Food & Nostalgia: Dishes my father liked

I've always loved the date September 1st.
After January 1st it's the best time for new beginnings. Symbolising the end of the summer and starting a new term. It's a positive, rejuvenating date...well it was until six years ago when it became the day my ubba (father) would depart this world. 
Every year I write about him on this date because it's a chance for me to reflect on his life and everything he taught me. This year's theme is food.
The foods that fill me with nostalgia and remind me of him. 

Malted Milk Biscuits
Every Bangladeshi father has a thing for biscuits. Whenever mine visited Bangladesh he'd carry empty tupperware in his suitcase, which he'd bring back to the UK, filled with traditional biscuits. They were sold loose by weight, so he'd take the packaging from home, as you needed something to put them in. 
But when the stash was finished he'd have to resort to British biccies. Scottish shortbread was an early favourite as were Sports biscuits but Malted Milks were the reigning champion. He clearly had good taste because they really are the ultimate dunking biscuit. I don't eat them often but I'm going to buy a pack today.

Milk and Rice
This is something I remember clearly during my childhood. After we'd finished our evening meal of curry and rice, cooked by my mother, sometimes she'd make him a special dessert (just for him), which consisted of leftover rice cooked in warm milk. It was like a really basic rice pudding. It never sounded or looked very appetising to me especially as when she made proper rice pudding it was delicious, but this strange dessert was something he liked. Maybe it was his nostalgic food. He was certainly very happy when he ate it.

Crunchy Nut Cornflakes
Ubba's breakfast consisted of egg on toast with honey and a bowl of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, mixed with muesli, then heated in the microwave with milk (the third milky dish that appears on this list!). He had a sweet tooth and anything honey flavoured was welcomed.

LucozadeNot strictly food, but other than drinking 1/2 cups of tea throughout the day and the occasional Indian Tonic water (which was a much revered drink in our household), Lucozade was ubba's favourite tipple, he always had a bottle in the house. 

I have other fond foodie memories too like him buying monkey nuts when we were kids and treats from Greggs bakery like apple turnovers, London cheesecakes (pictured), and swiss buns or ring doughnuts. We didn't have a lot of money but he always made sure we had something yummy to eat after school.

After my mother died he lost his appetite. I missed her cooking so much, but it was worse for ubba. He had been living on her home cooked Bangladeshi food for over 30 years so to suddenly have that taken from him - it's something he never spoke about, or I ever asked him about; it's only now that I think about the emotional and physical effects that would have had on him, and on anyone in a similar situation.

One day he got really upset and angry with me because I bought some supermarket samosas. At the time I thought he was being mean, but maybe it's because he just missed my mother's?

In losing his appetite ubba moved away from Bangladeshi food and started eating Western food, but I'll never forget the time (shortly after my mum passed away) that I made him veggie burgers for dinner. That night he had the worst stomach pains of his life, probably because after years of home cooking his body wasn't used to processed food. 

I spent a lot of time with him when I first moved back home after university and we always ate together - it was a bond we shared. Eating together is so much better than eating alone.

I didn't anticipate it, but this has been the most difficult piece to write about him. In previous years (2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010) it's felt more joyful recalling his memory, but food, I've just discovered is very personal and nostalgic, making this much more of an emotional experience. 

I'm not one for dragging out long cathartic blog posts, I'd rather take some time out now and think about him in my prayers than type away on my laptop, so I'll leave it at this. 

Looking forward to dunking a Malted Milk biscuit into my tea for elevensees this morning, feel free to join me! 

Summer Holiday Narrowboating

When one of my sisters invited the entire family on a narrowboating trip this summer I was the first to say yes. I've always marvelled at canals and canal boats, but a week before, fear set in. We've never been on an extended family holiday and 11 of us were about to live in eachother's pockets in the most squashed conditions imaginable and hey this is Britain, rain was inevitable. All of a sudden I wanted to abandon ship before I'd even boarded - was this going to be the worst holiday ever?

With scenes this stunning...NEVER!

The week we picked was one of those magical summer weeks where England really is a green and pleasant land (unlike the conditions under which I am writing this - grey skies and it's tipping it down!)  

