My edible Christmas Tree 2016 |Happy Xmas|Happy New Year 2017

It is Christmas in the heart,that puts Christmas in the air .~ W.T.Ellis

Christmas is indeed the most beautiful  season of the year especially here in U.S.A . There is so much happiness and joy on everyone's face and everywhere .Each and every home and each and every store are beautifully decorated and the little snow now and then , even winter season looks magical in its own way  and I,feel like ,"Manju in wonderland "!!😊

I don't know if it was my upbringing ,even though we are Hindu,my Dad,kept Lord Jesus's idol besides our Hindu Gods to teach us (practically) that "God" is one ,irrespective of religions,which is totally man-made and all adulterated nowadays .Soak the good from all,reject the bad ! - I wonder ,if this is one of the reason,I am quite drawn to Lord Jesus like a magnet !!

         [Related : How to make perfect Kerala style Idiyappam]

When I was little,I used to read small bible I had (Probably my Dad's),even though I hardly understood any verses ,as a token of love and devotions towards Lord Jesus and Bible is the first Holy book I ever read as well ...

And I had Christian neighbours while growing up and then we used to have good rapport with them .I used to eagerly wait for Mary aunty's Xmas plum cake and other edible goodies .The carol at their house used to be the most peaceful music I have heard and all the Christmas programs in TV ,made my days ,oh, and most importantly the happy holidays we got at school 😁

Well,I have amazing parents who gave me the right values and also were surrounded by people from all religions and state and we were more than happy to celebrate every festival without any ifs and buts .

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I think the other reason why I feel drawn towards Jesus is his story - Among all God's who had an Earthly life ,I am very inspired by - Lord Jesus ,Lord Rama,Shri Gautam Buddha ,Sai Baba ,the most !!

Because, even though they were incarnations of God ,they all went through sufferings,pain ,troubles constantly and gladly . Lord Rama (Vanavasa period) and Shri Gautam Buddha were from royal family yet they went for a life full of  struggles . Especially when it comes to Lord Jesus , his statue/idol on cross ,nailed and thorns on his head hurts me !! It makes my heart bleed silently .

Credit:Google search

Even the most compassionate, loving God's own son,Lord Jesus was tested,doubted,misunderstood, disrespected,manipulated,betrayed by known and unknown and tortured mercilessly. Lord Jesus led the most simple life yet full of sufferings happily and yet forgiving others and loving others unconditionally.

And little funny yet meaningful quote I read in Instagram the other day ,"Lord Jesus had only 12 followers and Hitler had countless !" 😁..Even that inspires me ,there is nothing in having followers , fans,million friends etc 🙌😇😀..

"Quality over quantity" is something which I strongly believe in as well and we are living in an era where it is all about social medias and getting followers by hook or by crook . It never enticed me like that !😒My blogging is the ultimate proof of that ROFL 😂 ....Just not my thing and my blogging experience taught me a lot of things ,made me stronger , fearless,unapologetically me and standing alone is totally cool and most importantly ,God's presence more !! My nirvana 😍

I must mention that I get emails from top notch bloggers with zillion followers lately(Thank you !:) ) (sadly,not even one is Indian) ,appreciating my content and directly and indirectly they guide me how to get followers in FB,YouTube etc etc .

Even though I try a bit ,I must say ,it's not my thing and I am not that interested in nos. anymore,yeah,once I wondered and wished lil bit ,BUT,I am here to share my passion and don't want it to be like a competition and I don't rely on those nos. of followers to justify my worth .Naah, neither my intention nor I have time for that !

And I believe, I got all these inspirations from God almighty especially Lord Jesus -His life is one of the ultimate inspiration to me ...That's why I love him a lot without being or becoming a Christian ,in fact ,being a simple human in true sense !!

And I pray to God to make me as forgiving as he was to others ,who harm me intentionally with their words or actions !!


Anyways,that's why I LOVE Christmas,the day Lord Jesus was born ! And what is a Christmas ,without any Christmas tree !!..So,this year's Christmas tree is another edible Christmas tree made up Idiyappam and I used Organic wheat grass to get that green color than any artificial color. So,till today my Christmas trees are something that won't go waste but in fact will nourish my family as well.

Happy belated Christmas wishes and a very happy new year in advance !!

