Reviving Family Recipes: A Journey Through Tasty Memories with My Mother

Food has an unparalleled ability to evoke memories and connect us to our roots. Growing up, my first love was my mother's meatloaf. Strange as it may sound, she would sometimes sprinkle a hint of cinnamon in the meatmince, and it worked wonders on my palette. I have since developed a taste for classic mashed potatoes, served with generous dollops of butter and a splash of milk, but I prefer boiled potatoes over meatloaf, and mashed potatoes over fried fish.

Rasam: A Gentle yet Delicious Remedy

However, when it comes to my mother's creations, one of my most cherished recipes is Rasam. This mildly tangy and soothing dish is a great remedy for digestion. My mother follows a light preparation process, rarely using oil, and the result is a comforting bowl of warm flavors. Let's explore the ingredients and procedure that make this dish so special.

Ingredients for Rasam:

2 medium-sized tomatoes 10 pepper corns 4 garlic pods 1 small onion 2 green chillies Turmeric powder Chilli powder A handful of coriander leaves 1 tbsp coriander seeds and 2 dry chillies Cumin seeds A few curry leaves 1 tsp urad dal and mustard seeds (for seasoning) A little tamarind

Procedure for Rasam:

Wash your hands first! In a bowl, crush the tomatoes and garlic with your hands. Crush the pepper coriander seeds and red chillies coarsely with a crushing stone. In a pan, add 1 tbsp oil, and sauté the onion and chillies for a minute. Add the crushed tomato and garlic mixture and spices (1 tsp each of turmeric powder and chilli powder). Stir in the powdered red chillies, pepper, and coriander seeds (about 2 tsp). Add salt, coriander leaves, and tamarind juice. Top up with enough water and let it boil until the quantity is halved. For seasoning, add 1 tbsp oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal, and curry leaves. Stir into the rasam and serve hot.

Today, I prepared this Rasam for lunch, and it brought back cherished memories of home-cooked meals. The light spiciness and the gentle warmth it offers made for a perfect lunchtime treat.

The Royal Treat: Shahi Paneer

Next up, let me introduce you to the royal dish, Shahi Paneer. What sets this recipe apart is its authentic flavor and creamy richness. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide to preparing this delicious dish:

Pre-requisites:

Cottage cheese (paneer) Cinnamon Cloves 2 small and 1 large cardamom pods Tomatoes Onion Black pepper Powered spices: red chilli, turmeric, salt Sugar Cream Oil

Steps to Prepare Shahi Paneer:

Saute cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom together with diced onions and tomatoes until the vegetables are softened. Add turmeric, salt, and red chilli powder, stirring to combine. Let the mixture cool before grinding it into a smooth puree. Return the pan and add the ground mixture, oil, and cook until the mixture starts to leave the oil. Add sugar and cook for a minute to caramelize the mixture. Stir in water and cream, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add diced paneer and cook for another couple of minutes. Transfer the cooked Shahi Paneer to a serving dish, garnish with cream and coriander leaves. Enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

This Shahi Paneer turned out to be a delightful experience in the kitchen. I hope you enjoy preparing and eating it as much as I did. Special thanks to Shailesh Prajapati, the birthday boy, who inspired this special recipe to celebrate the long-standing bond between us on Quora.

Why These Recipes Are More Than Just Food

These dishes, and the countless others like them, hold a special place in my heart. They are more than just culinary creations—they are a link to my past, a reminder of the love and care my mother put into every meal. Each bite brings back memories of home, warmth, and the comforting power of simple ingredients.

So, let's embrace the joy of cooking, and keep those cherished family recipes alive for generations to come. Here's to more delicious meals and warm memories! Cheers!