Ting-a-ling-a-ling….my phone buzzed. It was my daughter. There was fear in her voice. She thought she had contracted chicken pox. “You’re vaccinated”, I reassured her. The varicella virus had attacked both her roomies a few days earlier. It was this unfounded speculation that nudged her to the safety of my house. She was to stay for the next 15 months.
It was March 24, 2020. The number of covid-19 cases was increasing. Suddenly a lockdown was declared. I was unprepared without much in stock. Home deliveries stopped and the house helps were barred from entering the locked gates of my housing complex. My husband and I assumed the role of hunter-gatherers. We foraged the markets to procure groceries. I shared our gatherings with my aged parents since my mum couldn’t cope with my house-bound dad. In the absence of his nursing aides, he sustained a fatal fall. He succumbed a day later. The last rites were restrained so was our mourning. We had to gird ourselves to fight the battle. The next day saw me stand in a queue for two hours to enter a hyper-market. I grabbed whatever my hands could reach out for. My trolley was full. I pleaded with the security guard to allow my husband to enter the store’s compound. “No,” was his firm answer. So, I made several trips carrying the stuff from my trolley to where he stood and back.
In the following two months I was thankful for the gym training I had undertaken in earlier years. I found myself regularly climbing up two floors to my home with ten kilos of weight in each hand. The activities of my day changed. Besides attending to my grieving mother, I was doing all the housework. Mornings were for cooking and evenings were for cleaning.
It was always the cook who prepared the everyday meals in my home. I only chipped in on festive occasions. But in the lockdown, my culinary expertise came to the fore. Each day a festive fare was served. The secret ingredient was “love”. That spice made it extra tasty. This was even though I was short on many ingredients and substituted one for another; sometimes digressing widely from the original recipe. Innovation and improvisation were the name of the game. “Mummie is cooking today,” the children exclaimed in glee when they were little. It was usually a one-pot, fully balanced dish. The kids had never pressured me to cook. They knew that I had to delegate the job. But now there was no choice. They were lucky to get one treat after another laid out for them. It gave me satisfaction and a deep fulfilment to serve all at home. It was a privilege which I had only when they were with me. That was the motivating factor. Soon the lockdown would be over and they would all go back to their own lives. I would then be home alone with no one to cook for. But I wouldn’t regret it because when they were there, I did my best. Here are two recipes that I loved making for my family.
Group A
Group C
Group A – Preparation & points to note for eggplant slices
Wash the eggplants and cut thick slices (1/3rd of an inch)
Soak the slices in 3 to 4 tablespoons of salt water for about ½ hour
Drain the slices and brush with oil if you want to bake or just simply shallow fry them.
Drain the excess oil and keep aside
Group B – Preparation & points to note for the cheese
Since I didn’t have the above varieties of cheese, I used 1 cup parmesan and 2 cups cheddar cheese
If fresh basil leaves are not available use 3 tablespoons of dried basil
Group C – Preparation & points to note for the tomato sauce
In a medium wok pour a tablespoon of oil and sauté the finely chopped onions.
Add the minced garlic and sauté
Add the diced tomatoes and sauté
Add the tomato puree
Add the oregano, chilli powder, black pepper powder salt, sugar and water
Stir well and bring it to simmer
Simmer the sauce for about 30 to 40 minutes or till thickened and spreadable
Assembling the Groups, A, B and C
Spread a little tomato sauce on the bottom of the baking dish (8”x10’x3 “)
Put a layer of the eggplant slices to cover the base of the baking dish.
Spread about 1/3rd of the remaining tomato sauce over the slices.
Sprinkle 1/3 rd. of the parmesan cheese, ¼ of the cheddar cheese and 1/3 rd fresh basil leaves or a teaspoon of dried basil leaves.
Repeat the above to form a second layer of eggplant slices, parmesan, cheddar and basil leaves.
To form the third layer, lay out the remaining brinjal slices on top of the second and cover with all the remaining tomato sauce, basil and parmesan.
Cover with or the left-over cheddar
Bake for about 45 minutes at 175 degrees Celsius or until bubbling and golden.
