Grandkids are the best medicine

Started the day with a heartwarming story about three generations of an Indian-American family surviving the lockdown under the same roof. Written by a senior editor of CNN, the piece documents how the author and her family moves in with her parents to escape the Corona virus outbreak in New York City. The author's parents are elderly, an age group at high risk of contracting the virus. In addition, her father is released prematurely from the rehab facility where he was recuperating from a stroke. While the family tries to take care of the ailing and find some degree of normalcy in their new living arrangements, the author showcases the importance of togetherness at a time when social distancing is the global norm. As the grandchildren struggle to maintain physical distance from their grandparents, the author's mother assures her, "The grandkids...are the best medicine..." The story felt close to home. I could hear my parents saying the same words. If we moved in with them at a time like this, they would be relieved rather than fearful, even though the fear of infection is a very real possibility in this case.

Today is Easter Sunday. Church services, family get togethers, and easter egg hunts were cancelled across the world due to the pandemic. However, some families, like our neighbors, found ways to celebrate despite social distancing requirements. Around lunchtime today, we saw an Easter tableau unfold in front of our house. The grandparents of the family across the street walked up to their front door with what looked like an Easter basket and gift bags. They placed these on the front porch, rang the doorbell, then walked away from the door to wait on the sidewalk in front of the house. When the door opened, they blew kisses to the children and called out what we imagined were Easter greetings. A family conversation was conducted for the next half an hour, across the front yard. The grandparents remained on the sidewalk and the grandchildren on the porch, responsibly maintaining social distancing protocols. Pictures were taken across the yard, more kisses blown and then the grandparents got in their car and drove away. 

The physical separation between grandparents and children was poignant. It was a very palpable reminder of how the virus has changed the most essential human interactions. It was also a juxtaposition to the CNN story I read in the morning which was accompanied by a cozy picture of a grandparent and child sharing an armchair. It is true that the circumstances of the two families are different. Our neighbors did not have to flee their home to escape the virus and the grandparents appeared to be in good health. However, I could not help but wonder which approach was right in these extraordinary times: being responsible and staying apart to protect the elderly in the family or taking the risk of coming together to take care of each other? Health care professionals would definitely insist on the first approach. Grandparents and grandchildren may beg to differ.

We do not celebrate Easter, but I thought the occasion provided an excuse for preparing these fried chops. Lamb chops are often featured in Easter menus. Since I only had goat chops in the fridge, we made do with that.

What You Need:

10-12 1 inch thick goat rib chops

1 tbsp + 1 tsp salt

11/2 tbsp ginger paste

1 tbsp garlic paste

1 tbsp cumin powder

1 tbsp coriander powder

1 tbsp garam masala powder

1 tsp ground white pepper

2 tbsp besan (gram flour) or corn starch

2 tbsp lemon juice

Oil for frying

Directions:

Wash goat chops and pat dry. 

Apply ginger-garlic paste and salt to chops. Set aside for half an hour.

Add chops to a pressure cooker or Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Cook in high pressure, with vent in sealed position for 5-6 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally.

Remove chops from the cooking liquid and place in a platter. Allow chops to rest for 10-15 minutes. 

Sprinkle chops with 1/2 tsp salt, masala powders, white pepper, and besan or corn starch, coating both sides of the chops evenly. Squeeze lemon juice over the chops.

Pour enough oil to coat the bottom of a medium skillet. Heat oil over medium heat.

Add the chops to the skillet and fry over medium heat. Do not crowd pan. Add more oil if the pan appears dry.

Cook chops about 2 minutes per side, turning once.

Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.