Our daily bread

Bun cha is said to have originated in Hanoi. (iStockphoto)

Samar Halarnkar: A bún cha and other discoveries in Hanoi

6 min read . 09 May 2026

Persian food’s influence has remained in Indian kitchens. (iStockphoto/Photo is for representational purposes only,)

Samar Halarnkar: A Persian apricot chicken in the shadow of war

4 min read . 12 Apr 2026

The trick for the perfect char lies in manipulating the air fryer's temperature. (Priya Ramani)

Samar Halarnkar: An air-fried tandoori chicken for the new India

4 min read . 15 Mar 2026

Rosemary lamb chops. (photo for representational purposes only) (iStock)

Samar Halarnkar: Rosemary, me, and a romance over lamb chops

4 min read . 15 Feb 2026

Roasted barramundi. (Daniya Shah & Samar Halarnkar)

Samar Halarnkar: A roasted barramundi that doesn’t break the bank

4 min read . 10 Jan 2026

School fried rice. (iStockphoto)

Samar Halarnkar: A teen, a wok and stir-fries for school

4 min read . 14 Dec 2025

Cooking can be a meditative process. (iStockphoto)

Samar Halarnkar: The multiverse of Meenakshi Ammal’s brinjal

4 min read . 08 Nov 2025

Lemon yogurt chicken stew. (Samar Halarnkar)

Samar Halarnkar: Tagore's wisdom, turning 60 and a chicken stew

4 min read . 13 Sept 2025

Roasted red pepper salad. (Samar Halarnkar)

Samar Halarnkar: Marinated peppers, labneh and other post-stent party adventures

4 min read . 09 Aug 2025

Dolmas stuffed with minced meat. (Samar Halarnkar)

A New York moment in a Turkish home kitchen

4 min read . 13 Jul 2025

One-pot meals require fewer ingredients and less time to prepare. (istockphoto)

Meat-eating dilemmas and the one-pot approach

4 min read . 15 Jun 2025

Fish curry with raw mango. (Photo by Samar Halarnkar )

Raw mango, fish and the ides of spring

4 min read . 12 Apr 2025

Japanese butter rice. (Photo by Samar Halarnkar)

A serial killer’s eulogy to butter and passion

4 min read . 22 Mar 2025

Mutton fry is comfort food. (Istockphoto)

Final exam mutton fry and other challenges

4 min read . 08 Feb 2025

Fish in chermoula sauce. (Photo by Samar Halarnkar)

A rich bounty of family, food and conversations

4 min read . 11 Jan 2025

Chicken liver Marathwada Dalit style (Samar Halanrkar )

How to cook chicken liver from Marathwada’s Dalit kitchens

4 min read . 09 Nov 2024

Tom yam-style fish curry. (Photo by Samar Halarnkar)

Tom yam and other adventures on Kamala beach

4 min read . 12 Oct 2024

Moulds can be used to give the 'modak' its distinct shape. (Photo by Samar Halarnkar)

Moulding a ‘modak’ over memories of Ganesha

4 min read . 14 Sept 2024

Soy-maple-gochujang chicken with pak choi. (Istockphoto)

A gochujang chicken recipe inspired by a trip to Australia

4 min read . 24 Aug 2024

Mackerel on toast. (Samar Halarnkar)

Sustainable eating with mackerel on toast

4 min read . 13 Jul 2024