Those who know me also know that though I love food, cooking is not my cup of tea. One, it takes time and two, it takes time. VT and I have different food preferences and our help does a good job of managing our food. With a little help, she has brought the flavors of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh together in her own Nepali style.
However, one thing that I sorely miss at home is non-vegetarian food. VT is a vegetarian and though he is willing to try, it’s hard for me to get something cooked just for myself. I take days to finish it alone and then it gets boring. It also seems unfair to get two different varieties cooked at home. So, I have left eating meat to our restaurant trips.
This year when I visited home, I realized how much I have missed my dose of fried fish and fish curry. So I decided to shake things a bit. I learnt a few recipes from Mum and they have been working very well. I buy my fish first thing in the morning and then I take good two hours to cook it in my style. Slow and easy-going. I do multiple things when the curry simmers and the spices roast filling the house with the aroma.
My love for fish is not just about the taste. I grew up in a household that celebrated with fish. We had Dusshera where fish was mandatory and for anything that’s auspicious, fish was considered the best way to show gratitude. Even this year when I visited home, I was welcomed with various preparations of fish – both in Azamgarh and Gorakhpur. Somehow with hostel life and then different food preferences at home, this love lost its way. But not anymore.
Fried fish seems to work for VT and I get to enjoy that along with curry and rice. Looks like this new schedule on a Saturday is going to stay.
Esha’s recipe is very similar to how I cook fish curry at home and for now, here is how my fish curry looked this week.
For day 20 #NaBloPoMo, I am writing about food.
happiness and food 
Finally u learnt .Good girl .keep it up .
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Ha ha! Thank you!
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Your story is quite similar to mine, Parul, except that my hubby is a non-veg lover, and I am not. But, thankfully he is a good cook (while I am not!), so, he prepares whatever he feels like eating, and I am spared the effort! On days when his sis comes visiting, she prepares the fish recipes, and I prepare my veg fare. We have gotten used to this way of eating, and I am sure you will, too.
Your recipes do look good!
Bon Appetit!
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You are lucky. I read your post last night and fun it was to read your journey. True, our stories are similar.
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Something I’ve never had, so I tried to imagine the scent of spices cooking. Yummm.
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Alana, I can understand. The dish comes from North eastern state of Bengal. Thanks for stopping by.
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You know, I love fish too. Like VT , S is also willing to try but then like you I get bored eating it for days on end to finish it myself. This post had a lot of things which ringed true from my perspective as well. Parul, we have to meet!
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This Saturday? 😉 it will be fun!
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Wow! The fish curry looks yum :D. You know it’s kind of funny. My fiancee is a vegetarian and everyone in my family is a vegetarian except me. So in a way I do associate with your backstory ;). While I do love non – vegetarian, if I get good veg food, I don’t miss it per say. But yeah I am always game for some good non – vegetarian fare ;).
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Ha ha! Yes, our story is the same. Thanks Aseem.
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The pic of the fish and the lingering flavors of memories and moments in your write up brightened my mundane Monday morning, Parul. Thank you for this lovely post:)
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Thank you Mayuri. You are so kind with your comments. Love!
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I know how it feels Parul. I love non vegetarian food but in my in laws side only men eat non veg and I used to feel so awkward in the starting. Fish curry looks good and I am sure its yummy too. 🙂
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That’s interesting to hear. I’m sure it must have hurt initially. Thanks for stopping by.
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I will have to check out your recipes, Parul. Both of us love fish and while we are not vegetarians, we eat little meat. Veggies are so yummy, and so is fish. I can relate to not wanting to cook two meals.
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True that! Thank you.
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Cal’s a vegetarian too and sadly I can’t look any non-veg at home as he’s allergic to the smell.
This looks so delicious. I love a well made fish curry/fry and some steaming hot rice. So next time, instead of trying to finish it all alone, call me 😀
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Deal! Let’s have a fish dinner at home 🙂
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Fish curry is truly soul food for me! I am just wondering how our recipes turned out to be so similar!! I can so relate to your reluctance to cook as I’ve been there myself. But, now that I cook often, though not every day, I like it better. It was lovely to read about the tradition around fish eating in your family. I do not know many North-Indian families where fish is loved and appreciated that much.
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Yes, it’s a unique thing at my place. Wonder where the tradition comes from.
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Mouthwateringggg! 😐
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Thanks Kavipriya!
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If anyone doesnt know you will consider you as a Bengali only, We have similar love and affection towards fish and we celebrate everything with fish. Loved reading this. You are a fishy friend of mine from today
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Ha ha! Thank you for the fishy comment 😉
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It’s great to learn that you are in love with fish like Bengalis. It’s a nice post. Cooking isn’t difficult if you have love the taste.
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At my in-laws place they have a ritual to eat fish curry after the immersion of Durga idol on dashami/dussera. I am a bong, but a ‘fake’ bong because I don’t like fish. As, I grew up in Sikkim, I never developed a taste for fish. My husband is a fish lover and literally can eat fish for Breakfast, Lunch and dinner. I started cooking fish after marriage. I am still not fond of fish except for few dishes. However, I do cook fish a lot, and if we ever meet I will make you eat fish curry cooked by yours truly.
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Nothing would make me more happy and we will meet 🙂
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