Traveling across the world is an extraordinary experience. The lack of awareness of your environment lightens powerless emotions. My family and I arrived at the Delhi airport from Portland feeling enervated.  In short, we were ready to have a delicious steamy, rich desi flavored meal. From traveling across the world, naturally, our stomachs were growling with hunger. We all were craving Bas' Exquisite Indian food. As my mom often made a variety of foods in the US, Pujan's face lit up at the sound of pav-bhajee! 

 Ba instructed Dada to gather all the ingredients for the recipe. First things first: Ba and Mummi washed and cut all vegetables. While  mummi boils all the veggies with a pinch of salt in the instant pot. Pragat volunteered to smash all the veggies after boiled. Ba placed a pan on the stove and poured oil into the pan. Jankana walked into the kitchen from the flat above. Ma was placing turmeric, ginger, and chili paste into the pan to fry at medium heat. 

As Jankana aunti greeted us she proposed the idea to call the anti from downstairs and have a cooking party. I made my way to Binjal antis house to ask her if she would like to make food with us. She said in Gujarati, “let’s go beta, I last saw you when you were just four, and now you’ve gotten so big.” I reckon she was familiar as I laughed it off. We now had two antis, my mom, me, and in the kitchen and we were ready to prepare all the pav bhaji we need to feed three households. We got the large pans out and poured the large amounts of coconut oil, turmeric, ginger, and chili paste. Bijal aunti chopped bell pepper, cabbage, and tomatoes. Added the cabbage and bell peppers and once half cooked throw in the tomatoes (to prevent sogginess). Once fully cooked add all spices (red chili powder, turmeric, and add coriander powder, and pav bhaji powder). Jankana aunti toasted all the buns until they were slathered with butter and crisp.

All of us together prepared about twenty dishes with the bhaji on one side garnished with coriander leaves, lemon juice, and butter! All three families took their plates as we placed a stain-resistant shawl on the floor as all sat in a circle to eat the lavish pav bhaji. Pujan was extremely ecstatic! Best believe we had a great welcome to મારું ભારત(my india).