prawn ghee pepper roast

Of Prawns, Love, and a Little Foodie Mischief

Taking food pictures in winter is like playing a game you know you’ll lose but still insist on playing. The food, no matter how sizzling hot it starts off, ends up looking like it just walked out of a deep freeze by the time the perfect shot is framed. And yet, we do it—again and again—because, well, Instagram isn’t going to feed itself, is it?

But let’s take a moment to appreciate all the relentless food photographers out there. The ones who balance a fork in one hand, a camera in the other, and a hungry spouse breathing down their neck, waiting for permission to eat. You are the real MVPs.

Speaking of hungry spouses, let’s talk about Parth, my personal culinary daredevil. If food were a jungle, he’d be the fearless explorer, willing to try anything that doesn’t bite back. Me? The delicate princess with a list of nakhras (preferences) long enough to scare away the bravest of chefs.

It was during our courtship days that he dragged me to a tiny restaurant in Pune, one of those hidden gems that had no printed menu, only verbal poetry recited by a waiter who clearly had the memory of a sage. Everything on the menu seemed suspiciously peppery—as if the chef had a personal vendetta against bland food. I, of course, wanted my safe zone Prawns Koliwada.

Parth, ever the adventurer, ordered a Prawn Ghee Pepper Roast. I scrunched my nose, skeptical. He grinned, knowing fully well that my resistance would crumble the moment the aroma hit my nose. And oh, did it hit! The warm ghee, the sharp kick of pepper, the juicy prawns glistening invitingly… My fork magically found its way to his plate before I could even process my betrayal of loyalty to Koliwada prawns.

Fast forward to today. I tried to recreate that dish. Did I nail it? Who knows! Memory plays tricks—sometimes you forget the exact taste, but somehow, at the same time, you remember exactly how it made you feel.

One thing I do know—Parth stole half the prawns before I could even plate them for pictures.

Me: "Babe, at least let me take the damn picture!"

Parth (chewing happily): "You should’ve clicked faster. Winter problems, no?"

I may have accidentally whacked him with a kitchen towel after that.

But let’s be real—I wouldn’t trade my food-loving, menu-card-ignoring, prawn-stealing husband for anything in the world. Not even for a piping hot plate of Prawn Ghee Pepper Roast that actually stays hot for the photos. ❤️