#11 Poetry: The Beloved Cage of Winter

On the Rickety branch

I sat in despair,

The Winds of bitter Winter,

Shrouded the Claustrophobic air.

My wings felt clipped

With overlaying snow,

The frozen River mocked me,

Slowly meandering on its toe.

Then I heard the piercing Tone

Of your Song of Spring

The beating broken Heart

Kindled inside me, and started Hoping.

It felt like flying over

Poppy fields, brightly so

Coloured in blazing Red,

Kissed by a setting Sun’s glow.

The Rickety branch,

Sprouted leaves of New Green.

The River now danced with a

Graceful golden sheen.

We flew to the meadow,

And layed on the soft Grass,

Staring at the fluffy white Clouds

As they gently pass.

Your Arms around me

Were like tempered Steel,

Resonating with promises

I believe you will fulfill.

I danced and twirled and

Kissed your neck gently,

And placed Iron Bars around you

To build your Cage so beautifully.

I brought wreaths of Lavender,

Of Daisies and Roses and Lilacs exotic,

Embellishing our Cage,

Removing weeds that seemed toxic.

The Seasons of Monsoon,

Autumn, Winter, Summer went by…

Everlasting Spring in our cage

Never bid them goodbye.

I held onto you enfolded in my arms

As you embraced my soul

You looked out into the Darkness

Your eyes longing for Diamonds in the Coal.

As days went by, was Bliss all there

Perhaps I was the one disillusioned,

Everlasting Spring in my Heart

To your Soul no more appealed.

The Wreaths of Lavender, Daisies, Roses and Lilacs started withering away

I clutched at them desperately watered them with my Tears

But instead of flowers came the Weeds of deception

Toxic Poison Ivy clutched at my throat, as I gave into my fears.

Hair disheveled

My wings all dusty

I looked at your tattered Being

And eyes of Hemlock Beauty.

I broke my heart and

Took out the Golden Key

Placed it on your Hands

Ever so gently

You opened all the Doors and all of them Windows

The Sun so Bright, with Rays of Aurum flew in

And the Winds so tepid, nimbly walked inside

You left the broken Cage, with a spreading grin.

I plucked all my Feathers

One by one

Counting Time in Seconds

Hoping you would return

Rivulets of blood

Ran down my back

Cometh Days of Cold

Solitary Winter Black.

On the Rickety branch sat a little Bird

Chirping it’s melancholic heart out

Seasons went by, Summer, Spring and Autumn…

Beloved is the Winter, Cold without doubt.

 

–by Soumya Bunk

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Cooking in my Kitchen #20 Chicken Legs in Burnt Garlic and Onion Sauce

Chicken is probably the easiest and most common meat to be cooked all over the World and hence there are so many ways of cooking it, and its delicious as it gets.

Burnt Garlic is probably a very unique flavour and not palatable for everyone. But I love it immensely it provides a kick to the taste of the dish.

The caramelized onions provide a perfect balance of sweetness to the spiciness of the different Indian masalas (spices). The strips of Green Bell Pepper provide a crunchy deliciousness.

The chicken has been actually baked in the sauce and virgin olive oil has been used. Being baked, minimum oil has been used to prepare the dish in order to make it healthy as well as delicious for everyone. Best when served with hot, steamed Basmati Rice. But is also well complimented by Chapattis and Paranthas (Indian Flat Bread).

Healthy Food #2 Exotic Fruit Salads, Pomegranates, Kiwis and Dragon Fruits

So when Life gives you lemons you make Lemonade out of it….But what about, when Life gives you Pomegranates, Kiwis and Dragon Fruits??

Well the answer is you make an Exotic Fruit Salad out of it.

This Exotic Fruit Salad consists of Kiwis, Pomegranates and Dragon Fruits.

And this is as healthy as it gets. The sweetness of the Pomegranate Seeds with their blood red goodness balances the bland taste of the crunchy Dragon Fruit. Let’s not get started with Kiwis, they are one of favourites. The tangy, soury, sweetness with the grittiness of the seeds is really exotic.

