Lecture Notes: South Indian Cuisine and Life in Romania

Introduction

• Speaker: Hema, a fashion designer and dancer from India
• Currently living in Romania for over 8 years
• Nervous about presenting her first cooking show

Background

• Fashion design was her childhood dream, but faced parental opposition
• Father's strictness led her to study business and complete an MBA in Human Resources
• Continued to pursue fashion design after marriage with support from her husband

Life in Romania

• Moved to Romania due to husband's job transfer
• Enjoys the freedom and opportunities available to women in Romania
• Plans to open a South Indian restaurant in Romania as a business venture

Family Life

• Married in an arranged marriage, met husband Ramesh for the first time before engagement
• They grew to love each other during the engagement period
• Has two daughters, one aged eight

Cooking Presentation

• Preparing a traditional South Indian dish: Dosa
  • Accompaniments:
    • Sambar: made from tur dal, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, and a special sambar powder
    • Chutneys:
      • Orange chutney (onion)
      • Green chutney (coriander and mint leaves)
      • Coconut chutney
• Dosa is a staple breakfast item in South Indian households

Cultural Exchange

• Aims to introduce Romanian people to South Indian cuisine
• Discusses the misconception that Indian food primarily consists of North Indian dishes

Personal Experiences

• Adapted to life in Romania while adjusting to motherhood (moved with a six-month-old baby)
• Highlights the beauty of Romania and its people
• Expresses love for traditional Indian dance, specifically Bharatanatyam
  • Demonstrated dance moves during the presentation

Conclusion

• Future aspirations include opening a boutique for fashion design and a restaurant for South Indian cuisine
• Expresses gratitude for the support from her husband and cultural exchanges in Romania

Additional Notes

• Audience engagement and interest in Indian cuisine
• Discusses vegetarian options prevalent in South Indian cooking
• Encourages local chefs and audiences to explore diverse culinary traditions.