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Tooting Mama is an adoption parenting and lifestyle blog. It covers life as a mother to two adopted children, our travel adventures, and my passion for food

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About Me

Ranji Thangiah

PHOTOGRAPHER, FOOD WRITER RECIPE DEVEPOER

I'm Ranji! I am a food photographer, recipe creator, lover of Sri Lankan food which I want to share with you.

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How to make an authentic South Indian dhal, my ultimate comfort food

dhal_aubergine_1

A spiced leek recipe that’s deliciously fragrant and delightful

A quick and easy spiced leek recipe perfect for a mid-week supper

Quick and easy leftover chicken recipe – chicken biryani

easy chicken biryani recipe

Follow me on Twitter

Instagram

That'll be a full Sri Lankan for me.
@cynthia.uma I want to say good luck as you welcome your first guest to your new Sri Lankan restaurant @rambutan_ldn.

I know this project has been in gestation for a long time, and I can only imagine the excitement you are feeling as you welcome your first guests to dine with you.

I also know you're going to smash this while putting Tamil Sri Lankan food on the map!

If you can't wait that long, grab a copy of Cynthia's awesome cookbook Rambutan.

This is the roasted butternut squash curry, perfect for soaking up fragrant spices that pack a punch.

My husband and I, we are hooked on seeni sambol toasties. This was something my mum used to make, and you'll find it in the book. Think cheese toasties with an onion jam on acid! Try it, you'll be hooked too!

🍀Good luck Cynthia, I'm rooting for you! 👊🏾

Recipe: Sri Lankan butternut squash curry, recipe from Rambutan cookbook
Photography: Moi
Food styling: Moi

#srilankanfoodrecipes #srilankanfoodphotograher #srilankanfoodlovers #srilankanfoodiesaroundtheworld #srilankantraveldiaries #srilankantravel #foodandflatlay #foodstylingandphotography #foodstylingphotography #foodphotographymagazine #restaurantphotographer #londonfoodphotographer #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale

My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve

My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve sucking up the last dribbles from my creative well.

I did a shoot for two recipes I had created.

I loved the recipes, hot spicy traditional Sri Lankan curries, kalupol chicken and a side of sambar. The flavours that had depth, the kind of flavours reach into you and touch your soul!

But, I hated the pictures.

It was frustrating.

Even though I had meticulous planned my shots, they just didn’t work.

It sometimes happens, especially when you feel sapped of your creativity.

Creativity is a muscle that has to be exercised, and then there are times when it simply needs a rest.

I gave my brain a break from food photography, and embarked of a photo walk in the fascinating company of @step_hen_les_lie, a brilliant and insanely knowledgeable street photographer.

I needed to engage and see the world, in a different way.

With street photography, the shot comes you. If that sounds easy? Think again.

Street photography tests your mental sharpness, your power of seeing the out of the ordinary.

It’s a case of walking, waiting and watching, waiting for something unusual, out of place or something just plain old god damn bonkers to happen.

And you need a truckload of patience, and be ready to catch that shot!

Check out my photographs and let me what you think.
#streetphotographylondon #londonphotographer #documentaryphoto #londonrestaurantphotographer #foodphotographerlondon #visualstorytelling #candidstreetphotography #streetphotomag #streetlifeworldwide #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #capturestreets

We connected over fish. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
After connecting on Instagram and following her foodie adventures around the world across Australia and India, I finally got to meet Sohini, who runs the fabulous food account @smokeandlime.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sohini creates inventive menus for her line of supper clubs inspired by her Kolkata heritage.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We met, in South London, in the Elephant and Castle.I’ve worked around the Elephant for almost twenty years. With jobs that took me down the Aylesbury Estate; I’ve seen tea dances in the Elephant & Castle shopping centre where I played ten pin bowling when I volunteered with a cub troupe from Peckham. This was at a time when the Elephant was a no-go for gentrification.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
How it has changed. Sprouting out of the earth like giant stalagmites are these huge glass towers with apartments commanding eye watering rents. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Like the old housing estates, the old carbuncle of a shopping centre has been bulldozed; In its wake are small eateries and boutiques. The big brands aren’t here yet, but it’s only a matter of time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
At Sohini’s suggestion we met at a little Peruvian place, @saborperuano_elephant, just under Strata Tower in a brutalist concrete parade of shops. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This restaurant is old school, no frills, white vinyl tablecloths, giant-screened TV. Yet the food is…..EPIC!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The ceviche, marinaded in tangy cheeksuckingly good leche de tigre, succulent beef hearts threaded on to skewers, fresh crispy deep fried squid, and I’m pretty sure we ate vegetables to. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And, for two hours straight, we spoke about nothing else but food. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s was great. And my heart is lost in Peru! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#londonfoodphotographer #Londonfoodie #restaurantphotographer #commericialphotographer #stilllife #stilllifephotography #stilllifestories

Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are ve

Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are vegetables.

