Taro is commonly found throughout India and is widely used as a staple food. It is one of the earliest crops and made its entry into India before the potato, which is relatively recent. Taro has historical references in the Vedas and early AyurVedic writings. It is a very easy crop to grow, both in the lower wetlands and on higher altitudes, making it a very hardy and versatile crop. Every culture in India utilises this vegetable in its root form, and some even incorporate th

In July of this year, I took a trip to Angola, one of the least touristy destinations in the world. This was a superb cultural and culinary trip organised by Roads & Kingdoms , and hosted by the fabulous food writer, historian, and cultural guru who was our guide for the week. On my first night, we went out to a local restaurant,  Churrascaria Nandinhos, renowned for its BBQ'ed chicken. I have lived in the US, and BBQ'ed chicken in the Virginia belt was what I considered th

The Chettinad table is loaded with chutneys and condiments. They add to the complexity of flavours on the table and provide that pop of...

One of the least known cuisines in India is Assamese muslim-influenced cuisine. This is a tale of migration, royal kingdoms, trade and...