Culinary Journeys

Archetypical, Artful and (un)Assuming- Archipelago, London

Posted by on Apr 26, 2016 in Culinary Journeys, Reviews & Recommendations | 4 comments

Archetypical, Artful and (un)Assuming- Archipelago, London

The best thing I like about London, is that there is always something new to discover, no matter how many times you have visited the city. There is an urge everytime to see the city through new lenses. Last time I wanted to see it in black and white and capture the familiarity it builds around you. It dealt with knowing little secrets, a little history and a little trivia. But then, I could afford that because of the luxury of time. This time it was a three day stop-over, but the urge in me to discover something new took over yet another time. So, this time it was a new and absolutely...

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A Peruvian Kitchen called Andina

Posted by on Jul 16, 2015 in Culinary Journeys | 2 comments

A Peruvian Kitchen called Andina

I am a curious-cat when it comes to trying to figure out why things around the globe can be similar. Be it a dancing style or food. Personalities or songs. Cut green-apple surfaces and the face of an owl.  This has happened several times with me. When I first tasted Ethiopian cuisine, way back in 2003, I was in awe to realize how similar this was to Indian food-fare. And, why not? Since the 1400’s, traders have introduced some non-indigenous ingredients that have added to what we now know of as authentic Ethiopian cuisine. From Portugal came chile peppers, and from the Orient—ginger....

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A Photowalk of Kolay Market:A Koley-ction of Kolours!

Posted by on Aug 21, 2014 in Culinary Journeys, Reviews & Recommendations | 8 comments

A Photowalk of Kolay Market:A Koley-ction of Kolours!

As human beings, I strongly feel that we were made for relationships.  We were made to know each other and exist in a reality where we interact and connect and live in the spirit of camaraderie and community.  Some of us shun to enter this realm of relationships.  We would rather hide away and ignore the fact that we live in a world with other people.  We would rather be “safe”, ignoring a life where we experience the adventure of indulging in a life with people who truly matter to us, are around us. This is not a lesson I have learned, but I feeling that I have harboured for very long. So...

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Of Peace and Chaos: Iftar at Mosque Road

Posted by on Jul 13, 2014 in Culinary Journeys | 20 comments

Of Peace and Chaos: Iftar at Mosque Road

Ramadan is on full swing. I can see it on the henna-decorated hands and feet of the women; at work, on roads, in neighborhoods, fashionable skulls caps, wholesale markets in Chickpet crowding up with men folk extensively purchasing  fabrics for their entire family. Moreover, my loyal tailor has started laboring day and night, desperately trying to finish everyone’s new outfits before the festivities. Resulting, much to my dissatisfaction, being in queue to get my garments delivered!  Depending on when the first sighting of the crescent moon occurs, the big celebration that will...

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Book Review & A Quick Weekend Lunch: Easy Indian Cooking- By Hari Nayak

Posted by on Jan 26, 2013 in Culinary Journeys, Reviews & Recommendations | Comments Off on Book Review & A Quick Weekend Lunch: Easy Indian Cooking- By Hari Nayak

Book Review & A Quick Weekend Lunch: Easy Indian Cooking- By Hari Nayak

Sometimes I cook, without any available story for it. It is just a resultant of a gut feeling that creeps in all through my system for a consistent number of hours. I slowly sense “things” about the dish I want to make, trying to fill in little vacuum places within my cells,muscles and brain. The look, the taste, the smell…its a unavoidable package. And almost in an animated form my eyes dilate, and I spring up from whatever I have been doing, perked with an irresistible rush of energy, and make a dash towards the kitchen, as if it is the last opportunity in my life to...

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My Story of Durga Puja: Incantations of Favourite Foods

Posted by on Nov 4, 2012 in Culinary Journeys | 8 comments

My Story of Durga Puja: Incantations of Favourite Foods

Durga Puja came and went. Although India doesn’t have an Autumn and its share of auburn leaves, this time of the year is the closest one can get to ‘Fall’. Autumn has always been homecoming and times for families to get together. Sometimes, this intention is not always as you would have wanted it. This year, not everything was happy and joyful. On and around Vijaya Dashami, few very precious people on earth held the deity’s hand and went on their brisk return to the heavenly abode. Like they say, ‘Even the Gods need good people’. The skies were overcast...

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