Cooking up a Storm: Back-Then to Now!

My earliest memories of being in the kitchen date back to when I was about six or seven years old... I would take some atta, roll it out into a loosely shaped geometrical figure and say "Mamma - I made roti!" My Mum was sweet (and patient) to actually take that loosely shaped geometrical figure, roast it as it is, eat it and say it's the best roti she'd ever had.

My very first memory cooking dates back to when I was eleven. I was in middle school at the time and one of the classes I took in school was 'Basics of Cooking.' This was one class I thoroughly enjoyed (even as I changed high schools across the country) and I remember always looking forward to learning something new and trying it out at home. So, as I continued to learn about pastries, cakes, breads, cheeses, pastas, sauces in school, I made my family members my guinea pigs and tried these things on them at home. They might disagree - but I think they were lucky to be given this silver-lined opportunity!

As days went by, I not only was more interested about cooking and different types of cuisine, but also started enjoying the process. I would try various Italian dishes at restaurants and come home and experiment with different recipes. I'd spend a good few hours in the kitchen making that Penang Curry, being convinced that I could never make Thai food, only to realize that Thai basil and galangal make a hell of a difference. I came to a realization that yes, mushrooms don't brown well if you crowd them! I loved these revelations. I made this process of trial-and-error my own.

Before I knew it, cooking, instead of a 'chore', became a 'hobby' of mine. And now, my passion. The kitchen is the one place where I felt relaxed, confident, calm, and collected. I felt at ease. A lot of the credit goes to my Mum for being there during my goof-ups. She was always there - to laugh with, to clean up after, and to generously compliment my efforts. Without her, this process of trial and error would not have been half as amazing as it has.

So, why am I talking about cooking all of a sudden out of nowhere? I (finally) watched Julie and Julia today, and I loved it! I could resonate well with Julie. After having a frustrating day at work, the kitchen was where she found her solace. I'm not idealistic about one chef like she was - I'm quite secular in that regard. But somewhere in her, I could place a part of myself.

Movies are a lot more enjoyable when you can relate to a character (and one of their passions), aren't they? A few of my friends have been urging me to start a blog where I can share recipes and my experiences in the kitchen. Does it sound like the right time to cook up a storm in blogsphere? I think so!

Off Coffee?

For as long as I can remember, I have loved coffee. I usually have black coffee with milk and Splenda, but recently, after reading about how Splenda is unhealthy, etc., I decided to give up coffee (If I want coffee, I want it my way... or maybe I'll just give up coffee altogether). Sugar was not an option, as I was on a diet, and wanted to control the amount of my sugar intake.

I was really good for about a month or so. Had completely gotten off coffee and was proud that I was not dependent on that morning Cup of Joe to get my day kick-started. Yet, here I am today, writing this post as I'm sipping my much-needed Monday Morning cup of coffee. Sigh. Self-control, out the window. Even Coffee has 'off' in it. Maybe I should give it one more try.

Bibimbap and Zetinz

No, I'm not going crazy, nor am I speaking baby language. Bibimbap is a Korean dish, and the word literally means 'Mixed Rice'. I was recently exploring Midtown Manhattan, as this is where I work now (new job). While walking to the New York Public Library after work one day, I saw this really cute-sie café called Zetinz, which reminded me of a similar one that I had been to in Paris. I went in to see what they have, and oh my, the spread was so eclectic! All the way in the back, I saw a huge table with a ricecooker that had steaming hot Jasmine rice and nicely-arranged colorful arrangement of various vegetables, tofu, bean sprouts, sauces, fried eggs/meat, etc. On top of that table was a huge sign called 'Make Your Own Bibimbap!'

Perplexed by the name, I googled it on my phone and read that it was a Korean dish. You put the hot steaming rice on the bottom of the huge bowl they give you, and top it with all those delicious-looking vegetables and other toppings, sesame oil, hot-sweet soy sauce and some ginger paste. Then, you mix everything and in go your chopsticks.

I'm eating my very own Bibimbap as I write this post, and it's hands-down delicious. All the flavors blend in together so well.

The sum of the toppings is definitely tastier than the whole!

Foodie

I was 'tagged' recently by a friend to draw up a list of five restaurants I visit the most near my workplace.

Since I work in the city (and chances are, I've probably been to more restaurants in the city than I have back home), I figured I might as well list the names of my top 5-places-to-go-when-I'm-dying-of-hunger around here :-)

Zeytuna (Middle Eastern/Mediterranean)
I love this place for its funky-ness. You enter through a mosaic tile doorway, and there's a tree-trunk like structure in the center. The entire interior of the ceiling is designed to look like the leaves of a tree. The food ofcourse, is a whole entire story all-together. My favorite here is the huge buffett spread they have here, which features really yummy babaganoush and spinach pie.


Lemongrass Grill
This is my ultimate go-to place when I'm craving Thai for lunch. Thai food is all about the balance of flavors - sweet and sour, spicy and mild. My favorite is the Penang curry, with Thai Basil Fried Rice - Yum-o! The Som Tam (Papaya Salad) is a refereshing salad, and the Miso soup is perfect for a rainy day!


Niko Niko
Good Japanese food - Good Vegetarian Japanese food - isn't very prevalent. I love Niko Niko for its Curry Don. It's steaming white rice, with a generous portion of spicy curry (with potatoes & carrots) on top of it. It makes a perfect lunch if I haven't had a morning breakfast :-)


American Masala
I discovered this one very recently - it's actually owned by an Indian chain of restaurants called Baluchi. I have been here only twice - and both the times - the food has been delish! Like most of the restaurants in the area, they serve combo meals. Their Chana Bhatura is to die for, and the Kathi Roll is fab!


Chipotle
I heart Chipotle for its Burrito Bol. It's enormously filling, and I can only hope that I don't fall asleep at my desk after eating one of these! Another fave of mine here is the Guacamole. It's absolutely yum! :-)


I don't eat to live - I live to eat!