In an age where passion is often buried beneath the weight of deadlines and routines, Edible Garden by Nags emerges as a heartwarming testament to how creativity, culture, and culinary love can flourish, even amidst the hum of corporate life. At the center of this flavorful story is Nagalakshmi Viswanathan, lovingly known as Nags, a full-time working mom, photographer, food writer, and the vibrant force behind one of the most beloved South Indian food blogs on the internet.
Born in Kottayam, Kerala, but rooted in Telugu Reddiar traditions, Nags’ culinary identity is a rich, flavorful fusion of Andhra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala cuisines—each dish on her blog bearing a soulful story, a childhood memory, or a lovingly passed-down family recipe. What started as an impulsive experiment in 2006 has now grown into a beacon of inspiration for thousands of home cooks around the globe.
Nagalakshmi: The Birth of a Culinary Haven
The genesis of Edible Garden by Nags is refreshingly simple, almost serendipitous. While navigating her first job in Hyderabad, Nags stumbled upon a food blog and was instantly intrigued. Without any formal training in cooking or photography, she created her own space—one that reflected her growing fascination with food, its aesthetics, and the joy of sharing it.
Little did she know, this casual hobby would bloom into a life-changing journey, filled with flavorful experiments, stunning food photography, and countless connections with like-minded food enthusiasts.
The Power of Passion in a Plate
Over the years, Edible Garden by Nags has evolved from a modest blog into an inspirational digital cookbook. With each post, Nags doesn’t just share a recipe—she shares a slice of her life. Whether it’s her nostalgic Pumpkin Kootu, her comforting Egg Curry in Coconut Milk, or the ever-dependable Sambar, her dishes are beautifully rooted in culture and seasoned with love.
Her signature lies in making baking approachable and Indian food universally loved. What makes her blog stand out isn’t just the recipes, but the gentle encouragement she offers to every reader: “Cooking takes practice and patience. Don’t be afraid to make it your own.”
A Working Mom with a Whisk and a Camera
Balancing a high-powered role as Head of Global Brands at Twitter with the responsibilities of motherhood is no easy feat. Yet, Nags has nurtured Edible Garden with relentless passion. While some hobbies fizzle out over time, food blogging became her creative anchor—an outlet for inspiration and connection.
She’s the first to admit it: blogging isn’t easy. From styling and photography to editing and posting, each entry is a labor of love. But that effort is reflected in the feedback she receives, especially when parents send pictures of their children beaming after cooking her recipes. Those moments, she says, are priceless.
Cooking, Culture, and Connection
Food, for Nags, is deeply personal. Raised in a household filled with incredible cooks—her mom, mother-in-law, aunts—her earliest inspirations were homegrown. Through Edible Garden, she preserves and celebrates her family’s culinary legacy, especially through her “Reddiar Recipes” section which showcases rare, regional dishes often lost in modern kitchens.
Her travels, too, have broadened her flavor palette. Living in Singapore exposed her to the wonders of Thai, Malaysian, and Chinese cuisines. A Thai cooking class sparked a love for Southeast Asian flavors, while time in Australia deepened her appreciation for fresh produce and Italian simplicity. All these influences now sit harmoniously alongside her Indian heritage on the blog.
A Community Built on Stories and Spices
One of the most heartening aspects of Edible Garden by Nags is the community it has created. Some of Nags’ closest friendships have been forged through food blogging. What began as a solitary journey soon blossomed into a collective celebration of food and friendship, transcending geographies and cultures.
Unlike many food blogs that chase trends, Nags remains grounded in authenticity. She doesn’t blog for numbers or SEO rankings (though she certainly deserves them); she blogs for joy, for expression, and for the magic of sharing a good meal.
Nagalakshmi: Favourite Dishes, Honest Moments, and Lifelong Learning
When asked to pick a favourite dish, Nags smiles and says, “My mom’s chicken biryani.” That simple answer reflects her grounding. Her favourite meal isn’t the fanciest dish or the most photogenic plate—it’s one made with memories and love.
Whether she’s experimenting with a new attachment on her KitchenAid, discovering a new herb for her balcony garden, or spending just 15 minutes snapping the perfect food shot, Nags proves that consistency and sincerity beat perfection every time.
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