From Silence To Smiles : When A Simple Dish Turned Republic Day Into A Celebration

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"Arjun, I'm so tensed," Sandhya said, glancing nervously at her husband.

"For what? Relax! Everything's going to be alright. My parents finally agreed to come and meet us, it's a good sign," he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"I know, and I'm happy, but I'm also scared. We've invited them for lunch, and I'm not sure they'll like my cooking. I made a South Indian dish, like you insisted," she said, wringing her hands.

"Exactly! Because I want them to see the world through your eyes, my South Indian beauty," he teased, gently tucking her hair behind her ear.

She blushed, but her worry didn't fade. "Still, wouldn't they prefer something North Indian? I don't want to mess this up."

"Trust me, Sandhya," he said firmly. "They're coming to meet you, the person I chose to spend my life with. Let's give them a little taste of your roots."

She sighed and just then, the doorbell rang.

"Go, get it," Arjun said, nudging her forward.

"Me? No way! You go!" she protested, stepping back.

"Sandhya, come on," he coaxed. "You've got this."

Reluctantly, she moved toward the door, every step heavier than the last. Taking a deep breath, she opened it to see her in-laws standing there, their expressions unreadable.

"Are you Sandhya?" his mother asked, her tone neutral but curious.

"Yes, Maa. Please, come in," Sandhya said with a polite smile, stepping aside to let them in.

Arjun greeted them enthusiastically, hugging his mother and nodding to his father, who remained stiff.

"You always have to do things your way, don't you?" his father grumbled.

"Yes, Papa," Arjun replied with a grin. "But look here you are, aren't you? And that's all that matters."

As they settled in, Sandhya excused herself to fetch some drinks. Arjun's mother followed her into the kitchen, offering to help. Despite her initial hesitance, Sandhya found herself warming up to her mother-in-law as they worked side by side and talked.

When lunch was served, Arjun's father stared at the dish on the table with a frown. "What's this? Is this even food? It's too colorful."

"It's tricolor idlis," Sandhya said softly.

"Tricolor...what?" he asked, clearly unimpressed.

"Papa," Arjun interjected quickly, "It's Republic Day today, so Sandhya thought of preparing something festive. Plus, she wanted to introduce you to her South Indian roots through food."

Sandhya widened her eyes at him, silently scolding him for the dramatic buildup, but he just winked at her.

Arjun's father hesitated, eyeing the dish like it might bite him back. "I was expecting parathas or something. How am I supposed to eat this?"

"Just try it, Papa," Arjun urged. "It's food. It won't hurt."

After some coaxing and his wife's pointed look, he reluctantly took a piece of idli, dipped it in chutney, and ate. The room fell silent as everyone waited for his verdict.

His father chewed thoughtfully, then broke another piece. "It's... eatable," he said at last.

Sandhya smiled nervously. For her, that was enough.

"Eatable?" Arjun pressed, feigning disbelief. "Come on, Papa. Give credit where it's due."

"Fine," his father admitted grudgingly. "It's good. Alright? South Indian or North Indian, it doesn't matter. We're lucky to have wives who know how to cook."

Everyone laughed, and the tension dissolved. "Yes, Sandhya, the idlis are lovely," her mother-in-law added warmly.

As the family bantered, Arjun caught Sandhya's eye and gave her a discreet thumbs-up. "Success," he whispered with a grin. "Welcome to the family."

Sandhya's smile grew so wide it brought tears to her eyes. In that moment, she knew she had atleast found a small place in their hearts.

Well, all's well that ends well in Sandhya and Arjun's life which is proof that food, with a touch of love and creativity, can mend even the most fragile connections. Inspired by Sandhya's tricolor idlis, why not bring the spirit of the Indian flag to your plate this Republic Day 2025?

Tricolor Idlis

Ingredients

For the Basic Idli Batter:

• 2 cups idli rice or parboiled rice
• 1 cup urad dal (black gram lentils)
• 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds (optional for better fermentation)
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed

For the Colors:

Green Layer: 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach or coriander leaves + a pinch of salt

White Layer: Plain batter (no extra ingredients)

Orange Layer: 1/2 cup grated carrot or 1-2 tsp tomato puree + a pinch of salt

Prepare the Basic Batter

• Wash and soak the rice and urad dal (with fenugreek seeds, if using) separately for 4-6 hours.
• Grind the urad dal into a fluffy paste and the rice into a slightly coarse paste.
• Combine both, add salt, and let it ferment in a warm spot for 8-12 hours until the batter doubles in volume.

Create the Colored Batters

Divide the batter into three portions.

Green Batter: Blend spinach or coriander into a smooth puree and mix with one portion of the batter.

White Batter: Leave the second portion plain for the middle layer.

Orange Batter: Blend carrots or mix tomato puree with the final portion for the vibrant orange layer.

Layer the Idlis

• Grease your idli moulds with oil to prevent sticking.
• Pour the green batter into the moulds, filling them one-third. Steam for 2-3 minutes to set.
• Add the white batter next, filling another third, and steam for another 2-3 minutes.
• Finally, pour the orange batter to the top and steam until fully cooked, around 10-12 minutes.

Check, allow the idlis to cool slightly before gently removing them with a spoon and serve.

Now, take your tricolor idlis to the next level with thoughtful plating and accompaniments.

Arrange Creatively

Place the idlis in a circular pattern, forming a radiant tricolor sunburst, or stack them tier by tier for a layered look. Use fresh banana leaves as a base for a traditional yet striking presentation, or opt for white plates to let the colors pop.

Chutney Trio: Serve with a tricolor array of chutneys-coconut chutney for the white, tomato chutney for the orange, and mint-coriander chutney for the green. Use small decorative bowls or a divided platter for visual appeal.

Sambar Magic: Add a steaming bowl of sambar as a side, garnished with a sprig of fresh coriander or a splash of tamarind sauce for extra flair.

Garnish for Effect: Sprinkle red chili powder or paprika around the plate, add slivers of green chili, or drizzle a bit of coconut milk to enhance the aesthetic.

So, why not try your hand at this recipe and share the joy of being Indian with your loved ones? Happy Republic Day Everyone!