How I made my edible Christmas Tree DIY here -

Ho,Hmmm,Haaaa,

Idiyappam Kerala style (Updated post) |Kerala Traditional breakfast

    
Idiyappam is one of the most popular traditional breakfast item from Southern India - in Kerala,it is called ,well,idiyappam or nool puttu or nool appam,same in Tamil Nadu and Srilanka ,Semige or Seme da Addae in Tulu,shavige in Kanada,putumayam in Malayasia and string hoppers in English. (Credit:Wiki) Wowww!!


This is one of that food item that makes me lol .Why ? As I have already mentioned once ,"Idi" in Malayalam means "Punch" and "Appam" means Pancake.So,basically, a pancake that can punch ! 🙊🙉🙈💪

Just like name ,its appearance can also be deceiving or say interesting .Again why ??? Well,as you can see in the pics ,they are like an edible saree in the sense,strings of flour wrapped forever or white noodles that are steamed to eat .

They are Special ,you see and guess what you can't make them just like that ,they need a special cooking equipment for their preparation that is Idiyappam press or seva nazhi with idiyappam achu/mould and idli cooker or idli steamer .

During olden times (still people do),to make idiyappams, raw rice was cleaned well,then sun dried and ground to a smooth rice powder and used for making idiyappams traditionally and my mom used to make like that as well . However,my mom showed me how we can create soft idiyappams using the store bought flour too (to make it easy for me and to ensure that I, without a miss ,will make these idiyappams exclusively for my hubby now and for kids in future 💁) and of course ,the lazy me ,opted the second method ,without any second thought .😋

        [Related : How I made my edible Christmas tree with idiyappam]

Also,I remember, how my mom used to make idiyappams - the idiyappam press or seva nazhi she used certainly needed lots of stamina and strength to press it to create these string hoppers . I tried once and then it was the first and the last 😁. Poor amma ,I feel bad for her - how she used to wake up early and made these several idiyappams in time with no one to help (and never expected) for  paa and us before we left to office and school respectively ...Never complained !:) - Maa tujhey salaam ! 🙏🙇😘

Dear Amma ,your dedication till today, inspires me, whenever I feel utter lazy ! My special respects to all women from her generation especially -they did their best with whatever little,nothing fancy-pancy things they had which used to be time consuming yet tiring ,happily for their family ,day in day out,with hardly any complains .🙇🙏💗 and thanks mom for teaching me to acknowledge simple scenarios like that and learn from them and remember for ever.

Those hefty idiyappam press gave me the shiver and the wrong impression that I will never ever make idyappam by myself in life . In a way ,the lazy me was thankful too 😁 .But as we are progressing,little equipment like these are too  and so are my responsibilities...🙌

Nowadays,the idyappam press are quite easy to use and in fact, fun to use as it has different moulds in it which can be used for making varieties of traditional snacks and other dishes .So,it has multi-purpose. What looked like a herculean task ,has become a child's play 😇

Now,idiyappam is fun to make and fun to eat as well . I and my better 1/2 love our Kerala idiyappam.
So,let me show you how I make Idiyappam Kerala style :-

Idiyappam Kerala style recipe

(Makes roughly 20 )

Ingredients

Rice flour - 2 cups

Water - 3 1/2 cups (for making dough) & 3 cups for steaming

Grated coconut - 1 cup (approx)

Salt - 1 Tsp

Oil/Ghee - 1 Tsp

Idiyappam press/Idiyappam achu

Idli cooker

Preparation of Idiyappam method :Please watch my video that will show you step by step method how to make idiyappam Kerala style traditionally and I am sure it will be helpful for beginners as I've tried my best to explain it .

Note: The success of making yummy idiyappam lies in making the dough well . So,please follow the exact ingredient quantity I mentioned above .Incase,your dough becomes watery,add little by little flour to make it into a knead-able form.Rest tips and tricks to make soft idiyappam using just the store bought rice flour are explained in the idiyappam video above.

These idiyappams are served hot with any vegetarian curry or non-vegetarian curry as a staple breakfast item back in Kerala.And,I love it with Kerala mutta curry or Kerala style egg curry .They are very filling .I don't know about Maggi but these noodles are healthy comparatively 😝😀.And no one can ever mess with them because they have the potential to 👊💪,well,atleast by name ...

Nadan kadala curry recipe|Kerala brown chickpeas curry Alleppey style

Kadala curry especially Karutha kadala curry that is, black/brown chickpeas curry is one of the most popular vegetarian curry from Kerala that is a side dish served with another popular dish from Kerala,Puttu or Appam exclusively and so this black chickpeas curry is one of the traditional and must have breakfast curry of Kerala .

