The Spiced Affair

The Spiced Affair I share stories of my heritage through food, travel and culture. Message us to know more......

07/06/2026

Dastarkhwan .....The table of togetherness!!

For me setting the table is a tradition I grew up with, and now I understand it was always about creating a place where guests feel welcomed.

In Lucknow, and Awadhi traditions, the 'Dastarkhwan' becomes more than a piece of cloth it is grounded in a philosophy. It signifies generosity, abundance, and warmth........Where dishes are shared, conversations flow, and a meal together turns into a memory, a blessing.

Growing up in India, I learnt the dining table was not just about food. It was about bringing people together.

It is this spirit of the Dastarkhwan that I bring to the table through The Spiced Affair.

- the term has Persian and Turkish origins, referring to the table cloth as 'The Folds of Abundance' - a philosophy that goes way beyond the table cloth, and in sharing our blessings we are blessed.

food

31/05/2026

Cooking for friends who have long since become family.

This saturday I brought a little of that winter feel from Lucknow into my home.

Nihari - tender beef shanks slowly simmered overnight, infused with subtle spices create a soul-warming stew. More than a dish, Nihari is patience served with love....Born in the streets of Lucknow, it remains one of the city's most cherished winter traditions

Dinner closed with 'Kaali Gaajar ka Halwa' - another seasonal delicacy made from black carrots, hand grated and slowly cooked in milk until rich and velvety. Finished with cashews, almonds, and pistachios, it is winter's sweetest celebration.

There is something special about sharing the flavours you grew up with - not simply serving a meal, but passing on a small piece of home.

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25/05/2026

Kulfi....
There are some places you return to not just for the food .....but for the memories attached to them.

On my recent visit to Lucknow, I went back to Prakash Kulfi - a kulfi shop my grandfather first took us to nearly 50 years ago.

At Chanakya Kulfi, I watched kulfi still being prepared the traditional way...through slow churning and craftsmanship.

It was heartwarming to see a technique from decades gone by still in use.

And the Kulfi?! It remains the best - not just in my memory, but in my present too.

Perhaps that is what makes these places so special....the feeling that some traditions continue to hold their place in a fast-changing world.

10/05/2026

Wishing a very Happy Mother's Day to all Mums for being who they are, and the memories they leave us with.

❤️

From Chaat to Kebabs to Mithai - a journey through Lucknow's streets, one bite at a time......
05/05/2026

From Chaat to Kebabs to Mithai - a journey through Lucknow's streets, one bite at a time......

29/04/2026

Cooking Murgh Musallam - a 16th century dish from the Mughal era, literally meaning "whole chicken".

A delicate dish infused with saffron flavours, decadent stuffing and cooked in a complex gravy.

There's something about these old recipes for me.....they are carried forward !

All my growing up years I watched my Mother cook- nothing rushed, immense patience, and a lot of faith in the process. That's how I learnt.

Through the centuries this dish has seen many variations as it was adopted in homes and restuarants.

Despite that, Murgh Musallam will always remain a delicacy.

23/04/2026

Fresh vegetable shopping in India.....

Humble hands at small roadside spots or pushing a cart, a crate - sorting, weighing, offering.
Nothing wrapped in plastic.
Nothing pretending to be what it isn't.

Honest work.
Simple.
Real.
Necessary.

Before the city stirs, they're here and a quiet buzz rises...filling the streets with sounds of life.

My favourite time of the day when in India - letting the freshness inspire family meals for the day ahead.

13/04/2026

Celebrating 'Chikankari'.....

Lucknow's heritage lives not only in its kitchens but also in the quiet artistry of this exceptional art form.

Motifs born from inspiration are carved into wooden blocks, transfering intriguing prints onto fabric. An elaborate production process, upto 30 different types of intricate stitches, fine sewing techniques - all converging to create the most exquisite of costumes. Each unique element of this craft is passed down through generations and artisans today continue to give life to a tradition that is legendary in its elegance.

In her book "Chikankari: A Lucknowi Tradition" Paola Manfredi beautifully described this as the 'White Magic of Lucknow"

Visit WACA - a social enterprise based in Lucknow supporting artisans.



07/04/2026

Breads that whisper tales of tradition.....
How many breads does one city get to call its own?

Welcome to Lucknow.......
Where even the bread tells a story and defines culinary tradition.

Lucknow's culinary heritage has recently received global recognition - but for me, it has always been personal.I returne...
29/03/2026

Lucknow's culinary heritage has recently received global recognition - but for me, it has always been personal.

I returned to Lucknow to revisit the flavours, craft and culture that shape its extraordinary food. This city of Nawabs (the Royals), where food carries the elegance of "nazakat", the grace of "tehzeeb", and the warmth of "mehmaan nawazi".

Through its breads, kebabs, biryanis, sweets and street traditions, Lucknow tells a story of refinement, patience, and remarkable flavour.

These are the tastes and traditions that inspire the tables of The Spiced Affair.

Over the coming days, I'll be sharing brief glimpses of this extraordinary food culture.

Welcome to the beginning of the journey.

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