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spices

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A South Indian Spice Primer from Mr. Abraham’s Spice Garden in Kumily

Our friend Mr. Abraham has a two acre spice garden surrounding his home and two more gardens nearby. They are completely organic and open for tours. Lunch can be booked. In our previous post, we described our day in the spice garden in his backyard. Now, with Pauli-Ann’s beautiful photos, we want to lead you …

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Mr. Abraham of Abraham's Spice Garden.
Faces

Mr. Abraham and his Spice Garden

I’m excited to write this piece for you because Mr. Abraham’s Spice Garden is a must every time we visit Kerala. As a cook, it’s the kind of place that I dreamed of experiencing because it is chockablock full of spices. I had always longed to see where and how spices grew. I imagined a …

Read more about Mr. Abraham and his Spice Garden

Anna Zacharria's garam masala.
Plates

Anna’s Secret Garam Masala

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Award-winning writer and photographer Karen Anderson and Pauli-Ann Carriere spent over 40 days in South India in 2016 and 2017 travelling and researching this project to bring you closer to the people, food and rich culture of this place.

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We learned to make this Keralan Chicken Ishtoo (st We learned to make this Keralan Chicken Ishtoo (stew) from the nightly cooking demo at Brunton Boatyard in Fort Kochi, Kerala, expertly conducted by chef Noble Francis. He explained that coconut oil is the backbone of Keralan cooking. After coconut, he shared that curry leaves also leave an indelible taste signature on the cuisine. This recipe is a great manifestation of both those principles. We found Keralan Chicken Ishtoo almost everywhere we travelled in this lush tropical state. But chef Francis's is the one we always come back to. Maybe it's a case of first impressions being strongest? Or, maybe it was just a case of love at first bite? Link to the recipe in our profile. . . . #ishtu #ishtoo #chickenstew #coconutrecipes #keralacuisine #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kochi #Cochin #Kerala #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip #bruntonboatyard_cghearth
This recipe for Thiele (tiny shrimp stir fry) come This recipe for Thiele (tiny shrimp stir fry) comes from our friend Chef Manoj Nair, Executive Chef and GM at CGH Earth's @bruntonboatyard_cghearth Heritage Hotel in Kochi. Thiele (pronounced TEAL) is a quick and easy recipe that chef will make for his wife on a day off. Toasted shredded coconut and classic South Indian spices meld deliciously with the shrimp. All you need is a great bread vehicle like appams or naan to deliver it to your mouth. Link to the recipe in our profile. . . . #shrimprecipes #seafoodrecipes #coconutrecipes #seafood #thiele #keralacuisine #cookingschools #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kochi #Cochin #Kerala #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip #bruntonboatyard_cghearth
Keralan Vegetable Ishtoo is another classic Kerala Keralan Vegetable Ishtoo is another classic Keralan dish picked up from our friend Aroma at her Casa Linda Restaurant in Kochi. Ishtoo is the Malayalam word for stew. Cooks first pick the freshest seasonal vegetables in the local market. They then simmer them until tender and flavourful. What's different from most stews? In Kerala, cooks use coconut milk and spices for the simmering broth. These signature flavours of Keralan cuisine truly set the dish apart. You'll find both the everyday Ishtoo and a special occasion variation up on our blog now. Link to the recipes in our profile. . . . #Ishtoo #stew #vegetarian #keralacuisine #cookingschools #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kochi #Cochin #Kerala #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
Appams are steamed rice and lentil crepes. We made Appams are steamed rice and lentil crepes. We made them with Aroma Dipu at the Casa Linda Restaurant in Kochi. We watched in fascination as she spread the batter in a concave pan, then created a flower petal design by tipping it to and fro. The batter is then steamed to a finish by placing a lid on the pan. The best way to describe the results is dosa (crispy crepe of rice and lentil flour) meets idli (steamed rice cake). Appams go well with all of Kerala's curries. They make an elegant accompaniment with Fish Molee and Coconut Prawns. And, like all good breads, they help sop up every drip of gravy. Link to all the recipes in our profile. . . . #appams #indianbread #keralacuisine #cookingschools #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kochi #Cochin #Kerala #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
After learning to make Fish Molee at Nimmy Paul's After learning to make Fish Molee at Nimmy Paul's Cookery School in Kochi, we were excited to try our friend Aroma's Fish Molee from her family’s Casa Linda Restaurant. Fish Molee (pronounced moy-lee) is a classic Keralan dish. It has a minimal number of ingredients and maximal flavour extracted from those ingredients. Nimmy Paul's recipe does not have turmeric, Aroma's does. We hope you make them both and see which one you like the most. Link to the recipes in our profile. . . . #seafood #molee #coconutmilk #keralacuisine #cookingschools #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kochi #Cochin #Kerala #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