Every Malayali loves this breakfast combo of Puttu and kadala curry and is one of the staple at every Mallu's home, back in India.

                  [ Related : How to make Gothambu puttu/Puttu made with whole wheat flour ]

The black chickpeas or Bengal gram are small in size compared to the Garbanzo chickpeas and black-brown in color ,they are little racist hehe😉😀😋 .However,just like it's whiter counterpart ,they are a nutritional powerhouse and an excellent source of proteins especially for vegetarians.

These black chickpeas may look darn tanned,dry and lifeless ,to bring them back to life,they must be soaked in water for at least 8 hrs or best overnight to cook next day otherwise it may take forever to cook aptly and may not properly soften up to eat no matter how well the curry or masalas are used to prepare the recipe.So,well these chickpeas like most of the lentils need a water pampering spa treatment and will teach you also how to be patient ...



Black chickpeas are also a good source of fibre,fats,carbs and excellent for diabetic people as well.

My mom used to simply boil these chickpeas ,sprinkle some spice powders and she used to give us like a healthy evening snack when we were little .(The snack I frowned at 😈)

Your order is ready -Puttu Kadala for YOU !💁

My hubby is however a big fan of white Garbanzo or vella kadala or white chickpeas than these little black ones .So,this chickpeas curry is something I would make once in a black moon ...And my mom, considering the health benefits of these black chickpeas will remind me every now and then and kinda compel me to make the boiled chickpeas as snack especially for my hubby as he is diabetic.

                    [Related : Vella Kadala curry/White chickpeas curry Kerala style ]

But traditionally from Kerala cuisine's standpoint ,puttu with this black chickpeas curry,Appam with (vegetarian option) black chickpeas curry are the most sought after and a staple ,taste of Kerala.

So,let's see how I make kadala curry Kerala style and this is an authentic Kerala style chickpeas curry in Alleppey style.

Nadan Kadala curry|Kerala black chickpeas curry

Ingredients

Black chickpeas/Kadla- 1 cup

Onion,sliced (medium size) - 1-2 nos.

Green chillies,sliced lengthwise - 3-4 nos.

 Turmeric powder - 1 Tsp

Red chilli powder - 3/4 Tbsp

Coriander powder - 1 1/2 Tbsp

Fennel powder - 1/2 Tbsp

Kerala Garam Masala - 1/2 Tsp (optional)

Coconut,grated - 1-2 Tbsp

Coconut pieces,chopped - 1-2 Tbsp

Curry leaves,a few

Salt to taste

Coconut oil - 1-2 Tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 Tsp
Broken dry red chillies - 2-3 nos

Preparation of Kadala curry method:

Please watch the video that will properly guide you how to make Kadla curry Kerala style /Alleppey special

There are many versions of nadan kadala curry that may vary from state to state and this one is one of the simple version from my place in Kerala,Alleppey . If you are also a fan of puttu kadala breakfast combo,give it a try ,you will love it and this chickpea curry goes well with roti/chapathi/poori/rice etc just like any vegetarian curry.

 

 

Chakkakuru mezhukupuratti|Jackfruit seeds stir fry Kerala style

Jackfruit trees are as common as coconut trees in Kerala .Almost every house in Kerala has one or more jackfruit trees. I remember my childhood days,whenever we visited grandma,grandpa during summer vacation ,we were pampered with plenty of raw,ripe or cooked jackfruits delicacies .

 Some melted in mouth,others were kind of tad crunchy yet juicy to eat ..mmmm...yummy...However,there was/is something which would be an obstacle while enjoying those jackfruit pieces - the jackfruit seeds .They are like like ants in heaven ..I mean like the Malayalam saying ,"Swargathil katturrumbu" or "Kabab mein haddi" in Hindi.

I remember, my grandmaa or maa or aunts removing one by one all seeds and giving us the jackfruit to eat happily.Even though I hated those jackfruit seeds then and I would even secretly throw them out,I loved them whenever,a special stir fry using these jackfruit seeds was made at home .

Grandmaa used to pack a huge bag of carefully sun dried jackfruit seeds for us while leaving Kerala . My mom used to make a variety of jackfruit and jackfruit seed dishes every now and then .One of my favourite was what we call in Malyalam,chakkakuru mezhukupuratti/jackfruit seeds stir fry Kerala style . This Jackfruit seeds recipe is damn simple to make and very tasty to eat with boiled rice,any spicy curry etc etc ....

