I was completely clueless about what to write for my final entry for the Blogchatter Food Fest 2025. This 10-day celebration of food gave us the chance to share five posts centered around everything we love about food. While others were wrapping up with desserts and main courses, I sat staring at a blank screen—until it struck me: it’s been ages since I wrote something beyond just recipes. And even those have been quite sporadic lately!
So instead of a new recipe, here’s a little walk down memory lane. These ramblings—and the recipes they led to—are what made this blog what it is today.
If you’re new here, let me tell you the story of how it all began.
Where It All Started…
A couple of decades ago, shortly after I got married and moved to a far-off land, I found myself with a lot of free time. My husband would head off to work, and I’d have the whole day to myself. I began spending time in the kitchen, trying out new recipes and tweaking old ones. Friends would ask me for those recipes, and I’d mail them back and forth—until I thought, “Why not have a space of my own to document all this?”
Food blogs were just starting to pick up. I loved reading them, and the idea of combining my love for cooking with writing felt exciting. So I decided to start my own. But that was easier said than done.
The first challenge was naming the blog. I took it very seriously. I scribbled down over 50 potential names, roped in my friends to help, and agonized over which one to pick. It felt like choosing your favorite spice—nearly impossible! After a lot of thought, this blog got its name and its beginning.
The early days were full of enthusiasm. I would spend hours at the computer, jotting down ideas and planning content, often at the cost of chores piling up around me! At one point, I asked myself, “Will I be able to keep up?” But then I reminded myself of the one simple reason I started: I love cooking, and sharing that joy made it even better.
My love for food began long before this blog did. As a child, I would watch my mother in the kitchen, completely mesmerized by her graceful movements, the aromas she created, and the ease with which she brought magic to every meal. Inspired by her, I started my own kitchen adventures.
My dad, bless him, was the guinea pig for every one of my experiments. He tasted every strange combination I came up with—often with a brave face and an honest review.
One memory that still makes me smile is my attempt at making Sooji Kesari—my all-time favorite dessert. I had seen mom prepare it so many times that I thought I was a pro. I banned her from the kitchen and confidently got started… only to end up with a dry, powdery mess. Still, my pride wouldn’t let me admit it. I told mom I’d eat the whole thing myself—though secretly, I knew it was far from edible! 😅
But don’t worry—I’ve since mastered kesari, and even experimented with some fun variations, which I’m sharing here
My Cookbook Obsession & Growing the Blog
In college, while others were studying textbooks, you’d find me with a colorful cookbook, happily copying down recipes into my notebook. Every friend, cousin, or relative I met got the same question from me: “Any interesting recipes or cookbooks to share?” My collection grew, and so did my passion.
Eventually, this love for food turned into a habit of documenting, writing, and experimenting. My husband became the new taste-tester, and soon, the blog turned into a journal of stories, recipes, and emotions.
Some dishes made me nostalgic, others reminded me of people or places, and a few became my go-to comfort foods in both happy and hard times.
Life, Motherhood, and the Blog that Grew with Me
I published my very first post on January 1st, 2008, just a month before my little one was born. I had promised my mom I wouldn’t overdo it and would take care of myself, but I couldn’t stay away for long! I started with a modest goal—four posts a month. Soon, that turned into four posts a day! I still wonder how I pulled that off with a tiny toddler at home.
And that toddler? She loved my kitchen experiments. It became a cycle—cook, feed, blog, repeat. The joy of seeing her enjoy my food became my biggest motivator.
When we lived in China, I had access to exotic ingredients that I couldn’t find back home. That phase brought out a different kind of creativity, and I looked forward to every new dish I could create and share.
Right from the simple Xi Fan or the humble Congee/healthy porridge to the most exotic Yiner Hangzao Geng– a sweet dish made with lotus seeds, snow fungus, and red dates, I tried them all!
Then came the blogging marathons—monthly themes, challenges with blogging friends, and an unmatched level of excitement. From traditional recipes to modern twists, from pantry basics to elaborate feasts, we cooked, posted, and cheered each other on.
Now, years later, my little one is all grown up and even teaches cooking classes for kids! Watching her carry forward that love for food fills me with pride—and also nudges me to rekindle my own blogging spirit.
A Quiet Kitchen, A Full Heart
Lately, though, life has taken me in different directions. Priorities shifted, time became scarce, and the blog sat quietly—waiting. While I never stopped cooking, I did stop writing about it as much. But my heart? It never left this space.
I still love creating, testing, and tasting. And now that life has found a new rhythm, I hope to return to this blog with the same joy and energy that started it all.
So whether you’ve been here since my first post or just dropped by recently—thank you. I hope you find a story that makes you smile, a recipe that brings comfort, or a reminder of the magic food holds in our lives.
Here’s to more memories, more flavors, and hopefully, more posts very soon.
Until we meet again…
