Shruti Taneja, the founder of Nivaala, a platform devoted to celebrating culinary legacies, has been dedicated to assisting families in the preservation of their traditional recipes. Situated in Delhi, India, Taneja was motivated to establish Nivaala after longing for her late mother’s comforting cuisine. She came to recognize the significance of possessing recipes for the dishes that she had previously taken for granted.
In Taneja’s perspective, home-cooked food signifies more than just sustenance; it embodies family culture, identity, and tradition. To document and safeguard family recipes, she initiated the Nivaala platform, which enables users to record their family recipes and associated memories in blank journals. This initiative has since transformed into Andaaz Publishing, where families can publish their recipes in a well-designed cookbook.
The platform also collaborates with chefs across India to showcase the incredible diversity of Indian cuisine and to rediscover micro-cuisines and cooking methods from various regions. Taneja recently amassed over 90 recipes during a road trip through a region in the western desert state, Rajasthan. The objective is to make these recipes available online so that they can be preserved and shared with individuals worldwide.
In addition to preserving recipes, the platform also aims to contribute to the community. “Memories on a Plate,” a collaboration with Rohini Kejriwal, is an anthology of 100 recipes from Indian kitchens across the world, with proceeds from book sales directed towards donating meals through the Mumbai-based non-profit, Khaana Chahiye Foundation. The project endeavors to immortalize the memories associated with food and ensure the continuation of a rich culinary heritage.
Taneja stresses the importance of documenting family recipes before it is too late, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. She expresses concerns that with the passing of individuals, a rich culinary heritage may vanish. Therefore, the preservation of family recipes is a means of honoring the past, reconnecting with one’s roots, and providing solace for future generations.
The Nivaala platform not only aids families in safeguarding their traditional recipes but also allows them to transmit their culinary heritage to future generations. With a blend of passion and commitment, Shruti Taneja is ensuring that these timeless family recipes are recorded and cherished, serving as a source of nostalgia and connection for years to come.
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