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Sometimes I wish I had never grown up.I had been more clever,smarter, alert and less of a moron.I sometimes want to take my life 15 years back.Undo lot of mistakes and relive all those days full of despair again.Get back all those years which would have been better spent enjoying & doing fruitful things or with friends & family than being a book-worm or sulking over a guy who eventually ditched you.
High School was fun.It would have been all the more fun if I had not spent half of it trying to develop friendship with a nasty, golden-haired girl whom I mistook for a good friend. We had a concept of seat rotation every 3 months in school.Luckily or unluckily, I got a dumb but good-looking,one of those sugar candy kind of girls, S as my bench-mate back then. I must say she had one of the prettiest faces around but a screwed brain.S was smart in general but quite dumb as far as the books went. The first time she shook hands with me for a hello, all I was thinking for the whole day was how did she have such soft palms.Maybe she got a manicure regularly, but that beauty concept was unheard in those times for me.Okay I ll admit, the first time I got my eyebrows done was when I was 17.Pretty late!Dont laugh when I tell you that I used to accompany my dad to get a haircut to his dresser for many years before my mom realized that her daughter needs a proper salon and more than that the fact she needs to look better.Anyhow, coming to this girl, I was in awe of her innocent rosy face,golden locks, long eyelashes for about a week after meeting her.She was sweet spoken, used to smile a lot, did not talk much and came across as one of the high maintenance types.The first time she offered me that we could share our computer science project together, I felt gratified that she chose me out of a gang of girls around.
Having already said that I was the studious kinds, it was decided that I would do all the programming and she would do the donkey work-I mean type out my work,get the prints,get everything filed and stuff.I used to go to her house after school for a couple of months after school.In those days, getting picked by driver in a car was talk of the school.I used to keep on watching her all the time, the way she talked to the driver, the way she moved her lips, eloquence of her speech, hand movements and the pitch of her voice.I don’t know whether it was because I was impressed or because I wanted to be like her or because she was something unique for me to look at..I don’t know.We used to reach home and S used to drink herbal tea followed by a salad while I kept on thinking about the lentils and flatbreads mom would have made for lunch at home.
A couple of months passed just like that..me trying to observe minute actions of her besides programming in few of the unknown computer languages, using a lot of referrals,visits to library, testing the programs again and again to debug them and compiling the commands.Just a week away before the final submission, I handed over the floppy drive [ CDs were not used then] to her to finish off the documentation and make everything ready.Can anyone of you guess what she did?
In one of the biggest set backs of my student life, she did not mention my name on the final project document that she made for submission.Can you believe that? I know it’s quite filmy sounding but this did happen.You know why she chose me as a project partner? Coz I was the biggest fool around! She told the examiner two days before the final day that I had shifted to another project group and she ll be doing the project all on her own.I was a such a big fool,before handing over,I did not even keep a copy of the floppy disc with me.I had no proof in the entire world that I had done everything.Since we used to work at her home most of the time, no one in school knew who was doing what.As such these projects were high kept secrets, more important than India’s foreign policy.Thereafter followed days of emotional eruptions,pointing fingers at each other, me howling on top of my voice, unpleasant phone calls from my parents to her parents, sleepless nights with just a week to go for exams and most of all trying to deal with broken trust of friendship .It was one of the most difficult time of my student life.I was fooled by an innocent looking girl.Luckily, to do away my foes, the teacher adjusted me with other group so that I dont fail the exams.
At that time,this incident looked like a mishap of life.It looked as if life was shaken-a studious girl ripped off her project work 
Who knew then,that life is so much more complicated than that…Someday I will need to deal with such difficult and serious issues that these incidents will not even count.I still think about it and still feel hurt somewhere.Not over the project work but about being fooled.That incident in my life taught me one lesson….that looks can be deceptive.You can never be sure of an innocent childish looking face.People carry malice inside them.I m always scared of smiling people with few words.I doubt them.
Okay, I told you all the above crap story, to let you know that during one of our “good” times, S and me went to INA market in Delhi.INA Market is Delhi’s treasure trove for all kinds of foreign groceries and food .You will get all kinds of seafood, produce,liquor from all the world over.The store owners here speak a whole lot of languages here and you can get any food item you can dream of from the western world.It caters to needs of both domestic and foreign crowds.Not to mention, it is quite an expensive market and is inundated with crowds the whole day.
Asparagus is not an Indian vegetable.I don’t know if it’s cultivated even now there.I saw asparagus for the very first in my life @ INA Market and mistook it for stalks of lucky bamboo plant Dont laugh.When I ate it for the first time, I felt I was chewing on chlorophyll.I disliked it.Its not that now I love asparagus, but its one of those veggies which we like to eat sometimes at a chinese restaurant nearby or at the most 1-2 stalks with eggs sometimes.Else,I really dont buy it.
