For the love of food and travel

There’s just something about a good casserole that feels like home. Even when the summer sun is blazing and the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven, I still find myself reaching for those easy, one-pot wonders. Because let’s be honest—when cheesy chicken is involved, convenience and comfort win every time. It’s the kind of dish that makes weeknights simpler, leftovers tastier, and family dinners a whole lot happier. A chicken casserole is essentially a casserole made with chicken as the main ingredient. It is one of the most popular casseroles and prepared almost everywhere in the world. Cooked in the traditional casserole dish, chicken casseroles have a slightly crusty top with a soft and easy-to-slice centre. Casseroles come in many forms—think hotpot, shepherd’s pie, lasagna, or ragout. In Britain, you’ll often hear them simply called a “bake.” The French are often credited as being the inventors of the casserole, both the dish as well as the baking tray. Chicken cassero...

At my home, we love potato wedges. Whenever we’re out, we always order an extra plate because the kids can’t get enough of them. The good news is they’re easy to make at home too! Here, I’m sharing a baked version that’s simple, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Potato wedges are thick slices of potato, often left unpeeled, that can be baked or fried to golden perfection. Unlike French fries, they have a heartier texture and are commonly found in diners and fast-food restaurants. Known in some places as “jojos” or “oven-baked fries,” these wedges pair wonderfully with dips like ketchup, ranch, or honey mustard. They’re typically seasoned with a mix of spices—paprika, salt, and pepper being the most popular—for a flavourful, crispy bite every time. Did you know that the humble potato is the world’s most important non-cereal crop, ranking just behind corn, wheat, and rice overall? The name itself comes from the Spanish word patata , and over time, potatoes have picked up nickn...

Crème Caramel is one of those timeless desserts that never goes out of style. Elegant yet comforting, it has been enjoyed for generations and remains a favorite across the globe. Depending on where you are, you might hear it called custard pudding, caramel custard, or even leche flan—but no matter the name, its silky texture and rich caramel topping make it unforgettable. Crème caramel’, when translated from French, literally means ‘caramel cream’. While crème caramel is thought by many to be a French dessert, the country of its origin is disputable, as Spain and England also suggest that the dessert originated in their own country. As for when it made its first appearance in India, nobody’s quite sure. The prevailing theory is that it gained prominence in India during the British Raj and then grew to be a staple of several communities. In Anglo-Indian, Mangalorean, Goan, Kerala and Parsi homes across the country, it’s still considered a staple dessert dish to be rolled ou...

When the chill of winter sets in and you’re craving something hearty, Shepherd’s Pie is the perfect answer. Made with simple, everyday ingredients, it comes together quickly and delivers all the warmth and comfort you need. It’s the ideal dish for those cozy, lazy evenings when you want something satisfying without too much effort. Shepherd’s pie is a common and inexpensive British dish originating from the sheep country in Scotland and northern England. It is a baked meat pie made with minced lamb and topped with a thick layer of mashed potatoes. Although the dish is sometimes called cottage pie, that name is usually given to a version featuring beef. The name "cottage pie" was first used at the end of the 18th century. It was around that time that the poorer people of Britain, people who lived in cottages in the country, started using potatoes as an everyday food. It is thought that peasant housewives invented the pies as a way of repackaging leftovers from the Sunday roa...

I’ve been living in Bangalore for what feels like forever, and although Mysore is only about 150 kilometers away, my last visit to this heritage city was back in my high school days. Travelling between Bangalore and Mysore is incredibly convenient. Buses run round the clock connecting the two cities, and there’s a reliable train service between Bangalore City Junction and Mysore Junction. A good number of cabs also operate on this route, making the journey hassle-free. And if you prefer driving, the trip usually takes just four to five hours. Mysore is the third largest and second most populated city of Karnataka. Situated right at the foot of Chamundi Hills, Mysore was once the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore. The rich cultural environment of Mysore has earned it the title as the Cultural Capital of Karnataka. Mysore, locally known as Mysuru, was the prominent city of Karnataka prior to Bangalore. This mystical and mythological city derives its name from the buffalo headed demo...

Some things are just wonderful, like friendship & chocolate cake!!! Chocolate cake has always been my ultimate indulgence. It’s the recipe I turn to for every celebration—birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, promotions, you name it. No matter the occasion, it never fails to bring joy. And honestly, I don’t even need a reason; sometimes I bake it simply because I crave that rich, comforting slice. Until 1830's-1840's, chocolate was consumed primarily as a beverage. Early chocolate cakes were much lighter because they used significantly smaller amounts of sugar and cocoa. They also used more flour than what we are accustomed to making them fluffier and more like what we would today call a breakfast bread. It wasn't until 1940 that chocolate cake recipes became richer and decadent, calling for larger quantities of cocoa and sugar than previously. Did you know that there is a difference between a chocolate cake and brownie?? They are both chocolaty and absolutely ...

It was during a TV reality show, MasterChef Australia , that I first came across a dessert called panna cotta. The name intrigued me, but it was the elegance of its presentation that truly caught my eye. Later, at an Italian restaurant in Bangalore, I finally had the chance to taste it. Smooth, delicate, and beautifully simple, it was love at first spoonful. From that moment on, panna cotta has remained my all-time favorite dessert—an epitome of understated beauty and heavenly flavour. A spoonful of panna cotta is remarkably creamy, melting in the mouth without a trace of grittiness or lumps.  Panna cotta is a very basic pudding that is made of dairy thickened with gelatin. It originated in Italy and its name literally means "cooked cream". You can eat it straight out of a cup, but it's often unmolded onto a plate and drizzled with sweet sauce and garnished with fruit.  It is not known exactly how or when this dessert came to be, but some theories suggest that crea...