Kofta has been a long standing demand at home but I am a lazy cook, if not lousy. Since I am counting the last few days of vacation, I am particular of how I spend my time.

The vacation gave me enough and more time to ponder and play the victim and wallow in self-pity.

I also embarked into doing the undoable i.e. of raking up non-existent affections and sympathies maybe, quite decidedly,in a rather unjust manner!

It was like this,

Hey, you are my friend.

Sorry, I am not.

Hey, but be my friend.

Sorry, I do not want to!

Truth be told, I was definitely being the spoilsport and was the drum-beater of ‘take note-I am here syndrome’.  Hmmm… and I got a royal snub in return! Been there???

I quickly realized the stupidity of my behaviour and felt terribly ashamed.

Before I plunged into despair, Elizabeth Gilbert came to my rescue. I was listening to the audio version of her book Big Magic.

She remarked of how we can never choose someone’s reaction to our work, written or otherwise. Having chosen to write or express our opinions, it is necessary that we have the good will to allow others to express their opinion of ‘our work’. ( Ok, so you know how to excuse yourself for poor results!)

Again, there is nothing like ‘your work’, according to her. Creative artists are only conduits for ideas which are like ‘ghosts/spirits’ trying to be housed or given a shape to.  This the writer says is true of any creative energy be it in business, arts, literature, cinema or more.

It got me thinking, really! like, if there is no way we can decide how our work is perceived, there should be no way we can decide how we are perceived, how our words, thoughts and actions are interpreted.

Then perhaps, it is ok for me to extend a hand in friendship and for the other person to turn it down. It is the same for me too,right!

Sometimes we hang on tenaciously to certain ideas and try hard to make it true. Like a friend of mine who believed that only a wise, sagely person could save his life. To this day, he is in search of superior wisdom from saints.

Everything apparently happens in its own good time.So then what is to be done?

Keep at your work, keep doing what you are trying to do, make it better while graciously acknowledging the infinite energies that surround and support you. Mostly believe in who you are and be kind to those around you.

Remember that the world sees you as you see it.

Oh! I almost forgot the kofta. Here is how I made it.

Aloo Kofta

Grind the customary paste of onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic. In a pan, heat a spoon full of oil and add the finely ground paste. As the water dries up, add a spoonful each of coriander powder, jeera powder, chilli powder, garam masala, a pinch of turmeric and salt to taste. Toss in some butter or ghee for added taste.

While the paste is getting ready for the curry base, you can peel and grate potatoes. Add a pinch of salt, garam masala, chilli powder, jeera powder, coriander powder etc. as per your taste to the grated potatoes. Add the necessary amount of besan  or chickpea powder ( 1 to 2 tsp) or corn flour to roll the grated potatoes into small not very tight balls. Heat oil in a pan and fry the potatoes till light brown.

To the gravy, you may now add water little by little. Simmer the paste for some time and then toss in the fried potato balls into it. Let it boil some more and you can garnish the curry with chopped coriander, a dash of lemon and may be another dollop of butter or ghee. Your kofta is ready! Adding  a paste of finely ground cashew nuts while the paste is simmering makes the curry creamier.

Life is a bit kofta like, you put in your best and hope for a good taste. Sometimes you feel satisfied, at other times, you wish you had done something better, or may be the ingredients could have been better. But you just have to keep at it hoping for a better taste/tomorrow and that my friend is living!