Greetings, lovely people, and a warm welcome to Food For Joy, where every meal is a celebration of happiness! I’m Pratiba Bhat, hailing from the picturesque city of Udupi in India, and currently, I call Mangalore Udupi Shimoga Mandya, India, my home, where I live with my family, including two little humans. During my school days, my mind was mostly occupied with books, pencils, crayons and papers, along with all the academic rigours that came with it. However, my habitual drawing ritual couldn’t be contained, and I would spend my spare moments sketching whatever I could imagine or getting my hands dirty with paint and glue. I was a diligent student too though, with a never waning passion for drawing. In between, I went on to become an Engineer.

 

 

The Food Blog and Writing

At the ripe age of 20, I was a cooking-show-obsessed hawk, binging my way through study breaks during my engineering days. My mother’s humble South Indian kitchen became my haven for culinary experimentation, with mixed results – some recipes turned out to be epic failures while others exceeded my wildest expectations. Captivated by the visual feast of cookery shows, I spent hours poring over their every detail. As my passion for cooking grew, I began to share my recipes on “blogspot”, a hip platform at the time. Looking back, I can’t help but chuckle at my silly, cringe-worthy writings and recipes – they’re for my eyes only now. But what truly amazes me are the photographs – taken on an old Nokia phone camera, they capture the unbridled enthusiasm and pure joy I felt while cooking. In hindsight, it was my insatiable hunger for culinary expression that drove me to put pen to paper.

 

 

 

Ever since 2012, I’ve made it a habit to cook meals at home on a regular basis. As I explored new recipes and experimented with different flavor combinations, I found myself increasingly drawn to the art of home cooking. Delving into the archives of local authors and home-cooks, as well as vintage publications, has sparked my curiosity about my native culture and its unique culinary traditions. In fact, I often find myself crafting blog posts that share not only recipes, but also the stories and experiences that have shaped my food philosophy. For me, cooking is a way to add a splash of color and vitality to everyday life.

Food photography and the Website

 

The idea of food photography was never even a blip on my radar. As a child, I never imagined that I would one day take pictures, let alone use them to fuel my passion for writing. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, inspired by my husband’s encouragement and my own hunger for artistic expression. With his help, I even honed my photography skills and learned how to wield a professional-grade camera. And to my surprise, I found that my new found love aligned perfectly with my many interests. In the end, I took the leap and launched my own website, eager to share my love of food and photography with the world.

 

 

Food For Joy is a veritable treasure trove of vegetarian recipes crafted from the humblest of ingredients found in every kitchen. Completely free of any common food allergens, as well as eggs, meat, and fish, these recipes are a celebration of wholesome cuisine. Each recipe has its own unique origin story – some hail from the annals of history, while others have been passed down through my own family for generations. Some recipes were adapted from books, while others are the fruits of my own creative experimentation (such as the delectable wheat cakes). But what truly sets Food For Joy apart is its personal touch – each recipe is lovingly photographed and accompanied by a detailed backstory that adds depth and meaning to every recipe I share. This website is not just a mere food portal – it’s a visual and literary open book, carefully crafted to showcase my love for photography and more when it comes to writing out recipes.

To put it plainly, I used to be a bit of a wild card in the kitchen during my younger years. With little regard for measurements or proper seasoning techniques, I would toss together ingredients in a frenzied fit of culinary enthusiasm. But as they say, practice makes perfect – and I certainly learned a great deal from my early missteps. In fact, I’ve even taken to sharing some of my hard-won wisdom with my readers, offering up helpful tips and tricks for mastering certain recipes. Ultimately, though, my greatest joy comes from the thought of just one person – out of the many who visit my site – finding a recipe on Food For Joy that inspires them to roll up their sleeves and start cooking.

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Rest assured that every recipe you find on this site has been thoroughly tried and tested. And as for the photographs that accompany each recipe, they’re all original shots taken by yours truly during the preparation process. If you’d like a copy of any of my photos, simply drop me a message via the contact form and let me know your requirements.

In addition to my passion for cooking and food photography, I’m also available for photography and food writing assignments. If you’re interested in working with me, please feel free to reach out via the contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. I truly value all of the comments, compliments, suggestions, and constructive criticism that my readers have to offer. And while I always make an effort to respond to every message I receive, there’s always a chance that I might miss one. So if you don’t hear back from me, please don’t hesitate to send another message – I promise I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!