As a kid, I always looked forward to Sundays. Of course because Sundays meant spending some quality family time together but more because it was a "Food-Day"-A day of 'mom-made delicacies'. I used to relish on some delicious preparations, both regular and special, probing about the flavours in the preparation, as if I would understand everything if explained.
As I grew up, a lot of time had to be spent away from home. Sunday, then, used to be exam-packed. To exaggerate a bit, every Sunday exam (tutorial/school/college) seemed like a final semester paper, finishing which would be like an achievement that called for a celebration each time. That is when I started exploring a variety of food-joints. From a street side 'wada' to a Mc Aloo Tikki. I tried everything that was affordable yet yum to taste. Little Extra was always a must-have. From extra mayo sauce in the McVeggie to 'thoda upar se bhi cheese' on a sandwich to extra kalakhatta syrup on an ice gola to extra masala and sukha puri for a chaat to extra chocolate sauce on an icecream are amongst a few to make a mention of. But all of this fast-food trial was restricted to my own self, certainly for the fact that whatever tastes good to us is always that is not-so-good-for-health according to our parents.
Gradually, as I progressed with my academics, these exams got serious and as the scoreboard (of marks) kept ticking so did my piggie-bank, as rewards received made addition to it. The best part was the end use of the piggie-bank which led me discover how much I was fond of trying new foodstuff, what they call tickling the tastebuds. I learnt, whoever says you have to be a non-vegetarian or someone who is all for some booze, for exploring places serving delicacies, probably does not have an idea about how superbly well can a pure veggie and a non-drinker go about 'Restaurant-Hopping'.
Pani puri is best when self made
ReplyDelete