I am not much of a cake lover. Oh, I do love to bake cakes but they are mostly for family and friends. I prefer Indian sweets to cakes and pastries. However, Vanilla Cake is a cake that I absolutely love. For me it is akin to soul food. Give …

We Indians are rather partial to Mangoes, are we not? For us that is the king of fruits and why not. We have so many varieties that are grown and exported too. However, among all these there is a variety that beats even other mangoes and by a long shot. …

I have stood for many moons Under the starlit, spangled heavens Delving into the mysteries of the sea. I have stood for many suns Under the golden, warm sky Deciphering the enigmas of the universe. Bobbing on the deep blue, Swaying to the murmurs of the wind I have ridden …

I confess I have a sweet tooth. But, my taste is more inclined towards traditional Indian sweets. And, in that too the favourite are Gulab Jamuns. Although, the traditional method to prepare these orbs of ambrosia (don’t laugh, that is what they are) is by using mawa (the residue collected …

We North Indians love our paneer (cottage cheese). We literally put it in everything – curries, pulav’s, cutlets, etc…the list is endless. Let’s agree…paneer is delicious. However, when you add this delectable homemade cheese to a gravy of cashew and tomatoes, it attains a flavour that is unmatched. Add a …

being a North Indian, there are times when my soul craves some lip-smacking ‘Dhaba’ food. A Dhaba is a road side food stall that are found by the sides of most major highways in India. Most of them cater authentic and flavorful cuisine. However, the dhaba’s in North India, I …

Daal bukhara is a traditional North Indian dish made with pulses. Although, its Punjabi cousin ‘Maa ki Daal’ or ‘Daal makhani’ has gained more popularity over the years, I prefer this gentler version of the dish. It uses less ingredients and is more flavourful than its robust cousin. Its full …

My dear… Do I miss you? Ah, that is an understatement. Does the dawn miss its dusk? Is the moon complete without the stars? Yes, it is sacrilege to ask, ‘Do I miss you?’ I wish… I had valued you more when I had you. Had I done that, mayhap, …

In the shards of the mirror Strewn around me, I see life scattered Peeking furtively From the jagged rims.   I see instances And I see incidents, Some long forgotten Some fresh Peeping from the corners.   Like life, the shards too struggle Do they not? At a semblance of …

  Through the spun filigree of dusk As I bade farewell to another day I ached for you.   Did the sifting sands of time stop? Did my maimed heart skip a beat?   Swathed in reams of gloomy regret I felt my heart throb painfully as It ached for …