This post is dedicated to my Vellore friends Riswana, Yasmin, Balgees, Rasiya, Sumaiya, Rubeena, Irfana, Mosina, Anjum, Ruksana, Naseem, Nazima, Salma, Salma Aunty, Subedha Aunty, Shahidha Aunty, Aarif, Aftab, Altaf, Adhip, Shawir Bhaiya……………………………..

I grew up in a perfect Muslim dominated area. My Mommy has several Museleom friends. I got cooking inspiration right from Shahidha aunty, Subedha and Salma aunty.

It is Indian custom to sit on the floor for eating. Pappa says there is lot of scientific benefits while we are dinning so. It seems it gives nice exercise to one’s tummy. One would possibly not load fat in the stomach later. Makes sense!

When I visited my friend Naseem’s ghar for Bakrid (in her village – forgot the place). Almost every single day they all dinned on the floor. I thought its tradition to eat on the floor only on Ed. Anyway it was a different experience for me.

Otherwise I liked my other family friends dhawat. They make neat arrangements to sit on the floor. I like their etiquette’s. Generally in a Muslim family its self service. They spread their food in the centre. All the family members/gents alone/kids alone/ladies alone sit together in a circle. Using left hand for service is a regular custom.

Few rules to follow for dinning off the dinning table:

Clean the area(floor) with both wet and dry mob.

Use jute/mat/cloth/velvet/ any decorative spread. Make sure its clean and dry(free from spores/any filth)

Spray some room freshener.

Place clean white cloth in the centre. Then only spread your food items. Make sure everything is visible with glass top.(since its self service). Follow the same rule as in buffet. Like where to place centre piece, salad tray and dessert cups etc.

Leave enough forks and knives to the guests/family. Most of them hate eating with hands.

Removing shoes is custom when you dine down. So make necessary arrangements for that (off the dinning hall).

Its absolutely up to one to either squat and sit or just fold both the legs to one side.

Try this method of eating…..its quite diffenent experience! I really like this. So when ever I meet my friends….we make such dhawat. It would be extra special…if you plan something like Mughal cuisine!!!