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I truly believe in this quote which inspired me the most to follow my passion. I felt surrounded and guided by the recipes that I learnt from my mother, grandmothers, mother-in-law, neighbours. All whilst living in different parts of UAE and then the United Kingdom. I found myself blessed with lovely people that I met in my life. Who would then go on to add to my culinary skills and variety that I am now able to enlist as my favourite dishes.

 

I feel I was fortunate to have experienced a life with such contrasting backgrounds, cultures and religion. But there was always one thing in common, the passion to cook and satisfy the taste buds of everyone on the dining table. Born in to a Hindu Khatri family, I experienced one half of Indian culture. Then after marrying into a Khatri Muslim, I discovered the other half. The family traditions, cooking mediums were same yet so different, exposing me to a variety of taste and eating habits. Living and travelling to different parts of the world brought me closer to people who also shared  passion for cooking. 

 

Since a very young age, I was very keen in trying new dishes and recipes which encouraged me to join classes for Mughlai dishes. Never realised, it was destiny’s own way of preparing me for the life I was going to choose. Within that moment, there was no use of learning such dishes whilst living in a household where even the use of garlic was prohibited. My Doctor father taught me that the love of food can be accompanied with a care for our health. Teaching me balance in the kitchen and in life. Moreover, by the looks of it, I would have married in a vegetarian house hold. Yet because of the proclaimed house foodie and my biggest critic, my younger brother, I was encouraged to pursue it further. Through searching for his approval, I learned some very interesting dishes.

 

Though Rasse ka baingan (Aubergine) or a simple daal chawal with sookha aalo (fried potato) by my mother remains my entire family’s favourite vegetarian dishes. I introduced the vegetarian variety to my in-laws which changed their perception towards vegetarian food. Transforming it from just, Shahi Paneer. Cooking these dishes fills me with nostalgia because no matter how well I may cook it, nothing satisfies the craving of my mother’s food. 

 

I always fancied the Mughlai cuisine because of its richness and it so happened that I married into a Muslim family who had only one passion, food. The family had my mother’s elder sister (our favourite Amma as we all call her) as the master chef who, on special occasions would still cook in clay pots on a wood fire for taste. My mother-in- law who had such consistency in her hands that it was difficult to pick a fault or difference in taste, ever. So, I learnt all my non-vegetarian Mughlai dishes from her. Although I gained the confidence to try other dishes but the original still remain the winners even after three decades. The Qormas and Biryanis that she cooked, and I learnt from her remain unmatchable. Top notch dishes for their authenticity! Eid would be incomplete without my mother-in-laws signature classics.  

 

Of course, my husband’s immense love for food and appreciation from the rest of the family members acted as a catalyst in the process.

 

Then I entered a new phase of my life when my daughters went away for their education, got married and moved away. Facetime transported me into their kitchen everyday so I could help them cook. The idea was born from the fact that my nieces and relatives who moved around would always ask for voice notes of my dishes. Through sharing recipes on WhatsApp, I realised surely there must be a simpler way to do this! The idea is to put together recipes that can be easily adopted by beginners cooking for the first time to cooking rich dishes for a feast. One thing is constant though, simple and concise recipes!

 

I hope this blog helps my kids, who are my life and inspiration behind this blog. Moreover, I hope it passes the legacy down the generations coming from above. I am always open to feedback and suggestions because I would love to hear from the community that benefits from this blog!