Cooking And Complimenting

It's a picnic of sorts at home with our sons back with us now.
Enjoying, trying so many dishes and having a gala time preparing and serving a variety of food.
Feel so happy when all the food disappears as fast as it appears.

Honestly can't say whether the dishes are nice or not. Everybody eats whatever is prepared. Either all are hungry and so they eat. Or they just eat what is prepared whether or not they like it. No choice for them really, eh! :D

My sister from Chicago always says it's with pleasure and devotion we cook for the family. Our role must end there. The like or dislike of whatever food put on the table depends entirely upon the luck of the person(s) eating it. If they compliment, well and good.

I feel very happy to get compliments for an item well-prepared. But I know it's never good to expect everyone to have only good comments each and every day. If they don't express anything, never feel bad! I have never failed to thank anyone who has cooked and served me with food.
Well,
thanking for being served and complimenting good food are two different things.
Anyone who cooks each and every day, will know how much time and labor it involves and most times it is done with much love and care for family or friends.

At functions like marriages/house warming, etc., it's been my habit to taste every single dish served. I never forget to seek out the host as well as the contractor/caterer and compliment them about the good dishes that I relished without fail. I take care to mention only the best out of the whole, so that it comes from my heart and does not appear artificial. If the food was just OK, I would still go over and thank them anyway.
I always take care to compliment them only after I have finished with eating. Otherwise, the hosts/cooks/servers have a habit of heaping on some more of whatever I praised, despite my protesting that I can't eat anymore.

Even for complimenting about good food, 'timing' seems very important just like the comedy scenes in movies. With food one has to be doubly careful as the stomach can withstand only so much.

In the Hindu religion, serving food to one's fill is considered the best among all charities. As this is the only time when we say 'no' to more than our capacity to eat. Hmmm... those were the days when the concept of doggy bags were not yet popular!!
But not so with charity of money, materials, etc.
More is always welcome. Storage or carrying is no problem. Bags can always materialize from nowhere to store any quantity being given away.

Cheers.

Mahalakshmi

It's Month End Already!!

Yes Asha. It's got much to do with the novelty of the thing or event. When something is new we are seized with it every moment until it wears off or others view or comment about it critically. But the fever or frenzy does come down eventually and for good! Newton seems to be always right!! What goes up has to come down, it's just a matter of time. :D

31st Jan today.
Already one month gone and 11 more to go.

New dairy got filled for the initial few weeks very sincerely.
Don't know under which heap of papers it's hiding now.
No time or patience to search either.
E-mails to my sisters and friends and this blog are the record of what happened and when so for all practical purposes this is a dairy but it's too open, na? And I can't write how much of what was ordered from the groceries this week!

Yesterday being Sunday, soaked rice and dals for various kinds of tiffins.
4 rice for 1 urad dal for idli/dosa
2 cups of urad dal for utthappam with many other ingredients like chopped ginger, fresh corriander leaves, cummin seeds, peppercorns, finely chopped cabbage, onions and green chillies, chilli powder, asoefotida and salt - all went in after the batter got ready!
Then it was 3 dals (tuvar, bengal and pesar) and equal quantity of rice for a fusion pessarette/adai - again with so many ingredients added to pep up the batter.

The mixie/blender was groaning and heating up in protest. I had to trouble the gadget promising not to touch her during weekdays if possible!
The tiffin problem seems to be taken care of for at least 6 days, till coming Saturday.

We don't frequent hotels for tiffins or meals nor do I feel like ordering from the caterers around our place.
I have always loved cooking for the day and I don't miss it for anything unless I am travelling which is not so frequent.

That reminds me that our family is due to visit the family dieties at Madurai temple and then my sons are so keen to visit Tirupati. We plan and it shall take shape if God wants us there! Something or the other keeps cropping up to prevent travelling out. I think I should book the tickets and worry about getting or not getting time. But cancellations are a big bore so one has to think well in advance.
I am keeping my fingers crossed. Its quite sometime since the family traveled together.
A big project which is 22 months old now, is due to end in a couple of weeks, I hope.
I will take some time off before I get started with a new one not that offers are pouring in :D.

Prayers for the welfare of all of us.

Mahalakshmi