Which Sweet Dishes Bring Back Childhood Memories?
As a SEO specialist at Google, my goal is to provide you with content that delivers valuable information to your audience and meets the standards of Google. Today, I'm sharing a heartwarming journey through the memories of sweet dishes that bring back childhood days, focusing on Maida Appam, Gajar Ka Halwa, and Besan Ki Barfi.
Maida Appam - A Childhood Treasure
When I was around 5 to almost 8 years old, my father worked in the Indian state of Bihar as a professor in a government engineering college. Imagine how underdeveloped it would have been in the late 60s and early 70s. This was in Bhagalpur, far from our hometown Chennai. Those days we lived very simply as Bhagalpur was a small town, a bit like a big village. We had no gas stove, fridge, or TV only a radio with Tamil songs from a Sri Lankan channel. A bicycle or rickshaw was our mode of transport.
My father worked there because it was a government job. Both my brother and I went to Mount Carmel Convent. To add to our simple life, there were occasional strikes or financial issues in the government college, leading our father to not always get his salary.
Despite the financial struggles, our mother kept us unaware by often making sweet appams, a simple but very tasty dish made from refined flour, sugar, and baking powder. Sometimes she would add raisins or banana. It was simple, delicious, and thoroughly enjoyable, especially after a long day of school or outdoor games. As I grew older, I realized that these appams were made during financially tough times. My mother is an expert in many Indian sweets including Laddus, Mysore Paaghu, Kaju Katli, Almond Halwa, and others.
After six months, the government eventually provided all salaries, but our father decided to move to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and later to Nairobi, Kenya, due to the situation in Bihar. For us, these appams were a source of comfort and joy during difficult times. They were our children's delight, bringing back cherished childhood memories.
Gajar Ka Halwa and Besan Ki Barfi - Spreading Joy and Nostalgia
There are many other sweet dishes that evoke nostalgic feelings. For instance:
Halwa with Arrowroot Powder
Halwa made with arrowroot powder, coconut pieces, and nuts is a delightful treat that my mother used to make, especially during Thiruvathira, which falls mostly in the latter half of December. Halwa is a versatile Indian dessert that can be enjoyed at any time, but these special occasions made it even more cherished.
Pithe - Celebrating Sankranti
During the Sankranti time in Bengal, my mother prepared a variety of pithe. A standout among them was Chandrapuli, which I cherished so much that I even found a picture from Google to share.
Another pithe that stood out was Amrit Puli, a recipe passed on to me by a neighbor. After several years of searching, I finally discovered the recipe for this special treat, and it brought back many fond memories from childhood. I'm sharing a picture from another source for those interested.