An Indian feast
Birgit and Angelika
The first day of my second week in Wiesbaden, Angelika and Brigit decided to take me to Eltville am Rhein, which is well known as “the city of wine, Sekt (sparkling wine) and roses”. It is picturesquely situated amid vineyards and the River Rhine. You walk along these cobble street paths and these typical German houses which one sees in story books. The walk led us to the castle with numerous rose gardens around it. The roses in bloom, the gorgeous promenade by the river and the old castle made an idyllic romantic spot. I felt like I was in one of the stories by Brothers Grimm, one with a happy ending.
Whilst planning my trip, Beate had suggested I should cook Indian dinner for my host. Having spent my life in boarding schools my cooking is limited to making breakfast and sandwiches, and of course my life saver “chai”, however I was game to the idea. So my friend in India taught me a couple of simple and easy dishes which I could make. The evening on which I’d showcase my newly learnt cooking skills arrived and I have to admit I was a bit worried that it would result with an upset tummy for all the poor victims involved. I had smartly carried ready-made daal, which was simple heat ‘n’ eat and the other various masalas that were key ingredients.
Angelika, Miriam and I put in joint effort and churned out the following, masala chicken, jeera alloo (cumin potato), lassi (sweet yogurt drink), ready-made daal makhani (butter daal), ayurvedic daal, palak paneer (spinach and cottage cheese) and Mona’s specialty, salad. The feast we prepared was fit for an army, and I am shocked to admit that it tasted pretty good, too. So my first grand cooking experience turned out to be a success.
