#LockdownCooking
As we isolate in our homes during this unprecedented global pandemic, food — and cooking — remains an eternal source of hope, joy and healing. Lockdown Cooking is our humble contribution to this cause. Please join us in cooking from the heart using what’s available at home.
My Kolkata – Amar Calcutta
I can never be tired of speaking about Kolkata . Someone for whom I have nurtured a crush which finally blossomed into a whirlwind crush . This is how I explain my lady love to Kolkata . Thanks for being in my life and making the otherwise black and white life full of colour .
Tata Zica – Made of Great meet in Goa by Tata Motors and Indiblogger
60 top bloggers across the country was invited to be a part of the launch of Tata Zica by Tata Motors . 60 bloggers from various genre can make it 24 hours as interesting as it can be and as I share my memories I am nostalgic and as well looking forward to more such meets .
Karen Anand – I don’t even know how to roll a Roti
Karen Anand was recently in Kolkata with her now famous farmers market . With so much of achievements, it was always interesting to catch up with her over a cup of coffee and discover more about her . In spite of her busy schedule she managed time for us and we came across a complete unknown face of the gourmet goddess .
Christmas is knocking on the doors . Well almost
The air starts smelling of cakes and puddings when its Christmas . The build up and preparation starts lot earlier . As Madhushree soaks her dry fruits in rum and we attend the cake mixing ceremony at Stadel – christmas is knocking on the doors – well almost
Sky Lanterns – our first time with Tugga
Sky Lanterns or Fanoosh is a dying art . There are few interest groups in Kolkata who every year organise to fly the Sky Lanterns . Madhushree and I have never flown a sky lantern and it was a great experience to enjoy the first time with Tugga . As a photographer the could not resist the temptation to post a lot of pictures . Read the story here
Looking through sunglasses – Can I confess something?
The Farmers’ market by Karen Anand was high on fashion quotient . If there were beautiful food and farm produces on display then there were beautiful people too . As I clicked on the food I also tried to capture some of the trendy sunglasses which were on display . An attempt which could have been more successful , hence the confessions .
Kolkata Farmers’ market by Karen Anand
The Farmers’ market by Karen Anand was in its second year for Kolkata . Starting from Burrata station to cold pressed juices to exotic cheeses – it was a carnival. This was an organic mandi showcasing local organic produce and some healthy food and spice options. Read more to find out about this soon to become annual event in Kolkata.
The Lalit Great Eastern Cake Mixing 2015
Durga Puja . Kali Puja / Diwali . Bhai Dooj / Bhai Phonta . It seems someone has switched on the invisible festival and celebration mode in Kolkata . As soon as the dhakis leave for their home, faint christmas bells and carols can be heard . Cake Mixing in my opinion is the official beginning of countdown for Christmas . We attended the Cake mixing ceremony at The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata
The morning after the wild night- capsicum butter cheese toast
This is a narration about a wild party with lots of memories which happened some years back . Preparing breakfast for the party gang next morning was always a challenge . Madhushree waved her magic wand and prepared Capsicum butter cheese toast . Read the story and recipe here
Why we blog and Recipe of Okra made with mango mustard sauce
We are almost there . Its nearing 100 posts and we are in nervous nineties like a batsman in a cricket match . We tried looking back towards all the recipes that we have put up and do a little bit of introspection. Most often we receive complains that we dont put up enough vegetarian posts or recipes . The reason for that and a recipe of Okra made with mango mustard sauce
Durga Puja 2015 – Bijaya Doshomi memories and Mutton Keema Chili
Some special dishes have so many memories attached to it . Keema Ghoogni at my uncles place is one such .. If the taste of the dish still lingers on my mouth the memories of my aunt who used to make it still brings smile on my face . We tried to relook at the traditional ghoogni with Mutton keema chili . My eternal keema ghoogni in a new look and some more memories to be created . Shubho Bijaya Dashami .
