My name is Jasnit and I am a “foodie.” Let us first define the word “foodie”. A foodie is one that truly enjoys the experience of eating. This does not make me a pretentious person who prefers eating at a fine dining French restaurant over eating at a “hole in the wall”. Instead, it truly means that I love to eat things and share my experiences with others. The key in life is to have a great experience, food related or otherwise, and be able to share it with others. Some people enjoy hiking or biking. I enjoy eating. This is my way of experiencing the world. I don’t need to bring sneakers, gloves or a warm sweater. Instead, I bring my eyes, my nose, my mouth, my yearning for delicious food and most importantly I bring my palate.
A palate is what an artist uses in order to color the world. This is not much different from the palate inside your mouth. Your palate is more than just an anatomic structure inside your mouth; you use that anatomic structure to experience the world. You must use your palate by feeling the temperature, texture and flavor of the food. You must use your palate to touch your food not only with your mouth but also with your hands. It takes time and experience in order to develop your palate. So where does your palate develop from?
Your palate is defined by your upbringing and what you ate growing up. I grew up in an Indian household and my mother was the primary chef in the house. Therefore, my mother defined my palate. This is true for many people. Most likely, your mother is the person who cooked for you as you grew up from a baby to an adult. This is why if you grow up eating certain flavors, you will be comforted by them later in life. Words that define this concept include 'home cooked meal' and 'comfort food' amongst others. These comfort food meals bring back nostalgic memories which carry sentimental values.
My mother was the best cook in the world. I say was because she passed away 10 years ago. She may no longer be here being a part of my life in the physical sense, but there are times during the day when I eat something and am reminded of something she once made me. Therefore, I often find myself searching for flavors that will resurrect my mother’s cooking and make me feel as though she is beside me. During these journeys, I find myself exploring the world with my mouth. It has resulted in discovering new smells, flavors, textures, and allowed me to have some great culinary experiences.
So stay tuned as I elaborate on several of the more important culinary experiences of my life…
A meal to remember
Anjum, Sanket, Monika and I were taking a road trip through California in August 2014. We started somewhere between LA and SF and drove up to SF. We passed some of the most beautiful towns along the way, including Paso Robles, Big Sur, and Carmel/Monterey.
In Monterey, a relative of Monika’s had recommended we go to a restaurant. So we went there not knowing what to expect. At first it started out like any normal meal. We got our menu’s and we were thinking about what to get. Then came round 1. A little unexpected since we hadn’t ordered, but figured it was because Monika had a relative that knew the owners.
Then came round 2. Then round 3. Along that time somewhere, we got a bottle of wine. Then round 4 and so on. Sanket and I started to get nervous, because we had seen some of the prices on the menu and we must have gotten easily $1,000 worth of food already and it just kept coming (yup, coming). But we said, screw it. You only live once. It was hands down one of the best meals I've ever had.
Great food, great company, amazing place and definitely unexpected.
CTM
Why is the website called CTM friends? Chicken Tikka Masala is the most heavenly food on the planet. When the spice is right, and there is just the right amount of creaminess, you could bathe in the stuff (Jazz's ultimate dream).
Seamless Web really changed my life - and Jazz's. We had this standard order saved from Baluchi's at least once a week, minimum. CTM with naan, rice, and samosa chat. Delivered straight to your door without having to move.
The best CTM moment was when Ankit visited our old apartment in NYC. We ordered 4 CTM entrees for myself, Ankit, Arif, and Jazz. Arif got upset because he wanted 4 different items so we could share them all. He is not a true CTM believer at heart. There was so much CTM left over that he kept forcing us to eat it because he couldn't fathom why we ordered 4 of the same items.
The best part of the story is pouring the CTM into the Chicken and Rice from 53rd and 6th later that night. Incredible. If you have a fun CTM story, please share!