French Macaron Recipe with Salted Caramel and Cardamom Cream Cheese Filling | Guest Post by Nisha of My Kitchen Antics

Learn how to make French Macarons with Salted Caramel and Cardamom Cream Cheese Filling from Nisha of My Kitchen Antics

“There was a mood of magic and frenzy to the room. Crystalline swirls of sugar and flour still lingered in the air like kite tails. And then there was the smell-the smell of hope, the kind of smell that brought people home.”
~ Sarah Addison Allen

I am reminded of the above lines from a book ’The girl who chased the moon’ when I think of today’s guest blogger. I asked her if she could do me a favour and write a guest post for my blog for the second time. She not only agreed to be a guest blogger for the second time, but sent me five amazing recipes to choose from! Again!!! This girl leaves me spoiled for choices and salivating at the most amazing and tempting recipes she whips up in her kitchen. I am talking about my gorgeous friend Nisha who blogs some scrumptious treats at My Kitchen Antics. Her blog is filled with stunning photographs, wonderful recipes and witty anecdotes which makes you want to come back again and again! It didn’t take me too long to choose the French Macarons recipe from the 5 different recipe choices she gave me. If there is someone who can make mean Macarons, then it definitely going to be none other than a macaron diva herself who is also happens to be a consultant at Bobo Macarons! Nisha, thank you for sharing one of my most favourite recipes with us all. You can read more about Nisha by following her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I am back again with a guest post for Sia. And this time, we decided to go with French Macarons. I would totally understand why Sia asked me to go with Macarons because everyone on my FB page kinda know I'm obsessed with these sweet lil things.

I can’t claim I'm an expert at macarons, because there are still instances where something terribly goes wrong and im left wondering if I will ever figure it all out some day. But once you get the hang of it, you will realize it’s one of those things you'd want to experiment with over and over again with different colours, flavours, shapes etc etc.

Avocado Mint Pesto Recipe | Guest Post by Prerna of Indian Simmer

Learn how to make Avocado Mint Pesto from Prerna of Indian Simmer

“The most talented people are always the nicest.”
― James Caan

That really holds true for a very talented and gorgeous Prerna behind equally gorgeous blog Indian Simmer. As her food simmers on a stove, she takes you on a beautiful food journey with stunning food photographs and heart-warming anecdotes. Through her lens she magically transforms everyday food into the most beautiful, exotic and exciting visual experience. If you enjoy good writing which makes you walk down the memory lane and nostalgic, then Prerna’s blog is sure to win your heart! Thank you dear Prerna for taking time from your busy schedule to do a guest post. Please make sure to follow her on Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram if you do not want to miss any amazing posts that Prerna churns out!

Thank you Sia for sharing your beautiful space with me today. Monsoon Spice was one of the few Indian food blogs which I literally grew up following as a food blogger so you can imagine my excitement today when I get to share my work on the space.

Savory Multi Millet Pancakes with Garlic-Herb Cheese Spread Recipe | Guest Post by Sanjeeta of Lite Bite

Learn how to make Savory Multi Millet Pancakes with Garlic-Herb Cheese Spread Recipe from Sanjeeta of Lite Bite

Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body.
~ Joseph Addison

And there is someone who spreads her cheerful personality through her innovative recipes, interesting anecdotes, and beautiful photographs and she is our one woman wonder Sanjeeta of a stunning blog called Lite Bite. True to her blog name, Lite Bite is a treasure trove of healthy recipes and beautifully styled photographs that will leave you in awe! From simple home cooking to fusion cooking, Sanjeeta’s tremendous talent shines through her blog where she easily transforms the not so healthy food into light, delicious and flavourful affair. You can’t help but marvel at her unique recipes that will make you wonder why you didn’t think of cooking it before?! Lite Bites is full of innovative and delicious recipes that demonstrates eating healthy and balanced food doesn’t mean one needs to compromise on taste, flavour and comfort. I feel honoured and privileged to share my virtual kitchen with Sanjeeta today who is going to share another ‘lite bites’ from her amazing recipe repertoire with us. You can follow Sanjeeta on her Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.

Food blogging is the ultimate hobby I could indulge in for hours on end. A captivating hobby turned into a full-time passion now, which fills me with excitement and self-worth every single day. Food blogging gives me endless entertainment, raises curiosity, creates memories and helps connect with wonderful online friends to grow together.

For many people, food is just fuel for body and an everyday comfort to celebrate life. To a food blogger ‘food is a subject’ which they seek to understand and explore. They don’t just eat good food but are inspired by it and visualize many forms of art in it. They take food to a different altitude.

Panch Mishali Torkari Recipe | Guest Post by Pia of The Peppercorns in My Pocket

Learn how to make Panch Mishali Torkari Recipe from Pia of The Peppercorns in My Pocket

Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . ."

