Ok, I’m going to try to report again… still with family who doesn’t plan ahead, so actuals for now, till I’m back to my own planning!
By way of update, it’s been quite a year so far. My visit home got lengthened by a massive move (out of an ancestral home that’s been continuously lived in for almost a century), COVID for all as soon as my parents’ isolation bubble was opened to let the packers in, stalling to recover, moving, starting to unpack, moving to their second home for the rest of the family coming in for a flying visit over spring break — the first time we were all together in almost 2.5 years, mom turned 80, nephew turned 16… phew!
This week was with the nephews, so meals were all their favorites from home and out.
Sat - My brother’s last night in town. Mom made her signature mutton roast for sandwiches (family travel tradition) with my grandmother’s pan-roasted potatoes. We also had cutlets (like lightly spiced burger patties), and the vegetarians had North Indian takeout from the club (mainly so they could eat butter naan.)
Sun - Cheesetoast (grilled cheese in a pie iron) for some, my mom’s cauliflower cheese for the rest. There’s magic in her hand…
Mon - We ate at the club after tennis — most had North Indian food (again mainly as a butter naan vehicle), I had mushrooms on toast (and fresh sugarcane juice, the real star of the show).
Tues - Pizza! Nephews were craving it, everyone was happy to eat it.
Wed - Big lunch out for the kids’ penultimate day — dim sum at their favorite (fancy) spot. Dinner was Mac & Cheese — intended to be takeout, but that version was awful so I made some quickly using mom’s shortcut recipe.
Thurs - Kids’ last day. Everyone ate what they would miss most till the next visit, which was an interesting spread 
. My mom made khichdi (rice and lentil “risotto”) plus we ordered in sweet corn soup, spring rolls, and egg fried rice (from the same chinese place as the day before) for one kid, the other wanted chilli cheese toast with the local cheese, which I made for him. The adults ate pea pulao also made by my mom at my SIL’s request.
Fri - Food coma after they left. We finished the pea pulao with assorted bits and bobs from the fridge.
Sat - More leftover clearing — I made pan-fried noodles topped with a doctored version of three different dishes, plus black mushrooms and shrimp. Very tasty for an odd amalgam.
Sun - Mom’s signature lamb trotter soup, which is amazing (and I had not eaten in several years).
I’m so glad this community regrouped here – I hope as everyone settles in you’ll explore more of the site and get to know more people!
(Also, it’s so great to be able to easily cross-link discussions, tag folks so they see it, bookmark things, upload pics and galleries, use emojis, and so on – I think you’ll all be glad for the tech improvement!)