So,let's see how to make jackfruit seeds recipe Kerala style or Khathal ke beej ki bhujia in Hindi ...
I have also showed in the video below how to clean and cut those jackfruit seeds properly .

Chakkakuru mezhukupuratti

Ingredients

Jackfruit seeds/Chakkakuru/Khathal ke beej - 10-15 Nos.

Red chilli powder - 1 Teaspoon

Turmeric powder - 1/2 Teaspoon

Fennel seeds - 1/2 - 1 Tsp

Broken dry red chillies - 1-2 Nos.

Curry leaves,a few

 Coconut oil - 1-2 Tablespoon
Salt to taste

Water just enough to cover/cook the Jackfruits

Method:Please watch my video which will show how to make this Kerala style jackfruit seeds stir fry

DID YOU KNOW?

Jackfruit is a complete nutritious fruit in and out . The jackfruit seeds is nothing less and is filled with essential vitamins ,proteins,carbs and fiber . Jackfruit seeds can keep skin,eyes and hair healthy.These little seeds are filled with flavanoids,phytochemicals and anti-oxidants ,which can help in keeping even cancer at bay.

According to a research by Food Science and Food Safety ,jackfruit seeds have antimicrobial properties which helps in fighting against any food borne bacteria/illness.Traditionally,these seeds were used to treat indigestion or diarrhea .

Jackfruit seeds can also prevent anemia,constipation,blood pressure etc etc.Jackfruit seeds may also help to improve blood sugar as it has resistant starch and so is good for even diabetic people but still should be in limits. (Credit : Livingstrong.com)

 See the nutrition benefits of jackfruit seeds,now I am sure hardly anyone is gonna throw those seeds away...

Beet Greens stir fry recipe Kerala style

 Did you know that beet greens/beet leaves carry more vitamins,minerals and fiber than beetroot (except folate vitamin) ? I didn't ..as always..

In fact,I saw beet greens for the first time ever in US .I had no idea beetroots had leaves like Spinach.Actually,I even thought they are spinach with some kind of tumor ...nah just kidding (the tumor part)...

However, the moment I saw those Beet leaves, I knew they are gonna become one of my favorite leaf recipes..No kidding here ..

Oh ..and the health benefits of these beet greens are as wonderful as it's root's color ...
(Credits : Searchhomeremedy.com ,Foodfacts.mercola.com )

• Beet greens are loaded with high Vitamin A,Vitamin C,Calcium and Iron.
• Beet greens have higher iron content than spinach .
• They, just like beetroots are excellent blood detoxifier and body energizer.
• Beet greens have shown to increase blood supply to brain , thereby reducing age related diseases like Dementia,Alzheimer etc .
• Beetroot leaves juice can prevent acnes/pimples ,wrinkles and give a healthy glow to the skin .
• Beet greens promotes hair growth and fights against dry,itchy scalps.

 

For me they taste just like red spinach leaves if not better .I totally love it ,more than the beetroots itself and after reading all those health benefits of beet greens I think I may leave beetroots but not beet greens...These leaves are quite forgiving and can adjust into any tasty recipes.

So,here is my favourite beet greens recipe Indian style :-

 Beet Green stir fry Kerala style

Ingredients

Beet greens,a bunch ,chopped

Shallots,chopped - 2-3 nos.

Green chillies,chopped - 2-3 nos.

Coconut,grated - 1/2 cup

Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp

Garlic cloves (big) - 1 no.

Curry leaves,a few

Turmeric powder - 1 Tsp (optional)

Coconut oil - 1-2 Tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 Tsp

Broken red chillies - 2-3 nos.

Salt to taste

To make it little bit spicy,add 1-2 Tsp red chilli powder

Method:Please watch my video that will show you how to make beet green/beet root leaves stir fry Kerala style properly.

Do try this easy and simple beet greens recipe with boiled rice,any spicy curry or chapathi,roti etc..

Oh by the way,do you know what is the botanical name pf beet greens/beet root leaves - "Beta Vulgaris" hahaha.... Beta in Hindi means son,vulgar-is in English = ?? lol ..Rest I leave it to your dirty mind if you have lol :P....but rest assured nothing vulgar about this son :D ...

