Hyderabadi Bagara Baingan (Eggplant CurrY)

 

Have you tried making Bagara Baingan recipe?

Here I'm sharing the quick process video on how to make bagara baigan which is one my fav recipe from Hyderabad. 

Keralam Cooking Class - Prawns Dry Fry

 

Prawns Dry Fry

Choose from a wide range of cooking class - from Keralam recipes to North Indian Cooking!


Kerala Cooking Class

1. Prawns dry fry
2. Coconut fish curry
3. Meen pollichathu
4. Squid ring ( gravy)
5. Appam 

Baking and Cooking Class in Bangalore

 

Rich Plum Cake class on Sunday 13/11/22

Traditional Rich Plum Cake

If you fancy baking a plum cake & date and carrot cake, learning a few new tricks, cake mixing, soaking and the age-old steps of cutting dry fruits, etc, then this class is for you. 

Online Cake Class

1.Plum Cake 

2. Royal Icing

( Learn to make traditional rich fruit cake)

Fee Rs 2,200

When you join this class, you'll learn practical tips, techniques involved in this cake and process like cake mixing, soaking and the age-old steps of cutting dry fruits, etc.

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For more details, pls call 9379398865

Baigan Bagara - Hyderabad Days

Baigan Bagara

Mom is back to action after coronavirus, it almost took her 5 months to get back but still fighting to be normal.

Was surprised and happy to see her making one of our childhood favorite dish and lipsmacking  Baigan Bagara which used to be our weekend special when we were in Hyderabad along with Bagara rice.

To make the gravy taste rich and thick gravy, a long list of spices and ingredients are added to make it. 

Since brinjals are deep fried, they turn soft and melts in the mouth. I'm not sure if the people in Trivandrum will like the flavour and richness of this dish. Once I even planned to make bagara rice and baigan bagara and put for sale in Trivandrum. I'm sure there are many Hyderabadis living in Trivandrum and I might get an audience. 

Idli Sambar on Saturday

 

Idli Sambar

From past few months, we have a new breakfast routine. This is on Saturday, we have idli and sambar and on Sunday we use the same batter to make dosa. So, it's dosa and sambar. 

What about you? What is your Sunday special? 

Long, long back, on Sunday's when we were in Hyderabad, we used to have big samosa, hot jilebi and bread. What a great feast it was, when we lived in a small roof in Hyderabad. Dad was there and he used to give mom a break from cooking and he used to take charge of cooking. 

Miss those days!

Persimmons Fruit in Trivandrum

 

Persimmons – The Sweet, Golden Autumn Fruit

Persimmons are a vibrant, orange-hued fruit known for their honey-like sweetness and smooth, custard-like texture when ripe. Native to Asia but now grown in various parts of the world, persimmons are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, making them both delicious and nutritious. They can be eaten fresh, added to salads, or even baked into desserts.

I spotted some beautiful persimmons at Nilgiris supermarket near LIC Junction — a rare find that's perfect for those wanting to try something new and naturally sweet!

North Indian Cooking class details

North Indian Class List

 

What are the types of cooking class you can join? 

Looking for a cooking experience while you're in Bangalore for a short stint or for a stopover? If you're searching for a culinary class in Bangalore, then I have different set of lessons designed for different set of experiences.

The classes are spread over 3 hrs. I usually have a morning session which starts at 10AM and the afternoon session at 2:30. The classes offer an opportunity to informally learn Indian cooking. It's a not a demo class, but you'll participate in the cooking process and help to prepare the 4-5 dishes in the class.

You'll also learn about the history of the dishes, knowledge of spices that are used in Indian cooking, few stories and friendly moments 

There are few examples of classes you can join:

North Indian main course  ( Vegetarian dishes)
North Indian ( Non Vegetarian dishes)
Desserts and sweets

Hyderabadi Biryani

Kerala dishes ( Fish, Pork or Beef )
Kerala breakfast
Kerala Sadya

Goan dishes
Kanada recipes

After you finish the cooking, we'll sit on the dining table and enjoy the spread as we connect with stories and life. 

The best part of these cooking classes that it does not require any kind of experience. So, if you're new to cooking or you can learn the easy way of making all these popular dishes at home.

At the end of the cooking session, you'll take home the recipe notes, the experience and the joyful moments spend in the kitchen.

Palak Panner and Chapati

 

Chapati and Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer

Today at our house, it's palak panner for breakfast. This is quite a change in our household where all of us are used to having dosa or puttu or appam or uppama for breakfast. 

I had earlier bought palak for making spinach bread. The shop from where I buy vegies had sent sizable amount of palak. So, I decided to use it for making this dish. 

