Masala Memoirs
Born in the Breadbasket
Manisha Patel didn’t board a flight from India to raise her family in the U.S.—she was born and raised in Sacramento, California, nestled in America’s agricultural heartland. “We’ve always had access to fresh produce and nuts, year-round,” she says. It’s a quiet nod to the abundance that shaped her palate and parenting philosophy: local, fresh, and home-cooked where possible.
While she grew up surrounded by classic American ingredients, Manisha’s home was flavored with Indian values, vegetarian meals, and multigenerational support systems. “There was never a conflict between being Indian and being American—we just found a rhythm that made space for both.”
Parenting in Parallel Cultures
Manisha has two children—a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old, both born in the U.S. She worked through both pregnancies and toddlerhood while balancing a flexible job at a hotel. “I had a good support system—family and friends who pitched in,” she recalls. Unlike many pregnancy stories filled with midnight cravings and strange food pairings, hers was more subdued. “No cravings, just steady eating,” she laughs.
The contrast between raising children in India versus the U.S. isn’t lost on her. “Playdates and rigid routines are such a big deal here. In India, playtime feels more spontaneous and life less scheduled.” Still, her own family’s approach has mirrored Indian norms in many ways: shared responsibilities, multigenerational caregiving, and a strong sense of presence around mealtime. “In both cultures, when family shows up, things work.”
When Khichdi Meets the Pediatrician
Manisha began feeding her children khichdi as their first solid food. But this didn’t come without tension. “There were clear differences between what doctors said and what our elders believed. For instance, Indian postpartum wisdom says no yogurt, while Western doctors recommend probiotics.”
Still, she’s navigated both worlds with care. “I believe in variety and moderation. Whether it’s tradition or science, the point is to raise healthy eaters with balanced plates and open minds.”
A House Where Spaghetti and Sabzi Coexist
Sabzi is a cooked vegetable, generally eaten with rice or bread
There isn’t a single “favorite dish” in Manisha’s household. On any given night, the table might feature Indian curries, Mexican enchiladas, or Italian pastas. “We like everything—and luckily, the kids do too.”
They eat out around once a week, and even that’s intentional. “We avoid fast food, mostly because I want them to know that cooking at home means less sodium and better health. Plus, with six of us at home, it’s just easier to eat in.”
Vegetarian by Culture, Not Compulsion
The Patels are a vegetarian family—but not one that enforces it like a rulebook. “It’s up to our kids. We’ve raised them vegetarian, but we also believe they should make their own choices,” she explains. What matters more is that they understand food—where it comes from, how it feels in their bodies, and how to nourish themselves.
And cooking? Non-negotiable. “I do most of it now, but it’s very important to me that they learn. I want our recipes to survive, and I don’t want them depending on restaurants or spouses to feed themselves.”
A Taste of Balance
Manisha’s story isn’t about sticking to a script—it’s about blending heritage with health, tradition with choice, and home-cooked food with American convenience. In her kitchen, khichdi and quesadillas don’t clash. They coexist—like the cultures her children are growing up in.
At the heart of it all is a quiet confidence. “I don’t stress about doing everything the ‘right’ way. I just focus on doing what’s right for us.”