The magic of mom-made food

Mother’s Day has rolled around, and it gives us one more occasion to thank our mothers for all the magical things they do for us. All of us have at some point been guilty of taking things our mothers do for granted, the foremost of which has to be home-cooked food. There is barely a child who has not cribbed about tinda, or lauki, preferring to have food ordered in. It is after we leave the comfort of our own homes and actually adult that we realise what a blessing ‘maa ke haath ka khaana’ is.

College life leaves you packed with a hectic schedule and absolutely no time to eat our meals. Casually in between work, when we feel hungry we go grab some tit bits from the general store that fills up our stomach for a while and then make us crave for food once again. In this manner, we end up spending exorbitant amounts of money every month on food that is unhealthy and soon gets boring., and isno where close to mother’s food. 

“Just like how a mother’s love is irreplaceable so is the food she cooks. There’s nothing like my mother’s biryani. Nothing in college makes me as happy as devouring the food cooked by my mother”, says Pranav Rajesh, a student of PES University, Bengaluru. 

“The major reason you miss ghar ka khaana is because you miss spending time with your family and that is when we realise the true importance of home food. The excitement of outside food evaporates over time but not of your mother’s food”, claims Aman Chhibber, a student from Christ University. 

It has been said that mother’s food has the power to cure any ailment, be it physical or emotional. The cravings reach thepeak during exams, when we’re sick and bed ridden or when girls are going through PMS.

In such times, a meal cooked by your mother is like receiving a warm hug from her. The comfort knows no bounds. “Being shamelessly honest, my mom is one of the best cooks out there, especially while I am menstruating. It has an innate tendency to make me feel like everything is alright,” remarks Harsiddhi Thakral, second year graduation student.  

Every student has those moments, after a long tiresome day when you come home to an empty fridge and then we have to rely on food ordering apps and websites, which are also heavy on our pockets. This is not a problem that we ever have to worry about at home. Even with the minimal ingredients at home, our mothers can recreate some of the most delicious dishes that leave us awe struck and delighted. 

So much so, that even Ma ke haath ka maggi also somehow tastes better than the ones we make. From snacks to bite sized desserts to even fully cooked meals, mom’s kitchen is that extraordinary place where everything is available, irrespective of the time. Whether it’s midnight munchies, pakodas with chai on a rainy evening or a glass of masala chaas on a hot afternoon, mother’s have a sixth sense to know exactly what we want and when we want it.  

“When I moved out of home for University, one of the things I looked forward to the most was the multiple food options that would be available in my new city. However, that thrill died down in a few months as I realized that despite all the fancy dishes and places I went to, I was missing something. Perhaps, the missing ingredient was my mother’s love, and while I have adjusted to my new life, I still find myself craving it all the time when I’m away,” says Hrishikesh, a student living by himself in a 1bhk, in Bengaluru City. 

“My immunity system was very strong until I moved out and lived alone. That’s when I realised how healthy and pure my mom’s handmade food was. They don’t lie about love being an ingredient because mothers are proof that it exists,” says Aditi Nair, a student of Christ University. 

Inputs from  Ishita Lamba and Sre Ratha