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.

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.

10/14/21 10/14/21

The Scaffolding of Life - Methi Aloo (Potatoes with Fenugreek)

Rituals are important. We have so many of them in our lives, both large and small. Some I don't even think about, but play a large role in giving shape and structure in my life. I think perhaps we don't think about them until they are gone, slowly realizing their importance in the first place.

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.

8/19/21 8/19/21

The Charm of the Midwest - Potato Palya

I never thought I'd be living in middle America. But, inevitably, it is now home. Poet and Flower were born here. Their childhood will be marked with Midwestern sensibilities and a place that will hopefully always be an anchor for them.

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.

7/13/21 7/13/21

The Humble Box - Spicy Quick Pickled Radishes

Poet and Flower have slowly accumulated things. Things being a vague term to describe clothes, toys, books, and more toys. These items have slowly accumulated despite my best efforts. They have filled the kids' rooms and have slowly spilled out into other parts of the house.

6/29/21 6/29/21

The Beauty in Simplicity - Masala Vada (Chana Dal Vadai)

We eagerly looked out the darkened window. Flower was already fast asleep in her bed, but Poet was still up eating his bedtime snack. His snack of choice this week is almonds, cashews, and chocolate chip trail mix. As he munched, we turned off all the lights, and Poet peered out into the darkness.

6/6/21 6/6/21

Trying to Unplug From the World - Pistachio Marshmallows

We drove, finding ourselves on a one-lane road with signs saying 'high elevation, drive in the lowest gear'. We turned onto an even smaller road deep in the woods. It was our first vacation in over a year, and we were looking forward to being out in nature and simply relaxing.

5/18/21 5/18/21

Cooking from the Back of a Box - Chole

Growing up, my mother collected recipes. She would clip them from newspapers, magazines, and the back of boxes. She collected them all in a shoe box. When she was ready to cook, she would take out her box and look through them.

4/26/21 4/26/21

Expecting the Unexpected - Anda bi Seviyan | Vermicelli Upma

The large soft snowflakes kept coming down. Snow soon covered the ground, and it was a winter once again. The only catch was that it was late April and the start of spring. My spring garden was off to a roaring start, little radishes peeking out of the ground and lettuces growing.

4/12/21 4/12/21

The Most Unlikely of Places - Hyderabadi Shrimp Curry

What sparks your creativity? We've been spending quite a bit of time outdoors, and Poet and Flower recently saw their grandmother's camping chair. First, they spontaneously decided they would design their own chair.

4/5/21 4/5/21

How to Change a Lightbulb - Dill Pickle Egg Salad

The house was suddenly cold. It was very cold. It was one of those snowy winter days where the heat is on constantly. You can hear the hum of the system as it pumps out hot air, keeping us all warm and toasty.

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.