Charminar-Butter-Cookies-Feature

Charminar Butter Cookies

One bite of these Charminar Butter Cookies and the magic of taste memory kicks in. Let us take you there, to a thriving bakery in a bustling market in the heart of Hyderabad. We were hungry from a morning of touring the vast Chowmahalla Palace. Back out on the streets, as we were strolling past …

Steamed apple segments in a bowl

Steamed Apple Slices

You’ll feel light as a feather after a breakfast of Steamed Apple Slices. This is the fare on offer each morning at CGH Kalari Kovilakom – The Palace for Ayurveda. It may not sound like much. But for the guests who will undertake a morning of yoga and treatments, it’s an important part of the …

Papadams

Papadam (Papads)

Thin, crisp, round flatbread, papadam (papads) are typically made from seasoned dough of black gram (urad dal) flour. They’re either fried or cooked with dry heat (usually flipping over an open flame). For many years, when we’ve wanted to make papadam at home, we simply picked up a package at our local Indian grocer, brought …

Crispy banana chips from the Kumari Banana Chip company

Kumari Banana Chips

It’s 9:30 in the morning. Traffic is picking up in the market district of Kozhikode (Calicut) not far from the beach and the fish markets. Stall keepers are pulling up their retractable doors and shops are opening. One of them is Kumari Banana Chips. From across the road we watch a small red-bodied mini-truck with …

Unnakkai - Cotton Pods sit on a white plate.

Unnakkai – Cotton Balls

It’s easy to see why Unnakkai – Cotton Balls are such an instant hit with all who try them. Banana fritters stuffed with coconut? Yes, please. There are some recipes that are hard to replicate at home. This one for Unnakkai – Cotton Balls might be one of them. First, these spindle-shaped treats are made …

A green and minty smoothie with a purple flower garnish

Green and Minty Smoothie

One thing that was reinforced on our visit to Auroville was the powerful flavours of fresh local food. Anandi of Satchiananda Cafe and Krishna of Solitude Farm are both quite famous for their smoothies. We enjoyed a reviving green and minty smoothie during our visit, which worked wonders to beat the heat and restore our …