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.

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.

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.

6/29/21 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.

5/11/21 5/11/21

Forging New Paths - Khatti Bhaji | Hyderabadi Lamb and Spinach

Our culture is both our strength and our weakness. Growing up, my parents worked hard to give my brother and me a sense of where we came from and our strong Indian background. But it was hard. We lived in New Jersey and went to elementary school with a total of three other Asian children.

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.

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.