Kottayam fish curry |Nadan fish curry from Kerala

 

Kottayam is one of the popular city in Indian state Kerala. It is the pioneer of English educational center in South India and the first Malayalam printing press in Kerala and hence is popularly known as "AksharaNagari" meaning "Land of Letters" .

The majority of popular Malayalam newspapers were born here - Deepika,Mangalam ,Malayala Manorama etc. Just like any place in Kerala,it is surrounded by lush paddy fields (I am crazy about ..I hope they never become extinct ) ,breathtaking backwaters (deep sigh with awe) - especially famous tourist spots like Vembanad lakes and Kumarakom,standing and swaying - tall and green coconut trees ,vast rubber plantations and and aaand amazing lip-smacking spicy recipes mostly influenced by Syrian Christians...

So,today I am gonna share one of the most popular food item from Kerala -Nadan meen curry recipe a.k.a Kerala fish curry Kottayam style. I love this fish curry a lot as it is quite spicy and healthy - full of ginger,garlic,spices,and our omega - fish the great :D

So,this is how I make Kottayam style fish curry at home -

 Kottayam Fish curry

Ingredients
Fish Fillets,cleaned,cut and slit (I used Pomfret)- 6 nos.
Red chilli powder - 2 Tbsp
Coriander powder - 2 Tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 Tsp
Garlic,chopped lengthwise - 5-6 nos.
Ginger,julienne and chopped - 2 inch
Shallots,chopped -4 nos.
Green chillies,chopped - 2 nos.
Coconut Oil - 3 Tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 Tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
Kodumpulli/Gambodge - 3-4 nos.
Water - 2 cups
Salt to taste

Method:- Please watch the video that will properly guide you how to make this fish curry .

Note:  If the Gambodges are small pieces ,take up to 5 nos. max only ,too much of this fish tamarind will make the curry too sour to eat.

2. For authentic Kerala taste use only our Indian unrefined coconut oil.Any other oil will give a different taste .

3.More this curry sits,more tastier it becomes.


If you are a spicy seafood lover,you got to try this fish curry Kottayam style especially with our famous Kerala Tapioca recipes or simply boiled rice and any side-dish.

Bharli Vangi |A Maharashtrian eggplant stuffed recipe

Bharli Vangi is a Maharashtrian style stuffed eggplant recipe ."Bharli" in Marathi means stuffed and "Vangi" in Marathi (A south Indian language from the Indian state of Maharashtra) .This Maharashtrian recipe is quite tasty I must say ,one of the eggplant recipe I fell in love with totally .

For making this eggplant recipe,baby eggplants are used exclusively and filled with a special ground paste /Goda masala and made into a fingerlicking,liplicking,platelicking brinjal recipe (Eggplant is called "Brinjal " in India and "Baingan" in Hindi ). I am extremely happy that I came across this baingan curry and now it is one of my family's favorite go-to Brinjal gravy at home.

Just like other vegetables,eggplants were never enticing to me other than this Baingun baja recipe which is more like a snack . However,the baby eggplants look so cute that they do some kind of maya/illusion/magic on me ,I am immediately drawn towards them and then I usually end up making  varieties of stuffed eggplant curries and this is the first of them that made it to my blog so far.

Eggplants are by the way very nutritious .Eggplants can help in controlling obesity ,diabetes,heart diseases,cholesterol,cancer and they even improve blood flow to the brain .No only that ,they are very good for pregnant women and baby because of folic acid in it which prevents any defects in the development of baby.Eggplants also improve hair ,complexion and overall energy .(Credit:Medicalnewstoday.com )

DID YOU KNOW ?

Eggplants are also known as Garden eggs,Guinea squash,melongene ..

Anyways,off to the eggplant recipe - This is how I make Bharli Vangi recipe

Bharli Vangi recipe

Ingredients

Baby eggplants,slit - 6-8 nos

Onion,chopped - 1/2 cup

Tomatoes,chopped - 1/2 cup

Mustard seeds - 1 Tsp

Whole dry red chillies

Oil - 2 Tbsp for gravy & 2-4 Tbsp for frying

Peanuts - 1/4 cup

Sesame - 1 Tbsp

Coconut - 1/4 cup

Jaggery - 2-4 Tsp

Tamarind - a small marble size

Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp

Coriander seeds - 2 Tsp

Peppercorns - 6 nos.

Cloves -3 nos.

