Cooking with Dipsa

When I first met Dipsa, I instantly knew we would be fast friends. It had little to do with the fact that we were the only two women working at the Baripada office or (as I learned later) that our birthdays are one week apart. What I appreciated most about her, and still value very much, is her caring nature.

Dipsa is both a big sister and a dear friend. She taught me how to efficiently and thoroughly hand wash my clothes, a task that was new to me. She also introduced me to many aspects of Indian arts and culture. We often spend time together listening to the latest Hindi and Odia music (I have “Tauba Tauba” on repeat). It was therefore no surprise that I asked her to guide me when I decided to try Indian cooking.

Courtney Dipsa pose for a photo while eating chicken pakora. — Taste testing chicken pakora with Dipsa. Photo Credit: Sanjeeb Kumar Dey

I should mention here, for context, that one of my goals behind coming to India was to learn how to cook well. It is something I do merely to survive, but I want to start using food as a way to connect with others. India seemed like one of the best places to experiment with cooking because of the diversity and versatility of cuisines here. Cooking with Dipsa made sense because she loves to cook and I love to eat. She is also a wonderful teacher.

The author holds up a cup of milk coffee. — Experimenting with the ratio of milk powder to coffee powder. Photo Credit: Author

My first interactions with Dipsa in the kitchen were observing how she combined spices like coriander, cumin, and turmeric into pots. I was amazed by the range and use of those spices, mainly because I rarely use them in my own cooking. I also noticed how much her cooking style reminded me of my mother. Neither of them uses actual measurements to prepare their food, instead relying solely on smell, taste, and texture.

As time went on, Dipsa invited me to engage more in the cooking process. I would chop garlic and ginger, sometimes turn the poori over as it fried in oil. I once tried to roll chapatis, but all of mine turned out looking like sad ovals whereas all of hers were perfect circles. I have found that rolling chapatis takes practice. I feel thankful that I have many opportunities to make them since they are a staple at the dinner table. I even expect that my technique will improve dramatically by the time I leave Odisha.

Chapatis aside, Dipsa has guided me in cooking a range of other foods like vegetarian momos and chili mushrooms. I am gaining more independence in the kitchen and it has been exciting to learn new meals. This whole experience has been a lesson in vulnerability. I was hesitant to share my cooking with others at first, fearing they would find it it unpalatable. Fortunately everyone has been encouraging and gracious, and always ready to sample a new dish.

I recently decided that I should start recording my recipes in the form of a personalized cookbook. I want to be able to replicate these meals when I head back to the US. I expect that I will feel nostalgic for India at times, and knowing that I can use cooking as a comfort is reassuring. I also want to be able to share the diverse tastes of Indian cuisine with my loved ones back home. Restaurants are always an option, but sharing my own dishes would be a special experience. I have asked Dipsa to help me with recipes for my pocket cookbook and she has very kindly agreed. I love that I get to have this as a passion project outside of all the work I am doing with my host organization. It is even more meaningful to do it in collaboration with a friend. My Fellowship experience has always been about more than just deliverables. It is equally about cultural immersion and exchange. The process of making this cookbook has been a helpful reminder of that.

Author

Courtney Moore

Courtney developed a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of women and children by studying and working alongside under-resourced families across the United States and abroad. During her academic career, she independently researched topics ranging from harm reduction initiatives in Nepal to strategies for improving Black maternal health in the United States. This led Courtney to believe that the most transformative change happens at the policy level. She went on to hone her policy research and facilitation skills during her time as senior policy associate at Children’s Funding Project. There, she collaborated with state and local leaders to establish equitable, coordinated, and sustainable funding for child and youth services. Having recently come to a crossroads with a desire to expand her abilities, Courtney embarked on a journey to develop her international field experience and acquire new skill sets to more adeptly serve communities in need. Prior to the Fellowship, Courtney spent a year living and exploring Latin America. She volunteered on public health projects in Peru and Costa Rica, and is grateful for having deepened her understanding of health promotion and education in the context of those countries. She is excited to take all she knows about community-based development and policy-level interventions to her work as a Banyan Impact Fellow.

View all posts