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Homemade ginger garlic paste with turmeric, salt, and oil, giving it a rich golden hue, stored in a glass jar.

Homemade Ginger Garlic Paste – Fresh & Flavourful

 

"How to Make and Store Ginger Garlic Paste – Easy & Long-Lasting Recipe (No Preservatives!)"

Why Homemade Ginger Garlic Paste is Best

    Tired of store-bought ginger garlic paste that lacks flavour and is packed with preservatives? Try this easy DIY ginger garlic paste recipe—a fresher, healthier alternative with a longer shelf life! Packed with flavour and perfect for quick cooking, it's completely preservative-free!

    I have always been someone who prefers making fresh ginger garlic paste whenever a recipe calls for it. Store-bought versions never appealed to me. However, a few years ago, when I fell sick with chickenpox and severe GI inflammation, my daughter stepped up to manage the kitchen while juggling her online classes and exams. She prepped several ready-to-use items like ginger garlic paste, curry bases, pasta sauces, and even homemade paneer. Watching her meticulous planning and execution amazed me, making me realise how perfectly she handled everything.

Close-up of Kavuni Arisi Payasam, a traditional Chettinad black rice dessert, served in a brass bowl, garnished with freshly grated coconuts

Traditional Kavuni Arisi Payasam - Chettinad Sweet Recipe

Kavuni Arisi Payasam: A Traditional Chettinad Dessert with a Fascinating Legacy

    Few dishes as rich as Kavuni Arisi Payasam tell a story, a story of a lifetime, a story of a community, their heritage and legacy.  An ethnic and unique dessert of the Chettinad community. This signature dish, made with the intriguing black sticky rice known as Kavuni Arisi, carries the legacy of the Chettiars' vibrant history of travel, trade, and cultural exchange. Let’s dive into the origins, traditions, and a time-honoured recipe that celebrates this unique Chettinad Sweet.

 

Rich and vibrant homemade quick grape wine in a glass bottle, showcasing its deep colour and easy preparation method – a perfect festive drink for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Homemade Quick Grape Wine Recipe – Easy & Ready in 30 Days!


Quick Homemade Grape Wine Recipe (Ready in 21–30 Days!) 🍷

Cheers to New Beginnings with Homemade Grape Wine 🥂

    As we welcome 2025, let’s raise a glass to new beginnings, cherished memories, and the joy of homemade creations. For the past 8 years, I’ve kicked off the New Year with a wine recipe, and this year is no different! A tradition that adds warmth to our celebrations, this quick and easy homemade grape wine recipe is the perfect way to toast to the exciting year ahead. Let’s make 2025 even sweeter with this natural, simple-to-make wine. Get ready to start brewing! 🥂

 



A detailed close-up of Hyderabadi Anda Biriyani with aromatic saffron rice and perfectly cooked eggs, highlighting the rich spices and traditional flavours of Hyderabadi cuisine.

Savour the Authentic Flavours of Hyderabadi Anda Biriyani


"Hyderabadi Anda Biriyani: From a Delightful Train Journey to Dinner Plate"

Egg Biriyani alias Anda Biriyani

    Egg Biriyani, or Hyderabadi Anda Biriyani, is a delectable twist on the traditional biriyani that typically features meat or chicken. This vegetarian-friendly dish has its own unique charm, blending the rich, aromatic spices of Hyderabadi cuisine with the simplicity of eggs. But before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a little detour to explore the origins of Hyderabadi cuisine and how this egg-based biriyani came to be.


Top angle view of a bowl of tangy Palakkadan Meen Puli fish curry with small pomfret fish, served with steaming Kerala Rose Matta rice in a bamboo kotta kayil ladle, garnished with curry leaves.
Amma's Palakkadan Meen Puli Recipe

 "Amma's Palakkadan Meen Puli: A Taste of Kerala's Culinary Heritage"


Culinary Exploration After Marriage - Adapting to New Tastes and Traditions

     Getting married is undoubtedly a sudden exposure to new things: food, culture, lifestyle. This is universal across gender, communities, and regions. It also means a lot of effort to get acquainted with and start loving the host of new things in life. It’s not that one does all of it spontaneously, nor are you forced into it. With time, you get used to it, some you learn to brush away with a smile, and some you adapt to with a smile. Getting to love new food and new tastes is always an uphill task. A dish that you never had in life might be a favourite in your in-law’s house. Either your mother-in-law cooks it with pride or tries to teach you with precision. That is how heirloom recipes are preserved and passed on. Humans are by nature flexible and adaptable, and often we begin recreating such dishes that were once new to our taste buds with minor changes to suit tastes.


    Close-up view of a spoonful of Sweet Potato Halwa garnished with cashew nuts, highlighting its texture and ingredients.
    Sweet Potato Halwa
 The Magic of Sweet Potato Halwa: A Healthy & Heavenly Dessert!!!

    Let's indulge in the rich flavours of Sweet Potato Halwa.  Sweet Potato Halwa is a delightful variation of the traditional Indian dessert, Halwa. This recipe showcases the versatility and creativity of Indian cuisine, using readily available ingredients to create a delicious and nutritious treat. Inspired by a video my daughter shared on Instagram, I decided to give this recipe a try. With sweet potatoes on hand, I followed the simple, foolproof steps, and the result was a perfect halwa on the first attempt!

 

Plate of Zereshk Polo Morgh with saffron rice, barberries, and chicken, accompanied by traditional Persian Rose Tea

Iranian Zereshk Polo Morgh


Iranian Zereshk Polo Morgh - The Perfect Festive Dish for Eid al-Adha

A Delightful Culinary Journey

    Last year, while dining at an Iranian restaurant in Georgia, I discovered the delightful dish of Zereshk Polo Morgh. This experience inspired me to recreate this Persian classic at home. Despite the challenge of sourcing barberries, the effort was worth it. With Eid al-Adha/Hari Raya Haji around the corner, there's no better time to share this exquisite recipe with you.

 


Authentic Erode Style Mutton Thanni Kuzhambu and Varuval served in traditional cookware, representing Kongu culinary traditions.
"Experience the Essence of Kongu Cuisine with Erode Style Mutton Thanni Kuzhambu and Varuval – A Culinary Tradition."


Erode Style Mutton Thanni Kuzhambu & Mutton Varuval - A Journey through Kongu Cuisine & Kida Vettu Culture

    When the villagers of Tamil Nadu face hardships—whether it’s a bout of illness among their cattle, a streak of bad weather, or any other misfortune—they turn to their gods for solace and solutions. One such powerful tradition is the Kida Vettu, a ceremonial lamb sacrifice to appease the deities and seek their blessings. This ritual is not just about appeasing the gods; it's a vibrant community event steeped in tradition and delicious food.

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Essence of Life - Food is all about daily cooking with a simple sense of taste and health. It is all about food. Not a day goes by without eating for most of us, so what we eat matters on the whole. Food in the mode of goodness increases the duration of life, purifies one's existence, and gives strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction. Above all ingredients, the most vital one in my kitchen is love.

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Ebook - What I Cook - For Onam

Ebook - “What I Cook - For Onam”

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Indulge in Kerala’s Culinary Heritage: Traditional Onam Sadhya Recipes, with Expert Serving Tips! Celebrate Onam the authentic way! Discover 25 timeless Kerala Sadya recipes in my ebook. From avial to payasam, bring home the flavours of tradition. Available now on Amazon!

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