That green, they look like little semi precious stones, or marbles, the ones I used to play with when I was a kid.

I saw these in my local Sri Lankan grocers, and had to grab my phone and snatch picture!

They're almost too cute to cook!

#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus

#myediblecaptures monochromatic bliss by @andreakoever judge @eli_and_co sponsor @blueberrybackdrops

#aubergines #stilllife #stilllifegallery #stilllifephotographer #raw_minimial #belightinspired #shotoniphone #foodstyling #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community

When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-styl

When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-style crepes. And our topping was only ever lemon and sugar. 🍋

The American fluffy pancakes were, well exotic.

We only ever saw them on American kids' shows. And they always seemed to have pancakes for breakfast. And they always covered them in syrup! I'd watch wide-eyed agog at these pile of delicious pile of pancakes.

When I was a kid, pancakes were a once-a-year thing.

The excitement and build-up was almost too much as we approached Pancake day, aka Shove Tuesday, gobbling up all the good stuff before we headed into Lent and abstinence before we crack open the Easter eggs.

Now, I can make whatever pancakes I like. And I like to make fluffy American ones. Perhaps it reminds me of those Saturday morning American kids' shows, and those hearty American breakfasts, served by all-American moms to their all-American families.

There's something indulgent about a pile of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, ready and waiting, drenched with something delicious and to be devoured by a brood of hungry mouths.

What pancakes did you make this year? And more importantly, what was your topping?

#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @foodphotoaward @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus

February open theme #foodphotobiteswithritu @foodphotobiteswithritu @happytummybyritumbhara judge: @ferraronierica

American pancakes: Recipe @marthastewart, Food styling: Moi
Photography: Moi. Syrup: @lylesgoldensyrup
Inspiration: @louisehagger - an incredible food photographer with so much wit & creativity 🤩

#buttermilkpancakes #americanpancakes #pourshot #pancakeday #pancakeday2023 #foodstylistlondon #londonfoodphotographer #foodphotographylondon #londonrestaurantphotographer #commercialphotography #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines

Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a

Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a tradition. I like to make it about this time of year, you know, love and #Valentines and all that.

The recipe I bake yields a hefty portion. Love Cake is dense, it’s not designed to be wolfed down in a single session. It’s a cake to savour and relishes to cherish while sipping a cup of Sri Lankan tea.

Having made it so often it's only now that I am digging into its provenance. Sri Lankan Love Cake has an interesting backstory of colonialism, culture, and personal stories of migration.

If you want to know more about the history of this delicious cake, hop to the Tooting Mama website, there’s a link in my bio. You’ll find the recipe there too.

Because, the only way to experience Love Cake is to make it.

#lovecake #srilankancuisine #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines #raw_sweets #raw_sweets_

That'll be a full Sri Lankan for me.
@cynthia.uma I want to say good luck as you welcome your first guest to your new Sri Lankan restaurant @rambutan_ldn.

I know this project has been in gestation for a long time, and I can only imagine the excitement you are feeling as you welcome your first guests to dine with you.

I also know you're going to smash this while putting Tamil Sri Lankan food on the map!

If you can't wait that long, grab a copy of Cynthia's awesome cookbook Rambutan.

This is the roasted butternut squash curry, perfect for soaking up fragrant spices that pack a punch.

My husband and I, we are hooked on seeni sambol toasties. This was something my mum used to make, and you'll find it in the book. Think cheese toasties with an onion jam on acid! Try it, you'll be hooked too!

🍀Good luck Cynthia, I'm rooting for you! 👊🏾

Recipe: Sri Lankan butternut squash curry, recipe from Rambutan cookbook
Photography: Moi
Food styling: Moi

#srilankanfoodrecipes #srilankanfoodphotograher #srilankanfoodlovers #srilankanfoodiesaroundtheworld #srilankantraveldiaries #srilankantravel #foodandflatlay #foodstylingandphotography #foodstylingphotography #foodphotographymagazine #restaurantphotographer #londonfoodphotographer #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale

My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve

My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve sucking up the last dribbles from my creative well.

I did a shoot for two recipes I had created.

I loved the recipes, hot spicy traditional Sri Lankan curries, kalupol chicken and a side of sambar. The flavours that had depth, the kind of flavours reach into you and touch your soul!

But, I hated the pictures.

It was frustrating.

Even though I had meticulous planned my shots, they just didn’t work.

It sometimes happens, especially when you feel sapped of your creativity.

Creativity is a muscle that has to be exercised, and then there are times when it simply needs a rest.

I gave my brain a break from food photography, and embarked of a photo walk in the fascinating company of @step_hen_les_lie, a brilliant and insanely knowledgeable street photographer.

I needed to engage and see the world, in a different way.

With street photography, the shot comes you. If that sounds easy? Think again.

Street photography tests your mental sharpness, your power of seeing the out of the ordinary.

It’s a case of walking, waiting and watching, waiting for something unusual, out of place or something just plain old god damn bonkers to happen.

