Family Smiles - or Comedy in the Kitchen Editor: Thankful Sonali Happy 26 WDC! 
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| Some cute moments with folks you've known all your life can bring smiles! Sharing something that happened yesterday, after an overnight stay with my aunt and uncle. |
Dear Reader,
I have an aunt living in the same city as I do (Bangalore, India) and an uncle, who is her cousin, who visits sometimes from Mumbai. My uncle usually has a tight schedule when he visits, as he travels on work. So there'll be a conference for him to attend, or a series of meetings to go to -- you get the idea. This means that a 'catch up' with him is usually over a lunch or dinner, for which he squeezes out some time.
This visit, he is staying with his cousin, my aunt. So she suggested I stay overnight so that we could get some family time together. Accordingly, I went over on Thursday and returned on Friday (which was yesterday as I type this!)
To be fair to all concerned, my aunt made the dinner menu according to my uncle's favourite dishes, and the breakfast menu according to mine. Needless to say all the food was delicious and I pigged out.
Yesterday's breakfast was sabu dana khichadi - Tapioca Pearl Pilaf or Sago Pilaf. Now this needs a bit of preparation in that it should be completely soaked for a few minutes, drained and left overnight. My aunt made preparations accordingly and went into the kitchen bright and early to check on it.
To her dismay, another vessel containing water lying nearby had apparently spilled into the bowl with the sabu dana in it, and, in her words, 'ruined' it. (Note - not ruined, just turns out a bit stickier than it should but she wasn't going to feed us with that.)
Accordingly, she gave us a makeshift breakfast of tea and toast to begin with while she soaked another batch of 'instant' sabu dana that she had. I kept telling her it was okay, I didn't mind eating either sticky sabu dana or none at all -- but she has this thing about wanting to feed her guests their favourite foods.
As a back up, she decided to make dosa and sent her helper to bring ready-made batter (a traditional South Indian fermented mixture made primarily from rice and black lentils) from the store.
In the meantime, my uncle went to his room to get into his formal clothes for the conference he was to attend. He had to leave on time, he said, and he wasn't going to have any more breakfast since he anticipated a good lunch and, in any case, was full of toast.
My aunt made the 'instant' sabu dana and lamented that it hadn't turned out to its best, either.
Now, I'm a good niece. A very good niece. I wouldn't want to spoil an aunt's reputation as a great chef, or force an uncle to eat sabu dana that wasn't up to standard. So, armed with my plate and spoon, I marched into the kitchen and said, 'bring it on'.
You must understand I was only obliging my aunt and my uncle. For their sake, I demolished four helpings of sabu dana khichadi. I am so accommodating, I didn't even let it get to the dining table, I plonked myself in the kitchen and ate hot off the stove.
My uncle emerged, all dignified in his conference attire. He gave me a 'bye' hug and was heading for the front door when my aunt grabbed him by the (stiff) collar and propelled him to his seat at the dining table.
"The dosa batter has arrived," she stated, pushing him down. "My helper is just bringing out the first dosa. Eat before you go."
"I've eaten toast and I'm getting late," he protested trying to rise. But there is no one stronger than a lady who has cooked breakfast and means you to eat it. He had to sit down again.
The helper emerged with a crisp, gleaming dosa. I eyed it as it was put in my uncle's plate. My aunt went into the kitchen, muttering something about -- something -- that she had to supervise.
Suddenly, there was half a dosa on the plate I was holding.
"I really am not hungry," he whispered, "and I have to get going."
Ah, what is a good niece to do? Before my aunt could emerge from the kitchen, I wolfed down the treat.
Aunt emerged and I managed to look innocent. Uncle rose. I got my second 'bye' hug and she got her first, and uncle climbed into the car and went off down the drive.
I was to leave soon, too, and had booked my ride home.
"Come to the kitchen before your ride arrives," she ordered.
I went.
I saw what she had mumbled she had to supervise.
Boxes.
To be precise, four boxes. For me to carry home. One contained my lunch, the other my dinner, the third a teatime snack and the fourth some mangoes.
My ride arrived and my overnight bag and four boxes of food were loaded in. We hugged 'bye'.
As we drove off, she waved, calling out, "Are you sure that'll be enough?"
********* There you have it. Just a cozy little family scene, with a touch of comedy added to it. Something that I'll remember and smile about for a long time to come.
Thanks for listening!
PS:
I know the question that is on your mind.
What was the dinner menu? 
Well, it was broccoli soup, macaroni with cauliflower and white sauce, raw mango salad and shrikhand (the Indian version of flavoured yoghurt) for dessert. |
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Comedy: June 24, 2026 Issue [#13805]
