When you learn to say yes......

I don't know about you, but, at my ripe old age of 38, I am very set in what I consider to be my likes and dislikes. It is interesting how I manage to judge a book, a meal, a movie or any other thing based on my pre-conceived notions.

However, these last few months have taught me to be grateful.

Grateful to have people in my life who push me to read a book that I normally would not touch with a bargepole. Who insist that I join them for a multiple island tour on a local speedboat (a confirmed  "touristy-trap" tour from my standpoint) in Thailand. Who tell me that it is not important to only visit well known places to experience the history of India, since a lot of it is hidden in small towns located off the beaten path.

Yes, I am thankful to each of you, because without you, I would have missed out on so much!

The book-club celebrated its 5th anniversary and lo and behold, it was decided that I should be hosting it  (was it a coincidence, I think not!). We decided to dress up as our favorite character (thus the awkward mix of outfits in the above picture :).  As we all sat together and chatted about our favorite books over the course of these five years, I realized that each book mentioned by me was one that I normally would have dismissed as being too dark, too superficial or uninteresting.

Two of my dearest friends turn 40 this year and we decided to celebrate by heading to Thailand. (Yes, we have amazing spouses!!) Since the trip was to celebrate them, I sort-of decided to go along with the flow (a hard task for me, trust me). One of them was very keen on a 6 island tour, and I was getting nightmarish visions of baking all thru the day under unrelenting sun and possibly ending up getting a sunstroke. Anyways, we each gamely paid up and reached the pier. Once we sat in the speed boat and the tour started, I realized that it was possibly one of the best outings of our vacation! To get into caves that were full of stalactites and stalagmites, to canoe thru hidden cave pools, to hike thru an island, eat Thai food at a restaurant made on stilts, to end up swimming in amazingly calm water at sunset. Yes, I can safely say, that another myth/misgiving gave way.

This year's annual holiday to DH's parent's place included a trip to Mandu. It is a small town in MP about which I was vaguely told that it had some ruins from Rani Roopmati. Of course my first question was where were we staying and now that my mother-in-law is fairly familiar with me, she chose to keep the answer generic and all I was told was that "it is the best hotel there". Well, armed with 2 kids and the rest of the family, we took the car ride to Mandu and reached the hotel. We decided to start some of the touring immediately and headed to "Jahaz Mahal" (Ship Palace). When we walked through the doors, we really did not know what to expect. To say that we were blown away will be an understatement. The Archeological Society of India has done a fantastic job improving the ruins of this city since 2005. Beside the Palace, there was the Jami Masjid (Mosque), Roopmati's Narmada lookout point, the echo point, Neelkanth Temple and so many more exquisite places to stop and enjoy - each was an eye-opener. It reminded me of the rich history of India and the craftsmanship that resonates within the artisans today as well.

Had I not learned to say yes, would I have been richer for having read books that I would have bypassed? Would I have managed to accomplish that beautiful sense of peace I felt in that uninhabited beach in Thailand? Would I have been mesmerized by the stories of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati? I think not.

Whether we are 38, 58 or 78 - the honest truth is that we can experience so much more in life, if we just allow ourselves to say "yes".
   
Included here is a brief recipe of a dish I created based on "The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society". (Yes, we also had to make dishes inspired by our favorite books!).

Vegetable and Potato Pie

 

For the Mashed Potatoes:

5 Medium Parboiled Potatoes Grated

1/2 cup Thick Cream

1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese Grated

2 tbsp. Butter

1 generous pinch of Nutmeg Powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

For the Mixed Vegetable Base:

7 Cups of Your Favorite Vegetables prepped (chopped and boiled, as needed)

(I used Bell Peppers, Peas, Zucchini, Broccoli, Baby Corn, Carrots etc.)

1 tbsp. Butter

2 tsp Grated Garlic

1/4 tsp Red Chili Flakes

1/2 tsp Sugar

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

For the Sauce:

Tomato Sauce Made with 4 Boiled and Peeled Tomatoes, 2 Garlic Cloves and 1 Roasted Onion

1 tbsp. each of Butter and All Purpose Flour

1/2 tsp Sugar

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

2 tbsp. Parmesan Cheese for Sprinkling

Start by heating butter in a pan and adding the chili flakes and garlic. Add the chopped bell pepper and cook for 2 mins. Then gradually add the remaining vegetable together with the spices and allow to cook for at least 10-15 mins on a low flame. Puree the ingredients of the tomato sauce. Make a roué using the butter and flour mix and instead of adding milk, add the tomato sauce. Cook together till it comes to a boil. Mix the vegetables and the sauce in a large wok and set aside.

In a bowl, add the grated potato and combine with all the ingredients till the mixture is smooth and even in texture. Put the mashed potatoes in a piping bag.

Spread the vegetables in a buttered baking dish and pipe the mashed potatoes on top. Sprinkle some additional parmesan cheese on top and bake at 350 degree Celsius for 20 mins and on the Broil setting for 2-3 mins. Serve hot!

 

As I have found, the more we open ourselves to suggestions, the more enriched we each become. So, do me a favor and the next time someone offers you a new experience, say yes.