My tryst with viral flu should explain the sudden dip in activity on my food blog. I don’t know what was worse, the feeling that everything tasted like cardboard or that I couldn’t join in on the Ramadan feasting frenzy. Every day as I skimmed through the newspaper, page-after-page would mock me with pictures of men frying chicken samosas and kids gorging on sheer khurma. I had to extract my revenge (hence the pictures).  After bidding a much awaited goodbye to the flu bug, I was only too happy to be a part of the fasting and feasting.

For those who aren’t too familiar with the typical Ramadan food galore, I can safely assume that this won’t be the case once you are through with my blog. Although mutton samosas, chicken rolls, dates etc are typical street-food you will find anywhere near Shivajinagar or parts of Frazer town, the ‘what-we-eat-at-home’ aspect is generally overlooked. That’s where I, your good food guide, come in, to take you though the rich, tantalizing and hazardous- to- your-arteries gastronomic journey.

When the clock struck 6pm, I realized I had overslept and had less than an hour to get started. What was on the menu? I felt like going a bit traditional today. Just as I was about to slice the onions for the pakoras, the door bell beckoned. I beamed as I opened the door to my neighbor… not particularly at him as much as for the steaming bowl of haleem he had. “Why thank you, that is so generous,” I gushed, as I half-accepted, almost snatched the bowl from him.  Ok, so I was barely prepared for the ‘Iftaar’; the badam-laden Sherbat was ready, the humble watermelon cut; but was that enough? My brow creased with worry lines, at the same time my nose sniffed the aroma of home-made samosas. If only words could do justice to the generosity of my neighbors. One after the other followed, mini-chicken samosas, dahi-vada and then semolina fried with minced meat and methi; Oh! Did I mention the rasmalai that adorned the table courtesy dear ol’ dad? There! I just mentioned it.  Now would it be befitting of the lady of the house to not as much as turn on the stove? After a ‘light’ and ‘easy-on-the-stomach’ snack(s), I proceeded to make dinner. Aw come on! Of course I would have to eat dinner? Did you guys really imagine this would satisfy the almost 14 hour long fast? I settled for a simple dish of egg masala with soft, melt-in-the-mouth rotis. The greasy biryani had to wait… I was determined to go easy on what I ate that day.

Whew! Another day, another sumptuous iftaar…I can’t wait for the food-bonanza to begin.

Oh one more thing… not a wise idea to get that routine cholesterol test done immediately after Ramadan!