The food-connect

With Easter just around the corner, all I can think of is food. Baking for me is nothing less than pure bliss.

There has been research done on the therapeutic powers of baking where it is proved that the whole activity of baking is a de-stresser and is highly meditative. Of course, it is not for people who likes 'only' to eat. Culinary Art Therapy is a growing field that uses the method of cooking as a possible intervention for people battling serious illness like dementia, clinical depression or even diseases like cancer. From paying minute attention to varied concepts like the measurements, the science of chemical reactions, temperature control to the physical acts of sifting, piping, whisking , stirring, pushing down the dough, it isn't a cake walk into the confectioners world. But with passion and a bit of patience, baking can be child's play.

 The involvement of all the senses at the same time makes it impossible for one to get distracted by other worldly worries and thoughts. I started off baking as a creative expression and means to while off my time in a productive and enjoyable way. I also realised that I could connect with anyone through food. As far as my preference for food goes, it's complicated. I enjoy spreading a ganache as much as I am crazy frying kachories as much as I love shreading cheese onto pasta as much as I revel in swirling an appam. I feel it's absurd when someone limits their tastes to a particular kind of cuisine not knowing the vastness that another has in store for them. Food space, for me is an infinite spectrum that I love to explore and study; and cook and taste.

While studying at the University of Hyderabad, I had friends from Nagaland staying right opposite my room. They used to cook Naga dishes on a daily basis and even one with an acutest sense of smell could tell when their burner was lit. I remember tasting for the first time the bamboo shoots and akhuni, used in plenty in North East cooking. After we left University, two bundles of dried gooseberries were sent all the way to Kerala from the hills of Nagaland. Communication of this kind, I believe is of the highest quality. I don't think there is any better way to connect to a unknown culture than through its food.

Easter Greetings and Bon Appetit!