อย่างไรก็ตาม ภรรยาราเจชเป็นแม่บ้านเต็มเวลานะคะ และบ้านราเจชไม่ได้จ้างแม่บ้านเหมือนครอบครัวอินเดียหลายๆ ครอบครัว คือราเจชบอกว่ามีจ้างบ้างเวลาภรรยาไม่สบาย แต่ให้ทำเฉพาะเรื่องกวาดบ้านถูบ้าน ส่วนครัวนี่ภรรยาหวงมาก ไม่อยากให้คนไม่รู้จักมาแตะ บ้านนี้คุณแม่บ้านเลยทำเองทุกอย่างค่ะ (ราเจชใช้คำว่า Kitchen is the most holiest place in the house กันเลยทีเดียว)
Few years ago, I was invited for dinner at my friend’s place in Chandigarh, India. Rajesh’s family is eggetarian, but they mostly cook vegetarian food at home. On that day, his wife cooked a very superb vegetarian meal. One of the best dishes for me was Mushroom Do Pyaza which is a mushroom dish with caramelized onions gravy. (as “Do pyaza” means two onions) Others were Dal Makahni, and Kadai Paneer. And there were also Homemade Garlic pickle and Mango pickle as side dishes.
Rajesh’s wife kept on busy in her kitchen preparing everyone hot Rotis (Chapatis), so she didn’t join our dinner.
Rajesh told me that Chapati’s taste changes quickly after preparation, and his wife would like to ensure that everyone (especially her guest – yes, it’s me.) will get the fresh and hot meal. So she made Chapati piece by piece on that day.
In addition, Indian women always play an important role in order to ensure that everyone lives happily in harmony. So one who cooks on that day, many times, is the last one enjoying the food. Or else they will prepare all Chapatis and keep them in storage box, so all family members can share their happiness together.