A friend had invited me for Dinner... and the first question she asked me was what is a difference between and Iyer and an Iyengar. Then.. I just replied saying they have different religious practices what makes them a little different than the other. Actually I really dont know the difference too well?? And just left it there....and we had different conversations..
But occassionally I sit to wonder what promted her that question?? That was really weird and wonder what made her ask me this? Very often now and then this question comes to my mind now... and its been really long that i have been in touch with her and dont really feel like asking her why did she even ask me this....
I do know there is a little categorization over here in the USA about being a brahmin and a non (read it non vegeterian and other religious practices.... these are the only few difference I am aware of....) But what promted her to ask me this question.. now it kind of bothers me on and off!! wonder why??
I have never really gone that deep in to knowing different castes and sub castes as there are just too many to know of... and having come from a cosmopolitan city mumbai where you come accross people all around the country who speak different languages and have different practices we pay very less attention to the caste creed and religion factor..... Just basic differentiation that I am aware of would be the language, probably eating habits and religious practices. But when you come from the same state you would be able to distinguish between the minor differences within the state which is a lot difficult to distinguish as a country!!
I was just watching this movie Flavors... its another movie based on an NRI life... liked and started realting myself to the girl Sangita in the movie :-) Just sit to wonder is my life so similar to hers?? To an extend yes it is... but have the same questions.... There are lot of women who choose to be at home and are very happy about it.. but why does society look upon them so much.... Every person from kids to aunts ask me what do you do the whole day at home? Its ok to answer these questions during your initial days of marriage when people are curious and would like to know how life on the other end and how different it is? But even after three years of marriage if yo have to listen to the same stuff it kind of gets annoying... even a college going teenager asking me that...... what do you aunts do at home the whole day?? why is it that young women as homemakers are not acceptable?? Dont you get bored?? I am so tired of this question by now.... tell me something new?? I am actually short of time after my household chores and studies.. i need more time for my studies..... my evening just pass by with cooking, working out, spending time with family and then dinner, dishes and finally some time for studies... again during the day cleaning up , and yes do get time to study but again orkutting, facebooking, chatting with parents, news are important too...
I sit to wonder I am not really bored at home and have ample stuffs to do but why the person on the other end is soo concerned..... Do you think you wanna do something more in life?
Well for now this is it.... I used to work back in india and it did take a while for me to get used to the lifestyle change after the initial days of fun, new place, new activities.... but i guess that true for every individual who goes through this change in life....
I sure miss the social life I had back in India....... but i have got used to my life here now.... not sure what more is in store for me....
Pav Bhaji...the name itself is soo tempting and mouth watering. I normally don't make this preparation as its a spicy dish though wholesome. I had all the ingredients to make a perfect pav bhaji wihtout a pav bhaji masala :-) Thought of trying to make one without the masala.... used the subzi masala I had and some garam masala for some extra spice and some grounded fennel seeds and carrom seeds. And the taste was very close to a perfect pav bhaji. Though it did aggravate my stomach as I am not supposed to eat such spicy oily foods.. But its ok to indulge occassionally.... :-) doesn't apply to me actually.....
Vegetable - 2 small potatoes, 1 1/2 cup cauliflower, 1 carrot, 1 cup peas boiled or steamed with some salt
Onion - 1 big chopped finely
Capsicum / Bell Pepper - 1 chopped
Tomato - Puree - 4-5 boiled , peel and pureed
Pav Bhaji Masala - 2 -3 tbsp (I substituted some subzi masala , garam masala and 1 tsp ground fennel and pinch carom seeds )
Garlic Paste / crushed - 6-7 cloves
Coriander - garnish
Red Chilli Powder - 1 tbsp
Oil / Butter / Ghee - 2 tbsp butter preferrably :-)
Heat oil in a pan, splutter some cumin seeds, add red chilli powder and 3/4th of the garlic paste. Stir well for few minutes. Add onions and bell peppers and cook till transperant. Now add the tomato puree and cook till the raw smell goes. Now add the mixed veggies preferably add after mashing well and the rest of the leftover garlic paste. Add salt, black pepper powder and pav bhaji masala. Cook for few minutes till done. Garnish with coriander leaves and dollops of butter :-) Enjoy with bread, pav or chapati... But I somehow still prefer Tava Pulav to pav bhaji :-)