Last week, my neighbour gifted me a big bunch of fresh asparagus she got from her trip to Farmer’s market.She knows that I like greens.But she doesn’t know that I dont like this particular green.After the bunch rested for 3-4 days in my fridge, I tried to put it to use to the best of my capabilities.Indian spices came to a good rescue to make it suitable for our palate.I made this sort of indian inspired take on italian bruschetta.Its not usual bruschetta but is an excellent fusion dish to serve for get togethers to impress your guests.Makes for an easy,any time snack.I m sure you will love it as much as we did.This is my own recipe.I hope you like it.
Below goes the recipe:
Ingredients
- 8-10 stalks of asparagus
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1-2 fat cloves of garlic
- Extra Virgin Olive oil to brush
- 10-12 slices of french baguette
- Grated Parmesan to sprinkle [optional]
Curried Marinade
- 3 tbsp plain greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/4 tsp roasted cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp red chilli flakes [adjust to taste]
- Salt to taste
Method:
- Wash the asparagus and rinse them thoroughly.Break off the tough, white bottom portions and discard.Cut into 1 or 2 inch sections, slicing diagonally.
- Slice the red bell pepper lengthwise into thick julians or any way you like it.
- In a medium bowl, tip in all the marinade ingredients.Mix thoroughly with a whisk to combine well.Make sure that no lumps remain.
- Tip in the sliced asparagus and bell peppers into the marinade mix and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 450F.Grease your baking/cookie sheet.
- Once marinated, spread the vegetables on the greased baking sheet separated.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes.If you like your veggies perfectly done, you can bake for 2-3 more minutes. Note: You will have to take out the sheet midway and flip over the veggies for even baking.
- Meanwhile, brush the baguette slices with olive oil and toast them.
- Once toasted, take the slices out and rub a clove of garlic on them while they are still warm to give a hint of garlic.
- Top with baked veggies, sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese and drizzle more EVOO.
- Serve Warm.
Enjoy and Thanks for stopping by!
Sending to to Hearth & Soul #42
I sure like it! Asparagus is something that grows on you over time, M is still 50 -50 about it
There is nothing I like more than a crusty bread, with simple sauteed vegetables and if it has Indian kick – I’ ll take the whole thing!
About that friend of yours – I’m sure at one point or another we are deceived by people such as her and that only makes us better and stronger people. I strongly believe in all things happen for good!
Childhood is a learning curve in our lives, it does makes us strong to face similar more challenges! I do like ur version, asparagus is just ok with me, not one of the best of fav!
Stepping to a beautician did happen quite late for me as well, since i was more or less like a tom boy with a boy cut, i seriously used to hate it!
Oh Tanvi, that sounds TERRIBLE! This sounds like such a typical high school experience though, so know you’re not alone. We all wanted to be that pretty girl with the rosy cheeks and curly hair and perfectly manicured nails. But some of us (myself included) were just good at math and science. Sigh.
But NOW look at us! Great cooks and recipe creators, and that is something to be proud of. This bruschetta sounds delicious! I love that it uses my favorite spring veggie (asparagus)!
They looks super prefect and marvellous..
wow…
looks delicious and very tempting dear…
nice clicks.
and coming abt the incident that happened during ur school days -she is a heartless girl I suppose.
hmmm I guess people like S exeist everywhere. I have been stumped so badly that now I look everything in very critical manner. So much so that my husband “S” says that I am negative. As for the recipe and the pictures, they are brilliant. I loved the 6th picture a lot. That spoon is so cute
“Smiling people with few words” very well put… they have hurt me as well … the people I have never expected! I have learned to walk away, asking myself “so what have I learned from this now?:
This is a nice tweak to the old regular appetizer. And congrats on the Culinary smackdown! I think I will try your strawberry-Nutella kisses cookies! They look lovely!
I love asparagus, truly ruly I adore the stuff. I want to say something wise & fabulous about that wretched piece of work who cheated her way through school (no doubt she’s cheating her way through life too) – but all I can say is “That sucks!” I hate that people are sometimes so conniving – it makes all the good people & true friends that much richer huh.
Yum, this looks so good, I’ll have to try this!
Friend is one who there for every thing not otherways. this bruschetta looks awesome delicious.
I love bruschetta and i like your version
I too made Bruschetta few weeks back with mini pasta as the topping.. carb on carb 
PS: I too wish I could go back to my college days but I want to take my hubby with me. Met him much after my college days and can’t let him go
I have my bad experiences too from people who are extremely polite and touchy! The more polite they are the more I don’t trust them. Life is hard and you get to realize that from your early ages. I am not so fond of the asparagus either, but these bruschettas I would gladly try them because they look very tempting!
looks so delicious with those asparagus..yum!
oh my, this looks elegant and delicious!!!
