My Blog

My Blog
Tanuja Shankar

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Sitaaskitchen

It’s been a lot on my mind for last 5-6 years to start something on " Mithila Cuisine" to bring the food & condiments accessible to people. Most people correlate Litti-Chokha with Bihar but the cuisine of Bihar is much much more. The biggest couldron of mouthwatering cuisine is available in Mithila. Most mithila food is cooked with a personal touch where there are dishes for every occasion & every season. From Chhathhi to Weddings to Shraddh ceremonies, there are a variety of main dishes, condiments, Sweets & snacks. Few people know that Maithils are primarily non vegetarians with a strong similarity with the Bengali food with their own spice & Taste twist. Few people know that Mithila excels in using the superfoods & millets in various ways like little millet ( Kauni) Kheer or Flaxseed with Lauki ( Teesi Sejmain). I have had experience of people being stunned to know that flaxseed can also be eaten in a vegetable dish or fritter ( Tisiyori). My quest to bring the Mithila Cuisine to people through just one finger click led me to plan a cloud kitchen of delicious mithila dishes. A distant dream may just turn into reality.. soon to be crystallised by me through a unique online venture called " Sitaaskitchen" which will make all kinds of regular food & fascinating delicacies available to order! Right now I can only say " Coming Soon"

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Mithila Food With A Twist :)


Sunday, Feb 4, 2018 One full year later here are three traditional recipes from my home turf.. Mithila region of Bihar.. Moong Sanna or Mashed Seasoned Lentils, Rice Chapatis & healthy greens sauted & seasoned. For Moong Sanna or Chokha you need roasted yellow moong daal, chopped onions, grated garlic & ginger, chopped green chillies, salt and lemon juice. First pressure cook the Moong Daal in water enough to dry cook it and not like curry, hence put 1:1.5 lentils & water and give couple of whistles, lower flame and simmer for 5-६ mins before you will get dry but cooked lentils. Mash it. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Dash of lemon juice will complete your Chokha! For the Mixed Saag, take half cup each, chopped. Boil with just half cup water & salt. After a couple of whistles take the cooked saag out. Mash it well. Now add a Spoonful Makke Ka Atta ( not corn flour) the coarse variety. Now mix well & season with red chillies, cummin seeds in hot smoky mustard oil. For Rice Chapatis, mix onions seeds, caraway seeds, salt in flour and make a loose dough with warm water. Roast them from both sides like a normal chapati or paratha on a girdle or flat pan. Smear Ghee on hot Chapatis and enjoy with Moong Chokha & Saag!

Sunday, July 16, 2017

SIDDE recipe of Himachal

Delicious Food of Allahabad







Allahabadi Samosa..Allahabadi Kachoris...Allahabadi Mithai..Allahabadi Kababs...When in Allahabad dont miss to eat your fill!

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Travel Season PROMO





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Recipes Of India

Shana Dum Pakht Patiala

Sunday, August 21, 2016


Year 2016

Its been months since I came on my blog to scribbles any lines. I did manage to write a few recipes for my daughter who is studying in South wales, but any procrastinations on my part were limited to my mind, and to my other creative works like the concepts I develop, scripts I write etc.
In the last few months, like any other phase of my life, a number of sporadic interesting professional and personal incidences happened. First I left DD, then I immediately got couple of films to do, then I met a few strange people from the Delhi TV industry9 some very senior, some acting senior..lol) who proved to me, that even at this stage and career in my life, people can make a fool of me !!! But every experience teaches you who to trust and who not to...so I would take it as a lesson well learnt! Then I came to know that my niece ( brother's daughter) is coming to stay with me as she got through in one of the prestigious colleges of DU ( LSR). After four years of living alone, now I not only have company, but taking care of a kid ( well shes a big girl but kids will be kids for us) in the house again, is nice! And a kid that's submissive! ;) LOL!
.... and finally, I got some good news regarding my long forgotten dear debut film, Music Meri Jaan, that its being showcased in a film festival early Sept . All in all, a happening first half of 2016!
I never complain about the ups and downs and slides of my very enigmatic life! Not a single day is the same! Not a single day can be predicted! Not a single day is bad :)
Hence, I decided to come back to my slightly ignored blog, and put down a few of the still happening things awaiting this year to take me by storm!
1. My film MMJ having been selected for this film fest in Lonavla ( LIFFI) has given a spring to my step, and a bounce to my heart, and has made me think, that its still not TOO late! There is still SOME hope left for the release of my film, that my whole team toiled to make it happen! Maybe that little lining peeping out of that grey cloud is shining and giving me some message! My resolve to send my film to more festivals is now stronger! So MMJ ready to go to many more fests!!!

2. To get empanelled as Producer/Director at Bihar Film Development Corporation has lifted my mood! Now the time has come to not only make some good films on/about/in Bihar but also contribute my bit for the people, society and culture of Bihar. And my planning has started , where I have already read a great book by my award winning writer Mom and I feel that nothing could be better than her novel HASINA MANZIL for a film in Bihar!!! Fingers Crossed.

3. Film For Change~My documentary ' Kinnar Gatha: Prem Ki Bhasha' has been well shot, and documented and is ready for the final editing...soon to be released for all to see! This issue of transgenders is not just a subject for my film, but an issue that has touched me, stirred me, worried me. I hope my purpose of making atleast a couple of films for change every year, is fulfilled with this film. Completely funded by me, I aim to do my bit for this cause and hope to see these fairly misunderstood and misinterpreted class get accepted in all walks of life sometime in future! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XcadBEm_4w

3.On personal front, my aim to connect more with family, friends and myself ( mind, body and soul) somehow is on its way to achievement! I feel that as we grow older, these are the three things that really matter! hence, my goal will be achieved...or is already on its path of fulfilment! With the forthcoming Varanasi trip with 10 of my school buddies in Sept..and the impending arrival of my dotty in Dec...hmmmmm...lots to watch out !

4. In the last 6 Months, Ive desperately tried to enter the huge world of GEC. Had some very detailed narrations of my own ideas at Colours and Star Plus channels. somehow, things haven't moved although people have liked my ideas! My aim is to not lose resolve, and positivity and keep on trying...and trying...until I succeed! And succeed I will! :)

So Next few months are set!!!!

Thats called Forward Planning!

Oh yes last but not the least...must finish my next book anyhow this year!!!!!
:)