"I knew it would be Puliogere"

August began on an august note for us with 1st August being our 'Home Lunch' Day. Yes, that day of the year when we get the opportunity to cook for Ira's class mates and her teachers too. 

Our main course every year is guided by what happens to be Ira's favourite at that time. So, we have made peas pulao, Millet khichdi with veggies and carrot broccoli fried rice over the years. The Class Teacher works with us to finalise the menu to ensure no repetitions and also very strict on no fried items and no store bought items.

This year our menu had cucumber corn and pomegranate salad, puliogere, curd rice, curd and banana. Puliogere is one of Ira's current favorite dish. We kept it a surprise for her and as every year, she was super excited about home lunch. 

P made the puliogere ofcourse and we were at school promptly by noon. Apart from cooking, the  most heart melting part of home lunch is how the little human beings greet us with their namaste and thank you, tell us how they liked the food, ask for second helpings and also discuss how many colours are on their plate. 

We loved the experience as always and when Ira came home post school that day, she said, "I knew it would be Puliogere". That big toothy grin is worth every grain of effort. 

This year, we get the opportunity to cook for the class twice. Looking forward to the second time and already wondering what do we make next. Ofcourse, Ira's current fave will guide that choice. She does make our world go round :)

#Ira #Iraisms #IraAtFive #TalesAtFive #HomeLunch #Happiness 

 

"Buttermilk is very good for summer"

March 9th, 2017 was a momentous occasion in the Pramadh household. It was our turn to make home lunch for Ira and her friends. A fabulous concept at Jackfruit House where the parents get the opportunity to cook a full meal for their child and his/her classmates. We are diligently told when our chance is well in advance. We then have to fill a form, mentioning what we are cooking: Starter, Main course and Dessert options. The home lunches previously done give all of us some clue about what works for the kids and we all create our permutations and combinations depending on our cooking skills and comfort levels. We have seen some super creative cutlets and colourful paranthas, uthappams with paneer and corn and paddus. While the kids must be having a blast, we mommies always wish we were invited for the home lunch too (It is mostly mommies who do the home lunch. In some cases, the papas are also there). Prashant and I love cooking and can easily dish up a meal for 15-20 people. Culinary skills aside, our love for food initially made us feel more ambitious. I wanted to make carrot paranthas for the kids. Making 40-50 parathas should be ok. Then we were told that we have to cook for 35 kids. Yes, 35! Suddenly, the thought of making 70-80 parathas seemed super ambitious. Sanity prevailed and we decided a simpler menu that we both can manage between us and reach school by 11.30am. We made cucumber, tomato, green moong sprouted salad; Buttermilk, Corn and Peas Pulao, Papad and Grapes for dessert (on the request of Ira).

All cooking done and we were all set by 10.30 am. We reach school and are told food time is 12pm. I guess the 11.30 time is to avoid late latifs. Discussing whether the kids will like what we made over vada and coffee, Prashant said that while we have cooked for foodie friends and passed the test, the moment is stressful in a strange way. We walked in with all the dabbas and paraphernalia. The teachers announce what the menu for the day is and the benefits. Eg. Buttermilk is very good for summer.

The excitement and the chaos creates a musical cacophony. Hands go up asking for more butter milk or pulao or papad. The blatant honesty of kids is what makes this experience of dining unique. Kids tell you what they liked and don’t. While some took multiple helpings of the buttermilk, many said they don’t drink buttermilk. Some wanted us to remove the sprout from the salad and some wanted extra corn to be separated and served with the pulao. Conversations accompanied the food and the hour went by pretty quickly. As we wrapped this home lunch and walked out of school, we began talking about….what shall we do for the next home lunch?! Ira, of course was happy to have mamma papa at her school and when her teacher offered to feed her because she was taking her own sweet time, she said, “No! I want to eat by myself”! Another Iraism we feel happy about. Wonder what Ira will request for next year!

Till then, the first home lunch memories are here to stay.