Art/ Heritage

September 5, 1949

The green path led us to the Seminary porch supported by two columns. As was common, a square balcon rested atop the entrance. Pointing to the adjacent building, Fr Rector informed us that the original structure is single-storeyed while the new building had two storeys. The architecture was simple yet functional. It was marked by the low-pitched gabled roofs, large doors, long windows with canopies, carved grills, etc. The old outdoor staircases were made in both metal and wood.

As we gazed at the Seminary structure in silence, we were caught off-guard by the prolonged pealing of bells. Startled we jumped and turned to Fr Rector. He smiled and explained ‘Post the morning session, the seminarians gather together at the Chapel to examine their conscience. Next, they pray the Angelus after which they proceed to the refectory.’ Then gazing at his watch he exclaimed, ‘We must hurry’.

The main hall led us directly into a passageway around which various rooms were placed. The roof was held by wooden joists and rafters. Large Gothic windows with wooden shutters fringed the edges. The pilasters that segregated the rhythmic repetition of windows were decorated with picture frames and prayers.

As we walked down the sun-lit passageway, the aroma grew delectably richer. Fr Rector ushered us into a rectangular room with square windows and open grills. Six tables, neatly cloaked with linen dominated the space while foldable wooden chairs leaned against its sides. The walls were bare except for the well-anticipated painting of the Last Supper.

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Food

I liked this dish very much. The coconut oil, curry leaves and the fennel makes all the difference. When i first added the ground masalas the fennel stood out very strong and I wondered how this would all taste. Allow it all cook and then the magic happens. The spice of the chillies are off set by the the sweetness of the fennel. Please use coconut oil only ! 

Chicken – 1 kg
Ginger – 11/2 inch piece
Garlic – one handful or two full large pods
Onions – 3 large
Curry leaves – 4 sprigs
Tomatoes – 2 large
Green chillies – 3
Kashmiri chillies – 4
Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Coriander powder- 1 tablespoon
Cumin powder – 1/2 tablespoons
Fennel seed powder – 1/2 tablespoons
Black pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground
Garam masala – 1 tablespoon
Coconut oil
Salt

Method
Clean and cut chicken. Slice the onions and tomatoes and roughly chop up the ginger.

In a pan heat coconut oil and add the ginger and garlic. Fry this for a minute and then add the green chillies, red chillies and onions. Now add the onions and fry them till they are are light brown. Add the tomatoes and continue frying. The entire process will take you about 10 -15 minutes.

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Food

Mention Cloves, and for me, it is the fragrance of hot steaming rice, exotic tea cakes from faraway lands, bubbling stews, curries, cool mocktails, and heady cocktails. My mind then wanders on to Chinese five-spice, Garam masala, and warm drinks like spicy mulled wine, apple cider, and good ole chai.

So what are the other culinary uses of cloves? 

The Sanskrit word for clove is Laung and Ayurveda recommends it to be used especially during winter in food to increase one’s digestive fire.

Used sparingly in most recipes, cloves are used in sweet and savoury dishes and drinks as a flavouring agent. This pungent, dark, numbing spice adds warmth to pickling liquids, sweet chutneys, and jams. It is the main ingredient to Worcestershire sauce and is also used to make ketchup.

Often added to spice blends for meat rubs, marinades, and barbecue sauces it is also used to spice cookies and gingerbread. It is that familiar hum to pumpkin pie, roasted pumpkin, stuffings, and warm rice puddings. Cloves are also a big part of traditional food like Vietnamese poh and German red cabbage. They add depth to sweet warm winter desserts like stewed apples, rhubarb, and pears.

At home, we use clove oil diluted in a little water on our kitchen counters as a natural cleaner and to deter pests. We also burn the essential oil and use it as an air freshener. You will often find cloves are used for both their fragrance and anti-inflammatory properties in many products like toothpaste, mouthwash, oils, soaps, etc.

The story of cloves.

The English name for cloves is derived from the Latin word Clavus which means nail also known as clou by the French.

Originally cloves were mainly grown only on the then ‘Spice Islands’, (in Indonesia) also know as Moluccas. Many wars were fought over this pungent, and intensely flavoured spice. The Dutch did everything in their power to continue their monopoly over the clove market for money and profit to the extreme that they burnt down every clove tree that didn’t grow on Dutch-controlled spice islands.

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Faith

This text forms part of the fourth of the five discourses in the Gospel of Matthew and is called the community discourse. Matthew is penning down the ethical behaviour for his community and for all Christians.

Sadly, we read scripture for the lines that appeal to our mind set and wilfully read the text out of context. This text has often been seen as some sort of a handbook for resolving matters rather that what it was meant to be; concern for others.

In its context, this text is sandwiched between the parable of the lost sheep and the mandate to forgive seventy times seven. If you’r surrounded by the message of love it’s improbable that the core of your learning turns out to be rotten. This text is cushioned with love. If the shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep in search of the one lost would he bring him back only to put him on trial?

The point of this text in dealing with a sinful brother is not to haul him over the coals but to restore a wounded relationship. Matthew is asking his community to settle matters of dispute by tapping into the resources of the community and not finding solace in some external judicial kangaroo court. However, the disputes taken to the community are not meant to be trivial matters but those grave in nature and that gravity was highlighted by the word ‘sinful’.

A community of believers is not insulated from disagreements. The words of Jesus seem to indicate a hypothetical situation highlighted by the word IF repeated five times in the text. But this hypothetical situation is more than just a hypothesis for we know that sparks fly when people live in community. The lord, mindful of such possible conflicts, wanted them to be addressed, for conflicts that are not addressed only fester.

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Art/ Heritage

 

 September 5, 1949

It was past 11 am. Having dodged a couple of tongas and the Indo-Italian kaali-peelis our bus speeds through one of the longest roads of old Bombay. The Parel Road connects Kalbadevi to Kalachowki. This is a forever-crowded zone in the ever-growing city. The landscape is dominated by the soaring chimneys of textile mills and the long chawl-verandahs of its migrant workers. This is the ‘Manchester of the East’!

The rickety bus finally lurches to a screeching halt. Gesturing towards us, the conductor announces aloud – ‘Chuna Depot’. We hurry across the aisle as the conductor reaches for the bell. Having thanked the bus-personnel we now alight onto the rugged footpath. A dainty kirana with wooden pillars and metal roofing greets our sight.

Amidst the clutter of pipes, paints, and limestone jars is seated an old khaki-clad man. He peers curiously at us – attempting to read our expressions. Then with a subtle smile and a heavy Indian accent he questions – ‘Seminary?’ Responding to our vigorous nods, the man indicates to the entrance next-door. Graciously lifting his hand, he then resigns back to his daily chore.

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