Who am I?
Hi, I’m Manoj Kumar – an Aussie by residence and Indian by heritage, with both countries holding a special place in my heart. A close third? New Zealand – the first country I ever backpacked through, and one that left a lasting impression.

What do I like to do?
Weekdays are mostly devoted to work, but outside of that, I enjoy long walks (especially through the beautiful Australian bushland), doodling, reading, sticker making, coding, vlogging and writing. I also practice Eastern spirituality, which deeply influences how I live. And when I have some downtime, I unwind with YouTube vlogs – simple joys!

Check out my work here: https://ko-fi.com/emanoj

And cooking?
Cooking happens when hunger strikes – not exactly a hobby, but a necessary and mindful activity. I prefer fresh, home-cooked meals over takeout or junk food. Breakfast and lunch are my main meals of the day, and dinner is usually light – or sometimes skipped altogether if lunch was hearty.
Because of my spiritual practices, I follow a vegetarian diet – no meat, fish, eggs, gelatine, alcohol, onion, garlic, mushrooms, or caffeine. I do include dairy and honey. So yes, everything I cook is 100% vegetarian and aligned with my values.

What’s your specialty?
Indian food comes most naturally to me, but I’m drawn to many cuisines – especially Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese. Quick Asian stir-fries often find their way to my dinner table on busy nights, but I’d love to dive deeper into Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking soon.

And your cooking style?
Fast but thoughtful. I usually wrap up a meal in 30 minutes or less – time is limited, but that doesn’t mean compromising on care or taste. I cook fresh every day, whether it’s a workday or the weekend. If I’m up early enough, I’ll even prepare lunch in the morning before heading to work.

Unrecipes — what’s that about?
Glad you asked. I don’t usually follow strict recipes. I open the fridge, see what’s available, and build something from there. Each meal becomes a bit of an experiment – even repeated dishes come out a little different every time. Sometimes I glance at an online recipe to get a starting point, but once I’m at the stove, it’s a free-flowing process. This blog is a space where I share those creations – spontaneous, flexible, and made with joy.

Enjoy cooking, experimenting, and creating!

Follow me on the Unrecipes Instagram page (@unrecipes_net): https://www.instagram.com/unrecipes_net