I’m a slow traveller in life. I have my own pace, my own observations and my own learnings. It’s never defined by a trend or a person. I usually make my own silly mistakes (sometimes huge ones) or happy discoveries and learn along the journey.
I’m someone who dies for meaningful conversations. And so, recently, when I saw an 86-year-old enthusiastically solve his Sudoku puzzle and read a fat book, I was bound to start a conversation.
He said he was reading a food book about mangoes. And shared a few interesting snippets from the book. All underlined by him. But that wasn’t the start of the conversation.
He talked about his vibrant career in Science and his education graph. And places. Of course. That was the highlight of our conversation. He talked about Delhi, Lucknow, Japan, Lahore and more. He also took a note of this blog of mine. Not many people care to do that.
Towards the end of my talk (read: we were travelling together in a plane with my husband next to me who was as excited to talk to him), I recorded his voice and here, you can hear him out talking about Chandni Chowk and a few other dishes he loves in Delhi.
Dr Ashok Jain has an extremely interesting background. Born in Lahore and grown up in Bihar, he has seen life that is beyond my imagination. From teaching kids (without going to school) to getting big degrees thanks to his passion for Science, Dr Jain has come a long way and how.
He proudly calls himself a Dilli Walah. And I found whatever he said as golden words. His paper-like skin on his hands told me he’s truly lived a rich life even though his simple outlook can fool you. And that’s what I love about such people. Sometimes, the most interesting personalities (with their interesting clothes, makeup and whatnot) have nothing much to share—hardly any reflections in life. I would call that a poor life in true sense. While simple people like Dr Ashok Jain can make every minute of the hour interesting as they take you along their journey, slowly, without any rush.
Yes. I’m that traveller, who’d happily ditch her earphones and novel and carry on a chat of a lifetime. And it’s one of the reasons why I love travelling. Because it helps me forget the anxiety that I might have during flights or just random travel times.
Hear out a few things that he talked about with this little audio clip. What kind of a traveller are you?
Hope to meet you soon, Sir. Delhi is truly a beautiful city!
Namita Tiwari, who is the co-founder of the homestay, Himalayan Homestead, has always been an explorer when it comes to food and nature. Luckily for her, moving to the mountains worked wonders.
Apart from opening their home for the world through their homestay, she also started her little jam company to benefit the local women.
Her blog is a one-stop destination for baking recipes. And I truly love the way she describes the little things happening around her—from the birds and flowers to the evolving seasons.
When I first tasted her jellies, jams and preserves, I got to know her talent to make fresh, chunky and flavourful spreads that I loved using on my rotis and toasts. Only yesterday, I ordered a big bottle of apricot jam, and I love every spoonful of it!
Namita inspires us to not just bake well, but to also infuse local flavours and alternative/healthier twists. And for the rest, one can always bow down to nature and keep going, just like her, for it has all the answers.
Deepika: Why do you bake? Tell us your story behind this love.
Namita: “I love baking. It is more than a hobby. It is therapy for me. Mixing ingredients, watching them transform in the oven and creating something healthy and delicious gives me a sense of purpose and accomplishment like nothing else. It’s a form of creative expression that nourishes my soul and those I share my bakes with. Baking at home ensures the purity of ingredients both for us and our guests. When we bake bread, cakes, muffins, cookies and brownies at home, it becomes a sustainable process.
I was a child when I baked my first cake with my father. That’s my first memory of it. We collected sand from a brook that flowed through our fields. It was washed, dried and filled up in the cooker. We placed our batter in a pan. It rose high and then sank. But, it was perfect in taste. From there, started my love for baking.”
Me: How did you get into baking and jam-making? What was the initial struggle like?
Namita: “I started baking in an era when we had no internet at home (in the late ’80s). I followed a basic bread recipe shared by an aunt. Initially, I struggled a lot with yeast (as it was available in only one shop in our entire town). There were no bread pans available either. There was no thing called ‘online shopping’.
Baking is a journey. With practice, you evolve and learn. With time, you learn to get the right consistency, texture and tested recipe. This is your personal journey. It’s both involving and gratifying.
We had a tradition of jam-making at home. I have grown up watching piles of fruits being processed into jams and jellies; the kitchen being flooded with the aroma of jams bubbling on the stove. That’s how jam-making comes naturally to me. And now, with our homestay, it becomes even more purposeful to make preserves and jellies with organic fruits of the hills.”
Me: What inspired you to start your blog? Apart from writing recipes, did you always enjoy nature writing?
Namita: “My blog, Ambrosia, was born in 2012. This was a crucial juncture in our lives. We were winding up our work in the town and planning to relocate to the hills. My kids were young. So, the idea was to make the blog a treasure trove of recipes, stories and memories of our lives in the foothills and beyond.