Let it rest for about 10 minutes and then sprinkle the remaining fresh basil on the top. Cut and serve.
Ranjana Rebelo Monteiro is a Mumbai-based Financial Analyst and an author
Did you enjoy cooking during the lockdown? Was your kitchen your safe board for expressing your joys, sorrows and frustrations? Share your story in 500 words with two of your favourite recipes? We also accept videos and photographs. Send us your story at: covidtales19@gmail.com
Enjoyed reading this write up.Nice format for a recipe book. Think of a recipe book in this format
Thank you Dr Deshpande
Enjoyed reading the write up.
This is a good format for a book on recipes.Joe had told me you were toying with this idea.
Personal reminiscens about friend and relatives mixed with recipes would interesting.
Think of rare Goan recipes
in this format.
Thank you Dr. Deshpande
Wow mam???? Its really great how you juggled between your work n all the household chores..
The recipes seem very tempting.. will definitely try them ?
Thank you Arnab
Wow mam???? Its really great how you juggled between your work n all the household chores..
The recipes seem very tempting.. will definitely try them ?
Thanks
Beautifully written! The thoughts of a loving mother and daughter.
Thank you Aditi
Bravo Ranjana!!!
One of the intangible positives of this pandemic has most certainly been spending quality time with one's family which has dramatically risen for many, including ours.
"Cooking is love made visible": Anonymous
Although the origins of this quote are indistinct, the words are still apropos.
As a major beneficiary of the author's culinary skills, to paraphrase Oliver Twist..... "I look forward to more."
Thanks❤?
Congratulations Ranjana. for adding another feather to your cap. ?? I knew you were born with a golden pen, to pen down words of wisdom, but seeing your recipes I should say that you are blessed with a golden spoon as well. GOD has gifted you with many gifts and talents and enveloped you in a wonderful family, who with their love, support and encouragement always bring out the best in you and help you to unfold your GOD given talents. All your gifts and talents are GOD'S gifts to you and what you do with them is your gift to GOD. Cheers ??
Thank you Liesl for your beautiful words
Well written and moving narration! The recipes sound great!Keep it up!
Thank you Lata
Just read your inspiring article Ranjana,as they say "When the going gets tough ,the tough get going "way to go !!
And awesome recipes to boot ??will definitely try ?
Thank you Ivette
Overcoming fear, grief , standing strong with responsibilities, showing love.. Spreading positivity.. more power to you mam✌ waiting for many more?
Thank you Dr Alankrita
Really nice,quick paced read. Quite excited to try these out?
Thank you Raisa
Dear Ranjana,cheers and congrats to you for the delightful and enjoyable read. As your mother,I have been privileged to taste your exotic savory dishes,delectable cakes and enticing desserts. You have excelled not only as a financial analyst,an engaging writer but also as a Cordon Bleu chef.
Thanks for sharing the recipes so lucidly explained. I will surely try them out.
Best wishes!
Thanks Mum for your lovely words
Wonderfully written. Never knew about about your culinary talent.You have elaborately explained the procedure.
Keep it up and share your writing.
Best wishes.
Thank you so much Vikas
Well done Ranjana- as a writer, a chef, a laid back gymnast,a mother and support for your own Mother! Keep Shining
Thank you very much
Dear ranjana,your numerous talents never fail to facinate me.you have made good use of what is a difficult situation for most people world over.your brinjal dish looks great and must be tasting even better.i will try out the receipe for sure
Thank you Dr. Lad for your very kind words
Wow! Great article with very interesting life stories.... Congratulations Ranjana! Sure your recipes put to work will not only decorate the dining table, but will tease, please, and satisfy taste buds...??? God bless!
Thank you very much for your lovely words.
A storm of emotions let out by your article. Very well written Ranjana
Thank you Dhanishta
Amazing concept. Excellent recipes.
May grandpa soul rest in peace. Greetings to Dr Joseph.
Thank you so much Dr. Okunlola
"Báwo ni" Aboudin
O se!
Much appreciate your kind words.
