Dear Readers,
After about a week of silence, specially on our informative & descriptive post, I have restarted such posts, however, personal references will be barely mentioned.However, posts will carry on to be descriptive, as it used to be before. There had been serious issues before,which has deterred me to write giving names/locations etc in detail.
I thank you for being a follower/reader of my blog.
With warm regards,
Pampered Chef.
http://gauravskitchen.blogspot.com/
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Food that Chefs eat....
Location: Behind a popular restaurant in Mumbai. Name of the restaurant/hotel is undisclosed for obvious reasons.
Date: Unrecorded. Somewhere in the month of July-August, 2008.
Time: 10:45 am
I was having my breakfast. Let me tell you what I was having--two chicken sausages, one ham & cheese omelette [my fav!!!], two bhatura[indian fried bread] with chholey[cooked chickpeas], one mango yoghurt, one glass of Watermelon juice, two slices of banana bread. You might frown upon my plate, since my plate could accommodate so many foods. Remember, I was doing night shift then--so I eat only once in a day. Manoj was also having his breakfast, however, he was afraid of his C.D.C of the Italian Kitchen, as sometimes he peeps in to see whether anyone is having food or not.
Trust me, we make the foods, but sometimes we run short of food. For example, I miss my breakfast often--I rely upon two glasses of orange juice & when the breakfast is over, I request a couple of Blueberry Muffins[I like it & its the only quickbread I can eat!!!] from the pastry. Adding on carbohydrates is certainly unhealthy....but beggars cant be choosers...can they??
I asked Manoj,"Where do these stairs lead to??". He said,"This is the fire exit...& it comes from GM's room". I didn't know this. Well, I assumed the GM will never to come that place,where we were eating. Then I asked him, "Well...if our Exe. Sous Chef sees us eating, what happens then??". Manoj replied smartly "Well, he will appreciate. He says if the kitchen guys dont eat, who will eat?[Kitchenwala nahi khaayega toh kaun khaayega???]
I laughed it away, as it is true...but when we are really hungry???Sometimes, it happens to me, that I am hungry....but I have 1000s of work. Even a minute is valuable...cant spare it at the cost of running short of time. For example, I was f***ing busy, none to help, so I shortened my lunch in 10 minutes--I rather swallowed my food than eating them generously. Else, when I cut fruits, continuously one or two piece are always going inside--but no benefit!!
We eat the fresh food---there is no doubt in it. However, guests also do, however, we keep it in special conditions that they never spoil, bacterial growth is almost zero, so the food retains its freshness. However, as one of my colleague used to say, "Food tastes better the following day of its cooking", but I cannot vouch for this since, I believe in freshly cooked food!!!
Apart from missing breakfast, another is missing lunch/dinner. I do often sometimes voluntarily--to reduce weight. But sometimes, when I have to catch the shuttle for getting back home or dont have time. I remember when I was in Chennai, I used to miss my lunch for a lot of times, as when I used to enter kitchen, loads of work. Best...finish off your work & then plenty of time to eat. But my food during then would be only sweets, sweets & sweets again....
"Sometimes, I forget to have my lunch", a colleague was telling me a couple of days before,"when I am too busy". Well, what is the solution to it??Unless, people want me to give them a reminder when its lunch time....do you have a solution???
Date: Unrecorded. Somewhere in the month of July-August, 2008.
Time: 10:45 am
I was having my breakfast. Let me tell you what I was having--two chicken sausages, one ham & cheese omelette [my fav!!!], two bhatura[indian fried bread] with chholey[cooked chickpeas], one mango yoghurt, one glass of Watermelon juice, two slices of banana bread. You might frown upon my plate, since my plate could accommodate so many foods. Remember, I was doing night shift then--so I eat only once in a day. Manoj was also having his breakfast, however, he was afraid of his C.D.C of the Italian Kitchen, as sometimes he peeps in to see whether anyone is having food or not.
Trust me, we make the foods, but sometimes we run short of food. For example, I miss my breakfast often--I rely upon two glasses of orange juice & when the breakfast is over, I request a couple of Blueberry Muffins[I like it & its the only quickbread I can eat!!!] from the pastry. Adding on carbohydrates is certainly unhealthy....but beggars cant be choosers...can they??
