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.

12/21/22 12/21/22

Making New Christmas Traditions -Pistachio Almond Shortbread

Shortbread is a classic dessert. Made from simply three ingredients, butter, sugar and flour, it's endlessly versatile. I love this recipe from King Arthur Baking. Drizzle with chocolate and pistachios, it's the perfect decadent little cookie.

10/21/22 10/21/22

Going to the Beach (Again) - Chai Apple Crisp

It's the most magical place on earth. Or maybe the greatest; I'm not exactly sure what the phrase is. But Flower clearly did not think so.

4/15/22 4/15/22

Who Are We? - Coconut Banana Bread

Mom? Flower was almost asleep but said the word softly, checking gently if I was still there or had quietly slipped out of the room. And for an odd moment, I thought she was talking to someone else. But there was no one else, just me. I'm mom.

2/26/22 2/26/22

Something Spontaneous - Salted Pistachio Brownies

A funny thing happened at the gas station. Poet and Flower were home for President's day weekend. These two little ones constantly challenge me. We are always trying to keep these two energetic, curious, and enthusiastic little ones entertained and busy. What can tire out G and myself does not even make a dent in their energy level.

2/5/22 2/5/22

Are We the In-Between? - Lemon Bars with Jaggery

Are we the in-between? I am an Indian American, more than one foot in the US, but with culture and roots from India. A place that I barely know, only a handful of visits during my childhood, and many stories and traditions from my parents.

11/22/21 11/22/21

Aspiring to Be French - Mango Pavlova

Sometimes we aspire to be what we want through food. Years ago, before Poet and Flower and before we were married, G and I visited Paris. I had been to Paris as a teenager with my parents. It was the quintessential family trip seeing the Eiffel Tower, visiting the sites. I remember vividly eating at the Hardrock Cafe because we had tired of eating French food at our hotel.

11/4/21 11/4/21

The Most Unlikely of Places - Gramercy Tavern's Gingerbread

What inspires us? It can be the smallest of things that triggers a memory or sparks an idea. I love writing for the blog, coming up with ideas and stories that are hopefully meaningful and thoughtful each week.

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.

9/29/21 9/29/21

Art Beyond the Museum - Pawpaw Meringue Tarts

Art doesn't have to be in a museum. I found that out much later in life. I grew up going to museums. As a kid, my mom loved art in the very traditional sense. She loved museums, and we would travel far and wide to see art. She shared that love with me.

9/15/21 9/15/21

A Love of Baking - Spiced Apple Hand Pies

My mother's love of baking may have started at McDonald's. She emigrated from India knowing how to make kheer and halva, but baking was completely foreign to her.

7/20/21 7/20/21

Partners in Crime - Flour's Famous Banana Bread

I married a big kid. Or perhaps we are all just kids at heart. G loves all things that are playful and fun. Before we had Poet and Flower, he would climb the kids' play structure and wave from the top.

5/25/21 5/25/21

Weekends are For Farmer's Markets - Ginger Lime Cheesecake

G hates farmer's markets. Perhaps that is somewhat strong. As we tell the kids, he does not prefer farmer's markets. This weekend, for the first time in over a year, we ventured back to the market.

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.