Wow does this sound like a delicious way to prepare asparagus! Just lovely Tanvi! Do you have any idea where that girl is today? I’ll bet as an adult she feels just horrible about how she acted.
So sorry to hear about that unfortunate story, we encounter all kinds of people in life, some we relate to good memories, some with bad ones. I hope S has matured since high school days and realized her wrong doing.
Lovely bruschetta with vibrant colors.
I’ve been wanting to try asparagus for the longest of times. I think this post has given me that push! My gosh, that girl sounds downright awful- karma always comes to bite you though! Do you know where she’s at now?
What a lovely way to start morning breakfast! Such characters exists in everyone life I think. And still life goes on….
I love that indian spicy twist to a typically western food. haha did my own twist on shpepherd’s pie using masala mince for St Patty’s and really enjoyed having the kick of spice (:
http://mummyicancook.blogspot.com/2011/03/masala-kheema-shepherds-pie.html#uds-search-results
Thank you everyone for your kind words and for stopping by.
Wow…girls can be awful, I am so sorry!
I hated high school and could write a 20 page long post about my”friends”…
On a positive note that bruschetta looks AMAZING. I love the idea of asparagus and curry together, delicious!
Brrr… what a sad memory. Unfortunately there are nasty people everywhere, always ready to steal other people’s work and take all the credit for it…
Your bruschette are gorgeous! I love the ingredients and OMG, your pictures are so beautiful, I could bite my screen!!
I love the color in this dish. It really sounds and looks delicious. This is my first visit to your site so I took some time to browse through your earlier entries. I really like the food and recipes you feature here. I definitely plan to to return and keep up with your cooking. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Thanks for the kind words Mary.I m so happy to know that you enjoyed the blog.Welcome aboard!
Tanvi, that’s one of the meanest stories I’ve ever heard. I am so sorry your trust was betrayed in such a bad way. It’s awful how these events can haunt us for the rest of our lives, even if they occurred a long time ago. What a miserable existence it must be to take advantage of other people’s kindheartedness.
Your fusion bruschetta looks famntastic! The curries marinade sounds lovely with the asparagus. Yum! Beautiful photography, too.
I loved reading this…oh how I can relate! I wish I didn’t waste so much time being a book worm so I could be smarter and more successful now. And I also wish I hadn’t waited until my 20′s to get my eyebrows done! So funny!!
As for that total B@#$h, karma will get her, if it hasn’t already. I’m sorry you had to deal with that! That is the exact reason I would never, ever go back to my high school or college days. Not in a million years.
Thanks everyone for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.I enjoyed reading every comment so much
Yum, I love bruschetta! What a fun combination of flavors!
Ohh Tanvi thats really bad experiance in once life..but those experiance make us strong. coming to your bruschetta , looks inviting and delicious dear.
I don’t know why I haven’t tried asparagus as of yet but I need to hurry up and try it because this recipe looks amazing. And that story was not a crap story lol. You always have wonderful antidotes to go along with your amazing food.
Tanvi, beautifully done, love the twist…and the pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Yummie! Have a great day!
Beautiful post! The photos are great and this recipe looks amazing!
Thanks for dear for sharing it with Hearth and Soul Hop
Wow….looks extremely yummy…..asparagus is something i have yet to try…with this recipe…i think i may give it a try….bowled by the charm of u r pictures…..
Haha, this dish reminds me of a curried asparagus tart that Eric Kayser, the famous tart and bread maker, has in his book. But quicker and, frankly, better…
I think we all have an experience a little like that one you had with the golden-haired girl. Where we realize that not everyone is good and trust-able.
Hey Tanvi,
There are still people like that around–those who take advantage and those who are taken advantage of, just that the smart-asses are more sophisticated in their tactics (having honed it to perfection). I think it’s a good thing that you learnt your lesson early—the stakes are much higher when you meet these people in real life. Without going into too much detail, I can tell you that someone very close to me has been “had” not once but several times. It’s very sad to watch.
Your bruschetta looks wonderful–I haven’t developed a taste for asparagus yet, tho I once put it in a mixed veggie subzi and it came out pretty good. Does that count?
xo,
g
Your bruschetta are stunning as well as your photography, so all I have to say is can your school age so called friend do this? I bet not!
So exciting to be on food buzz top 9! This looks amazing and healthy…win win. Sad story. Apparently being a mean girl is not a
Mean girls suck. Glad to be grown up now and can drop mean women like yesterday’s trash.
U.S. anomaly.
I’m definitely going to make these! Great idea! If you’d like to join our seasonal potluck and link your asparagus recipe(s) to ours, we’d love to have you
http://bit.ly/eLlgG2
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Fabulous bruschette! That combination is so droolworthy.
Cheers,
Rosa