There exists a legendary bond between Tamilians and Sambhar sadham. There many be zillion versions of making this lentil and vegetable concoction but the one eaten from our mother's or grandmother's hands would win hands down in a Bobby flay style Throwdown.(Bobby flay has a show on Food Network T.V where he challenges home made or regionally popular recipes with his own versions whereby he eventually loses the throwdown in a predictable format..). Now being the true blooded tamilians as we are , me and S(the better half) love sambhar but being in the U.S for quite some time and being exposed to multi-cuisine culinary delights, we are not overly passionate about it. Sambhar still is a comfort food but is not cooked by me on every other day as in many Tamil households.
As i had mentioned earlier the legendary bond with this dish is shared by my little hurricane H. It might sound a bit exaggerating but such is his love for sambhar that he would be happy to have it at any time of the day or for all the three meals in his day. He calls it as pappu sadham (Pappu is Dhal ) and we were amazed by his love for this dish with the conversation we had with him this weekend. It was a usual day with me at the kitchen and H was talking to me about his school friends when of the the blue he said"mom, i like xxxxx". (She was a little american girl in his I grade class)
Me - "Oh is it? Is she your friend"
H - "Yes ma. I really like her and is not mean like yyyy"
I wasn't paying any real attention to his rambles which was about to change because he managed to get it by saying-
H - "Mom, I am going to marry her when i grow up"
Okie, he now had my full attention and I was speechless for a few seconds. I was contemplating as what i would say further to my 6 year old baby about marriage or discuss with him about my prospective future American daughter-in-law.
Me - "Why do you want to marry her sweetie"
H - " She will take care of me when i am big 'cause u guys will be old by that time".
Me - ??????????????
Me - " But you can take care of your self when you are a big boy right"
H- " Then why did daddy marry you?. "
He continues by saying " Mommy when i grow up somebody has to cook for me right. I need food and you will die when you are old". As i keep staring at him trying to get a grasp of this conversation I get my little break through when he says " xxxxx will make food like you and look after me when i grow up".
The devil in me is happy with this statement. I keep a sorry face and tell him " Then i guess you will forget about Pappu sadham and other indian food stuff and start eating sandwiches".
Its now H's turn to get startled as he says " Why should i eat sandwiches?. Im marrying xxxx because she'll make Sambhar at home"
Me - " I dont think xxxx will make sambhar for u. She's an american and she will make food that she eats and loves like sandwiches and meat. "
Poor H!!!!. He looks like he's about to cry any second. He questions innocently, "Are u sure she will not make it for me. I love it soooooooooooo much."
Me - " More than xxxxx"(shame on me to capitalize on his obsession)
H - "Of course Mommy. I love sambhar sadham more than xxxx"(Wish he would say so when he is 20+). I want to eat it only like the way you make it. Cant she do it the same way?"
Me - " Maybe H. But i am not sure about it. Even if she does i don't think she'll do that everyday 'cause she might not like it and want to eat it everyday".( Trying to emphasise that he must respect his woman's wishes. good job Mom!!!!!!!)
H remains silent for some time and then says " Then i do not want to marry her. I want someone who makes good sambhar sadham" and whizzes off to get his scores even with Francesco Bernoulli (Cars II character ) in Wii .I am immensely relieved that my son his mine for this moment and possibly reserve my worries for the prospective daughter-in-law for later.
So watch out all u little girls.. U do not need killer looks to get to my baby's heart but all u need are skills for making a mean Sambhar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. No updates about chennai in this post. Will get back with Deepavali shopping in chennai in my next.. Till then Ciao....
Me - "Why do you want to marry her sweetie"
H - " She will take care of me when i am big 'cause u guys will be old by that time".
Me - ??????????????
Me - " But you can take care of your self when you are a big boy right"
H- " Then why did daddy marry you?. "
He continues by saying " Mommy when i grow up somebody has to cook for me right. I need food and you will die when you are old". As i keep staring at him trying to get a grasp of this conversation I get my little break through when he says " xxxxx will make food like you and look after me when i grow up".
The devil in me is happy with this statement. I keep a sorry face and tell him " Then i guess you will forget about Pappu sadham and other indian food stuff and start eating sandwiches".
Its now H's turn to get startled as he says " Why should i eat sandwiches?. Im marrying xxxx because she'll make Sambhar at home"
Me - " I dont think xxxx will make sambhar for u. She's an american and she will make food that she eats and loves like sandwiches and meat. "
Poor H!!!!. He looks like he's about to cry any second. He questions innocently, "Are u sure she will not make it for me. I love it soooooooooooo much."
Me - " More than xxxxx"(shame on me to capitalize on his obsession)
H - "Of course Mommy. I love sambhar sadham more than xxxx"(Wish he would say so when he is 20+). I want to eat it only like the way you make it. Cant she do it the same way?"
Me - " Maybe H. But i am not sure about it. Even if she does i don't think she'll do that everyday 'cause she might not like it and want to eat it everyday".( Trying to emphasise that he must respect his woman's wishes. good job Mom!!!!!!!)
H remains silent for some time and then says " Then i do not want to marry her. I want someone who makes good sambhar sadham" and whizzes off to get his scores even with Francesco Bernoulli (Cars II character ) in Wii .I am immensely relieved that my son his mine for this moment and possibly reserve my worries for the prospective daughter-in-law for later.
So watch out all u little girls.. U do not need killer looks to get to my baby's heart but all u need are skills for making a mean Sambhar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. No updates about chennai in this post. Will get back with Deepavali shopping in chennai in my next.. Till then Ciao....
raji....
ReplyDeleteas u said, for time being sambar sadam saved u......but be prepared,ur future DIL will also use this weapon( sambar sadam) to harness H.....