In the good old days of my childhood, when fast food was unheard of, pure unadulterated arrowroot powder was freely available in the market. Whenever a person in the family was struck down by illness, especially typhoid or diarrhea, and unable to take solid food, arrowroot powder would promptly be used to make a reviving hot…
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Arrowroot Drink (Gluten Free)
Historians believe that mankind has been cultivating and using arrowroot for well over 7000 years. During my childhood, nearly every household in Kerala had a patch of arrowroot and of turmeric. All members of large joint families participated in planting, tending, harvesting and processing of organic produce of the finest quality. Alas, with the change…
Cherry Arrowroot Jam (Vegan + Gluten Free)
This year, the acerola cherry (Barbados cherries / West Indian cherries / Wild Crepe Myrtle cherries / Malpighia Emarginata) bush in our compound bore way too many juicy, red cherries. Even after making squash, syrup, curry and pickles, there were plenty left to spare. My husband brought in some freshly dug arrowroots. Seeing them, an…
Spicy Collard Nuggets (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Collard greens do not grow well in the hot climate of the Kerala coast. However, in the cooler mountain districts of Wayanad and Idukki, it is an entirely different story. When we purchased our land in Wayanad around 8 years ago, we used to visit every week to supervise the construction work of our home. We…
Eggless Banana Cake (Vegan)
Last week, while enjoying a walk along the slope down the bottom of our garden, I spotted a beautiful little bunch of mature Nendran bananas, ready for harvest. My husband quickly cut it down and severed the combs. At home, I use a large metal container to ripen banana bunches. Old newspapers are spread out…
Banana Wine (Vegan + Gluten Free)
One of the most fragrant of all bananas is the Mysore poovan banana. Known as palayankodan in Malayalam, Mysore kele in Konkani and poovan in Tamil, this tall banana grown traditionally in South India produces large bunches of medium sized fruits, which turn a golden yellow when ripe. If left to ripen on the tree itself, its very fragrance…
Agati Flower Pakoda – A hot and spicy snack (Vegan)
Last week, our dear friends from Coorg, a planter couple, visited us together with a couple of their friends. My husband asked me to make some fried snacks, something new and unique, as his dear friend loved to have a spicy fried snack along with his lunch. We quickly plucked some fragrant agati blooms (Agatipoove in…
Cherry Tomato Pickle (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Three years ago, my husband was traveling through our neighboring district of Coorg. Full of lush green coffee and pepper plantations, it is one of the more enchanting places on earth. Though planters for generations, the Coorgs (Kodavas) are a cultured, hospitable, good-natured, well-educated, honest and proud people with a rich tradition and a legendary love of…
Sheera / Rava Kesari – A quick and easy dessert
My son loves sheera. Often, he asks me to make some sweet dish for him. One look at his face and I can tell, he yearns for sheera! I am only too happy to comply, as it takes just under 20 minutes to make this delicious, sweet dessert. Sheera, which is also called rava kesari,…