Hey there!
I'm Riz. I'm the voice, recipe developer, and photographer behind Chocolates & Chai. I relate to people who love, think, and speak from the stomach. And I'd love for us to be friends. Good friends. Best friends, even! Okay, bestie?
I live in Toronto, Canada though I've grown up all over the world - I was born in the Middle East (though my background is actually Indian-Bengali), I studied in England and France, worked in the Middle East again, and then immigrated to Canada in 2013. Yeah, I'm a little confused about where I'm from…but let's not let that get between us!
You'll relate to me if you value a good homecooked meal, enjoy a bit of witty repartee, and can appreciate an eggcellent pun.
Tell me about the blog already!
Okay, okay! Chocolates & Chai is a food blog for lovers of comfort food, dessert, and brunch. Inspired by international cuisine, the blog is all about finding the love and the story behind every meal.
I started Chocolates & Chai in 2015 as a way of sharing recipes with my friends and family around the world. And I feel very lucky to now be able to share it with you too.
Oh, and see the owl up top? …Right up in my logo…that's Hootie. He's always sleepy, and occasionally a tad bit grumpy (like me! Just kidding, I'm a ray of sunshine.). His proper name is Hoot Daddy because…well, because I make bad decisions sometimes. So, we'll just call him Hootie. Cool? Cool.
My food philosophy:
Delicious. Simple. Easy on the eyes.
That is, I will only ever give you delicious recipes that I've tested over and over again. If I can make them healthy at the same time, that'll be a bonus. But my focus is on good ol' fashioned wholesome flavours. I like cooking the type of meal that people keep talking about for years to come (you know, in a good way). And I love sharing my recipes so you can too!
I think there's a beauty to simplicity. That's why I opt for a simple approach to the kitchen whenever possible. My recipes are easy, and avoid using difficult to obtain ingredients and equipment. I want you to be able to cook with as little fuss as possible.
Easy on the eyes - I believe in authentic representations of food and recipes. Everything you see here is natural, honest-to-goodness, home-cooked deliciousness. No crazy food styling tricks and none of those gross sprays that make things look better (while rendering them completely inedible).
And if I can make beautiful food in my teeny tiny condo kitchen, you can too.
What you will find on my blog:
- Wonderful recipes inspired by kitchens from around the world.
- A whole lot of comfort food, dessert, and brunch recipes. (And occasionally a little something else. Variety is the spice of life and all that…)
- Tried and tested recipes. I spend a lot of time testing and revising my recipes to make sure they work when cooked properly. To this end, I include tips, tricks, and any other bits of helpful information in every post.
What you won't find on my blog:
- I don't follow food trends. If you are also hiding from that low-calorie charcoal-flavoured ice cream that tastes like washing liquid, this is a safe place. I promise.
- Apples are poisonous. (No, seriously… I’m allergic to apples. I’m like Snow White, except I’m not as white as snow. And I’m a guy. And well basically nothing like her, except for the apple part.)
- Eggplants are my mortal enemy.
- Coriander and I usually aren’t great friends. It doesn’t taste like soap, I just can’t stand the smell (though I tend to fare better when it’s used in a curry…so you might find it used sparingly).
So…now what?
Looking for where to go next? If you're new to reading recipes, I recommend you start by going through this How to Read a Recipe Post.
If you’re in the mood to explore - hop on over to the RECIPES section, and have a browse through the relevant category page.
And if you're not sure where you want to go next, that's okay too. Here are a few of my most popular posts to help you get started:
Keep In Touch!
Don't forget to follow me on my different social channels - each one demonstrates a different side of who I am, and what I do.
Instagram - this is where most people chat to me. It’s filled with photos, and shorter form reels of the recipes I’ve been making. If you make one of my recipes be sure to share it with me by tagging @yamisohungry and using the #chocolatesandchai hashtag.
YouTube - if you're not a big fan of reading, you'll probably want to subscribe and get things in video format.
Facebook - my Facebook page is about sharing my videos and recipes, while getting to know you through jokes and fun polls.
And if you want to be a part of The Besties Club, be sure to sign up for my email mailing list below. I'll drop you a quick email to let you know about newly published recipes, and occasionally an update email so we can catch up on life, the weather, and whatever else you're in the mood to talk about.
And of course, you can always reach out to me through my Contact page or by leaving a comment on a blog post. I do my best to always respond in a timely(-ish) fashion.
Talk to you soon, bestie!
Riz
Where else can you find me?
In case you’re interested in learning about my other passions, you can find me at:
Travel & Chai – this is my travel website. I often spend time learning about food while traveling, so it seemed a waste not to also start writing up other things I learn while traveling!
Amanda L
I just found this blog & I love it!!
You had me at breakfast & dessert, I am all about baked goods.
