My mom and dad were finally coming and I was super excited! A lot had changed since the last time they saw me, which was almost two years ago. I had moved to the United States of America and I had gone from being a page three socialite with a cook, a cleaner and a baby sitter at my disposal to being the typical all-American mom. My typical day had gone from sipping coffee by the swimming pool to dropping my daughter to school, cleaning the house, cooking, trips to the grocery store, running behind public buses, multiple trips to the metro station and organizing innumerable play dates. Though things were a lot more hectic, I couldn't wait for my parents to see my new life. They would be so proud!
More than anything, I couldn't wait to show off America. So what if we didn't have a nanny or a cleaning lady? So what if my shoulders hurt from tugging along heavy shopping bags from Whole Foods? I still loved it here. I loved the independence. I loved that this country proved to me that I was indeed a super mom and could really do it all. I loved how everybody said 'thank you' and 'have a nice day' almost as if they meant it. I loved my shopping sprees. I loved how everything was so organized, each having its specific place. Even little things like the fact that I didn't have to boil milk anymore or scrub pesticides off of veggies gave me a strange sense of joy.
I couldn't wait for my mom and dad to join me on one of my trips to the grocery store and show them how everything was cleaned, chopped and packed the way you wanted it. I couldn't wait to take them to the container store and show them how you could transform your sloppy cupboards into your dream walk in closets with a few shelves, frames, screws and bolts. I couldn't wait for them to have a taste of this fabulous country.
I still remember that morning after they arrived. I couldn't wait to cook for them the all American breakfast and make them fall in love with this magical place almost instantly. But the only issue was that my parents were pure vegetarians which meant no eggs, no sausages and no bacon. I could do pancakes, waffles and some warm cinnamon buns but my dad was diabetic and a sweet breakfast was not an option. But I still wanted to make it special and that's when we saw the 'Garden Lites' zucchini soufflé at the frozen section. 'Perfect!' I thought. It was vegetarian, it was American and fancy enough to make a great first impression.
The soufflé looked perfect. It was all organic, under 140 calories, and looked like a perfect blend between a quiche and a egg muffin. I anxiously waited for my dad to take the first bite but as soon as he dug into the crispy exterior and deeper into the white gooey filling inside, I immediately knew I had gone completely wrong in my choice. And the fake moans that followed only further reassured my fears. It was a complete disaster! You see, we are not just Indians, we are South Indians and we take special pride in having our own unique 30-something varieties of just breakfast dishes. So for us, a moist, mushy tasteless dish that resembles something that comes out of a newborn's mouth was not our idea of breakfast.
A few slices of toasted bread, a glass of orange juice and a bowl of honey nut Cheerios later, I realized that the all organic, all natural, under 140 calorie zucchini soufflé was a complete disaster. But despite the blandness, the mushiness and tastelessness, I still couldn't find it in my heart to chuck it in the dustbin especially since we had spent $25 and it felt like such a terrible waste. But I knew there was no way I could convince anyone to eat it. It was torture food and forcing anyone to even taste it was a crime. I had to think of a plan and I had to think of it fast...
3 To Tango!
So the ingredients on the box said, sweet corn, grilled zucchini, egg white, carrot, red and green pepper....and Voila I had it! Three perfect recipes to fix the $25 disaster. I could fry 'em, coz according to me everything tasted yum, crispy fried. I could curry 'em, coz a little bit of tadka could transform any mess into delicacies or I could soy 'em up, coz I just picked up a bottle and was desperate to use it.
FRY 'EM UP
Cook the zucchini soufflé as mentioned in the pack
Once ready mash it up and add cumin powder, red chilli powder,coriander powder, bread crumbs, freshly chopped coriander leaves
Make tiny balls out of the mix and deep fry.
CURRY 'EM UP
In a wok, add oil and splutter cumin seeds
Add chopped onions (1), ginger garlic paste. -1 tbsp, green chillies and fry till brown
Purée three tomatoes and add to the onion mixture
Once cooked and dry, add 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp cumin powder and salt
Cook the spices for atleast 5 mts. Make sure they don't stick to the pan.
Add dried fenugreek leaves, and a little bit of sugar.
Pour 1 cup milk
Once the fried vegetable balls have completely cooled down, add to the curry. Simmer for 5 mts
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves
SOY 'EM UP
In a pan, heat oil, add pepper and green chillies.
Saute chopped onions, green (spring onions) chopped ginger, garlic and green chillies. Add salt
Once transparent add 1tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp schezwan sauce, 1/2 tbsp tomato ketchup
Add 1/2 tsp sugar.
Add the veggie balls once completely cooled down.
Garnish with spring onions before serving
Extremely imaginative and sounds delicious almost as good as your motta biryani.Wish zucchini soufflé was available here I would certainly have given it a try.
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