And you need a truckload of patience, and be ready to catch that shot!

Check out my photographs and let me what you think.
#streetphotographylondon #londonphotographer #documentaryphoto #londonrestaurantphotographer #foodphotographerlondon #visualstorytelling #candidstreetphotography #streetphotomag #streetlifeworldwide #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #capturestreets

We connected over fish. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
After connecting on Instagram and following her foodie adventures around the world across Australia and India, I finally got to meet Sohini, who runs the fabulous food account @smokeandlime.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sohini creates inventive menus for her line of supper clubs inspired by her Kolkata heritage.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We met, in South London, in the Elephant and Castle.I’ve worked around the Elephant for almost twenty years. With jobs that took me down the Aylesbury Estate; I’ve seen tea dances in the Elephant & Castle shopping centre where I played ten pin bowling when I volunteered with a cub troupe from Peckham. This was at a time when the Elephant was a no-go for gentrification.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
How it has changed. Sprouting out of the earth like giant stalagmites are these huge glass towers with apartments commanding eye watering rents. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Like the old housing estates, the old carbuncle of a shopping centre has been bulldozed; In its wake are small eateries and boutiques. The big brands aren’t here yet, but it’s only a matter of time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
At Sohini’s suggestion we met at a little Peruvian place, @saborperuano_elephant, just under Strata Tower in a brutalist concrete parade of shops. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This restaurant is old school, no frills, white vinyl tablecloths, giant-screened TV. Yet the food is…..EPIC!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The ceviche, marinaded in tangy cheeksuckingly good leche de tigre, succulent beef hearts threaded on to skewers, fresh crispy deep fried squid, and I’m pretty sure we ate vegetables to. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And, for two hours straight, we spoke about nothing else but food. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s was great. And my heart is lost in Peru! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#londonfoodphotographer #Londonfoodie #restaurantphotographer #commericialphotographer #stilllife #stilllifephotography #stilllifestories

Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are ve

Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are vegetables.

That green, they look like little semi precious stones, or marbles, the ones I used to play with when I was a kid.

I saw these in my local Sri Lankan grocers, and had to grab my phone and snatch picture!

They're almost too cute to cook!

#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus

#myediblecaptures monochromatic bliss by @andreakoever judge @eli_and_co sponsor @blueberrybackdrops

#aubergines #stilllife #stilllifegallery #stilllifephotographer #raw_minimial #belightinspired #shotoniphone #foodstyling #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community

When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-styl

When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-style crepes. And our topping was only ever lemon and sugar. 🍋

The American fluffy pancakes were, well exotic.

We only ever saw them on American kids' shows. And they always seemed to have pancakes for breakfast. And they always covered them in syrup! I'd watch wide-eyed agog at these pile of delicious pile of pancakes.

When I was a kid, pancakes were a once-a-year thing.

The excitement and build-up was almost too much as we approached Pancake day, aka Shove Tuesday, gobbling up all the good stuff before we headed into Lent and abstinence before we crack open the Easter eggs.

Now, I can make whatever pancakes I like. And I like to make fluffy American ones. Perhaps it reminds me of those Saturday morning American kids' shows, and those hearty American breakfasts, served by all-American moms to their all-American families.

There's something indulgent about a pile of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, ready and waiting, drenched with something delicious and to be devoured by a brood of hungry mouths.

What pancakes did you make this year? And more importantly, what was your topping?

#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @foodphotoaward @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus

February open theme #foodphotobiteswithritu @foodphotobiteswithritu @happytummybyritumbhara judge: @ferraronierica

American pancakes: Recipe @marthastewart, Food styling: Moi
Photography: Moi. Syrup: @lylesgoldensyrup
Inspiration: @louisehagger - an incredible food photographer with so much wit & creativity 🤩

#buttermilkpancakes #americanpancakes #pourshot #pancakeday #pancakeday2023 #foodstylistlondon #londonfoodphotographer #foodphotographylondon #londonrestaurantphotographer #commercialphotography #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines

Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a

Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a tradition. I like to make it about this time of year, you know, love and #Valentines and all that.

The recipe I bake yields a hefty portion. Love Cake is dense, it’s not designed to be wolfed down in a single session. It’s a cake to savour and relishes to cherish while sipping a cup of Sri Lankan tea.

Having made it so often it's only now that I am digging into its provenance. Sri Lankan Love Cake has an interesting backstory of colonialism, culture, and personal stories of migration.

If you want to know more about the history of this delicious cake, hop to the Tooting Mama website, there’s a link in my bio. You’ll find the recipe there too.

Because, the only way to experience Love Cake is to make it.

#lovecake #srilankancuisine #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines #raw_sweets #raw_sweets_

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Home
About Tooting Mama
Contact me

About Me

Ranji Thangiah

PHOTOGRAPHER & BLOGGER

I'm Ranji! I am a food photographer, recipe creator, lover of Sri Lankan food which I want to share with you.

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