At times, the feeling of numbness is intense. It tightens you, it makes you feel so helpless and hopeless. Alhamdulillah, life is good but at times, when you think about certain things, you feel a void in front of you. I am talking about death… not an interesting topic to talk about or hear about, isn’t it?
“Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.” (Surah Aal-Imraan:185)
This is a verse we all know, we stick to, and we tell ourselves. During a weekend, when we were on our drive towards Umm-ul-Quwain, we stopped by the mosque to pray Asr. We were surprised that there were many women for the prayers. Normally it is never the case. The men mosque would have a small crowd, but the ladies section would be literally empty. As soon as the Asr prayers finished, the Imaam declared that there was a funeral prayer for one man and two children. My legs froze. We were on a leisure trip and this happened in the middle of that journey. It got me thinking a lot… Are we ready for that journey, which we have no clue about? Yes, it is the end of life in this world, but then what after that? Allah has clearly explained heaven and hell to us, but to our tiny brains, it is something that we cannot imagine or fathom. May Allah protect us and make us among the ones who He is pleased with… Aameen… Something for you all to read and think about…
The winter has been in a peekaboo state this time. We have had cloudy weekends for the past one month, but heavy rains only once, when it really messed up the roads. Otherwise, it has been drizzling on and off, sometimes so little that it is just enough to mess up the car! 😉 The weather is so cozy that all it calls is for some hot fried snacks and a cup of tea, the couch and some laziness. Off late, whenever I land up with some spinach in hand, mostly it goes into these Palak Pakodas. You have your fried stuff and you have your greens too… 😉
How many of you have the habit of eating as and when you are frying? I do that all the time and end up burning my tongue too… 😀 Moving on to the recipe…
Palak Pakodas ~ Spinach Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 bunch spinach chopped
- 1 onion minced
- 2 green chillies minced
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/4 tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- A pinch of asafoetida hing
- A pinch of amchur powder dry mango
- A pinch of baking soda
- Salt to taste
- 1 to 1 1/2 cup chickpea flour besan
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Combine ingredients from spinach to salt in a bowl and give it a vigorous mix.
- Add in the chickpea flour, 1/2 cup at a time till the batter is of thick consistency. If the batter becomes too tight, then sprinkle in some water.
- Heat oil enough to deep fry in a deep pan. To know if the oil is ready, drop in a little of the batter and if it sizzles up, it is ready.
- Drop spoonfuls of the batter and fry both sides on medium flame, till golden brown.
- Drain onto a kitchen towel. Enjoy with a cup of tea!
While I was reading two posts of yours back to back I could already sense that the kids were upset with grandparents leaving back to India. I hadnt even got over with the missing the parents feel when I read this post. Oh sure. Death does send a chill in the spine but it is something beyond our control illa? Sometimes I really cant figure out the feel of loss one has…May God protect all of us.
And I am one who eats while frying.
Thankfully things are settled now, though the missing will always remain.. glad to know that you belong to my side… hehe… Thank you so much Tuma…
Life itself is a peek -a-boo Rafee, we never know what is there in the next corner. But that is what makes it more interesting???? Wish and pray that the lord show us the right path and the journey here be happy and clean!
Pakoda looks delicious, perfect for the chili evening an with holidays around the corner we need lot such dishes to keep the lil ones happy!!
Thank you so much Priya… Let’s hope for the best always… 🙂
I love fritters…the only problem is my waistline LOL..wish I could enjoy them as often and much as I would love!
Thank you so much Angie…
Well of course the cook has to taste the food to make sure it’s good, right?
I’ve never made pakoras but now I’ve found the perfect recipe!!!
Thank you so much Bibi…
Perfect for weekend evenings. Now that another one is approaching I am planning the menu 🙂
Thank you so much Ria… 🙂
True Rafee. All we can do in this unpredictable life is to pray to the Almighty to give us the strength to take it all..
Recently I had soma palak fritters from a tea stall and it was too floury ! Let me try your version, that looks very inviting with a hot cuppa chai 🙂
Thank you so much Chitra… 🙂
Need I say anything about pakoras or deep fries? 🙂 We can’t live without them and I am willing to take in the calories to please all other cells of my body! 😀 I usually never taste while frying – but I insist F to – so I can adjust the seasoning based on his input. LOL. a little more romance – when he feeds me the other half 😛 Shy is coming.. lol. Anyways I am the one who always talk about death when we get into serious conversation. We can never be prepared enough to go or let go.
Haha… out of range talks are not permitted here… 😛 Thank you so much Fami… 🙂
these are perfect as evening snacks… Sit in front of tv with a cup of tea and pakoras, you won’t realize when the plate will be empty…
Thank you so much Amrita…
Perfect pakoras Rafi…
Thanks Biny…
I am trying to avoid fried food as much as I can and you are making me tempt with those pakodas….it looks yum
Thank you so much Anupa…
I know the feeling, its hard sometimes as you say for our tiny brains to even think about life in the hear after. Pakodas look delicious as you say perfect for cold rainy days
Thank you so much Nammi…
Palak is my fav…… & in form of pakodas I love to grab all.
Thanks a lot Shobhaji…