For the love of food and travel

  Christmas celebrations in Kerala are a grand, community-focused affair where the food is as central as the festivities. The true essence of these delicacies lies not just in their ingredients but in the tradition of their preparation. Kitchens in Kerala come alive with the collective effort of grandmothers, mothers, and children weeks before Christmas, preparing batches of these snacks and storing them in large airtight jars.  While treats like Achappam require special molds and Unniyappam a specific pan, the beauty of Diamond Cuts lies in their simplicity, making them one of the most common homemade snacks in Kerala during the Christmas season. In some places it is also known as Pottiyappam and is available in most bakeries across Kerala. It is a diamond shaped deep fried snack coated with cardamom flavored sugar syrup. It used to be a regular snack at home when we were kids. Even without coating in sugar syrup it is a great snack. ...

Plum cakes may be the classic Christmas treat, yet adding kulkuls can bring a delightful twist to your Christmas menu this year. In many Indian Christian households, particularly in Goa, Kerala and Mangalore a cherished tradition is the making of kulkuls. These yummy deep fried, bite-sized pastry are crunchy on the outside and kinda flaky on the inside. The history of kulkuls   are believed by many to have originated from the Portuguese style of sweet making. This was later adapted by Goan Christians into a festive essential during Christmas season. The technique of creating small, curled pastries was likely inspired by the Portuguese practices, but over a period of time, Indian households have made it uniquely their own, incorporating local ingredients and flavours. These little delicacies are fun to make with the family. It takes time to roll each one with a fork, so I got my two teens to join in along with me!! Making kulkuls is definitely a labor of love, but the results ar...

Every time I bake chocolate chip cookies, my kiddos get so excited—it’s like a mini party in my home! I try to complete all the baking just before they get back home from school…coz I love to see their faces light up the moment they smell the sweet, buttery aroma in our house. This time I tried a different kind of chocolate chip cookies. Instead of the vanilla cookie with dark chocolate chips, I baked a batch of chocolate cookies with white chocolate chips. It was an instant hit and my kids loved it.  The joy on their faces when they get to enjoy these homemade cookies makes every baking session worth it. So here’s the recipe:  Ingredients   ½ cup of unsalted butter ½ cup white sugar powdered  ¼ cup brown sugar powdered 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 1 cup flour ½ cup cocoa powder  ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ¾ cup white chocolate chips Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C.  Microwave the butter for about 40 seconds to just barely melt it...

They say that no matter how old you grow, being with your siblings instantly takes you back to childhood. For me, growing up with my younger brother was one of the greatest adventures of my life. We laughed at the silliest things, fought endlessly over the TV remote, teamed up in countless rounds of Contra and Mario, rewatched our favorite movies until we knew every line, and savored delicious meals on our trips to the Gulf. He was, in fact, my very first “Foodie Buddy.” Though the years have passed and life has carried us to different continents, food remains our bond. Even today, amidst the hustle and bustle, our conversations often circle back to what we loved eating as kids and what delights us now. Back then, birthdays were simple—no grand cakes or parties, and we never felt the need. But today, we embrace every occasion with joy, no matter the distance. Whether near or far, we celebrate each other’s milestones with heartfelt gestures. When my brother celebrated his milestone birt...

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...