Made with Prema: An Accessible Cookbook

Food is more than just sustenance—it’s a source of nourishment for both our bodies and our communities.

It serves as a language, a story, and a bridge that connects us across cultures and generations.

For Prasanna Ranganathan and his mother, Prema, this truth lies at the heart of their remarkable South Indian cookbook, “Made with Prema”.

This collection of over 300 recipes is more than just a guide to South Indian cuisine; it’s a culinary love letter that celebrates heritage, resilience, and the timeless joy of sharing a meal.

Crafted by a legally blind mother-son duo, “Made with Prema” is the result of a creative collaboration that beautifully intertwines their experiences and expertise.

Prasanna, a well-known activist, author, and media correspondent, and Prema, a former caterer and cooking teacher, have combined their talents to create a work that is as much about family and connection as it is about food.

Using Creative Ingredients

Prema’s journey began in 1973, when she immigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada. Though Prema had learned a few things from her mom in India, she was mostly self- taught when it came to cooking.

With limited ingredients available in Saskatoon, she adapted her family’s recipes, transforming them with creativity and resourcefulness.

“There used to be a huge excitement when there were green beans at the grocery store because it meant there was a vegetable other than potatoes!” Prasanna recalls, highlighting the resourcefulness that became a trademark of Prema’s culinary style.

Each dish in the cookbook tells stories of India, of Prema’s mother who instilled in her a love for cooking, and also the community of women who shared recipes and traditions in their new home in Canada.

Food became the bridge connecting them to their heritage and creating a sense of belonging.

“Finally, the recipes are a love letter she wrote to me and my dad, and all the people she prepared the meals for, because it was a way of not only sharing nourishment and deliciousness, but it was also a way of giving people insight to her history and her family”, says Prasanna.

Cooking with Sight Loss

Prema’s vision loss, though progressive, never dampened her culinary spirit.

“My mom has always had low vision, and she’s been legally blind for the last few years,” says Prasanna. “She was constantly adapting how she learned, but the remarkable thing about my mom is that she’s not only an exceptional cook—she has all the ingredients and instructions memorized. It’s all in her mind!”

This deep understanding of flavors and textures allowed Prema to keep creating, even as her sight diminished. When teaching cooking classes required her to formalize her recipes, a process that was new to her, she rose to the challenge. With the support of friends and family who carefully typed out her dictated recipes, this culinary delight came to life.

Prasanna recalls, “When she was writing the cookbook, she didn’t use a computer, so she relied on a lot of phone calls with her friend Chamundi. My mom would dictate the recipes, and Chamundi would type them up. There are 308 recipes in the book!”

Despite her progressive sight loss, Prema never stopped preparing her beloved dishes.

When asked what kept her going, Prasanna reflects, “Cooking was something she was incredibly talented at, and it brought her immense joy. It also allowed her to express her creativity and experiment. But more than that, her name, Prema, means ‘love’ in Sanskrit, and cooking was her way of living up to her name. She shared love through food, through creating community around the dining table, and through her cooking classes. For her, it was a natural extension of who she is—food was the vehicle that allowed her to embody the love she’s named after”.

Food for Connection and Advocacy

For Prasanna, food is much more than just sustenance; it’s a powerful vehicle for activism.

“Food allows you to share the story of your history, your culture, your community,” he explains. “It’s a language that transcends barriers and creates connection and understanding.”

Prasanna recognizes food insecurity as a pressing global challenge. His family’s long-standing tradition of volunteering at food banks and delivering Meals-on-Wheels reflects  their deep commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to this essential need.

Remarkably, his family continued their volunteer efforts well into their seventies, a reflection of their deep and enduring commitment.

“Food and water are the universal languages of nourishment,” Prasanna asserts. “They are fundamental to our survival. But we must also ask: what does it mean to belong? What does it mean to build community? How can we become more of who we are?”

As a society, we understand that access to food is not universal.

“With climate change and inequality, food is becoming increasingly scarce,” Prasanna warns. “There’s an assumption that everyone is eating, but that’s far from the truth, even in our own communities.”

Importance of Accessible Cookbooks

“Made with Prema” is now available in accessible formats through CNIB and CELA, ensuring that readers with print disabilities can fully experience its delightful recipes and rich storytelling.

This accessibility is crucial, as it allows everyone, regardless of ability, to engage with the joy of cooking and the cultural heritage that food embodies.

Are you a publisher or author? CNIB Beyond Print can help you make your cookbooks accessible to a broader audience. By creating alternate formats such as braille, large print, and accessible digital versions, you ensure that everyone can share in the pleasure of preparing and enjoying food, while also preserving the narratives and traditions built into each recipe.

Learn more about how CNIB Beyond Print can assist in making your culinary creations accessible to all readers. Contact us today.

A Story Shared

“Made with Prema” beautifully captures the essence of family, cultural heritage, and the indomitable human spirit.

As Prasanna proudly notes, with the accessible version, “a wider audience can experience these recipes and the stories they hold.”

So, grab your copy—available in accessible formats—gather your loved ones, and savour “Made with Prema,” a true treasure of tradition and love.