I am pro-coriander but I think that comes from my huge love of Vietnamese food, especially Bánh Mì.
Expect a new follower on Instagram!!
Riz
Hi Amanda! Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I’m so glad you found me!
…mmmm, I love Banh mi! It’s one of the dishes that makes me forget about my true feelings towards coriander.
Archana Mundhe
Love your blog! Found you via FBP. Look forward to reading more posts from you.
Riz
Hi Archana! I’m so glad you found me! HELLO FELLOW FBP-er! 😀 I hope you enjoy the blog! I’m going to check out Ministry of Curry!
Denise from Urb'n'Spice
You had me from the very first paragraph, Riz. It was quite profound and entertaining. I followed your Facebook page as well. I am enjoying going through your recipes.
Riz
Awww….thanks Denise!!! I’m going to check your site out right now 🙂
Amena
Keep up the good work Bro
Riz
Thanks! I’ll do my best!
Peas
You took me out?! ???
Riz
Not at all… you’re in the Chaliapin Steak recipe post!
Sai priya
Nice to know about you.I follow you at Instagram. Well you need to try some eggplant Indian delicacy ,may be after it will be your good neighbour. 🙂
Riz
Hey! Thanks for visiting! And double-thanks for following my Instagram! I’m going to check out your site later tonight 🙂
FLORENCE LIM
Tried your fluffy pancake recipe and WOW it’s indeed delicious and looks fantestic too! (wish I couid share my pancake photos with you)
Love it so much that I’m planning to invite and cook it again this weekend for my sisters and friends.
Many thanks and look forward to try other receipes of yours soon.
Riz
Hey Florence! I’m so glad you enjoyed the pancakes so much! (I’d love to see your photos! You can either share them on my Facebook page or Instagram, or you can email them directly to me riz chocolatesandchai com )
Riz
Tisa Thomas
Hello Riz! I came across your blog from Tasty Kitchen. Very nice. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on coriander, I do think it can taste like soap, but in curry it renders immense value:-) Going to peruse some and see if I can “borrow”and try a few recipes 🙂
Riz
Hi Tisa! Welcome! Hope you enjoy my blog 🙂
(And you’re right, curry makes coriander much more bearable!)
Lauren
Heya Riz!
My housemate and i came across your recipe for fluffy pancakes while craving something that would satisfy our (major) sweet tooth 😛 And I have to say, I absolutely *adore* your writing style. It somehow just manages to put a smile on my face. We get such a quaint kind of vibe from your blog too. Love it all!
Your other recipes look absolutely mouth-watering as well. Can’t wait to see how these pancakes turn out. We’ll be back, gonna go fry up some pancakes! 😉 x
Riz
Hey there Lauren!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! (It’s one of my favourite comments this year!)
I hope you got to try out the pancakes (and some of the other recipes too), and I *REALLY* hope you enjoyed them! 🙂
Arunima Das
Hi Riz,
Must say, you have a beautiful space out here!
Simply loved the idea of breakfast and desserts..
great going 🙂
Riz
Thanks Arunima!!
Maliha
You are allergic to apples *mibdblown*
You should blog more, its torture for your readers when you don’t 🙂
Riz
Thanks! So nice of you to say, I’ll definitely try to blog more often (I’m just very picky about which recipes I share, nothing but the best for my readers!)! 🙂
Zaib
Hahahaha love it! Ur freaking adorable! I was smiling ear to ear reading ur exerpts: love that writing style ..it is positively GOOBIE! (I.e. Cute n fluffy) and what a popular subject.. mmmm… U should make a joint venture with this tiny mini cupcakes place on bay st. and Walton st. (Or elm st – opposite Eaton Chelsea hotel) Do check it out! ♡ ☆☆☆☆☆ ♡ and keep goingggg ! !!!
Riz
Goobie? LOL. I love that word. I’m going to try and work it into one of my posts 🙂
Introduce me to this tiny mini cupcakes place, and maybe I can collaborate with them.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment!
Minnat
This blog naturally appeals to me as I love both chocolates and chai!! Your photographs are the hook – people eat with their eyes first. I’m going to try making the chocolate chip cookies first. The trick with the sea salt seems genius! Thank you for sharing your ideas!
Riz
Thanks Minnat Khala!
I hope you enjoy them. I try adding sea salt to everything with chocolate! haha
Felechia
Hi. I found your blog through FBC. I also like chocolates and chai. And baking. And eating. Nice to meet you!
Riz
Hi Felechia! Thanks for commenting. I followed your link back to Leafy Greens & Chocolate – I love your logo! And your plans to direct income towards the International Humane Society are lovely. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed and am looking forward to your updates. 🙂
(In the meantime, I think I’ll have to try out that Vegan Cookies recipe!)
Naeema Farooqi
love it! keep it up! 🙂
Riz
Thank you so much!