Yummy Treats

Mangalorean pudding cakes from Monthi Serrao

Monthi Serrao did not get us mud cakes; not even the version Srichand Arora had specifically asked for before she left for Mangalore (see post of May 7). Instead, she brought us something much, much better this morning -- coconut-jaggery pudding, neatly sliced into rectangular blocks that tasted out of this world. This is one sweet meat Mangoleareans have been adept at conjuring. And to prove its provenance, Monthi had the box to show: Royal Bakery, Vishweshwarayya Building, Udupi Bus Stand, Mangalore…
More than this, it was the intent that mattered. Monthi was not fulfilling a formality to mark her return from an outstation trip, but was keen to treat us to a unique food experience – a special something that we could not have otherwise enjoyed (at least) in Mumbai. It was precisely with this sentiment that Harbans Kaur had earlier treated us to crunchy sesame-encrusted coconut crackers from Ludhiana on May 14 and likewise, Mallika Kagzi brought us those lip smacking giant nankhatais from Surat on May 20.

Arun Patil (left) with new club t-shirt

There are many such examples, with members like Jagmohan Papneja, Razia Khan, Teja Singh Bhambra and others, equally intent upon sharing the goodies from the place they had visited and giving us the taste, probably of a lifetime.
This is what makes our Club exceptional. All these people could well have done with distributing luddoos or perhaps, chocolates that are available locally in Lokhandwala and nobody would be any wiser. But to think of picking up an unusual delicacy from a distance, packing them carefully so that they survive the journey back (remember, most of the stuff is highly perishable) and then to share them with all in the Garden is indeed extraordinary. Sadly, many of us have forgotten the decency to acknowledge this act of generosity with a basic ‘thank you’. Clearly, we are having too much of a good thing going.
On a different note, here is Arun Patil (left) displaying the new Big Laaf t-shirt with the club’s ‘smiley’ insignia printed on the pocket and at the back. Very soon other male members would be sporting these olive-green t-shirts. Significantly, nobody has thought of designing such distinctive clothing for female members to wear with pride.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Thank you very much, Monthi-ji for the delicious coconut-jaggery pudding (son of halwa-type item) you brought for us all the way from Mangalore. By the way, when you are going next?