Kerala Specials

Kaalan (കാളൻ)

Kaalan (കാളൻ) is one of the default side dish for Kerala-Sadya especially for mid/northern Kerala. Kaalan is prepared in two ways, in liquid form or thick (Kurukku Kaalan). The traditional Kaalan recipe adds elephant yam (ചേന) and plantain (നേന്ത്രക്കായ് ) as vegetables along with yogurt and coconut.    In this […]

Mathi Pollichathu

Sardine (Mathi /മത്തി) is one of the healthiest non-vegetarian options especially for sea-food-lovers, which is having multiple health benefits. Only down-side of sardine is the sharp flavor of the fish which many people don’t like, especially when cooking the same in enclosed spaces. The recipe Mathi pollichathu-more specifically Mathi Vazhayilayil […]

Lemon pickle

Its lemon season in California ! I am getting a handful of it on every week from my friend who has couple lemon plants in their back yard, and hence that I thought of making the pickle. Hot and sour pickles are must for Indian rice meal. Lemon(നാരങ്ങ) pickle (അച്ചാർ) […]

Kerala Rice Halwa

Kerala’s kitchen is well known in the rest-of-India for two authentic recipes, Banana Chips and Halwa (another famous variety is the Calicut-Halwa). This yummy dessert dish is favorite of all festivals and special occasions in the state. Now. let me caution you in advance, this preparation is a little time […]

Pradhaman with Farfalle

Here is a surprise western payasam delight to match to our traditional Ada-pradhaman (അട പ്രഥമൻ) !. Ada-pradhaman, as many of you know, is an integral delight for Kerala Sadhya. This classic sweet dish is traditionally prepared with rice flakes (rice ada – അരി അട ), coconut milk and jaggery syrup. […]

Meen Pollichathu

Meen Polluchathu(മീൻ പൊള്ളിച്ചത്) is a true Kuttanadan fish-special. The preparation uses cleaned whole fish -typically Karimeen (കരിമീൻ)- covered with a spicy masala, wrapped in banana leaves and shallow fried. I have this recipe here to suite the preparation to the modern kitchen using oven instead of earthen pot and aluminum […]