Cinnamon - 1'

Water - 1-2 Tbsp for ground paste & 1/4 cup for the gravy

Method: Please watch the video that will show how to make Bharli Vangi Marathi style :

This eggplant recipe Indian style will make any eggplant haters fall in love again with the eggplants...like me...

Bhindi ka salan - A special tangy Okra/lady's finger recipe

 

The main reason why I love bhindi a.k.a Lady'sfinger is that couple of years back ,I saved a few seeds from some mature lady's finger pods and they have been sooo loyal to me that year after year,all I have to do is put a nice foundation of soil and hide these seeds inside it and after a few days ,lo & behold - they break apart the soil and sprout back into life as if they were desperate enough to see me :D.

After a month or two they grow continuously and vigorously into beautiful yellow sunny flowers like a gift as if they are extremely happy to see me :P and then then thenn....they go green..and give me the fruit of my love and labor ...as fully grown lady'sfinger as if they wanted to be a part of me lol ..(Poor Jokes apart )....

However,if I ignored them,didn't take time to pick them on time ,they get sooo angry and mature and rough and tough that they are of no use...they become useless ..Out of service !

So,that's a special relationship I share with these green-y lady'sfinger ...they are special like that..enriching my vegetable garden ,my cooking and health....(I am so proud of them that I mention their presence at my home's backyard without a miss in every blog post related to okra :D )

So,beacuse of their graciousness and abundance in fresh produce , I am always in search of bhindi recipes .These are some lady'sfinger recipes Indian style that made it to my blog so far :

1. Vendakka mezhukkupuratti/Okra stir fry in Kerala style
2. Masaledaar Bhindi/Okra stir fry in Andhra style
3. Achari Bhindi - Special Lady'finger stir fry in pickle flavor

 And today I am gonna share how to make bhindi ka salan recipe a.k.a a special okra recipe in a tangy curry -little sour little sweet .This Indian style Okra recipe goes really well with boiled rice ,chappathi,appam,idli ,dosa etc....Fingerlicking!

Bhindi ka salan 

Ingredients

Bhindi/Okra/Lady'sfinger - 150gm

Onion,chopped - 1/2 of big size

Tomato,chopped - 1 medium size

Peanut - 1 Tbsp

Sesame Seeds - 1 Tsp

Coconut,slices (You can also use grated or coconut powder instead) - 1 Tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp

Oil - 3-4 Tbsp

Broken red chillies - 1-2 nos.

Coriander powder - 1 Tbsp

Red chilli powder - 1 Tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/2 Tsp

Jaggery powder - 1 Tsp

Tamarind - 1 Marble size 

Water - 1 1/4 cup

Salt to taste

Method: Please watch my video that will clearly guide you how to make this Bhindi recipe properly."Seeing is believing !"

Note:
You may or may not remove the skin of the peanuts.

I hope you will try this okra curry and fall in love with this lady and ask for those fingers ..I mean Lady's finger :0)) (PJ again !)...

 

 

 

Kerala special mushroom stir fry recipe|Nadan Koon thoran

When I was little I was told not to touch any mushrooms that grew in the surrounding ,as it is a haven for snakes and I used to think ,that explains why it looks like an umbrella,probably an umbrella for snakes ! I used to just hate mushrooms -by looks and even by taste . I hardly ate any mushroom dishes . There is just one dish which I would give a shot though - Kerala special mushroom stir fry a.k.a koon thoran in Malayalam.

However, as I grew up I came to know the benefits of mushrooms like mushrooms are quite nutritious - are antibacterial,anti-inflammatory and antioxidants meaning they help a lot in reducing blood pressure,cholesterol,even blood sugar/diabetes,stress,enhance immune system ,aids in weight loss and helps in fighting cancers like breast cancer,prostate cancer as well .That's why Chinese medicines have used mushrooms immensely and effectively for centuries . (Credit :Organicfacts.net)

And the reason why I was told not to touch mushrooms is probably because a lot of mushrooms growing in wild which resembles the edible mushrooms are highly poisonous which can even lead to coma or death. It is suggested by the nutritionist  to buy mushrooms from reputed sources only ,that are well packaged at market .

