Tempting Taste Buds: Missing Her

Life can be traumatizing for a retired person who has lost his wife of 65 years.
He is at a loose end in a huge house.
 What is the meaning of this life?
 Why stay alive?
One misses one's wife for various reasons. She was the companion, the friend, the go to person and general man Friday who made life meaningful.
She cooked, kept everyone in line, and maintained cordial relations with the hordes of pesky relatives and others with a smile. Every one just loved her.
Without her, the buffer is gone.
Everyone wants a piece of the main man.
The questions are many and diverse.
"What to do about this? How is this to be handled? What should we cook? Do you want this or that?"
 A hundred questions dog his footsteps wherever he moves.
 He wants to stay quiet, not have to deal with anyone and be generally left alone.
But yes, he must be served tasty food at the right time every  day as per his need. Just a little in quantity but of impeccable quality.
He misses his wife so much and talks to her photo as if she were still there.
One major topic is the food that she cooked for him and how no one else seems to have any idea how to cook right.
 She knew the various tricks needed to make something taste just perfect. Yummmm soul satisfying food.
She is a tough act to follow for any one.
Daughters, daughter in law, cook, dhaba wala, neighbours, other relatives. No one cooks like she did.
Would the Kitchens of India (http://shopping.kitchensofindia.com/) Chicken Darbari and Chicken Methi do the trick?
Will he like them as he liked the chicken curry that she cooked?
Even though a vegetarian, she cooked chicken for him, grumbling, and making him put the raw chicken into the pot so that she did not have to touch it by hand. It came out perfectly seasoned. Such was her expertise.
I am going to find out if this chicken out of a packet thing works for him. If it does, then his issue of tasty food will be solved. He can open a pack and have a gourmet party whenever he feels like it.
Here is to hoping!
Anything is possible. No?

A Family Get Together

We have all heard that a family that eats together stays together. The bigger the family, the more the fun for all and more the work for the lady or ladies of the house.
 No offence meant to the men of the house. Its just that whenever it comes to organizing something for the entire family, the major responsibility is shouldered by the female of the species, at least in my experience.

I am planning to have a party for our extended family in the city. This is to celebrate many achievements, landmark events, and general blessing of God to keep us all well and happy wherever we may be.

There is a major constraint though. How to get everyone together at one place and one time to share a meal.
The obvious choice is to go to an eating place that is equidistant from where everyone lives and to order food.
Nah! Where is the fun in that?
Too easy and too predictable. It is just money.
Half of them are likely to ditch at the last minute citing one reason (read excuse) or another.
Meeting the family is no mean task at the best of times. One tries to stay away as far as possible. So what to do to bring all these stalwarts together?
We will need to pique their interest and arouse a sense of involvement and ownership to coax them out of their cocoons.
The food has to be awesome but not intimidating, and the place has to be comfortable.
I am planning to have this party in my own home to ensure that timings are not a problem. People can come and go as they please and have one less excuse to stay away.
Food will be a mix of old favorites and new tastes.
These are the dishes I am planning:

Dal Bukhara
Chicken Methi
Bharwan karela
Masala Bhindi
Dahi Bhalla
Mix Fruit chat
Brown rice pulao
Missi roti
Moong Dal halwa

I know this sounds like a lot but I am sure I can still manage this menu.
Ok, I love to cook but am neither a glutton for punishment nor a superwoman. I can't cook so many things and still enjoy having this party.
At best I will cook the unfamiliar dishes indifferently and feel bad when they don't turn out as well as they should.
Also if I have to make all of these from scratch, I will probably chicken out of hosting this party till some other day (code for never).
I have decided to use the Kitchens of India ready to eat packets of Chicken Methi, Dal Bukhara and Moong Dal Halwa.
I am sure these will be tasty, hygienic and value for money. This will take the hassle out of these difficult to make dishes.
My confidence stems from the fact that I have used Ashirwad atta for God knows how many years and enjoyed the tasty 'rotis' that result from it.

I would devote the time and energy thus saved to interact with the family and to make it fun for all.
Everyone can pitch in and help by laying the table, heating the food (some of it out of the packets) and serving in nice bowls.
I am sure when the younger ladies see that I have no qualms about serving these ready to eat dishes they will feel less intimidated.
 They will understand that togetherness and love are more important than other things.
Who knows they may decide to hold some parties of their own where they will invite us and serve the food of their choice. And if they are smart they will choose some ready to eat versions too, thus saving themselves and us from some deadly food disasters.

Win Win situation for all.

Now, all I need to do is to Whatsapp, SMS or call these elusive dudes and dudettes and get the party going.

Wish me luck!

This is my entry for Kitchens of India contest. Here is the link  Kitchens of India.