Bread pakoda or Vada pav? Maybe both....

 "Guys, I am hungry, let us order Vada pav!" Said my boss in the middle of the meeting. 

All 10 of us heaved a sigh of relief after an intense discussion on what our boss thought to be the next big business idea. 

As he looked around the room to gauge the interest levels in Vada pav, and maybe take the headcount, we nodded one by one. 

My mind drifted to the origins (or atleast what I have heard of the origins) of this "mighty" dish in Mumbai. Humble and hardworking mill workers would get a short break from the day's grind and would often search for something which they could grab and eat quickly, before they are called upon to return to the work. Thus came into the picture a simple Batata vada (non mumbaikar's read: potato patty) placed in a simple bun by tearing it open. Made interesting with a garlic based dry "chutney" and spiced up with a fried green chilli....that's how the world got its first Vada pav. 

"...haan to aloo wala bread pakoda hi ho gaya na, phir kya badi baat ho gayi " was the reaction of my friend from Delhi bringing a sudden death to my story about this magnificent dish which continues to satiate the hunger of thousands of time-pressed mumbaikars everyday. 

"Tu nahin samjhega..." I reverted with a hopeless look. 

Perhaps the quintessential bread pakoda of Delhi serves a similar purpose and brings about the same kind of joy to the lives of countless Delhi-ites who love to pair it with the evening tea (ofcourse, adrak waali). Equally quick to prepare, may or may not be packing the "bhishm pitamah" of all indian preparations aka "aloo", served with some basic chutneys and sometimes a side of a very Delhi thing called "mooli ka laccha" !

I smacked my lips as my mind wandered back to the meeting room in Mumbai. 

The trainee sitting next to me nudged gently. " Accha hota hai kya?...try karun?" 

"Dilli se?" I asked. He nodded. 

"..Mumbai ka bread pakoda..." I said reassuringly. 

The trainee nodded enthusiastically as the boss's gaze finally fell on him. 

"Great, so 11 Vada pav and chai"! I ordered. Boss bhi toh khayenge!