An Indian Food Blog

Maple Masala Paal
The trees towered above them. The canopy stood high above and dwarfed Poet and Flower. Flower was carefully carrying a a very full bucket of sap when plop, she tripped over her feet and fell into a sweet, sticky mountain of maple sap.

The latest recipes.

12/1/21 12/1/21

Grieving is not Taboo - Hyderabadi Bagara Baingan

Growing up, grieving always felt like a taboo. I remember my mother standing by the kitchen sink. I must have been eleven or twelve. She was washing dishes and crying. I asked her what was wrong, and she said that my grandfather had passed away. She looked out the window sadly and then went on washing the dishes.

11/9/21 11/9/21

The Meaning of the Holiday - Hyderabadi Shami Kebab

Thanksgiving has been an evolution for me. It has always been my favorite holiday, a time for my mother and me to cook together. For years, the goal was to have a beautiful Thanksgiving table with the classic roast turkey and all the sides. I will always miss cooking with my mom, but I know I am making new traditions with Poet and Flower.

10/28/21 10/28/21

What is Authentic? - Aloo Katli

Authentic is a tall order. In food, is anything truly authentic? As recipes are passed down during the generations, they slowly change. They are adapted to new tastes and ingredients. The food may change but it retains its essence.

10/19/21 10/19/21

Joy of the Puddle - Balti Pumpkin Galette

The joys of childhood are simple and boundless. Watching Poet and Flower discover things for the first time has helped me see the world in a different light. As a photographer, I'm always trying to look out at our world (and particularly food) from a different lens or perspective. Poet and Flower do the same daily. Sharing in their joy is a unique pleasure.

10/8/21 10/8/21

How Much Time Do We Have? - Kufta ka Salan

How much time do we have? Sometimes it feels as though we have all the time in the world one moment and then none. Most of the time, we don't think about time at all because we believe there is so much of it.

9/24/21 9/24/21

Splashing in the Water - Crispy Bhindi (Okra)

Taking a break is hard. It's a constant balancing act that often ends up on the floor in a collapsed heap. But, it doesn't have to be that way, and taking a break can help. Just stepping back for a few days or the day can help to reset our busy lives.

9/1/21 9/1/21

Losing Important Things - Masala Kaleji (Masala Liver)

It's easy to lose things. I lose or misplace things all the time, like my keys or my wallet. I'll leave my wallet in another bag or on the counter and find myself halfway to the hospital only to realize I cannot buy lunch.

8/25/21 8/25/21

The Power of Childhood Experiences - Fish Vada

Childhood memories are powerful. I grew up hearing about my parents' childhood. But it is now only as an adult that I realize the importance of these stories. I would love to share experiences I had as a child with Poet and Flower.

8/11/21 8/11/21

The Thrill of the Grill - Lamb Kebabs

We are almost out of time. Summer is drawing to a close, and another year of school starts again next week. Where does the time go? Each day is a blur of activities, playing, swimming, reading, and finally, bedtime. But in between there is always time for summer grilling.

8/3/21 8/3/21

Watching the World Go By - Perfect Lamb Kuftas

I don't want to watch the world go by. In my twenties, I spent most of my time doing just that, or at least it certainly felt like it. I applied to college and medical school together while in high school.

7/27/21 7/27/21

Is Life a Race? - South Indian Vaal Dal (Butter beans)

Is life a race? As a kid growing up, it sure felt like one. At least life was a race academically, if not in other aspects. As a child of Indian immigrants, my parents were certain education was the only path to success. Getting good grades was paramount.

6/14/21 6/14/21

One Year of Food Blogging! - Hyderabadi Dum Biryani

Hi! I’m Sameena

Welcome! I'm Sameena. I'm a physician by day, mom on call round-the-clock and avid cook. Poet and Flower is an Indian food blog celebrating my passion for food and family. I learned to cook in my mother's kitchen. My kids, Poet and Flower, are both the inspiration for the blog and the main distraction which keeps me from it.