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About Me

Who is Meena?

Hi There! My name is Meena, and I’m the writer/creator behind Hooked on Heat. As a little girl, I remember sneaking my Mom’s favourite wok and ladle into my room and pretending that I had my very own cooking show – happily chatting away to the “camera” while I stirred and added imaginary ingredients. A magician in the kitchen and my biggest inspiration, I loved watching my Mom prepare delicious and fulfilling meals with ease. Though cooking had always been a hobby, I only began to take it seriously after moving out of home and into a hostel for college. Unwilling to survive on tasteless meals provided by the hostel cafeteria, I finally decided to don on the apron and armed with a ladle set to work. Now, many years later, I can happily make a mean Indian meal at the drop of a hat!

And what about her hubby?

The star of the show, Hubby Dear has gained a handful of admirers, thanks to all his antics in and around the kitchen. Call him the guinea pig or taste-tester! Being the first to try everything that comes out from this overworked kitchen, it’s no surprise he’s the talk of the town. Or so he believes!

Hold on, isn’t there a baby in the picture now too?

Why of course! Baby Dear became an integral part of HOH in the summer of 2011 when he was finally introduced to his first solid food – the sweet potato. Now, he continues to experiment with different flavours and textures of food. Not one to watch us eat from the sidelines without at least attempting to grab a bite of what’s on our plates, it won’t be too long before he joins the ranks of his Daddy Dear as one of the official HOH taste-testers.

What’s with all the heat?

I truly believe that even a simple, quick meal can be made to feel special, and a little spice never hurt anyone, now did it? This food blog is my attempt at sharing my creativity and love of food with everyone. It’s a food journal with many little notes that I hope would come in very handy when I finally write my own cookbook. Now, if only that publisher would come along! I’m pleased to have you know that the publisher did come knocking after all, and I am now the proud author of TWO cookbooks:

  • Knack Indian Cooking: A Step-by-Step Guide to Authentic Dishes Made Easy by Globe Pequot Press
  • 500 Indian Dishes by Quintet Publishing

So how did she get into cooking?

I began cooking when I moved into a hostel about 11 many, many years ago. Living on your own teaches you a lot, and cooking is one of them! The first few months, I survived mainly on instant noodles and the local takeaway. Not long after, I decided that it was time to do something about it. So I called up my Mom, and that was the beginning of our regular recipe exchanges over the phone (did I mention it was long distance?).

Every time we would talk, the topic of what each of us had for lunch or dinner was an unavoidable question. With that continued the saga of how it was made, and what other variations could be added to make it better, and not to mention, simpler. It wasn’t long before I realized that I really enjoyed cooking. It was always a proud moment for me when I got a compliment on my culinary skills. And an even bigger one for Mom when they would tell her that her daughter fell right into her footsteps.

So don on those aprons, fire up that stove and allow me to take you on a culinary journey. A journey so satisfyingly good, you’ll be surprised that you haven’t even stepped out of your home. And as every good host is always proud to declare, I say to you, Let the party begin!

Now seriously, can Indian cooking really be as quick and simple as she says?

Of the few complaints that I often get on Indian cooking, the one that stands most prominent is the myth that Indian cooking is just too hard.

Now, before you roll your eyes at me and say, yea sure, easy for her, she’s Indian, just hear me out. True, I was born Indian, but as much as I would like to believe, I wasn’t born with Indian culinary instincts induced within my being. Like any of you not familiar with the South-Asian cuisine, I too started off without much knowledge of this exotic cuisine.

After spending too much of my time cribbing about how little people actually knew about Indian food, I decided to start a series, Indian 101, to introduce my lovely readers to its simple cooking basics. This cooking primer became so popular, that I was asked to turn it into a monthly column for the food section of The Mississauga News. So what are you waiting for? Click here to get started.

Questions? Suggestions? Requests?

I try my level best to correspond and respond to each comment personally. However, I am only human and do make it a priority to spend as much time with my family and lead a life outside this blog. Drop me a line with all your queries and I’ll try to get to them as soon as possible! Regarding recipe requests, I will try and fulfil them to the best of my culinary capability. Unless of course, it contains chocolate. I’m always in the mood for chocolate!

