Aman Palod

“Half a world away in the heart of Victoria, I find comfort in a humble dish that makes me nostalgic of home: poha. These are flattened rice flakes with robust Indian spices mixed with diced onions and dash of lime and a sprinkle of coriander. And the showstopper is the the absolutely essential crispy noodles, or ‘sev,’ delicately sprinkled atop the poha, adding a delightful crunch to every mouthful. This takes me back to the lazy mornings in my hometown of Indore.

Back home, the day begins with a freshly made batch of poha, a staple breakfast that fuels the days of people. As an internatinals student, I like to treat myself with poha on the weekends or holidays, which takes me back down the memory lane.

Despite the regional shift, the ingredients for making poha are mostly available in Victoria, thanks to the international section of Walmart of any nearby Indian store. With a quick 5-10 minute cooking process, I can recreate the flavors of home with ease.

I find comfort in the knowledge that no matter how far I roam, a taste of home is never too far away.”