Shahina's Kitchen

I came to India about 30 years ago from Pakistan. Although I was born and raised in Pakistan, even while growing up I was familiar with Hyderabad (Deccan) and its cuisine, as my mother is from Hyderabad. So, we've always had Hyderabadi food at home.

In 1982, I came to Hyderabad and lived there for 25 years. I've always been fond of cooking - something I inherited from my mother - so I cooked at home, and sometimes, at the request of my friends, for them, too. Everything that I make now, I learnt from my mother and she, in turn, from her mother.

Up until 2012, I had an interesting career, which included teaching, editing - cook books, incidentally - working with HSBC and then Kingfisher Airlines. But now, I've finally decided to do what I enjoy most - which is cook!