Vijaya: Modern Dualties
Vijaya Selvaraju is the go-to chef(ess) for the Marilyn Denis Show, a popular day-time show for the female viewers (one would think that females were now part of the masculine work-force and shouldn't be sitting at home watching day-time television, albeit to help them run better homes - which in itself is hypocritical since all those men can now apparently run circles around their wives when it comes to housework - but such is the hypocrisy of our modern era).
Vijay (as she's undoubtedly known in familiar circles) is a chef (although she'd love "chefess" even more). She travels the world, and of course our more constricted Canadian (and Ontorian) landscape, to partake of her recipes and culinary advice. She is also very adept at culling food information from wherever she goes. One could say, in a less generous spotlight, that she is very clever at using recipes she has found in her vagabond ways that she reproduces at her chefess appearances. Copyright pressures her to name her sources, but she is the one on the Marilyn Denis Show! And she wouldn't even link to her "Japanese Cheesecake" inspiration source on any of her "social media' sites.
Her multi-culti ethos forces her to "blend" her recipes. But if she had her way, she would be doing Indian Fusion ALL the time. But that doesn't pay. What Somali fan of Marilyn (or Hispanic, or Polish, or ....) would want an adulterated Indian Fusion recipe? "GIVE US THAT GLOBAL CANADIAN FARE" they would demand, their request coming in ALL CAPS. What they really mean is "Give me MY dish."
Marilyn has her on frequently. And since Vijay is a professional, she will come up with the right answers to Marilyn's untutored foodie questions. But she ALWAYS slips in her favorite spices: her cumin and coriander and cloves and turmeric.
Vijay is modern. She as comfortable in a mini-skirt as she is in a sari. But make not mistake about her loyalties. Her Facebook and Instagram posts are full of her travels to her "homeland," where she pays tribute to her gods and goddesses.
"It's only a matter of time" she would proclaim her fervent belief that Canada become an uncomplicated haven of Hindu celestials. "We can accommodate you, including your Allah and your Jesus. We are the true multiculturals. We are the real Canadians."
Oatmeal Upma
From: The Canadian Family
Vijaya, an adventurous and dynamic self-taught cook, loves to put a twist on traditional meals. One of her favourite warm breakfast recipes is her Oatmeal Upma. Check it out below! Or click here to watch Vijaya’s cooking demonstration.And of course Vijaya's mom is an infrequent (but prominent) guest and co-chef: Vijaya and her adorable mom whip up delicious dosas
Ingredients
3, 28g Sachets Quaker® Regular Instant Oatmeal (approx. 1 cup)
1 tsp, Ghee
1 small Onion, finely chopped
2 Thai Chilis, split lengthwise
1/4 cup, finely cubed Carrots
1/4 cup, Frozen Peas
1/4 cup, Fried/Roasted Cashews
1.5 cups, Water
Salt to Taste
Chopped fresh Coriander to garnish
Directions
In a small frying pan on medium-high heat, toast Quaker® Regular Instant Oatmeal for 2-3 minutes until slightly golden with a nutty aroma. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.In the same pan, add Ghee. Add Onion, Ginger and Chilis and sauté until softened. Then add Carrots and Peas, and sauté for 2 minutes to make vegetables tender. Add Roasted Cashews, Water, and Salt to Taste. Increase heat to high, and bring mixture to a rolling boil.Once boiling, drop heat to medium, and stir in toasted Oatmeal. Continue stirring mixture for 6-7 minutes, until almost all the water has been absorbed and the mixture takes on the texture of a thick porridge.Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped Coriander. Serve immediately. Enjoy! :)