Welcome to our food blog! Our goal is to inspire you to cook and show just how simple and enjoyable it can be. After all, eating and drinking would feel like a chore if they weren’t both a necessity and a pleasure gifted by God. Coming from a South Indian family, this blog naturally focuses on traditional South Indian vegetarian recipes, celebrating their rich flavors and cultural significance.
Like many Indian girls, I learned the basics of cooking from my mother. However, she kept me out of the kitchen for the most part, knowing that cooking would become a major part of my life after marriage. When I got married, I realized my basic cooking skills weren’t quite enough for my husband, who is an excellent cook himself and, like most men, adored his mother’s cooking. He wanted me to recreate the same flavors he grew up with.
To help me out, my mother-in-law (Mrs. Subbalakshmi) sent me a 40-page handwritten recipe notebook filled with her daily cooking secrets. This was my very first recipe book—a treasure trove of Kerala and Tirunelveli-style South Indian vegetarian dishes, covering everything from breakfasts to kuzhambu. I followed her recipes word for word, and soon, to my delight, my husband began showering me with compliments!
Eventually, my in-laws moved in with us, and I had the incredible opportunity to learn from my mother-in-law every day. Her tips, tricks, and traditional cooking methods shaped the foundation of my culinary journey.
In 2010, when we moved to Europe, I found myself calling my mother-in-law and my mom (Mrs. Vijayalakshmi) for guidance on festive and traditional recipes. During one such call about Adhirasam, my husband came up with the brilliant idea of creating a blog to document these recipes. Not only would it serve as a personal reference, but it could also help others like me living abroad.
We decided to name the blog Subbuskitchen, honoring my mother-in-law’s wealth of culinary knowledge. Initially, I started publishing recipes with just ingredient lists and methods, without photos. A friend helped digitize my mother-in-law’s handwritten recipes, which I uploaded to the blog.
After returning to India a couple of years later, my mother-in-law and I began cooking together. We used a simple digital camera to capture the dishes, though the photos weren’t great. With work and family responsibilities, it was challenging to focus on the blog, but my husband’s unwavering support kept it alive.
In 2012, we moved to the UK, and blogging took center stage. My husband gifted me a DSLR and encouraged me to learn photography. With improved visuals and consistent efforts, our blog began to flourish. By 2013-2014, Subbuskitchen had gained popularity, with many recipes ranking on the first page of Google.
In 2015, we moved to the US, and that same year, we ventured into video blogging. Initially, I was shy about being on camera, so we started with voiceovers. Later, we embraced the trend of short, under-2-minute videos, which resonated well with our audience. Today (Dec'24), we have over 200,000 YouTube subscribers and nearly half a million Facebook followers, and we continue to grow.
None of this would have been possible without the support of my husband, my mother-in-law, and our amazing followers who trust my work, provide feedback, and encourage me every step of the way. Subbuskitchen is a labor of love, celebrating the art of South Indian vegetarian cooking and keeping these cherished traditions alive.
About My Mother-in-Law, Mrs. Subbalakshmi Renganathan
Mrs. Subbalakshmi was born in the picturesque village of Kallidaikurichi in the Tirunelveli district, nestled on the banks of the serene Thamirabarani River. Her culinary skills are a legacy passed down from her mother, who was an exceptional cook. Like many of us, much of what she knows in the kitchen comes from watching and learning from her mother. Remarkably, she would prepare delicious meals daily for over 10 family members, often with limited resources and minimal infrastructure. This deep-rooted connection to Tirunelveli is what gives our recipes their distinct flavor and authenticity.
For over 40 years, Mrs. Subbalakshmi has been married and residing in her in-laws' home in Asramam village, Nagercoil. Her in-laws, originally from Kerala, further influenced her cooking style. This blend of Tirunelveli and Kerala traditions is evident in many of our recipes. Inspired by her mother-in-law, who was also a talented cook, Mrs. Subbalakshmi honed her skills even further, blending the best of both culinary traditions.
Her husband, my father-in-law, worked with the state transport corporation and has since retired. Together, they raised three sons, all of whom are now married and settled.
About Subbuskitchen Today
Recently, we migrated our blog to a self-hosted platform (2024) and are working tirelessly to stabilize the site. Every day is a learning journey as we incorporate new recipes and improve our presentation techniques. Our mission remains the same: to share both traditional and innovative recipes with all of you.
We are deeply grateful for your continued support and encouragement, and we look forward to growing together as we bring more delicious and meaningful recipes to your kitchen.
For any inquiries or feedback, feel free to reach out at: [email protected]