I felt at home straight away. Ok it was a bit rustic (we ran out of water twice, electricity also had a tendency to reduce in the evenings and the bed reserved for me was the kitchen table (which converted rather impressively)...but that stuff was minor when the rest of the experience was so much fun.

For a start I never knew cows drank canal water.....something you'd only know if you were living the canal life.

Other than having to moor up frequently as locks approached,

and having to open and close locks,

....there was nothing much to do other than relax.

Here's what we got up to whilst doing just that ...

Country walks

Lots and lots of geocaching

(Finding treasures like this)

Picking blackberries directly off the the canal route - (our version of foraging)

Which we turned into yummy dessert (ok, one of my sisters did - not me, I just ate it!)

I thought I'd knit more but actually the views were so incredible I was occupied just looking out and taking it all in.

We went on duck watch and duck count...

...make that dog watch too - there are so many dogs aboard canal boats.

On one of our stop off day trips we met a mini pig. 

Charlie our family monkey felt at home too and we  encountering quite a few of his relatives on route - turns out monkeys love canal holidays.

We also saw a few knitted Rosie & Jims - the ultimate canal mascot.

Played board games aplenty.

Found a secret garden,

and managed some outdoor fitness.

 I also lay on top of the boat one midnight and watched meteor showers - a seriously cosmic experience and something I'd never be able to do in London.

By the end of the week no one has killed eachother - (obviously there was the odd bits of annoyance but no major arguments.) It wasn't exactly 'family bonding' but it was nice to spend time together and not just the few hours at birthday parties, which we normally manage. I had a chance to talk to everyone - nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, sisters....that in itself made the experience one to treasure.

As for how I feel about canals and narrowboating now...I love them even more. Not sure if I'll have the opportunity again (apart from holidaying in Kerala's backwaters which is on my bucket list), but it truly was a worthwhile experience and a fun summer holiday. 

We picked up the boat (from a company called Anglo Welsh) from Great Harwood and spent a week exploring the East Midlands, a part of the UK I've not been to before. We did the 'Out & Back' route, which meant we travelled a certain distance and then travelled back on ourselves, this was recommended for beginners (no one had driven a narrow boat before). It was a learning experience; the first thing you learn is that you won't get as far as you think you will - canal life is slow but that's something to embrace rather than stress about.

There were several bedrooms on board, two toilets, a shower, fully equipped kitchen, two areas that converted into beds, a TV, DVD and CD player, even towels so it's easy to feel at home. We cooked on board every evening and took picnics out at lunch . 

It was a holiday of simple pleasures but then simple things are usually the best.

Fancy trying a narrow boat holiday? I'm happy to answer any questions, leave me a comment or check out the company -we got our boat from here.

Happy August Bank Holiday everyone!

Like Father Like Daughter: films me and my dad used to watch together

Those who have known me a long time know I am obsessed with James Bond. I'm not talking about my DVD collection either; I have the books, t-shirt, doll and nickname to boot. There isn't a moment in my life when this Bond fascination came into being, I was born into it. As a child I watched every single Bond film on the telly with my dad.
Generally we didn't talk much but we did watch a lot of movies and TV together. In his final few years (today marks the 5th anniversary of his death) I spent huge amounts of time with him in front of the telly. We didn't need to talk. Just being in the same room and sharing that activity was our bond. It got me thinking about some of the iconic films I watched with him...

1. The 10 Commandments

A family classic, we had this recorded from the TV on a VHS. Ridiculously epic it took a full day to watch this movie with breaks in between but my dad thought of it as one of the most important films ever made. Although it's biblical in nature, my parents always translated the biblical versions of events into the Islamic ones - the stories and morals were always the same just the names were different. The scene where Moses makes the sea split is an image that has long stayed with me.
2. The Great Escape





This film fascinated me and my dad. I don't recall him having much interest in any other war films but this story was so remarkable I just remember him being captivated by it. Many, many years later he was so proud of the fact Richard Attenborough shook my hand and gave me my degree at my university graduation. 

3. The Poseiden Adventure

One of those films you don't need to know the language  to understand, this was one of those flicks that probably appealed to most people - it was simple yet shocking. In later years this film dated terribly and fit perfectly onto the schedule of Channel 5 which specialised in showing easy films for foreign viewers - my dad being a regular member of this audience.
4. Indian Jones & The Temple Of Doom

I used to know every single line of this movie. My parents would call me every time it was on the telly as they knew how much I loved it. I still do. My dad would often say how ridiculous it was (especially the heart extraction scenes) but he was still glued to it.

