Lovely Elizabeth! I saw Madhur Jaffrey at a food conference years ago & she gave everyone a small spice tin like what you describe. Learning more about asafetida & other exotic spices commonly used in India was like throwing the kitchen door open & inviting the world in!
As always, Elizabeth, I love your ability to plunge into a topic and the infectious way you encourage all of us to take the plunge with you. From the German words that express feelings some languages have no words for to your fearlessness to experiment and gain intimacy with foods of all cultures, you take us on stellar journey.
How interesting — there’s no direct translation for fernweh in Italian either. India is definitely one of the places I longed for, and it was the very first country I visited outside of Europe — farther than any other country I’d been to and culturally very different from what I knew. That’s what made it a true “fernweh trip” (can you say that?). It was a wonderful two months (if you don’t count the week I was really sick), and I’d love to go back one day.
How great that you were able to spend so much time there and really immerse yourself in the culture! I sent a whirlwind 36 hours in Mumbai as part of a business trip and the impression it made on me was enormous.
I took a three-month “gap” between work and my master’s degree. I was a teaching assistant, so the timing worked out well—the school closed for the summer, and my MA didn’t start until the following September. It also helped that university was very inexpensive and I had already worked for several years, so I had savings and no debts. That summer, I also volunteered and worked in Spain.
I loved the Himalaya! I first went there with my yoga teacher and a group from the class. That was not my only time. My son Tom went there too. His first visit was not with me, but with a fellow musician. It was far from the only time for him, too. Just a little while ago, we were talking on the phone about how good it was and how much we miss it.
I knew you would remember it! I am only sorry I didn’t experience it more often. In retrospect there were quite a few gems in Windsor back in the day. The Other Place; TBQ; The Mini; La Cuisine; The Cook’s Shop…and some great Chinese that I’m drawing a blank on. What I really wish I was around for was The Elmwood!
I can help you with the Chinese - Wah Court on Wyandotte Street West, then Ruby's Eatery on University Avenue West, Harvey Lo's Yummy House on Wyandotte Street East was one of the early 'better ones', and more recently Jade Restaurant (RIP) in the old Vulcano Restaurant downtown.
I have a German friend who has promised to teach me how to pronounce these gems! 😂
Writing about Madhur Jaffrey has definitely inspired me (along with Annada’s Chutney Lovers stack) to refresh my spice drawer and getting cooking Indian!
Lovely Elizabeth! I saw Madhur Jaffrey at a food conference years ago & she gave everyone a small spice tin like what you describe. Learning more about asafetida & other exotic spices commonly used in India was like throwing the kitchen door open & inviting the world in!
It really is a whole other world! I have several of her cookbooks and adore them. Thanks for reading, Lisa! 💕
As always, Elizabeth, I love your ability to plunge into a topic and the infectious way you encourage all of us to take the plunge with you. From the German words that express feelings some languages have no words for to your fearlessness to experiment and gain intimacy with foods of all cultures, you take us on stellar journey.
Ellen thank you 💕. I so appreciate having you as a reader here. I look forward to the day when we can meet and really chew the fat 😊
Please do!!!
Please do!!!
This post made my mouth water... love Indian!!
Sue I am going to send you the most amazing Madhur Jaffrey video—you will love it!
A most delicious bit, Elizabeth! I can smell the cardamom across the miles.
Thank you Amie! It has definitely inspired me to get back toIndian cooking.
How interesting — there’s no direct translation for fernweh in Italian either. India is definitely one of the places I longed for, and it was the very first country I visited outside of Europe — farther than any other country I’d been to and culturally very different from what I knew. That’s what made it a true “fernweh trip” (can you say that?). It was a wonderful two months (if you don’t count the week I was really sick), and I’d love to go back one day.
How great that you were able to spend so much time there and really immerse yourself in the culture! I sent a whirlwind 36 hours in Mumbai as part of a business trip and the impression it made on me was enormous.
I took a three-month “gap” between work and my master’s degree. I was a teaching assistant, so the timing worked out well—the school closed for the summer, and my MA didn’t start until the following September. It also helped that university was very inexpensive and I had already worked for several years, so I had savings and no debts. That summer, I also volunteered and worked in Spain.
There is nothing that replaces the richness of travel…🥰
What a lovely tribute to Madhur Jaffrey and Indian cuisine in general. I love her comparisons to painting. It makes complete sense.
Did you know that she appeared in a rap video with Zohran Mamdani while he was a rising hip-hop star (Mr. Cardamom)?
I did not! Will have to look that up—thanks for the lead, Amela, and thank you for reading 💕
You'll love it!
I read with great pleasure. Always something new to learn.
I loved the Himalaya! I first went there with my yoga teacher and a group from the class. That was not my only time. My son Tom went there too. His first visit was not with me, but with a fellow musician. It was far from the only time for him, too. Just a little while ago, we were talking on the phone about how good it was and how much we miss it.
I knew you would remember it! I am only sorry I didn’t experience it more often. In retrospect there were quite a few gems in Windsor back in the day. The Other Place; TBQ; The Mini; La Cuisine; The Cook’s Shop…and some great Chinese that I’m drawing a blank on. What I really wish I was around for was The Elmwood!
I can help you with the Chinese - Wah Court on Wyandotte Street West, then Ruby's Eatery on University Avenue West, Harvey Lo's Yummy House on Wyandotte Street East was one of the early 'better ones', and more recently Jade Restaurant (RIP) in the old Vulcano Restaurant downtown.
I miss them all.
I was thinking of Wah Court! Also Ruby’s Eatery. Thanks for the memory jog 😊
Such an interesting article and integration of these German expressions!
Now you will have to teach me how to pronounce these words, Jules! 😊
I will! :)
OK. This made me hungry!
Mission accomplished 🤓
I laughed out loud at 'backpfeifengesicht'!
What a lovely homage to Indian cookery and Madhur Jaffrey Elizabeth. ❤️
I have never across a French Indian fusion. How fascinating!
I have a German friend who has promised to teach me how to pronounce these gems! 😂
Writing about Madhur Jaffrey has definitely inspired me (along with Annada’s Chutney Lovers stack) to refresh my spice drawer and getting cooking Indian!