About

Hello there! My name is Ina and I live with my husband Sean and our son Liam in New York City. I met Sean when we were 8 years old in Grade 3 in Bramalea, Canada. We lost touch when we were 13 years old. After almost 20 years, Sean went searching for me…and the rest is history! My ancestors are from India, and Sean’s ancestors are from Ireland and Scotland…so as you can imagine, our kitchen table hosts everything from creamy, curried lentils to decadent standing rib roast with homemade Yorkshire pudding.

Big Apple Curry shares my attempts to teach Indian Cooking to my husband Sean in our small Harlem kitchen! This blog tries to help explain the basics of an ancient cuisine, full of history, spices, herbs, heat, and healing properties. And doing so in a modern world where we’re all conscious of what we eat and where it comes from, while trying to be healthy, nourished, and satisfied all at the same time.

It’s about sharing a life with a man I met when I was 8 years old, and the universal quality of all cultures—the importance of family, the coziness of the home kitchen, the soul-satisfying comfort of homemade food, and the grandeur of cultural traditions. And of course, the trials and tribulations of doing so in a small kitchen in New York City. Hence, our Big Apple Curry. This blog is for us and it is for you.

Warmest thanks for visiting! Xo Ina

Me with my godchild Celeste – July 2012

8 Responses

  1. Shan
    Shan / 4-13-2018 / ·

    So, I stumbled across your blog when I was trying to clarify something about the type of pepper used in indian cooking versus cayenne pepper which a recipe called for…but I am really glad that I did! I think I’m going to have to spend more time looking through your recipes because I make a ton of american and east-asian food while my Mom would like for me to go back to my roots and learn some bigger indian dishes (not like the basic roti and egg deal…). I think your blog will be helpful for that 🙂 Also, the story about your husband and you reconnecting is really sweet, I’m glad you were able to find one another!

  2. Jill Zelmanovits
    Jill Zelmanovits / 1-8-2017 / ·

    Hi Ina – I am a colleague of Myna’s (I met you briefly at our office when you visited with Liam) and she sent me to your blog which I LOVE! I lived in India for a summer and love the food so am happy to have found some simplified recipes and that are actually reasonable to prepare. Just mentally preparing now… will let you know how it goes! Jill

  3. Deborah , Harlem New York
    Deborah , Harlem New York / 2-25-2016 / ·

    Visiting this site makes a non-cook like myself want to cook everything I see here or at least give some of these a try. I’ll be looking for tips on how to prepare mutter paneer, my number one favorite Indian dish.

  4. Lynne
    Lynne / 11-3-2012 / ·

    I am delighted that Myna referred me to your new site! Best wishes to you! I will enjoy your lessons as well!

    Lynne H., Toronto, Canada

    1. bigapplecurry
      bigapplecurry / 11-15-2012 / ·

      Dear Lynne! We’re delighted to share our family’s best recipes with you. We will be adding more recipes at the 101, 201, 301, and even 401 levels so you can take your time and learn as you go. Do send us any questions you have along the way!

  5. Ella Kokotsis
    Ella Kokotsis / 11-2-2012 / ·

    I love this blog and will refer to it religiously when experimenting with Indian recipes. Thank you so much Ina and Sean for this incredible online resource!

    Ella K, Oakville, Canada

    1. bigapplecurry
      bigapplecurry / 11-15-2012 / ·

      Dear Ella! Wonderful to hear you love the blog! You probably already have many of the spices at home, so no need to buy those jarred simmer sauces and spice mixes unless you really have to — bookmark this for the next time you experiment: https://bigapplecurry.com/indian-cooking-toolkit/5-10-5-rule/

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