#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.
The Telangana Food Festival at ITC Sonar Kolkata
This #Telangana food festival is on at ITC Hotels Kolkata. The name of the dishes can be tongue twisters but they surely leave a lingering taste on your taste buds. The tangy spiced fish Pulao or the Karjyam Vepudu or the Royyala vepudu all were winners. Not to forget the Uluvacharu which is claimed to be the signature dish by both Andra Pradesh and Telangana.
Smoke House Deli Kolkata – The new menu
There is something exciting going on in Smoke House Deli Kolkata. A new menu in addition to the regular show stoppers. More variety for the vegetarian fares and large portions has just made this place to be visited often. An often go to place for us we enjoyed sampling the new menu.
Mullick Ghat Flower market Kolkata – A photowalk and some tips
This is perhaps the largest flower market in Asia where everyday the flowers come, get sorted out and distributed across the city and country. A photowalk here can only mean some amazing shots, getting soaked in their daily lives, struggles and a valiant effort to capture them.
7 reasons why Kosha mangsho will be my last dish before I die
If there is Victoria Memorial, if there is phuchka, if there is Rosogolla, if there is Rabindranath Tagore – then there is Kosha Mangsho also. For every reason and for all seasons this an universally loved dish. The intelligentsia of Kolkata have an unending debate of whether there should be Potatos in Kosha Mangsho or where do you get the best Kosha Mangsho ? I tried to figure out if there is one last dish whih I would like to have before I die why I will have Kosha Mangsho
Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet 2016 – Nation at Play
On the 4th day of Tata Steel, Olympic Gold Medalist Abhinav Bindra and Ronojoy Sen author of Nation at Play debate out why India doesnt produce Gold Medal winners ? How we can improve the sports facilities and infrastructure ? Joy Bhattacharya moderated the session in his trademark style.
Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet – Kalkatta by Kunal Basu and Sharmila Tagore
Is it Calcutta? Is it Kolkata? or Kalkatta ? In the third day of Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet 2016 the discussion between Author Kunal Basu who has just released Kalkatta and the ever gracious and a true Calcuttan Sharmila Tagore moderated by Yajneseni Chakraborti tried to rediscover the city . Read the detailed story here
Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet – Her story of partition
Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet had a gripping session on day 2 -It was Partition through her eyes where eminent personalities with background of research in decolonization . A heart wrenching discussion opened up so many angles and scars too . Read the full story here
Novotel Kolkata is holding Lucknawi Food Festival
Its worth recommending . The Lucknawi food festival in Novotel Kolkata offers some rare handpicked dishes from Awadhi cuisine. Chef Abid Qureshi has come down from Lucknow with the curated menu and some special spices to make some yummy Awadhi food. Reasons why you should check out this festival.
Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and 4 reindeer in my home
The beauty of baking is that more you get into it the more addictive it gets . Perhaps the last for the season – the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting was made on the christmas eve when 4 reindeer came to my home and Santa also came with loads of gifts for the kids .
The Blue House in Goa and my mirror image
While we were in Goa this house was calling out for the stories associated with it to be unraveled. I spent about 30 mins around the house and came back with more questions than the pictures. Introducing for the first time in blog my mirror image and its thoughts . Please read the poem and show some love and care
Eggless rich fruit cake and this magical season
The dry fruits had been soaked in Rum almost a month and half ago. In Kolkata, New Market is the area where one will find most of the baking items . We mention few of those stores here. The baking season continues at home with this egg less rich fruit cake .
Mexo Italiana food festival at Casa Kitchen Kolkata
Casa Kitchen kolkata has brought to the city a new food festival . Mexo Italiana is equally lucrative for Vegetarian as well as non vegetarian food lovers of the city . A carefully curated menu offers best of the dishes cooked with care and the same reflects in the taste also . Read the review here .
Sundays and baked chicken with basil and tomatoes
We have two contrasting pattern of Sundays . There are sundays which start on a bright note with excellent breakfast and then a sumptuous lunch with a basic healthy dinner . Then there are sundays which have working breakfast , basic lunch and by the time its evening we realize that we cannot let go the sunday just like that. This baked chicken with basil and tomatoes is just one of those dishes which lifts up the spirit and let us look forward to Mondays .
Finally winter is here – we start with mince pies
This is a winter tale or rather waiting for winter. A post which I had written couple of months back in anticipation that winter will come in soon, however it delayed. Those few days of winter in Kolkata brings a sparkle to Madhushree’s eyes and Tugga our son and her assistant jumps into action . We start with mince pies and many more to come . We also do a review of the new OTG by Borosil – Prima 19 L
Tata Tiago review – 5 ways in which Tiago by Tata Motors is going to affect my marriage
I am not a car reviewer so the only way I can do that is to measure the impact it can have on my life and my marriage. This is my take on how Tiago is going to affect my life
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
Coming Soon
Madhushree speaks with Kalyan on his series of #foodocracyforher
Past Events
