So we’ve got this spanking new car and are driving out of Chennai for a holiday. Before a car-lover decides to pillory me, by the way, let me add that I am of that breed which refers to cars by their colour. “I left my keys in the red car” or “I left my specs in the blue car” – the important thing being leaving something somewhere. I once had to get out of the car to check which car I was driving – the red one or the blue one because I couldn’t identify it from the inside! That is who we are and the car and gadget freak that hubby is, has had to lump it!
Sometimes this vagueness can go a little too far though. As it did on this occasion. So there we are, all happy – new car, new complicated music system and a blissfully, brilliantly cold a/c – the latter is all I care about really, in this hot city I’ve lived in for the best part of my life! The girls are in the backseat, hanging over to the front, examining every knob and button and scary looking array of gadgets with interest. (Note: How does anyone below the age of twenty automatically know these things? I have to practise several times before I remember that this knob does this and that button turns the other thing on – and even then don’t always get it right!) Thankfully I am still the better driver so I can occasionally take the high ground!
So back to today’s ride. “Amma, can you put on the John Fogerty album?” asks daughter A from the backseat.
I look for a CD or something I can recognise. Nada.
“Yes… but how? And where is it?” I query.
“See the pen drive there. We’ve loaded everything in it.”
Ah, I get it – this car does not even have a CD drive! Wow, technology – I’m impressed.
I look carefully at all the knobs and buttons. Nix. No port.
“So where do I put it in?” I am puzzled.
“See that square thing on top? Just press it. It’ll open and you can chuck it in”, comes the response.
Ah… aaahh – serious stuff – I am maha impressed!
I press the top of the square thing as instructed. A little door swings down. Technology is even more advanced than I thought. I duly “chuck it in” as instructed (we are obedient parents!), it lands in a corner of the cavity and I shut the door.
Shocked silence from the driver’s seat. Thundering silence from the back seat.
“What did you DO????” rise three voices in unison…
My turn to be puzzled – “Why, I chucked it in as you told me to,” I protest – none so indignant as the righteous who know they’ve followed instructions and if the dang thing doesn’t work, it’s not my fault!
“But… but… you’ve to insert it into the port – it’s inside the square thingummy!” in tones of how-can-anyone-be-so-dumb!
“Well, I thought this was a very advanced car and if I just chucked it in as you said, I thought there’d be a sensor or something,” I protest.
I am still living down that one, by the way! So much for technology!
Not much technology required to make this delicious chutney I had at the home of a dear friend in Hyderabad – Shreesha. Said friend being somewhat inept in the kitchen (I can hear the protests – so I will say this – she sure can make a mean chocolate cake!) I turn to her mother for the recipe.
Bringing you straight from deep Andhra, this yummy…
KOTHIMIRA CHUTNEY (Coriander leaf chutney)
- 1 large bunch of fresh coriander – cleaned and roughly chopped
- Urad dal – 3 tbsp
- Jeera/cumin seeds – 1 tbsp
- Green chilies – 4-5 or more
- Tamarind paste – 1 tbsp
- Jaggery – 1.5 tbsp
- Salt
- Sesame oil – 1 tbsp
Fry the urad dal, jeera and green chilies in the oil. Grind in the mixer. Then add everything else and grind again! Howzzat for simplicity? Easier than Apple??? Yummier too!