I asked Manoj,"Where do these stairs lead to??". He said,"This is the fire exit...& it comes from GM's room". I didn't know this. Well, I assumed the GM will never to come that place,where we were eating. Then I asked him, "Well...if our Exe. Sous Chef sees us eating, what happens then??". Manoj replied smartly "Well, he will appreciate. He says if the kitchen guys dont eat, who will eat?[Kitchenwala nahi khaayega toh kaun khaayega???]
I laughed it away, as it is true...but when we are really hungry???Sometimes, it happens to me, that I am hungry....but I have 1000s of work. Even a minute is valuable...cant spare it at the cost of running short of time. For example, I was f***ing busy, none to help, so I shortened my lunch in 10 minutes--I rather swallowed my food than eating them generously. Else, when I cut fruits, continuously one or two piece are always going inside--but no benefit!!
We eat the fresh food---there is no doubt in it. However, guests also do, however, we keep it in special conditions that they never spoil, bacterial growth is almost zero, so the food retains its freshness. However, as one of my colleague used to say, "Food tastes better the following day of its cooking", but I cannot vouch for this since, I believe in freshly cooked food!!!
Apart from missing breakfast, another is missing lunch/dinner. I do often sometimes voluntarily--to reduce weight. But sometimes, when I have to catch the shuttle for getting back home or dont have time. I remember when I was in Chennai, I used to miss my lunch for a lot of times, as when I used to enter kitchen, loads of work. Best...finish off your work & then plenty of time to eat. But my food during then would be only sweets, sweets & sweets again....
"Sometimes, I forget to have my lunch", a colleague was telling me a couple of days before,"when I am too busy". Well, what is the solution to it??Unless, people want me to give them a reminder when its lunch time....do you have a solution???
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Kitchen Conversations...
"Zig...Zig"..Chef PN was tipping the bell from his office.
I was working in the Western Kitchen. I entered the kitchen around 2:30 pm, though my shift is from 3 pm. The time I entered the kitchen, I saw some food is lying in the counter also known as "pass". I dont know, who made it--someone told me a boy has come for food trial & prepared those foods. I saw--horribly put. I started doing my work.
I went close to Chef's office, when Chef PN was tapping the bell. He is calling me. I knocked the door, asked for his permission & went inside. My other colleagues didn't even bother to knock. For them, the door is always opened!!
"Gaurav, what do you think of this guy?" Chef PN asked me. I said, "Yes, he is good".
Chef PN got pissed off--I could make it out from his face. He asked me again, "What do you think of his trial, how was his food?". Again, as usual with a smile I replied, "Yes, his food was good, his presentation was not good though, but I tasted his food--its good."
Chef PN started,"Gaurav, you tell good about people, cause you are good [I doubt :P ]. You cant be good to people always--sometimes you need to be hard, stern to them. Else, people will take you for granted. Secondly, never be desperate. Let things mature, let things ripen. Never show desperation in anything."
I had no other option, except saying ," You are right chef...."
Chef PN continues, while having an eye on his Lotus Notes ,"And...whats happening??".
I am in a mood to leave the kitchen,"Nothing much chef...Thank you chef" & I left the kitchen.
Well, I learnt two most important lessons that day. No. 1---Dont be good to all. Its partially true, that if you are too good to all, it will be a problem for you--they will take you for granted.
Secondly--dont be desperate. Yes...sometimes I have been too desperate for anything..or for something. Take this example..being out of country. I was craving to leave India & work abroad for long--since my college days. Even in 2008..I left my employment in Grand Hyatt for coming to Dubai & join magnanimous Atlantis, but Divine thought something else. However, in 2009, I was sure, time was ripe enough to leave the country. I remember, when I gave my first resignation to Chef PN, as I was planning to move to Bahrain, Chef PN rejected right away. But when I gave it to him, whilst coming to Dubai, he said, "Well, I cant stop you. You will have to go..." & accepted my resignation.
Even in personal matters I have been less desperate. As my friend Joydeep says, "Go with the flow"...so do I!!
I was working in the Western Kitchen. I entered the kitchen around 2:30 pm, though my shift is from 3 pm. The time I entered the kitchen, I saw some food is lying in the counter also known as "pass". I dont know, who made it--someone told me a boy has come for food trial & prepared those foods. I saw--horribly put. I started doing my work.
I went close to Chef's office, when Chef PN was tapping the bell. He is calling me. I knocked the door, asked for his permission & went inside. My other colleagues didn't even bother to knock. For them, the door is always opened!!