DID YOU KNOW -Some fun facts about mushrooms :
(Credit:Sciencekids.co.nz and  100thmonkeymushrooms.com)

• Mushrooms are fungus and have no chlorophyll,they don't need sunlight to grow ,they grow by extracting nutrients from dead /decaying plants etc .
• Mushrooms have DNA that closely resembles to humans than plants. :O
• Like human skin,when exposed to sunlight ,mushrooms can produce Vitamin D which rarely any plant does.
• Mushrooms have 90%water content.
• Mushrooms are also called "Toadstools" :D
• A single portbella mushroom contains more potassium content than a banana.
• There are special kind of mushrooms that can even glow in dark.
• Mushrooms were used as natural dyes to dye wool and natural fibers.

Wow,that was quite a mushroom-o-pedia :P ....Interesting !

Anyways,I am gonna share how to make Kerala special mushroom stir fry with a coconut paste that goes well with boiled rice and any curry of your choice or as you wish :

Mushroom stir fry|Kerala koon thoran

Ingredients

Mushroom,(I used button mushroom) - 150 gm

Turmeric powder - 1 Tsp

Shallots,chopped - 1-2 nos.

Green chillies,chopped - 1-3 nos 

Curry leaves,a few

Coconut - 3/4 cup

Garlic,big - 1 no

Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp

Broken dry red chillies - 1-2 nos.

Coconut oil - 1 -2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Add a 1-2 Tsp of pepper powder to make it spicy mushroom stir fry.

Method:

Please check out my video that will show you how to make mushroom Kerala style at home :

Make room for this mush-y fungi ....

Kerala Snack - Thattukada Parippu Vada |Kerala style Lentil Fritters

  
Parippu Vada a.k.a Lentil fritters are one of the famous snack in Kerala . When I think of or look at or eat a Parippu Vada ,what really gives me a nostalgic kick are the Kerala train stations ...During my childhood days ,whenever we visited our grandparents in Kerala during summer vacation,the sign that we reached Kerala or our destination was the mere sight of vendors rushing to every windows of the train compartments with a box of Parippu vadas or Pazham puris/Banana fritters and mere sound of them yelling "Vadai vadai Parippu vaddai " and me staring at those munchies with drooling mouth - in vain....Maa,paa didn't care to buy one :|

Second kick,I mean nostalgic kick I get are those Thattukadas/Chayakadas,you know small food joints in every nook and corner ,wherever you go in Kerala ,always have certain edible snacks in common,one among them are Nadan Parippu Vada ...I remember my grand paa would bring some hot crunchy parippu vadas covered in newspaper smeared with shadow of oil here and there and smelling snacks-from-heaven ,from the near by small shop sometimes during evening time or some guests would be nice enough to bring some....I loved them - both the guest and the Parippu Vadas of course :D

My hubby's fav-The Parippu Vada kodiyan hahah...Thx Hon for being the model of the day !;)

Third nostalgic not kick but hit I remember is that during college days,I was ragged by my seniors to say like those Parippu vada vendors in railway stations ,"Vadai Vadai Parippu Vadaiii" ...Oh well,I without any hesitation happily did what they asked for ;D....I was like (back of my mind ),Anything else -"Want me to make you a vada eh?" :D ..Poor chaps weren't that lucky !!:P

Anyways,today I am excited to share how to make an authentic Kerala special Thattukada Parippu Vada at home .

Thattukada Parippu Vada Recipe

Ingredients

Toor Dal/Split Pigeon Peas - 1 cup

Shallots,chopped - 10 Nos

Ginger,chopped - 2 inch piece

Green Chillies ,chopped- 1-2 Nos.(optional)

Broken Red chillies - 1-2 Nos.

Fennel Seeds - 1 Tsp

Curry Leaves,broken - A sprig

Turmeric Powder - 1 Tsp

Salt to taste 

Coconut Oil - 1-2 Cups

Method: Pls watch my video that will clearly demo how to make this nadan Parippu vada Thattukada style :

Note :

1. You can also use Chana Dal/Split Bengal Gram instead of toor dal or even use half toor dal and half chana dal. Toor Dal will be easy to grind comparatively .
2. Instead of shallots , you can use 1 chopped onion.
3. What makes a Thattukada Parippu vada different and taste at par from the ordinary Parippu vada are the addition of red chillies and fennel seeds !

This Lentil fritters don't need any chutney or ketchup by their side .The best companion and accompaniment to these Kerala special lentil fritters are just a piping cup of Indian Tea/Chaaya ...Oh..and a cold day or winter season or a rainy day would totally take it to next level -simply Earthly,homely yet heavenly....

