There are so many food memories for me from my childhood… growing up in India and spending most of my adult life in New York, at a time, when there were not many Indians here. Neither were there any grocery stores selling Asian — let alone Indian ingredients. So, I really had to live on the memories of my Mom’s and grandmother’s fantastic cooking and try to improvise the recipes with what ever came close to Indian food. Even now, when every thing is available here to make authentic food — it still does not taste the same — it still has that fusion flavor to it. We have fooled the taste buds in to thinking that is authentic cooking… Trying to explore every venue to find and match that memory of some long lost flavors with the new world flavors…
In the process, didn’t even realize that I have become a real foodie. Enjoying great foods from all over the world. I even try to cook food I have tasted in different restaurants in different countries. With that comes the need to extend that pleasure to every one I know. Sharing the meals that I have enjoyed cooking has become a passion for me. My mother and grandmother also were endowed with that passion.
Every Sunday we used to gather at my grandmother’s or my aunt’s out our house for an elaborate lunch that all the women collectively cooked. Curried Goat, pan fried Pomfret fish, all kinds of vegetables….It used to be such a feast… Those were the days !!!!
Vidya G.