"Gaurav, what do you think of this guy?" Chef PN asked me. I said, "Yes, he is good".
Chef PN got pissed off--I could make it out from his face. He asked me again, "What do you think of his trial, how was his food?". Again, as usual with a smile I replied, "Yes, his food was good, his presentation was not good though, but I tasted his food--its good."
Chef PN started,"Gaurav, you tell good about people, cause you are good [I doubt :P ]. You cant be good to people always--sometimes you need to be hard, stern to them. Else, people will take you for granted. Secondly, never be desperate. Let things mature, let things ripen. Never show desperation in anything."
I had no other option, except saying ," You are right chef...."
Chef PN continues, while having an eye on his Lotus Notes ,"And...whats happening??".
I am in a mood to leave the kitchen,"Nothing much chef...Thank you chef" & I left the kitchen.
Well, I learnt two most important lessons that day. No. 1---Dont be good to all. Its partially true, that if you are too good to all, it will be a problem for you--they will take you for granted.
Secondly--dont be desperate. Yes...sometimes I have been too desperate for anything..or for something. Take this example..being out of country. I was craving to leave India & work abroad for long--since my college days. Even in 2008..I left my employment in Grand Hyatt for coming to Dubai & join magnanimous Atlantis, but Divine thought something else. However, in 2009, I was sure, time was ripe enough to leave the country. I remember, when I gave my first resignation to Chef PN, as I was planning to move to Bahrain, Chef PN rejected right away. But when I gave it to him, whilst coming to Dubai, he said, "Well, I cant stop you. You will have to go..." & accepted my resignation.
Even in personal matters I have been less desperate. As my friend Joydeep says, "Go with the flow"...so do I!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Burger...or Hamburger???
On the way back to home, one of the friends was telling me, "Gaurav, now I am craving for a burger..". I instantly replied, "Let's go to Mcdonalds", but ultimately we landed upto burger king. My friend had a beefburger, as far as I can recollect, & I had chicken burger, since I am on restricted diet. What is the origin of this burger, for which people are craving???
Simply put, burger is another type of Sandwich. It has got all the qualities of a Sandwich, yet, we dont call it a Sandwich in the menu. It has got a bread [the burger bun], spread [will vary according to S.O.P.], filling [meat, chicken & a lot of stuff] & garnish [again, it is dependent on S.O.P.].
Well, now its origins. I remember in my college days, my senior used to ask me, "Gaurav, do you know the origin of burger??", as usual, it was my ignorance to know initially, so I would say no. He told "The name comes from the place Hamburg, in Germany, but why hamburger, does it have ham in it??". You must be knowing that Ham refers to cured/salted pork leg, though traditionally, any animal's leg has been referred to as Ham for times immemorial. I didn't know which meat is used for Hamburger, since I was accustomed to Chicken Burger, which I used to make it at home, since I was in grade 7 [few burnt marks are still there]. He told me, beef/tenderloin is used for making the burger.
I was going through a german cuisine book, which I bought for myself last year & casually I was browsing through a couple of days before. However, an interesting information I got, which is worth sharing. Hamburger, actually is a type of meatball, which is in the form of a steak [which we call the burger patty now]. A traditional recipe uses ground beef & egg yolk for the *hamburger* steak & cooked as per doneness. However, there were no rolls/buns to be served. But how did the concept of putting this "steak" come into effect?The author records, it all started in Ohio, USA. The seller of snacks was running short of sausages for the hot dogs, so he served the burger steaks in between milk rolls, which is now popular as the "Hamburger", whilst the traditional ground beef & egg yolk is a mere history.
When I am in Calcutta or in India, I always prefer the "Maharaja Mac" -a double burger with cheese in Mcdonalds. It comes in a generous price of $1.50, which is quite affordable & filling too. In India, the burgers are not made with Beef, for obvious reasons--as Hindus don't eat beef & cow is revered by Hindus[there are exceptions to it. I am a hindu too, but I used to enjoy steak with beer, till I was told not to consume!!!]. So burgers are mostly made of chicken, aloo tikki [potato patty for burgers] are also there.
Now there are so many burgers originated--Cheeseburger, Zingerburger[ I love this too...in KFC] & a loads of stuff!!!
