NAMASTE!

 

Recently Chef Ellerbe called me a nerd because I knew how to spell "guarantee" without pulling out a dictionary.  The next day he said I wrote a research paper to go with my nine course meal. Ok so I am smart sometimes; just not smart all the time. I enjoy learning about different cultures. I love finding the common denominator in my searches. In your travels even if you’re here in the US and going state by state, there is that common denominator with different greetings. When I first moved to North Carolina many years ago, I had to learn to say HAY! As a greeting, I always thought I was a prude when I heard others say it, but learned to live with the thought this it’s just like in the North where we say YO!

Guest Taster's Chef Emi and Hu

Baked Basmati Rice and Yogurt-Chickpea Talapia

Vegetable Curry with Tofu and Garlic Naan

Namaste is a common spoken greeting or salutation originating from India and Nepal. Namaste means many different things when saying it to someone with hands held in a prayer-like fashion in front of the body. Namaste or Namastang is used as a friendly greeting in written communication, or generally between people when they meet. When used at funerals to greet the guests, the verbal part is usually omitted. When the hand position is higher, it usually means reverence and/or worship. The expression with hands placed on top of one's head isusually the sign of utmost reverence or respect. When the gesture is performed with hands in front of the chest, it is usually considered as aayushman. The aayushman gesture is also a cultural symbol of and Sri Lankan hospitality.

OKAAAYYY. I am a nerd. JEEZ I admit it! At least I know my curry dishes. Sheila and I just rocked the boat last night with our baked basmati rice (with no saffron or garlic in the house), a yogurt-chickpea curried fish and a coconut curry vegetable dish with tofu and garlic NAAN to scoop up all the goodness. We topped the dishes off with a pomegranate and coconut-yogurt slurry to drink.

My absolute favorite was the Pineapple dessert from Annette’s team and the Spinach and NAAN from Tammy’s team, and the rice and chicken from Kelly’s team was so full of flavor. I guess I have to give kudos out to Chef’s grilled fish. It was ok if you like fish.  Namaste! And “have a great day” is my usual farewell.