Health Benefits of Jowar (Sorghum): India’s Ancient Gluten-Free Millet
When my doctor suggested cutting back on wheat a few years ago, my grandmother’s answer was simple: go back to jowar roti, like everyone used to eat before wheat took over Indian kitchens. It turns out she was onto something that nutritionists are only now catching up with, because this humble millet has quietly stayed […]
Why Ayurveda Says You Should Eat With Your Hands: The Science Behind an Old Habit
My grandfather never once used a spoon for his rice and dal, and as a kid I used to think it was just an old habit he never grew out of. It was only years later, reading about Ayurveda, that I realized there was actual reasoning behind it, and I have slowly gone back to […]
Health Benefits of Jamun (Indian Blackberry): Monsoon’s Blood-Sugar-Friendly Fruit
Every monsoon, the roadside near my house fills up with vendors selling small baskets of jamun, sprinkled with a little rock salt and chilli powder. I used to eat them just for the tart-sweet taste and the purple-stained tongue that came with it, but I’ve since learned that this humble seasonal fruit is doing a […]
Puliyodarai Recipe | Tamil Nadu’s Tangy Temple Tamarind Rice
The first time I had puliyodarai was from a temple prasadam plate, wrapped in a banana leaf, and I remember thinking no restaurant version had ever tasted that good. It’s tangy, mildly sweet, deeply savoury all at once, and somehow it only gets better as it sits for a few hours. I always make extra […]
Kaju Katli Recipe | Rakhi Special Cashew Diamond Fudge
Every Raksha Bandhan, my brother’s first question isn’t about the rakhi, it’s whether I’ve made kaju katli yet. There’s something about that thin, diamond-cut cashew fudge with its silver shimmer that makes any occasion feel festive. It looks like it took hours of work, but once you know the trick, it comes together in one […]
Health Benefits of Moringa (Drumstick/Sahjan): India’s Nutrient-Dense Superfood Tree
There’s a moringa tree in almost every second backyard I’ve visited in India, and for the longest time I barely paid attention to it beyond using the pods in sambar. It was only when I started reading up on nutrition that I realised how much this quietly ordinary tree actually does for us, from the […]
The Science of Roasting Spices (Bhunai): Why Dry-Roasting Transforms Indian Cooking
My grandmother always dry-roasted her cumin and coriander seeds before grinding them into masala, and as a kid I never understood why she wouldn’t just skip the step. It took me years of cooking on my own to realise that ten seconds too long in that pan is the difference between a fragrant masala and […]
Vada Pav Recipe | Mumbai’s Iconic Spicy Potato Fritter Burger
Every time I’m rushing between errands, I make a beeline for the nearest vada pav stall. There’s something about that spicy, garlicky potato fritter squeezed into a soft pav that just feels like home to me. I finally recreated my favourite station-stall version in my own kitchen, and honestly, it tastes just as good, no […]
Adai Recipe | Tamil Nadu’s Protein-Rich Mixed Lentil Dosa
Growing up, adai was the answer to “there’s no dosa batter left”. My mother would just soak a handful of different dals, grind them fresh that morning, and we’d have a thicker, heartier dosa on the table in no time, no fermentation required. It’s still the recipe I reach for when I want something filling […]
Health Benefits of Sattu: Bihar’s Original High-Protein Superfood
Sattu was never something my Bihari relatives treated as a trend.. it was just what you drank on a hot afternoon or stuffed into a paratha when you needed something that would actually keep you going. It’s funny watching it show up on wellness feeds now as a “new” high-protein discovery, when kitchens in Bihar […]