Eureka!

RESHMA

Have you ever eaten something so soul filling that you remember the taste many, many years later? I have. 

The first time was on the flight, on my way back home during vacation as a 6 year old. I have heard people complain about how bad airplane food is.  But on that day, nothing could have prepared me for the flavour burst contained in the little bowl. 

It was steamed rice sandwiched in between some maroon curry and an okra dish. For the first time I ate my entire portion sans the okra. Ever since, I always get into  the plane hoping for that curry, but in vain. 

Years went by and then KFC opened near my college, in Coimbatore. And since it was in Tamil Nadu, their menu had combos with rice and gravy. One day, after an exam, before going home, I had rice and gravy as a side. 

I had tears in my eyes as I put, into my mouth, something very similar to what I had on the flight. 

Ever since having the combo with rice from KFC was something I looked forward to. 

When I left Coimbatore, so did my chance to have any more of the gravy. 

Only if I knew what the name was.. 

Then after marriage, when I went to Bangalore, I rushed to KFC, in hopes of having the  rice and gravy again. But they had only just introduced rice there and all they had was a rice bowl – chicken pieces on a bowl of rice. No trace of the gravy. I was extremely disheartened. 

But then God isn’t that much of a villain either. One day, during lunch break, we all went  to the nearby biryani chain – Ammi’s biryani. Along with our biryanis came a brownish gravy- mirch ka salan. A spoonful of the potent gravy was all it took for a lot of emotions  to flow. 

I relished every bit of it. I finally had my answer! Salan! Mirch ka salan. 

I don’t make it often, but when I do, I drink it up. A lot of gratitude flows each time I think about who ever even imagined of mixing tamarind and sesame seeds and peanut seeds etc. into something so balanced and flavoursome . 

Now where am I going with all this? 

Well, it’s because I recently had a similar experience. 

Sometimes you fall in love at the first sight. Even with a food. Just looking at it, you know  you are going to love it. And then you taste it and prove that the gut instinct was true. Pun intended. 

Flashback to class 5th of International Indian school Dammam.

One break, I see little Beige polka dots in my partner Aisha ‘s lunch box. I knew it was  something I would love. I immediately ask Aisha for a taste of her snack. 

The whole reason I was sat next to Aisha by the teacher was because Aisha and Sarah had formed this friendship and pushed away everyone else. I guess that anger must be  why she denied me a taste of her snack. She got up with her snack and walked outside  the door with Sarah. I was hurt but my cloud too had a silver lining. Aisha had dropped two of her dots on the desk. I let go of hygiene and grabbed those two pieces and rushed  to pop them into my mouth. It was exactly as I had imagined. I loved it. When Aisha  came back I asked her for the name of her snack, but she wouldn’t tell me. 

Some 20 odd years later, I find it again. Last week I finally went to the famous SM. Street at  Calicut for the very first time, in spite of having lived here for over four years now. 

Now,  SM St or Sweet Meat Street get its name from the world famous halwa that is made here . This street is dotted with tiny little colourful shops that sells different kinds and colours of halwas and of course accompanied by some other salty snacks like the banana chips. The black halwa and banana chips is the soul of Calicut if I may say so. 

These shops encourage you to taste all of that they have. Even though they are rooted in  tradition they do try out new varieties and fusions. 

For those who do not know the Aval halva is a must try. As I came to the counter to pay I spotted a huge glass jar full of those beige polka dots. I immediately asked for a taste and went back to my 5th standard classroom.

‘It is called Chuckappam’ the shopkeeper told me. Now I am on my journey to try it at home. 

Then I was told that people eat it with beef! 

Who knows maybe I will eat Chukkappam with some Mirchi Ka Salan!

---

Reshma is a culinary teacher, writer, and energy healer

who loves food, cooking it, presenting it with care, and enjoying every bite.

---