Recipes from a Daughter of the World: My World in My Kitchen

By Shama Verma

We are all spiritual beings enjoying a human experience. Food is an amazing vehicle that enables us to connect with one another. Cooking always inspired me to learn more about peoples cultures and backgrounds. In this book, I would like to share my life journey through cooking and connecting it with so many wonderful people I have met. It has enriched my life, and I do hope that it will do the same for my readers.

My life journey took me through several countries, and every bit of experience became an important part of my personality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781524686796

Shama Verma

The author of this book, Shama Verma, was born in the U.S.A. Since her father was a Diplomat, she and her family travelled throughout the world, never stopping at one place for more than 3 years. In some ways this was very tough on her, but it gave her the opportunity to embrace new cultures and thereby enrich her life. One way it reflected in her life was that she developed a passion for cooking and trying new dishes. From India, to Nepal, Egypt, Great Britain and USA her soul embraced and learned. But its not just these cultures that she met on her journey; she travelled the world with transcendental desire to learn as many new cultures as she could. Through her journey she found that food, is the language of love. With her husband, Dr. Omesh Verma and her three children, Natasha, Manisha and Akshay she travelled all across Europe meeting new friends. She passed her love to her children, with whom she loves to cook. Through this book, she intends to pass this love to her readers.

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© 2018 SHAMA VERMA. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/08/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5246-8678-9 (sc)

           978-1-5246-8680-2 (hc)

           978-1-5246-8679-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905682

Cover Photographs: Regan Morton

Photographs: Shama Verma and Regan Morton

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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This book is dedicated to my loving family, my amazing husband Omesh, my two beautiful daughters Natasha and Manisha, and my handsome son Akshay.

I am also deeply indebted to the wonderful souls I have met throughout my life journey who enriched my life in so many different ways and became my inspiration to write this book.

Last but not the least, I deeply appreciate my medical office, clients and friends who generously cooked their favorite dishes for me and shared their recipes that, in some cases, were passed down the generations and improvised on the way to achieve perfection. Without this help, it would not have been possible for me to bring this amazing collection to light.

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Me, Manisha, Natasha, Akshay and Omesh enjoying our Sunday meal.

Contents

Introduction

Setting up the Table and the Ambience

Appetizers

Salads And Soups

Breads

Mains & Sides

Organic Foods

Desserts

Drinks

Introduction

We are all spiritual beings enjoying a human experience. Food is an amazing vehicle that enables us to connect with each other. Cooking always inspired me to learn more about different cultures and backgrounds. In this book, I would like to share my life journey through cooking and connecting with so many wonderful people I have met along the way. It has enriched my life and I do hope that it will do the same for my readers.

My life journey took me through several countries and most of the continents, and every bit of experience became an important part of who I am.

I am proud to say that I am a daughter of the world. My father worked as a diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service. His job took us to several countries which were socially and culturally diverse. In my younger years, I looked forward to making new friends and getting to know these new cultures. Every country I visited, left an impact on me to become a collage of what I am today—daughter of the world. My mother was a strict vegetarian. She would make a wide array of vegetarian dishes for the whole family. At home, I enjoyed an Indian cuisine while outside I was adventurous to experiment new foods.

My early years were spent in Nepal and Egypt. I saw these two exciting and rich cultures up close. A world away from India, Egypt had some cooking similarities to India and some distinct differences. I didn’t understand those intricacies early in my life, but it did get me excited. One can say that the spark had ignited in me.

During my college years at the London School of Economics and Political Science, I was busy pursuing a degree in Management of Information Systems, but my love of food and cooking were also taking deep root.

After marriage, my loving husband brought me his own version of cooking, and that has enriched my experience even more. Raising three talented children taught me the importance of making healthy food choices.

I have come to realize that when it comes to food, it has its own language; language of love. Food just brings warmth to any relation and touches our soul in a way that nothing else does.

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Me, Akshay, Omesh, Natasha and Manisha on Christmas Day.

THE HISTORY OF MY ANCESTORS

Throughout this book, I will speak about various cuisines, their ingredients, and how they originated. Since most such cuisines originated in families, I will start by talking about my origins.

My ancestors came from the state of Punjab in India. Punjab is a state endowed with natural bounties, rich soil and cultured people. My ancestors were fully immersed in this society. They lived in a joint family in a palatial house called Haveli. Their daily activities were centered around food, company, and entertaining guests. My family’s love for food was passed down the generations.

