Book published in 2022 | Fiction

A personal review of ‘Out of the Woods’ by Neikehienuo Mepfhu-o, a novel that explores mental illness, family bonds and the path towards healing.

During a recent trip to Nagaland, I decided to pick up a few books by local authors, and Out of the Woods by Neikehienuo Mepfhu-o was among them. One of the main reasons I chose it was the blurb. There was no tiptoeing around the subject matter, no promises of happy endings or redemption, and no attempt to disguise the fact that this would be a difficult read. And it is.

A Difficult but Important Read

Out of the Woods is a book that may be triggering for readers who have dealt with mental health issues – themselves or as support for families. Because Neikehienuo Mepfhu-o captures the emotional turmoil not only of the afflicted but the immediate family too. It took me a good while to read through the book as it brought back memories from the days when I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, the battle that ensued and the struggles that my immediate family, especially my parents faced in the interim.

The Story

Neikehienuo Mepfhu-o’s Out of the Woods is the story of a family struggling to cope with the trials and tribulations that village life brings with it, while also grappling with the trauma of caring for a growing teen who is struggling to find his place in the real world that collides with the alternate world he lives in. The book traverses through the life of this family that is caught in an endless, harsh loop of loss, pain, trauma, the struggle to find the cause behind the boy’s ‘behaviour’ and the eventual discovery of a path towards healing.

The Highs & Lows

One of the highlights of the book is the strong hold the writer has on the language (which could be attributed to her being an educator based in Kohima and to her having won an award for a previous book). The author uses simple language as effectively as a painter uses a paintbrush – her words transport you from the eerily peaceful and happy alternate world the boy lives in, while effectively drawing out a picture of the home and world he shares with his family. She uses words to explain to readers the thoughts and emotions that rush through the boy’s mind, in vivid contrast to the helpless anguish and frustration of the family, bound together by their love for him. What is disturbing – and true – is that it is this very love and the resultant uncertainty that govern their lives and threaten to break them apart. The book is a deep dive into the mind of a young boy dealing with an undiagnosed mental health disorder.

I keep writing ‘the boy’ because that is what he is through the book – ‘the boy’ – and that, in my opinion, works to create an awareness that the teenager and the family could be anyone, in any part of the world.

The relatives, the villagers, the pastor and other sources that claim they can help the child act as a commentary on the society’s struggles to accept the reality of mental health issues. This would, perhaps, be more pronounced in pockets that continue to remain relatively disconnected from the rest of the parts of society that remain relatively disconnected from conversations around mental health and awareness.

…the teenager and the family could be anyone, in any part of the world

So, does this mean Out of the Woods is without its follies? The very strength of the author works against the book – the words. By the time you reach the halfway mark, you may be hit by the ‘this is repetitive’ thought because it is for several pages. Thankfully, there is a shift from the normal to the parallel reality, which shocks the reader out of the lull.

Another aspect that did not work for me is the ending – the journey from the intervention to seeking medical help, and the manner in which the doctor explains the situation, as well as the boy’s return to ‘normalcy’, are not entirely satisfying from a reader’s point of view. Personally, tighter editing could definitely have helped this book. However, for the sheer gumption required to write an entire novel that depicts the emotional trauma and exhaustion of mental health, Neikehienuo Mepfhu-o’s Out of the Woods is definitely a book I’d suggest you pick up.

A quick Asian-style stir-fried lettuce recipe that transforms leftover greens into a simple side dish perfect with rice, noodles or toast.

Rounding up the Lettuce Series (I should have dubbed it ‘trilogy’) with the easiest recipe ever – a stir fry! Wash, tear, dump, toss and tadaaaaaa…

And did it go down well with the parents? Oh hell yeah! So much so we’ve had repeat requests and it’s been paired with steamed rice, dumped on toast, stirred into noodles and eaten as is.

I added a variety of lettuce and some spring onion greens (just because!); feel free to throw in a handful of the greens you need to finish up. There’s only one recommendation for this particular recipe – line up your ingredients coz you got to be quick!

If easy recipes are what you want to bookmark for those hectic weekdays, then you can check out the Chicken Lettuce Soup, Pumpkin & Potato in Mustard Oil and Rosha among others.

