‘The Taste of Happiness’ features Aysha Sheikh’s personal tales, expressive photography, and a collection of simple yet distinct biryani and pulao recipes, that can add charm to the living space and also be a conversation starter
DANUSKA DA GAMA
The concept of crafting a coffee table book has always fascinated Aysha Sheikh. “In today’s fast-paced world where everyone is always on the move, books like these offer a tranquil escape,” she says. But managing responsibilities at home and as an entrepreneur meant that her life was always busy. Once she felt that her children didn’t need her constant attention, she decided it was time to craft something for herself, something that could be shared with the world, leading to the genesis of ‘The Taste of Happiness’.
“I chose to write a book on biryani because it allowed me to combine my passion for photography, my rich cultural heritage of cooking various biryani and pulao variants, and my love for storytelling,” says Sheikh, who has family roots in the hotel and mining industry.
The author adds that preserving her family recipes was important to her. “Our home in Caranzalem, surrounded by green fields, was a happy place where cooking and sharing meals brought us all together. From my grandma’s fancy Nawabi dishes to my mum’s tasty creations using local ingredients, each recipe tells a story about our family,” she says. Thus, in today’s world, where quick fixes often replace tradition, putting together these recipes for Sheikh was a way to stay happily connected to her roots. “By writing down these recipes, we are preserving the memories and the love we shared at home,” she says.
The book also has photographs of the dishes and sceneries. Sharing more about these and her love for photography, she says, “While I started taking pictures just for fun, I decided to take some classes and learn the basics and then studied fashion photography here in Goa. I didn’t want all this knowledge to go to waste, so I decided to use it for something special.”
Having recently been part of the Delhi Book Fair, Sheikh is now looking at diving into new projects. “Building on the success of my current coffee table book, I am already planning the next volume in the series. This time I will be delving into the world of seafood,” she says, adding that there is no age limit to pursue one’s dreams. Recalling how her grandmother lived each day to the fullest, without letting age define how young or old she felt, Sheikh says, “It’s never too late to start anew, follow dreams and enjoy passions. The journey can be just as amazing as reaching your goal.”