India Trip 2: The Chow

Without further ado...

Oh, this little package. Ain't it pretty?! It's Paan. And since I am no expert in it, I won't go all lengthy in explanation. In nutshell, it's a filled up betel leaf. There are many variety of paan, according to its fillings - sweet, tobacco, spices/herbs (cardamom, saffron, fennel, etc). I guess it's similar to what 'Sirih/Sireh' is in Indonesia. It is believed to freshen up palate as much as helping with digestion after meal.

I have tried only couple different ones. And personally think it's too perfumey and sweet. The smell of it, I like. To chew it in my mouth, that..I don't like. However, my dad (to my surprise) seems to enjoy it!

The gentleman in this below photo - we pretty much walked by him few times within the 2 nights we stayed in Delhi. With my fear about taking photos of things/ other people in public, I kept throwing (what I felt) charming smiles at him, hoping he'd notice and oh...smile back, maybe? Oh no. Did not happen.

But I really wanted to take this picture!! Especially due to the fact that my mom in law made fresh paneer few days before that and just thought it'd be nice to see the differences, you know?

Me (to Vik): Can you go and take his picture? (Yes, I am that pathetic!)
Vik (sipping on Thumbs Up - carbonated drink, similar to Pepsi): You go! He won't mind. Seriously. It makes more sense if you are the one taking the picture. You are the tourist, anyway. (Insert sarcasm here)
Me: Can you come with me at least, please pretty please? (My dad would be so ashamed of me!)
So we walked and I gave the guy the sweetest smile I could mustered and asked 'Can I take a photo?' He nodded or..shook his head, in a way of agreeing.
Me (smile in triumph): You think I can ask him to smile? (whispering to Vik)
Vik: Err..let's dont push our luck!

This one was made by mom in law. Pretty much, when milk comes to boil, squeeze in some lime juice (or vinegar) and let it curdles. Strain and mold to shape.


Next is green chana. Green chick peas. Bought raw in its pods and then dry roasted in a pan, giving a delicious smokey slightly burnt flavor to it.


Khaman, maybe one of my favorite Indian snacks of all time. I could skip breakfast, lunch and dinner just for this. Pretty much a snack food, though it can be made at home, it's equally normal to get it from store - easier and economical and the taste is just as good. Seems like the texture varies depending on the store. Denser in some stores. Airy and fluffy in some. I love airy fluffly lighter version. With tons of cilantro and chutney!

This is new for me. Fafrad. It's fried dough made of chickpea flour and is eaten along with pickled vegetables and green mangoes. During the 2 weeks we were in India, we ate fafra oh..about 5 times!

I had quite hard time taking good photos of plated dishes though. When dishes are something with some sort of gravy, it always came out bit 'slobbish/globbish' in photos, no? I guess if I have the time to arrange it and under adequate light, it'd be okay. However, I am nervous enough about taking food photos in public...so..




Oh tandoori naan!!! These guys were smiling when I brought out my camera, I assume that they are accustomed to such 'attention.'


According to my mother in law, dinner is not complete without dessert. Not much of dessert person, however, I rarely say no to a good gulab jamun. So, we headed to Bikanervala and sample few items. Mmmh.
The drink in the earthen clay cup is thandai or badam thandai (milk beverage with almonds, cardamom, saffron, and some other seeds), ladled from the pot insert on the cart.


Oh and .. just a random food related photo. Our schedule was quite a mess on that particular day, due to the high traffic (Christmas holiday) on our way to Amber Fort. Hence, we took a quick detour and made a stop at city park - so starved that we decided to grab a plate of noodles. It was not mind blowing by any means, but for about USD 0.50, it kept us going for couple hours.

India Trip 1 : Kitchen and cookware

Oh, I have sooo many food related news to share, but oh so little time! Making new year resolution has never been a big thing for me. Long time ago, Vik and I made a list of things we would like to do (achieve) in our lifetime, and we both agree not to get too excited and keep coming up with new list each new year, ya know? Though, I wonder if I should add to that list : Blog more often! :)

One tiny new wish for this year is to be tad braver....in taking photos in public! I admire those who click away over dishes in dining places, wherever that may be. Fancy or street hawkers. I am terrified in doing so, worrying whether I am disturbing other patrons, etc. Maybe I am just being chicken!! Here I am, wishing I have taken more food related photos while vacationing. Argh!

Anyways, so yeah, our trip to India. Before the trip, I knew that I'd have to take some photos of kitchen. Growing up, we traveled quite often and my dad always made the point of eating whatever local eats. He believes that it's one way of learning the culture, if not the most important way, that is. As my love for food deepens, cookware and cooking technique become somewhat of interest. To study not only on how and what local eats, but the scene behind it all before the food being set on the table.

At that, wouldn't be fun if all bloggers post their kitchen and utensils in their blog?!

The first two photos are taken at Vik's aunt's kitchen. The shallow round ones, standing on their own slots or compartments are used for eating. Of course, there are regular plates too - glass/ceramic kind, but these are more commonly used in household. I think it's neat how they store it. Small tin bowls on the top shelf are for dhal, curry, etc. The few bigger ones on the first shelf and top-side shelves are for cooking.

Most pantry I have been and seen are sorta walk-in type, like shown in the photos. Spices, lentils, flour, sweets and snacks.


This utensils photo is taken at in law's kitchen and I am kicking myself for not taking more photos of other utensils!! Again, most kitchen I 'visited' - there is always a rack like that to hang their cooking utensils. There is even one that is designed to store silverware.


And these stainless steel - copper bowls are what I bought. They are used mostly in restaurants and lemme tell ya, hunting them out was quite a trip! See, I wanted decorated handles. Most market/shops carry ones with plain handles. After quite of struggle, hopping from one market to another. I found them in below market in Ahmedabad. Oh, I love riding the rickshaw. Vik hated it. But that's the whole point of traveling, I think. To mingle and simply to absorb the surrounding.

Vik: Oh gosh, taking video?!! You are acting like a tourist.
Me: What do you mean?! I AM A TOURIST!!



Each strip in the market is dedicated to certain things: poojas (praying items), spices, cookwares, etc. Instead of fixed price, the bowls were being weighed on a scale and priced according to its weight. I was hoping to find fancier ladle, but the one I got will do. I believe it's being used to ladle out water from its container. But I can't wait to use it for oh..dozen other ideas!

I will post about food on next post and at that, I couldn't help but had to take a photo of this 'kaka' (uncle) ;) He literally stood in the centre of a courtyard, overlooking Jal Mahal - palace on the lake. Looks so chilled and extremely attentive to whatever he is doing. Just gotta take picture of him.