At the center of her kitchen sits the Anjarai Petti (the spice box). This circular tin is a microcosm of Indian history. There is for healing, mustard seeds for tempering, and cloves that tell tales of ancient trade routes. Meera doesn't use measuring spoons; she uses andaz —a culinary intuition passed down from her grandmother. She knows by the sound of the popping seeds exactly when the oil is hot enough. The Midday Symphony