared below ….
** Sharing link below to “Its all about Traditional Combo Packs” an article written on my thoughts on the traditional methods handed down generations….
** Disclaimer : My sole intention of this write up on combo meal/ breakfast pattern is to encourage all my friends to join hands in passing our traditional GSB Konkani Saraswat Cuisine, good habits and healthy lifestyle to coming generations which we received from our ancestors as that is the only best gift you can give to them. I am the sole writer of this article and it is not derived or copied from anywhere and if it hurts anyone's sentiments then do excuse, it was not intentional. There are plenty of both traditional and other items like combo meals, breakfast dishes, thali, snacks, sweets, baking etc. that are shared in my blog, most of which I learnt from my Amma (Mom). Do browse through in leisure and try them out as and when time permits, they are all simple and tasty, all we need is a little bit of planning and it’s a breeze work. Stay Blessed- Spread Happiness ...
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks.