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.

7/28/22 7/28/22

The Zigs and Zags of Life - Lemon Rice

Why did I choose medicine? Perhaps it chose me. Or it was chosen for me. Whatever the reason or reasons, I find myself along this path.

6/19/22 6/19/22

The Great Duck Race - Spiced Indian Coleslaw

Thousands of ducks raced by us. The canal was filled with them—little yellow rubber duckies with cute red noses. For a moment, you would have thought someone's bathtub had overflowed. It was the annual Duck Race.

2/19/22 2/19/22

What is Hygge? - Kaali Mirchi ka Chaar (Tomato Pepper Rasam)

Hygge. Or hoo-gah. It's the Danish word for a sense of cozy contentment. Or, more simply, it means the joy of the little things and being together. G first mentioned this last winter, when we were shuttered in our house, just us, distancing from friends and doing too many things over zoom.

1/26/22 1/26/22

A Little Bit of Speed - Spicy Hush Puppies

The hill sprawled out in front of us. Poet and Flower couldn't wait. We spent the weekend snow tubing. It was their first snowy adventure. We haven't had any snow this season, a dusting here and there, but no more.

1/13/22 1/13/22

In Search of Texas Wild - Meda Vada

We were clearly outnumbered. Our simple trip to the zoo had turned into a little bit of a marathon. We spent the holidays celebrating with family, three families to be exact, and six little cousins with an abundance of enthusiasm and energy. Poet and Flower had talked about their upcoming trip for months and were so excited to play and enjoy time with their cousins.

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.

10/14/21 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.

8/3/21 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.

7/6/21 7/6/21

Cancer Sucks - Hyderabadi Dahi ki Kadhi

Cancer sucks. For the longest time, this phrase would irk me. Perhaps that is an understatement. It was more of an annoyance in a deeply visceral way. I think the words hit so close to home.

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.

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.