Chronicles Of The Sassy Fork

On the day after Ganesh Chaturthi,women do the Rishi Panchami Puja for the Seven Sages and a special bhaaji called Rishi Panchami Bhaaji is made.This made of bitters and meant to cleanse the body ,while the Puja done to show respect to the ancient sages, cleanses the soul. The sages ate very simple food and that is the basis of this bhaaji.On that day food is to be eaten once in the day as did the sages.They used to eat leafy vegetables cooked in a simple broth.Here we add Ambat Chuka,Maat,Chauli (leafy greens),radish,corn,drumstick,red pumpkin and bitter gourd to coconut milk and tamarind and simmer it.That is Rishi Panchami Bhaaji for you. Sudha Aunty tells me the vegetables are grown and plucked by hand just like the sages did.

It's that time of the year when people bring home idols of Lord Ganesha/Ganpati Bappa.A period of renewed hope and happiness.As always we had the lunch we have every year...ordered from Ketkar Bandhu at Dadar.The most important item being Ganpati Bappa's favorite sweet...Modak.This is either stuffed (and then steamed or fried) or made of mava and available in sweetmeat shops.We always have the Ukadiche Modak or steamed ones stuffed with grated coconut and jaggery.There you go...we have our version of dumplings.....all you sui mai,dimsum and momo fans.My grandmom used to fill modaks with one rupee coins when my dad was a kid (when he was old enough not to swallow then). The other items included Steamed Kothambir Chi Vadi which was savoury with gram flour and coriander as the main ingredients.This is soft in texture. Batatyachi Bhaaji....the simple typical Maharashtrian vegetable dry dish with mustard seeds,curry leaves and turmeric Masale Bhaat that is spiced rice ...