Easy Recipe of Forbidden Fruits Bowl

Do you hate eating fruits? I love them incidentally. This post is for fruit lovers and also those who may be picky fruit eaters. After all, choosing what not to shop (forbidden fruits) is also something that adds a bit of interest in something as simple as shopping for ingredients. Do we take that for granted? I did for sure. While I worked, studied and lived a breathless life running from one mad task on my to-do list to another.

Forbidden Fruits of Childhood Memories

Truth is that some of us grew up with less than others and some of the things we now take for granted were actually luxuries. Eating out for example was a rare thing- something we did for special occasions.

I remember doing something naughty as a child. I stole a few coins from an almirah – change that my mother had kept. To go and buy fruits and biscuits to enjoy with my friends while we went around our evening walks.

It was fine as long as I stole a small amount. I soon got bolder -went and bought a whole bunch of grapes. That needed me to steal a slightly bigger amount. Now I was in trouble as my mother found that out. What a thrashing I got that day!

Our next-door neighbor had to come and rescue me. My mother was peculiar- she would thrash me and then cry at night over the thrashing. Soon I realized that she cried more over thrashing my brother and he was actually worse off than me. It’s much later that I understood the difficulties of the motherhood journey.

Forbidden Fruits of Young Adulthood

I was a child then but there’s a child in me still. I love fruits but I avoid grapes. Grapes are sour some say. And others hate ones with seeds. I buy them sometimes when I feel like it- especially when I have people over to share them with me. They are addictive, and I can eat up a whole bunch v quickly. They have high (very high) sugar content.

So, I mused for a while how about white or red wine instead? Then it got more complicated with vintages, origins, grafts and soil. I’m a lazy student and my brain obliterates much that I learnt over the years. I enjoyed the eating and drinking instead. My tongue and nose know better. When I have had a lot of it over time. Today I am in the process of trying to forget- hence those memory files maybe discarded here and there. It’s a bit messy. I wish there was a cleaner process. I’ve tried many ways, but it doesn’t seem to be easy in any case.

Growing up my favorite hiding place was a guava tree. It had perfectly placed branches to climb up easily and sit for hours waiting for the day to pass by. Sometimes I would carry a book as well but found out that it was uncomfortable reading there. I know parrots love guavas. I have seen many eating them. Bats love fruits too.

Forbidden Fruits of Motherhood

On an unrelated note, it was many years later that I decided that I love Batman more than Superman. Do you know why? Because he hides away till the calling comes. And works with others as well. Not just on his own. I don’t remember now which universe they belong to- Marvel or DC.

The lines blurred long time back. I don’t watch many movies. But I used to enjoy them once upon a time…there’s really not much I wish for in life these days. Perhaps a good meal and the company of good people once in a while.

We had too much of bananas- so I didn’t like them at all. But I liked them in desserts like custards, banana breads, malpuas -of course they are all v sweet. I loved most other fruits.

Return to the Memories of Power Struggles

We went out to celebrate some occasion – a rare eating out experience. That was when my brother came back from the hostel during summer holidays with He-Man comic books. It wasn’t a big place- that small town had few options actually. Unlike today when we have the whole universe of diverse choices.

We looked at the menu excitedly and ordered some naans. I was always curious about new things, so I decided I wanted to try Kashmiri naans. Perhaps it was in memory of a trip to Kashmir. Our first family holiday together. I have embarrassing pictures of being dressed up in the local costume and made to pose. My brother looked fine. I looked awkward and that old photo was somehow painted over with makeup which I never wore. Looked even more ghastly! 😀

Coming back to naan- I found out that Kashmiri naan interpretation in that hotel was with lots of fruits on top. I was blasted again by my mother who hated fruits. They declared this was a bad idea- combining fruits with traditional savoury items (spicy roganjosh, dal makhani or something else was ordered alongside-idk).