Large flakes of fresh coconut accent this dish of Large flakes of fresh coconut accent this dish of Susheela's Coconut Prawns. It's a favourite recipe at the family-run Casa Linda Cooking School in Kochi. Testing the recipe at home was almost as enjoyable as being there in Kochi with this warm and wonderful family. All that was missing were their smiling faces and the sounds of tropical birds carried in on the breeze through open windows. The flavours travelled well, even if the breeze could not reach us. We hope your curiosity and palate carry you to Kochi one day so you too can taste this food and feel the warmth of the breeze and the hospitality. Food like Susheela's Coconut Prawns can fuel such desire. Link to the recipe in our profile. . . . #coconutprawns #prawnrecipe #coconutrecipes #seafood #keralacuisine #cookingschools #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kochi #Cochin #Kerala #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
During our time with Aroma at Casa Linda Cooking S During our time with Aroma at Casa Linda Cooking School in Kochi, we enjoyed a lesson in making Fresh Coconut Milk. Let's face it. Most of us get our coconut milk from a can. In South India, where coconuts grow plentifully, that would be a blasphemy. Coconut milk here is always a "pressing concern". That is, coconut milk is always freshly pressed from the coconut itself. It never comes from a can. In our current blog post, we share a lesson in making fresh coconut milk with our friend Aroma Dipu. Link to the story in our profile. . . . #coconutmilk #freshpressed #coconutrecipes #keralacuisine #cookingschools #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kochi #Cochin #Kerala #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
We are circling back to Kochi to introduce you to We are circling back to Kochi to introduce you to the lovely and talented Aroma Dipu, and our day of cooking with her at the Casa Linda Restaurant and Cooking School. Aroma took us through many classic Keralan recipes, including scrumptious Coconut Prawns, delicate and flavourful Fish Moilee, Appams, Fresh Coconut Milk, Coconut Chutney, and an all-time favourite Keralan dish called Ishtoo. Along with cooking instruction, Aroma and her husband Dipu filled us in on Indian match-making and the story of their own match, which was written in the stars ✨. Click on the link in our profile to read the full story on our blog. Aroma’s delicious Keralan recipes to follow shortly. . . . #keralacuisine #cookingschools #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kochi #Cochin #Kerala #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
A family business since 1967, the Kumari Banana Ch A family business since 1967, the Kumari Banana Chips shop is a must stop for tasty snacks on any Kozhikode food tour. If you go early enough, you can watch the banana shipment arrive and the very large job of peeling begin. As the coconut husk-fired stove comes to life, the first bananas are run through the mechanical slicer, then washed in turmeric-laced water, until finally let loose to fry in a hot vat of oil. The result is an extra light and crispy banana chip with a hint of coconut flavour. Try to eat just one! Follow the link in our bio to the full story up on the blog now. . . . #bananachips #bananas #snacks #Malabarcuisine #Malabarfood #Kozhikodefood #Keralafoods #Keralacuisine #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #SouthIndiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kozhikode #Calicut #Kerala #MalabarCoast #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
If you go to the Bhaskarettante Kada (Brother Bhas If you go to the Bhaskarettante Kada (Brother Bhaskar’s shop) Sarbath shop in Kozhikode, you can order one thing three ways – Milk, Soda or Water Sarbath. That's it. That's what they make. And, they've been making it very successfully for over six decades. To make Milk, Soda or Water Sarbath you need sarsaparilla (aka Nannari) syrup (made with jaggery) and a mixture of milk and egg white stirred over a pile of ice. It's a thirst-quenching beverage that their customers line up for, especially on the hottest of days. Many Indian grocers will have bottles of prepared Nannari Syrup. We've included a recipe to make your own in case you can't find one. The complete refreshing sarbath recipe is up on the blog now. Link to it in our bio. . . . #sarbath #sarasparilla #nannari #Malabarcuisine #Malabarfood #Kozhikodefood #Keralafoods #Keralacuisine #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #SouthIndiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kozhikode #Calicut #Kerala #MalabarCoast #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
There are so many fun things to do in Kozhikode (C There are so many fun things to do in Kozhikode (Calicut) for the foodie traveler. When we can venture out once more, a return trip will be overdue! Our top recommendations are up on the blog now. Join us for a virtual tour about this welcoming town. Link in our bio. . . . #armchairtravel #malabarcuisine #malabarfood #kozhikodefood #keralafoods #keralacuisine #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kozhikode #Calicut #Kerala #MalabarCoast #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