~ C.S. Lewis

That’s pretty much sums up the friendship I share with this multi-talented girl! I am talking about my gorgeous friend Pia, author of a one of THE most beautiful blogs called the Peppercorns in My Pocket (don’t you just love the name?!). I was smitten with her wonderful photography the moment I chanced upon her blog, and her soul stirring narration that made me eagerly look forward to every new posts. Over the years I have become friends with few food bloggers and Pia is someone if we’re to meet in person, we’d really get on like a house on fire! As she rightly said one day while exchanging emails, we both have quite a lot of things in common; our love for books, food, family, prettying our home with pretty things and our love and yearning for the place we call home, India! Pia’s blog is a place where you can get lost in her words as she vividly paints the stories of her past and present. Hop over to her amazing space, I will assure you that you will be transported to the world of simple joy. If you enjoy some really good write-ups accompanied with recipes, then you can be sure to leave her space with big smile and happy thoughts. The stories of Chotu Ma, Pia’s chirpy, big dreamy eyed, beautiful little girl is an added bonus :) It is such a privilege to have you here, Pia and thank you for sharing such comfort food when we need it the most :) You can follow Pia on her Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram too.

Backwards and forwards

Can one walk backwards and forwards at the same time? Or do the two actions negate each other and make distance disappear, so that you stay in the same place like a tree - torso moving with the wind, toes digging into earth? I have a feeling, a good way of staying centred is to pretend you're riding a unicycle. One-pedal-forward-one-pedal-backward. That is what you need to do to achieve fine balance. To find your centre-of-gravity. Your rootedness. Rootedness has always had its root in movement.

My friend Sia, is moving from England, back to India, with her husband and little son. They're going back the way they came; walking in reverse. But towards family and old friends. Towards familiar roads and a well-known rhythm. Towards home. Backwards and forwards.

Pomegranate Rice - A Guest Post by Radhika @ Food for 7 Stages of Life

Light, Colourful and Packed with Flavours: Pomegranate Rice

It’s been more than 2 weeks since I came back from one month of fulfilled trip to India. All I did was eating-dozing, eating-napping and eating-sleeping… You know the drift! I am still getting over the fact that the holidays are over, I am not yet ready to post anything as of now… While the writer’s block is keeping away from penning my fabulous time at home, the cold winter kept me away from work and confined to bed with nasty chest infection! So while I recover from both cold and homesickness, a dear blogger friend Radhika has agreed to guest post in my absence. In spite of her busy schedule with a new and exciting job of parenting to beautiful baby girl, Radhika kindly agreed to share her favourite recipe of Pomegranate Rice with all of here in my virtual kitchen. Radhika’s gorgeous blog Food for 7 stages of Life is alive with her beautiful photography, exciting recipes, and lovely anecdotes. From simple home cooking to fusion cooking, her blog has everything and more. You can’t just help but marvel at her innovative and unique recipes and wonder how you didn’t think of cooking it before?! Thank you Radhika for gracing my virtual kitchen with yet another interesting and winning recipe. Please follow her on Twitter or join her fan club on Facebook to find more about her and her recipes.

Sweet & Savoury Seasoned Jowar – A Guest Post by Pavithra @ Dishes from My Kitchen

Seasoned Jowar - Sweet and Savoury

Recently I became acquainted with the multi talented Pavithra of Dishes from My Kitchen on social networking site. I was overjoyed when she readily agreed to guest post for the readers of Monsoon Spice in spite of her busy schedule. Her blog is a virtual treat where she dishes out modern Indian cooking using traditional recipes and techniques but giving it her own unique twist. Just like the beautiful lady here, her blog is gorgeous with one of the kind recipe repertoire and stunning food photography that will make you run to the kitchen to create the same magic! From scrumptious sweets to daring bakes, from traditional cooking to modern twists, her blog has wonderful collection of recipes to please every one of you. A heartfelt thank you to Pavithra for gracing my virtual kitchen and sharing her childhood favourite recipes with us all! Please follow her on Facebook if you don’t want to miss out her wonderful recipes.

Victoria Sandwich or Victoria Sponge Cake Recipe - A Guest Post by Rosa @ Rosa's Yummy Yums

Victoria Sandwich or Victoria Sponge Cake

It’s been just few months since I began participating in Susan’s Black and White Wednesday, a culinary food photography event where we are encouraged to look at food and anything related to food in monochrome colours. Sometime I failed and sometimes I succeeded in capturing the vibrant and colourful food look good in just two colours. But I found one amazing food blogger who not just takes beautiful photographs in monochrome but wows you every time by bringing them to life. Every single photograph in her blog has some stories to tell without the need of any words! Her photograph makes me go weak at the knees, lifts my spirit, and also makes me happy every time! I am talking about gorgeous lady Rosa who writes at Rosa’s Yummy Yums from one of the most beautiful countries, Switzerland. I am honoured to have her here today, on Monsoon Spice kitchen, sharing her beautiful photographs and fond memories with you all… Please welcome Rosa today and don’t forget to follow her on Twitter and Facebook if you don’t want to miss out some great food and photos.