You can find me and connect on: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

You can email me: [email protected]

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Meena | Indian-inspired Food
All throughout high school, whenever I was asked w All throughout high school, whenever I was asked what I wanted to do when I got older, I always said “Write a Book!”. Not knowing how, when or even what it was going to be about, I just knew that was something I truly wanted. Little did I know that about a decade later I would have my very first cookbook in my hands. Then, exactly 9 years ago to this day I announced that I began working on my 2nd one. Today, I’m excited to let you know that I just signed my 3rd cookbook deal -  Vegan Indian Instant Pot, coming out later this Fall! #hookedonheat #HOHkitchen #foodblogger #cookbookauthor #foodwriter #indiancooking #veganfood #instantpot #cookbook
I love making a one-pot meal that combines my prot I love making a one-pot meal that combines my protein, grains and veggies on busy weeknights. This Keema Matar Pulao recipe is what I often fall back on when I need a quick, nutritious and tasty meal that the whole family will enjoy. Serve it with some Raita or a Salad on the side. Recipe linked in profile. @ontariovealappeal #sponsored #vealathome #ontarioveal #hookedonheat #HOHkitchen #homecooked #indianfood #foodblogger #inmykitchen #homecooking #indiancooking #recipeontheblog #whatsfordinner #pantrychallenge #pantrycooking #quickrecipes #indianrecipes #gharkakhana #desifood #simplerecipes #keemapulao
Do you have a secret recipe that's always a hit wi Do you have a secret recipe that's always a hit with everyone that you can make at the drop of a hat? These Spinach and Cheese Croissants are super easy and quick, and hardly requires any work at all! Head to the post for some fun ideas on how you can make this New Year’s Eve extra special for you family! Recipe linked in profile. #hookedonheat #HOHkitchen #homecooked #indianfood #foodblogger #inmykitchen #homecooking #indiancooking #recipeontheblog #whatsfordinner #pantrychallenge #pantrycooking #quickrecipes #indianrecipes #gharkakhana #desifood #simplerecipes #sponsored #hellofresh #spinachcroissants
It’s mid-week... which just means that the energ It’s mid-week... which just means that the energy levels for most of us are slowly dying out. It’s also snowing outside, which means that a warm comfort meal ranks high on the wishlist! My simple solution – a one-pot meal like this Instant Pot Tomato Rice warming enough to drive away those heebee-jeebees! Recipe linked in profile. #hookedonheat #HOHkitchen #homecooked #indianfood #foodblogger #inmykitchen #homecooking #indiancooking #recipeontheblog #whatsfordinner #pantrychallenge #pantrycooking #quickrecipes #indianrecipes #gharkakhana #desifood #simplerecipes #pantrycooking #instantpotrecipes #tomatorice #ricerecipes
This is my go-to Chicken Curry recipe for a quick This is my go-to Chicken Curry recipe for a quick and hearty weeknight meal... perfect to drive away the Monday blues. And it hits the spot every time! Dahiwali Chicken Curry, recipe linked in profile. #hookedonheat #HOHkitchen #homecooked #indianfood #foodblogger #inmykitchen #homecooking #indiancooking #recipeontheblog #whatsfordinner #pantrychallenge #pantrycooking #quickrecipes #indianrecipes #gharkakhana #desifood #simplerecipes #chickencurry
Here’s a big bowl full of crispy homemade Gujiya Here’s a big bowl full of crispy homemade Gujiya to make your Diwali even sweeter this year. A very happy Diwali from us to you all! 😃
Here's wishing each and every one of you a very ha Here's wishing each and every one of you a very happy Diwali! :)

This Paneer Biryani recipe is perfect for your family meal this Diwali. The recipe does require a bit of prep work in advance, but it can all be done simultaneously and I promise you, that little extra effort is well worth it in the end. Trust me! Recipe linked in profile. #hookedonheat #HOHkitchen #homecooked #indianfood #foodblogger #inmykitchen #homecooking #indiancooking #recipeontheblog #whatsfordinner #pantrychallenge #pantrycooking #quickrecipes #indianrecipes #gharkakhana #desifood #simplerecipes #diwalifood #diwalirecipes #paneerrecipes #biryani
One special request from Hubby Dear for Diwali thi One special request from Hubby Dear for Diwali this year was Masala Mathri – crisp fried spicy cookies. They’re absolutely addicting and no one can really stop at one! These lovely treats can be stored in an air-tight container for about 2-3 weeks. That is if you resist them that long! Recipe linked in profile. #hookedonheat #HOHkitchen #homecooked #indianfood #foodblogger #inmykitchen #homecooking #indiancooking #recipeontheblog #whatsfordinner #pantrychallenge #pantrycooking #quickrecipes #indianrecipes #gharkakhana #desifood #simplerecipes #diwalifood #diwalirecipes #mathri
Samosas are my weakness, and I grew up having them Samosas are my weakness, and I grew up having them almost every weekend. They’re also a crowd pleaser and a must-have on my Diwali menu. If you’d like to try your hand at making them, then I have a few simple and really tasty recipes on the blog. It was an absolute treat to have these with my coffee over the weekend! Mint-Potato Samosas, #recipe linked in profile. What’s on your Diwali menu this year? #hookedonheat #HOHkitchen #homecooked #indianfood #foodblogger #inmykitchen #homecooking #indiancooking #recipeontheblog #whatsfordinner #pantrychallenge #pantrycooking #quickrecipes #indianrecipes #gharkakhana #desifood #simplerecipes #diwalifood #diwalirecipes #samosas
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