May 20th, 2013 
Jisha 
In Kerala, during Jackfruit Season, Jackfruit seeds (Chakkakuru) make their way into many dishes. These seeds are so popular that you can find peeled and frozen jackfruit seeds in many Indian Grocery Stores. In Kerala, Jackfruit Seeds are sundried and stored for use during the rainy season. Drumsticks (Muringakka) and Jackfruit Seeds make a lovely [...]
April 24th, 2013 Jisha 
“Bok Choy” also known as “Chinese Cabbage” is a leafy vegetable widely used in Chinese Cuisine. The Asian Market near us usually carries many different varieties of this leafy green like Chinese Bok Choy, Baby Bok Choi, Korean Pak Choi and so on. On my last trip to the Asian market, I was really confused [...]
April 15th, 2013 Jisha 
Give me shrimp any day and I am a happy woman! On our recent trip to the Asian Market, we were able to lay our hands on a treasure chest – yes, a chest filled with different kinds of jumbo shrimp. I scooped out plenty of those little monsters into bags and dreamed of making [...]
April 12th, 2013 Jisha 
Let me introduce a gluten-free cereal on my blog called “Ragi” or “Finger Millet“. It is known as “Panji Pullu” in Malayalam. Ragi is widely grown and consumed in India. Once considered to be poor man’s companion, Ragi is now well-known for it’s nutritional benefits. Ragi Flour is made into a porridge (Kurukku) and given [...]
April 9th, 2013 Jisha 
I have not been a fan of Clams (Kakka Irachi) and Mussels. I remember my Mom making Kakka Irachi during my school days and I couldn’t stand the sight of it. However, my Dad & brother would happily indulge as if it were the tastiest dish on earth. After getting married, I don’t remember hubby [...]
April 8th, 2013 Jisha 
Good Food and Relaxtion! This is what a good vacation looks like to me. Yes, I terribly miss the good homemade food I had while I was in Kerala. I am drooling over here looking at the pictures of Netholi/Kozhuva Peera. How I long to have a handful of rice with this absolutely delicious Meen/Fish [...]
April 3rd, 2013 Jisha 
Hope all of you had a Blessed Easter Sunday! We had a wonderful Easter and the joy continues as we celebrate the Octave of Easter. All the eight days of Easter are to be celebrated in some way. Why not read a good book or light a paschal candle during prayers or prepare a special [...]
March 26th, 2013 Jisha 
If you love Mathanga Payaru Erissery, you will love this simpler Varutharacha Mathanga Curry. Pumpkin is simmered in an aromatic Roasted Coconut Gravy. If you have ever fried coconut, you know how aromatic your whole house becomes. The very smell of roasted coconut is enough to make my stomach growl. The natural sweetness of pumpkin [...]
March 25th, 2013 Jisha 
Ridge Gourd (Peechinga) is one vegetable which grows abundantly in India. It is also known as Luffa/Loofah and belongs to the Cucumber family. The mature fruit of Ridge Gourd is used as a household scrub since it’s very fibrous. Only tender Ridge Gourd is used for cooking. There are two different varieties of Ridge Gourd [...]
March 8th, 2013 Jisha 
Unakka Irachi or Dried Beef is a specialty from Kerala. Before the era of refrigeration began, Meat was preserved by salting and drying it thoroughly. This dried meat could be stored for months. In the hot summer months, meat would be sun-dried outdoors. During rainy months, Meat would be smoked and dried over the stove [...]
February 26th, 2013 Jisha 
It’s winter but never mind, here is a recipe which uses a Summer Vegetable. Zucchini or Courgette is a summer squash which looks similar to Cucumber. It grows abundantly in summer. Unlike Cucumber, the skin of Zucchini is tender and is left unpeeled. Zucchini has a delicate flavor and it cooks very quickly. The key [...]
September 12th, 2012 Jisha 
There are some traditional Kerala dishes which I get to try only when I am in my Mom’s Kitchen. One such dish is VazhaChundu Payaru Thoran. Vazhachundu (Vazha Poov) is the Malayalam name for the purple flower of the Banana Plant, also known as Banana Heart. I have never tried Vazhachundu (Banana Flower) in my [...]
August 25th, 2012 Jisha 
There has been a lot of buzz about Oats Puttu (Steamed Oats with Coconut). I am not a fan of Oats though I could gobble those sweet Oatmeal Cookies anytime. Oats Puttu is a healthy alternative to Rice Puttu and Rava Puttu. It’s a nourishing breakfast made with a whole grain. Oats is an excellent [...]
August 25th, 2012 Jisha 
I got some Yellow Squash & Tomatoes from my aunt’s summer garden. I didn’t know what to do with the Yellow Squash and so I made an impromptu curry with it for Lunch. It was the first time I was using Yellow Squash in a curry and so I was s bit skeptical. However, it [...]
July 24th, 2012 Jisha 
Here is the recipe for easy Rice Flour & Coconut pancakes made on a griddle. There are so many traditional Kerala dishes made using Rice Flour and Coconut, some of which are Appam, Palappam, Kallappam, Vatteyappam, Indriyappam, Ada, Orotti, Ottada, Elayada and so on. These pancakes are like a thicker version of the Malabar special [...]
