Whenever
we traveled to the Berkshire Mountains in Western Massachusetts to see Mark’s
parents, we made sure the visit included a meal at Bombay Bar and Grill in the
Black Swan Inn in Lee. Most
times, we took his parents Jim and Dorothy with us and, once, we were joined by
his Aunt Naoma and Uncle Charles (Jim’s twin brother).
When Jim
died eight years ago, the whole family gathered there for a meal – there must
have been close to 20 of us, with Mark’s mother front and center, surrounded by
all, helping her begin her next phase of life.
After
that, we made sure each visit we had with Dorothy included a meal at Bombay, at
a table in the glassed porch overlooking Laurel Lake. She harbored pleasant
recollections of eating Indian food in Great Britain, where she lived as an 8-year-old in
1929.
Our last
visit to Bombay with Dorothy was in summer 2014, after a day visiting the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Our fondest memory of that day
was realizing that, while Dorothy, at 93, was indeed getting older and
physically more frail, her mind and wit were sharp as ever.
We were
in the Impressionist wing of the Clark in front of a Monet painting, when Dorothy
started to fiddle, reaching to find her glasses. Mark leaned over her wheelchair
and said, “The glasses won’t help – it’s still Impressionist.” It was
a joy to hear her laugh at Mark’s joke.
Following
that busy day, which included a very large lunch, we took Dorothy back to her
place and said, “Well, you probably want some rest… we’ll see you
tomorrow.” Without
skipping a beat, she said, “I’m fine. I want to go out for dinner. Let’s
go to the Indian restaurant.” So, out to Bombay we went.
That
evening, Dorothy ate us under the table – she ate a third of the table’s appetizer, and her entire
entrée of
Chicken Aam Walla (my favorite) while Mark and I shared a different dish. She also had a pint, while we
had wine.
Just
weeks ago, Dorothy left this world for her next adventure. It was a very sad
time for all, and so hard to say goodbye. That evening, several of Mark’s siblings were able to join
us for one more meal at Bombay. We toasted Dorothy, and had the Chicken Aam
Walla.
This
recipe seems to be one of the restaurant owner’s own inventions, as I find no
references to it online or in my Indian cookbooks. Today, I have made my
version – it is quite simple and so very
flavorful. Browning the onions is important to the flavor of the dish, so don’t stop when they are merely caramelized. Bombay
uses cream in their version; I opted for coconut milk. Both are good.
Dorothy
would approve.
Chicken Aam Walla, My Version
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Design by Themeshift.
John | heneedsfood
August 29, 2015 at 10:40 pmDorothy looks so happy in that photo. I'm so sorry to hear that she passed. I think Bombay Bar & Grill will always be a special place to you all; full of memories of much food, drinking and laughter.
Thanks for sharing this recipe, David. I'd be eating this alone, in met household, as Dean can't stand mango. More for me!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 2:33 pmWell, eating an entire dish of something is just a sacrifice we sometimes need to make. So sorry that Dean can't abide mango – such an innocuous fruit – makes me wonder if he has an allergic reaction to it?
We had so many happy visits there with Dorothy and family. It's nice to have a place to go that feels like "home."
Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things
August 29, 2015 at 11:56 pmI loved the family photographs you have shared here, David, thank you. The recipe sounds amazing. Mango and chicken, wow!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 2:35 pmThanks, Liz – glad you like the photos, and the recipe!
Provence WineZine
August 30, 2015 at 6:54 amWonderful post and photos, underscoring the importance of tradition and making the most of our moments together with the people who mean the most to us. Thanks for sharing. ( and the recipe looks yummy!)
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 2:36 pmFood and memory are so closely connected, Susan – and this will always be Dorothy's Mango Chicken, to me.
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness
August 30, 2015 at 9:52 amDear David, so very sad to read that Mark´s mother has passed away – my very sincere condolences – the pictures of her and the lovely story you shared with all of us is so heart warming and special that I feel a bit awkward writing about your chicken recipe – but the restaurant sounds like a wonderful place to share a meal with family and friends and re-live a lot of happy and priceless memories!
Please make sure to express our sincere condolences to Mark,
Andrea & family
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 2:38 pmThanks, Andrea – Mark will see your sweet condolences as soon as he opens his computer this morning – we are still rare in that we share an email address, and have since the beginning of the internet! We will always think of family when we have this dish… Liebe Grüße, David
Chef Mimi
August 30, 2015 at 1:01 pmwhat a lovely post. i love the impressionist joke! she seems like she was a special lady. i'm really intrigued with this recipe – that's a lot of mango!!!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 2:39 pmYes, Mimi – it is a lot of mango, but it really smooths out into the sauce and doesn't overwhelm. The browned onions really make the difference. You can try it with one big mango, and then add more if you want.