5. Edward Scissorhands 

By the time this film came out I was quite a bit older and at the stage where viewing telly with your parents became uncomfortable but much to my amusement, both my parents took to this film which was insane considering it's probably the most quirky thing they ever watched. It fascinated my dad to the point I think he thought it was a 'real' possibility rather than a fantasy. 

6. Westerns
Every Saturday afternoon was about Westerns. I hated them. They were so dull. Then during A'Level Media Studies I did a project on Westerns and I suddenly began to understand and appreciate them. This made watching them with my dad so much easier though to be fair, I never watched a whole film with him. Watching a Western was private time for him. Even my mum didn't get much look in when a Western was on.

7. Satyajit Rai movies
When  my dad and I went to stay with my sister a few years a go, in the evenings my dad sat through the Apu trilogy and I've never seen him so content. Despite my passion he had zero interest in Bollywood but a massive appreciation for the old Bengali films in black and white as they depicted scenarios he was much more familiar with i.e. rural life. 

Come to think of it I never think about the fact her grew up as a village boy, in a completely rural environment in Bangladesh and then swapped it for being a Londoner. He didn't have any references for back home, no photos or videos, so I guess seeing familiar images in the movies must have brought back memories, as has writing this post for me. 

More about my dad on anniversary blogs: 2013, 2012 & 2011

Is Nicki Minaj my twin?

Not a week goes by when someone doesn’t refer to me as Nicki Minaj. We have colourful hair and a multitude of shades in our wardrobe but surely that’s where the comparisons stop? I mean this Trinidadian beauty looks nothing like me. Then again, we do have a few other things in common, as I discovered when I decided to do some deep research into seeing whether or not we did perhaps did get separated at birth?

1. Think Pink

We have both sported long pink hair. (Check the attention to detail, I make that green eyeshadow and pink lips too!)

2. Blue Tones

Oh and we've tried blue mops as well.

3. Screen Queen

I once had a Marilyn Monroe makeover. Nicki did an ode to Marilyn.

 4. Feeling Fruity

 

My favourite fruit is mango….Nicki is a mango addict.

5.  Barbie Girls

 

Nicki has been made into a Barbie doll, I once took my niece to meet Barbie.

 7. Jay Sean

Nicki stars in a Jay Sean video. I do too. 

8. Booty-licious

I swear by my wellies, even if there’s just a drizzle. Nicki wears wellies on stage.

  8. Island Love

Nicki is from the Caribbean and was born in Trinidad. I once had a Caribbean themed birthday.  
  

9. Shaking our Pom poms

It’s fair to say that both our wardrobes are spectacular. I like her pom pom top, she would most likely mine too.

10. Sexy Sagittarians

My birthday is December 6^th. Nicki’s birthday is December 8^th……

That pretty much seals it…….Nicki Minaj, clearly IS my twin!

10 Things My Dad Taught Me

Today marks three years of loosing my daddy. Every year I write something about him so that I can remember him. Today, I'm focusing on 10 of his regular habits which have all in some way inspired me to follow his lead.

1. Never be afraid to rescue things from skips
If he saw something useful like a plank of wood he'd bring it home and put it to use.

2. Always keep a comb by the front door
My dad's comb lived on the bottom of the staircase, near a mirror so he could do a quick smarten up before he went out.

3. Read the dictionary
This was a popular time pass, to keep learning new words.

4. Keep the kitchen sink clean

A blocked sink was one of his worst nightmares so he'd polish the kitchen sink a couple of times a day.

5. Support trainee hairdressers

He'd get his hair cut at the local college by students to save money, a tip I have been following for over a decade!

6. Save plastic bottles

He would place these upside down on sticks all around his allotment....the truth is on this one that I have no idea why...does anyone know what the philosophy behind it could be? Regardless, one day I shall get an allotment and do the same thing.

7. Keep sandwiches in cereal bags

You know those plastic inserts inside a box of cereal? That's how he'd transport his sandwiches.

8. Take empty tupperware on holiday

Fill it with food from the destination, i.e. biscuits to bring home.

