April 21st, 2016 was devastating for me. It was the day Minnesota's heart broke with the death of our Prince.

It's almost a month since that day and I may or may not still be mourning the tragic loss of Minnesota's, (and the rest of the world), but mostly Minnesota's beloved Prince Rogers Nelson. His passing was a tragic loss to the world and our community, but what made it bearable was the amazing amount of love, music, art, and other inspirations that were born from this tragedy. I was lucky enough to be able to witness and be a part of the thousands of Minnesotans gathering at 1st Avenue in downtown MPLS the night he died, and be surrounded by all the love and purple energy radiating from everyone’s hearts. It was magic. Purple magic.

After weeks of incessantly listening to Prince’s music and watching his videos I decided I needed to say goodbye and have some closure by doing something to pay tribute. Some people wrote stories about the time they met him, and some people wrote letters, poems, songs, and created works of art in a variety of forms. I knew whatever I do as tribute must come from my heart, so I made the one thing I knew my heart was filled with. Curry! Purple curry and purple Paratha Roti to be exact.

I used purple potatoes in my curry and it was amazing! It had a slight sweetness that complimented the curry well. For the Roti, I just added a few drops of purple dye. I predict that purple potatoes will be all the rage in the twin cities food scene soon.

The Purple Curry and Roti was my way of paying tribute and saying goodbye to Prince, and it really did help me find closure. It also tasted amazing because purple love went into making it.

Rest in Purple and Power Prince!

Love

Amanda Khan

Almost everyone everywhere will tell you that curry is one of the most amazing smells on this good earth - but no one wants to smell like it!

Smelling like curry outside of your house is like announcing that you are: 1. Here 2. Ethnic and 3. Foreign - everyone looks at you like you have personally imposed on their life.

If you have long hair? Curry will cling to your hair like my nephew clings to his mom - hanging on for dear life. The worst is when the elevator doors shut and cut off the supply of new air. The air quickly goes from fresh to ethnic in 2.3 seconds and everyone gives you the side-eye of shame. Amirite?! Once, I was actually told that smelling like curry is unprofessional?!

ATTENTION OFFICE PEOPLE: Stop glaring at me while I am heating up my lunch. Heating up your Cup-O-Noodles after I’ve just reheated my chicken curry in the microwave is NOT the same as heating up anything fish! Your Cup-O-Noodles will not taste like curry, but it sure will taste like fish!

It’s refreshing to meet someone who appreciates the smell of curry so much that in the most random of places, like the nightclub, he is able to sift through the Chanel Chance you practically showered in to cover up that curry smell and say: “You smell good…did you make curry today?” I think the next question we can all agree on should be, “will you marry me?”

I think it is time to stop being embarrassed of smelling too “ethnic.” It’s OK to shut your bedroom door and open a window while you cook to avoid all your clothes in your closet smelling like curry, but the next time you let you hair down from being in a high bun all day and the fragrant released is curry, just smile and appreciate that you had the best lunch at work today - and now everyone knows it.

FYI- Curry scented perfume is actually a thing.