So wishing everyone one a Healthy Life with this beautiful morning fruit snack.. well you can have it any time.

Cooking in my Kitchen #19 Basanti Pilaf with Chicken Curry essenced in Aroma King Lemon Zest

Cooking a special Sunday meal for your family and loved ones, and the joy it brings to them makes your weekend all the more special. Today was all about a traditional Bengali Sunday afternoon meal.

 

With the winter setting in… the chills can be felt with the incoming sudden blasts of the Northern Winds..and a Bengali likes to bask in the sultry afternoon sun after a good lunch. Basanti Pilaf is a preparation of rice with minced vegetables, cashew nuts, raisins and is a bit sweet and the appearance is yellow and hence the name Basanti which means yellow.

 

The Basanti Pilaf or Pulao that I cooked of course had its own twist to the traditional Bengali Recipe, a little less sweet with honey and a bit more spicy to give it a touch of heat. To compliment the sweet and spicy Basanti Pilaf , the Chicken Curry with Aroma King Lemon zest is just perfect. The tangy citric taste and the exotic aroma of these lemons are truly incomparable flavours when it comes to the Bengali Cuisine. The chicken is slow cooked to make the meat tender and juicy along with all the flavours of the spices.

The Basanti Pilaf is touched with a drizzle of Ghee (clarified butter), to give it an extra boost of aroma. Well what can I say it’s really mouth-watering and a perfect dish for a Sunday winter afternoon lunch. Hope you enjoy it. Good Food is Happiness and that’s what one needs to be healthy and alive!!

 

#10 Poetry: Ode to Eternals and Inevitables

 

Is it fair to Dare to be happy?

When you cannot even count the shattered pieces of your heart

 

Is it beautiful to dream?

When all they do is bleed when you kiss them like a Lover

 

Is it hopeful to promise falsely?

When every time I break them I lose a piece my heart’s hollowed Soul..

 

Is it ever wise to touch Lovingly?

When time knows how to burn my impression down gracefully..

 

Is it daunting to walk into a Battle?

When you desire your own Liberty in Vanquishment

 

Is it timorous to run away from the War?

When the conflicts inside you are tearing apart every strand of hope.

 

Is it valiant to walk the path of life?

When you know you are plummeting down the traps of your Creative Designs.

 

 

Is it sincere to change?

When you know change is Inevitable but you long for the constant cocoon of fragile Eternal happiness.

 

Is it unprejudiced to question?

When all the answers have been etched into the core of your consciousness.

 

It is.. it is.. it is.. it is.. it is.. it is.. it is.. it is.. it is..

 

-By Soumya Bunk

 

Life is almost always about dealing with dilemmas and choosing the right things.. they are difficult choices but the pain.. is alleviated.. only  a little when one learns to accept their choices…

#9 POETRY: TO BE KISSED BY A MOTH

Walking through the Forest of my dreams

I stumbled across this beautiful song,

The melody carved my heart and transcended

Into the depths of memories where I belong.

In my haste to surround me with this strange music

I forgot the bliss the thorns gave me

As I hurried barefoot across the forest floor , the music 

 Resonated in the broken heart which had ceased to be…

The forest cleared and I could see,

The strange blue fire illuminating my darkness,

Burning like the brilliant million stars 

From the Starry skies of my Dreamscapes.

And I saw the solitary Moth

Dancing around the fire,

Flapping the wings of silk black death

And the flames lapping around it with desire

As they circled around each other like lovers

The symphony of bliss weaved the webs of ecstasy

Lovers they were of centuries and millenias

Sublime passion igniting their fantasy

For when the Moth gave in and it kissed the fire

It never denied its own true nature

Singeing the black silk wings it liberated the being

From its inevitable mortal desire.