To this day, I insist, that it was NOT a bad idea! The mind is sometimes thrilled with new things and ideas which makes for memorable experiences and meals. Forbidden fruits of labour of testing time and time again to push one’s limits of learning.

Forbidden Fruits of Silent Nights of Reflection

A bad idea was having a huge basket of mangos. Lovingly peeled and distributed by a granduncle to all us kids in the middle of summer in Murshidabad for our uncle’s wedding.

He narrated stories and we kept on running around and eating. Resulting in a dysentery which was rather troublesome considering there were few toilets available and a long queue of waiting wedding party members. We had lots of fun though- don’t get me wrong.

I merely add a small unnecessary note of the sense part to the sensibility. I am now made to understand some fruits are “heaty” as they say while others are cooling. Perhaps a little balance of flavors helps in a mixed fruit chaat or bowl.

Sharing a Bowl or Two of Forbidden Fruits

Another little memory of forbidden fruits was a bowl of mixed berries which my partner (then) used to love. A health freak who narrated the many antioxidant properties of mixed berries. And then it was watermelon– another favorite fruit. He would hate to share and gobble up mine too. I know it sounds weird and stupid- but I let him do it many times over.

As they say- you give up small fights to take longer flights. I bide my time, and I am patient. Perhaps a bit too patient I’m told. I do wish it would come sooner. 🙂

Today, I celebrate with a simple recipe of a fruity dish. This is in memory of many acai berry bowls which I had with others or secretly on my own.

Forbidden Fruits of Infinite Negotiations

This bowl of forbidden fruits is from what I had as seasonal fruits around- celebrating a few new flavors which I had never tried before I left for distant shores. I used 1 Sitaphal (custard apple), 1 Avocado (butterfruit) and 3 passion fruits (I am surprised to learn they are called Ramphal here). Ramphal reminds me of Arjun Rampal who was not a great actor, but he had his moments. I think he aged better than many others. And he wasn’t Ram for sure.

I used 1:1:3 ratio of the three main fruits here. And there were many toppings as well like chia seeds, a spoonful of honey and pomegranates. A bit of mint leaves on top to give that whiff of freshness. Balancing flavors is up to individual tastes and preferences.

It’s an alternate to ice-cream, cakes or other desserts. In a way, it’s to say. Look how far I have come with or without a partner standing by my side at all times.

I am aware of a few people being diabetics. It runs in my family too. So, no doubt it may affect me. I have known death closely and I try not to turn my face away from it. But it is painful indeed.

I have many people to thank for that- for my blood sugar levels and for introducing me to new things in life. Let’s not even get into salt and blood pressure levels, yet. Oh, did I mention dementia, depression, Alzheimer’s and what have you. Sometimes, you are told it’s all your fault. I beg to differ. But then, who’s listening anyways?

Magical Understanding of Letting Go

I don’t think my life has been an utter waste or disgrace. But there are times when I wish I was dead instead of a few others being killed for no fault of theirs. Sometimes you remember things unnecessarily even when you try to forget. Sleep helps.

When I woke up I remembered there are birthdays and wedding parties too… Well, you choose where to go. It still ends up being a balancing act on a forbidden fruit bowl of many dancing with Froyo. I spelled correctly, Froyo. Not Frodo. We are not talking about Lord of the Rings here.

Perhaps that defines the dilemma of motherhood. I choose silence instead of death today. I am NOT the chosen one. So, I cannot play on either team- or go for racing, paragliding or horse riding it seems.

Footnote

Since I did not eat an apple a day,

I ask doctors who are wiser per se

What’s the cost of this bowl of fruits?

You cannot eat this. You cannot eat that.

You live to eat or eat to live- doesn’t matter anyways

What’s the price of this life- glass half empty or full

Blister packed with a few friends supporting their better halves

I say- what’s half of half of half?

That’s the cost of choosing to be alone at times.

– (In memory of my incomparable grandmother Bina) Melting Lemon Drop 28.09.24