We Are All Artists - Kachumber Salad

What makes someone an artist? One thing is for certain, I have never thought of myself as an artist. Or at least until now. For the longest time, I was a daughter or sister. And then a physician, which has been a big part of my identity. But recently, that has changed. Which makes me thing about we view ourselves and a question about identity.

I started Poet and Flower to talk about what its like growing up as Indian American and to share my family's recipes. Starting a blog seemed like a good way to share my thoughts and celebrate my mother's food. It has been a huge learning curve of writing, learning how blogs work and how they are structured, and of course, photography. Until two years ago, I could take a few iPhone photos and had a Kodak disc camera as a kid. The kodak camera was my first "real" camera, a gift when I was 9 or 10. It was a little rectangle with these disc films wrapped in yellow foil Kodak paper. I took it everywhere and took tons of pictures. I think perhaps it's somewhere still in my parents' basement.

Slowly the blog has evolved. And it's still evolving. The photography is slowly improving. I remember my first food photos and wondering how to make them look like what I pictured in my head rather than what they actually came out to be. With G as a guide and teacher, who better than someone who is a true artist and makes his living bringing out the best in young college student budding artists. And so, with G's urging, I've pushed myself to take more pictures and think about subject matter and angles and light. All the elements that make a good photographer.

And so, it came as a big surprise when one of my photos was accepted to become a mural in downtown Indy. Orange and curry leaves. It was an experiment in light and still lives. A balancing act of foam board to create a still life that celebrates the best of Poet and Flower. Oranges because they are some of Poet's favorite foods. He could eat them all day long. Patiently popping one piece after another. And curry leaves because they are part of my childhood and a large part of South Indian cooking. I love the smell of a bhagar or tempering curry leaves and spices. It's bright and spicy and smoky all at the same time.

This week's recipe is for a simple summer salad or kachumber. Its a staple of the Indian table and pares well with spicy hot Indian dishes. It's made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and herbs. A little lemon juice adds some brightness.

So slowly and surely, I am an artist. And perhaps that's the crux of it. We should try not to define ourselves as one thing or one person, we all have many dimensions. And we are all artists in our own way.

Kachumber Salad

This Indian salad is made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and herbs. It's a staple of the Indian table. Kachumber is a perfect refreshing and crunchy complement to spicy curries.

Serves 4

• 1 cucumber (chopped)
• 1 medium tomato (chopped)
• 1 small red onion (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 green chili (chopped optional)
• 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the cucumber, tomato, and red onions.
2. Mix in the lemon juice, salt, cilantro and green chili (if using).
3. Serve with your favorite Indian dish or as a simple side salad.