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Stir Fried Lettuce & Greens

A quick Asian-style stir-fried lettuce recipe that transforms leftover greens into asimple side dish perfect with rice, noodles or toast.

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch of lettuce
• 2 teaspoon Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoon Sesame oil
• 12-15 Garlic cloves
• ½ inch Ginger
• Salt to taste
• Sugar as required
• Black pepper powder

Instructions

• Wash lettuce and other greens (if using). Shake off excess water well and tear into big chunks.
• Mix the soy sauce, salt, sugar, pepper powder in a bowl and set aside.
• Smash the ginger and garlic cloves.
• In a wok or non-stick pan, heat sesame oil.
• Add the smashed ginger and let it sit in the oil for a few seconds to infuse the oil with flavour.
• Add the garlic cloves and give it a quick stir.
• Throw in the lettuce and toss well, making sure you cover them in the oil mix as thoroughly as possible.
• Switch to high flame.
• Pour in the sauce mixture and give the lettuce (and greens) a good mix.
• Remove from the heat when the lettuce is tender but still retains a slight crunch.
• Sprinkle with some white sesame seeds.
• Serve immediately.

A comforting one-pot chicken and lettuce soup made with leftovers, fresh greens and simple ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Part two of the Lettuce Series, as I’ve dubbed it, involved throwing a bunch of ingredients into a large pot and ending up with a soup that made life feel a whole lot better. Chicken Lettuce Soup wasn’t a planned recipe, but it’s the kind that, once you’ve tasted it, you realise needs to be shared with the world. Or at least the little corner of the world this blog reaches.

The best thing about this soup? The mothership liked it. And trust me when I say that her approving of something containing both chicken (she’s steadily developing a dislike for meat) and lettuce (see part one of the Lettuce Series) felt like a major life achievement.

Note: I used leftover smoked chicken, but any cooked chicken works just as well

For those joining this rodeo late, check out the Lettuce Sourdough-wich recipe to understand the concept of reverse parenting. And if soups are your thing, the Masala Chicken Soup and Pumpkin Carrot & Spring Onion Soup might offer a little inspiration.

A hearty grilled lettuce sourdough sandwich packed with lettuce, cheese and tomato, born from an attempt to get reluctant parents to eat more greens.

Remember those childhood days when parents came up with innovative ways to make you eat those dreaded greens? There’s been a role reversal at home, where I now have to find ways to get the parents to eat “foreign” vegetables — namely lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, and other vegetables they didn’t grow up with.

I get the reluctance, I really do. But as I keep reminding them, “You’ve got to eat your greens.” #Payback

With lettuce, I started with the tried-and-tested salad route, which worked brilliantly for my father. He loves salad. My mother? Not so much. She was, and continues to be, reluctant.

Determined to get her to eat it, I began tweaking a few recipes and, voila! She ate the lettuce-loaded food, and I ended up with what I’m now calling the Lettuce Series, starting with the Lettuce Sourdough-wich.

The parents have developed a taste for sourdoughs, and since all three of us love pan-grilled sandwiches, I snuck a few leaves into our breakfast sandwich one day, and, to my delight, oh delight! It’s hearty, tasty and that golden crunch when you bite in… mmmmm.

You can use vegetables other than tomato here, but there’s something pure and nostalgic about the combination of bread + cheese + tomato that I adore. Just one thing to remember: these sourdough-wiches (sandwich… sourdough-wich… you get the drift) are pretty filling. In fact, I ended up skipping lunch altogether and settled for supper and a late-night snack instead.

Things to remember

• You can use vegetables of choice, but as I’ve mentioned, tomato and cheese are pure nostalgia and classic.  
• If the idea of pan grilling terrifies you, pop the sourdough-wich into a sandwich maker – whatever makes life easier!

Published 2017 | Self help

A personal review of Margareta Magnusson’s Dostadning, a practical and surprisingly comforting guide to decluttering and letting go.

“A fond and wise little book” is how The New York Times described it, and I would agree.

I stumbled upon this book at a time when I had desperately turned to the internet in search of ways to convince my mother to declutter. She is a habitual hoarder who has preserved everything — from gift boxes that arrived more than 15 years ago to old frying pan sets, photographs, baby clothes and much more.

