Food for Thought

T he Govt of India has just unveiled the new Rupee (रुपैया) symbol. It takes the र from the Devnagiri Script and the 'R' in the English version and converts it with an equality symbol to a new currency symbol. My friend Sandy thinks it’s ironic that the Indian GoI should be spending money on a symbol to denote equality when all around there are the major contradictions that is India.  When I was in Grade X - I read E M Forster's 'A Passage to India'. And while the surreal nature of the narrative incites and inflames the storyline, Forster provides an insight into the Indian psyche as visible to an outsider. One of the things he talks about is the contradictions that make up India. And how, India can get under your skin, and once it is under your skin, it stays there. Living outside India for the last 15 years, it's become more and more apparent to me that distance does lend perspective. I think about my childhood, and the world we grew up in.  ...

-- For the batter 2 lbs of pre-cooked prawns (Peeled and de-veined) 2 sprigs green onions chopped 4 or 5 green chillies chopped 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro  1 tbsp ginger paste salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup besan 1 tbsp chipotle sauce 1 egg whisked 1 cup water -- For Frying Vegetable oil Heat the oil in a pan (should be about 1.5-2" depth till to Medium High. (You need it hot, but not smoking hot) Grind half the prawns in a chopper/blender. Roughly chop the rest of the prawns as small as you can. Mix all the batter ingredients together in a bowl. Consistency should be thick, about twice as thick as pancake batter. Drop little balls of the batter into the oil. Fry until golden brown all over. Drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with a little chaat masala if you have it. (optional), and serve hot with a spicy chutney of your choice. --- Substitutions and aka: Besan - also called chick pea flour. If you cannot find it, you can use a mix of cornflour and...