Eat Breakfast like a King

The smell of cooking that wafts through the kitchen from Guptaji’s house, who lives next door is mesmerizing! There have been occasions when my attention got diverted to an extent, that by mistake I rang the bell of their house instead of mine! Fortunately, before they opened the door, I realized my folly and quickly retraced the steps back home lest I make a complete fool of myself! Last weekend, when I was just getting ready to go out, the bell rang and there stood, Mrs and Mr Gupta.  I greeted them and ushered them inside! We talked for about an hour discussing several things when they stood up and got ready to leave.

‘Why don’t you come home for breakfast tomorrow’ Mrs Gupta asked my wife. ‘It has been a long time,’ she continued.

We could not refuse the lovely invitation and thanked them for their kindness.

Next morning, we got dressed for the occasion, and landed at their house exactly at 9AM. Mrs Gupta opened the door. She greeted us  and asked us to join them directly at the dining table which was beautifully laid out. The forks and spoons were neatly arranged on spotless white table cloth and the glassware sparkled. Radhika , their daughter came and wished us as she helped her mother in laying the table. We kept joking till the food arrived. There was fresh orange juice, a heap of choco-cornflakes, cold milk and fresh slices of papaya, peeled oranges, grapes and currants. Two big porcelain dishes arrived and were carefully laid on the table. As the lid was removed steam emanated and filled the air with an aroma which elevated the spirits! Before we could adjust our eyes two more trays arrived with steaming hot bhatura and another tray containing Khandvi( a gujrati dish). The kabuli chana garnished with coriander, sliced green chili and small chopped onions and sooji halwa with fragrance of cardamoms and lavish sprinkling of diced almonds and cashew nuts were difficult to resist. I regretted for having helped myself to fruits, rather than wait with  patience to indulge in the lavish spread that was to follow!

The tender ‘Khandvi’ decorated with grated fresh coconut, laced with chutney melted in the mouth leaving a trail of soothing satisfaction! Next I demolished the two huge bhaturas that continued to send trail of hot air till the very end with the delicious tangy flavor of  kabuli chana! The Kabuli chana that Mrs Gupta had prepared were a good match to a similar preparation of ‘Kesar da Dhaba’ in Amritsar! She sure had a of ‘Midas Touch’ to make the food taste gorgeous! The grand finale was the ‘Sooji Halwa’ and the lovely cup of freshly brewed Cardamom/ Ginger tea!

It was breakfast befitting a king and there was no place now left to eat lunch like a prince! I could only think of having the next meal like a beggar now!

So anytime an invitation from Guptaji is the time  to go on an eating binge!

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