My maternal ancestors were all from Pakistan and they were also quite wealthy and prosperous. My mother was born and raised in Sialkot, Pakistan. They migrated from Pakistan after the great division so they started their new lives in Agra, India. My in-laws’ ancestors are from Pakistan as well. They migrated to Nagina, Haryana and Ludhiana, Punjab, after the partition.

On January 15, 1960, my father joined the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, India. During the course of his career, we moved all over the world. His postings took us from Pakistan to Burma to the United States of America to Nepal to Egypt to India to England and finally to the USA. This movement around the world broadened my horizon and gave me the opportunity to see different cultures from the prism of an outsider. In addition to this valuable experience, I had the opportunity to meet some prominent dignitaries, heads of nations, sports personalities, and film celebrities.

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Me in Washington D.C.

I was born on June 28, 1968 in Washington D.C to Mr. Mohinder Kumar Bhargava and Mrs. Pramila Khosla Bhargava. My father was posted in Washington D.C for a term of 3 years. I was the youngest of 4 and their only daughter.

In July 1971, we went to Kathmandu, Nepal. We stayed until January 1974. I met the King and Queen Mahendra. I remember how honored I felt at that time. I also met Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at the Indian Embassy. My three brothers and I studied at the Memorial School.

Then it was time to move again. This time we went to Cairo, Egypt. It was in April 1974, and we stayed until June 1977. I studied at Port Said School, a school where the Egyptian President Anwar-el-Sadat’s daughter also studied. All the VIP and the elite studied there Miss Aisha Rateb, Egypt’s first female ambassador, and Miss Mary Salama, the principal of the school both admitted us to the school.

We enjoyed the Egyptian desert and the camel rides. The embassy was on the banks of the Nile River and what a sight that was, unbelievable. We used to take the boat rides on the Nile River in the moonlight. We always carried food, gossiped, and sung during those excursions. Those memories are etched in me.

After my 9th birthday, it was time to move again. On July 7, 1977, we went back to New Delhi, India. We stayed there until April 1982.

I studied at Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan where I learned the culture, dance, music and cuisine of India. I enjoyed eating bread pakoras and samosas at the cafeteria. I traveled to Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ambala. The food was delicious everywhere.

When I was in school, I was always fascinated with what other students brought for lunch.

I remember exchanging lunch boxes with my friend who had gotten Idli, a South Indian dish. I was usually bored with what my mother used to pack. The curiosity about food which was borne earlier was essentially raised in India.

Then it was time to go again. This time, the road led us to London, England. It was 1982, and we stayed until 1986. My parents were invited by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England on the sprawling lawns of Buckingham Palace. It was a great honor to meet Prince Charles, Lady Diana, Queen mother, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. They met the entire royal family. I met the entire Indian cricket team at the embassy.

After 4 years, my father went alone to Bogota, Colombia. From 1986 to 1988, he was stationed there and during his time, he had the great privilege of meeting Mother Teresa.

From 1988 to 1992, my family lived in New Delhi, India. I spent time traveling and studying. My family went on to live in New York, USA from 1992 to 1995 when my father retired. They still live in the United States.

In 1991, I graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London. I met students from all over the world. I really enjoyed eating fish & chips and chicken curry in my LSE cafeteria.

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At London School of Economics an Political Science’saward ceremony,

receiving my Masters Degree.

After graduating, I moved to New York City where I worked in Manhattan. Shortly after, I met my soon-to-be husband. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. We went on our first date at the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi. We ordered a Thali meal. It was so delicious and served with great hospitality. I will never forget that lunch we shared as we enjoyed each other’s company. We were lost in time. I remember our family trying to contact us as we did not have cell phones back then. Later on that year, I got married in New Delhi, India. We had a grand traditional Indian wedding.

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Me and Omesh on our wedding day.

After living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; we moved back to New York City where my husband,

Dr. Omesh Verma, was working as a medical resident at a local hospital. In 1994, our first daughter, Natasha, was born. Our travels took us to Lake Havasu City, Arizona and ultimately. Victoria, Texas where we chose to settle down. In 1997, my second daughter, Manisha, was born. In 1999, my son, Akshay, was born and our family was complete.

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