Repressive Sugar, Patriarchal Spice and Everything Disallowed and Nice

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A crisis in my life, an unbelievable conversation with a dear friend and an evening of unnecessary research, got me thinking about this topic. Patriarchy and chauvinism, and how accepted and normal it is in my country, and even around the world. Though the most apparent form of patriarchy, domestic violence has decreased, other vile forms still exist.
Take double standards for example. A man socialises with a few too many women, it is masculine and desirable. A woman does the same and she is labelled a loose woman. The brother going out for a drink with his friends is the norm. The sister even contemplating the same is disrespectful to her family. A young boy is taught to be proud of his body and use it as a weapon of intimidation. A young girl is taught to hide her body and protect it from harm. Though the occasional sprinkling of liberal families exist, most would have their daughters "innocent", "untouched" and "pure", as if they were objects that could be locked in glass cases, rather than human beings with desires and warm blood. 
Feminist groups may claim that this patriarchy rests on the shoulders of the men of the society. I would like to argue otherwise. The men imposed this on us in the past. True. But the tradition of sexual repression, shame, social regression and gender discrimination has been upheld by the women themselves. It has been passed down from mother to daughter as societal norm under a facade of family values and good upbringing. Women themselves have come to accept this patriarchal behaviour as correct and desirable. Adhering to them makes one a lady from a decent family and non adherence makes you a woman gone astray from "one of those ultra-modern families".

Two Greek goddesses perfectly explain this dichotomy that is the perfect woman.

Artemis, daughter of Zeus and Leto, twin sister of Apollo and the goddess of wilderness, animals, virginal innocence, chastity and childbirth represents the supposed 'ladylike virtues' of protecting one’s innocence and ‘saving oneself’. Artemis is eternally childlike in her physique and her temperament. She condemns willful sexual excesses and is the symbol for restraint. She smites down all men who dare look upon her with lust.



Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus and Dione and the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, sexuality and procreation, on the other hand, represents lack of these virtues. Aphrodite has never been a child. She rose from the sea an infinitely desirable adult, irresistible to men. She was unfaithful to her husband and took numerous lovers-gods and men alike, promoting sexual freedom. She is defiantly attracted to dangerous partners like Ares, the volatile god of war.

Inspite of being fathered by the same god, these sisters are the very symbols of what society today labels a lady and a harlot. They also inspired me to provide recipes for two classic desserts – the ever proper Creme Brulee and the ever sinful Cherry Crumble Pie.


ARTEMIS' CREME BRULEE

Ingredients:

Cream                  500 ml
Castor Sugar        100 g +50 g
Egg Yolks              6 nos.
Vanilla Pod           1 no.

Method:
  • Mix 100 g of sugar and egg yolks together without foaming.
  • Boil cream with vanilla seeds.
  • Whisk boiling cream into the egg yolk mixture and stir till thick.
  • Pour the custard into small ramekins and steam for 30-40 minutes.
  • Sprinkle remaining sugar on top and caramelise with a blowtorch.



APHRODITE'S RUSTIC CHERRY CRUMBLE PIE

Ingredients:

FOR CRUST
Flour                                                     300 g
Castor Sugar                                         100 g
Butter                                                   200 g

FOR FILLING
Pitted Maraschino/Sour Cherries        500 g
Grain Sugar                                          250 g

FOR CRUMBLE
Flour                                                    100 g
Grain Sugar                                          50 g
Butter                                                   60 g

Method:
  • Prepare a shortcrust dough by rubbing together all the ingredients for the crust.
  • Cook the cherries with sugar and a few drops of water till jammy for the pie filling.
  • Rub the ingredients for the crumble to form pea sized crumbs.
  • Line a pie tin with the shortcrust dough.
  • Pour in the filling and bake at 180oC for 20-30 minutes.
  • Sprinkle crumble on top and bake for 10 mins more.


Choose which dessert is your divine match or try the virtues and sins of both. Enjoy!

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