"One teaspoon of curry powder… add a little more please! Three teaspoons of paprika… and make sure you put a lot of love into it!"
Cooking for me brings a sense of being alive. It embraces every inner emotion and awakens my spirit. I have been cooking meals since I was seven years old. I remember the evening of the first meal I ever cooked as if it was yesterday. As the sun was setting, Mom started the fire outside. Our stove was made up of three bricks ringed around a fire. She was getting ready to start dinner as she always did, but today, I wanted to prepare the meal.
“Please Mom, please, may I? Can I cook tonight?" I begged.
"Let me help you?" When my mother said no, I insisted "I know how!"
I had been watching her from the time I opened my eyes. Cooking was her first love and she was famous for it in our little town in Fiji. Sometimes all she could afford to make was onion curry and roti (flat bread). It tasted just as good as lamb and puris (deep fried bread).
I joyously completed my first meal at age seven, under a mango tree, on an open fire. Black eye pea curry with lots of tomatoes and cilantro served with roti – and lots of love. My father was the first to taste.
"Mmmm, amazing, Monu (my father’s nickname for me). This is the best food I have ever had, delicious." He licked the plate clean and from that moment I was hooked.
Twenty-three years later, in the United States of America, I continue to cook for my family. My Mom and I compete with our chutney recipes. The birth of my children has brought a sense of commitment to nurture them through the delicious foods, flavors, and experiences with which I grew up.
During this time, I earned a degree in Psychology, driven by a yearning to connect deeply with people and help them to live out their dreams. By 2004, I was pursuing a Masters degree in Psychology, and thinking of a career in counseling and social services.
Then one day, while I was cooking dinner, my curious daughter asked, "Mommy what was your dream?"
"Cooking! Cooking for people,” I spoke without even thinking. “Sharing the food that I grew up with. Sharing my heritage."
At that moment, I realized what I really wanted to do. My daughter had helped to rekindle my desire to renew my first love. That simple conversation helped me reconnect with my own dreams, and began the birth of Indian Fusions.
I began teaching classes on healthy and traditional Indian Cuisine. People loved the classes, loved the food and loved the recipes. We laughed. We shared good food. But I soon realized that the main questions were always, “Do I have to use all these spices?” and “Where can I get them?” For Indian food there was a roadblock and I was determined to empower people to cook these great meals at home.
I began putting together spice kits that included the 14 different spices commonly used in Indian Cuisine. While some students bought them the cost for all 14 spices was more than others wanted to spend. It saddened me that even though they all loved the food, not many could actually afford to prepare it at home.
My “ah-ha” moment came one afternoon as I was driving with my mother discussing this dilemma. My Mom turned to me with intensity and in her thick Indian accent said, “Monu, why can’t you put all the spices in one jar?” Ah-ha!!!
I am deeply thankful that I have been given opportunity to share with you something that has been so meaningful in my life and near to my heart. Welcome to Mohini Indian Fusions! I know you will enjoy the adventure.
Love, Mohini
Contact Mohini
209.620.6527
2930 Geer Road Suite 176
Turlock CA, 95382
