Food Phrases

Surfeiting Food
I decided to be different this time. Am sharing my incomplete tale based on food phrases in both Hindi and English. I would like you to write out an ending...
“When are you bringing home the bacon?” Arati’s voice arose over the din of Delhi traffic. The honking of the tempo announcing the fact that fat Cheenu the landlord’s son was waddling his way to school. Rohan rolled over and headed straight for the breakfast laid out temptingly on the table. Gobi-ka-parantha, mango pickles, aloo-ki-subzi accompanied with a glass of piping hot coffee.
“Ah! Eat breakfast like a King, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper,”Rohan exclaimed as he delved into the tempting array.
“ Well, soon all your meals will be that of a pauper.” Arati broke into his reverie. “Umm?”
“We have not paid the grocery bills for the last six months. Madanji has refused to pay attention to my smiles and promises of I-will-just-pay as soon as the project finishes.”
“Yes this never ending building project has now become a pain in the neck. There are no buyers. I have bitten off more than I can chew.”

Madanji smiled in a very offensive all-knowing familiar way and said, “Daal-mein-kuchh-kaala-hai, sisterji. Are you sure that your husband has not lost his job? With all these Leehman-Sheeman banks collapsing…” 
Aarti hurriedly picked up her groceries and almost collided into the tall solid bulk of Cheenu’s mother.
She appeared concerned or was it an act when she patted Arati on the shoulder and whispered loudly for all to hear, “ Why don’t you go back to your father’s house? You have mentioned that he has a thriving export business in pickles and packed ready-to-eat foods. Who hasn’t heard of Ratanji’s achar?”
The other customers all looked up and even Madanji appeared impressed. Arti squirmed at all the attention she was receiving.
She mumbled, “ Aunty you know, my father doesn’t like Rohan. Besides I said equally mean things to him before I left home.”
Cheenu’s mother grew taller more bulkier (if that was possible) as she commented, “ Go back and beg his forgiveness. You should know which your bread is buttered.”
She gave Arti a gentle shove.
“Aunty I wish I could eat my cake and have it too.”
Arti received a sly wink and a pointed glance at her protruding tummy, as Aunty smiled and said, “That should be the icing on the cake.”

Arti walked out with as much confidence as possible she was a in a mood to confide.
“Aunty what can I do? I have a bua who loves to create problems. She is an expert. Aag mein ghee dalti hain. She is the one who called me a Namak-haram in front of my family.”
Cheenu’s mother became all protective and assumed a look of an army strategeist.
“Kya khichri paka rahi ho?” Arti asked after a total silence of five minutes.
“Namak-haram se namak halal ho jayega.” There was a victorious gleam in her owlish eyes as she whispered in Arti’s ears.* * *

strawberries, cherries and an angel kissing spring

             Strawberries, cherries and an angel kissing spring...

        The strawberry tarts were Divir's surprise gift for my month-long birthday celebration. They were as delightful to eat as they looked. However I was left with the crust after the boys gobbled up the fruit.

Divir and chocolate are synonymous. The cake was Chocolate Vanilla Crumble -it melted in your mouth. I wish memories were not so fleeting. At least the conscious ones, I can only recollect the exquisite joy and warmth of the time. The exact flavours are gone....

Honey chilly Veggies

                         Honey Chilly Veggies

    This is made with baby corn, mushroom, carrots, broccoli in chilly sauce with a generous amount of honey in it. Bahadur made it from the recipe book accompanying the microwave. This recipe book had the recipes in Hindi as well, hence every one in my staff can prepare the delicacies without too much of interpretations or help from me.

Nutri kababs

                                    Nutri-Kababs

Can something so healthy like soya granules be so delightfully tasty? Please do not miss my Bahadur's  trade mark decorations. The Kashmiri paper mache box one of the gifts from days gone by. The anar is Sujata's and the house box contained green tea yet another gift of love. The granules were ground with bhuna chana to bind it with the usual garlic-ginger-chillies with garam masala paste. It is accompanied by special small buns.

paper thin dosa

                     Paper thin Dosa

          How can I forget the smell, flavour and the joy of eating crisp masala dosas served with a smile from Kyar Singh. The coconut chutney accompanying it is also out of the world. Nobody can turn out such dosas despite all valiant attempts. It was stuffed with aloo masala for younger son and despite my strict vows of keeping off potoatoes, I ended up eating the masala dosa much to my Bahadur's delight.