Quality Living Styles

My mother-in-law, Parasathy Pather was a loving, devoted mother to her 2 sons and family. She was a meticulous housekeeper and an excellent cook.

Apart from traditional Indian cooking, she made several western styled dishes, innovative for an Indian housewife in the early 1950's.

On this Mothers day, we celebrate her cooking expertise, by publishing the first, of her many recipes. It is a recipe for Spicy Macaroni and Cheese, a firm favorite with the family.

About Parasathy Pather

Apart from cooking delicious food, my mother-in-law enjoyed Indian classical music, liked to read, knit, cook and enjoyed all her grandchildren. She was known as Aya, to her 6 grandchildren. She liked sweet treats and supplied these to her grand-kids as well. Her hospitality and love for us was expressed by constant offers of snacks, candy, drinks, nuts and so forth. Her sons joked that she could kill someone with her kindness.

Unfortunately, for the past 15 years my mother-in-law has been a victim of Alzheimer's disease. As the disease progressed, her mental condition deteriorated to the extent that it became increasingly difficult to care for her at home. She now lives in a nursing home in South Africa.

Her younger son and family visit her regularly and often take her home and on drives to the beach. There are occasional visits by the extended family. A full time nurse-aid provides companionship and care as well. She no longer recognizes my family or the grandchildren that she adored. It is sad to see her this way.

So What's So Special About Macaroni and Cheese, You May Ask ?

At a time when most Indian homes cooked the traditional Indian meals, my mother-in-law introduced macaroni and cheese to the family, an entirely new dish. An outstanding feature of her meals, was her cooking of western dishes and adapting some of them with Indian spices. An Indian woman, cooking in the western style in South Africa in the late 1950's-1970's, was extremely rare. My mother-in-law's meals were always delicious and I still miss some of her curries, especially Pooli Curry. This is a mixed vegetable curry, spicy and a little tangy.

The Macaroni & Cheese dish is enjoyed by children and adults alike. Many of us have gone on to make some changes to this recipe, but we acknowledge her as introducing us to macaroni and cheese

If you have any questions, comments, or would like to celebrate your mother as well, submit a recipe of your own via email to me, Nirmala, at:
I will respond to inquiries. The site will be regularly updated with tasty recipes and hints and tips. You will find my contact information at Contact