Of the time-tested ‘few of our favorite things’, is the nostalgia laden ‘Ma ke haath ka khana !’ & ‘home-cooked food’ – be it the simple ‘Roti-daal-sabji-achar’, ‘Kadhi-Chawal’ or ‘Macher-jhol aar bhat’ to name a few. Those who’ve experienced long stays away from family, manage meals with snappy office canteens, ‘dabba-wallahs’ & cafés fast food and yearn for that sublime home-touch. Yet cynics will say ‘Ghar ki murgi daal barabar !’.
There some dichotomy in our palate that the ‘foodie’ in us (let’s confine to urban middle class) is busy exploring new eateries and exotic places to eat out. But even a one-week trip to a fancy hotel or resort results in gorging on lunch/dinner buffets with immense spreads, tempting us to try every delicacy. So when one returns home, it’s ‘dahi-chawal’ or ‘khichdi’ that’s so welcome. I recall our 2016 US trip – when it was time to visit my sister in Indiana, she excitedly called to know what food we’d like. Promptly we said in quintessential Bengali mode ‘Daal, Bhat aar Posto !’
Food specialists, culinary experts and dieticians extol virtues of home cooked food and major impacts on our lifestyle, body, and wallet. You dictate exactly what goes into the meals your family should have. You can avoid hidden sugars, excessive sodium, unhealthy saturated fats typically found in restaurant & processed foods. Studies show that frequently eating homemade meals corresponds to a higher intake of fruits and vegetables, improved digestion, and a reduced risk of diet-related diseases.
I can’t cook beyond ‘breakfast of toast & eggs’ and have been a compulsive ‘MacDonald burger & fries’ and Lucknow’s ‘biryani’ loving man. But I’ve tried to reform thanks to my Home Minister of Kitchen Affairs. IMHO (In My Humble Opinion). Tandra, my better half of 44 years, gets my ‘Padma’ award for contributing to my satisfactory health. Apart from her ‘Chef’ like qualities in every type of cooking, she can make great food from scratch that’s economical. She reads about cookery, plans meals and efficiently utilizes leftovers lowering the food budget compared to often dining out or ordering takeout.
My Mom, Aunts, Sisters & Nieces, all amazingly took to cooking not only as a family legacy with passion but as a therapeutic, stress-relieving activity. Sharing these recipes fosters family bonding, builds communication and encourages our ‘Gen Zee’ children to develop mindful eating habits early on in life. Just as I love vegetables & fruits now !
Working on Living 