A Date with Maggi

I still remember the day when Nestle came to our school to launch Maggi. I was in Class 2. They distributed free packets to all the children. It was on that very day, that my lifelong affair with Maggi took its very first baby step.


There was a time when the flavours of Maggi were numerous. Masala, Egg, Chicken, Capsika, Sweet & Sour, Sambar Spice, Lasagna... I relished most of these (my regular readers would know by now which one I hadn't tasted) when I was growing up.


Hostel changed my life in more ways than one. It was then that I started stocking Maggi packets, both noodles and soup, in my cupboard. I had a room heater and we've cooked full fledged meals when our classes would start and the mess would still be closed. But Maggi was the fallback option. ALWAYS.

In the late 90s, the Tastemaker for Maggi Masala changed considerably. It had a combination of garlic and coriander. I wasn't complaining, but I sure did miss the taste of good ol' Maggi. A few years later, they reverted to the original flavour. Good sense must have prevailed.

Over the years, I have modified the instructions on the packet and have had several successes. With the introduction of Maggi Vegetable Atta Noodles, the feeling that this may be junk food has also slipped into some dark corner. I haven't taken to the Dal Atta Noodles which is supposed to taste like Sambar. To a non native eater maybe, not to a seasoned tongue such as mine.

Here's a simple variation of Maggi Vegetable Atta Noodles.

Ingredients:

1 Packet Maggi Vegetable Atta Noodles

1 small Onion, chopped finely

1/4 of a Capsicum, chopped finely.

1/4 cup Mixed boiled vegetables (Peas, beans, corn, carrots)

1 tbsp Butter

1 slice Low Fat Cheese

1/4 cup Milk

1/4 tsp Garlic Paste

1 tsp Mayonnaise (optional)

Heat the butter in a saucepan and fry the onions and garlic. Add the chopped capsicum and fry for a minute. Add the contents of the tastemaker after 1-2 minutes and fry for a minute. Break the noodles into pieces and add to the mixture and fry for another minute. Add the boiled vegetables.

To this add 1.5 to 2 teacups (225 to 300 ml) of water and bring to a boil. Cook on high till the noodles are soft. Add the milk and cheese and blend in till the dish has a cheesy appearance. Add the mayo if you wish at this point.

Enjoy this as it is, or with toast. You'll begin to see Maggi in a different light after this experience.