Then again, considering that I hoard books because “what if there’s an apocalypse and I suddenly have all the time in the world?”, perhaps I should refrain from too much commentary.

The book appeared on one of the many recommendation lists I found online, and I was immediately intrigued by the oddly musical and surprisingly assertive word: Dostadning.

The Crux

Margareta Magnussion’s book isn’t a preachy, morbid book that laments death. Instead, it treats death as a fact of life, which, despite its heartbreaking nature, it is. The author, who writes from her own experience of death cleaning, advocates the idea of taking care of your possessions, to, among other things, ensure that what you value goes to an individual or place that appreciates it and your immediate family or loved ones do not have to bear the burden of sorting through your things after you’ve moved on.

Following the initial introductory chapters, the author has divided the chapters on the basis of the things that form a part of life and have to be dealt with later – artefacts and articles, knick-knacks and photographs, pets, clothing and more. The author downplays the gravity by interspersing her suggestions with instances from her life, with memories attached to her own death cleaning, personal and professional.

To Read or Not to Read

What stands out for me in this particular read is that the tips that she has given are practical enough that they need not be limited to the concept of death cleaning alone. These tips are helpful when you are changing homes, moving to another city or country or downsizing/decluttering, as is evident in the photograph above – note the number of stickers peeping out of the book! I recommend this book for those looking for such practical tips, and have added it to my mother’s bedside pile of books she should read.

I would, however, also add a ‘trigger’ label to this particular book for those who’ve seen death at close quarters – it may bring back memories that aren’t necessarily good, it may remind you of moments of grief that may throw you into despair. That is not the intention of this book in any way, but there is no discounting the unpredictability of the human mind and emotions, so I’d recommend that for those who continue to struggle with the concept of death, take your time with this book, if at all.

P.S. Can be ‘borrowed’ by fellow bibliophiles in Ahmedabad.

Inspired by a homestay kitchen in Khonoma, this garlic and Naga red chilli pickle is a fiery, flavour-packed accompaniment made with simple ingredients.

As an introvert, I tend to avoid stepping into spaces traditionally considered the family’s domain — the kitchen, the dining room, the family room and the like. But all that respect for personal space disappeared in the face of Khonoma’s bone-numbing cold, which had my teeth chattering in unheard-of tunes. A and I shuffled into the kitchen in search of something warm to keep us alive until dinner… and the first taste of this garlic chilli pickle made me sit up, quite literally.

The homestay owner offered it rather tentatively, probably wary of introducing us to the fierce local red chilli that Nagaland is famous for. But its sharp, fiery flavour opened up my sinuses and sent warmth rushing through every frozen corner of my body.

I’m a garlic girl through and through, so of course I loved it.

Understanding the recipe was a bit of a struggle, as the homestay owner grappled with the words and terms to explain the process until we resorted to hand gestures. Made with pantry essentials and ingredients that are available in most Indian (and non-Indian) kitchens, the Garlic & Naga Red Chilli Pickle makes for a deliciously fiery achaar to your dal chawal, the drizzle to your sad sabji, the exquisite touch to your sourdough cheese grilled sandwich and more.

I’ve used the local garlic I bought in Khonoma village along with the red chilli powder I picked up from a farmers’ market outside Kigwema village. The mustard seeds, mustard oil and tomato are from the provision store and vegetable vendor a few steps from my home.
And obviously, you won’t have the Naga garlic and chilli so feel free to use whatever you have… I’m sure it’ll taste brilliant!

Things to remember

• Roughly chop the garlic cloves but don’t mince; we want the garlic pieces to roll on your tongue when you eat the pickle
• Be patient with the ‘let it sit’ portion of the recipe; the more you let the pickle sit, the more it’ll develop flavours and potency
• Be sure to store in a clean, dry glass jar.

If you like to keep your refrigerator stocked with condiments that uplift the mundane, check out the recipes for the Apple Chutney, the Mixed Fruit Chaatni as also the Tomato & Dates Chutney.

A simple homemade apple chutney flavoured with butter, star anise and paprika, inspired by a failed relish that turned into a delicious kitchen success.

