Growing Up With Art - Uppit with Vegetables

Art surrounds us. G is an artist (and professor, and dad, and lots of other things). Sometimes I wonder how G and I managed to meet. My world has almost always been medicine, and we moved in different spheres with virtually no overlap.

Medicine, math, science, education. These may be common elements my parents valued the most. But my mother also loved art. I am not sure where that passion came from, but she shared it with us every chance she could.

When we traveled, she insisted on going to every church we would see. She loved to go in, look up and take in the peace and tranquility of the space. She loved the stained glass and beautiful windows. I remember going to every Roman church we saw. My dad would sit exhausted in the pews while we explored. She would lean over in the dim light and read every little plaque and historical panel. I have explored quite a few naves and aisles. We have even climbed stairs to walk across a church roof.

She also loved art. Her dream was to see The Last Supper. When I had a chance to go to a medical conference in Italy, she was happy to join me. We arrived an hour early to the museum and sat in the courtyard, just because she did not want to miss her opportunity. With strictly timed entries to protect the art and limit the number of people entering, she took no chances of missing what she had thought about for almost a lifetime.

So this week, I made another of my mom's favorites, uppit. It's is a savory breakfast dish with semolina and vegetables. There is a spicy base of curry leaves, cumin, and tomatoes. Then add water and gently stir in the semolina. In five minutes, breakfast is ready. I would love to say G likes it, but it's not one of his favorites. In North India, they call it upma. We grew up with as uppit and enjoyed it with papad, yogurt, and mango pickle. Weekend mornings were not complete without it.

As kids, we would groan at one more museum or one more church, but I am so happy to have those experiences as an adult. I can't walk by a church without thinking of her or looking at a Gauguin in the same way. And perhaps it helped me to find G.

Uppit with Vegetables

A savory South Indian breakfast made with semolina, curry leaves and a few spices. Its quick and easy. Serve with papad, yogurt and mango pickles.Serves 4

• 1 cup coarse sooji or semolina
• 6 tablespoons neutral oil
• 3 stems curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon urad dal
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 3 green chilis (chopped)
• 1 medium tomato (chopped)
• 1 cup cilantro (chopped)
• 1 inch ginger (minced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 large carrot (thinly sliced or chopped)
• 1/4 cup frozen peas
• 2 cups water

1. In a medium saucepan heat oil. Add the mustard seeds, urad dal and cumin seeds. Saute for about 30 seconds.
2. Add the curry leaves and give it a quick stir.
3. Add the onions and green chilis. Saute until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic and ginger and saute until it is brown and sticks to the pan.
5. Add the tomatoes, carrots, peas, cilantro salt and turmeric. Saute until the tomatoes are soft, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the water and bring to a boil. Gently add the semolina in a slow stream and stir slowly as you add it. The semolina clumps easily and by constantly stirring it, it will be even and not lumpy.
7. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
8. Serve warm.