Green pepper chicken

A strange restlessness has taken hold. And my mind is in a frenzy.. activity and thoughts collide in a careening kaleidoscopic mix. The psychedelic shapes barely form before they rapidly disintegrate for the next set. I am yearning to let the words tumble out. And I am longing to wield my brush again... And the urge to cook up a storm will not abate...

I sit in the eye of the storm. calm and composed... Buddha-like in my inactive stupor. The ennui of the last few weekends, my complete inability to look at anything except in focussed parts reminds me of my replica... my little angel- who as the night deepens focuses more and more closely on the keypad of my phone... the glaring blue light fascinates her and she talks contentedly to the handset while it tinkles back at the touch of her fingers.

I have decided to make pork dumplings in braised cabbage leaves (something akin to the more rustic momos...). Although, in reality- there is no plan for me to cook for anyone. A complete inability to rouse myself enough to wander out of the house is probably because of the cloudy drab sky outside. I want to stay closeted at home in the warmth of my bed, tucked cosily under the blankets, with a warm cup of cocoa in my hands. And I have so much of work to do. Mrs. Dalloway beckons- as she sets out to get the flowers herself. Meryl Streep. Bunches of delicious flowers. And what were those that she chose finally. I cannot remember. But I remember thinking them gorgeous. Peonies? I have never seen peonies.

I will pick up some flowers and I will call some friends over... Maybe I will cook something. Or perhaps we will order in. Some lovely red wine... some jazz... I want to buy some music... There! I have said it. And that perhaps is what I will do.

I have promised to make pita bread for lunch. And I will walk over to the store and buy some hummus paste... And I shall grill some chicken too... We have just discovered the joys of using the Real Good mixed boneless chicken... Delicious kebabs in minutes... Hardly any cleaning and cutting... I could almost do it myself. And maybe I will.

Here's last night's recipe:

Green pepper chicken

500 grams chicken (boneless)
50 grams green pepper corns (pickled/ preserved in brine- about 60 corns)
1 large onion
1 pod garlic
1 bunch fresh coriander

Coarse grind the above ingredients with no water. The onions should be chunky- not fine ground.

2 Eggs
1 tsp Salt

Add in two eggs and beat well. Add salt. Let stand for half an hour.

Add oil into a warmed shallow 9non-stick) frying pan/ skillet. Add in chopped/ diced onions (optional).

Add in the chicken mixture. Cover and cook for about ten minutes on a low flame.

Open and fry on low flame until the chicken pieces are well browned.

Serve hot with rice and rasam or chapathis.