Oysters, kangaroo burger, sushi, blood pudding, or pierogi – we may pride ourselves as culinary aficionados traversing around the world, tasting life through food; but they say there’s no place like home, and it’s not without reason. The other thing they say is to never let the child inside you die, and we’re firm believers of both! You can map the world capitals and adventure through dark woods, but when you sit back, close ‘em eyes, and tilt back your head, the frontrunner of that warm & fuzzy feeling are (*drumroll*) childhood memories.
We at DSSC are constantly working towards bringing you that feeling, and in that spirit we present the power duo – Childhood & Food. With our major throwback to the days of being lil munchkins and devouring finger-lickin’ snacks, we share with you our seven favourite childhood foods that we want to bring back to the table.
Powdered Milk
Emptying powdered milk sachets into our mouths as elders steeped their tea when vacationing at a resort, or sneaking away packets at home when no one was looking – we’ve all been there, done that. These tiny packets of milk powder come with all the goodness of milk and none of its rawness. Fluffy, sweet, and creamy, the powder powerhouse carries every child’s essentials, i.e., taste and sugar rush – and has our vote for being the new cuppa joe. If you haven’t fought over the last packet of powdered milk with your sibling and ended spilling it, you haven’t lived; but it’s never too late, grab your share of sachets now!
Sugar Cubes
The pristine white cubes, the fluted texture, the sublime sweet taste – biting into a sugar cube was an exhilarating experience as a child. And we’re in favour of resurrecting that habit! Tiramisus, cheesecakes, panna cottas may have taken stage at the dessert station, but nothing beats the simple joy of a tiny 3D square packing a powerful sugar high. Not just the inside, sugar cubes spread happiness on the outside too, the cultured cousin of crystal sugar brought with itself the fancy feels as well. So, DSSC motto for 2017 is set – lick, bite, dissolve, repeat.
Cerelac/Infant Cereals
We refused to give these up when we were kids, and we refuse to do so now. The soft, creamy consistency and the hint of milk is similar to porridge, only 1,59,207 times better. Making puppy eyes to get a serving of infant food was a childhood staple, and we didn’t care if the world judged us. Over the years the flavours have evolved, from apple to khichdi and mixed fruits to moong dal, only making it more pressing to bring back the bowl of infant food. In defence of the Cerelac contingent, it’s the one thing we remember from our infancy, and no one can take it away!
Malai Cheeni Sandwich
We’ve talked about sugar, we’ve spoken of milk, and now we bring the two together with the goodness of bread – the Malai Cheeni Sandwich. Biting into this divine marriage of rich malai and sugar granules sandwiched together was a treat we eagerly awaited as children. Seemingly a health-enemy, this desi sandwich is actually quite the healthy snack, full of good fats & carbs to help you power through the day. Noting that, our HQ has passed the bill to change over from finger sandwiches to Malai Cheeni sandwiches for high tea ritual.
Cheese Cubes
Another cube on the block (too cheesy? There, there, we did it again), cheese cubes were like wrapped mini-heavens. The love for cheese requires no introduction, it’s a universal phenomena, and if you don’t adhere to it you’ve committed blasphemy in the Church of Cheese. We may have graduated to cheese platters, but the guilty pleasure of carefully unwrapping and nibbling on a whole block of cheese remains unmatched. Granola bars are passé, we’re bringing in cheese cubes for that power snack.
Cigarette Candy
Popping a cigarette candy between our teeth and fake-lighting it made us feel like the meanest mafia in the world. Our sweet friend sugar makes another appearance, however, this once it’s not as much the taste but the experience of ‘smoking’ candy cigarettes that made it a coveted childhood snack. It was as close as we got to doing the forbidden, being an adult, and being bad – childhood wonderment in its full force – and just why we believe it needs to be snuck into our tuck once again. Bonus: instead of killing you like the real thing, only feels your childlike fantasy world one puff at a time.
Ghee+Chawal+Cheeni
The holy trinity of ghee, chawal, and cheeni are a reward for ‘em tastebuds. Typically a bite is taken before beginning anything auspicious; but the lil fellas that we were, demolishing a bowlful sans permission was a regular affair. The buttery & nutty ghee mixing with the sweet granules of sugar, perfectly balanced by the rice – yep, if there was ever a food Disneyland this trio will be the mascot. We’re not quite ready to give up Sunday branches yet, but the idea of devouring Ghee Chawal Cheeni over breezy noons sounds like a plan in the making!
We’re off to stock up on these treats and feed our nostalgia, how about a Malai Cheeni sandwich on the go?
Love any of these childhood foods or want to share one of yours? Tell us by commenting below or mailing us at editor@dssc.co.
Featured Image Courtesy: lbb.in
