Tomatoes, Onions and Wasabi

Of all things you do in your life, there are some that you are passionate about. Some that you do because it is your responsibility. And then there's some that you do just because they are fun to do and because you can.

For me it has always been two things. Coding, because I can and of the never ending possibilities. Second, Cooking for more of the same reasons. My Mom is a brilliant cook and one of the fastest too. What my aunts cook for two hours my mother does in 30 minutes. She loves to cook too, for us! All my family except my dad are suckers for food. We eat and are good at it. On most nights when there was mega serials on screen during dinner time in the neighbourhood, it was always MasterChef US or Australia every day at 9 PM at mine. If it was in the day, all we watch is Eat Street, DDD and anything food related. From Gourmet to Street Food. From India to England to US and Back.

And sometimes when we feel like exploring we try Gourmet at Home. Or something stupid sometimes. We tried finding the secret spices of KFC by trial and error once. Sometimes we revert back to stone age and just cook mutton liver on flames with just salt - A must try for anyone who eats Mutton!

Here's a picture of me making Spaghetti

All the while I couldn't help wonder how important a role Tomatoes and Onions play in South Indian Cooking. If I grind them in the mixer add chilli and garlic, and reduce the acid in tomatoes in a simmer, I get a strong tomato chutney. If I just keep them raw and top them with fried curry leaves, cumin and mustard, I get andhra bajji chutney. If I chop both of them, saute with chilli powder and turmeric and add water and reduce, I get Kara Kuzhambu. If I add ground coconut to it I get kuruma. Add Egg to it, Egg Kuruma. Without water Just add ginger garlic paste and suate, I get another chutney for just Rotis and Poori. Add Mint and Urud dhal and a bit of Tamarind and Coconut, I get a whole other chutney. You need them for Biriyani. You need them for any kind of south indian dish. That's how important they are.

Food is one of the very basic requirements of any living organism. Gourmet is for the evolved and passionate creatures. One needs to appreciate food and culture of not only one's own roots but also of the ones across the Continents.

Here's some Japanese Cuisine from AkiBay, Squid Rings and PaiTan Ramen and Wasabi. I shall never forget Wasabi. The sickest food derived from root to ever exist. My tongue burned for days and it literally bled every time I brushed my teeth.

Cooking is an art. It doesn't have to be perfect. It's just enough as long as all the senses enjoy it. The eyes that eagerly looks at waiters coming out the door. The nose that picks up dishes from neighbour's house every other Sunday, the tongue that savours every bite, the ears that succumb to the sizzling of curry leaves in Oil.

If we don't appreciate food, are we Human at all?

Here's the Spaghetti I made