Durga Puja 2015 – Reasons and places to eat out in Kolkata
The biggest festival of Bengalis is also the biggest festival of foods . The debate remains is whether to eat out or cook at home . This season I try to find out the reasons of eating out in DurgaPuja and places to eat out in Kolkata . Happy DurgaPuja 2015
Durga Puja 2015 – The sponsors are here . Guest post by Antara
Across 3 continents , 5 bloggers and more importantly foodies plan to celebrate Durga Puja 2015 . Read the entire story here and also how the sponsors were kind enough to extend hand of help for us . The first guest post of Pikturenama
Spreading the smile with Vivel Pujo Love by ITC
In all the lights of hope and noises of celebration we tend to forget them . Those who are underprivileged and really need a hand to enjoy the festivities . Vivel by ITC is coming up with an initiative this year where Dev the superstar will accompany these children for a day long pandal hopping , good food and fun throughout the day .
Durga Puja 2015 – Nabami and grilled fish with red capsicum butter
How would the diary pages of a 35 year old working professional look like ? That too during the Pujas ? I stumbled upon one such where it speaks about friendship , family , the mother who is no longer there and Durga Puja . A recipe of Grilled fish for the big gala party on Nabami with his MBA batchmates
Durga Puja 2015 how many days more ? Pujo aschhe
A nostalgic trip down the memory lane as what actually defines the fact “Pujo Aschhe ? Yes we bengalees love to call it Pujo instead of Puja . A year long wait with promises to be kept and new promises to be made – Its this time of the year when all the sadness , grief , misunderstandings are kept away for 5 days . Yes the Durgapuja is knocking on the door …
Chef Saransh Goila – 10 unknown facts about him
The hands behind the food has attracted me equally as much as the good food they prepare . This meeting with Chef Saransh Goila was destined when he visited Kolkata for the launch of his book – India on my Plate . On a Sunday morning when we meet over tea – its a journey of a life time from a kid to a confused youth to a chef to a celebrity TV chef .. Join the journey here
Quiche Lorraine – our working evening snack
Our office is in such a place in Kolkata that when it comes to evening snacks we are spoilt with choices for deep fried and oily food . Its almost like committing a sin knowingly . We tried different options but ending up inevitably going back to the sinful tasty delicious food . One of the better options can be Quiche Lorraine .. check out the recipe here
Flirting with Fire
Since I started photography , I always wanted to do a theme based series . Fire is one of them . When large flames of fire burn there are so many shapes and forms which get formed . Is it the way we look at those flames or they have their own pattern ? I dont have an answer but I have pictures ..
Durga Puja 2015 – The advertisements hide my face
The hoarding war has started in Kolkata . As Durgapuja is near a month away , the city gets a facelift . The ageless beauty who looks even more beautiful with every passing year with all wrinles on her face takes resort to an artificial facelift where the colourful hoardings cover her up . Do we really want this Kolkata ?
Indiblogger BergerXp Kolkata bloggers meet 2015 – It was one of those Saturdays
After a long gap of almost 4 years – Indiblogger held a bloggers meet in association with BergerXp . Almost whos who of blogging in Kolkata were present . Yours truly was also invited . Heres why I want it to happen more in Kolkata and lesser intervals
Fried chicken drumstick
How do you lift up the spirit on a sunday evening when it has been a bad week ? Son has been unwell , work has been erratic and hectic and the weather has left you burnt and exhausted . One of my all time fav – fried chicken drumstick which is mouthwatering and lip smacking too .
Assam 1860 – The latest from James Warren Tea ltd .
The first product review of pikturenama . Assam 1860 – the latest from James Warren tea ltd is fresh , unblended and rich in taste . Read the story here .
Chili’s is now at South City Mall Kolkata
Kolkata always embraces something new when it comes to food . Chili’s the international Tex Mex Chain opens up in SOuth city mall Kolkata – second one after the flagship joint in Quest Mall . Here’s the review .
Raksha Bandhan – some memories
This is a story of Raksha Bandhan and that too between a brother and a sister not tied by blood relations but the sacrifice and dedication is more than any blood ties . Read the story here
A taste of Tuscany at Afraa Restaurant
Its taste of Tuscany at Afraa Restaurant kolkata . Some delicious authentic Tuscan dishes with Olive oil tasting session , gorgeous antipasti , Risotto, lamb shanks and many more made with imported parma ham , pepperoni along with imported wines make this festival a must attend for Italian food lovers . Dont miss out the Affogato or the Mango Zabaglione as desserts .