Kerala Tomato curry|Nadan Thakkali curry recipe

 This Kerala special tomato curry tastes creamy with a dash of tanginess of tomato and smoothness of coconut paste .Usually Kerala recipes are very spicy but there are a few curries that scream it is from Kerala yet can be not at all spicy but full of flavor .This easy-peasy tomato curry or traditionally called ,"Nadan thakkali curry" falls into the before-said category. This curry is also very easy to make and goes well with another spicy dishes like fish fry ,chicken fry or any spicy vegetarian dishes too.

My better 1/2 is not a big fan of Tomato but this thakkali curry even he loves it and me too especially because it is quite easy to make and yummy to eat .

So,this is how I make Kerala style Tomato curry :

Kerala style Tomato curry|Nadan Thakkali curry

Ingredients

Tomato,large - 1no.

Green chillies - 2 nos.

Shallots - 2 nos.

Turmeric powder - 1 Tsp

Yogurt/Curd - 1 cup

Coconut,grated - 1/2 cup

Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp

Water - 1 1/2 cups
Coconut oil - 1 Tbsp
Curry leaves,a few
Salt to taste

Method :Please watch the video that will show you how to make this simple easy Tomato curry :

Take a break from fish curries and chicken or Beef curries .Go Tomatoes I say !!

Alleppey fish curry recipe |#Kerala seafood recipe

A fish can certainly live without a Mallu a.k.a Malayalee but a Mallu cannot live without a fish !! This my dear friend is called ,"A typical Malayalee syndrome!". As I might have told you zillions of times before,we mallus LOVE fish and a daily menu without fish is nothing less than a curse or a sin!

Guess what even a recent infographic prepared by Funalytics   shows that Kerlaites are the hardcore non-vegetarians all over India . Praise the lord ..then the Mallus !:D


When all over India,every woman in the neighborhood are either gossiping openly or envying silently about the next door lady's brand new Rs.20,000 embroidered saree or the pearl-y white-y shining necklace or golden jhumka/dangling earring ,a typical Kerala woman is more interested and curious to know which type of fish and for how much her neighbor got the fish for and ending up either praising or cursing the fish monger of that day...

It is also not an unusual sight to see a male fish monger ,(like Shri Krishna) surrounded by women from all over the community ....or a lady fish monger delivering the hot catch of the day with spicy secret news about the ladies from neighborhood as a bonus....You see,it's a big thing ...Fish and everything related to them are part and parcel of a Keralite ...

So,we have varieties of fish recipes ..from dry fish recipes to fresh fish recipes ---smeared in coconut paste and spices or spicy and tangy curry ..Simply finger-licking fish recipes! ...So far these fish recipes have made it to my blog - Fish Mappas curry, Netholi meen pattichathu/Dry Anchovy recipe Kerala style , Kerala fish cutlet ,Apollo fish fry recipe Andhra style ,Pan fried salmon on a bed of lettuce , Karimeen porichathu/Pearl spot fish fry , Karimeen pollichathu  ..

Today,I am gonna share the ultimate spicy fish curry from "The Venice of the East - Alleppey !" ~ my hometown . This fish curry is very spicy and goes awesome with boiled rice , any side dish ,Kappa/Kerala Tapioca .

 

Alleppey Fish curry recipe (without a coconut)

Ingredients

Fish Steaks (medium-large size,I used King fish) - 3 nos.

Red chilli powder - 2 Tbsp

Coriander Powder - 1 1/2 Tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 th Tsp

Pepper powder - 1/4th Tsp

Fenugreek Powder - 1/4th Tsp

Fennel Powder - 1/4th Tsp

Ginger-Garlic Paste - 1/4th Tsp

Shallot/Small onion ,chopped - 1 Tbsp

Kudampulli/Gambodge - 2-3 nos.

Mustard seeds - 1 Tsp

Fenugreek seeds - 1/8th Tsp

Coconut Oil - 3 Tbsp

Water - 2 Cups
Salt to taste

Method: Please watch the video that will guide you properly how to make this Kerala special Alappuzha fish curry .

NOTES:

1. For making it less spicy , just add 1/2 cup of thick coconut milk at the end .

2. For different variations (in taste yet tasty) ,add chopped tomatoes (1/4 th cup) at the end and once the tomatoes are soft ,put off the flame .

So,if you are a spice lover,do try this fiery hot Alleppey fish curry for sure . And if you have not tasted any Kerala seafood yet,why don't give this curry a shot.