And I sat wondering was this melancholic

Or is it very poetic of romance

To die in your Lover’s loving embrace

Blissfully leaving the realm of existence.
                                   

                                            -By Soumya Bunk

Sometimes it’s just okay to lose yourself in love, not worrying about any consequences or the inevitable predicaments of Life.

Tales of Cocktails #1 Orange Beer Sangria

With the Rising heat of Summer, it’s time to chill with some cool drinks..It’s of great importance that we take in a lot of fluids and so what great way.. is there other than to chill with some great Cocktails on a Lazy Hot afternoon…Here’s Orange Beer Sangria.. A cocktail of Spanish Origins.. with some twists of my very own..

Sangria is traditionally a Red Wine based Cocktail with chopped fruits.. Orange Beer Sangria is essentially made with Beer(chilled) , freshly squeezed Orange Juice and for fruits I used Pomegranates..but any other fruits would do just fine..and Voilà your Orange Beer Sangria Cocktail  is ready…

To beat the Summer heat ..it’s absolutely perfect.. the Tangy Bitter Sweet Freshness and provides rejuvenation instantly….

#8 Poetry Every Spring I Fall In Love With You

Every Spring I Fall in Love With You,
The Memories of Bliss Come Back.
I Never get the Courage to tell you,
The Feelings turn White and Black.
I don’t have enough colours for you,
To Colour your Body with,
Just some Long Lost Words to tell You….
Enough to Fill your Heart to the Limits….
-by Soumya Bunk

 

 

Words they are So Powerful.. Ask a Leader..Ask an Orator..Ask a Teacher..Ask a Broken Heart..
Words when you Repress them Inside you..they Eat you up..Use them Unwisely and Frivolously..They Destroy You..
Just let them..be the gentle waves of Fascinating Creations..like a Crook in a Serene and Deep Forest.. Ready to be turbulent like a Raging River when Required..
World Poetry Day..and just a few lines.

Cooking in my Kitchen #18 Jumbo King Prawns in Coconut-Cashew Milk with Light Sauce of Sautéed Onions and Indian Spices

When you have a fresh catch of Jumbo King prawns like this you cannot stop the cook inside you to get out and just adore these lovely big creatures.. I love Jumbo Prawns and the cook inside me cannot deny.

Today’s Dish would be Jumbo King Prawns in Coconut Milk with Light Sauce of Sautéed Onions and Indian Spices.

 

This Recipe is very simple and easy to cook and very healthy as it is not very spicy and really mild. Firstly the Jumbo King Prawns are cleaned and boiled in  fresh Sea water and Butter. We should be very careful not to over cook prawns as they become very bland and rubbery when over cooked. Add some minimal spices to add some flavours to the Prawns.

In a Frying Pan chopped onions are Sautéed and the Indian Spice (Secret ) Paste is added and the beautiful base curry is prepared.

 

Now the Jumbo Prawns are carefully placed on this Base Curry and one cup of the stock of sea water is added and the frying pan is covered and the Prawns are lightly cooked.Then the creamy milk of cashew and coconut is added and the Prawns are further steamed and served Hot. It goes best with Steamed Basmati Rice with a dollop of Butter. Enjoy this very Light and Healthy dish with friends and family.. they are sure to ask for a second helping.

Eat Healthy, Eat More and Live Long and Enjoy the Mysteries of Life.

 

 

Cooking in my Kitchen #17 The Tomato Sunny Side Up

We need to eat healthy  at times and a Healthy Body is maintained when you start your day with The Perfect Breakfast. Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day..and it should be Healthy and Delicious..that is to it should be Perfect.

 

An Egg a Day..gives all the essential vitamins and minerals and protein you need in your diet.

 

The freshly cut Tomatoes with the Poached Omelette and slightly steamed is a perfect Breakfast element.You can Eat The Tomato Sunny Side Up Omelette with Toasted Bread..or you can Have it Simply with just some Salt and Pepper.Its Tasty , Healthy and a Treat for the eyes..