The Lalit Great Eastern Tea Treasures
The tea treasures organised by The Lalit Great Eastern was a wonderful experience and praiseworthy effort to bring all tea lovers , tea connoisseurs , tea merchants and traders , reputed tea estates in Eastern part of the country together . We attended the same on the last day . Our experience ..
Dimer devil or Scotch eggs desi style and the railway book stall in chandannagore
There are some book stalls which are like windows to an evolving mind . There was one such in Chandannagore my home town . When it comes to Chandannagore no one can ignore the sweets and the deep fried snacks of the place . Reinventing one such over here – Dimer devil or Scotch eggs desi style
Varanasi Diaries IV – Ghats by the night
Varanasi ghats are worth exploring once and perhaps thousand times in the nights . A journey which started at 10 in the night went upto midnight and the memories stayed forever . Varanasi ghats in the nights – a photostory
Grilled prawns with guacamole and decade of togetherness with her
It has been a decade of togetherness . The ups and downs, the gains and losses, the moments of joy and the agonies of pains . Food was the common link and prawn was the missing link – however that also got solved with time . A story about us and a wonderful quick recipe of grilled prawns with Guacamole .
Rain Rain go away
When it rains endlessly its not always bad . There are so many memories attached with rain – rainy day in schools , colourful raincoats, sounds of pitter patter while going to sleep and waking up with a cloudy sky – whats your fondest memory of monsoon ?
ITC Sonar Kolkata says good morning with signature mornings breakfast
The local fresh produce incorporated into 4 main dishes forms the pillars of ITC signature morning breakfast . Cold press juices are added attraction at Pavilion Pure where unique interesting combinations of juices are available . This is in addition to the normal buffet spread – Why dont you check out ?
The Lalit Great Eastern Bakery – History and memories
I have frequented Waterloo Street on a daily basis for two years . The heritage building which was a distant representation of its past stood there with its lost glory . Heard from elders that the then Great Eastern Bakery used to be the best in the city and was a jewel in the crown . When we recently visited The Lalit Great Eastern Bakery – we were pleasantly surprised and happy as well .
A newly wed couple and Hilsa in yogurt and mustard sauce or Doi Ilish
The Hilsa and monsoon in Eastern part of the country is inseparable . This is the story of a newly wed couple connected by common thread of love and food, experiencing their first monsoon and Hilsa and also how Doi Ilish or Hilsa in Yogurt and mustard sauce got passed on to the daughter in law from Mother in Law
Varanasi diaries III – The wedding and an over enthusiastic photographer
In continuation with my Varanasi Diaries – before I could reach the ghats in night I fulfilled my long time wish of capturing a band baaja baraat – . A photostory where I let the pictures tell you the story
Peanut butter cookies – Tugga the baker .
A recipe inspired by Masterclass in Masterchef Australia season 6 , this is your Peanut butter cookies by Matt Preston . Our son joins the baking as he wishes to remain engaged and spend sometime with his mom
The Lalit Great Eastern Iftar dinner
When its Eid around you cannot simply cannot miss the Iftar spread . The festival has got some dishes , some flavours and some smells attached to it . The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata is offering Iftar dinner on every friday till 17th July – Here’s our account of how it turned out
Taj Gateway Kolkata presents – Hilsa Festival
When its monsoon it has to be hilsha or Ilish as popularly called in the Eastern part of the country . Taj Gateway Kolkata presents Hilsha festival – where handpicked dishes from West Bengal and Bangladesh with some continental variation made the lunch a memorable experience
Varanasi diaries II – Zostel Varanasi -7 reasons why you shouldn’t be there ??
We were headed towards Rihand in UP with an overnight stopover at Varanasi . We found out a rare experience of staying in Zostel – the first branded hostel chain in India .
Bali,Indonesia,Indian Railways and Rendang Curry with Mutton
If Bali reminds most of you of Indonesia, then let me tell you there is another world where Bally means a railway station also in West Bengal . From Bali to bally rediscovering a classic Indonesian dish – Rendang Curry with Mutton
Coming Soon
Watch this space for more upcoming events in future
Past Events
