Daily writing prompt

Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?

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Hello dear friends,

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood.

Today’s writing prompt brought a gentle smile to my face and a flood of memories to my heart. The question is—“Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?” How beautiful, isn’t it?

We all carry a hidden door in our hearts, one that leads us back to our childhood—the most carefree, innocent, and joyful phase of life.

And sometimes, that door doesn’t open with keys or memories, but with taste. Just one bite of a certain dish can transport us to a different time and place.

For me, that food is Khichdi with Aam ka Achar (mango pickle).

The Simplicity of Khichdi, the Richness of Emotion

Khichdi is more than just a dish; it’s comfort and warmth. As a child, I remember coming home from school sweaty and tired, and finding steaming hot khichdi waiting for me at the table.

Made with rice, moong dal, a pinch of turmeric, salt, and sometimes vegetables like carrots or peas, it was the simplest of meals.

But when mixed with a dollop of desi ghee and accompanied by a tangy mango pickle on the side—it became magical.

It was my mother’s specialty. She had a special way of stirring the khichdi in her iron kadhai, humming an old local Chhat Geet, as the aroma wafted through the house.

I would sit nearby, pretending not to be hungry, but my eyes always followed her every movement. The warmth of that meal didn’t just fill my stomach; it filled my soul.

A Spoonful of Memories

Each time I eat khichdi today, I feel like I’m sitting once again on the floor of my childhood kitchen—barefoot, smiling, and carefree. I hear my mother’s gentle voice: “Beta, thoda aur le lo.”

And I always did. Because khichdi wasn’t just food—it was affection served with a ladle, it was tradition, and above all, our family bonding..

The mango pickle, kept in large ceramic jars on the terrace to sun-ripen, was another part of the ritual.

I used to steal pieces of raw mango as my mother laid them out, and she would scold me half-heartedly, smiling as she turned away. The pickle was fiery, salty, sour—and absolutely addictive.

Even today, just a whiff of that achar brings back the sunny afternoons of my youth.

Food as Time Travel

It is said that our taste buds are closely linked to memory. More than sights or sounds, it is smells and tastes that transport us instantly across time.

Psychologists call this “Proustian memory,” named after the writer Marcel Proust, who described how a bite of madeleine cake with tea awakened long-forgotten childhood memories.

And I believe it’s true for all of us. Be it a mother’s halwa, a festive gujiya, a winter bowl of hot makki ki roti and sarson da saag, or a simple roadside chaat—each of these flavors is like a thread that ties us back to the fabric of our past.

A Ritual Recreated

Now, in my retired life, I have taken to cooking occasionally. And every Saturday, without fail, I prepare khichdi and enjoy it with mango pickle. It’s my way of reconnecting with my roots, of honoring the people and places that shaped me.

Today, I may not have my mother’s finesse, but the emotions remain the same.

I sit by the window, the aroma of khichdi drifting into the evening air, a cup of tea beside me, and often I find myself lost in thought—smiling at memories, wiping away a silent tear.

The Soul in Every Bite

Childhood is a place we never truly leave. It lives within us, quietly tucked away, and food is the magical doorway that lets us revisit it.

Whether it’s a festival treat or a daily meal, each dish tells a story—of people who cooked it, the hands that fed us, and the moments that made us.

So, next time you eat something that reminds you of childhood, pause for a moment. Close your eyes. Let the flavors speak. Let the memory unfold.

Because food, my friends, is not just nourishment—it is nostalgia served warm.

What’s Your Dish?

I’d love to hear from you too—which food transports you to your childhood? Was it a sweet dish prepared on birthdays? Or a special snack made only during monsoon? Let’s celebrate these flavors together.

Thank you for reading, dear friends. Until next time, may your heart remain warm and your memories sweeter than ever.

With love and nostalgia,
Vijay Verma
www.retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #ChildhhodMemories, #emotions, #Love, #Travel, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1976, featured, food