Unleashing Flavours And Memories

Ever since I was a child, the kitchen was my favorite place. While most kids were busy playing with toys, I found my joy in watching my mother cook. Every time she stepped into the kitchen, I followed, eager to see what magic she was creating.

If she was making chapatis, I would grab a small utensil and pretend to cook right beside her. The sound of the rolling pin, the aroma of freshly cooked food, and the warmth of being next to her made those moments special. Even though I was too young to understand the art of cooking, I knew one thing—I loved it.

A Love That Started with Play

My fascination with cooking didn’t stop at home. Whenever we visited a fair or a supermarket, I always looked for kitchen tools. Instead of buying toys, I collected tiny rolling pins, little pots, and toy stoves. At home, I would "cook" imaginary meals on my play kitchen set, proudly serving my parents and asking them to taste my creations. Their laughter and encouragement made me feel like a real chef.

Cooking With My Grandparents:

During my summer holidays, I always visited my grandmother's house. One thing I never forgot to bring with me was my kitchen playset. I loved spending time with my grandparents, and my grandfather would always join me in playing cooking games. He would pretend to be my customer while I cooked imaginary meals for him. Those moments were filled with laughter and joy, making my childhood even more special. Cooking with them, even if just for fun, made me realize how much I loved it..

My First Real Cooking Attempt 

When I was in 9th grade, I started cooking for the first time. My first attempt was making chapati,but instead of being round, they turned into different country maps! I couldn't stop laughing at what I had made , but I still enjoyed the process later. I watched my mom carefully as she made perfectly round chapatis. Observing her technique, I slowly learned how to make them properly. Over time, I practiced and finally mastered the art of making round chapatis!

Learning From Mistakes In Cooking And Life

One important lesson I have learned through cooking is that not everything will turn out perfect. Whether it's a new activity or a new receipe,there will always be challenges and failures. But what truly matters is the willingness to keep trying.

I wanted to try a baking a biscuit cake.I carefully measured and added all the ingredients following the receipe exactly But when I took it out of the oven, I saw that the cake had burned. It was overcooked, and I felt so sad and disappointed. I wondered what went wrong even though I had done everything correctly.

At that moment,my mother , who has always been my biggest inspiration, told me something that changed my perspective. She said ,"Not every dish turns out perfect, and that's okay .Mistakes are part of the learning process." Her words gave me the motivation to keep going. Instead of giving up, I decided that I would try again. 

My First Successful Dish: Paneer

After a few trial-and-error experiences in the kitchen, my first truly successful dish was paneer. I had always wanted to make it, but it took me some time to learn the recipe properly. I carefully followed each step, paying attention to the spices and flavors.

When I finally made it, the aroma of the spices filled the kitchen, and the paneer looked perfect. I nervously served it to my family, hoping they would like it. To my surprise, they all said, "It tastes so good!" Hearing their appreciation made me so happy and proud.

That day, I realized the joy of cooking not just in making food, but in seeing others enjoy it. It gave me the confidence to keep experimenting and learning new recipes...

My 2nd dish : Poha Cutlet 

I wanted to try something different - something crispy, flavorful and easy to make. That's when I decided to make Poha cutlet. I had seen a receipe for it online and was eager to try it..

I gathered all the ingredients - poha( flattened rice), boiled potatoes, spices, and fresh coriander. Mixing them together felt like an art, combining different textures and flavours into a single dish. As I shaped the mixture into small patties, I felt excited but nervous...

When I placed the cutlets on the pan, the sizzling sound and the golden brown crust forming on them made 

me even more eager to taste them..

Name: Aishwarya Vagurmekar

Roll no: 2402004