Adai - a South Indian Delicacy

After almost two years of not having had Adai, I visited Annapoorani near Cambridge Layout and gorged on one while the Arien declined to take a bite, adding "Its too thick and looks burnt - you go ahead!" While hogging on my Adai, I tried to convince him that not all Adais were thick ... or burnt ... I mean, my adai is not burnt... Grrr...So like him to make a comment tht infuriated me while he continued to eat his Ven Pongal nonchalantly. Ufff!!! Well, I cud have been talking to the Adai for all the attention he gave me!!

For the uninitated folks, Adai is actually a rich relation of our traditional dosai. It is rich in protien, plump but not obese, drinks like nobody's business, and is usually accompanied by avial, chutney, or molaga pudi. Sambrr, as Northies call our Saaambhaar, should ideally not be allowed to accompany Adai because familiarity breeds contempt.

Naturally, I cud not or rather wud not let the issue remain unsettled for looong and so I got Adai Maavu (batter) so I could make Adai for the Arien. The Arien was adamant tht he wud not like Adai and I was insistent tht he cud not make the decision without trying it.

It was almost as if tht statement was sm kinda time machine dialogue which sent me back to the tm when I was cranky kid. I was suddenly part of those old flashback moments used by black and white movies to indicate that we are back in the past! You know the one tht has this doin doin doin circle that meant tht time itself was going backwards.... I was wearing a beautiful pattu pavadai chattai with flowers clipped on my short hair using a hair clip, a beeg boil on my nose, tears in my eyes, while my mom glared at me. The waiter had happily served Thair pachiddi on my Yelai while I was busy making plans with my older cousin 'bout how we cud play in the Oonjhal (Swing) before the Mappilai and Ponnu (Groom and Bride) sat on it. I did not like the look of the dish - I wanted it removed - or I wanted a new Yelai - none of which was likely to happen. Mom came closer and said in her no-nonsense firm tone "Do not make the decision without trying it." Tht was one of the most hated dialogues of my childhood especially 'cos I was a fussy eater. Me saying exactly the same thing to smne else was actually scary!! I tasted a teeny bit and gagged or rather did a decent job of pretending - mom was ready to thulp me for the natak but grandma came to my rescue and tht was the end of the lesson.... Hmm.. Hmmm...

Anyway, back to the future, the Adai was looking golden brown and so I quickly turned it over and tadaen - the Adai was ready!! After having the first Adai, the Arien said "Its interesting - not so bad" and I was doing the Yippe Yippe Yeah Yeah bing dance when he decided to christen our Adai. While I waited for wht seemed an age - he came up with Masala Dosa. Because he had so sweetly tried the Adai, I tried very hard not to burst into giggles. Adaingappa (pun unintended) ~ What an idea, sirji!!