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.

2/13/22 2/13/22

There Are No Easy Answers - Ande ka Dosa (Egg Dosa)

It has taken me years to become a good listener. There is an art to everything. The art of photography, the art of medicine, and the art of listening. They are all important, each in their own way.

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.

1/21/22 1/21/22

The Big Crash - Spinach Bhaji

There was a big crash! Poet and Flower came home with huge news. They couldn't contain themselves, and the words poured out. Their friend had been in a car accident. No one was hurt, and he was ok, but this was something new for them. They detailed how he had been on his way to their favorite park, Bumpy Slide Park.

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.

12/24/21 12/24/21

A Splash of Mulled Wine

G's face turned just a little green. He tried to manage a smile but wasn't sure what to do. He had tasted mulled wine for the first time. It was warm and spicy, an unlikely combination. Drinking mulled wine for the holidays is a tradition. But, somehow, we've always managed to have a mulled wine mishap.

12/18/21 12/18/21

It Was't Supposed to Be This Way - Overnight Oats

It wasn't supposed to be this way. I hear this from my patients, from friends, and I realize that it is also a little voice inside my head.

12/7/21 12/7/21

Scrooge No More - Hyderabadi Halwa Puris

I've never been a fan of Christmas. I sound like a scrooge when I say that. Growing up, we did not celebrate Christmas. We did not have a Christmas tree, or lights, or gifts. I would go to school in the New Year feeling empty-handed. All the little kids, talking about how they had made out like bandits with gifts and toys from family and friends. I always felt left out of the cold, both literally and figuratively.

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.

11/19/21 11/19/21

The Glue of Life - Masala Peanuts

Family is like the unseen glue that holds things together. As the years go by, there are cracks and sometimes outright breaks, but much of the time, some glue (or maybe a lot) can help to put things back together. Now and then, the story of Humpty Dumpty comes to mind, and all the glue in the world cannot mend things.

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.

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.