Pomegranate Plant

We were very happy to see this small plant started bearing flowers and then fruits (Two fruits first and now another one..!!)
I planted this Pomegranate plant some 1 1/2 yrs back. We now have 2 more plants. I did not expect it to start giving fruits so early. The flowers are a beauty. The recent research says, the flowers, peel and even the leaves are useful. The fruit is very good for Diabetics. Also releases energy, good for stomach. The health benefits are endless it seems. That is why the price of this fruit is sky rocketing.

Robust Bananas

What we are looking forward is this green giant loaded with green robust bananas...!! I got the Tissue plant from the ABARD extn. counter in Sakthan Nagar. Thrissur. Pure Organic bananas... baby...!!

The green plantain leaves are good for Meen Pollichathu as well. We got two such Plantains.

Guvava or Perakka

Also known as the Poor mans apple, Guava is rich in Vit C and fibres. Good for digestion and energy. I eat fresh Perakka every morning these days. Fresh green ones just about to ripe are more tasty. The yellow ripened ones are usually coming with worms inside.
This Guava tree was a surprise as it started growing from underneath our neighbors boundary wall. We just allowed it to grow and it started yielding lot of guavas ...!! Our neighbour has a big tree in their compound and probably the seeds got dropped by the feeding birds....

Cheera Fresh from the Garden

Cheera or Spinach fresh cut from my veg. garden in April. The "Venal Mazha" is a spark for the hibernating Cheera in our backyard. They rise up from the ground slowly and then start to grow wild. Good source of Iron and the best for your body..... this humble veggie is a boon. Cheera curry is a vital source of Iron for the working women and moms. Folic acid and lowers BP.

Karela or Kaippakka Chinese Style Curry

Bitter Gourd or Karela is a great Veggie. The bitter taste gives it "NO...NO" from most of the people. But this recipe is good to eat Karela minus the bitterness.

Boil sliced "Home grow Karela's" in a pot. Strain the water and dry it up. Saute the Bitter gourd in a little oil and remove from the pan onto a Tissue paper.

Slice big onions, green chili, red capsicum, garlic and saute them. Add some water and add the Karela's. Add salt and bring to boil. Add some corn flour to make the gravy thick. Garnish with Coriander leaves.

Organic Farm grown Pumpkins

It is a lovely sight to see that stretch of green leaves of Pumpkin. I grow them in my backyard. Keralites basically use Pumpkin only for Sambhar & Mathanga Erisseri. There are other preparations also with Pumpkin both Indian and Western. Pumpkin or Honey Dew is good for Heart.

Setting up a Home BBQ

I was wondering why the Mallus are not copying the BBQ or Grilled Chicken format from the Gulf to their homes in Kerala. Over in the Gulf you can buy everything you need for a BBQ setup in your villa. The foldable BBQ grill, charcoal bags, skewers, liquid to burn the coal, and marinated chicken etc. A lot of Mallus make BBQ chicken there. Here it is not available in the stores. Marinated chicken was available in Varkey's in their good days. It is big business opportunity for the Chicken shops in Kerala. Sell marinated chicken and BBQ grill and accessories like they do in the "Bakkalas" and Super Markets in Gulf.

I am going to set up my Professional Grill at home. I will cut a Old Iron paint drum(20Ltrs) into half horizontally. Fabricate a stand in the Welding work shop to hold the drum. Place an Iron mesh on top. This is the same we use as Grill in our homes to cover up the Work area in the back. The Grill is ready. Now buy some Coal from the shops that sell wholesale charcoal. Or you can use even Coconut shell (Chiratta) Pour some Kerosene and burn it. The fire pit is ready. Buy chicken, marinate and put it on the skewer. Home made BBQ chicken is ready. I does this on top of our Car porch. The smell of the BBQ chicken and the wafting smoke and smell is a spark for the taste buds of our neighbours.