S. Ramanujan, The Man Who Knew Infinity, died at a rather young age of 32. His death was partially attributed to the malnutrition he suffered while he was at Cambridge during WW I. During his time in England, he could not find ‘lodgings where good vegetarian food was given.’ This was long before curry houses became prevalent. He complained that he ‘would have suffered much more had it not been for the good milk obtained’ there. He begged in his letters to his friends and family to send ‘some tamarind (seeds being removed) and good coconut oil by postal parcel through cheapest route.’ It was such a desperate food situation that he would resort to making rice and sprinkle it with a few drops of lemon juice and add some salt to concoct a rasam. Continue reading The greatest story that was never told – our living story of finding our spicy roots in the US!
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India Town
Patel Brothers, Indian Grocers, Cary, North Carolina, USA.
When I was a student, in the college town where I lived, there used to be only one grocery store that sold spices catering to the small Indian student population. The Asian gentleman who owned this small grocery store called “Asia Stores” kept just one shelf full of Indian groceries. They were generic Indian spices and some Patak’s pickles. We were creative in using these spices to concoct some of the best sambars, rasams and curry varieties. Continue reading India Town
Rasam and tracing the ‘essence’- the rasa – of our food
Rasam and tracing the ‘essence’- the rasa – of our food
Rasam, as we call it, is as fundamental to our food as the very air we breathe, and yet it is the simplest form of a soup. It is a comfort food for us, and to all our South Indian neighbors. When the British came to India, it was the first Indian food that got anglicized. They called it mullaga (chile) water, which eventually evolved into Mulligatawny Soup. Apparently, they liked it so much so that today, in its varied incarnations, it is available the world over. Continue reading Rasam and tracing the ‘essence’- the rasa – of our food
Sambar/Vegetable Lentil Stew
Sambar/Vegetable Lentil Stew
Of course, a dish as popular as Sambar must have a real tall tale to showcase its mighty origin! One day, Sambaji (none other than the son of the great Maratha warrior Sivaji), who also happens to be a great cook, finds himself without his favorite ingredients in his cousin’s kingly court kitchen in Tanjore. He magically creates this world-famous dish with local ingredients and aptly names it after himself – Sambar! Continue reading Sambar/Vegetable Lentil Stew
Senbon Torii
Senbon Torii, Fushimi Inari, Fushimi, Kyoto, Japan.
As if walking through a row of historic houses, or through the bamboo forest or for that matter the kimono forest was not inspiration enough to be in Kyoto, hiking the trail through these 10,000 toris, called Senbon Torii, would certainly leave you in complete awe! The trail that starts at the bottom of Fushimi Inari Shrine and continues to the top of Mt. Inari-san is lined with thousands of toris. Continue reading Senbon Torii
Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan.
Mecca for fish merchants and sushi connoisseurs alike, Tsukiji Fish Market is the world’s largest fish market and in fact it is one of the largest wholesale markets of any kind. It also happens to be the number one tourist attraction in Tokyo. Continue reading Tsukiji Fish Market
Flower Shop
Flower Shop, Mylapore, Chennai, India.
Most South Indian Temples have some interesting streets leading the devotees to the very entrance of the temple. The closest streets to the entrance of these temples have a vibrant mixture of assorted vendors selling products that include flower garlands, worship items, bangles, and even expensive silk Saris, and gold and diamond jewelry. Continue reading Flower Shop
Corn Roaster
Corn Roaster, Marina Beach, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
I could not have chosen a better day to visit the famed Marina Beach! It was a Friday evening, and it seemed like everyone in Chennai was at the beach on that day to get a dose of the cool evening sea breeze after a very long, hot, and humid summer day. The beach was brimming with concession vendors, photographers, sellers and buyers, Romeos, young lovers, petty thieves, and children. Continue reading Corn Roaster