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Magical Mystery Food

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From being a magician with Gopinath Muthukad, Raj Kalesh is one of the most sought after food presenter on television, his stint in Amrita T.V’s Taste of Kerala made him a household name.
For Raj Kalesh, his home land food remains close to his heart, no surprises that Divya who came to research on Onam food found his way to his heart too. A way to a man’s heart really is through his stomach. “No matter where I eat I enjoy taste and flavours of Kerala, but then I always on the lookout for new and vivid food experience. One of the biggest changes that have happened to me and my family is that we have stopped buying food; we make it a pint to cook food for our guests. Also we try our best not to waste any food.”

Raj Kalesh Pick on 5 dishes all Malayalis should try

Kochi Koya 
This dish, signature to Thamarassery, Calicut district, has an interesting back story. Supposedly introduced by the Portuguese, this is an energy drink to combat the spicy food locally available. The name is derived from the place Kochi and the way it is made – the mix (koya).

Preparation:

Over ripe bananas, ginger, coconut milk and cow’s milk, jagarry and fried aval (fried beaten rice) mixed together in a bronze vessel. Chopped small onion kept in sugar, to extract the juices. This is added after the first mixing. The concoction is then poured over aval to be eaten.

Kayumkoyiziyum (Bananachicken) 


This dish is normally cooked during festival seasons in Wadakanchery, Thrissur district. This dish is always prepared in bronze uruli and green wood is to cook and not dry wood. This helps create a smoky flavor

Preparation


Unripe bananas and naddan (non broiler) chicken is over cooked in the bronze vessel. The skin of the chicken is not normally removed but the over cooking helps in detaching the meat from the bones. This chicken and banana mixture is moved to another vessel after removing the bones. The second stage involves preparing a vessel over fire in which turmeric tomatoes are caramelized with turmeric powder, coriander powder, pepper, green chilies (red chilies are not used). Once that is properly cooked the main dish is added, mixed and cooked until a semi solid consistency is reached.

Thengachoru and beef varutharachathu.

This dish from Mallapurram is very different from the normal Malabar dishes as it’s not too. Chengachoru (coconut rice) and the beef is always served together.
Clean and cut the beef into small cubes. Grind ginger , garlic, green chili, black peppercorns, red chili and turmeric powder, cloves and cardamom to a coarse paste
Marinate the beef with the spice paste, cinnamon, bay leaves, salt to taste and curry leaves.
Meanwhile take a pan and add grated coconut and fry without adding oil.
Grind it to a coarse paste by adding very little water.

Heat oil in a kadai and add chopped onions, garlic and ginger and sauté for 6-7 minutes.
Add curry leaves and fry for another 2-3 minutes.
Add cooked beef and tomato and all the cooking liquid and cup water and cup thin coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes for all the spice to blend well and the tomato to cook
Add the spice paste, combine well and simmer for another couple of minutes and remove.

Image and recipe credits www.vazhayila.com

Chelaki  

This is a dish native to Chavara , Kollam district. This is normally prepared during the monsoon and can be keep unspoiled for a few days. The main base for the dish is half cooked, sun dried tapioca. This is normally used for lots of preparations.

Preparation


The sun dried tapioca is grinded and made into a fine powder. This is kept aside to be added to the tuna curry. Tuna is cooked in an earthen pot with coriander powder, green chilies ginger and water till the rim of the pot. After boiling for a while the tapioca powder is added to the curry, this is further boiled until it reaches a buttery consistency.

Poddi Meen Peera 

Available all around Alappuzha district, very small fish is used to make this dish.

Preparation :

• Clean fishKeep them whole if they are too small. If not cut them into half.
• Grate coconut finely.
• Grind together turmeric, a few onions and garlic and mix with coconut.
• Finely chop green chillies and ginger; add sliced onions.
• Soak cocum.
• In a stainless steel pan, first put in the curry leaves and half cocum broken into pieces.
• Mix together coconut mixture, fish, remaining cocum and chopped and sliced ingredients.
• Set into the pan.
• Add water to three fourth level of fish mixture.
• Add salt. Bring to boil. Quickly reduce heat and simmer till fish is cooked and moisture evaporated.
• Pour fresh coconut oil over.
• Test for seasoning and remove. Cool and cover. This can be kept for two days.

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Benefits of Including Crab in your Diet

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Crab has all the attraction of seafood without the fishy flavor that some people want to avoid. It is delightfully salty with a delicate mineral sweetness. Crabs were reportedly among the foods that coastal societies eaten a hundred years ago. On the menus of the greatest restaurants today, it stands out as the highlight dish. Crab is famous for its distinctive, exquisite flavor as well as for the health benefits it provides.