I remember, when I was in Mumbai, one night, before going to the shift, I was craving for burger. However, the outlet was too far [in other way round, I was too lazy to go that far] & they dont do any home delivery. I went to my hotel & once I entered the kitchen, I started making one for myself. But nothing beats Mcdonalds. Hats off to them!!!!
Anyways, now I am hungry & if I write more..I will start craving for a burger. A small recipe for you...
Perfect Burger!
Ingredients:
For the patty
Ground tenderloin- 150 gm
Seasoning- to taste
Chopped Onion- 20 gm
Chopped Garlic- of 1 clove
Egg Yolk- 2 no
W. Sauce- 2 tsp
H.P. Sauce- 2 tsp
For the garnish
Iceberg Lettuce- few leaves
Onion- 2 slices
Tomato- 2 slices
Sliced Cheese- 2 of cheddar[optional]
For the spread
Mayonnaise- as required
Burger bun-1 [kaiser rolls or wutever!!]
Method:
1)Mix all the ingredients for the patty & keep them cold, until ready to cook. Form into neat round patty & cook them in a hot plate, as per desired doneness[ Note:Ground meat is partially cooked, when its passed through the mincer. The mechanical heat helps to break the collagen of meat. So the meat will cook faster than a steak of same weight]
2)Half the burger bun horizontally & toast them . Apply mayonnaise on both the halves. On the base, put the lettuce followed by tomato. You may put the onion as it is, or may cook them in a hot plate, till it starts to melt & put them on top of tomato.
3)Put the cooked patty on top of the onion. If you are using cheese, put the cheese on top of the patty & allow to melt under salamander & once melted put them on top of the onion immediately.
4)Eat it, as soon as possible!!!
By the way, never put a cucumber in a hot sandwich/burger. Cucumber is meant for cold sandwiches--not for hot stuff!
Enjoy....
Simply put, burger is another type of Sandwich. It has got all the qualities of a Sandwich, yet, we dont call it a Sandwich in the menu. It has got a bread [the burger bun], spread [will vary according to S.O.P.], filling [meat, chicken & a lot of stuff] & garnish [again, it is dependent on S.O.P.].
Well, now its origins. I remember in my college days, my senior used to ask me, "Gaurav, do you know the origin of burger??", as usual, it was my ignorance to know initially, so I would say no. He told "The name comes from the place Hamburg, in Germany, but why hamburger, does it have ham in it??". You must be knowing that Ham refers to cured/salted pork leg, though traditionally, any animal's leg has been referred to as Ham for times immemorial. I didn't know which meat is used for Hamburger, since I was accustomed to Chicken Burger, which I used to make it at home, since I was in grade 7 [few burnt marks are still there]. He told me, beef/tenderloin is used for making the burger.
I was going through a german cuisine book, which I bought for myself last year & casually I was browsing through a couple of days before. However, an interesting information I got, which is worth sharing. Hamburger, actually is a type of meatball, which is in the form of a steak [which we call the burger patty now]. A traditional recipe uses ground beef & egg yolk for the *hamburger* steak & cooked as per doneness. However, there were no rolls/buns to be served. But how did the concept of putting this "steak" come into effect?The author records, it all started in Ohio, USA. The seller of snacks was running short of sausages for the hot dogs, so he served the burger steaks in between milk rolls, which is now popular as the "Hamburger", whilst the traditional ground beef & egg yolk is a mere history.
When I am in Calcutta or in India, I always prefer the "Maharaja Mac" -a double burger with cheese in Mcdonalds. It comes in a generous price of $1.50, which is quite affordable & filling too. In India, the burgers are not made with Beef, for obvious reasons--as Hindus don't eat beef & cow is revered by Hindus[there are exceptions to it. I am a hindu too, but I used to enjoy steak with beer, till I was told not to consume!!!]. So burgers are mostly made of chicken, aloo tikki [potato patty for burgers] are also there.
Now there are so many burgers originated--Cheeseburger, Zingerburger[ I love this too...in KFC] & a loads of stuff!!!
I remember, when I was in Mumbai, one night, before going to the shift, I was craving for burger. However, the outlet was too far [in other way round, I was too lazy to go that far] & they dont do any home delivery. I went to my hotel & once I entered the kitchen, I started making one for myself. But nothing beats Mcdonalds. Hats off to them!!!!
Anyways, now I am hungry & if I write more..I will start craving for a burger. A small recipe for you...
Perfect Burger!
