Let the Naysayers Nay!
Coco (coconut oil) and Mo (mustard oil) stand forlornly on the kitchen platform, trying to conceal their aversion to each other. As their owner Meenakshi's hand reaches out for Coco, it smirks at the whole bottle of Mo, standing snootily with its steal still intact. "No one wants you," mouths Coco as it is shaken vigorously over the pan and placed right back next to Mo.
Black mustard seeds make their way into the hot oil; as they splutter in unison, Coco sighs in contentment. Meanwhile, Meenakshi adds some curry leaves and onions. Rakesh strolls into the kitchen and exclaims, "Aah, that smells heavenly. What's cooking today, Meenu?"
"It's your favourite, Avial," says Meenakshi with a smile. Coco beams when it hears the compliment and steals a sideways glance at Mo, trying hard to gauge its expression. "It looks like someone is turning green", says Coco in a sing-a-song voice to elicit a reaction from Mo. But unlike its usual self, Mo has an air of self-assuredness about it today.
Meenakshi mixes the vegetables with the coconut paste and yoghurt and reaches out for Coco again to do the final tempering. But before Coco could gloat, Rakesh utters those dreaded words: "Now, let me start with the Champaran Mutton, my Meenu's favourite".
Meenakshi looks up from the pan and blows a kiss towards Rakesh. "It's going to be a perfect meal," says Meenu delightedly.
Coco stares in horror as it gets a whiff of tender chunks of lamb marinated in a melange of thick yoghurt, freshly ground garam masala and hand-pound garlic paste. "Oh, how could I have forgotten the most important ingredient," mutters Rakesh in frustration. He quickly reaches out for Mo, breaks open the seal and pours a generous dose into the marinade. Just as Coco reels from the shock of hearing adjectives like 'important" being used for its nemesis, Rajesh empties more than half the bottle of Mo in another pan. On touching base, Mo sniggers at Coco.
Then Rajesh throws in loads of thinly sliced onions into the smouldering oil. He stirs the onions patiently, waiting for them to brown. Finally, Rajesh puts in the spices, tomatoes, marinated mutton and whole garlic cloves to enhance the flavour and mixes the ingredients deftly. The amalgamation of meat, yoghurt and oil is left to simmer leisurely. As it cooks, the moisture evaporates, and the mustard oil separates, signalling that the curry is ready. Throughout this process, Coco stands in a corner, dejected. But who cares? Let the naysayers nay.
As Meenakshi and Rakesh celebrate ten years together, every corner of their house screams a blend of two cultures. Whether it's the Madhubani table cover or the Kathakali painting hanging on the wall, their plates also made space for each other's cuisine. As the Avial and Mutton made their way into their mouths, it was a burst of flavours. A gentle reminder of their unapologetic life together of fighting obstacles for their love, only to emerge stronger.