Ambrosia was a self-designed blog with few recipes and fewer followers. Blogging opened a whole new world to me. Slowly and steadily, followers came, words of appreciation came in, and so did the opportunities. A blog gives you an identity in the blogosphere. It is an involving activity and a source of happiness. It helps to connect with likeminded people.”
Me: When did you move to the mountains? How exciting was it to design your own mountain home?
Namita: “We moved to the mountains eight years ago. It was a pleasurable experience to design our home, the home kitchen and the baking studio. We wanted the construction to gel with the elements of nature. All the rooms have trees around it. For instance, there are broad windows in the rooms that ensure a lot of natural light and fresh air. The baking studio has a view of the majestic Himalaya as well. We wanted a concept wall in the studio, a natural design made with natural material. We walked about 5-6 kilometres to a river and collected the tiny, round pebbles for the design on the wall. Such a pleasure it was!”
Me: How is baking in the city different from baking in the mountains? Which were the local ingredients you got to try?
Namita: “Baking in the hills is a different ball game altogether. Air pressure is lower, so it takes longer to bake. Bread dough and cake batters need extra liquids to get the right consistency. Oven temperature needs to be increased. All this learning happens with experience and practice.
We strongly believe in sustainability and for baking, we source most of the ingredients from our ecosystem. We bake with local and alternative flours like ragi, cornmeal and amaranth. We use the herbs from our garden, wild berries and nettle from the wild.”
Me: What were the key challenges that you had to combat in setting up your own food label?
Namita: “Having my own jam label was a dream that was born in the hills. Staying in the hills gave me a chance to interact with the local women. The socioeconomic status of the women is sad. And I wanted to reach out and help them.
Our project is primarily to help these women. Through this project, we connect and work with the community. Besides using the fruits of our orchard, we buy the fruits from women farmers. We also employ village women in the process and thus, help them financially. Luckily for us, we have been shipping to every nook and corner of the country.”
Me: Before you sign off, give us a few tips to make bread and jams.
Namita: “Baking bread can be tricky if you don’t understand the science behind it. One needs to understand the right stage of bulk fermentation, the second rise, and the hydration level of the dough.
For jams, the flavour of the fruit should stand out. The balance of sugar and the fruit, and the right setting point is crucial.”
Every artist is not blessed to have a huge audience. Some times, even a beautiful voice can be heard in an empty train tunnel. There are artists who have no listeners or readers whatsoever. But they still go on, deeply in love with their craft. There comes a day, it might struck someone of their talent. But, it can be seldom. Followers will only make your mind happy. It won’t grow your art. Some artists have His presence in their emptiness. And you should truly seek what makes your soul happy.
It’s been a month in Gurgaon. We have almost settled. And now starts the tiffin conundrum in the mornings. What do I pack for him? What do I give as a snack to my child? The husband rejected the buttermilk the other day. It came back as is. And my child can eat any damn thing in his bus. So, it’s a win-win sometimes. And sometimes, I fail. Can’t seem to get my hands on the exotic dill leaves. So no Tzatziki in the kitchen yet. Also, it’s been two weeks I’m waiting for this mountain resident to send me her jams for the kids. So there’s hope. The food shopping never ends. And amidst all this, I’m terribly low looking at all the rejections from the editors. I don’t know which way to look at. Where do you see hope?
A few years ago, some time in the year 2019, I was waiting at the baggage carousel at the Chennai airport and it was taking longer than usual. I had some time on my own with my infant, so I chose to sit on one of those steel benches. Suddenly, I saw this woman on one of the benches and I don’t why, I was completely awestruck.
She looked like she’s been a traveller since years. She had a large rucksack bag around her and it looked like she had her home in this bag. Her shawl, a few tiniest toys, her trinkets and a few more accessories told me she’d been to mountains and beaches and whatnot. Every piece around her stood out for its simplicity.
The utensils she used, her water bottle, flask, small snack boxes—all told me that she’s been carrying her food all the while. Dependent on none. There was no stress on her. In fact, she was absolutely calm. Did she have her tickets? Didn’t she have a PR team to promote her travels? How was she so composed? Are travellers supposed to be this humble? It was like she had everything with her. Her heart looked full.
She was reading a book. She had a tiny, basic phone that could just make calls and send texts. She was wearing the most basic clothes (but damn comfy) and a basic watch. It was like I was learning a lesson by just looking at her. She did have a journal and a pencil with it, but nothing beyond that. No social media pages, no to-do lists, no showing off from her travels, no nothing. It seemed, to me, that her travels have made her rich in true sense. Her experiences made her kind and truly fulfilled her heart. Did she ever feel the need to reach out to hundreds of likes on social media? Why didn’t she? I could feel a shiver down my bone and felt a bit of shame. A real nomad, she was a story I will never forget.
