Cesar Olive Pomace Oil

Olive Oil comes in various varieties and Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the most expensive of it. Pomace Olive Oil like this shown here is used for Cooking, Frying etc. like Coconut Oil and Veg Oil like Sun Flower Oil etc. Then there is light Olive Oil also for Cooking. Extra Virgin is for Seasoning Pickles and Salads etc. Cesar brand is from the Famous Borges group of Spain who are the leading manufacturers of Premium Olive Oil in the World. 

Mattupavile Krishi at Thekkiniyath House Ollur

The Krishi Bhavan supplied grow bags at my home have started yielding veggies. Today I harvested some red spinach. All the 5 vegetables given Tomato, Chilli, Brinjal and Ladies finger have flowered and are getting ready for harvest. 

Kolaan and Kolpuli Fish Curry

This is the Fish curry most of the Malayalees in their 70's and 80's like. The new generation may not like it. The fish is simply not seen in the Fish market. It is an endangered species now. So Kolaan meen curry is special and my wife likes it very much. My Father also likes it I hope. He likes all those small "Puzhameen". 

BBQ Time in Kerala

yeah..I know the Chicken is having fever these days. BBQ ? Let the bird get out of the bed.
It is cool in the night and it is good for making a BBQ get together in Kerala. On your terrace or Garden. See my earlier post on how to set up a nadan BBQ stand/rack. Try Fish/Veggies and of course Chicken. 7- 10 pm will be ideal for a family to eat and drink (Pepsi/Coke) and do some gup... shup. Hey after all BBQ is not reserved for the Middle East or the Western World. Mallus can also do it. But it takes some efforts and that is what Mallus don't like. They would rather dismantle a BBQ chicken which mostly is prepared on the road side with all the dust, dirt and smoke of the vehicles...!!

Kolaan Kolpuli Fish curry

Kolaan or Garfish and also known as Needle fish and Half beak in other countries is a nostalgic fish for Mallus. Generally seen in the Kole fields/Paddy fields, this Silver grey fish is very tasty especially when prepared with Kol Puli or raw Tamarind. This is what we are going to do with this Fish. Watch out our next post for the mouth watering Kolaan Kol Puli Fish Curry.  

Dear Food becomes more dearer

The Diesel price hike and monsoon failure will drive the prices of food commodities to never seen before levels. Eating out will be more dearer. Even eating at home will be more expensive. Growing vegetables at home is an option to cut down the grocery bill. I heard the Krishi Bhavan is giving away "grow bags" with pre planted veggies in poly bags in a subsidised rate (Rs. 500 with Govt. paying Rs. 1500) I think it is good opportunity to get some quality vegetables at home.

Eating out is anyway a No-No for Mallus especially after the Shawarma Case.

Okra or Ladies Finger Bhajji

This home made subzhi or curry is too good for chappathi or nan. The spicy taste with a little sweetness of tomato is a good combo for any meal.

Preparation.

Slice Okra in thin pcs. Mix with Kashmiri Chili powder and salt. Keep aside for 5 min. Heat oil in a Tava. Deep fry the Okra. Set aside. Take a little more Oil. Saute sliced large onions, capsicum, tomato and garlic. Add some MDH Chana Masala and little more Kashmiri Chili powder and salt. Add Okra and mix the veggies well. Good stuff to pamper your taste buds...!!

Halloween Pumpkin Curry

This Halloween my daughters Carol and Olivia forced me to buy a 3.5 K Pumpkin. We carved it and lighted the Lantern. But after that, the Pumpkin need to be consumed and we have various dishes of Pumpkin these days in our home.

Lettuce and Beetroot in Thrissur, Kerala

The Winter Veggies Lettuce and Beetroot were planted today @ my home in Ollur. The Seeds were brought from Ireland by my brother. The crop will bring laurels to the farmer since Lettuce is not known to be grown anywhere in Kerala I Guess.... We will have to wait and see.

Kanthari Mulagu in Olive Oil

Highly inflammable Kanthari Mulagu is doused in Olive oil to reduce its heat. The Green Chutney is one of the most fiery concotion I have ever tasted.

Puli or Tamarind Sauce Hot Sweet and Sour

My earlier post on this type of Sauce was so much appreciated. I would like to pep it up a little more spicy style. It is Hot and Spicy.

Soak some Tamarind or Valan Puli in Hot water for sometime. Remove the seeds and beat the pulp in a mixer. You may remove any lumps or fibers etc. Make it a fine paste. Add some red chili paste.
To make Red chili paste, take 5-10 red chilies and soak it in boiled water for 20 min. Grind it in mixer

Crush some Jaggery and add it to the above with a pinch of Salt and stir well to get a hot, sweet and sour sauce. It is as good as the Kerala Puli Inji, or Rajasthani Sweet and Sour Sauce for Samosas and Kachoris.... or the Filipinio Tamarind Sauce.  May it will be a great combo with the Tex Mex dishes as well...!!