So I have been trying to think about what to post that might actually impress them. It's difficult, because their whole life experience with food preparation is going back much further along the steps it takes for something to make it to the table.
For instance, they buy wheat from a wheat farmer, take it to someone who specializes in milling and grinding wheat, get it ground in different ways so they have some for making chapati and some for making batura. At home they keep lots of other grains like raggi (millet) and chawal (rice).
Growing up, I would often hear them express their disbelief that we could even live here in America, with the food being so bad. Even the carrots tasted bland to them. (It's true that every aspect and element of food in India is sooooo good... even the onions are better. The cucumbers are heaven. If you've been to Italy, think about any salad tomatoes you had there, and how you felt upon eating a tomato when you got back here.)
Nowadays, you get readymade pasta in India, but for a long time, it was difficult to come by, and my uncle had us bring him a pasta maker, and he even makes homemade pasta.
Nani (my grandmother) makes a sweet dish of reduced milk and dates that takes three days to finish. She makes floral-flavored syrups to mix with soda -- my favorites are jasmine and sandalwood.
Sometimes I feel pangs of regret for what we're losing in living our fast-paced, readymade lives. I don't like to think negatively, so I try always to think of what we've gained -- advancements in gender equality, for instance. And right now in America, people are realizing the importance of fresh, delicious produce, sitting down and eating together in community, getting your nutrition from real food instead of industrialized food, and there's even been a resurgence in gardening, canning, making homemade preserves, etc.
But I think when it comes to food, we've got nothing on the Old World.
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