After spending a whole day at JJS Village in Khurpatal soaking in the breathtaking and quiet surroundings and relishing some amazing Kumaoni dishes with Hemant Ji and his family, the following day we joined them for a hearty breakfast. First we went on a farm tour with Hemant Ji's Son Tanuj. From there we went to meet her aunt Hansa Ji, a retired teacher and a social worker who has been conferred with the President's Award.
In due course of the conversation, she shared so many fascinating details about the traditions and food of the place. Soon after it was time for breakfast so we joined Sneha and Hemant Ji's wife in the kitchen. They started with making the lauki ka raita. Next was the turn of aalu ke gutke. Once the fragrant potato stir fry was done, Sneha went on to fry the puris. While that was being done we went to join Hemant ji showed us around their 200 years old ancestral home and also shared with us some anecdotes about Uttarakhand.
Finally the breakfast was laid and the sight of the golden yellow potato stir fry and the puffed up masala puri filled our hearts with joy. The stir fry made with homegrown organic potatoes and jakhiya was divine. The raita added a refreshing touch to the meal.
Sneha brought some native cucumber slices and fresh coriander flavoured pistun loon. The flavoured salt smeared juicy and crunchy cucumber was fun to have. After the meal we enjoyed a cup of tea with one of our favourite Kumaoni foods, Singhal, along with some chocolate and singori.
Enjoying such a gratifying meal amidst the picturesque location was a blissful experience. Finally we bid them goodbye and headed to our next destination.