The food I love the most is the food served with love. Like, when my grandmother used to cook me food, that food was, as if, it was the best food in this universe. There was a lot of love, lots of prayers, and many more in that food which was very pleasing to the mind. She was very fond of feeding and I loved eating. However, whenever she used to feed me, I used to eat more than what I needed. But still she would ask me - "What's the matter today? Why did you eat less food? Didn't I cook well? Are you not feeling hungry?" But I knew that her hand-cooked food always doubled my hunger.
Photo credit: jean louis mazieres on Visualhunt.comMaybe that's why, during my childhood, whenever I used to get a chance and as soon as there used to be school holidays, I used to reach my grandmother's house. And I remember whenever I met her, she used to tell me the same thing that I look weak than before. And then would ask me if am I not eating food properly? This was her love. This was her love and it was not only for me. All the children in our family were as dear to her as I was. She had immense love. Always. For everyone. And this love used to double the taste of the food prepared by her.
I used to get exactly the same taste in food prepared by my mother. Maybe it was the reason why I was not so much interested in eating outside. There may be taste in the food of the market, but from where will love, affection and blessings come in it? On the other hand, Papa taught me a very good thing in my childhood. I fell in love with every vegetable and fruit because of him. I still like all kinds of vegetables and fruits. There is no food on this earth that is made with love and I don't like it. However, as a child, I used to find some things very special. Such as dried potato made in Cummins. Or dry scrambled masala cheese. And in sweet, carrot pudding (gajar ka halwa). It's still my favorite.
During my childhood, when I had just started going to school, I used to have paneer everyday in my lunch box. I used to eat paneer and the thin portion of roti in lunch and used to bring the rest of the roti back in tiffin. Slowly, Papa inculcated in me a habit of finishing the whole tiffin. And that habit has stayed with me till date. I never leave anything in my plate. The best thing is take a little less than what you want. Finish it. And take more only if you need it. This is the lesson of wisdom I was taught right during my childhood.
