My Weekly Food Highlight, Take a look

Hello friends,

I'm happy to share the last week's foods at my home as my entry for this contest: https://steemit.com/steem-kids-parents/@ngoenyi/contest-alert-weekly-delicious-food-highlights-take-a-look. @ngoenyi hosts it in the Steem Kids & Parents community.

The saying goes, "Variety is the spice of life," and nowhere is that truer than in my kitchen. As a food lover, I rarely stick to a single cuisine for long.

This week, my palate has traveled from South Asia to Italy and back, dictated not by fancy cookbooks, but by the very real factors of time, budget, and intense cravings.

Here are the highlights of my culinary journey so far this week, detailing the dishes that kept me going until Thursday.

1. The Monday Morning Lifesaver: Poha

Poha is the quintessential Indian breakfast that needs no fuss. It is made from flattened rice (parboiled and rolled), tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, onions, and brightened with turmeric and a generous squeeze of lemon. It’s light, nutritious, and eaten warm with a fork or spoon.

Why I Settled on This: Finance and Speed. After a busy weekend, Monday demands efficiency. Poha is incredibly cheap to make, requires less than 15 minutes of prep, and hits the spot without weighing me down. It’s a familiar staple that feels like a healthy start.

2. The Tuesday Carb Craving: Simple Pasta

This classic Italian dish translates to "angry pasta" due to the chili kick. My version was simple: penne pasta tossed in a fiery red sauce made predominantly from canned crushed tomatoes, garlic cloves, dried chili flakes, and fresh basil. It’s eaten immediately, steaming hot.

Why I Settled on This: Cravings and Pantry Staples. I had an undeniable carb craving, and pasta is the ultimate comfort food. I didn't want to go grocery shopping, so choosing a dish based entirely on inexpensive, long-shelf-life pantry ingredients was the deciding factor.

3. The Hump Day Celebration: Chicken Biryani

Biryani is a celebration in a pot. It is a complex, aromatic rice dish where Basmati rice and chicken are layered and cooked dum style (slow steam).

Key predominant ingredients include marinated chicken (yogurt, ginger-garlic paste), whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon), proprietary Biryani masala, and often saffron for color and aroma. It is eaten heartily, traditionally with a side of raita (yogurt dip).

Why I Settled on This: Culture and Family Decision. Biryani isn't a quick meal; it's an event. Wednesday evening is often when the family gathers for a more substantial, culturally significant meal. It was a joint decision for the taste of home.

4. The Necessary Indulgence: Vanilla Dessert

Sometimes, the simplest things are the best. This dessert requires no cooking and is pure, unadulterated pleasure—just cream, milk, sugar, and real vanilla bean specks. It’s scooped and enjoyed cold.

Why I Settled on This: The Pure Craving. There was no budget constraint or cultural demand. I simply needed a sweet, creamy finish to the day. It was a necessary, non-negotiable indulgence to satisfy a persistent sweet tooth.

This week is a perfect example that our eating habits are a practical reflection of our lives—a balance between tradition, budget, efficiency, and desire. What has been your favorite meal so far this week?

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All photographs are mine and taken with Samsung Galaxy 10 smartphone.

I am inviting @limon88, @woka-happiness, and @sabirnaz to take part in this contest.

Thank you everyone for reading here.

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