What a lousy topic to write about. What can one possibly write about Curd Rice or Thayir Sadham?
Recipe eh? Nope. Something funny? Umm no. So whats it about Curd rice - the quintessential life saver to any Tam-Bram.
It would seem silly, unpretentious and bland. The last thing anybody would think of is a poem on curd rice or to find it listed in must-try-things-before-you-die. But I must the curd rice has a lot to teach in life.
For one, its reputation in itself. Curd mixed with rice is an acquired taste - why would you want to eat a semi-sour curd mixed with rice? But ask folks who vouch their fierce loyalty to the dish? The seemingly diminutive dish is a superstar in many south indian homes. I've always cherished having curd rice - I have least of the expectations from it but it does wonders. Talk about getting that hint of joy when least expected. How much we relish such moments in life? Live without expectations; even a small gesture or a butterfly fluttering by is going to give you joy.
Next, the beauty lies in its simplicity and its adaptability. Its so easy to prepare; versatile and goes with anything; I prefer to have it with mango pickle. Some throw in grapes, pomegranate or a seasoning of tiny bits of chill, ginger, mustard and cilantro. Again, I can't help but think about life. Life is as simple as it gets; but we tend to complicate it. Life is just love - everything revolves around love. The day we can leverage the magnificent energy from love; life is gonna be one hell of a grand party. Nothing can go wrong with a curd rice, you can just enhance it. The extra flavors only add more zing to it. At the same time, adding those extra flavors does not diminish the taste and properties of curd rice; it only enhances it. Likewise, love is only going to enhance your life.
Next, no meal ends without a serving of curd rice in the end. The meal ends when you say "I am done" after you have devoted your last serving of curd rice. After your done with your curd rice, you are pleased and relaxed. When you are done, you are actually done. Every good thing ends on a happy note; to give way to better things.
There are times when everything fails, it seems bleak and dark. Times when you doubt your purpose....then, think of good wishes, good times, blessings and of course your curd rice!
Lousy topic?
ReplyDeleteIts one of the soothing morsel to have as a change from time to time.
Haddock,
DeleteI am glad you agree :)
Such a soother it is :)
ReplyDeleteYou bet! Its an anytime elixir.
DeleteI have been saved by curd-rice a lot many times. :)
ReplyDeleteI am pleasantly surprised; since curd rice takes time to be accepted by folks up north
DeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteGot back to read your blog after long time! And what a topic to read! Curd-Rice being my fav dish!! That comparison of curd-rice to life..now that's out of the box!!
Fun read!!
Rammy,
DeleteGlad to find you here again, long time yeah. Thank you very much for remembering my blog. I was just contemplating and realized what curd rice has to teach us
Until very recently, I was very reluctant in even trying Curd rice because I, for one lived in North all along, and two saw nothing special about the dish at all. We had curd with rice only with khichadi and that too with sugar so eating a sour tasting viscous white dish was out of question. Now, after trying it, I have realized two things. That it is not bad at all. And that to accept a place it is MUST to come terms with the food of that place. People like me get to eat South Indian food mainly at office canteens which offer ordinary stuff even to the natives anyways. So one shouldn't be prejudiced about the food unless eaten at a proper place like somebody's home. Your analogy with life is brilliant that it represents simplicity. If you are not satisfied with simplicity, nothing else can help.
ReplyDeleteI am yet to like Rasam though. :)
Exactly Abhinav. The concept of mixing curd and rice is inpalpable to many. I can vouch that its has been life saver to many like me in South India. Suppose we visit a place which has only meat on offer and you don't eat meat; just ask for curd and some white rice. You could always eat fruits to fill your stomach; but the rice and curd is a meal in itself.
DeleteAnd yeah, I am not surprised; as I mentioned, it is an acquired taste. I tried the same during my first trip to US. I didn't know there were flavored curd (yogurt as they call) as well. It was a bad experience to eat sweet flavored curd and rice :P
And of course, what else best than curd rice to teach us a bit of life. Its versatile, simple, easy to access and always there and above all satisfactory
DeleteI have seen that many fussy eaters end up eating curd-rice in hotels/restaurants. I have tasted it a few times, but it didnt appeal to me much! I know this statement of mine would be considered outrageous by all people from South :D
ReplyDeleteShilpa,
DeleteI didn't mention quintessential and life saver without a reason. Yah, curd rice is safe, predictable and simple. If theres nothing, curd rice is to your reduce.
muzhu vahzkai ye thayir sadham kulla olichitinga B :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a comparison... Yep.. I love curd rice too.. Its the simplest dish yet the tastiest..
Lol hahaha :) Appo appo ippdiellam yosikka thonum
DeleteGrounded, you seem to be musing a fair bit!
ReplyDeleteThe dish is like the quintessential dessert the Western culture have at the end of a meal, it is more than that, because it is absolutely unpretentious.
Everything may fail at times but a mouthful of curd rice in fact energizes your body and soul. And B, like in other aspects of life, I think that the supplements that we add to the curd rice can destroy or enliven it.
Coming to the curd rice perse, the quality of rice is the thing.
Anil,
DeleteYeah isn't it? I am surprised myself.
Its a mandatory mean ending saga; and yeah what an importance it has in our lives. To me; being married to a hardcore non-vegetarian, curd rice has rescued me zillion times. The satisfaction to be eating a simple plain curd and rice while others are releasing the juicy meat can't be expressed :) I feel I won during those times. Why? Its because I can sustain and I can be happy in those situations as well
I just love curd rice.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I had this dish was in METTUR.
Now,when we go visiting our son in Bangalore,his maid prepares excellent curd rice.And now,my wife has got the recepie right and we make it at home.
Chowla sir, For folks like me who have grown up eating curd rice, there is nothing like a recipe. Just take some rice, add some curd (any kind, even buttermilk will do), mix it and relish it
DeleteB, it reminds me of my post on Iddli. Thair saadam! It is yet another example for greatness in simplicity! Like you I love it with Mango pickle. Recently I tried it with seedless grapes and it was so heavenly, so soothing! Lime pickle too is an excellent additive. Oh, one has to sprinkle chopped coriander leaves, surely! Like Iddli, Thair saadam is one thing I will never have enough of!
ReplyDeleteOooooaaaaahhhhh! Memories come flooding! :-)
Balan,
DeleteThayir sad ham makes any additive with it such an excellent combination isn't it?
Well I am not a big fan of thayir saadam but yeah on lazy weekends when I don't feel like cooking a proper meal,this rice and curd combo does come to rescue...:)
ReplyDeleteAnd of course,the comparison to life was cool as the dish itself ;)
Anu, thats the greatness; to the reduce at times like these
Deletegood post. I may be one of the lucky ones able to read and see your post.
ReplyDeleteCome on Look And Registere Now