Sunday Lunch

This was probably my last Sunday at home before I start for MICA and PGP2. Probably the last academic year of my life, awaits me there. I wanted to make this day special for the family, and hence what was only a common discussion topic finally happened...I prepared a full-fledged Sunday meal for everyone, and boy! Did it turn out well? :)

Sundays at our place, are for indulgence and heavy lunches are a given. The menu was decided a day in advance and after the lot of contemplation over my limited cooking skills and family’s limited endurance, the dishes chosen were:
- Tandoori Chicken
- Grilled vegetables
- Salad
- Chicken curry
- Rotis
- Jeera Rice
- Ice-cream

After going through the latest updates on Shiney Ahuja’s case and BMC’s plans to protect Mumbai from monsoons, I entered the kitchen. The mum teasingly asked if my plans for the BIG SUNDAY MEAL are still on or if I wanted any help from her. An emphatic no and with a dirty look for doubting me was enough to silence her :P

Anyway, then came the toughest part...you know the one where one needs to actually PERFORM to silence those critics and all. Our Sachin Tendulkar does such a fine job at that, but now it was my turn to prove me mettle! I started confidently, making the marinate for the chicken and the veggies. Since I hate following recipes to the tee (How can I trust someone who measures ginger in centimetres?) I decided to go on with my intuition and what would suit ‘swad anusar’. (Years of watching Khaana Khazana was now coming to some use.)

Once the chicken and veggies were left to marinate, I moved on to the curry. We Shindes love our curry in the same typical style that has been passed on from generation to generation. Ofcorz, no one makes it like my grandmom – she is the family authority on chicken curry and sabudanyachi khichdi!! U better her rendition and I would gladly give away half of my jaidaaat to you.

It was then that my mom who was banished from her own kitchen, could take it no more. Women are like that...very giving and generous; unless it comes to their paithanis and control over the kitchen. Then you have had it, even the meekest of the lot fires up to become a modern-day Hirkani :D Anyway, since the lady of the house started feeling a tad bit insecure, I decided to delegate the chicken curry to her and yes, she did a good job at it too, under my able guidance, if I may add so ;)

Meanwhile I got the dining table ready – a special meal requires a special ambience! The curtains were pulled down and dim lights were put on. A lacy tablecloth, table-mats were pulled out and bone-china crockery was laid. (Much to my mum’s chagrin, understandably, since the maid is on leave)

Then comes the toughest part – where one has to bribe the sistah to go get the icecream. Yes, there is screaming involved – from both the parties. One tries requesting, cajoling, coaxing, emotionally blackmailing and finally, when all is tried and failed – moving the matter to the High Command – the father. The trick is to sound like you are the aggrieved party in the whole deal and how insensitive the opposition is being – to all the effort you are putting in – adding just the right touch of emotions – that all the toiling in the kitchen since past 2 hours is after all, for the family! And then the case is won!! Of course this doesn’t always work – and then one is left with no option but to use the ultimate weapon - *Sniff! Sob! And sob some more* But beware coz this can be a double edged sword! One needs to grab the First Mover’s Advantage! And yes the performance must be sympathy-grabbing! Turn it into a wail and the High Command loses his composure unleashing his wrath. (Have some respect for the poor man’s nerves – he bears 3 women in his life, all by himself!)

So once the ‘get-the-ice cream-ok-as-you-say-for-the-last-time-ever!’ was done with, I turned my attention back to my chicken and veggies. The microwave was warmed and in went the chicken to be tandoored. Yes, I said my morning prayers then. After excruciating 15 minutes, I opened the microwave and let out some seriously mouth-watering wafts of chicken tandoori. (And men say women don’t understand how it feels pacing outside the delivery rooms! ;)) It looked purrfect!! The colour, texture and smell – all seemed so fabulous, all but the final test of taste remained!

The family was finally invited at the dining table; never mind that the sistah appeared to be suddenly overtly interested in Geography lessons and claimed not to be hungry (Well a little firing from the High Command is known to result in temporary loss of appetite :P) But finally the sight of roasted tender chicken was enough to melt her anger. The rice was put in the microwave just when the starters began at the table (What impeccable timing I tell you!)

I stood at the table anticipating a fierce criticism from the miffed sistah and the always-difficult-to-please High Command (the dad), but surprise surprise!! With subtlety, the father conveyed that he likes the meal :) the sistah actually grabbed the camera phone and clicked pictures as a testament for the future time! The mum gushed over how much she loved the meal and I happily bloated with pride :)

It was one of those good days today – we didn’t not lock ourselves in different room, with dad busy with TV or my being stuck to my laptop, my mom wasn’t slogging it out in the kitchen for a change and sister wasn’t studying alone in the bedroom. We were together – not just physically, but emotionally as well. Without anyone having said it – we enjoyed that rare ‘We-are-family!’ moment.
I hope and pray that we have more of these :)