Dosai 🫓 The Art of the Everyday: Morning Staples and Granite Skies

There is a specific kind of beauty in a meal that doesn’t try too hard. In an age of over-styled "food porn" and neon-lit restaurant interiors, there is something deeply grounding about a simple plate of Appam and Kadala Curry resting on a cold granite countertop.

The Composition of Comfort

At first glance, the photo is a study in textures. You have the soft, pillowy center of the appam, its lacy edges browned to a crisp by the heat of the appachatti. Then, there is the rich, earthen hue of the curry—likely a spicy chickpea (kadala) or vegetable stew—pooling around the edges.

But what really makes this shot work isn't just the food; it's the canvas.

The dark, mottled granite of the kitchen counter provides a dramatic, cinematic backdrop. It reminds me of early mornings in a bustling kitchen—the sound of the stove clicking on, the smell of roasted spices hitting hot oil, and the cool touch of stone before the house warms up.

Why Minimalist Food Photography Matters

We often feel the need to "dress up" our lives for the camera. We add garnishes, linen napkins, and expensive cutlery. But this photo celebrates the authentic:

• The Stainless Steel Plate: A staple in Indian households, reflecting the light and the meal it holds.

• The Overhead Angle: A "bird's eye view" that turns a breakfast into a geometric arrangement.

• Natural Lighting: The soft, diffused light hitting the top of the appam highlights its fermentation—those tiny air bubbles that signify a batter made with patience.

A Taste of Home

If you’ve ever sat at a counter like this, you can almost taste the photo. You know the tang of the fermented rice, the sweetness of coconut milk, and the sudden kick of a stray mustard seed or curry leaf in the gravy.

This photograph reminds us that photography isn't always about finding the extraordinary. Sometimes, it’s about looking down at your breakfast and realizing that the ordinary is extraordinary enough.