For the love of food and travel

Happiness is found in the warmth of family get‑togethers.  Some time ago, I had the delightful chance to attend a special celebration marking a milestone birthday of my beloved aunt. With the date, time, and venue carefully planned, our family members traveled from different corners of the country to gather at a charming resort by Kappad Beach. The festivities were filled with joy, laughter, and togetherness, making it a truly memorable occasion. Yet, what stood out most for me was an unplanned stroll along the serene Kappad shoreline—a simple, spontaneous moment that turned into an unforgettable experience.  I look my best when I’m totally free, on a holiday and walking on the beach. The Kappad beach is one of Kerala's highly tourist-attracted destinations due to its topography, is located 16 km away from Kozhikode is nestled away from the hustle-bustle of the city, which makes it an ideal beach holiday destination for relaxation. A very thrilling feature about the Kappa...

I love homemade blueberry sauce…..whether it is spooned over a slice of cheesecake or on top of fluffy pancakes or also eaten along with a smooth panna cotta…it’s just absolute heaven. The thing I love the most about blueberry sauce…is that it comes together on the stovetop in less than ten minutes with just a few ingredients. Blueberries were called “star fruits” by North American indigenous people because of the five-pointed star shape that is formed at the blossom end of the berry. The blueberry is one of the only foods that is truly naturally blue in colour. The pigment that gives blueberries their distinctive colour—called anthocyanin—is the same compound that provides the blueberry’s amazing health benefits. The silvery sheen (or “bloom”) found on the skin of blueberries is a naturally occurring compound that helps protect the fruit. This is why you should only wash blueberries right before you’re going to eat them. Consumption of blueberries has been linked to health benef...

I’ve always enjoyed watching Friends , and one episode that never fails to stick with me is The One With All The Cheesecakes . In it, Chandler and Rachel can’t resist indulging in their neighbor’s irresistible cheesecake—and every time I watch, I end up craving a slice myself. Cheesecake, despite its name, isn’t really a cake at all. It’s a luscious blend of cheese and eggs baked into a custard, set atop a buttery biscuit crust. Among the many variations, the classic New York–style baked cheesecake is my favorite. With its satiny smooth texture, dense richness, and perfectly flat top, it embodies everything I love about this decadent dessert. Homemade cheesecakes are delightfully simple to prepare, with minimal hands-on effort required. The real challenge lies in the patience it takes—waiting for the cheesecake to bake, cool, and then set overnight before you can finally enjoy it. The classic way for baking cheesecake is by using a water bath. A water bath, is the baker’s secret to cre...

  There is something really elegant about red velvet cupcakes. They just look so cool and they taste awesome, especially when covered with a nice homemade cream cheese frosting. Velvet cake is thought to have originated in USA in the early 20th century. During WWII, soldiers and civilians had to ration off food and supplies. Baking products like sugar and butter were a part of the rations. As a result, some bakers chose to use beet juice in their cakes. Beet was and is used in some recipes as a filler or to retain moisture. The red color of the beets makes the cake have a more delicious appeal. However, not only do the beets make the cake pretty, but they also make the cake soft. These days, most have steered away from beets in their red velvet cake recipe and instead opt for red food coloring to give the cake vibrancy. In recent years, red velvet cake and red velvet cupcakes have become increasingly popular in the US and many countries, especially around Christmas and more recentl...

Summer time = Mango Mania. When the king of fruits arrives, we can’t resist indulging in its juicy goodness in every possible way. Whether enjoyed fresh and sliced, blended into refreshing juices and shakes, or drizzled over decadent desserts, no “mango” is ever left unturned. One delightful treat to try is Mango Panna Cotta —a simple yet elegant dessert perfect for the warm summer months. This make-ahead classic is topped with a luscious sweet-and-tangy mango sauce, making it the ideal centerpiece for entertaining guests. 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, bu...

With the arrival of summer, Mango Mania takes over in my home. Widely cherished, the mango is not only juicy, pulpy, and irresistibly luscious, but also brimming with a sweet, refreshing flavor and a wealth of essential vitamins and minerals. Celebrated as the national fruit of India, the mango truly lives up to its title as the king of fruits. It appears in an array of shapes and sizes, with countless varieties cultivated across the country—Alphonso, Dasheri, Langra, Badami, Raspuri, Sindhura, and Banganapalli, to name just a few. Flourishing during the summer months, mangoes are enjoyed far and wide, their vibrant taste and succulent texture making them a seasonal favorite that delights everyone. Mangoes are one of those gorgeous summer fruits we just can't get enough of. Their bright, sweet creamy flesh are amazing on their own, sliced and eaten fresh and getting every last bit from the seed inside. When you're looking for something different to make with mangoes you can mak...

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...