It was my first time here. At the counter, I'd ordered, firstly, curd rice. The attendant smiled but I couldn't understand it. Was it an approval of my choice? Or did I just order something regrettable? Next, a side dish. There were a few rare, interesting titles but I wanted comfort food that evening, so I asked for saag panir. None of those smiles or nods this time. In fact, I could feel her slight reluctance to input my order. She did, eventually.
I sat at a nearby table and waited eagerly for my curd rice. I really can't remember the last time I had it. It must have been a year ago. Or longer, even. On a hot and humid evening, the thought of creamy, cold, sourish rice spiced with mustard seeds, ginger, coriander leaves, onions and chillies was very, very enticing.
A smartly dressed man, perhaps in his early sixties, approached my table and introduced himself as the cook. He asked to confirm my order of both the curd rice and saag panir. Politely, he suggested that the combination might be too heavy and proposed that I consider replacing the saag panir with gobi Manchurian.
Blasphemy!
I've always prided myself for being knowledgeable in Indian cuisine and never had I been challenged this way. My credibility was at stake. I imagined my friends and neighbours from Sentul looking really disappointed with some gesturing the loser sign. And by recommending something with a Manchurian sauce was definitely rubbing salt to the wound. Here's the funny part - momentarily stunned AND confused, I'd somehow agreed to that change.
There's a lesson to be learnt here - that the ego has to be bruised to gravitate one down to earth again. The gobi Manchurian worked really well the curd rice. A sweet sauce like that provides a wonderful balance to the sourness of the curd. Such common sense that I'd failed to see! Imagine if I'd insisted on my saag panir. The richness of both sauces would have been too much to handle. So, thank you, uncle, for making the effort to enlighten this lost child. I shall be back to seek more wisdom and of course, your delicious vegetarian food.
http://www.pangat.com/index.htm
9 comments:
I've seen that place numerous times when I was in the vicinity and I used to work there. Somehow, the idea of visiting always slipped me. Now you have gotten my attention.
I LOVE curd rice. I'm glad you allowed uncle to change your mind. That Manchurian dish looks just delicious!
liquidshadow, me too! I've passed by a few time but wasn't interested, mostly because i've never associated suntec with Indian food. Do give it a try. The set lunches seem more worthwhile. :)
lyrical lemongrass, yeah, the uncle rocks. That reminds me...we haven't done Indian food in a looooong time. Since cny yo! I think it's time, especially having so much south american food. You la, of course...hehe
What's saag panir? Your gobi manchurian (cauliflower?) looks delish. Miles better than the ones drenched with starch-laden sauce commonly found here. Or maybe only Chindian restaurants do it that way. Must try it in Indian restaurants!
gfad, saag panir is spinach cooked with cheese and spices. Goes really well with plain rice. *salivates* yeah, i know what u mean about the gobi manchurian (yup, it's cauliflower). I've tried it in India before and didn't like the wannabe taste at all. This one's good. :)
Only two photographs... and that was enough to get my saliva buds a-flowin'...
And love the exchange you had... Now I wanna try both dishes. I'm such an Indian food novice compared to ya! Oh, be my makan Master-ji... :P
kenny, aiyoh, no lah. i think you are more knowledgeable than me when it comes to Indian food. ya know, it's interesting that we've been makan-ing a few times and yet, we've never done a blr. hmmmm, how about when you visit singapore the next time? jomz! :)
Let's do a BLR the next weekend we are both in the same geographic location! Mesti! :D
kenny, okay, ON! i'll be away for a few weeks but will definitely give you a buzz when i'm back. was avoiding brickfields during Deepavali. time for a comeback! :)
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