Masala Omelet (to Sir with Love)

I will begin the post with my first and hopefully only disclaimer. This Masala Omelet or the Indian style omelet posted here does not have much to do with the  rest of the narrative. Then again, the masala style omelet is ageless. Indian and very integral to the fabric of my life. Not unlike the story I am about tell… If you have not, thus far in life, you need to amend this oversight immediately!

A Masala Omelet Story

The Masala Omelet is an egg cooked liked an omelet usually with at least onions, green chilies, tomatoes and cilantro. Something that most Indian blogs worth their salt have a recipe for. Here is Manisha’s from Indian Food Rocks, another variation from Shulie’s Food Wanderings  and one from Soma’s Ecurry blog.

Other than the seasoning the only distinction for this omelet is that the onions need to be practically minced to cook along with the egg. A typical omelet is usually well browned flouting a lot of western omelet convention.

It took me some pressing, back and forth. With everything going on, I gave myself a much earned rest. I actually had the day of today, and slept in until 10am, on a weekday!

My Diwali Story

That is my version of Diwali. The rest of the evening went on, in a calm and well planned manner. On such an auspicious day, I am glad to tell you about Dr. Stanley Brush. Someone who has been an integral part of my life. A surrogate father of sorts during my early years on campus.

Who is Stanley Brush?

As a tribute my father, it was fitting that I had him write the introduction to my book, The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles. Dr. Brush, the son of missionary parents, was in Bengal before anyone I knew. He has memories and visions of the place that complement and complete my knowledge of the city of my birth.

A beautiful update of their lives can be found in the memoir, Farewell the Winterline. I met him at a campus picnic, over two decades ago, an event welcoming new students like me into the community. On hearing about me, he introduced himself as a fellow son of Bengal, and the rest as they say is history.

Over the years, until about seven years ago, they remained an important part of my life. They still remain important, and irreplaceable after all, how can you forget the person who introduces you to opera and red wine. Yes, indeed, I learned so many nuanced of adult life and did so much of real growing up with them. Oh! and photography, that too was a path refined by Dr. Brush.

We went to visit them at the retirement community where they live. Even in their small home, I found all the familiar things of the CT home, that I had visited and found solace on so many afternoons. The cactus, the beautiful photographs, all felt like home. They still have in them so much love and positive zest, this post and many moments of my life are dedicated to you. Thank you so much of touching and being a part of my life.

Back to the masala omelet, in life’s unplanned and yet, predictable ways it brings you back full circle. I had started this post with lots of other ideas and now I am hitting the post button on a Saturday eve, right when I am ready to make me and the brood some masala omelets. After all, what pray is the weekend without the masala omelet.