WHAT'S COOKING

SUNDAY

So I have turned 93! Memories I have in plenty of days gone by. I have been cooking since I was 12 years old. My siblings used to take it for granted that I would make a dessert for lunch every Sunday, since desserts have always been my forte. In the later years, guests relished my home made Port Wine. I have been writing since the 1950s, I think, after my eldest son was born. The writing itch is in my bones, I feel. I started by writing to the Women's Page of the “Daily News”. I then went over to “Lanka Woman”, where I had a weekly column titled “Of Cabbages and Things” spanning a period of 12 and a half years, between 1994 and 1996. These articles were subsequently published as a book in June 2001, to coincide with my 75th Birthday. Then I continued my weekly column in the “Weekend Express” for 2 and a half years, under the title “Bits and Pieces” until the paper closed down. From October 2004, I had a weekly column in “Women at Work”, the weekly magazine section of the “Daily Mirror”, under the title “What's Cooking” which continues now monthly. These articles have been printed in a book “Of Cabbages and Things” Volume two. I thank God that at the late stage of my life, He made my dream of being a writer come true.

MONDAY

MONDAY The Bombay Muttai Man just came and rang the bell. I didn't know he still existed. This was a favourite in our childhood days. Does anyone know how it is made? I would love to know.

TUESDAY

Did you know that cooked carrots are more nutritious than raw ones? As for Parsley, most of the goodness is in the stalks. So use leaves for garnish, and flavour with the stalk.

WEDNESDAY

Mocha Milk Shake. Into blender, break in an egg, add 500 ml hot milk, 2 tsp instant coffee, 2 tsp cocoa, sugar to taste, one tbsp Brandy. Blend for a few seconds till frothy and serve.

THURSDAY

I've got this passion for fridge stickers, wall plaques, and posters all over the house. On the fridge is one which says “Taste makes waist”, and another “Eat well, for you know not when you are having your Last Supper”. And one near the phone, “Blessed are the brief, for they shall have lower phone bills”. And then, there's this one at the entrance which says, “Although you'll find our house our mess, come in, sit down, converse. It doesn't always look like this, some days it is even worse”.

FRIDAY

Borrowed a book called “Cook's Alphabet”. Interesting facts emerged. Did you know that Venison is pronounced Venson? That baby eels are elvers, that the other names for Cuttle Fish are Squid, and Ink Fish, and that rabbit livers should not be eaten?

SATURDAY

“Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a Gift. That is why it is called the Present”.