Confession time-while I am a vegetarian, I have a complicated relationship with eggs. I detest the smell and taste of eggs but am willing to have food with eggs in them provided I cannot taste or smell the eggs! I do bake cakes and desserts with eggs but am almost OCD with how I clean up after makng sure there is no residual smell behind.

Eggs are not against my animal cruelty philosophy as you don’t have to kill the hen to get the egg. Ok the life in the egg is killed but it is not technically alive yet. Yes/No? Also caged farming in egg production is also bad for the hens so I try to get cage free eggs as much as possible. Hypocrisy? Maybe…..

I know there can be a whole argument about it but that is topic for another discussion.

So today’s morning culinary class was all about the many forms of egg preparation such as French Rolled Omelette, Boild eggs, Poached Eggs, Frittata, Sunny Side Up,Over Easy-you name it the class probably did it. As I am doing a vegetarian culinary program, this class was not part of my curriculum but my curious and learning mind did a battle with my egg sensitivities and the curiosity won and I decided to observe the class and take down notes.

Besides, my husband Dash loves his eggs runny and his sunny side up so I thought I will try to watch and learn and attempt to make it (perhaps by wearing a mask so I dont smell it?)

Anyway I drifted in and out of the class (whenever the smell became too much) and managed to get some notes which I think I can practise once home!

Our afternoon chocolate class got cancelled as the instructor had an emergency so watched a macaron class for a while and then left for the day.

On a different, more egg-free note, cycle wallas (vendors on bicycles) are aplenty in Mumbai. They go around daily offering different kind of foods straight to people’s offices and homes. In the mornings it is often idlis and vadas with sambar and chutney.

Raja, the resident Idli Cycle Walla at the Academy came with his wares and I decided to try it. 4 Idlis (or vadas or any combination thereof) on a paper plate with Sambar and Chutney for 20 Rupee (RM1.15). It was delicious and the idlis, though a little small, were tangy and the condiments accompanying it tasty! Definitely a thumbs up.

Food options are a plenty in Mumbai. In addition to all the restaurants and street food, there are also ladies who cook food and provide tiffin lunches for anyone who wants it. Its called Ghar ka Khana (Home Food) and my lunch today was from a lady called Malathi. 4 Chapatis and a Dhall and Baingan Bharta (Eggplant curry) for Rupee 250 (RM14.50).

The food was fantastic, fresh and flavorful! I absolutely loved it and definitely another thumbs up too!

Learnt that our exams in January will involve theory and practical and it is not going to be a walk in the park! So have to working on my notes and remembering recipes as we would need to write everything down on top of preparing the food.