9. Mix cereals

His fave combination with Crunchy Nut Cornflakes mixed with muesli - to this day I never eat one cereal at a time, it needs to be several, it's so much more satisfying!

10. Visit sick people

He went out of his way to visit friends in hospital, or anyone else that was unwell - he always said it was a good thing to do. Luckily I haven't had many sick friends but if I did I would look to do the same.

A totally random list and order and of course there are many huge things he taught me about life, religion, family etc but these every day details that are the ones that really made him who he was. 

Miss you Ubba.

The Nostalgia of Vegetables

A market stall in Sri Lanka

I used to host a radio show called 'Lipstick with Veg'. My motto was 'Eat More Veg!'. Not because I was trying to convert anyone into vegetarianism...I just genuinely love vegetables. At any give time of day I could eat a plate of veg. A bowl of boiled peas is my favourite. Tonight I was looking for crafting inspiration - but flicking through photos taken over the last few years I was surprised to discover that I have lot of images of fruit & veg. I have no idea why I've taken any of them, other than the colours and textures are beautiful. But rather than inspiring me to 'make' I found myself drifting off into memories. Here's what I recalled....

1.Jackfruit

Coming home after school and sucking on the fizzy yellow sacks that can be found inside jackfruits. My sisters and I weren't allowed to throw the seeds away, they are like huge brown nuts, that my mum added to curries.

2. Mango

These days the only mangos I eat are in the form of lassi or pre-chopped cubes in supermarket fruit salads. Deep down I know I am not giving mangos the justice they deserve. My mum used to peel the skin off and then squeeze all the flesh into a bowl. If I was lucky she'd let me suck on the seed before she split the mango pulp into bowls -  which she'd then sprinkle with deep fried crispy rice for dessert. I would give anything to have that incredible taste in my mouth again. But sadly it will never happen as she had a special way of making the aforementioned crispy rice which no one else has ever mastered, despite my sisters and mums friends trying.

3.Sweet potatoes

I've never known a sweet potato not to taste delicious, but the best ones I've ever had are when my parents used to wrap them in foil and pop them in the bonfire. Inside would be hot,sweet, creamy bliss.

4. Marrows

We grew up eating marrow with everything. Marrow and fish, marrow and prawns, marrow as a side and marrow as a main. But these days I never buy them because courgettes are so much more easier to prepare.

5. Ginger (ok....not  veg, a spice, but I liked this photo!)

My mum only ever cooked with six spices - ginger, garlic, coriander, chilli, tumeric and cumin. Where as I have a ridiculous array of jars - garam masala, curry powder, paprika....she kept things simple but amazingly still full of flavour.

6. Bananas

Bananas remind me of my dad as he used have one chopped up with a bowl of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes every day for breakfast and he'd give us strict instructions to only buy short, fat ones as they taste better.

7. Okra

Okra is beautiful. A miracle of nature. Just like mushrooms they aren't supposed to be washed. Ashamedly I buy the frozen variety - but at the same time it's amazing to think it's possible to do that - as when I was growing up, frozen okra was completely unheard of!

8. Ramutan/Lyhees

I photographed these Rambutans in Malaysia last year - they actually represent lychees. Possibly the most fun fruit there is to eat. We only seemed to have them on special occasions as they were so expensive. Everyone in the family (there were 6 of us) would get  two each to savour.

9. Beans

Beans. I don't know what variety these are but they remind me of the humble broad bean - the veg I ate more than anything else when I was younger. They grew in abundance at my parent's allotment and every weekend my sisters and I would be forced to sit indoors shelling them into bowls while the rest of the neighbourhood kids were outside playing. (I'm not even exaggerating here!) Shelling broadbeans was a regular family activity. None of us liked eating them, they were so bland. Yet today I regard broadbeans as a delicacy. They are my bean of choice.

10.Luw

Finally the luw. A type of gourd, similar to a marrow which again we ate regularly because they grew so well - in the back garden and allotment - even though the seeds had been sent over from Bangladesh! My dad could get them to grow to over a metre in length and I used to wish he'd get photographed for the local newspaper with one, but he never did.

I don't know if vegetables have this many personal attachments with anyone else. But thinking about them tonight has been theraputic.