Isha
I am a 28 year old, married woman of South Asian origin living in Chicago.
While I was growing up in a small town in India, my mother fed us with delicious Punjabi food which will forever be my go to source of comfort. But when I moved to the US, I became exposed to the scores of other cuisines and hundreds of other dishes that I began to love and crave. Since then I have spent countless hours in my kitchen trying recipes, experimenting and learning about different foods and cuisines. It is a love affair that is still going strong.
How long have you been a Daring Baker/Daring Cook and what’s your favorite thing about being in the group(s) so far?
I have been a Daring Baker for 3 months now (feels strange to say it because even though I am daring, I don’t consider myself much of a baker). I love the fact that I am learning to make so many new and tasty things and that there are other people who are in the same boat at the same time. It makes for an exciting experience even though I have not shared an end product on the forums yet. It has to be something that turns out well. 
What’s your favorite kitchen gadget? How about your favorite kitchen appliance?
Definitely my spice grinder. Fresh ground spices are the best things that can happen to any dish.
Are you known for making a certain dish or dessert? If so, what is it?
Not really, I am known for making all kinds of variety of things. I still need to develop a repertoire of hits.
Is there any recipe and/or technique that we haven’t covered yet that you’d really like to make/learn?
I joined recently so many of the things that you all have already done would still be new for me. But I would love to learn about how baking is different in different parts of the world.
You’ve just won $5000.00!!! What would you spend it on?
Culinary vacation in Europe
What is the ultimate comfort food to you?
Plain paratha (Indian flatbread), cooked with ghee, with a fried egg, sunny side up and Punjabi style mango pickle.
Which season (Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall) is your favorite.. why?
Definitely summer. Cannot wait for the mangoes.
Other than cooking and/or baking.. what hobbies do you enjoy?
Reading about world history
How long have you been blogging? Do you like it? What’s your favorite post you’ve written?
It’s been just a little while. I have written all of three posts. I like it as it is helping me organize the recipes that I want to save and have on my rotation. Once I run out of the absolute faves, I am sure that it will be an incentive for me to keep on exploring.
What’s your favorite cookbook for desserts/baking? What’s your favorite cookbook for savory/cooking?
I usually refer to the internet for most of my recipes. I am considering buying some books currently but have not finalized yet.
Is there one food that you seriously dislike/hate? If so, which is it and why?
Peanuts. I am not allergic to them, but I just don’t like the taste at all. So even at Thai restaurants, I always order dishes, no peanuts.
What’s your favorite flower and/or plant?
Basil.
Do you have a favorite local restaurant? If so, why is it your favorite and what kind of food is served there?
Xoco in Chicago, serving Mexican.
Who taught you how to cook and/or bake?
Friends, family and internet.
What’s your favorite holiday and why?
I love holidaying on the beach. I am a warm weather person and I feel that I enjoy life more when the sun is out shining.
Reading any good books lately? Which ones?!
The Palace of Illusions: A Novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
You’ve had a rough week. How do you relax after a rough week?
Meditating and laying on the carpet in the setting sunlight streaming in from my 55th floor west facing windows.
Where is your favorite vacation (holiday) destination?
Hawaii
What is your favorite cooking/food related magazine? Why?
I don’t have one.
Do you have a food addiction?
An incorrigible sweet tooth. I need at least one bite of something sweet after every meal.
What did you eat for dinner last night? Did you prepare it or someone else?
A fusion dish of Chicken Korma over whole wheat Linguini. Just something I put together.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Watching food network
What kind of colors do you like? Pastels? Earth tones? Brights? Neons? Etc.
Earth tones keep me grounded but I wear Pastels when I feel light enough to float.
If you had the choice of a free kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom makeover – which would you choose and why?
Living room because I have a wonderful kitchen already
The Martha – Angel of Domestication or Minion of Evil? Why?
Too commercial for my taste
Do you watch any competitive cooking shows? Like Top Chef or Hell’s Kitchen? If so, which is your favorite and why?
Top Chef
What’s your favorite “sweet” spice? How about your favorite “savory” spice?
Cardamom for sweet spice and Kasoori methi for savory.
If you could eat in any celebrity chef’s restaurant which restaurant would it be, and which chef owns it?
Alinea owned by Grant Achatz (it’s a little out of my budget for now)
What’s your favorite herb to cook or bake with? Do you prefer fresh or dried?
Basil, always fresh.
Is there one recipe on your blog that you would like to share with us? If so, leave the link here.
Do you have a time saving kitchen tip you’d like to share with us?
My technique is to put the DH to good use 
You can visit Isha on her blog The Intrepid Cook
