May 17, 2005 06:55 AM
4786 Views
(Updated May 27, 2005 11:06 PM)
Yesterday, I came home from work in the evening and opened the refrigerator in the anticipation that I will be able to find at least some leftover. When Mom left about two months ago, she had stocked the fridge to its fullest capacity. All I had to do was to pop a box everyday and warm it up in microwave. Five minutes at the most and the meal was ready.
Yesterday, I suddenly realized two facts. First that I had run out of all the food my mom had cooked for me. And secondly, how lazy I had become that I loathed even at the idea of cooking something. Well, I had no choice but to move my lazy bums and make something for my stomach, which was crying valiantly for some fuel. But I could not shrug off all my laziness, accumulated over the period of 8 months, so I started thinking of something quick.
Puliogre Rice – my mind quickly reacted. I must thank the fellow Msian (criminal) for giving my mind this idea. I had stolen a pack of MTR’s Puliogre Mix from my ex-roommate and I knew exactly where it was in the pantry. With great enthusiasm I opened the pantry to get some rice and the mix pack. The rice had been sitting there for 2 months, untouched. To my dismay and shock, I found small little creatures walking relentlessly among the small rice seeds. The idea was purged right there, along with the rice.
Well, I had only two options left. Either stay hungry or go to the nearby Taco Bell and get some fast food. Obviously, I had to agree with my tongue and stomach. I walked back to the pantry to put the Puliogre Mix pack back in the closet and suddenly my eyes got stuck on a yellow packet with big red ellipse and yellow letters crying at me – Maggie. I had a mischievous, unusually broad smile on my face. My mom had bought some packs of Maggie before leaving for India, fully knowing that I’d lend myself in this situation one day. Bow to you mom.
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I put a pan on the stove. Poured two cups water. In about 2 minutes, the water was boiling. Mean while, I opened up the yellow Maggie pack (they could make it a bit more user friendly, it is quite tough to open the sachet), a small tastemaker pack slipped out. In a few seconds the big chunk of noodles had turned into pieces. I emptied the tastemaker in the boiling water followed by noodles. 2-3 minutes later, delicious noodles were ready. Nothing can be simpler than that. (not even frozen food).
Tip 1: Add some Maggie Chili Garlic Sauce or Masala Chili Sauce in a bowl of cooked noodles. Stir it up. Top it off with some shredded Amul Cheese. Slurp. Tastes heavenly.
Tip 2: If you have some time, adding boiled vegetables like peas and beans make it a bit healthy and tasty too (only if you like vegetables).
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Meri Chori Pakdi Jati
Just like most other kids, Maggie was (and still is) one of my favourite food items. But it is not exactly health food. So, there were restrictions on my eating Maggie. After relentless protests, the rules were relaxed a little bit – I was allowed to eat it twice a month instead of once. But an avid Maggie fan, I used to take liberty whenever Mom and Dad had to go out for dinner. Mom would cook dinner for me before leaving, only to find it in the exact same position upon returning. I had many excuses at that time. First couple of times it worked. But ultimately, once my laziness landed me in trouble, when I put off washing the utensils after eating and Mom came back earlier than scheduled!
Half Suitcase full to US
My elder cousin visited India in early Nineties. She was studying in US. Maggie was not available in Indian Grocery Stores here then. At the time of her return to US, she filled up half of a suitcase with packs of Maggie. She said it’d save her a lot of time and there is nothing available in US, which is this quick and tasty. And I endorse that statement. EasyMac (Macaroni & Cheese) is as quicker than Maggie as far as cook time is concerned but quantity wise it is too less and taste wise it doesn’t come close to Maggie. Top Raman noodles are there but most of them are either meat flavour. Even the Continental flavour comes with Beef extract. For a vegetarian freak like me, it is a big no no.
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In the presence of insignificant competitors, Maggie has thrived big time. Nestle once flirted with the taste of the Maggie and the sale slid big time. They were forced to revert back to the original Maggie. That is the magic of Maggie.
PS: I hope Mr. King (criminal) wouldn’t mind use of this title by me. After debating for a day, I could not find a better title.