The day we spent touring Kozhikode’s food scene The day we spent touring Kozhikode’s food scene with our local tour guide, Bibin Baby, is vivid in our minds because everything about it was vibrant – colourful and full of life. Following our very early morning foray into the local fish auction, we met up with Bibin, a naturalist by training, who ushered us through Kozhikode's culinary hubs. Following a quick coffee in a shop near the iconic Paragon Restaurant we skipped across the street to watch the open-air workings of the Kumari Banana Chip stall come to life. A short walk down the road, Kozhikode's most popular sarbath walla was already mixing his refreshing elixir for a steady stream of customers. Onward we drove to the Kalpaka Vegetable Market, Sweet Meat Street, and the Wholesale Spice Market at Big Bazaar Road, which retains a slightly ancient, spice-route vibe. That day in Kozhikode kept extending itself as we went on to cook with chef Babu in the late afternoon, and then venture out again in the evening to the shops, art, and restaurants along Gujarati Street. Kozhikode's vibrant offerings felt like a gift that kept on giving. When it's safe to venture out again, we hope to make a return visit. Full story with photos and video up on the blog now. Link in our bio. . . . #foodtour #vegetablemarket #sarbath #bananachips #malabarcuisine #malabarfood #kozhikodefood #keralafoods #keralacuisine #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kozhikode #Calicut #Kerala #MalabarCoast #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
It’s easy to see why such a snack is an instant It’s easy to see why such a snack is an instant hit with all who try it. Banana fritters stuffed with coconut a.k.a. Unnakkai a.k.a. Cotton Balls? Yes, please! We'll never forget biting into them. They are light and fluffy cotton balls of coconut, bananas, nuts and raisins with a delicate cardamom finish. Sipping tea, savouring each bite, it was a great reward after a long day on the road. These treats are an indelible food memory for us. We greatly appreciate chef Babu and his team for all their TLC. We hope you will be able to travel to Kozhikode to try this local delicacy one day. See full photos and a how-to video for making Unnakkai on the blog now. Link to it in our bio. . . . #Unnakkai #teatimesnack #bananadessert #Nenthiran #malabarcuisine #malabarfood #kozhikodefood #keralafoods #keralacuisine #tajhotelsindia #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kozhikode #Calicut #Kerala #MalabarCoast #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
Arikkadukka - Spicy Stuffed Mussels is one of the Arikkadukka - Spicy Stuffed Mussels is one of the most impressive dishes we've enjoyed during our travels in South India. You can only find them in the Malabar region of Kerala. We were lucky to be in Kozhikode just in time for the mussel season, which runs from late October or early November to May. Chef Babu of The Taj Gateway Beach Road not only treated us to this sensational treat, he also taught us how to prepare it. Believe us when we tell you, we savoured every bite. We are very happy to be able to share this recipe with you on the blog. Link to it in our bio. . . . #seafood #arikkadukka #mussels #musselsrecipe #stuffedmussels #malabarcuisine #malabarfood #kozhikodefood #keralafoods #keralacuisine #tajhotelsindia #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kozhikode #Calicut #Kerala #MalabarCoast #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip
It was four thirty in the morning and pitch black It was four thirty in the morning and pitch black when we crawled into Chef Babu’s car. A short drive later we crawled back out to roam the huge dock that’s home to Kozhikode’s Fish Auctions. Lights blared from the top riggings down a long line of trawlers backed into the wharf. Muscle bound crews on board these vessels retrieved their haul from the icy slurry keeping them fresh in the belly of each boat. Buyers, all men, wrapped their traditional dhoutis up to shorts length to avoid getting wet from the slick surface where the catches are bartered for. Plastic totes that looked like Leggo blocks in orange, blue, yellow, white, and green began to fill. A parade of men carried them from dock to delivery vehicle. They’d be loaded onto lorries and headed to markets and restaurants that would feature this true “catch of the day” on their menu that evening. The pace is brisk and the bustle is everywhere. By the time the sun fully rises, the fish have been unloaded, sorted, weighted and shipped. We take it all in, and keep out of the way! Our sincere appreciation to Chef Babu of The Taj Kozhikode for escorting us to this most interesting hub of food and commerce. Link to the full feature in our profile. . . . #fishauction #freshfish #moplahfood #malabarcuisine #malabarfood #kozhikodefood #keralafoods #keralacuisine #tajhotelsindia #SouthIndianfood #Indianfood #southindiaroadtrip #cooksandtheircultures #facesplacesandplatesblog #Kozhikode #Calicut #Kerala #MalabarCoast #GodsOwnCountry #SouthIndia #India #foodtravel #culinarytravel #culinaryroadtrip . . . Thank you also to Indus Travel @indus_travels and Hi Tours @hitours for sponsoring our travel throughout South India in 2017.
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