The quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach apparently. It wasn't the case with us, though! I didn't really cook for Adit till we got married.
The kitchen at home has been considered as the traditional domain of the women. However, professional Chefs are mostly men! But with time, things are changing - a lot of men enjoy cooking at home and we do have many female professional Chefs!
Every child feels his/her mother makes the best food. Isn't it? After all, she puts in a special ingredient called 'love' in everything she makes for her children! Same goes for the Papas who cook for the family đ
Not only was I a fussy eater as a child, I wasn't interested in food at all. Some people live to eat, I eat to live! Yes, you're right- Adit is a foodie! Opposites attract after all!
When I turned 11, Mummy tried to teach me how to make tea and boil eggs . The idea was to get me started. But I was very scared of the gas stove ! As long as someone lit that for me, I was okay making tea or boiling eggs or even making Maggi!
After my 14th birthday, Mummy said its time to learn rolling out rotis and cooking rice. I also started cutting and chopping veggies with her, although I was really slow.
I was a very slow and unenthusiastic learner. My younger sisters picked up much faster than me as far as cooking goes! I was not seen near the kitchen much as I gladly yielded to my eager sisters.
Mummy decided that it was time to change strategy and told me that since I might be in a hostel when I start college, I should learn the basics of cooking. That clicked with me and I was able to cook a decent meal of rice, daal and subzi before I went to Pune. But, I never had to cook in the hostel since we had a Mess!!
The first time I came home on vacations, Mummy was glad to see I wasn't a fussy eater any more and I even requested her to cook things for me, which I never did earlier! Well, I did miss her cookingđ
Slowly, I started developing an interest in baking. I still wasn't cooking much at home. My sisters had also moved out for college and I was back home for good, working at the Court. Since Daddy, Mummy and I were all working and I hardly had time for myself, we could only have dinner together which mummy cooked.
When we got married, I could cook a decent meal and I could bake a sponge cake! I remember putting a lot of water the first time I made Bhindi! What a mess it was!
Adit even gifted me a book called - The Foolproof Cookbook for Brides, Bachelors and People who Hate Cooking! How cheeky! But the book was worth it ! It gave me good ideas for daily menus as well as party menus!
With time and 'trial and error' my culinary skills improved. Though I have learnt from both my mother and my mother-in-law, my style of cooking is different compared to theirs; but it does have certain similarities with regard to certain dishes/ methods.
I don't have much patience with long winded recipes! So I usually look out for recipes which are simple and quick. Being a Fauji brat, I'm as comfortable with South Indian food as I am with North Indian. Having sampled various cuisines from all parts of India, I am not fussy about food any more. I enjoy eating Parsi Dhansaak, Bengali Ilish Maachh Curry, Tandoori Chicken, Gujrati Daal with a hint of sweetness, as much as I enjoy my simple Assamese meal or a hearty Punjabi meal!
I don't subscribe to the view that only girls need to know how to cook! I think 'cooking' is a life skill and everyone - man or woman - must know at least basic cooking!
I'm lucky to have a husband who loves to cook. Generally on weekends and holidays, I get to take a break because hubby and the girls whip up something (a storm!) in the kitchen while I tune off from the kitchen for a day !đ Ah bliss!
While I am not a very enthusiastic cook, I just LOVE baking - cakes especially. I did try breads and even puddings but cakes are MY thing! There was a beautiful book I read once called Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray. The protagonist Ruth loves to bake cakes, when she is happy or sad or JLT( just like that đŹ)! I could identify with her! So, I get to bake the cake and eat it too!
I'm Assamese and hubby, a Punjabi; both hardcore non vegetarians! Obviously the girls can't do without it either ! While I ensure that we consume the daily required dose of veggies and fruits, Adit ensures there is enough non veg intake!
Honestly speaking, I'm not a big fan of junk food, but one can always tweak it and make it healthy for the kids. Once in a while we have 'make your own burger/ roll/ wrap/ pizza/ pasta' meals at home which are always a hit with the kids!
My favourite dish as a child was Chhole Bhature and Fish fry (Assamese style)! Now, it's Khichdi or simply made Moong Daal with Steamed Rice and Alu Sabzi - I can literally live on this and never complain!
There are certain foods that take me back to my childhood as a Fauji brat and I'm sure many of you would relate to them. I have always loved puddings and desserts served in the Mess - Bread Pudding, Bombay Toast or Shahi Tukda, Tipsy Pudding, Fruit Custard! Ah, the taste of sweet and happy childhood! Comfort food.....đ
I think I spent more time thinking and writing this blog than I spend on cooking!!
To all of you reading this blog, who enjoy cooking or eating or both
Eat, drink and be merry............... for tomorrow we may DIET!
Life is short and unpredictable.
Life is like an icecream, eat it before it melts!
Go crazy with your tastebuds and enjoy what life has to offer!
Sample every flavour of life!
Bon appetit!
Comments