Not every kitchen experiment is a success. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the result is inedible. In fact, some happy accidents turn into delightful surprises, like this apple chutney.

Inspired by a friend’s superwoman-like ability to make relishes, I set out to make an apple relish. Unfortunately, I’d picked the wrong kind of apples — or rather, found them languishing in the fruit tray. Instead of being crisp and crunchy, they were soft and brittle, crumbling as I peeled them. But hey, no one ever called me a quitter!

So I forged ahead, peeling apples to the tune of Kishore Kumar’s Mere Saamnewali Khidki Mein. (Music is an essential kitchen ingredient. Good mood equals good food.)

The mini mound of roughly chopped apples ready to be dealt with, I reached for butter, because darlings, irrespective of what it does to your arteries and your hips, it makes the world right. In went all the goodies into the pan and with a little bit of this and that thrown in, I had this apple chutney which, my dear friends, got a huge thumbs up from the parents. I’ve made it twice since, is being used to slather on butter-toasted sourdoughs sprinkled with sumac powder or smoked cheese shavings. It is also being slathered on rotis and parathas to make rolls for the instant hunger moments.

NOTE: If you aren’t in a rush, then let the apple chutney rest for a day. It tastes so much more deliciouser the next day.

Give it a shot and stick around for when I get the apple relish right! Until then, happy cooking.

A comforting Bengali-style roasted yellow moong dal cooked with vegetables and whole spices. A wholesome everyday meal best served with steamed rice.

There is a quiet joy in dishes that ask for very little and yet deliver so much comfort. The reasons could be many: they’re fuss-free to cook, they soothe both the palate and the soul, or, in the case of Yellow Moong Dal with Vegetables—a personal favourite—they’re tied to childhood memories and special occasions.

This Bengali favourite relies on minimal spices and aromatics, allowing the roasted yellow moong dal to remain the star of the dish. A handful of vegetables adds sweetness, texture and a nutritional boost, turning it into a wholesome meal that’s equally at home alongside steaming rice and a simple bhaaja. For the uninitiated, a bhaaja is the Bengali word for a fried dish. With this dal, it could be a lightly fried begun (brinjal) bhaaja, aaloo (potato) bhaaja or even kumdo (pumpkin) bhaaja.

Better still, it comes together fairly quickly, especially in a pressure cooker, which is how we almost always make it at home.

2019 | Korean | Romance

Set in the cosy yet competitive world of publishing, Romance Is a Bonus Book is a slow-burn Korean romance that explores ageism, career breaks, friendship and love. The story unfolds through the lens of a woman rebuilding her life — quietly and without spectacle. Gentle and meandering, the series is rooted in emotional realism rather than dramatic twists.

I believe there’s a right time to read a book — and the same holds true for watching a series. Romance Is a Bonus Book proved this to me. There have been times I’ve started a series and stopped it after an episode or two because it didn’t appeal to me. Romance is a Bonus Book is one such drama. RIABB was recommended by the friend who introduced me to Korean dramas in 2019. Back then, I’d given up on the series after episode 4 or 5, for reasons I don’t really remember. But my 2022 viewing of RIABB has been smooth sailing. Here’s the good and the bad of this series…

The plot of Romance is a Bonus Book

Kang Dan-i (Lee Na-young), a 37-year-old, is scrambling to upgrade her life. The former advertising copywriter has separated from her husband, who cheated on her, and is now an unemployed single mother. Adding to the struggle of finding suitable employment after the long career gap is the fact that her house is being razed. So, to make ends meet, she is working as a housekeeper… at her best friend Cha Eun-ho’s (Lee Jong-suk) home, and he doesn’t know it!

Eun-ho, 32, is a successful author, chief editor and one of the founding members of Gyeoroo Publishing. He has been in love with Dan-i since he was a teenager but obviously, the latter is clueless. In the present (of the show) Eun-ho is unaware about Dan-i’s struggles. Eventually, Dan-i finds a job at Eun-ho’s publishing house, and the latter finds out about her state of affairs and drags her to live with him until she finds her footing.

