Till I came to live in Mumbai 15 years ago,
bread was Britannia’s sliced loaves meant to be had toasted for breakfast every
morning along with eggs. With a slice of ham or a dash of jam, it was the
perfect school lunch for kids of working moms. In the land of aloo/mooli/ gobi
paratha where I spent my formative years, bread was a marker of hurried meals,
not a soul satisfying sumptuous repast. Bread was consumed at home. Never an option available outside. The only bread-based street food one ate was the oily (and rather
yucky) bread pakora, available in every school canteen, palatable only by hungry
teenagers with monstrous appetite and under developed taste buds.
Mumbai is where I discovered the baked delicacy in all its glory! I began to see
bread or Pao as its called here, for what it is… a gastronome’s delight, a culinary surprise and an everyday celebration of life! Mumbai is a city of
migrants. People come here to reach somewhere. It is a city that is always in a
hurry. Nothing matches the no-nonsense-ness of bread : non messy, no fuss food
which fills your stomach while you are on the go – qualities which has overtime
made it an integral part of this fast paced city.
While there are millions of ways, Mumbai
consumes its Pao, here are a few which has become a
part of my life since I moved to the city:
1.
Brun Pao
Brun is a lovely golden crusty round shaped bread with a very soft spongy centre.
The ideal way to devour it is to slice it horizontally and spread a generous
amount of Amul butter in the centre. Then cut it into 2 halves and dip it in
hot milky masala chai before biting off a mouthful. Available at Irani cafes, most street corners of Bandra and now at Seagull Cafe, this is The breakfast Mumbaikars love to wake
up to.
2.
Kheema Pao
The grainy texture of mutton kheema
compliments the smoothness of soft pao and makes it one of the most delectable non-veg
meals, to be had any time of the day or night. The first time I had it was
outside Dadar station at 5 AM after a crazy dancing and drinking session fifteen years ago. Since
then it has been my all time favourite. I know
enough crazy people in the city who will drive 20 km just for a bite of their
favourite Kheema pao and some who will drive 40 km looking for an yet 'undiscovered' little restaurant with an even better recipe.
3.
Vada pao
This is Mumbai’s answer to the America’s
hamburger. This 5 bucks delicacy
keeps the city’s hunger at bay at all times from morning to night. The best on
the go meal is nothing but a deep fried potato patties (vada) tucked neatly
inside a soft bun (pao) laced with green (pudina), red (garlic)
chutney and fried green chillies. There is nothing like a vada pao when you are hungry but don't have a minute to pause and grab a bite.
4.
Masala Sandwich
A heavenly concoction of vegetables, potato,
onions and cheese with a generous sprinkling of masala, stuffed inside 2 slices of bread and grilled
Indian style. Even if you hate bread as
much as I did, trust me, just one bite is enough to make you fall in love with
it. I think it’s the greatest 5 PM snack – best had before a long and tedious
meeting.
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