Generosity Served on a Plate

 

Generosity Served on a Plate – A Story of Taste, Love, and Understanding
📸 & ✍️ Text & Photo by Ashok Karan | ashokkaran.blogspot.com

At home, whenever I even hint at having a non-vegetarian meal, my wish usually disappears faster than a drop of water on a hot tin roof—vanishing before I can even finish my sentence. My wife's high-pitched rebuttal is swift and final, and more often than not, I simply surrender and quietly eat whatever wholesome vegetarian dish she serves.

But today was different. After nearly six months, to my utter surprise, she handed me a few bucks along with a carry bag and gently said, “Go get some chicken.” Her words felt like music to my ears. I almost couldn’t believe it. Until now, I had been relying on the nearby dhaba for occasional readymade non-veg delights.

For a moment, I thought her gesture was out of affection, perhaps even a sign of love or a celebration. Non-veg meals, after all, are often seen as indulgent or reserved for special occasions. But as it turned out, she had invited a few close friends over for lunch—and needed something special for them. Regardless of the reason, I was overjoyed, knowing I’d get to relish a rich, flavorful chicken curry today.

Though my wife is a pure vegetarian, she occasionally prepares non-vegetarian dishes just for me. Despite our different food preferences, we’ve always shared a mutual respect for each other's choices. There’s never been pressure to change—only understanding and acceptance.

This reminds me of a friend who, while on vacation in Singapore with his vegetarian wife, had to go to great lengths to find a vegan-friendly restaurant. After much effort, he convinced one to prepare a special dish for her. Otherwise, it would have been vada pav on repeat! In many parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, finding pure vegan meals can be quite a task.

A similar story played out recently in my extended family—a non-vegetarian boy married into a strictly vegetarian household. His wife, respecting her in-laws and her own food habits, avoids cooking meat. The poor lad now faces a daily culinary challenge at home.

In many Indian households, non-veg meals are cooked on separate stoves or even in outdoor kitchens, due to deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs. Yet, when someone steps out of their comfort zone—like a vegetarian spouse preparing a non-veg meal—it becomes more than just food. It becomes a gesture of love, acceptance, and yes, generosity.

Relationships flourish when there’s respect for each other's beliefs and preferences. Be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian, love tastes best when served with understanding.

🍛 In Frame: Chicken Curry with Steamed Rice – A plate full of taste and warmth.

#Generosity #FoodWithLove #RespectChoices #CoupleGoals #CulturalHarmony #FoodStories #ChickenCurryTales #FoodIsLove #EverydayIndia #AshokKaran #HomeMadeDelight #NonVegStory