Before I start writing out the recipe for guava wine, I have a little story to share. Years ago, my husband took me to a visit to one of his friends’ place at Kalpetta. An avid collector of exotic plants and fruit trees, this friend took us around his plantation. After admiring the variety and…
10 ingredients or less
Mulberry Jam (Vegan + Gluten Free)
To the sericulturist, the mulberry tree is often just a source of leaves to feed the silkworms, but to me, and perhaps to many of you, the mulberry tree is a haven of nostalgic childhood memories. I vividly remember the wizened old mulberry tree at my eldest cousin Meerakka’s home, at Cochin. Right opposite their…
Karathya Nonche – Bitter gourd pickle (Vegan + Gluten Free)
I remember waiting eagerly for Vinayaka Chaturthi (Chovathi in Konkani) to come, to run to my paternal uncle’s place. The eldest member of our family, my uncle would celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi every year, seeking the blessings of Lord Ganapathi (Ganesha), for the health, happiness and prosperity of all the members of our family. The celebrations would…
Mirsange Happolu – Red Chili Papad (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Do you know what a Konkani person working in a different state or living abroad when he/she thinks of home? Nine times out of ten, it is for hot paej (rice gruel) and crisp, deep-fried, spicy mirsange happolu (red chili papad). In traditional Konkani households, often, supper consists of hot rice, over which is poured…
Tori Bendi – Pigeon pea chili curry (Vegan + Gluten Free)
For me, tori bendi is an irresistible traditional Konkani curry which is associated with many sweet, unforgettable memories, some of which, I must share with you today. I was just 19 when I got married, and was quite thin at that time. At my husband’s ancestral home, I was received with great affection by my…
Odi – Spicy Crisp Rice Fries (Vegan + Gluten Free)
For most Konkani people among the Brahmin community, no meal feels complete without a handful or two of freshly deep-fried, crisp, spicy, yummy odis. In fact, odi is so delicious that you can enjoy a pile of rice and dali toye with no other accompaniment but just some onion odis (piyyava odi in Konkani) or garlic odis…
Chili Cheese Biscuits
Can you imagine a town set upon a warm and cozy tropical island in the ocean, saying it has no salt? Well, it happens to be one of the ironies of life, of the people of the beautiful mountain district of Kerala. Wayanad is the milk-shed of Kerala, a land of cows, whither tanker upon…
Vegan Jackfruit Cake
It is the start of the jackfruit season, and our fifteen or more bearing jackfruit trees are heavy with fruit. They don’t ripen all at once, but over a period of two to three months. So, that gives me ample time to prepare delicious jackfruit dishes to share with you all. The other day, my…
Cashew Cookies (Vegan)
After my marriage, I moved to my husband’s ancestral home in the coastal town of Telicherry (now Thalassery) in Kerala. I knew practically nothing about baking at that time. Every other evening, my husband would bring home fragrant, freshly baked bread, buns, and a variety of cookies and cakes from the famous Mambally’s bakery. This bakery,…
Indori – A traditional Konkani dessert (Vegan + Gluten Free)
I made indori today. My husband and my children loved it so much that I decided to share the recipe with you. As I sit down to write these words, my mind flits back to the past and I am a little girl again, making indoris with my cousin, Rekha in our backyard. Only, we…