You're Getting Married - Aloo Palak (Potato and Spinach Curry)
Defiance and Strength.
This was going to be the year that changed everything around me. I just didn’t know it then. You see, till now I have lived a very sheltered life. I went to college, I had only girls for friends, I did my homework and then spent the evenings grocery shopping and cooking. Sometimes, I would watch a few movies on TV and I would dream.
Today, when I woke up in the morning, I was surprised to see my mom sitting there, with this soft look about her. It scared me.
“Hey mom, why are you looking at me like that? It’s creepy!"
I was right about being scared there. She told me that she and dad had been thinking that it was time for me to get married. They had been looking for a while and had found a boy who fit the bill. We were going to meet him in two days.
WOW! I always knew that this day would come. I just didn’t expect it then. I mean I have spent my entire life getting ready for this day. I practically ran out of there and headed to my favourite spice shop. The smells in here always calmed me down. The spices had this weird power over me. I have been coming to this shop ever since I was a little girl. My mother told me a story about the Mistress of Spices. A story I would hear her tell over and over. The story was about a girl who found the solution to all her problems and fell in love too, because of her spices.
I sat down next to the kindly old man who sits at the shop.
“This can’t be it, can it? I want to travel. I want to explore. I have never even set foot outside this city. I want to own a restaurant. Will it be possible if I get married? Will he let me? I want to love, dance in the rain, all those romantic things. I want to drink. I want to wear a bikini!”
The old man, though scandalized with my last remark, smiled at me kindly. Yes, he said. I would marry the perfect man and he would make me very happy. He told me to never give up, be myself and I will find everything I seek.
I bought a handful of bay leaves, the spice for ‘having the strength of beliefs’ and some chilli for ‘defiance’, before heading home. That evening I made some Aloo Palak Curry (Spinach and Potato Curry).
Ingredients
4 cups finely chopped Spinach
1 1/2 cups peeled and boiled Potatoes
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 tsp chopped Garlic
1 tsp chopped Ginger
2 dry Red Chillies
2 tsp Coriander Powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
3 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste
I also added some Bay leaves to give me strength to be myself till the end.
Method
Heat the oil.
Add bay leaves (opt), cumin seeds, ginger, garlic and chillies. Mix and heat till brown in colour.
Add the potatoes and mix well, heat for a while.
Add the spinach, coriander powder and turmeric powder. Let it cook for 5-10 minutes. Stir frequently.
Serve with Naan Bread for best taste.
I went to bed that night, feeling much better. I was going to conquer marriage. It will set me free. Thank you Bay Leaves.
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