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My First Cooking Lesson

July 25, 2009 2 Comments

It was a dreary fall Saturday in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Mom and dad decided to use the day to run errands, leaving me at home to babysit my grandparents visiting from India. I was in high-school – pleased to have some time away from the folks – thinking I could get away with some channel surfing and typical homework procrastination. Babaji had other ideas.

“I’m going to teach you how to cook.”

It wasn’t a question, but more of a declaration - as if, in his mind, the time had come. It did not matter that up until that point I’d never cooked outside of heating up my mother’s rotis while she sat after feeding my father, my brother and me – usually in that order. I was a little wary. In my house as in most South Asian homes the men didn’t cook. I wasn’t sure what my grandfather – of all people – was going to teach me.

Ye dehe do.”

Yet another command. He wanted me to wash the bright, purple eggplant he had me pull from the fridge. Babaji peeled two potatoes quickly and efficiently with a paring knife and did the same with a large, white onion. I started chopping on the large, wooden butcher-block island that was the pride of my mother’s kitchen.

Nehi, nehi.” Don’t chop the onion too small Babaji admonished as I tried to awkwardly help. He gently pushed me aside and showed me how he wanted it done.

In minutes there were four chopped piles – eggplant, tomato, onions and potatoes. I reached for the hairy, woody ends of the eggplant, obviously headed for the trash.

Nehi.” That’s the best part. The best part? I rolled my eyes behind his back, praying he didn’t catch me. Respect in our culture was key to a long, healthy life. Garlic and ginger were peeled, also roughly chopped, and added to the pile of onions. My eyes began to water. Babaji was as stoic as ever.

Babaji struggled with the electric stove. In his village they use stone ovens and an open flame enticed by coal, cow dung and twigs. Electric burners were new to him. I helped him set the stove on medium-high under the large, heavy saucepan.

He poured in about two tablespoons of vegetable oil, let it gain some sizzle and then added one spoon of cumin. Next came a teaspoon of turmeric and the onion, garlic, and ginger combo. Make sure there’s enough heat and that it cooks enough to get brown, Babaji said. I’ve always loved the smells that come from this combination of ingredients in hot oil: earthy, warm, and comforting all at the same time..

Anupy, pay attention! Next, the tomatoes. A minute later I scooped up the entire pile of potatoes in two hands and poured it into the hot pan. Beta, mix this and don’t let it stick to the bottom. I attentively and gently stirred so as not to break any of the potatoes that Babaji explained need to be added first so they could cook longer than the eggplant.

Baingan dalo,” Babaji said. Put in the eggplant. I grabbed as much as I could, leaving the stems behind. No, add those too. “But why?” I asked. Silence. So I did it.

Babaji stood with his back to me and mixed slowly and deliberately. I watched as my normally stern, no-nonsense grandfather suddenly became soft and gentle talking about the dish he was making. You don’t want to mix it too much or all the pieces will break, he explained in Punjabi. And, when everything looks like it has mixed well, put in the mirch and masala - the chili and the spices. He measured nothing. First, the thinly sliced tiny green chili he had me chop – the only delicate slicing of the day; then, a spoon of red chili powder and a few spoons of salt. Put the lid on the pot and let it sit on low for a few minutes. He left a corner of the lid slightly ajar to let out steam, the steady stream adding to the aromas already invading the kitchen.

As I cleaned the kitchen, Babaji gave his dish one last mix with a metal spoon and commanded me to look in the pot. See? This is perfect. He gingerly took out a hot piece of eggplant stem and turned it over so I could see the round bottom where we had cut it away from the meat. Look inside. See that? If you had thrown that away, we would have lost the best part – the soft, fleshy inside. It’s the sweetest and the tastiest. Babaji took it in his mouth, sucked out the eggplant flesh still stuck in the stem and threw the spent green hook away.

I’ve never looked at eggplant the same again, nor have I stopped cooking.




2 Responses

Indian As Apple Pie
Indian As Apple Pie

July 27, 2009

Hi Karyn. Two out of three isn't bad at all. Yes, that curdy is very spicy. But I'm making another batch tonight. Maybe I'll tone down the spice for you. Thanks for being a sport and trying everything. Like I said – I love love love my taste testers! I made beef last night. Would you like to try it? It's not too spicy.

Anonymous
Anonymous

July 27, 2009

Anupy, what a great story and wonderful memory. So, the eggplant. Remember how I said I don't like eggplant? Well, let me tell you, I tried YOUR eggplant and I LOVED it, as did my friends! It's so flavorful and complex. It starts out mild but then builds in heat. You have made me rethink eggplant!! I think the texture has always turned me off before, but yours was tender and smooth. LOVED it!!
So, a confession, after telling you I didn't like eggplant, I didn't have the heart to tell you that I'm not a mango fan either. But, like the eggplant, I tried the mango chutney, and am I ever glad that I did!! It was sooooo delicious and was a wonderful complement to the grilled chicken I had made. Everyone raved about it and I think if we thought it appropriate to lick the bowl clean, we would have! If you bottled it, I guarantee we would buy it by the jar fulls!
I tasted the Curdy and unfortunately it was a little too firey for me which disappointed me as I know you said it's a special dish. I gave it to my friend Mary to try. I'll let you know her feedback.
Thanks again for the delicious food and for making me rethink eggplant and mango!! :)
Karyn

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