Jocelyn asked me today whether I enjoyed the food, she does know that I have a good appetite always. I told her I like it, and yes I honestly do. However, right now as I reflect upon all the food I've tasted ....from the mundane British and American to the more common Chinese and Italian and then the more exotic Lebanese and Persian, it has always been the Indian that has had me leaving wholly satisfied when I leave the dining table. While I risk being blamed of a prejudice, and such a claim could be partly right as well, my prejudice is not completely without reason.
For humans, food is more than just nourishment, it is more than proteins and carbs required for sustenance, it is about taste. Food has to be such that it challenges the taste buds, it has to be about aroma that teases the mind, it has to be such that it engraves memories like my grandmother's sambar, my mother's coconut chutney or even the samosa at Ramu's tea stall with his masala chai. If one had to judge food on all these factors, Indian food will score high. India being the land of spices, it is but natural that we be the masters of spice.
And which is why, while I will always experiment with cuisines of the world, and I am sure I will love it, but when I am in search of that wholesome meal the Indian cook will deliver. He needn't stand there prim and proper with his chef hat waiting on me, Ramu in his baniyan and towel flung across his shoulder will do just fine, no not just fine .......even better.
2 comments:
The point you are making only suggests one thing, either you are overly patriotic or you are facing some sense of home sickness. Just because you like Indian food and you are used to Indian style of food all these years you are forcing a point of view that Indian food is better than any other food. The same view may not be shared by some one from another western country. They may no like a Ramu with a baniyan for the sake of hygiene. At the same time you are missing the point of spices being unhealthy. It is a fact that spices cause some serious cariovascular problem. So just because Indian food is spicy and tasty, it does not make it the best food. But I completely agree with the point of Mother's or grandmother's sambhar tasting well. I believe it is because of the sambhar they prepare contains within it a love for their children which makes it all the more tasty.
Kaushik, while your honest comments are definitely welcome, they don't do me any justice. Patriotism? an element of that maybe, but homesickness??? Come on, holmes!
Anything in excess is a problem, be it spices or olives. And the cardiovascular problem has more to do with oil/ghee, than with spices! The blog was not about judging the best food, it was about my personal opinion of a wholesome meal. So as Voltaire once said "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
PS: I will handle all criticism, but I will not take lightly any attack on Ramu!!
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