ABOUT

Hey there, I am Shantala, the creator (and the slave  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) of this Indian food blog – The Love of Spice a.k.a. Shantala’s Kitchen. I am thrilled to have you here, and am especially glad that you decided to come find out more about me!

THE ORIGIN STORY (if you can call it that 😉 )

This would be the perfect place to share with you guys how much I loved to cook ever since I was a child, right? But I can’t do that. Because that’s just not how it was for me. I did not fall in love with cooking until much later in life.

I however have loved to eat ever since I was a child. And that should count for something, right? 😀 

But the truth is that my mom was (and still is) a fantastic cook, so growing up I never felt compelled to enter the kitchen. 

It was only after I got married, and landed in USA, a country on the other side of the globe from my home country, comfort food, and my mom (!!), that I had to learn to cook.

Because you see, I still loved to eat, and I had very particular taste buds, which some might call picky, but I’m sticking with particular. 😀

And the only way to satiate my taste buds was by finally entering the kitchen, and experimenting!

I still remember the initial days, which involved frantic calls to my mom, and my aunts, devouring recipe books (because back then, blogs and YouTube videos weren’t that much of a thing) and making copious notes. 

Of-course a lot has changed since then, except the note taking part. It’s probably my Type A, stationery loving self, that simply could not give up on the notes! 

But of-course now I am glad that I’ve always made (and still do make) detailed notes while creating and tweaking recipes. Because it’s those notes that first made me consider keeping a digital record, and eventually led me to starting this blog of mine.

And honestly, this site has been the BEST thing I decided to do for myself. It’s combined my love for good food and written expression in an absolutely perfect way, and has become my creative outlet and passion project, all rolled into one.

It also continually makes me step out of my comfort zone in the kitchen (both literally and figuratively) and learn new skills – from creative photography to videography and even technical skills for maintaining a site.

Though I have to admit that most of the techie side is taken care of by my hubby, who is also my best friend, kindest critic, and biggest cheerleader. And without whose unconditional support and infinite patience, this blog wouldn’t have been possible!

Basically what I’m saying is that this blog is a team effort. By a 3 member team, consisting of me, my hubby, and my son. Where I cook, and test, and write, and they taste, and help, and cheer me on! 🙂

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE ON HERE

• Tried, Tested, and Perfected Family Friendly Meals
• Indian and Indian Inspired International Recipes
• Easy Instant Pot Recipes
• Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
• Indian Meal Plans (coming soon!)
• Indian Lunch Box Ideas (coming soon!)

I hope you enjoy trying out the recipes as much as I enjoy creating them. ❤️

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE FREE RECIPES AND MEAL IDEAS DIRECTLY IN YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAY!

QUESTIONS? SUGGESTIONS? COMMENTS?

I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave your questions, suggestions, and comments in the comment section of the posts, or email me at [email protected].

You can also reach me on Facebook and Instagram – I am active on both platforms. I have also created a Facebook Group for Desi Foodies and Recipes, where a lot of us regularly share recipes and meal ideas. If you are interested in joining it, just send me a request here.

Or you can follow along on Pinterest – where I regularly pin Indian recipes and meal ideas.

Oh and I am also on You Tube. Come and find me there if you are more of a visual learner, and prefer recipe videos. 🙂