Rich and Flavorful Sevai Modak for Ganesh Chaturthi

RECIPE CUISINE: Indian

RECIPE CATEGORY: Sweet

COOK TIME: 10-15 MIN

SERVING: 10-15

Sevai Modak is an easy recipe yet rich with just 4 ingredients. It turns out delicious, yummy and crunchy, that all would surely love and those who are fond of baklawa sweets will surely love this undoubtedly. You can either use modak mould or just bind as laddoos with the help of your hands.

INGREDIENTS:

Sevai (long roasted vermicelli) - 1 pack

Condense milk - 1/2 cup ( or as per the need )

Ghee - 2-3 tablespoons

Pistachios - 1/4 cup (chopped nuts, as per your taste)

METHOD:

• Heat a non-stick deep pan , add ghee in it.
  
• Crush the Sevai with the hands, and put it to roast in the pan.
• Keep stirring it on medium flame, till it turns slightly golden brown.
• Add condense milk, little by little, you will see that slowly the mixture shines and it starts binding with each other.
• Add pistachios at this point.
• Turn off the flame, and check with your hands to make it as laddoo. (just grease your hands before binding)
  
• If you want to make modak, grease the mould with ghee and fill the mixture. Level the bottom.
• Unmould carefully and arrange in a plate. (better to use cupcake liners to give a beautiful look)

NOTES:

• If you want less sweet, add little milk to bind the mixture (at the point when you add condense milk) but make sure it does not turns out soggy, as the crunch of sevai is not gone.
• Keep in an airtight container.
• Can last 4-5 days if properly followed.
• You can use sugar syrup instead of condensed milk. But I prefer condense milk of nestle to give that rich taste of sweetness.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Happy cooking! Enjoy.

Do try this mouthwatering modaks and share your views.

Why you need a meal together?

 Danny and Michelle are now grown and living on their own terms. Joes ( Susan's husband) was busy doing his shifts. Every evening Susan was feeling depressed. They hardly spend time together as a family. It was Nanda, whom Susan told her that she was struggling, feeling lost and lonely. Her life had changed completely and dramatically, no one is bothered for her, all are busy in their lifestyles. 

What are you having for dinner? Nanda asked.

Oh! I don't know. I'm alone will just make a sandwich or something- Susan replied.

There was a pause. "I think you need to join us today for dinner," Nanda said.

Reluctantly I took her advice and agreed to her invite. As, I reached, at 9:00 p.m sharp, Nanda bellows in a drill-sergeant voice - 'Dinner! Hurry up! Move it! She had set placemats at the table, everything was ordered, the plates were centered. Soon everyone gathered. 

Nanda's younger daughter asked - Why we have to have dinner together every night?

Because we are family, Family who eats together, prays together, stays together. Nanda replied.

I sat at the table and wondered how everyone, Before they began to eat, all bowed their head and said- "Thank you God for everything", this one sentence prayer of gratitude for the food which we all were about to eat. All relished each bit of morsel. The kids sassed their mother and feigned outrage at each other. But whispered in my ears,  "Mom's a real good cook, Susan Aunt!" they told me.

I was lost somewhere in my thoughts, I can eat anytime I want, and at 10:00 p.m I throw something in the microwave. Eating by the light of my computer. I was reminded of how unused my dinner table is. I held very still, not wanting them to know that I have never experienced this day before. I felt a stab of pain for myself, I thought about how my family life is.

As the dinner was finished, everyone started sharing their conversations, opinions, gossips, and arguments. I sipped my drink and waited a polite interval before offering my thanks and heading home.

Nanda read my face, and asked me to walk outside along with her for a chat.

So, How was the dinner, Susan? Nanda asked.

Amazing, You are a good homemaker I must say--- Susan replied.

Susan, I am not asking for food. The meal is not only the meal, its the family goal to share food and laughter, the dining table stands at the center of it all. It's where memories are made.

The family dining table has always played an important role within the home, and it will continue to do so for the many future generations. It's the one symbolic area of the home that conveys power, status, strength, and unity with the family as well as guests. It is the center of unity for the family to come together and share their experiences as well as bond in a casual environment where they can debrief about their life experiences.

 Everyday at dinner time at our house, our whole family - me, my husband, my kids, and my in-laws are gathered around the dining table or on the floor and are thrilled to bits. The regular family dinners are good for the whole family, increasing our well being in a number of ways, including better eating habits. greater literacy skills and lowers anxiety, by having positive interactions and enjoyable conversations. Happily telling tales is one of the better ways to spend our family time.

