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.

4/18/23 4/18/23

Syrup and Community- Maple Masala Paal

This is a lightly spiced milk served in South India. I used maple syrup to gently sweeten it instead of sugar. Ground almonds and cinnamon, cardamom and clove give it a heady delicious nutty taste. Perfect as a light dessert.

2/24/23 2/24/23

Kindness Counts - Set Dosa

Set Dosa

This is a variation on a classic dosa from Karnataka. It's golden brown one side and puffy and soft on the other. It's a lovely variation that is just as delicious.

1/16/23 1/16/23

Some Boundaries are Meant to be Pushed - Aloo Bonda

Boundaries surround us. They are everywhere. Driving to work - stop signs, stop lights, and double yellow lines in the middle of the road. And they exist in our lives both literally and figuratively. How do we know when a boundary can be pushed or not?

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.

9/29/22 9/29/22

Where Do We Come From? - Meethe Chongay

I am not from here. Here meaning the Midwest or even the United States. Where I am from is thousands (and thousands) of miles away, India.

8/31/22 8/31/22

Can We Really Go Home? - Ghee

Can we really go home? I visited my childhood home for the first time in years. Home, meaning the place where I grew up.

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.

7/17/22 7/17/22

In Life Are There Second Chances? - Strawberry Lime Sparkler

Are there second chances? When we do something wrong or make a mistake should we get another try? Maybe there is no such thing.

7/10/22 7/10/22

A Little Bit of Everything - Perfect Raita

Vacations. Expectations run high, and they hold so much promise. But sometimes, things don't go as planned. Sometimes things go very, very wrong.

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.

6/3/22 6/3/22

The Lazy Days of Summer - Spiced Cauliflower

Summer rules! The lazy days of summer are finally here after a long and soggy spring. Indiana weather is fickle, and this year was no exception.

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.