That PURRRFFFECT taste…

Most of us would agree that Mom's cooking is THE BEST? I think so and so does my hubby (his mother's.... but ,of course ! ) and we also agreed that it is so because; it is what we taste the first time and for a long time in our life. So many times I strive to achieve that particular taste which my taste buds seem to crave and appreciate so much…that perfect idli, pongal, upma.And, much to my chagrin, they are the simplest of dishes most of the times.

To quote a recent instance, on my trip to India in early Jan this year, we enjoyed a three day farm house stay in Kerala. We wanted it to be a comfortable but "no luxuries" stay and enjoy a sort of rustic camping style and spend more time with one another. (read no computer, no net and of course, no TV. Only thing is at the end of the stay we decided to equip it with a microwave, frig and TV the next time but, that's a different story altogether) so we had only one hot plate. We had carried just the usual spices and decided to cook only from what was available at the farm garden. Well, it was Kerala and hence no dearth of coconuts, mangoes or bananas.

So the menu for lunch was Nendhrakka elissery and Maanga chamandhi (MC for brevity ) (Sorry, non keralites, there is NO way I can translate that, LOL but yes you will find it in chithvish's index. Let me just say for the benefit of my north Indian friends that it is a form of mango chutney.) My bro swears by my moms cooking (Men ??? tell me about it….) so she wanted to make his favourite. I tell you that M C was awesome and so was the elissery. I made a mental note to try it sometime, back home.

And so began my mission for the puuurrrfect M C some days back. Honestly, I tried my best. First; the salt was less ….then the sweet …then the chilly .By then, I had had enough. I just emptied it into a dish and kept it in the frig (NO…., the recipe did NOT call for refrigeration but I just wanted it to be out of sight….. you surely know that feeling????)

Something was surely lacking. I confirmed the recipe with mom and she blamed it on "Onga ooru maanga". ( on the mango from Malaysia. ) Oho ! I had luckily caught my dear Vasishtar in one of her benevolent moods and hence was spared her usual chiding "seyyara velaila shradhdhai venam." ( you should concentrate on the work you are doing)

But I was not convinced. I have always felt that cooking has something to do with ones hands. I am quite a good cook in the sense that I make a variety of food and am very efficient and fast in the kitchen. Everything I have made has been certified edible (you can draw your own conclusions from that) and nothing has EVER gone to the bin directly. But many times it is not perfect. and given my penchant for perfection ,I couldn't help feeling a bit low.

That evening, as I skyped with my daughter, I asked what she had for lunch (" Mamma? Why does that have to come in the conversation always?) and, she said she had micro heated a frozen "spinach and Brocolli bake", which is one of her favourites and it had been tasty. "Oh, really?" I asked and was happy for her till she casually said" But you know what, mamma? It tasted nothing like what YOU make….. yours is much creamier and cheesier". I do miss your food sometimes."

Awwwwww I just melted, friends. My day was made. The "not so purrrfffect" MC in the frig did not matter any more.

Afterword...… Wonder of wonders! My Dh, who very rarely comments on food, had this to say on MC." Hey, this is new? Nice and tangy, you must make it more often."

Now, THAT had me wondering whether the refrigeration had indeed done the trick.

(Just right in time, THE inner voice cautioned me, "Enjoy THE moment, Mindi" or I would have blabbered that he had not tasted the original version.)

 

thank you Swaran...glad you enjoyed it.:cheers