Bon appétit!

2009 was a reasonably good year, lots of good stuff started and nothing too ghastly happened to me. Watching a wonderfully comforting film like ‘Julie and Julia’ on a cold december day was the perfect ending. Directed by Nora Ephron, it is the story of two women who love food, who love cooking and thank goodness, love writing. I shall not summarize the plot because I am recommending the movie and not rating it, I’ll just say Meryl Streep is brilliant as the great chef & author Julia Child and Amy Adams’ Julie is adorable.

The real Julie Powell claimed fame when she took up cooking 524 recipes from Julia Child’s first book, ''Mastering The Art of French Cooking" within 365 days in a tiny New York apartment (with a full time job) and blogged about the experience. Among other things, she went on to get a book and of course, a movie, deal for this remarkable effort.

The movie was a delectable feast for me not just because of the entire obsession with food in it but also because of how this passion suffused into the lives of the protagonists.

The kitchen has been such a huge part of the Indian woman’s life. But cooking four meals for huge demanding families everyday will take the magic out of food for anyone. I am, fortunately, from a generation, who finally, has a choice. I can often delegate the stove to my darling husband, the maid or the nearest take away. And knowing I have this choice makes cooking everyday, often twice a day, not much of a chore.

The time I spend alone in the kitchen simmering, stirring, seasoning and tasting are the closest I come to any form of meditation, my focus is rarely so centered. I could do it for hours without getting bored or tired. I love trying different kinds of food may it be in a gourmet restaurants or from a friend’s kitchen. While I eat, I try and figure out how a dish has been prepared and what has gone into it, through the aroma, texture and flavours. I would also, already, be imagining how I would cook it.

Even the psychology, biology and politics of food fascinate me. If I come across any food related show, my hand just freezes on the remote -may it be a serious news piece on how WTO policies affect food habits in the third world; a feature on organic farming; a frivolous cookery show; a series on cuisines and culinary histories from across the world. I am currently following a reality show with a food theme.

My enthusiasm and curiosity is such that a vegetarian from birth I started eating fish and meat simply because I could not bear missing out on all the gastronomic treats out there. The first time I tasted a simple dish of ricotta stuffed chicken breast, had my first sushi roll, had a slice of slow roasted lamb or felt the burst of flavours when I took the first bite of a Chorizo sausage – these were moments of revelation, I am so glad I did not miss. I still whole-heartedly enjoy all the lovely varied exciting vegetarian food around but now there is just so much more to love and relish.

I am not the only one afflicted with this madness, I have friends who discuss new and innovative recipes with me or describe a meal they had over international calls! So, I know there are food lovers like me out there who need to watch ‘Julie and Julia’ and see the most important thing in life being treated with the passion it deserves.

 

Bon appétit and a Happy New Year to all!