By: Sheenam Dhingra Tagged Begintowrite, Creativehealing Creative Writing, Dosa, Empathy, Food, Foodlover, Therapy, Writer, Writingexercise
It is amazing how associating your favorite dish with your qualities can tell you so much about yourself. Sharing this creative piece written in one of our Atman sessions by Sheenam Dhingra.
Let’s jump straight to the directions! (Since the chef is always too eager to serve and has nothing else to offer and thus, prefers to do this compulsively out of the fear of being left out)
- After you are done crying at 2 AM, with sleepy eyes, messy bun, and drooping shoulders drag yourself and look for the Rava of empathy in your pantry yet again!
- Mix this Rava with a little bit of plain flour of emotions and rice flour of compassion along with water to make a batter. Do not bother about the quantities since you are too generous and also, you suck at math!
- Some other chef would have mixed it gently but you must do it a little harshly since everything nowadays requires effort and also it will rather look dramatic!
- Do not wait for the mix to rest since you must always be eager to serve your ‘Empathy Dosa’. Don’t worry if the mix is not soft enough, you can beat yourself up about that later!
- Now stare at the batter until you convince yourself it is okay. You may add a little water to underestimate your prior judgments.
- Add some tears you shed until this process and the batter will be just enough salty.
- Do not add any spices since you are too scared of criticism, rather add mild herbs and coriander to make it look appealing.
- Keep stirring the mixture just to get overworked!
- Now pour it over a well-oiled pan with a feeling of utter overwhelm and let it brown. Until that you could count your burn marks around your wrists just to feel a little more helpless about the process
- Stuff it lightly with mashed potatoes just to fit the bill, and brace yourself for upcoming comments!
- Separately, take the veggies of insecurities- in all kinds, colors, and textures, in every measure and degree and throw them in a pressure cooker with lentils and spices!
- Add water and let the concoction boil for as long as you want until it reduces to smell like the most certain ‘self-doubt’!
- Plate it immediately in haste and now serve it to people without considering if they are really hungry or not! You must take all their reviews to your heart!
- Then try altering the recipe and technique just to expect a better reception next time. You are free to second guess your plating as well!
This has been my recipe for my ‘Empathy Dosa’! This is how I had made it day in and day out and with this plate in my hand I had waited all throughout the day to offer it to people who were least interested, least needed it, or sometimes even those who simply were not hungry enough!
But I would still stuff them with my ‘Empathy Dosa’, note their comments on texture and taste, and then bring them some more instantly. I wondered if this Dosa loop would go on endlessly…