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Monica Bhide

Food, travel and culture writer.

Recent Activity

Please forgive us - SITE DOWN

My site is down for a facelift. Please bear with me for a couple of days as we debut our new look. Continue reading

Posted Jan 3, 2011 at A Life of Spice

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"Table of Contents" (Or what novelists eat), Dec 2010

I have always admired Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp who created the bookclubcookbook.com. Smart, smart women and my admiration grew when their book, "Table of Contents" landed on my table. What a concept: the best novelists in America talk about their favorite dishes and recipes are included! I flipped the pages and was in love. I was happy to... Continue reading

Posted Dec 31, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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An open letter to Paula Wolfert

Photo by Quentin Bacon. Dear Paula: A few months ago, Food & Wine did a fantastic story on you. It was written by the super talented Emily Kaiser (who is a close friend of mine). I think I read that story ten times and then placed the magazine on my work table (ie my couch). It was the first time... Continue reading

Posted Dec 30, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Sexy Women Eat, Dec 2010

There is only one woman who could have written a book like this and it is the lovely, the talented and the super sexy Divya Gugnani. I was in NYC in Sept for a meeting. I was late to the meeting and when I entered they were talking about a sexy Indian woman who was making waves in NYC. "Divya?"... Continue reading

Posted Dec 29, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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"Will Write for Food" Dec 2010

There are many people who I know who teach food writing but, honestly, no one does it like Dianne Jacob. Her lovely book "Will Write for Food" has been on my nightstand for as long as I can remember. It has been an excellent companion for me as I try to navigate the world of food writing. I was very... Continue reading

Posted Dec 29, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Is fruitcake for fruitcakes? Not this one

(Isn't this photo AMAZING? By Sala Kannan for Life of Spice) I have this thing about fruitcakes. I hate them. I mean really truly hate them: the ones I am talking about are the ones that I find in Indian grocery stores that have things in them that, I swear, would glow in the dark. They have small green, red,... Continue reading

Posted Dec 17, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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First reviews of iSpice rolling in....

(Thanks to David Leite for creating this image!) Let me tell you that it is nerve-wrecking to put out a new product - a new book, an article, a post, an app.... You work on it and send it out and then wait to see what the world thinks. It always amazes me how supportive people are. I have gotten... Continue reading

Posted Dec 15, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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RECIPE - The City Cook's gorgeous Red Rice Pilaf

I have been cooking my way through, “THE CITY COOK: Big City, Small Kitchen. Limitless Ingredients, No Time: 90 recipes so delicious you’ll want to toss your takeout menus” (Simon & Schuster; November 2010; $20.00), by Kate McDonough, creator of TheCityCook.com. I have been a avid reader of her work since 2007. What I love about Kate is that she... Continue reading

Posted Dec 14, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Two cents a spice -- iPHONE app called iSpice

(Many thanks to David Leite for creating this gorgeous icon ad). Want to learn more about cardamom? What to know where you can buy curry leaves? Wondering exactly what Berbere is? Want tips on how to cook with peppers? Now there is an app for that! I hope this will help cooks all around the world learn more about familiar... Continue reading

Posted Dec 13, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Here's looking at me, Parents magazine 2011

(istock photo) This post is going to be difficult to write. My first essay of 2011 appears in Parents magazine ( issue now on newstands). The essay is titled "Here's looking at me." It is an essay about growing up feeling like the ugly duckling who never outgrew that phase. It is an essay about a childhood spent worrying about... Continue reading

Posted Dec 8, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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NPR's All Things Considered: Saffron, Dec 2010

I am super excited to be on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED today with guest host Guy Raz discussing saffron. I spent some time with him in the kitchen cooking up a saffron carrot soup and this lovely saffron yogurt dessert featured here. I hope you will all tune in. Would love to hear your comments. Here is the text for the... Continue reading

Posted Dec 7, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Once upon a story: Bacon Guacamole

Now that I have your attention, let's talk! So I got this wonderful little book in the mail the other day called "Recipes Every Man Should Know," by super-food blogger Susan Russo and co-author Brett Cohen. It is a small, black book that had me instantly intrigued. You see, my hubby, does not cook. I mean not even close. I... Continue reading

Posted Dec 3, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Spicecapades: Chocolate Walnut tortes with vanilla

A special for Life of Spice readers for the upcoming holidays. I rarely post desserts.. what can I say.. I dont need to eat them! But I LOVE this recipe that makes just enough to satisfy a craving but not take over my life. I hope you will try it. I am sure you will enjoy it. You will love... Continue reading

Posted Nov 28, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Once upon a story: Giving away Nutella!!!

