Here's the beef

My friend Vamsi arrived in America many years ago from Chennai (formerly Madras), India, to attend college at the University of Iowa in Ames. Pretty soon, his favorite eating place was Perkins Restaurant, and his favorite dish was chicken fried steak. There was only one problem. Unknown to this Hindu, chicken fried steak was actually not chicken. It was beef, a forbidden food. He never could tell from the taste because he always smothered the dish with lots of gravy. Finally, after 4 1/2 years of college, he made the discovery. He now wonders how and when he will be punished for these multiple violations!

Meanwhile, just this week, a friend reports that, in honor of Diwali, the company where she works is serving Tamarind Masala Meatloaf. Really. Picture included. Hopefully, the White House was a bit more culturally correct.