Crêpes with Spiced Poached Pears - A Guest Post by Soma @ eCurry

Crêpes with Spiced Poached Pears

If you are looking for an inspiration in food blogging world, you don’t have to go very far! There are many sweet and generous food bloggers who open then heart, kitchen, share their family recipes and also invite you to take a peek into their beautiful world. Soma of stunning food blog eCurry (apt name for food blog, don’t you think?) is one such inspirational blogger who is one of the most sweet person I have come across! Mother to two gorgeous girls, Soma shares her day to day life with beautifully woven stories, soulful narration and stunning photography. Her blog is something to be treasured and it is difficult not to fall in love with her awe inspiring posts. It is my greatest pleasure to have Soma here on my virtual kitchen. Please follow her on Twitter and become her fan on Facebook if you don’t want to miss out her unique, beautiful and delicious recipes.

Buttery Vanilla Pressed Cookies - A Guest Post by Aparna @ My Diverse Kitchen

Licensed To Bake!

I have made many friends through food blogs and social networking sites. I chat, exchange notes and share my personal thoughts with them and yet I haven’t met any one of them in real world! If given a chance I would like to meet few of them face to face. Aparna of gorgeous food blog My Diverse Kitchen is one such person whom I would LOVE to meet! Her lens captures the vibrant life and makes the world and, of course, foods look so colourful, lively and beautiful! As the name suggests, Aparna’s blog captures the essence of diverse cooking with simple yet exotic recipes, beautiful narration and crisp food photography that always manages to bring the feeling of warmth! Please welcome Aparna on Monsoon Spice kitchen and follow her on Twitter, Flickr and Facebook. She has perfect recipe for this Chrismas, Buttery Vanilla Pressed Cookies.

Wishing all the readers of Monsoon Spice a Merry Christmas and a best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year!


Warm regards
Sia

Indian Semolina Pancakes, Raisin and Currant Chutney, and Kokum Cooler - A This-and-That Snack - A guest post by Susan @ The Well Seasoned Cook

Rava Uttapam (Semolina Pancakes with Raisin and Currant Chutney and Kokum Cooler

This lady friend of mine has very special love affair with legumes. She is the brain behind very popular and wonderful food blog event called My Legume Love Affair or MLLA which will be celebrating its third year anniversary in few weeks’ time! Yes, I am talking about the lovely lady Susan behind the very special and B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L food blog The Well Seasoned Cook (don't you love the name?!). I have known Susan for the past 3 years and I never fail to notice her eye for details which reflects through her stunning food and life photography. It is my greatest pleasure to have Susan here on Monsoon Spice as a guest blogger. Do check and participate in her yet another popular Black and White Wednesday, a culinary food photography event which challenges you to look at vibrant and colourful food in monochrome! Visit her beautiful blog, if you have not already done so, and don’t forget to follow her on Twitter.

Caramel Pear (Upside Down) Cake – A Guest Post by Nisha @ Look Who's Cooking Too

Caramel Pear (Upside Down) Cake

When I was absent from blogosphere for almost a year, I missed out reading my favourite blogs and chatting with my lovely blog friends. When I came back I found that there were many new food blogs, more than I had on my google reader! Among the lot, I found some really unique and interesting food blogs with beautiful narration and well presented food. One such blog was Look Who’s Cooking Too by gorgeous Nisha. I found her blog by accident but falling in love with her blog was no accident! Nisha shares wonderful recipes from her home and abroad, and the goodies she whips up in her London kitchen is something that will leave you drooling over your keyboard! It’s my joy to bring Nisha to Monsoon Spice kitchen. You can keep in touch with Nisha by become her friend on Facebook.

Farfalle in a Creamy Roasted Mushroom Sauce - A Guest Post by Deesha @ Vegetable Platter

Farfalle in a Creamy Roasted Mushroom Sauce

There are few food blogs which grabs your attention from very first visit. It could be the way it is designed (uncluttered and clean works for me), the narration, eye catching photography or the precise, clear instructions. Deesha’s Vegetable Platter is one such blog which has all these qualities and much more! Her authentic and traditional recipes married well with the modern and fusion style of cooking along with her crisp and beautiful food photography which is like a cherry on top of already delicious and beautiful cake! I am honoured to have her today as a guest blogger. Please welcome Deesha and don’t forget to follow her on Twitter.

Taro & White Bean Curry – A Guest Post by Chinmayie @ Love Food Eat

Taro and White Bean Curry

I have known her for more than two decades; we grew up on a same street and studied at same school. But we both lost touch when we moved to different cities for higher education. It was only last year when I met her again in my home town when she came to visit me and Lil Dumpling with her ma and gorgeous daughter and then we kept in touch through social network. Few month’s later she mailed me about starting her food blog and since day one, I have become a fan of her beautiful clicks, and what she cooks! It is my greatest pleasure to introduce beautiful Chinmayie of Love Food Eat, a food blog which is unique and simply stunning! Her blog may be just six months old but it is already studded with priceless recipes and beautiful narration. After one look at her blog and I am sure you’ll not want to miss reading her posts. So why not follow her on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook!