About

Hey there! 
This is Jagruti writing to you from San Francisco bay area currently juggling between a hectic postdoctoral appointment at Stanford with this creative relief and my brain child "The Turmeric Kitchen". This fantastic little journey of mine began one fine day when it dawned on me that cooking up new recipes just wasn't enough. I had to share it with the world and so it began. Clichéd as it may sound, I would still love to share with you the whole and sole reason for my embarking on this endeavor.


Ever since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by food (the smell - the sight - the feel...et.al)and the entire process of preparing it.Cutting, chopping,peeling prawns..you name it and I would do it! Though I had never formally prepared a whole meal for the family till then, I can trace back to the time when I was all of 5 years and all I would draw is kitchen utensils.Growing up, I would imagine myself hosting cooking shows while making imaginary food with non-existent ingredients.Standing by my Ma watching her dish out delicious recipes filled with love would captivate me to no ends.It actually acted as a welcome break from the hectic rigmarole of student life.

However, the cooking bug didn't bite me hard until way later when I came here to the US. That's when the realization sunk in that creating recipes for me is therapeutic, meditative, a stress buster and yes, definitely a way to express my love.A lot of my dishes are inspired by Odia cuisine - the food I grew up eating along with the several others that I picked up along the way-one of the many advantages of living in a city that offers up a cultural meld of global cuisines.

A note about the nomenclature of this blog:

Way before  I even started writing this blog, it took birth on Facebook as a photoblog. Right then I knew, that it had to name it something related to a spice. Spices define Indian cooking and I am immensely proud of that. So when I looked around my kitchen, I couldn't help but notice that turmeric is one spice that is used heavily in all regions of the diverse subcontinent and especially in Odia cuisine. Its actually quite interesting to note that India is the largest producer of turmeric, also known as the "Golden Spice". I found myself reaching out to this spice for both its medicinal and musky qualities and finalised on "The Turmeric Kitchen".

So a warm welcome to this journey of trials,errors and triumphs which I would try my very best to make every bit worthwhile! :) 

17 comments:

  1. I never knew had such a passion (and TALENT!) for cooking! You are inspiring and wonderful and I'm so glad we are at USC together! :)
    --Amanda

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    1. Thanks so much Amanda..that's very sweet of you! Its always been a great pleasure working/interacting with you :)

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  3. Wow.. I must say I am very impressed by the way you have described your passion for food.. And of course the pictures look Amazing! Keep up the good work Jagruti! You are awesome! :)

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  4. Nice connecting with you through Indiblogger and you have a wonderful space.
    Love Ash.

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  5. Thanks Ash..You have a great website too :)

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  6. ur turmeric kitchen sounds exciting
    its a very good and thoughtful idea to share these recipes with ur friends
    good work :)

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  7. Exciting intro..Kudo to you..for this wonderful blog.

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  8. I must say that in school I knew you had very good literary skills but you also had culinary skills, I am amazed to know. I am your friend in the literary category because I love the way you express the journey to each of these recipes cooked by you. I melt into your writing when I start reading and then comes the photo of the food which mesmerizes me. I am not an avid kitchen person but this is one food blog I love reading. The story that you weave around your delicacies is what makes it simply different a read. Definitely "The Turmeric" is leaving it's bright colour with each dish.

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  9. No one could ever feel so happy and gratifying than I do..
    I really feel contented to my inner self when I tell people to just chk Turmeric Kitchen my SIS's food blog and the impromptu reaction is always a WOWWW!!!
    N I say dats my Sister.. (proud inside)!!!
    Not a one till date has declined appreciation..

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    1. I know u do and I love u for that! My greatest supporter and fan..u mean the world to me :)

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  10. There is so much inspiration & genuinity in your words.And I am sure in your food too. You are superb Jag !! I wish you all the luck in the world. Keep Cooking & sharing your recipe. And for the encore "There is no sincerer love than the love of food" - George Bernard Shaw :)

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  11. Awesome Jagruti, I am happy to see your story. Though lived in India for last 25 years I never got an opportunity to explore Odia cuisine. Your recipe would definately help many of us here in the US learn more about of diverse culture of food that we have back in our country. Keep up the good job and I look forward to see more information coming here. Good Luck and best wishes.

    Fleur

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words Fleur! :)

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Each kind, encouraging word gives me the impetus to put more into this space, so thanks a lot for browsing through and stopping by to say a word! :)