Ingredients:
For the patty
Ground tenderloin- 150 gm
Seasoning- to taste
Chopped Onion- 20 gm
Chopped Garlic- of 1 clove
Egg Yolk- 2 no
W. Sauce- 2 tsp
H.P. Sauce- 2 tsp
For the garnish
Iceberg Lettuce- few leaves
Onion- 2 slices
Tomato- 2 slices
Sliced Cheese- 2 of cheddar[optional]
For the spread
Mayonnaise- as required
Burger bun-1 [kaiser rolls or wutever!!]
Method:
1)Mix all the ingredients for the patty & keep them cold, until ready to cook. Form into neat round patty & cook them in a hot plate, as per desired doneness[ Note:Ground meat is partially cooked, when its passed through the mincer. The mechanical heat helps to break the collagen of meat. So the meat will cook faster than a steak of same weight]
2)Half the burger bun horizontally & toast them . Apply mayonnaise on both the halves. On the base, put the lettuce followed by tomato. You may put the onion as it is, or may cook them in a hot plate, till it starts to melt & put them on top of tomato.
3)Put the cooked patty on top of the onion. If you are using cheese, put the cheese on top of the patty & allow to melt under salamander & once melted put them on top of the onion immediately.
4)Eat it, as soon as possible!!!
By the way, never put a cucumber in a hot sandwich/burger. Cucumber is meant for cold sandwiches--not for hot stuff!
Enjoy....
So dark is the con of man!!!
Yes...it is so dark, the darker side of human being I have never seen before. May be I have seen in macro-level so couldn't decipher, but in micro level, things are becoming clear now. People can be endowed with so much of vengeance. Couldn't they think before going forward??Couldn't they inform me, before doing this??
One always warns other before he touches fire, not after that. But now??
Now I lament I shouldn't have done it, but I cant undo. God has not given us two keys with- Ctrl & Z. May be in *next version* we will be born with these two buttons. I am so silent now, people/colleagues are telling me that. Just waiting for situations to improve. Not talking to all..except a few!! Fortunately, few colleagues/friends are with me & can feel how I am feeling now [Its really a solace for me.I hope they are still with me...giving me emotional support!!], but I will never break down!! I will rebuild & I now I can...
God is continuously giving me the power to face all odds & I am sure..I will pass in this exam also...
But what I am concerned about is the darker side of human being..their evil side. One colleague was telling me of ying-yang...good & evil. But we are human beings--our thought process is moulded in such a way that we always think that only good happens to us, but we forget that if we can enjoy the good parts of life, we should also know how to accept the unfortunate consequences too..
One always warns other before he touches fire, not after that. But now??
Now I lament I shouldn't have done it, but I cant undo. God has not given us two keys with- Ctrl & Z. May be in *next version* we will be born with these two buttons. I am so silent now, people/colleagues are telling me that. Just waiting for situations to improve. Not talking to all..except a few!! Fortunately, few colleagues/friends are with me & can feel how I am feeling now [Its really a solace for me.I hope they are still with me...giving me emotional support!!], but I will never break down!! I will rebuild & I now I can...
God is continuously giving me the power to face all odds & I am sure..I will pass in this exam also...
But what I am concerned about is the darker side of human being..their evil side. One colleague was telling me of ying-yang...good & evil. But we are human beings--our thought process is moulded in such a way that we always think that only good happens to us, but we forget that if we can enjoy the good parts of life, we should also know how to accept the unfortunate consequences too..
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
When I was a kid....
Everyone was a kid at sometime ...before they entered their adulthood. Some remain kid throughout their life, through their actions, behaviour, heart or whatever...
I was also a kid..physically...though some people still say, I am still mentally!!
Anyways, I have faintly memories of childhood. My grandpa[my father's father] died, when I was 2 years old--I hardly remember any interaction with him. Though, when I go through the old album, I find a lot of pictures with him. The one of the incident I cherish "when I was a kid" is taking a sleeping pill, when I was 3 yrs old.
My grandfather [mother's father] was a patient of nervous breakdown, so doctor used to advise him to have sleeping pills. I saw him taking one from a pack of 10 tablets. All were white in colour, except one, which was pink colored. I thought, it to be a lozenge. I saw him keeping it on a shelf. Once he left the room, I took a chair, climbed up to reach the shelf & then got the tablets. I opened the pack, opened my desired "candy" & then started chewing. But its bitter..I came down & told mom, "Maa, this tablet is bitter...". She started questioning me, what did I eat?I told her everything. In the meanwhile, my grandmother got to know--she got scared. She used to love me a lot--I being her favorite grandson. She started hitting me lightly, & telling me, "Why dont you do all these stuff at your home?Why here?". Anyways, my mom took me to the doctor, doctor just laughed it away saying good that I would sleep for sometime, nothing much. Else, if people are too worried, they can take me to hospital for washing away the tablet. Doctor advised my mom, that I should be given to drink tea [perhaps an antidote???]. Anyways, this story ends here...one of the funny events[??] of my childhood.
My grandfather passed away, when I was 4 yrs old. I remember, I was in the nursery. My uncle & mother came to meet the teacher & told her that my grandfather was not in a good condition, so we must move to my maternal uncle's. We all left.
The day he died, I didn't know what was death. I saw people crying, mourning on his death bed. I was just roaming around. My mom, grandmother, father, maternal uncle, & few relatives, neighbours--all were there. I saw some flowers which has dropped from his death bed. I was collecting them & put them on his chest. However, after all left for the cremation of his body, I came to learn from my mother, that was crying....perhaps, I could feel what was death, by then.
I also have faintly memories of nursery too. Few glimpses I remember--I was ever playful. People used to comment that I would either be a philosopher or a poet. However, my play was all alone..seldom with people. One habit which I had, was to untie my shoelace & throw it away from the window. I did it several times....& my mother used to run after me for that. At the end, I needed a punishment. It was a hot summer then. The pitch was about to melt. As usual, I opened the shoelaces & threw it away. My mother saw this. She didn't tell me anything. On the way back, she opened my shoes & let me walk on barefoot. I remember, I was crying, as the road was too hot. I already said, the pitch was about to melt. My feet turned red & after that, she washed my feet with cold water.
During my childhood, most of the frequented place was my grandmother's house/maternal uncle's house. Every vacation, holidays, my mother used to take me there. I told you, that I was dear to my grandmother. Whatever I used to hear from people, I used to tell her. Good, bad, positive, negative. I remember, my mother used to tell me mythological stories--mostly being of Hindu Mythology. I used to tell my grandmother all those stories, with facial expressions.
Whilst our ancestral property was being renovated, we used to stay at some other place. The neighbours there were devotees of Lord Krishna. They used to sing bhajans, prayers etc. Whenever, they would something for God, they would always call me, & decorate me with all forms of marks etc, like the way a Vaishnava puts the divine marks of Krishna in their body.
In the year 1990, my father went to US to meet my uncle in California. I went with him till the airport, but I didn't want him to leave. I was crying a lot in the airport. My father wanted to relocate to US during that time. Everything was done...Visa, ticket all were ready. But my mother changed plans, owing to my grandmother's poor health. Else, we would have been in the *States* by now.
At the age of 6, I got a sibling. He was too small for me. I used to play with him...even now, when I am in Calcutta, I play with him. Often he would fall from my hands & would start crying..n then back to normal.
When I was 7, I lost my grandmother. She used to dream that I would be university blue. Many a times, she used to tell me, when I would visit her. She was suffering from breast cancer, which further went to brain. I remember, the day she passed away. The previous day, all my cousins & I was staying over in the neighbour's house. My grandmother's condition was critical. I got up around 6 am in the morning, of May, 27 1992. The senior lady of the neighbour's house told me, "Your grandmother has gone to heaven". I could not understand. After a glass of milk, I went to my grandmother's house. I saw many people sitting in the drawing room. "What has happened?" I asked myself. Gradually, I went to see her living room. What I saw?She is being garlanded, lying on the bed, my mother & many people are sitting around & crying. It was so terrific for me to believe. I also started crying & went out of the house. Later, I could hardly enter the room.
In 1994, we went to Bhutan--a small kingdom in the foothills of the mountain. I remember the whole trip.It was entirely by road from Calcutta. We four & my father's friend also accompanied us. We stayed in a hotel in Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan. I remember, my father was telling us everyday during our stay there, "We will go for a sightseeing today..". We went out to find a cab, my father would bargain with them & finally when they could not agree, he cancelled the plans. Anyways, mostly we were around only...the big post office, the beautiful gardens, small markets selling indigenous goods, the mountains, shops, theaters etc. Also at that age, I tasted wine for the first time. But never appreciated it!!!
