Daily writing prompt

What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?

View all responses

Hello dear friends,
I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood.

Today’s writing prompt brought a warm smile to my face and stirred a sweet pot of memories. The question reads:
“What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?”

At first glance, this seems like a simple question—perhaps about a gourmet dish at a five-star restaurant or some exotic treat from a foreign land.

But as I sat with this thought, it became clear: the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten wasn’t served on fine china, nor did it come from any celebrity chef’s kitchen.

It was “maa ke haath ka garam garam paratha, makhan ke saath.”
Yes, the humble aloo paratha—crispy, golden, lovingly stuffed, and served with a generous dollop of homemade white butter. Nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to it.

A Taste of Love

I remember those chilly winter mornings in my childhood home.

As the fog floated lazily outside the window, we kids would sit near the fireplace, wrapped in shawls, our noses pink from the cold. The air was filled with the unmistakable aroma of roasted spices and bubbling ghee.

My mother would be in the kitchen, her hands working like magic—flattening dough, stuffing it with spiced mashed potatoes, rolling it out, and tossing it on a sizzling tawa.

As the paratha puffed up like a golden balloon, she’d press it gently, ensuring just the right crispness on the edges while keeping the center soft.

Then came the final touch: a slab of fresh yellow butter that melted on contact, releasing a heavenly fragrance. Served with homemade mango pickle and curd, this wasn’t just food—it was affection served on a plate.

Each bite was a blend of textures and flavors—crispy, creamy, spicy, tangy—and above all, made with unconditional love. That’s what made it the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.

Flavors that Travel with Us

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of traveling to different parts of the country and abroad. I’ve tried exotic dishes—sushi of Tokyo, croissants in Paris, biryani in Hyderabad, momos in Gangtok—but the magic of that childhood paratha has never been replicated.

Why? Because food is not just about taste. It’s about emotion, memory, and connection.

The most delicious dish is often tied not to its ingredients, but to who made it, when you ate it, and how it made you feel.

That paratha was my mother’s way of saying, “I love you. You are safe. You are home.”

The Secret Ingredient

Science tells us that taste is deeply connected to memory. Our olfactory sense—the sense of smell—is directly linked to the brain’s emotional center.

So, when we eat something that reminds us of a loved one or a special time, we’re flooded with feelings.

That’s why the smell of freshly fried onions can transport someone to their grandmother’s kitchen, or a bite of gajar ka halwa can bring back memories of childhood celebrations.

That’s why, for me, no five-star meal can ever beat that one simple paratha. It’s not about the butter or the potatoes—it’s about the moments, the people, and the warmth that came with it.

A Taste of Memory

Recreating the Magic

Now that I am in my golden years and have time to slow down, I often find myself in the kitchen—trying to recreate that same magic.

I roll the dough, mix the potatoes, add the coriander and ajwain, and press the paratha on the tawa.

It never tastes exactly the same… but when my granddaughter takes a bite and smiles, I see the same sparkle in her eyes that I once had.

Perhaps she will remember it one day and say,
“The most delicious thing I ever ate was Dadu’s paratha, with stories on the side.”

Final Thoughts

So, dear friends, I ask you now—what is the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten? Was it a festive delicacy? A street-side chaat? Or your father’s special Sunday breakfast?

Let your taste buds guide you, but more importantly, let your heart lead the way.

Because food that fills the stomach is common,
But food that fills the soul—that’s a rare, delicious treasure.

Until next time,
Stay joyful, stay nostalgic,
And do share your food memories with me!
Vijay Verma
retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #Travel, cooking, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1981, featured, food, recipe, recipes