"Báwo ni" Abiodun
O se!
Much appreciate your kind words.
Love thé way you write Ranjana.. so easy to connect.
Multiple talents .. wow !! Thanks for sharing the recipes .. they are a must try..
Thank you so much Ethel
Nice to read that in spite of the very personal tragedy you faced and the several months of gloom and doom …you have come out physically stronger ( carrying groceries up two flights) and perfected your recipes..no doubt with a willing in-house food sampler/ critic in Dr Joseph!
Well done for this cheerful article!
Thank you so much Dr. Srinivas
Thanks Dr.Srinivas....The saying "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" has now been demystified.
Well written. Covid is opening up much of our hidden talents. Keep it up.
Thank you so much
Ranjana...I am not surprised with the amazing receipes because as your sister I know what a fantastic and talented cook you are.I will definitely try the dishes..but more importantly I will come to India soon so you can cook for me!!!
Some more ideas..add the fish dish you prepared for my family in 2009.
Thank you Reshma
Excellent Ranjana! Didn't know were such a good cook! Wish I was there
Thank you U. Cecil
Beautifully written. The emotions expressed and the memories shared were very touching. Thanks for sharing the recipes, will definitely try them out!
Thanks Amalesh
An excellent article written by author Mrs. Ranjana Monterio. Never knew Ranjana was good at culinary skills. Receipes are meticulously written. No one would go wrong, I am sure. Keep it up Ranjana. Expecting more receipes dear.
Thank you so much Corina
Ranjana this is a very inspiring read. You have transformed the adversity and sadness of the last year by nurturing your family. And by turning the chore of daily cooking into an adventure and hobby: learning to cook novel and exciting recipes. Well done.
Thank you IIlona
Beautifully written Ranjana?? and such detailed recipes, bet no one can go wrong with it. Will surely try??
Thanks Prema
Such an impressive read..thank you for recipes.. going to try eggplant one very soon.
Thank you Hetal
Extremely well written. A wide array of emotions that were very well expressed. Engrossing read
Thank you Sabiha
Superb...very well written...
Thanks Anicia
Well written Ranjana
Will try the recipes soon
Thank you Hemlata
A brilliant read! Enjoyed thoroughly! The recipes sound ….. WOW!
Loved the detailing at each step!
2020 was surely a blessed reunion for many families as kids came back home! I was blessed too! Thanks Ranjana, Surely going to try out your recipe.
Thank you Reena
I genuinely liked your recipes.
How you mutate this arduous trip into the opportunity to pamper the 'APPLE OF YOUR EYES' is inspiring and exhilarating!!!
Thank you so much
Thanx ,Ranjana, for the recipes.. certainly I will try the eggplant one.. and I enjoyed reading the article..you have an easy, fluid style..more power to your pen!
Thank you A. Una
Beautiful and intricate blending of an Author and a Chef.
The storytelling approach has set my appetite on fire !
Cheers Ranjana and your co-hunter !
Thank you Dr Irineu
Excellent read and lovely recipes.
Thanks so much Tania
Very nicely written..surely going to try out eggplant parmigiana
Thank you Rajani
Enjoyed reading....will try!
Thank you Maria
Nice read and recipe!...Hoping for many more of these...
Thank you so much
Written beautifully from the heart! The dishes look delicious, will surely try out the recipes!
Best wishes and regards!
Thank you Dr.Sumit
Very nice memory to cherish Ranjana. Will certainly try out the recipes. ??
Thanks so much Jane
I didn't know u were such a great writer and cook! God bless ??❤️ love you dear!
Thanks so much Navjeet
Well written article - a good read.
Surely going to try the mouthwatering dishes.
Thank you so much Amrita
So well written! Totally engaged in the reading. The recipes are so unique. Will definitely try out.
Thank you Susan
Lovely read! Will try the recipes soon!
Thanks so much Shivana
Mouthwatering recipes.
Look forward to more…
Thank you Preeti
Very well written..a wonderful read
Thanks Deep
Amazing read and enticing,innovative recipes!
Thanks Rhea