Amma Samaiyal

You ask any married man about the cooking of his wife - he would say excellent (vera vazhi illai athu vera vishayam) but would not forget to add this - " enna irunthaalum enga amma vekkara vethakozhambu maathiri varaathu". Read for that matter any of the celebrity's interview - he/she would always turn nostalgic about how their mother way back in village would give fish curry / some thogaiyal / pazhaya saatham with some kozhambu. If it is modern day actress - " oh enga mummy panra paneer butter masala thaan enku romba pidkum. Athu romba yummy ya irukkum"

I think this has got more to do with habit - eating the same thing for 20+ years sure must have some effect on your taste buds. So it doesnt matter whether you are having tasty yummy food daily or once in a while the moment you turn to your used food the taste bud recognises instantly - " hey athethaan nee ithana varushama enakku vidama pottundu irunthiye athe thaaan nnu"

I agree previous generations mother pathi kandippa ella pasangalum solluvaanga, bt P , he also likes my sambar and rasam. After prolonged touring at my fathers place during last holidays he actually craved for my sambar and rasam, so i deduced the unmai from his cravings.

And regarding my aathukarar - hmm athu en kekkareenga avar paavam oru appraaani- hehehe chumma oru joke - he never complains and would happily eat whatever i give him. I actually learnt samaiyal from him only - i mean tambram version.

Imagine my state - a complete turnover from what i had been eating all along 21 years. Appadiye oru 360 degree turnover thaaan. His mother was a good cook and me just a novice, still he never once compared. He always appreciates, sometimes ennalaye saapda mudiyaathu, still he would have it.

And since aaathukarar away to some conference today has been officially declared no samayal day. And P is also so accomodating u know, he will happily settle for HSB . Just pakkathu theruvila irukkarthu evvalavu sowgaryam illaya. Morning bfast Pongal and lunch just piping hot rasam (chill weather super menu esp with mangoes) and night HSB. Strategic location eppavume bayangara advantage illaya - Antha pakkam dominos, HSB, Hot chips, intha pakkam Mcrennet , adyar bakery, pizza hut. And anytime w.mambalam nyanambika mess, and other small eateries.

But ennathaan veliya saaptaalum, after sometime ur tastebuds automatically crave for the home-made samayal eventhough it is of no standard to ur own amma's samaiyal.