Mahanandi

Nicky and Oliver of Delicous days not only started this meme, they are also tracking the progress of their meme in the food blogging world and thanking and leaving comments in the responding blogs. What a couple! They have set high standards for future meme starters.

Lovely Nupur of One Hot Stove wants to know more about me. So here I go, my first me…me, and more me.

1. What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?
I was my mother’s little helper from a very early age, always doing something in the kitchen. And because of big family, my mother needed all the help she could get. I learned to cook a proper meal by 15, and my family survived the cooking.

2. Who had the most influence on your cooking?

That would be my in-laws. Even though I learned all the basics at home from my mother, I learned the healthy way to cook from my in-laws. My mother and father-in-law, both are wonderful chefs and nutritionists (without the degrees, of course). I think of my one-year stay at my in-laws place as a period of refining my culinary techniques. Sort of like a assistant chef learning from the master chefs.

3. What are your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest letdown?

That would be the mandoline. It really makes easy to cut vegetables like cabbage, karela etc.
The biggest let down would be the non-stick set I bought after coming here. When I came to know about the adverse health effects that a non-stick coating could cause, I got rid of them all.

4. Do you have an old photo as “evidence” of an early exposure to the culinary world?
Only in my memories.

5. Mageiricophobia – do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat?
To cook anything with blood makes me queasy inside.

6. Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like – and probably no one else!
I do mix and eat payasam or kheer with dal and rice. You have to see my sisters reaction to this eating habit of mine.

7. What are the three eatables or dishes you simply don’t want to live without?
What I always have in stock is Mango and lemon pickles. My recently acquired craving is for Pizzas. I have to eat one, at least once a week. I admit it – I am a pizza addict.

Three quickies:

Your favorite ice-cream:
Butter Pecan

You will probably never eat:
Anything with brain and heart

Your own signature dish
Cashew Brittle made with cashews and jaggery.

Thanks Nupur. I’d like to pass this meme to:

Deccanheffalump of The Cooks Cottage – The best food blog from India.
Vittorio of Tirebouchon
And finally to Jarrett of Food Porn Watch fame –

I hope, they enjoy responding to this meme as much as I did.