It isn’t always loud or sparkling or wrapped in something festive. Sometimes, joy arrives in the simplest ways—through the warmth of a kitchen filled with familiar spices, the comfort of an old ritual, or the gentle glow of a candle lit at dusk. It can appear in the pause between one breath and the next, when the world feels like it’s moving too fast and you finally stop long enough to feel your own heartbeat.

This season, I’ve been thinking about how joy is less about perfection and more about presence. It’s in saying yes to the moments that feel true—even if they’re small. It’s in sharing a table with people who make you feel seen. It’s in the laughter that rises unexpectedly, the stories that get retold every year, and the dishes that carry memories in every bite.

Right after Thanksgiving, I start yearly rituals I’ve been doing going on close to about 25 years or more now: Baking Christmas fruit cakes (don't be haters… you haven't tried mine!), putting up a tree with ornaments that have been a part of our family for years, getting my recipes of cookies to bake for my cookie tins… 

For me, joy is less about being in stores shopping for stuff. My joy is sharing love and feelings instead of gift bags and boxes. The coziness of home, the smells from baking, the lights from the tree—those are my joy, and I hope they’re part of yours as well.

Joy isn’t something we chase—it’s something we make room for. When we soften the edges of our days, we create space for it to settle in. 

So as the holidays unfold, I hope that we all find joy in the places that feel nourishing: in connection, in good food, in the warmth of home, and in the quiet understanding that we are exactly where we’re meant to be.

Wishing you a season filled with gentle, grounding joy.

- Barkha

Cloves have a warm, sweet, and slightly peppery flavor with a deep aroma that instantly evokes winter. They pair especially well with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, thyme, and citrus. Beyond flavor, cloves are known for their anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits, and their natural warming quality makes them a comforting, nourishing spice for the colder months.

(You’ll note this effect across our Garam, Goan, Kashmiri, and Chai masalas!)

Whole cloves gently perfume broths, stews, and mulled drinks. Ground cloves add bold warmth to baked goods, marinades, and spice blends.  A little goes a long way—so add gently! 

This year, I’m leaning into my personal intention to be present so that I can feel the joy of the holidays. I want to spend time with family and friends—not be so exhausted from cooking a meal that I can’t enjoy it! 

This recipe is all of that. It’s an easy, flavorful one-pan dish that makes a delightful centerpiece for holiday meals. 

It starts with a bright marinade balanced with fresh, sweet, and spicy note that you soak into pork, chicken, or lamb without changing their unique flavor profiles. Then, you set the marinated meat over a bed of veggies and roast until tender. Super easy. Super flavorful. Cheers to that!