Twenty Questions with Sunita’s World
If you’re looking for delicious recipes and gorgeous food photography, Sunita’s World is your first stop. A seasoned food blogger, she has some great advice on the food blogging world!
How long have you had a food blog (or other foodie type site)?
I’ve been blogging since the 3rd of December, 2006, which means it’s turning three next month. How time flies!
How would you describe your site to new readers?
My blog is basically about healthy home cooking and baking. All the dishes that I post are enjoyed by our family and being a mum of two young children, I try to keep my food child friendly too. There is also the simple and subtle flavours of my native land (Assam , a state in the North east of India), that I grew up on. I am forever experimenting with ingredients to make my bakes (especially cookies and cakes) less fattening. You see, as a family, we do enjoy our sweet treats, and so small substitutions here and there make a great difference; and it makes us feel less guilty in indulging. Moreover, I try to show that simple baking recipes with minimum effort can look beautiful and taste good too. I cook and bake everything from scratch.
What made you decide to start your site?
It all started on one cold December night way back in 2006. The kids had gone to bed , and I was talking to my husband (Dinesh). It was then that Dinesh suggested I start a blog. At that time, I had given up my job as a lecturer (English literature) to be a full time home maker. When I wrote my first post, I had no idea as to what I was going to put into it. It was just like an online diary for me; something to keep those grey cells active. At the end of a busy day with two small children, it was my way of unwinding and doing something I loved- writing. But, it was not long, before food, which was such an inherent part of my life, started to creep in, slowly, but steadily. The rest, as they say, is history!
Is there any personal meaning behind the name?
As I mentioned earlier, initially, my blog was just like an online diary which included my musings and rants. The name ‘Sunita’s world’ was quite apt, as it was after all a record of the little things that happened in my small world. I added the tagline- Life and food later. And yes, it is a blog about life in general and food in particular.
What advice do you have for new bloggers?
Firstly, do not be afraid to step into the world of food blogging. It is a friendly place and there is always someone to help you out. And yes, do take care with your presentation, after all we first eat with our eyes.
What’s the best thing about being a food blogger?
That has to be the bond that we food bloggers share among ourselves. In this virtual world, so many friendships are formed, friendships with people who I never knew existed three years ago; people, so talented and special in their own way; there is always something to be learnt from everybody. If it was not for blogging, working with yeast and making macarons (both courtesy of the daring bakers) would probably be out of the question. My photography has also improved to a great extent.
What the worst?
Too much time in front of the laptop!!!
What food blog inspires you the most?
This is probably the most difficult question for me to answer. In my nearly three years of blogging, I have come across so many fantastic bloggers (am still discovering new ones every other day), each with their unique style, passion , creativity and wit, that it is impossible for me to pin point any one in particular. You all know who you are and I love you all.
What camera do you use?
Nikon D40
Do you have any formal training in the field of cooking?
No, I have no formal training in cooking/baking. All the recipes that you see on my blog are the result of my experiments with food and also contains the subtle influences of my native Assamese cuisine (read that as my ma’s cooking) that I grew up with.
Do you watch a lot of cooking on TV?
I wish I could, but with two young children to run around, the 24 hours seem all too short. I do like to watch ‘Masterchef’ whenever I can.
How challenging has it been to find a loyal reader base?
In the early stages, I was really surprised to find that someone was actually reading my blog. Since then, I have come a long way and have built up a good rapport with my readers, some who have been with me since my earliest days.
What types of food do you enjoy preparing most?
I love baking; it always puts a spring in my step.
Do you have a signature dish or two?
I have had readers and friends comment on my bakes. In fact some of them have been first time bakers. So, my cakes , cookies , crackers etc, where I mostly use whole wheat flour, less sugar and butter and are probably my signature dishes. I also cook quite a lot of Indian dishes with an Assamese influence. Family, friends and guests also swear by my very simple red lentil soup and mixed vegetable dish.
Favorite kitchen gadget?
My food processor and knives.
If you could choose to be any food, what would it be?
Without a doubt, chocolate.
If you could banish just one food from the earth, what would it be?
Hmmm, that’s quite hard actually; I’ll answer that , maybe, some other day J
What’s the one super power you wish you had?
A few more hours to cook, bake, photograph, post and visit other blogs- the 24 hours fly by all too quickly.
What’s your favorite thing about “Refrigerator Soup”?
I love the neat layout and the love its policy of showcasing a few good photos at a time.
To see more of Sunitas’s food photography, recipes and to subscribe to her blog, please visit her at Sunita’s World.
To learn about how you can get Featured, please email us at twentyquestions [at] refrigeratorsoup [dot] com. Note: Priority is given to those bloggers who consistently submit photographs, so please keep that in mind before inquiring. We are currently booked through February, 2010.
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