So, how do you make palak panner at home? Here're the steps I followed:

Tips to make soft and flavorful Fried Rice

 

Fried Rice and Chicken Dish

Fried rice is a popular main course dish in any restaurant. It comes in various combo, such as veg fried rice, veg and mixed fried rice. In theory, it's an easy to do rice dish as you make it with very few ingredients such as veg or egg or non vegetarian dishes.

It's also prepared at households, often when there's not much time to make elaborate side dishes. Despite it being popular as an easy-to-do dish, it can be inflused with ingredients to make it taste delightful. 


So, what are the ways or little hacks to make it more flavorful, even though you're running short of time and energy! 

1. Add generous dose of soya sauce
2. Mix veggies and sesame oil
3. Put maggi cube ( veg, chicken, beef) your choice.
4. Saute ginger garlic paste or slice strips of ginger and garlic and saute it before you put the rice
5. Add MSG ( china grass) 
6. Fish sauce and rice wine
7. Bacon bits 
8. Scrambled eggs 
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South Indian Sambar Making Process

 

Sambar Making 

There are many flavours which comes from a Kerala kitchen. The most obvious one is the smell of fish fry. If you walk by any street in Kerala, especially around noon, then the tempting smell of fish fry waifs in the air. 

Another smell which I like early in the morning is the smell of freshly made sambar. This is usually in during morning breakfast. The air from the kitchen tell all in the household that dosa and sambar is getting ready! 

Another salivating smel is the smell from the biryani pot. I also love the smell of kaima rice, when the rice is kept for boiling. It's just heaven.  

Talking of the kitchen smell, what are the typical smell in your kitchen! 

There's another nasty smell is the smell when we clean ney mathi. Sometimes the entire household smells of mathi ( sardine), even the curtains too! 

What to expect in a Bakery Staff Training Class

 Are you planning to start a bakery? What are the things to keep in mind before you start a bakery? Have you done your homework in the business area?

Let's suppose that you know baking and you have a main chef who's capable of making finest cakes ( no cake mix) and pastries. But, then you need a team of assistants to run the show! So, what are the skills do you look for in a bakery assistant. What is the kind of salary you're planning to give? 

One thing we know is that bakery assistants play a vital role in the bakery. They manage the bakery production area by cleaning the equipments, check the stock, make the inventory list, keep a note of low stocks and in some cases they order fresh supplies from the vendor.

Bakery assistant also is the key alley in the team who helps bakers mix ingredients, measure and do things under the supervision of the main bakery chef.

As they play a key role in the smooth functioning of a bakery, you are required to train and motivate them to make them do their best!

So, what kind of training is required for your baking assistants:

1. Building trust and opening-up communication

2. Training on bakery knowledge 

3. Tips on how to package and keep things in an attractive way

4. Cleanliness and how to serve the customer

5. Execute multiple task in a high-demanding environment

6. Customer service - How to reply correctly to customers ( How to give reply in a positive way even when the customer is in an agitated manner) How to avoid confrontation!

7. Understand the new demands and trends from the customer queries and pass it along to the management

8. Make a training video and show how assistant should take customer order

9. Train assistants to cross-sell other products. Do not just reply to their queries. Ask questions and make customers know that the assistant is interested to give the best possible experience. 

10. Smile and have a pleasant expression. 

11. Thank the team and begin each day with a short meeting! 

Idli and Sambar

Sambar and Idli - A typical South Indian Breakfast along with filter coffee. 

I like to wake up in the morning and the first thing I choose to have is coffee. Coffee is a great way to start your day. There’s nothing like a cup of freshly brewed coffee in the morning to awaken your senses and get going. 

The second best thing in the morning is the flavours of sambar, which just bubbles and boils in the stove and makes the entire house smell of Sambar . A typical South Indian morning scene in most of the houses 

#sambar #idli #idlisambar #southindiansambar #indiancookingclass #marinasindiancookingclass #flittercoffee

Do you love Indian food?

 

Indian Cooking Class list

Love Punjabi food? Want to make flavorful curries which are from Punjab?  

Then join me at for online or hands-on Indian Culinary class where I'll cover the recipes, the steps to prepare each dishes from scratch.

Whether you are a vegetarian, or a non-vegetarian, you can choose from the list of recipes or ask for a customized cooking class for you or for a group.

Here are few cooking class you might like.

1. North Indian Cooking lessons ( 3 hr) 

Vegetarian Barbecue class

Dark clouds, thundershowers are on the weather forecast. What's best in this chill weather is a hot cuppa and some hot grills too. While talking of barbecue grills, one thing that's interesting to explore this season is the vegetarian barbecue grill items. 

So, what are the different tasty grills you can try this season. 