Few memories I have of my primary/elementary school. Till Grade 4, I was good in studies, if not the best. However, in grade 2's midterm, I flunked in mathematics. My mother went to see the answer sheets, what went wrong. It was simple addition mistakes I did. Anyways, almost everyone was trying hard for me, during my finals. Every family member, relatives came to me, on the day prior to the mathematics exam in finals, & started giving me sums ...Ohh..I remember of practising it all the day. Finally, I passed secured 81 of 100!!!
I had been always poor in mathematics, rather a teacher used to term "Mathophobia". Could be.. :)
Being influenced by many detectives around, in the TV, in the books, we also started a detective agency in school...of keeping informed what is happening around. The school lockers/washrooms were often the only place, where the students can express their feelings--for teachers, for girls etc. We used to trace them out...it was total fun...
I remember, when I used to see my father shaving everyday, I used to sigh "When will I grow up & start shaving??"..but now??? "Ohh...I wish I could shave once in a week!!" Things were seemingly inevitable & hard those days, but now...those days are the best days in life....when I was a kid.
I was also a kid..physically...though some people still say, I am still mentally!!
Anyways, I have faintly memories of childhood. My grandpa[my father's father] died, when I was 2 years old--I hardly remember any interaction with him. Though, when I go through the old album, I find a lot of pictures with him. The one of the incident I cherish "when I was a kid" is taking a sleeping pill, when I was 3 yrs old.
My grandfather [mother's father] was a patient of nervous breakdown, so doctor used to advise him to have sleeping pills. I saw him taking one from a pack of 10 tablets. All were white in colour, except one, which was pink colored. I thought, it to be a lozenge. I saw him keeping it on a shelf. Once he left the room, I took a chair, climbed up to reach the shelf & then got the tablets. I opened the pack, opened my desired "candy" & then started chewing. But its bitter..I came down & told mom, "Maa, this tablet is bitter...". She started questioning me, what did I eat?I told her everything. In the meanwhile, my grandmother got to know--she got scared. She used to love me a lot--I being her favorite grandson. She started hitting me lightly, & telling me, "Why dont you do all these stuff at your home?Why here?". Anyways, my mom took me to the doctor, doctor just laughed it away saying good that I would sleep for sometime, nothing much. Else, if people are too worried, they can take me to hospital for washing away the tablet. Doctor advised my mom, that I should be given to drink tea [perhaps an antidote???]. Anyways, this story ends here...one of the funny events[??] of my childhood.
My grandfather passed away, when I was 4 yrs old. I remember, I was in the nursery. My uncle & mother came to meet the teacher & told her that my grandfather was not in a good condition, so we must move to my maternal uncle's. We all left.
The day he died, I didn't know what was death. I saw people crying, mourning on his death bed. I was just roaming around. My mom, grandmother, father, maternal uncle, & few relatives, neighbours--all were there. I saw some flowers which has dropped from his death bed. I was collecting them & put them on his chest. However, after all left for the cremation of his body, I came to learn from my mother, that was crying....perhaps, I could feel what was death, by then.
I also have faintly memories of nursery too. Few glimpses I remember--I was ever playful. People used to comment that I would either be a philosopher or a poet. However, my play was all alone..seldom with people. One habit which I had, was to untie my shoelace & throw it away from the window. I did it several times....& my mother used to run after me for that. At the end, I needed a punishment. It was a hot summer then. The pitch was about to melt. As usual, I opened the shoelaces & threw it away. My mother saw this. She didn't tell me anything. On the way back, she opened my shoes & let me walk on barefoot. I remember, I was crying, as the road was too hot. I already said, the pitch was about to melt. My feet turned red & after that, she washed my feet with cold water.
During my childhood, most of the frequented place was my grandmother's house/maternal uncle's house. Every vacation, holidays, my mother used to take me there. I told you, that I was dear to my grandmother. Whatever I used to hear from people, I used to tell her. Good, bad, positive, negative. I remember, my mother used to tell me mythological stories--mostly being of Hindu Mythology. I used to tell my grandmother all those stories, with facial expressions.
Whilst our ancestral property was being renovated, we used to stay at some other place. The neighbours there were devotees of Lord Krishna. They used to sing bhajans, prayers etc. Whenever, they would something for God, they would always call me, & decorate me with all forms of marks etc, like the way a Vaishnava puts the divine marks of Krishna in their body.
