The other day, I was eating something (I wish I could remember what) absolutely delicious and I remember just closing my eyes and being overwhelmed by the thought: 'Food is the greatest stuff on earth... I just love it.'
But almost instantly after that, I was flooded with guilt.
Flooded with the realisation of how selfish we are.
How unlucky most of the world is.
How lucky we are.
I have ingredients, supermarkets, treats, restaurants and the world of food at my fingertips.
But what about the 925 million people in the world who don't have even half a meal a day?
I decided that my love for food wouldn't just be a cooking and blogging project.
I wanted to do something, however little, for those who don't have the same opportunities as I do.
The Asian and Pacific region, my part of the globe, is home to some of the most undernourished people in the world, and I see it each and every day when I step outside.
Each week I make a batch of treats or snacks and distribute them to the children who rarely get any.
This doesn't have to be a one-person mission. All over the world, from L.A. to Tokyo, there are people who go hungry.
Even if it's once every two months, take some time to think of someone else. If you can't cook something (though you really should try), just buy a pack of cookies or tarts and take them to a homeless shelter.
I'm willing to bet that you'll make their day.
But almost instantly after that, I was flooded with guilt.
Flooded with the realisation of how selfish we are.
How unlucky most of the world is.
How lucky we are.
I have ingredients, supermarkets, treats, restaurants and the world of food at my fingertips.
But what about the 925 million people in the world who don't have even half a meal a day?
I decided that my love for food wouldn't just be a cooking and blogging project.
I wanted to do something, however little, for those who don't have the same opportunities as I do.
The Asian and Pacific region, my part of the globe, is home to some of the most undernourished people in the world, and I see it each and every day when I step outside.
Each week I make a batch of treats or snacks and distribute them to the children who rarely get any.
This doesn't have to be a one-person mission. All over the world, from L.A. to Tokyo, there are people who go hungry.
Even if it's once every two months, take some time to think of someone else. If you can't cook something (though you really should try), just buy a pack of cookies or tarts and take them to a homeless shelter.
I'm willing to bet that you'll make their day.
1. Cupcakes
For the first ever Pass The Plate Project, I made a batch of vanilla cupcakes. My sister tried one and approved of it with an "mmmm" and a smile. On our weekend round of errands we tried to find a place to give them and when we found 'Support': A day-care shelter for street children, we thought it was perfect.
Unfortunately the 'Madam' in charge didn't agree to taking in outside food.
In the end we drove to the Fishermen's Colony and my dad and I found a woman doing her dishes. We told her that I had baked the cakes fresh this morning and asked if we could distribute them. We asked her for a plate and as I was putting the cakes on it, a little boy-- must have been about 2 years old came up and watched. My dad handed him a cake and asked him his name. He mumbled it as he trotted off, nibbling at it already.
Soon a couple of others came, whom my dad greeted with a "Hello, Madam!" The woman said that now that one had a cake, the others would soon come and there would be no difficulty with finishing them.
She was right, for as we were leaving, a girl and 2 boys were walking towards us, expectantly holding little plates. We pointed them to the tray full of cakes and they ran off.
I didn't get to see the kids eat the cakes, but I knew they would be gone in no time.
It just felt really nice-- I had carried that box all around Colaba and Cuffe Parade, searching for a place to give the cupcakes. I pass the fishermen's colony every day and see the children there all the time: playing, laughing and helping. I imagined them giggling and tucking in to little sugary vanilla cakes. They're no different from my little sister. They too, love sweets and delight in cupcakes. I'm glad they got their chance to indulge, because everyone deserves it.
Unfortunately the 'Madam' in charge didn't agree to taking in outside food.
In the end we drove to the Fishermen's Colony and my dad and I found a woman doing her dishes. We told her that I had baked the cakes fresh this morning and asked if we could distribute them. We asked her for a plate and as I was putting the cakes on it, a little boy-- must have been about 2 years old came up and watched. My dad handed him a cake and asked him his name. He mumbled it as he trotted off, nibbling at it already.
Soon a couple of others came, whom my dad greeted with a "Hello, Madam!" The woman said that now that one had a cake, the others would soon come and there would be no difficulty with finishing them.
She was right, for as we were leaving, a girl and 2 boys were walking towards us, expectantly holding little plates. We pointed them to the tray full of cakes and they ran off.
I didn't get to see the kids eat the cakes, but I knew they would be gone in no time.
It just felt really nice-- I had carried that box all around Colaba and Cuffe Parade, searching for a place to give the cupcakes. I pass the fishermen's colony every day and see the children there all the time: playing, laughing and helping. I imagined them giggling and tucking in to little sugary vanilla cakes. They're no different from my little sister. They too, love sweets and delight in cupcakes. I'm glad they got their chance to indulge, because everyone deserves it.
2. Samosas
Firstly, I really want to say thank you to my family, who bears with my projects and comes along and drives all over Mumbai, finding places to give out my Pass The Plate Treats. They're always patient and supportive, and I really appreciate that.
We made samosas this week, because my mum suggested I make something that would also be familiar and appealing to the local children's taste buds.
We gave a few samosas to a couple of young boys, dressed in old clothes who were running across the street. My dad called them back and they hungrily and happily took a samosa each. One woman near the club had 2 of her children sleeping nearby so my dad gave her a bunch which she put in a lunchbox for them. I was glad they got some, because they must have been hot and tired.