DeeDee
August 30, 2015 at 4:58 pmThank you!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 7:39 pmYou are most welcome, DeeDee!
Anonymous
August 30, 2015 at 5:17 pmMmmmm…..I must get some mangoes when I go to town.
That photo of Dorothy is precious. I want to look like her when the time comes!
I don't know much about Indian food but what I have tried is so delicious. Yummy spices, and coconut milk, what could be better?
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 7:41 pmThanks, Caterina! Yes, when I grow up, I dream of looking half as good as Dorothy! I think you will like this dish – it is rather addictive!
Marcelle
August 30, 2015 at 5:21 pmVery sorry for your family's loss, David. She looks like she had a joyful spirit! What a lovely post!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 7:42 pmThanks, Marcelle! You kind words are heartwarming.
Towny
August 30, 2015 at 5:23 pmA very touching post. I am sure she is there in my spirit as you enjoy your meal and reflected upon her life.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 7:43 pmThanks, Towny. We definitely felt her with us that evening.
Caroline at Pinch Me, I'm Eating!
August 30, 2015 at 7:44 pmThis post almost made me cry. Beautiful photos and words. So sorry for your loss, and what a nice way to remember Dorothy.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 10:32 pmThanks, Caroline. I often find that food is a really nice way of remembering people, whether it is their recipe, or a meal shared.
I Wilkerson
August 30, 2015 at 8:15 pmSo sorry for your loss. But what lovely memories you have.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 30, 2015 at 10:33 pmThanks, Inger – we really appreciate your kind thoughts!
Cheri Savory Spoon
August 30, 2015 at 11:28 pmHi David, so sorry for yours and Marks loss, Mark's mom sounds like a very special lady, and so nice you guys created such special memories with her.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 31, 2015 at 2:32 pmThanks, Cheri – we found out form Mark
sister that Dorothy always thought of Bombay as "our" restaurant and she didn't do there with the other children. That makes it even more special now.
Unknown
September 1, 2015 at 5:19 amI was saddened to hear about Dorothys passing a few weeks ago. That's a lovely photo of her, I hope to look as good!
I tersting dish this, I've never really come across mangoes in a Indian dish as such, we use mangoes a lot in chutneys, pickles and as meat tenderisers.
Aam waala refers to a mango seller, so maybe the mango seller had this recipe? It sounds wonderful. I LOVE curry leaves, so any recipe with curry leaves is an instant favourite.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 1, 2015 at 2:57 pmThanks for telling me the etymology of Aam Walla (Waala), Nazneen – perhaps the restaurant's misspelling of waala made it harder for me to find! You really need to try this recipe!
Nuts about food
September 1, 2015 at 10:27 amJust a few words and lovely pictures made me feel the loss of a woman I never met. It is not just your cooking that is divine…
Cocoa & Lavender
September 1, 2015 at 2:58 pmThank you, Fiona – what a sweet comment.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
September 1, 2015 at 5:14 pmI'm sorry to read of Dorothy's passing. She seems like she lived life to the fullest. I'm sure she was smiling down on the two of you as you enjoyed her favorite dish.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 4, 2015 at 2:55 pmThanks for your kind thoughts, Karen.
Valentina
September 2, 2015 at 5:31 pmWhat a lovely woman – I'm guessing that her smile can brighten an entire room. I will definitely try this recipe — mangoes are at the top of my favorite food list!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 4, 2015 at 2:57 pmThanks, Valentina – I know you will love the mangoes in this dish! (You made me look up the plural of mango, as I have always used mangos… turns out, both are correct!)
Unknown
September 14, 2015 at 12:32 pmSo sorry to hear of Dorothy's passing condolences to you and Mark. She looks like a lovely lady in the photo with the pilsner in the forefront. My kind of lady.
I adore Indian food, but have never heard of this dish. Anything with mangoes is divine…thanks for sharing!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 14, 2015 at 1:24 pmThank you for your sweet and kind thoughts! I really think this was a made-up dish by the owners of the restaurant – which is fine with me, as long as I can make it at home!
Colette (Coco)
September 18, 2015 at 6:04 pmI don't know HOW I missed this one, D. What a lovely story and delicious dish. I'm picking up some mango tonight. I have to try this. xoxo
Cocoa & Lavender
September 19, 2015 at 5:04 pmThanks, Colette! I think you posted a note on Facebook! Glad you are going to try this – it is a winner!
Cathleen | My Culinary Mission
September 20, 2015 at 2:43 amSuch a wonderful post, David. Mark's mom looks like a gem – lovely picture of her. Loved the joke about the Monet painting. Your Indian fare (we love Indian food) looks delicious!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 20, 2015 at 4:38 amThanks for your sweet comment, Cathleen. Mark's mother was pretty quick, and had a really sharp sense of humor.
I hope you make the Aam Waala someday – I assure you it's worth it!
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