In the year 1990, my father went to US to meet my uncle in California. I went with him till the airport, but I didn't want him to leave. I was crying a lot in the airport. My father wanted to relocate to US during that time. Everything was done...Visa, ticket all were ready. But my mother changed plans, owing to my grandmother's poor health. Else, we would have been in the *States* by now.
At the age of 6, I got a sibling. He was too small for me. I used to play with him...even now, when I am in Calcutta, I play with him. Often he would fall from my hands & would start crying..n then back to normal.
When I was 7, I lost my grandmother. She used to dream that I would be university blue. Many a times, she used to tell me, when I would visit her. She was suffering from breast cancer, which further went to brain. I remember, the day she passed away. The previous day, all my cousins & I was staying over in the neighbour's house. My grandmother's condition was critical. I got up around 6 am in the morning, of May, 27 1992. The senior lady of the neighbour's house told me, "Your grandmother has gone to heaven". I could not understand. After a glass of milk, I went to my grandmother's house. I saw many people sitting in the drawing room. "What has happened?" I asked myself. Gradually, I went to see her living room. What I saw?She is being garlanded, lying on the bed, my mother & many people are sitting around & crying. It was so terrific for me to believe. I also started crying & went out of the house. Later, I could hardly enter the room.
In 1994, we went to Bhutan--a small kingdom in the foothills of the mountain. I remember the whole trip.It was entirely by road from Calcutta. We four & my father's friend also accompanied us. We stayed in a hotel in Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan. I remember, my father was telling us everyday during our stay there, "We will go for a sightseeing today..". We went out to find a cab, my father would bargain with them & finally when they could not agree, he cancelled the plans. Anyways, mostly we were around only...the big post office, the beautiful gardens, small markets selling indigenous goods, the mountains, shops, theaters etc. Also at that age, I tasted wine for the first time. But never appreciated it!!!
Few memories I have of my primary/elementary school. Till Grade 4, I was good in studies, if not the best. However, in grade 2's midterm, I flunked in mathematics. My mother went to see the answer sheets, what went wrong. It was simple addition mistakes I did. Anyways, almost everyone was trying hard for me, during my finals. Every family member, relatives came to me, on the day prior to the mathematics exam in finals, & started giving me sums ...Ohh..I remember of practising it all the day. Finally, I passed secured 81 of 100!!!
I had been always poor in mathematics, rather a teacher used to term "Mathophobia". Could be.. :)
Being influenced by many detectives around, in the TV, in the books, we also started a detective agency in school...of keeping informed what is happening around. The school lockers/washrooms were often the only place, where the students can express their feelings--for teachers, for girls etc. We used to trace them out...it was total fun...
I remember, when I used to see my father shaving everyday, I used to sigh "When will I grow up & start shaving??"..but now??? "Ohh...I wish I could shave once in a week!!" Things were seemingly inevitable & hard those days, but now...those days are the best days in life....when I was a kid.
Monday, March 1, 2010
An Apologetic Post
Dear Readers,
This blog has been active since January 1st of this year, with kitchen stories, experiences, incidents & also some personal stuff, when I went off the track. However, my series "Working in front of Heat--Kitchen Incidents, Experiences & Stories" has been too rude, too expressive & at places, few of my readers were upset with posts, when either they were not meant to be targeted/poorly expressed/too-much-information have been given or they didn't understand it properly.
I have removed all those series, as of today & I commit to discontinue the series "Working in front of Heat--Kitchen Incidents, Experiences & Stories" with immediate effect.
My sincere apologies for the readers, who found my posts to be obscene/expressed.
Thank you,
Pampered Chef.
This blog has been active since January 1st of this year, with kitchen stories, experiences, incidents & also some personal stuff, when I went off the track. However, my series "Working in front of Heat--Kitchen Incidents, Experiences & Stories" has been too rude, too expressive & at places, few of my readers were upset with posts, when either they were not meant to be targeted/poorly expressed/too-much-information have been given or they didn't understand it properly.
I have removed all those series, as of today & I commit to discontinue the series "Working in front of Heat--Kitchen Incidents, Experiences & Stories" with immediate effect.
My sincere apologies for the readers, who found my posts to be obscene/expressed.
Thank you,
Pampered Chef.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)