 When we are tired and hungry at the end of the long day, sometimes it's easy to slip into silence or start giving one-word answers. Like how was your day? - Fine.

That's completely ok sometimes, but our dinner time is our precious moment to gather everyone together and connect with one another, having stories ready, fun and asking unexpected questions that can get the ball rolling, makes it more likely that we'll relax open up and enjoy one another company.

See Susan I know initially it would be difficult for you to gather everyone but start practicing with you and your husband.

Anyhow, we are building something for our kids which will last beyond.

Nanda, I eventually learned to make simple, tasty meals, but there still seemed to be something missing, which I learned today that I never turned dinner into a celebration. I am very grateful to you, today I realized the mistake is not only in them, but it's with me also that I failed to nurture the family values in my kids so today I am suffering. 

Susan, it's Never too late, it's your family go and win them.

LIFE OF A TEEN# sevenages

Being Teenage was one big party,
Free of care and responsibility.

It's tough to be a teenager,
More pressure than ever to be even better.

We were not just a child at play,
Tenderness and innocence leaves and go away.

We enter the world of other days,
A one-player game that everyone plays.

We lay before the alarm should sound,
And as it does we groan and frown.

Bags, books, your comb and cream,
Scattered on the bed and your Mom scream.

Father says, leave your twitter, insta, and films,
Don't waste your time in front of a screen.

There comes the pressure from your Mum and Dad,
Who are so clearly disappointed that your grades are bad.

Where you feel, everyone else seems to be doing just fine,
Their Parents are all proud, unlike mine.

School was the daily routine for us,
In the morning we were asked not to make a fuss.

Last-minute, we use to run,
Eyes half-open, shoelaces undone.

It's the time when all your homework goes into trash,
And your most dreadful journey was way to class.

Where we were herded like cattle from room to room,
While the hay of knowledge is force-fed to us, to feel so much gloom.

The teacher says, wake up early, chase your dreams,
This is the time you should choose your stream.

When all  your meetings were planned,
Your most lovely time was meeting friends with a fast food bag in hand.

When your friends seemed to like you, if you follow through with their dare,
But when you try to be yourself, they never seemed to care.

You are dazed and broken-hearted,
And that's how the magic of four-letter started.

Life is full of expected romance,
Fluttering butterflies in your heart always want to take a chance.

It's the time when you go crazy, hard to handle your mood swings,
And your worst enemies were your siblings.

It's the time when your lollipops turn into cigarettes,
Self-esteem and body image is one of the biggest threats.

When people judge for your appearance, you should diet, eat proteins and greens,
So that you can squeeze into your jeans.

You break down your social mould,
To let your mind be uncontrolled.

Childhood was the time, all you yearned to grow,
Life of a teen is so messy, that time you didn't even know.

Today we realize, we learn from our mistakes,
From all the wrong turns we take.

*****
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The beautiful chemistry (part 2 end)

 It's almost midnight and the downpour which started yesterday is still drenching the city very much. Gagan and Priya (their daughter 5 years now) sleeping next to Ruhi. She was sleepless and feeling uneasy. She decided that it was best now to share her thoughts with Gagan. This was the first time, she felt different and felt like couldn't hold on anymore inside. She was shivering when she was about to disclose her close friendship with Prince, but she could gradually feel the strength in her nerves. 

She finally told Gagan. he was extremely angry, the intensity of his rage was shocking and he accused her of betraying him and breaking his trust. Gagan questioned her loyalty and commitment to their relationship and his words made her feel like she was a loose woman and he gave her an ultimatum and asked her to never contact Prince.

Utterly shaken with the turn of events, she said, she is not in contact from the last 5 years, she just met him on Priya's first birthday. It's been years Gagan, sometimes I badly miss his presence. My conscience is absolutely clean, I just want to continue my friendship. Please don't consider this as a rebellion to put you down. I can understand your insecurities which you feel but trust me nothing can change our relation. 

Why he didn't approach you --Gagan asked? He didn't even send you the marriage invite--Why?

Ruhi said--There was a clear understanding between both of us. We both didn't want our partners to misinterpret us. There was a close bonding which might have brought many judgments, so we decided to maintain distance. 

Gagan was not ready to give a patient thought and refused Ruhi's request to continue their beautiful relationship. Days passed, months passed, years passed. Ruhi was in complete depression. She was happy with her family but somehow missing something, day by day she became silent and motionless.