It so happens this week; I come close to cooking, and get away. It’s a hate-love relationship. And the mixed feelings I get when I have to bear with the kids–sometimes I feel blessed, and sometimes I wonder when time will fly. I try to take it slow with every passing day. I’m trying my best to feel gratitude, but I fail too. May be I’m too thin. May be my craft will die. May be. I’m a bad example in front of the kids. So many maybes. Discontinued my yoga class. It’s a month with two events, and given the high price, I decided to give the class a miss. Where do we go now? With no writing assignments at hand, do I see any hope? How could I get that ego boost? Guess I’m here at the right time.
First up, I’m seeking music. Jasmine Sandlas is my favourite. And watching interviews, like I always do. Love those. I try to do a few stretches in the morning, but really can’t slow down. Talking about my wonderings in the kitchen. Have this urge to bake cakes. Need to get my hands on a good bottle of olive oil. And of course, cream cheese. Also, I really don’t know where to get dill leaves (exotic ones) from here in Mumbai. It was much easier to find those in Gurgaon. I’m trying to catch up with old cousins, thanks to the wedding season. Nail art, kids’ clothing something, learning to organise bags. All consuming my mind. I started writing a letter to an unknown person (thanks to Chitti Exchange). Now, I just need to post it. Finally, I feel like writing song lyrics behind the novels I try to read. Just in case if I put off from reading, I can sing a line or two and go off to sleep.
I made Dhokla second time in the month, and messed it up again. How? The last time I didn’t add ENO in it, so it didn’t get the fluffy texture, and this time, I added less salt. Bah! It was tasteless. After speaking to my cousin, Khushboo, I tried to fix it. Boiled half a cup of water and added salt in it. Drizzled it on the dhoklas. But it just didn’t get there. But thankfully, a neighbour gave a good tip. “Stop apologising. It was yum,” her text read.
Talking about goof-ups, I made some Dal and sabzis this week. Just didn’t find any satisfaction with the taste. I almost always hate to eat what I cook myself. Also, the husband has started eating this oatmeal, and it takes forever to cook! Still learning to cook it well.
Any wins in the kitchen? Nailed a Ragi soup (learnt it from Shalini of Early Foods). It’s just the best thing for your kid, when he or she is sick. And this quesadilla recipe that I tried (from the Terrace Kitchen) was so damn good. The husband loved it.
Christmas is round the corner. Have ordered a few books. Plan to spend some quality time with neighbours, relishing good food. And I’m dying to catch up with a few of my cousins. Hope to banish anxiety (for the time-being). It’s all about sending the right messages to the universe? May be, I need a good chat. Merry vibes come your way, dear readers. So long.
I’m stuck. And so beautifully stuck. After my second child, life has taken a turn towards Godknowswhat. It’s just the kids, and me, the blocks, and the weird toy noises. And there’s a constant effort to put the jigsaw puzzle pieces of my marriage in place. I have tasted bitterness in a real sense. Seen days and nights when I saw no inspiration sitting in my balcony—albeit the green pots and a nice view from my high-rise apartment)—anxious as to what the future beckons. Almost lost faith in everything. Sanity. Not found. Self-love? Not found. The thought that may be, my husband doesn’t like me anymore (who would, really? I really needed HELP). With my echoing words, my endless pain I just didn’t know how to go ahead with the new changes in life. A house help who would be with me 24 hours a day. Managing him, and my rage. Such a task. And not minding my tongue in front of the in-laws. Life is always not the same. Who knew better than me. My only constant strength would be writing but sadly, that too went for a toss.
Seek love, find love
The last time music came to my help was when I was in college. Everything sucked at college. I dreamt so much, hoped to do so much—but nothing happened. It was only when I was in the pits, music rescued me. After 11 years of marriage, here I’m, finding my fingers on a harmonium and raga notes to learn. God does want me to help myself. These are downs and ups you can’t help but witness. Let it flow. Let it flow. Seek self-love. Not just by sitting with your phone. Do something about it. And then came a yoga instructor who is now helping me with my mental blockages. “Please forgive me. I’m sorry. Thank you. I love you.” Started telling this to myself. “Call me when you’re up at 3AM in the morning next time. That’s just when you need to meditate,” my beautiful yoga instructor tells me. Damn. There is God in small things. Two beautiful kids, a loving husband, and an amazingly supportive family, and I’m still trying to make sense of life. May be. May be. I can now see a flicker of light towards the end of tunnel that I’m going through.
When life gives you chillies, make a thecha!
I like food that I haven’t really explored earlier. And it’s surprising. Some marathi flavours, and some English. Ah! Those crispy toasts, insane amounts of butter and cheese. And of course, chocolate sauce. Don’t ever underestimate that bowl of delicious chocolate mousse. Mends unbelievably. Always remember. When you have only chillies in your fridge. You can still create a delicious meal. All you need is thecha and a crispy (aka kakari) roti! That said, keep hogging on those crunchy salad bowls. You need it. Your body needs it. And keep working on that dressing, one vinegar bottle at a time.
TASTE MEMORY 