Shilpa Noronha shares her family recipe for dukra maas, an integral part of life in the Mangalore Catholic community.

In the old days, passing on recipes to your daughters was an inherent part of grooming, preparing them for a life outside the home. Dukra maas was one of the first recipes my grandmother taught my mother.

So, how do you choose a wine when you are health conscious? There are so many wine options that it can be overwhelming and at times even intimidating. Health as an additional consideration can make it downright perplexing because there are no required ingredient lists or additive regulation! Personally, I have had a full circle moment with natural wine and it works best for my health. I am a fan of its unpredictable nature and the unique flavors in each bottle. After all, control is an illusion, so why not let our palate have a taste of freedom?

It is that magical time of year when copious amounts of sugar, flour, butter, rice, coconut, spices, and ghee are combined in various and wondrous ways to create a range of delectable snacks. Kuswar is a special culinary tradition for Goans, East Indians, and Mangaloreans, which involves over 20 savory and sweet treats, strictly made once a year to celebrate Christmas.

Shilpa Noronha is a food allergy aunt and a member of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) for the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research (CFAAR), part of the Institute for Public Health and Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.