“Men usually cook up a storm,” is what my mum believes strongly, referring to the cleaning up she usually has to do when a male member of the family decides to put his culinary skills to test.  Every time my cousins (the guys) decided to   cook, it was mandatory to slip on a pair of flip-flops before entering the kitchen…Why? Because it was usually layered with a ‘gooey’ substance.  However, my perception about men who can cook has changed over the years; come to think of it, the best chefs are men; last year’s Master Chef Australia was won by a man.  What really strengthened my belief that men can cook and are great chefs was when my better half decided to take over the kitchen responsibilities from me occasionally.

After braving the crazy traffic, dodging the paan spitting bus species, and breathing some carbon-di-oxide rich air, all I wanted to do was come home and whip up some comfort food (did I also mention chomping on some boiled and salted corn on the way?). While I lacked the energy, I knew that little imaginary elves wouldn’t have made the dinner. Imagine my relief when I was told I didn’t have to cook today. I flopped on the bean bag, sipping on some buttermilk “aaaah”. ‘Chop chop chop, sizzle sizzle”….my olfactory senses were now alert. “What’s that?” I asked “Oh this and that” came the reply. Now I was curious, but entering the kitchen was a strict no no. The aroma of onions soaking in the ginger and garlic was getting my stomach juices excited.  After 20 minutes of sautéing and sizzling, I was presented with an invention … “Mixed Vegetables in a Secret Sauce”. Spooning a generous helping, I took the first delicious bite. “Mmmmmmmm…. simple, yet rich…rightly flavored, yet not too heavy.”  I haven’t been able to figure out what exactly went into this dish. All the prodding simply yielded this response, “It’s my secret sauce!”

Maybe someday when the secret it revealed, I will share the recipe on my blog. Right now all I can say is, “give them a chance; men can also whip up magic in the kitchen!”