Omega-3 fatty acids and protein are abundant in crabs. The Food Experts advise two servings of fish and seafood every week, which is not difficult. 

 Good Protein Source

Crab is a low-fat, nutritious protein source that boosts metabolism and gives you energy. In reality, crab has less saturated fat and about the same amount of protein per 100 grams as other meats. 

Strengthens Heart Health

Consuming a lot of crab meat can actually benefit your cardiovascular system. The Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and protein found in crab are all beneficial sources of lowering cholesterol. Having lower cholesterol lowers your chances of heart attacks and strokes. 

Increases Brain Activity

Crabs are healthy for you since they are a high source of selenium, vitamin B2, copper, and other vital vitamins and minerals. Together with omega-3 fatty acids, these nutrients support healthy brain ageing and reduce the risk of dementia. They aid in defending against oxidative stress, inflammation, and other elements that may have an impact on the growth and health of the brain. 

Strengthens bones

You may already be aware of the significance of calcium for bone health. However, did you realize that phosphorus plays an equal role? Due to its high phosphorus content, crab flesh can aid in the development of strong, healthy teeth and bones. 

Contains selenium

Compared to other meats, crab offers a substantially higher supply of selenium. As an antioxidant, this necessary mineral not only assists in preventing cell damage from free radicals but also strengthens your immune system. Selenium aids in the regulation of your metabolism and is essential for healthy thyroid function. 

An aphrodisiac

The aphrodisiac property of crab meat promotes libido and sexual energy. They have high quantities of zinc and substances that increase estrogen and testosterone levels, enhancing sexual desire.

Makes the blood flow faster

Copper is yet another significant mineral present in crab meat. One significant advantage of copper is that it facilitates the body’s absorption of iron, which enhances the creation of red blood cells. After injuries and illnesses, proper circulation aids in the healing process. 

Consuming excessive amounts of crab can have certain unfavorable impacts, just like with most other foods. If you eat too much of some of the nutrients in crab, such copper and zinc, you could get sick. Crab, however, is a fairly nutritious item to eat in moderation unless you have a seafood allergy, and adverse effects are uncommon. Before consuming any seafood, always make sure you don’t have any allergies.

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The Taste Of Malayali Kitchen In Sweden

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A Kochi-based malayali is creating a sensation by preparing Kerala Cuisine in the foreign swedish kitchen. Devi Nair, who has been settled in Sweden with her husband for almost 10 years, wanted her daughter to experience the delicacies of the Malyaali culture along with her International palette. The sense of homesickness and nostalgia has a part to play in this venture as well. In recent years, as the pandemic hit she chose to share her cooking extravaganzas on Instagram which led her to become more known to the public. Her recipes featured celebratory treats like the Bengali confection Rosbora, local parotta, and non-vegetarian Kerala foods that are popular on social media because they’re simple to make yet delicious to eat and look at. Devi whips up a storm of authentic Kerala delicacies during Malayali festivals. Tender, plump unniyappam, spongy kozhukkatta, rice dumplings, Vishu ada, and Vishu katta are just a few of the items on her Vishu menu this year. She prepared undaputtu with spicy prawn filling, kilikkoodu with meat and egg white, and ammini kozhukatta, a spicy rice dumpling, for Eid. It is also heard that she is planning to launch her own bakery in Sweden as well. 

Words By : Goutham Satheesh

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Some Flavourful Delights to Savour this Festive Season

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Vishu and Easter festivities are around the corner. Along with dressing up and gathering around for some fun family time, you would definitely want to indulge in these simple but festive special treats.

Lilly’s Pattisserie

What if we told you could have Payasam cakes? Yes. You heard that right. The Lilly’s Patisserie, Thrissur is offering Payasam cakes on it its Vishu Special menu as a distinct highlight. Try out their Palada and Pazham Pradhaman cakes which are available in two sizes.They have also got you covered for Easter with a range of Hot Cross Buns from traditional to chocolate and candy berry flavours. You can also spice up your Easter treats with their artisanally crafted Easter Eggs.

 

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Pandhal Cake Shop

The Pandhal Cake Shop, Kochi is shelling out some amazing Easter Egg Surprises this Holy Season. Their marzipan-based eggs come in varied sizes and colours vibrant enough to cheer the grimmest of the lot. Also, check out their Easter Egg Baskets that are sure to surprise you!

 

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Lebanese Grill

No Easter is complete without some spicy meat-based main course to savour. This Kottayam-based Arabian restaurant is all about gifting your loved ones with some flavourful rice for the festive season. This Easter they are introducing the Mutton Cask Biriyani. The cask comes along with pappad, pickle and raita. These are only available on a pre-order basis. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and order now.

 

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Words By: Mariam Thankam Mohan

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