Author: Gopi Krishna

When the weather starts to feel lighter, I usually want meals that are warm but not heavy. That’s why I like making carrot lentil soup in spring. It feels fresh, simple, and still filling enough for dinner. The ingredients are easy to find, and the cooking process is straightforward. Carrots bring natural sweetness, while lentils add protein and make the soup satisfying. Together, they create a balanced meal that doesn’t feel complicated. You don’t need special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. Just a pot, basic vegetables, and a little time. This easy carrot lentil soup works well for busy days because…

Achu Murukku is a crisp and light snack made using flour batter and deep fried using special moulds. It has a slightly crunchy texture with mild sweetness and mild coconut flavor. It is slightly different from regular murukku as it is made from batter and shaped using a mould. This recipe is usually made during festive times or special occasions at home. It takes some time but the results are very good. The batter is prepared and fried carefully using a mould. This takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it, it turns out well and…

Almond liner cookies are a rich cookie made by adding almond flour to regular cookie dough. This recipe has a mild nutty flavor and a buttery texture with a smooth flavor. It is a little different from normal cookies because of the almond flavor and jam filling. The taste is mildly sweet with a slight crispness on the edges. This recipe is usually made during festive times or special occasions at home. It takes some time but the results are very good. The cookies are shaped and baked and then sandwiched with jam. You can simplify this recipe and still…

As a writer in the design field and occasional decorator, I get a lot of the same questions over and over again. “Where do I buy rugs?” “What’s your favorite paint color?” “Can I add metal finish?” And, for the purpose of today’s post, “How do I mix wood tones properly?” All of these questions are second nature to someone who lives and breathes this art, but I think there can be a lot of doubts and unknowns when you’re working on your own without any guidance.But as always, I’m still here to help you! First and foremost, let’s establish…

Dosa waffle is a crispy snack made by cooking dosa batter in a waffle maker. This recipe is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and gives a different texture from regular dosa. This one is a little different because the batter is cooked in a waffle mold which gives the shape and crispy edge. Adding spices and onions to dosa batter gives it flavor. This is also a fun way to serve dosa in a new style. This recipe is usually made at home as a snack or tiffin. It is easy to make if you already…

You know what I 100% should NOT do? Thinking of fun tile ideas. Electrical and plumbing plans are due, and without it completed, we can’t do any insulation, add wall paneling, flooring, do our installation quilt mini-splitOr all the other things that have to happen before tile. And to have a complete plan, I want to finalize the design, then go back to the exact execution plan. As a reminder, we’re in no rush, and this 1850s house is my personal design laboratory (not a house that needs to work for the family’s many needs). I’m generally not so risk-oriented…

Pillow cake is a soft and spongy cake made using ordinary flour batter cooked in a sandwich maker. This recipe has a mild sweetness and a soft texture that feels light when eaten. This is a little different from the usual cake because it is not cooked in the oven but in a sandwich maker. The texture is pillowy soft so everyone will love it. This recipe is usually made at home as an evening tea snack. It is easy to make and does not require an oven. The batter is poured into the sandwich maker and cooked until soft…

My motto for the last 16 years has been “Style, Play Every Day.” It’s all about empowering, or allowing, yourself to have fun in your home decor by trying new things and moving things from room to room without worrying about feeling “finished” or perfect. I listen to a lot of psychology podcasts about how important it is to align your mood with your surroundings. The mix of your emotions in your home can have a huge impact on your life, long term (and your family’s well-being). And with the launch of I Used to Do This When Restyling Your…

Outdoor kitchens look beautiful in photos, but before building one, it helps to understand the challenges that come with them. Many people focus on the benefits like entertaining guests or enjoying fresh air while cooking. But there are also disadvantages that are easy to overlook in the planning stage. An outdoor kitchen is a big investment. It requires space, planning, and ongoing maintenance. Weather, safety, and cost are important factors that affect how useful your outdoor cooking space will really be. Some homeowners later realize they don’t use the space as much as they expected, especially during cold or rainy…

Onion Bajji is a popular snack made by dipping chopped onions in a spicy gram flour batter and deep frying them until crisp. It is crispy from outside and soft from inside, which makes it very enjoyable to eat. Its flavor comes from the onions and spices added to the batter. It is a simple breakfast but tastes great when served hot. This recipe is usually made in the evening or when it rains. It takes less time to make it and does not require much material. The bajjis are fried until golden and served hot with chutney. You can…