Fits, Starts and Matters of the Heart- This book is so close to my heart for so many reasons. First, it is a collection of 28 true stories, all about relationships, love and loss and features some of my most favorite essayists: Andrea King Collier, Denise Schipani, D. Cameron Lawrence, Jody Mace and so many more. And I am happy... Continue reading

Posted Nov 24, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Bayou Bakery, DC Modern Luxury, November 2010

Earlier this fall, I interviewed Chef David Guas about his brand new baby - BAYOU Bakery in Arlington. You can read that fun interview here. Today, Bayou Bakery opened it's doors to the public for the first time ever and to a full house at that! We went and tried many things like the muffuletta, the beignets, the gumbo (AMAZING)... Continue reading

Posted Nov 23, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Native Tongue, Ladies Home Journal, Dec 2010/Jan 2011

I am so thrilled to announce my first EVER story in Ladies Home Journal (Dec/Jan 2010 issue). It is an essay for their Family Time column. It focuses on my son and I and our bond with food. Jai loves my shrimp curry with coconut milk and in his honor, the recipe is here for you all. I hope you... Continue reading

Posted Nov 21, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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FIZZ ED, MORE magazine, Dec 2010 /Jan 2011

I have been WAITING to tell you all about this story. I have been waiting.. patiently, anxiously. I think I can honestly say that this is one of my BEST food clips ever. Here is a collection of several recipes that I custom developed for MORE magazine for the holidays. While the recipes are simple, easy and yes, yummy.. the... Continue reading

Posted Nov 21, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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United Tastes of Turkey, Washington Post Express, Nov 2010

As you think of what to do with your turkey for Turkey day, take a look at these lovely recipes by three of DC's top chefs - Chef Haider Karum, Chef Scott Drewno and CHef K.N. Vinod offer some wonderfully different takes on turkey. How different? An Indian turkey kebab, a Chinese spiced whole bird and a gorgeous and simple... Continue reading

Posted Nov 19, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Once upon a story: Whopper Cake and the Cow who loved cookies

In our house, we are through and through Karma Wilson groupies. We are not just fans but we are crazy about her. The royal "we" I am speaking of is myself and my two young boys. When they were a little younger, Karma sent me a copy of her "Bear Snores on" book and we were hooked. The kids read... Continue reading

Posted Nov 19, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Once upon a story: Joshua Tree Spice Studio

I have always loved Chef Joshua Linton’s recipes. They are simple and superbly flavorful so when I got an email from the chef saying he had just started his own line of spices, I was thrilled. I am happy to say that I have sampled many of the spices in his line and they are terrific. I interviewed Joshua about... Continue reading

Posted Nov 17, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Indian-themed winery in Virginia celebrates an anniversary

This Indian-themed winery, in Virginia, is a year-old this week. The owners, Pandit and Sudha Patil, named the winery after his mother, Narmada, who sent him to the States at the tender age of 17 to make a life for himself. With the Indian national bird, the peacock, as its mascot, the winery stamps its Indian imprint on all it... Continue reading

Posted Nov 16, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Once upon a story: What I have learned in 2010

istock photo As the year end approaches, I always seem to retreat into my shell to hibernate for a while. I guess it is my way of figuring out where I have been and where i am going. 2010 has been a year of great learning for me: learning in every arena. Every belief I have held that has been... Continue reading

Posted Nov 15, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Why I dont cook for my parents: NPR's Kitchen Window, Nov 2010

And it isnt what you think! Read the story here and come back to my blog and leave a comment on what you think! I am going to choose a random winner from the comments list and send them a copy of Modern Spice so they can cook or their family. It seems like the right thing to do. Doesnt... Continue reading

Posted Nov 10, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Once upon a story: A lady named Dorie....

This is not a book review. If you want to read a book review of "Around my French Table" by Dorie Greenspan, then use Google. There are a million reviews and the book just made the New York Times bestseller list and it is Amazon's number one cookbook of 2010. My verdict on the book: BUY IT. NOW. This post... Continue reading

Posted Nov 7, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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Mr. President: how to relax Mumbai style, Food & Wine (blog) 2010

Photo courtesy of Blue Frog My fun piece on how President Obama can relax in Mumbai ran on the Food & Wine blog this weekend - read it here: Relax, Mr. President - Desi style Continue reading

Posted Nov 7, 2010 at A Life of Spice

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