FOOD FIESTA
In India, we are exposed to many kinds of foodstuffs from different communities and lands. May it be the famous Vada pav from Mumbai , Dhokla from Gujarat, Idli-dosas of Chennai , Gol gappas or Pani puri from Delhi and Kolkata , the mouth starts watering even while hearing about them . Eating the spicy pav bhaji and coconut water along the beach side is a bliss !!A great way to spend spend the weekend evenings with families and friends. Whenever someone in the family announces , "Lets go for dinner tonight" , I glow and smile like a kid!!! Along with food, all family members would get to meet each other and it would be a good change and fun. Sometimes it feels having breakfast with friends or a pizza is all that is needed to make our soul happy. Watching movies at home after switching off the lights while having popcorn along with maggi noodles and pepsi and coke - a cool idea indeed!!!!!
Here are some interesting facts about these very popular and mouth-watering food items:
1) Samosa :
Samosas , especially the Punjabi ones are yummy with that spicy potato filled savoury and green chillies. Ready for a surprise? That delicious samosa you always munch on relishiously as a tea time snack is a foreign dish. The triangular potato/meat filled savoury dish that is easily found on every street corners originates from the middle -east. Originally called 'sambosa' , the Indian samosa was actually introduced to the country sometime between the 13 and 14th century by traders of the middle east. But irrespective of it , we are just happy to enjoy hogging them .
2) Gulab jamuns:
Surely we can sense some mouth watering sounds here !!! Very thought of these calorie filled dough balls , deep fired and then soaked is enough to send anyone to food heaven.This dish is so versatile that it can be enjoyed hot , cold, or simply at normal room temperature.It originated in the Mediterranean and Persia. Though the original form of the dessert is called luqmat al qadi and made of dough balls deep fried, soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with sugar, once it reached India , the recipe was modified. How we wish it was lunch time already!!
3) Tea:
One among the most loved and fantasy drinks among adults is none other than tea. Famous over the world as 'Chai' ( Starbucks has a Chai latte on their menu ) , tea has its origins in China . While the Chinese used it has a medicinal drink , the Britishers soon discovered it and loved its versatile nature. Now the British being British wanted to cut China 's monopoly in the tea market. So they brought the humble 'chai' to India. And it has been a part of India ever since then .!!In fact it was only in the 1950s that tea became so popular. In Japan , there are tea parties on festive occasions , ceremonies and marriages. Surely you would be wanting to have a cup of tea now for beating the chill outside.
4) Jalebi :
This delicious item is a blessing!!! Jalebi is actually from the middle east though different variations of it were found across different Asian regions. Originally called 'zalabiya ' (Arabic) or the ' zalibiya' Persian , the dish was brought to India by Persian invaders . While North India loves their thin and crispy jalebies , the South Indian version is thicker and slightly different in shape .Now , this sweet is famous all over India in its own forms.
5) Coffee :
How can filter coffee not be Indian ? Hmm here is the fact. Filter coffee became popular in India pretty late , in the 1950s , around the same time when chai began becoming people 's favourite . Coffee became a part of our nation , after 16th century , when it was smuggled into the country by
Budan , on his pilgrimage to Mecca. Soon , it was cultivated . Indians would drink coffee without milk or sugar in place of liqueur!! Are you sipping a cup of coffee while reading this??
