Hi there! I’m Dini and I am the recipe developer, photographer, writer and mad scientist behind The Flavor Bender. Here you will find recipes and recipe ideas that combine flavors in new and wildly creative ways that will make you fall in love with cooking and baking (if you haven’t already)! We all love to eat great food, after all. Cooking those meals can and should be just as much fun! This is where you can get ideas on how to do just that.
What you will find on this blog
You will find recipes for everything from appetizers to main meals, and from desserts to cocktails on this blog, and recipes that bring together flavours in unique and exciting ways. I almost always use regular, everyday ingredients (unless otherwise indicated). Probably because I just can’t afford the expensive stuff.
Original recipes that I develop on my own through research, experimentation, trial and error – like the original Fruit Infused Shimmery Liqueur, Homemade Shimmery Liqueur, Color Changing Alcohol, Galaxy Lemonade. If I’m ever inspired by or adapt someone else’s recipe, it will be clearly indicated in the post and the recipe.
Recipes and basic techniques that you can master along with me AND learn to adapt, to create your own version with your own flavours and flair!
Recipes for meals that are prepared from scratch. I love fresh, wholesome food and knowing what I put in my body. So I try to avoid packaged, pre-made stuff whenever I can – but I can’t deny that I do love shortcuts 🙂
Sometimes you will find recipes and suggestions for those with specific dietary restrictions (such as dairy-free and gluten-free diets) and even vegetarian and vegan diets.
You will also find recipes for classic meals with a twist and recipes inspired by fictional characters in books, movies and on TV (yep, I’m bit of a geek!).
Please see my Recipe Index or search by flavors and ingredients to find out more!
I’m a mad scientist and adventurer in the kitchen and I love to experiment with flavours, ingredients and cooking methods to see what works and what doesn’t. Not everything works, but when it does, the results can be spectacular and you will be able to read about it on this blog. I love coming up with recipes that bring different food cultures and distinct flavours together. That’s my strength, that’s my passion. Cooking is a way to expand your horizons and travel the world without ever leaving your kitchen, and if you’re willing to give it a chance, you will soon discover wonders that you never knew existed.
Cooking should never be a chore, even if you’re short on time and patience. Cooking at home saves you a ton of money and is healthy in the long run. And the best way to cook more is to make it fun and enjoyable. I grew up in a culture where food brought families together. So don’t ever underestimate the power of a good home-cooked meal!
16 random things about me and my blog
- This blog used to be called Giramuk’s Kitchen and I rebranded it as The Flavor Bender in July, 2015 because that name better represented what this blog was about. Oh, and Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of my favourite animated TV shows.
- In case you were wondering, my blog logo (the one you see at the top of this page) is an “f” and a dopamine molecule that’s masquerading as a “b”. Dopamine is a chemical in your body and it’s responsible for emotions like reward and pleasure in the brain – emotions that are strongly associated with cooking and baking for me.
- I was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in New Zealand, and lived in Australia before moving to the USA with my husband in early 2014. I have moved 14 times on top of that. I don’t think I’ve grasped the idea of settling down quite yet. I currently live in Columbia, MO.
- I have a Bachelor’s in Science, a Master’s in Clinical Audiology, and a PhD in making a mess of my kitchen. The first two are real. I promise.
- I worked as a Clinical Audiologist for several years in Australia and spent too much of my time convincing husbands that they did indeed have a hearing impairment and it wasn’t just their wives that they couldn’t hear. I had mixed results.
- I started this blog in late 2014 because I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with as much passion.
- I learned how to cook from my mother when I was seven. It’s still the best lesson I’ve learned in life so far.
- Chocolate is both my strength and my kryptonite and I can NEVER say no to a Margarita!
- I love drinking coffee and I’m a trained Barista. It’s a flavour that I use a lot in my baking.
- I have worked in the food industry briefly, waiting tables and cleaning dishes while stealing the occasional croissant.
- Baking cakes is my forte and cheese is my favourite thing to eat. Any kind of cheese. Going through the cheese selection at my local grocery store every week is a form of therapy for me. Really. I would do it for hours if my husband let me. Give me cheese and chocolate together though, and I’m in heaven.
- I love to sing and draw and keep wishing I could pursue those interests more seriously.
- I’m mortally scared of heights and roller coasters. Much to the disappointment of my husband whose dream job would be in a theme park.
- Mr K (as you’d occasionally find him referred to on the blog) is my husband, principal taste tester, proof reader and critic.
- I love watching horror movies, though they terrify me to my core. And then I watch a mindless comedy to counteract the effects of the horror movie.
- Cleaning is a skill I’m yet to master. Much to the dismay of my husband.
You can subscribe for FREE recipes and updates from The Flavor Bender by clicking here or by entering your email address in the subscription box in the sidebar. If you’d like to work with me or contact me, please email me at theflavorbender(at)gmail(dot)com. I love to hear from you guys and will ALWAYS respond to your emails – if I don’t, just send me a friendly reminder because your email may have gotten lost in the folder. You can also connect with me through social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google-plus .
Thank you so much for visiting The Flavor Bender. I hope you stay and look around, and be inspired! And don’t forget, it is OK to play with your food! 🙂
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