One fine evening, Ruhi can you hear me? She heard a familiar voice calling out her name. She nodded her head, eyes still closed. Try to answer me Ruhi, open your eyes slowly. Her eyes felt heavy and sticky and she forced them to open. A bright light flashed onto her eyes, she saw Gagan and Priya in front of her.

Gagan, what happened to me? she asked in a very low voice. 

Nothing Ruhi, You were in deep sleep.

Why I am in a hospital? Ruhi asked.

Nothing Ruhi, You just got fainted.

Gagan-- I am sorry, it's been so many years. I just want to hear his voice. Please can you fulfill my wish, please consider it as my last wish.

Gagan's eyes were filled with tears, he couldn't reveal the fact that she was just close to death. 

On the other side, Prince had a premonition of imminent disaster. He felt so detachable, he just called Aarti to find out whether everything was ok with Ruhi. Aarti disclosed the scene that Ruhi had been suffering from the Central nervous system depression, it is a physiological state that led her in Coma for the last six months, she was under treatment from the last two years. Doctor's are helpless they have tried everything, Gagan didn't overtly want you to intervene so I didn't disclose anything before. But, subconsciously I know, that if you didn't reach out, then this is going to destroy her life.

Prince ---- How would I reach her? 

Aarti---- She is hospitalized from last week Prince, I went to see her, Priya and Gagan were hopeless as Ruhi's heart rate has been decreased and finding difficulty in breathing.

Prince was so anxious that he couldn't sleep or stop worrying and he cried badly in front of her wifey and revealed about Ruhi's condition. She was the one who understood the deep pain buried somewhere in him and could see the fear in his eyes of losing Ruhi forever.

After a pause, she said, Go and see her Prince without fearing for Gagan's reaction.

Excuse me, Mr. Gagan please wait outside, we need to give her rest- the nurse said.

Gagan came out of ICU, he was so scared, he didn't feel anything at that point, all his energy was consumed by worry. He just took a number from Ruhi's mobile and called Prince.

Suddenly, Prince's mobile rang--- it was Ruhi's number. He was shocked and surprised. He answered the call and said -Hello!

Prince, it's me, Gagan!

Yes Gagan, How are you? Is everything ok? You called so late in the night, How is Ruhi? I got to know about her condition today only from Aarti.

Prince, please forgive me! I didn't understand your pure bond and asked Ruhi to stay away from you, but somehow I destroyed my own family. Ruhi is in her last stage, she just wanna see you, Can u please catch the first flight and reach here.

Gagan, please don't be sorry. I will be right there, he just hung up the call.

The next morning Prince reached the hospital, finding Priya and Gagan outside the ICU. 

Prince addressed- Hi Gagan! How is Ruhi now? 

Doctors are helpless Prince, no treatment is effective, from last two years she is being treated but now her body has come with side-effects, they are just monitoring her brain's burst suppression, she is just close to death. Yesterday only she came out of the coma and the first thing she asked after seeing us was you.

I am not a good husband, I always doubted your relation. She tried to explain but I couldn't felt her honesty. 

Prince also broke down and sobbed like a child. Suddenly, the door opened- Mr. Gagan, your wife wants to meet you.

They all entered inside. Ruhi said- Priya, my baby sorry I am not your good Mumma, I won't be there to support you in the future, just remember one thing be a good human being and take care of your father too.

In between. Gagan said, Ruhi! Prince is here to see you.

A very strange sensation switched in her brain, Today after years of silence,  She just held Prince's hand and said, I tried a lot but I didn't make out to escape from you. 

Ruhi don't worry for anything I am here right in front of you. He allowed himself to sink into her eyes. The air between them was filled with emotions. She took a deep breath and loosened her grip. Prince just take care of yourself.

The last words she said--Gagan I love you and Priya and closed her eyes forever.

Prince deeply in his thoughts- "Pal Ek pal mein hi tham sa gaya, hath mein hath jo tu de Gaya, chalu mein jahan jaye tu...."

That night was full of darkness. Prince, just left for his home immediately as it was difficult for him to handle more.

The next morning, Heartbreaking news headlines...tragic plane crash...

It just hit Gagan's mind... Prince was in the same flight, he tried calling his number but unanswered. He tried landline....someone answered, He is no more.

That day, A beautiful relation was ended. A relation without expectations. 

*****

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