Any tourist visiting the magically beautiful state of Kerala should not go back without visiting a few of the tens of thousands of ‘teashops’ (chayakada) all 0ver the state. Teashops attract regular visitors not just because of the delicious ‘kadis‘ (snacks) they offer, but also because they are the temples of gossip of the local…
Kerala
Rava Unniyappam – A sweet evening snack (Vegan)
Homemaking mothers often ponder on what dish to prepare for their hungry kids coming back from school at four in the evening. Rava unniyappam is an excellent treat which you can cook easily and is always loved by children and adults alike. The batter can be prepared at noon and the rava unniyappams can be fried…
Indian Mint Fritters (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Plectranthus amboinicus or Coleus aromaticus is a thick-leaved, creeping, perennial plant of immense medicinal benefits to mankind. Also known as Indian borage, Indian mint, Mexican mint, Cuban Oregano and Spanish Thyme, this wonderful plant has graced the courtyards of Indian households for centuries. While the Konkani people lovingly refer to it as sambraguli, the Malayalis call…
Shallot Rasam – A simple Kerala pouring curry (Vegan + Gluten Free)
At my parents’ home at Calicut, comes a sprightly old lady named Maniyamma. She started to work as our house maid ever since I was 3 or 4 years of age. Though she is probably in her eighties now, she looks more like 50. Short and stocky, with a smiling visage, she even plays with…
Neyyappam – A deep-fried Kerala delicacy (Vegan)
Long before adulterated vegetable oils were introduced into the cuisine of the Malayali (Keralite), together with their concomitant host of ailments and diseases, the people of Kerala enjoyed a healthier way of life using pure coconut oil in their daily diet. Every town and village had its own quaint wooden oil press powered by oxen…
Pumpkin Olan – A delicious, mild, soupy curry (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Pumpkin is one of my husband’s favorite vegetables. Mine too. So often, I make several pumpkin dishes, no matter whether the pumpkins are tender or mature. I had planted some cowpeas in our garden. This morning, I saw my husband bring in a nice pumpkin. I quickly went out and collected a few cowpea beans. There…