“One of the greatest gifts you can give people is to cook for them”
~ Ina Garten
.
.
My passion for cooking and being in the kitchen started at a very early age, as I vividly remember cooking midnight meals with my cousins during school days. In “those days” in India ready-made snacks and treats weren’t as varied, exotic and readily available as they are today so we reverted to using any ingredient available in the pantry. My biggest inspiration in cooking has been my mother. She is the reason I have been encouraged to experiment with spices and recipes. Many of my traditional Indian recipes have their roots from my mother’s style of cooking. However as my own tastes and foodie experiences have evolved and broadened, I have altered and personalised the style of cooking and recipes over time to suit modern palates and the limited time available for preparing meals in our busy lives today.
Growing up in a large vegetarian family, food has always been of prime importance to me – it should be fresh, have variety and appeal to the taste buds. Styling of food is one thing I am very particular about, as I feel that the first impression someone forms when looking at the presentation on a dinner table is as important as the taste of the food – and both always go together.
My go-to food has always been Indian cuisine, as that is what I have grown up with and is my comfort food – but I love exploring all cuisines, especially Lebanese, Oriental and Italian dishes.
My family has been my biggest source of support and encouragement as well as are my biggest critics. They have always been willing to try all of my experimental food and have given their honest feedback (not necessarily constructive or always welcome, but still taken on board by me!! ). I have been fortunate to have a family which appreciates my cooking and rarely complain about the meals I prepare for them.
Living in London for over two decades, cooking is now no longer a necessity for me but a source of therapy. Whenever I feel stressed or overwhelmed with everyday life pressures, I focus my energies on cooking which always relaxes me. The three wonderful men in my life relish the outcome of such days because instead of being met with moodiness and emotional outbursts at the end of the day, they get a feast with a variety of new dishes to sample!!
Local, seasonal and sustainable – these words may be on-trend today, but that has always been a long tradition of vegetarian cooking. One of the main reasons to create this platform is to curate menus and recipes, inspire home cooking and nudge families around the world towards a more ethical, environmental, healthy and delicious table. Food is the medicine, both for the soul and the heart. Nothing compares to the enjoyment of sitting at a beautifully presented table, eating delicious food with loved ones and leaving worries and stress at the door even if it is just for a little while. My aim is to show everyone, no matter how much time, skill or tableware they have – anyone and everyone can prepare and present wonderful dishes!
I would like to dedicate POETRY OF SPICES to my gurus and mentors – my mother for introducing me to the culinary world, and my mother-in-law for encouraging me always. Without their guidance, support and occasional scolding, I would not have reached this far in life.
Thank you Mums for being you!!
