Foodie’s Blues- Moody Hues
(all pictures are from internet-disclaimer)
Foodie’s Blues- Moody Hues
Zero to late teens milk n pudding was all it had been
College unfurled my food canvas with change of scene
Strict vegetarian home regimen got a startling jolt
Camaraderie with bevy of friends affected a revolt
Had food adventures in others besides vegetarian fare
Crinkled nose, lifted in air at few, ate rest as daily affair
Enjoyed Chinese, Italian most besides Parsi amongst others
Yet hankered for home cooked as none could beat mother’s
Makki ki roti sarson saag, rabdi, paneer tikka were gourmet’s delight
Soon I was America bound embarked on new salivary sorties and bites
Three decades ago was new to meat and potatoes n so had veggie woes
Travel on salad n potatoes palled and began to nibble on whatever goes
Ate every kind of food, exotic dishes, fish and fowl and assorted relish
Paella, seafood gumbo, Japanese hibachi cooked shrimp steak blandish
Cocktails, wine, beer, sake but enjoyed margarita n Singapore sling best
Even had liquid lunches a couple of times and passed bosses’ quaint test
Then one day while vacationing in Florida dined at a seafood restaurant
After turtle soup in seafood platter got chicken legs that seemed to taunt
Maitre’d informed those were not chicken legs but chicken of the sea,
Thus in horror I beheld frog legs in my seafood platter for me to eat
I pushed away plate then and drew the line reverting to vegetarian fare
Happily eating French toast marmalade cheese veggies, cakes n éclair
Breakfast of eggs and bacon, sausage links, pancakes, grits and potatoes
Stand no chance against missi roti dahi parantha topped with mom’s love
Now I live on simple vegetarian food except eggs upon doctor’s advice
Having finally realized for myself that east or west, home is always best
Still enjoy milk and have a cup of turmeric milk before retiring
Fondly recalling mom’s words that truly I was a cat reincarnated
Thus began my journey with milk and thus I end
Overall have been lucky in sum total in nourishment
Battle of bulge forbids from favorite foods indulge
These are my Foodie Blues, moody hued divulge
**
makki roti- corn wrap
Sarson saag- mustard greens pureed
Rabidi- milk sweetened and thickened to become like creamy layers
Paneer tikka- fresh cheese cubed seasoned with herbs
Missi roti- unleavened flat bread made with dough mixed with flour,
Onions, green chillies, cooked lentils
Parantha: stuffed flat bread (can be potatoes, fresh cheese, lentils etc.)
Dahi: fresh yogurt
Originally Published: March 28, 2010
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