We spent almost an hour talking yesterday, longer than we've talked after her wedding. She told me about her job and that she is planning to leave it after six months given the stress of it. She might again settle to her freelancing from home but as of now, I'm pleasantly surprised that she finds equal amounts of joy as she does stress in this new job. She works in a tiny little, half-residential building owned by the people employing her. She takes a rickshaw to work and comes back home in a tum tum which is like a six seater vehicle - the kinds we've seen in the most remote villages outside Mumbai. During the day, she takes turns with the other employees to make twice-a-day tea or coffee. Her days are quite busy and when she comes back home, she often has an assignment or two, something her husband doesn't like but puts up with. She tries hard to juggle home life - they're temporarily living with in-laws until their new home is ready - and work as well as snatch a few days so she could visit our parents in Mumbai.
The one thing L is that I'm not is methodical. Her finances have a tighter rein and she always knows her bank balance to the last penny despite a healthy interest in shopping for clothes, shoes, books, etc. Even while cooking, it's a snap for her to learn technique, while I'm often slow and bumbling even while learning how to cup or spread dough to make a paratha. Our maid at my mother's home taught us both the same thing and yet, she picked it up so much faster. She is always precise and whatever she makes a few times will always have the consistency I can only dream about.
On this visit to my mother's, she made buns that are a speciality in Konkani cuisine. That is something both our MILs make yet, L could replicate the same thing at my mom's place while I know that I will master it only if I make it on my own a few times. These are flat, spongy buns deep-fried to a golden brown - a bit like a deflated doughnut. She will pass me the recipe and I'm sure I'm going to take my own time until I muster up enough energy and courage to make a batch myself.
I love to indulge in a new recipe every now and then - it doesnt matter if its complicated or simple and earthy. At times, even the games I play online inspire me to make a particular dish - it's all these cooking games with the recipes that I wonder were made just for the game but the idea of some of them is amazing. But I take my time - gather recipes, then look for ingredients and make do if I don't have some of them. I remember the first time I cooked a pasta in white sauce (mushroom alfredo) - it took my breath away to realise I made a dish that I'd always ordered in restaurants.
But my sister's accomplishments remind me that I could try and develop some techniques while I'm living here. There's a great oven, enough for casseroles, quiches, breads and all the puddings in the world. This weekend I might make a roast chicken or lamb (doesn't hurt to dream), get boules or baguettes from the only French bakery in town and make a mocha pudding richer than an emperor. If I do forget, just remind me that I said I would. Or merely whisper "buns" and I might just start at once.
The one thing L is that I'm not is methodical. Her finances have a tighter rein and she always knows her bank balance to the last penny despite a healthy interest in shopping for clothes, shoes, books, etc. Even while cooking, it's a snap for her to learn technique, while I'm often slow and bumbling even while learning how to cup or spread dough to make a paratha. Our maid at my mother's home taught us both the same thing and yet, she picked it up so much faster. She is always precise and whatever she makes a few times will always have the consistency I can only dream about.
On this visit to my mother's, she made buns that are a speciality in Konkani cuisine. That is something both our MILs make yet, L could replicate the same thing at my mom's place while I know that I will master it only if I make it on my own a few times. These are flat, spongy buns deep-fried to a golden brown - a bit like a deflated doughnut. She will pass me the recipe and I'm sure I'm going to take my own time until I muster up enough energy and courage to make a batch myself.
I love to indulge in a new recipe every now and then - it doesnt matter if its complicated or simple and earthy. At times, even the games I play online inspire me to make a particular dish - it's all these cooking games with the recipes that I wonder were made just for the game but the idea of some of them is amazing. But I take my time - gather recipes, then look for ingredients and make do if I don't have some of them. I remember the first time I cooked a pasta in white sauce (mushroom alfredo) - it took my breath away to realise I made a dish that I'd always ordered in restaurants.
But my sister's accomplishments remind me that I could try and develop some techniques while I'm living here. There's a great oven, enough for casseroles, quiches, breads and all the puddings in the world. This weekend I might make a roast chicken or lamb (doesn't hurt to dream), get boules or baguettes from the only French bakery in town and make a mocha pudding richer than an emperor. If I do forget, just remind me that I said I would. Or merely whisper "buns" and I might just start at once.