The rest we took back to the Fishermen's colony, where there were plenty of children who would love an afternoon snack.
I also wanted to give a couple to some stray dogs, so my dad and I handed 1 each to some sitting by the club.
They were spoiled, snooty dogs. They sniffed the samosas and looked away! I was very offended...
But I was happy with the result and
We made samosas this week, because my mum suggested I make something that would also be familiar and appealing to the local children's taste buds.
We gave a few samosas to a couple of young boys, dressed in old clothes who were running across the street. My dad called them back and they hungrily and happily took a samosa each. One woman near the club had 2 of her children sleeping nearby so my dad gave her a bunch which she put in a lunchbox for them. I was glad they got some, because they must have been hot and tired.
The rest we took back to the Fishermen's colony, where there were plenty of children who would love an afternoon snack.
I also wanted to give a couple to some stray dogs, so my dad and I handed 1 each to some sitting by the club.
They were spoiled, snooty dogs. They sniffed the samosas and looked away! I was very offended...
But I was happy with the result and
3. Walnut Cookies
It was a rainy baking day today and my mum and I dashed out once we saw that the rain had momentarily ceased. She said that there are always a bunch of kids playing just before the Fishermen's village, so we pulled over when we saw a group of boys playing cricket.
We called one over and asked if he wanted a cookie. We told him to call his friends too and the first few listened to our instructions to take just one. But once all the others heard that there were cookies, there was a mountain of hands reaching inside the box to grab one. I tried to tell them to be careful, that they would all break, but the boys were too eager and all that was left was a pile of crumbs. Did any of you see the Yum Chao episode of MasterChef Australia in which Ben set out with a full tray of food and was left bewildered with an empty one in about 2 seconds? That's how the cookies disappeared.
One thing I absolutely love about the Indian culture is the use of the words 'Didi' and 'Bhaiya', meaning 'big sister' and 'big brother'. As I got into the car the boys, who had been preoccupied with munching, turned around and each called out "Thank you Didi!".
I can tell you that it really made my day.
We called one over and asked if he wanted a cookie. We told him to call his friends too and the first few listened to our instructions to take just one. But once all the others heard that there were cookies, there was a mountain of hands reaching inside the box to grab one. I tried to tell them to be careful, that they would all break, but the boys were too eager and all that was left was a pile of crumbs. Did any of you see the Yum Chao episode of MasterChef Australia in which Ben set out with a full tray of food and was left bewildered with an empty one in about 2 seconds? That's how the cookies disappeared.
One thing I absolutely love about the Indian culture is the use of the words 'Didi' and 'Bhaiya', meaning 'big sister' and 'big brother'. As I got into the car the boys, who had been preoccupied with munching, turned around and each called out "Thank you Didi!".
I can tell you that it really made my day.
4. Chocolate Chip Cookies
We returned to the fishing village today, but the the usual lady wasn't there. We asked some men who were talking and they sent someone to get some kids. A few girls came in line- probably from playschool- and quietly took a cookie, smiling and said 'Thank you!'.
We tried to call over some boys on the far side of the compound who were playing cricket, but they were so shy. Slowly one came, then another, but we had to keep calling. The boys usually came with a friend, grinning and almost hiding. They each took one and when I said they were chocolate cookies, more came. They seemed pleased, but they probably felt really awkward. As we drove off I could see them nibbling the cookies, so it all worked out in the end.
We tried to call over some boys on the far side of the compound who were playing cricket, but they were so shy. Slowly one came, then another, but we had to keep calling. The boys usually came with a friend, grinning and almost hiding. They each took one and when I said they were chocolate cookies, more came. They seemed pleased, but they probably felt really awkward. As we drove off I could see them nibbling the cookies, so it all worked out in the end.
5. Pies
Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to make anything this weekend for Pass The Plate. But we had loads of little pot pies and quiches, so I warmed those up, wrapped each one in foil and brought them along on my morning bike ride with my dad. It was a rainy morning and we gave the bag to a grandmother of one of the families that live by the sea.
6. Potato-Masala Snackwiches
Again, a typically Indian-taste-bud snack, made with extra butter and chaat masala to make it as authentic as possible.
It was a drizzly day and we gave the snackwiches to a group of boys chatting near the fishing village- they were happy with them, but some were sad that they didn't get one, so I'll bring more next time.
It was a drizzly day and we gave the snackwiches to a group of boys chatting near the fishing village- they were happy with them, but some were sad that they didn't get one, so I'll bring more next time.
7. Peanut Butter, Nutella & Cheese Suppli
Making the supplis was arduous and interesting, and I managed to give them all out on an errands trip with my dad: a few to a brother and sister while driving, a few to an elderly rag-picker woman, a few to a little girl and her brother and a few at the fishermen's village.
8. Chili Cheese Toast
My mum suggested I tailor my Pass The Plate more towards the local taste buds, and chili cheese toasts are super popular among kids in India. They're also quick and really simple, so I made a few just before heading out with my dad.
I have 2 to an elderly lady while we were driving and then a few to a tiny boy, his sister and another girl who live outside Rhythm House. The kids were quiet but mum was cool with it and said Thank You and smiled.
I have 2 to an elderly lady while we were driving and then a few to a tiny boy, his sister and another girl who live outside Rhythm House. The kids were quiet but mum was cool with it and said Thank You and smiled.
9. Peas & Pooris; Omelettes; Potato Namkeen
