As a child I would always be by my mother's side watching her cook. I loved the way she was able to create dishes from all parts of India & East Africa. She was an amazing cook.
The first dish she taught me was how to cook mug (green lentils). I remember her making me write it down in a little red book 'memo book' it was called. She told me 'perfect this dish and you will manage all the rest'.
I was 15 at the time and by the 'qadr' of Allah, I lost her a year later.
This is where the real cooking began..that 'memo book' was a lifesaver. I was able to create dishes following that recipe, cooking for my father and brother just the way my mother taught me.
A memory I recall after she passed away was going into the cellar and finding this huge brown bucket. It was filled with a mix of all sorts of dried spices, spices I had never seen before. The star anise looked pretty, the black stone flower looked like burnt paper. I wondered what an earth was all this for?!
I later learnt it was all used to make garam masala. My mothers own special mix.
After alot of encouragement from friends and family , my official 'Spicewali' journey began in May 2019 and I haven't looked back since.
The memory of my mothers special fresh spice mixes was the stepping stone/building blocks into the creation of Chai Spice-my signature blend and many special spice mixes shared in so many homes all over the world with their loved ones.
Thank you for your support...and enjoy the spice!
¬ Aysha