The story progresses in tandem with Dan-i’s professional and personal growth. She impresses her colleagues with her hard work and creative flair, makes new chingus and love comes knocking. Of course, the journey isn’t smooth as the duo navigate through personal and professional highs and lows but then, what’s a series without some drama, right? 

The Good…

A very generic and mundane description of this series would be that it is a mature friends-to-lovers romance, the story of a divorced woman fighting against the odds and winning. But just as life isn’t as simple, the series isn’t as generic.

Although branded a romantic comedy, Romance is a Bonus Book may not be a series that viewers in their 20s may relate with because honestly, most of the issues that the protagonist faces are the 30s problem – especially the ‘age discrimination’ and the various societal pressures that ‘aging’ women have to face. And when I say ‘age’ here, I mean women in their late 30s and 40s. It’s subtle but evident in the way Dan-i has to fudge her resume to land a menial job, the way she is berated for trying to take a job that ‘belongs’ to someone younger and her thoughts about exploring a romantic relationship with someone younger.

The highlight of this series is Lee Na-young and Lee Jong-suk’s acting. The former slays as Dan-i, effortlessly showing the character’s inner struggles, determination to survive, presence of mind, and self-belief. She adds to the existing layers of the character, and in doing so, she becomes a heroine viewers will relate to and empathise with – because, trust me, we’ve all been there at least once in life.

And please, I simply can not mention Lee Jong-suk. The man with the cute face can make your heart flutter and how! Jong-suk’s broad shoulders carry the role of Eun-ho with as much ease as they carry off those amazing long coats and sweaters (a little swoon here please). His admiration, love, and support for his noona are evident in every single frame, like that warm comforter you want to snuggle into after a hard day. There are several emotional moments, and the duo does a brilliant job with these without going overboard.

A key point of attraction here is the setting – Gyeoroo Publishing. It makes me want to apply for a job there right away because that’s what a dream job would be, right? Your work is an extension of a genuine love; you get to live in the world of books day in and day out, your bestie works at the office, and your love interest does too! And not to forget the colleagues that range from scary and tyrannical to weird and adorable. All the supporting characters – including the potential love interests Ji Seo-joon (Wi Ha-joon) and Song Hae-rin (Jung Yoo-jin) – are well etched, each with backstories that justify their behaviour and add to the storyline.

One of the best moments of the series is in the last episode, when a letter drawing a comparison between life, relationships, and books is read out. It’s poignant and heartwarming, and the reason the title of the series makes absolute sense.

… and The Bad

If you are the kind that needs drama and speed and a cliffhanging end to every episode, then Romance Is A Bonus Book isn’t something you want to want. The series, albeit interesting, is a bit scattered, and for non-Koreans, the references to books and authors can be a little confusing since we aren’t familiar with them.

There is no shock value in the series, not even the unravelling of the mystery creates conflict. Moreover, with much of the information dropped in the first half of the series, the remaining episodes are more about tying up the knots and feel dragged out. I’d say chop off an episode and a half!

It’s soothing, but sometimes, soothing can put you to sleep too.

Pumpkin & potato are tempered with nigella seeds and slow-cooked in mustard oil for a dish that heroes the pumpkin’s sweetness. 

Calling all home cooks looking for quick and healthy weekday/weeknight meal ideas – add this pumpkin & potato in mustard oil dish to your repertoire! It’s the kind that comes together in a jiffy, requires just one spice (coz salt and turmeric powder are MUSTS and don’t count) and pairs well with rice or Indian bread of choice. 

The Pumpkin & Potato in Mustard Oil is a version of the Kumdo’r Chechki, a traditional Bengali side dish wherein the pumpkin is grated or (extremely) thinly sliced and slowly cooked in its own juices. It’s the kind of dish that celebrates the natural flavours of the vegetable. If you’d like to try a traditional chechki, head over to the recipe for Mulo Chechki (provided radishes are in season). 

Tips to remember for the Pumpkin & Potato in Mustard Oil 

• Julienne the vegetables and try to maintain consistency in size; this helps all the food cook evenly. 
• Remember to add the pumpkin later, as it cooks faster than potatoes. 
• You can make this without the potato; just increase the amount of pumpkin.
• Always use double the amount of pumpkin as it reduces when cooked.