Kitchen scoop for the soul

A newfound enthusiasm for cooking led PRITIKA RAO to examine the relationship between her family matriarchs and their kitchens, revealing a valuable legacy of identity and self-discovery

- PRITIKA RAO

KARAN JOHAR'S ROCKY Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani concludes with the matriarch, Dhanalakshmi, offering her granddaughter-in-law the secret recipe to her laddoos, the heart of the family business. The future of the company is of central importance to Dhanalakshmi, so passing on the recipe is an expression of her trust and acceptance. Recipes are symbolic of many things: affection, attachment, nostalgia, history, support and friendship. They're also cultural treasure chests. A sleight of hand or a twist of pepper and a dish can change entirely. If a family tree tells you who your ancestors were, their recipe book tells you what they were like.