Indian gooseberries are available during the winter and raw mangoes are available during the summer. I buy them when in season. Then brine them (boil water and a reasonable amount of salt, slightly more than required for the amount of water being used). Let the water cool. In the case of gooseberries, I normally roast…
Tag: #gluten-free
Karamani Katharikai (Eggplant and Cowpeas, Baingan Lobia Curry)
This is one of my favourite eggplant dishes. Though a typical Palakkad dish, not very many people know about it. Several people have told me that they have never heard of this dish or tried this. Goes to prove that there are variations in recipes from household to household. This dish is not spicy at…
Parwal Masala (Pointed Gourd Curry)
I do not know the name of pointed gourd in Tamil or Malayalam. I understand it is simply called parwal. This vegetable is plentifully available in the region where I stay. Parwal (pronounced padwal) is a summer vegetable. It is a local vegetable and very inexpensive in season. I hated this vegetable, but used to…
Arai Keerai Kootu (Amaranth, Chowlai Curry)
Amaranth is one of the tastiest greens. I like both forms, the green and the red. I use this regularly in my cooking. Since it is widely used all over India, I find organic amaranth easily available. This green was a little bit of luxury when I was growing up in Singapore in the 60’s….
Idichakka Thoran (Kathal, Jackfruit With Coconut)
As I have mentioned before, there are several types of jackfruit. Most commonly, idi chakka (tender jackfruit) and kada chakka.(breadfruit). One of the most iconic dishes of Kerala is the dish prepared from tender jackfruit. It tastes divine. I make this quite often in season, since tender jackfruit is available all over the country. It…
Dhania Chutney (Coriander, Kothamalli Chutney)
Many Indian snacks need a green chutney as an accompaniment, especially in West and North India. The preferred accompaniment is South India is coconut chutney. However, this coriander chutney is popular all over the country. Given that coriander is abundantly available in India, it is made quite often. A wonderful tasting chutney, it is also…
Masala Kalmi Saag (Masala Water Spinach)
Water spinach (kalmi saag in Hindi, vallal keerai in Tamil) belongs to the morning glory family. It grows abundantly in tropical and semi-tropical regions. I used to have a lot of this when I grew up in Singapore. It is called kangkong in Singapore and Malaysia. I was delighted to find this green in the…
Kathal Masala (Tender Jackfruit Curry)
There are several varieties of jackfruit in India. I know only two – idi chakka (tender jackfruit, kathal) and kada chakka (breadfruit). And there are several different patterns of consumption. For example, North Indians only have the tender jackfruit. In Kerala and Tamizhnadu (perhaps in some other states too), breadfurit, tender jackfruit and the ripe…
Morappam
Morappam is a very popular evening snack in Kerala. A close cousin of morappam is kuzhi paniyaram from Tamizhnadu. Both are very similar. In my young days, this was made quite often in my home. However, it does require a special vessel (appa karol) to prepare this. Traditionally, this is a deep fried snack. In…
Sprout Salad
Sprouts (moth, mulai) is often used to make a salad in India. Theses sprouts are easily available in the market in Delhi/NCR. I used to buy them regularly. In recent times, however, I make my own sprouts at home. For two reasons – because I am not sure of the quality of the store bought…
wholefoodplantbased 