Vegetarian Indian Grilled BBQ Paneer Kebabs

BBQ eggplant with yoghurt sauce

Barbecued sweet potatoes with salsa verde

BBQ tofu and zucchini salad

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

Grilled Paneer Salad

Grilled Eggplant

Vegan Indian Cooking Class

Puttu ( Kerala's Vegan Breakfast)

Vegan Indian Cooking Class for Conscious Food Lovers

Discover Authentic Indian Flavors – 100% Plant-Based

If you're a vegan traveler craving bold flavors, vibrant spices, and cultural immersion—this hands-on cooking class is for you!

Join me in Trivandrum  to explore the rich variety of plant-based Indian cuisine that’s naturally vegan and deeply satisfying. Whether you're new to Indian cooking or looking to expand your repertoire, this experience will open up a world of flavors—without meat, eggs, or dairy.

 What You'll Learn:

• The art of balancing Indian spices

• Traditional cooking methods using local ingredients

• How to recreate iconic Indian vegan dishes at home

 Sample Menu – Vegan Delights from Across India:

• Vegan Red Lentil Curry (Masoor Dal)

• Chana Masala (Spiced Chickpeas)

• Tofu Tikka Masala

• Vegan Palak “Paneer” with Tofu

• Vegan Malai Kofta (Dumplings in Tomato-Cashew Curry)

• Kashmiri Dum Aloo (Spicy Baby Potatoes)

• Bhindi ki Sabzi (Okra Stir-Fry)

• Vegetable Biryani

• Tomato Rice

• Rajma (Kidney Bean Curry)

• Dal Tadka / Dal Makhani (Slow-Cooked Lentils)

• Aloo Stuffed Puri

• Baingan Bharta (Andhra Style Smoked Eggplant)

• Masala Dosa

• Hara Bhara Kabab

• Chole Bhature

• Vegan Vegetable Pakoras (Crispy Chickpea Fritters)

• Veg Kebab

🌴 Special Kerala Vegan Dishes Also Available on Request:

• Avial (Mixed Vegetables in Coconut Yogurt) – made dairy-free

• Erissery (Pumpkin & Coconut Curry)

• Kerala Red Rice

• Coconut Chutney

• Vegan Payasam (Sweet Coconut Milk Dessert)

📍 Available in:

Trivandrum, Kerala – Cook with local produce in a coastal setting

Bangalore – Learn in the heart of India’s cosmopolitan food culture

Vegan Cooking Class Perfect for:

• Vegan travelers and digital nomads

• Foodies exploring India

• Anyone curious about Indian cooking and spices

• Individuals or small groups

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Let’s cook, eat, and celebrate plant-based Indian food together! 

Indian Cooking Class Details

 

Cooking Lessons in Trivandrum and Bangalore

It's been a long while, I had a cooking class. And recently when I had couple of cooking classes, I thought of adding new dishes in the class list. So, based on the requests from people, I'm adding new dishes. Hope you'll like it.

The classes are flexible. It means that you can choose to opt new dishes and if it's feasible then it will be included in the recipe. The duration of each class is around 3 hrs. At the end of each class, you can sit down with me to experience the meals you've prepared in the class.

Those who are away can join for the online Indian cooking class. 

Oru Jeevathan Olu ( Only One Life)

 

Only One Life - Lead it

This stopped me on my tracks. A simple line, from an unexpected person!

One day, the lady who comes to help me in the household work asked if she could take a break between the working hours to attend a dance class. I said yes. Then I asked if she had learned dance earlier. She said yes, and that she had lost touch. Now she is a mother of two, and she came to know that there's a class near our house. 

Then I asked the typical question, what did your husband say about it. She said with a beaming smile and a sense of pride that he told her to do whatever she like to do, after all, oru jeevatham Ollu. ( You got only one life and do what brings you joy).

I was a bit surprised to hear this. In fact, quite unexpected from her. Why!

Here around me in many families with so much wealth and abundance, they have so restricted attitudes, which they keep enforcing on each other. In many cases husband will set strict boundaries - do this, don't do that. And the restrictions will be around flimsy excuses or based on their imagined or ingrained behavior patters which they have formed based on their parents, from society or which they pick as they grow!

It made me wonder, why do we make a big fuss about small things....after all oru jeevathame ollu. 

Twist to Kappa Preperation

 

Tapioca Spread

Kappa with Chat Masala

Kappa - Kerala Style

Kappa with grated cheese 

I don't know how and when random ideas strikes. One thing is sure, you got to strike it hot. And anothe very critical is that you have to note it down somewhere. Or, there's a high chance that it might be forgotten!

Fusion Recipe!
So, here's the October month idea! It's nothing sophisticated. I made kappa (tapioca) with three different variation - one was our typical Kerala style preparation where boiled kappa is sauteed with mustard seeds, dry chilli and grated coconut. 

Second variation is for North Indian palette. Here, I used chat masala, onion, black salt, coriander leaves, jeera, etc. 

Third variation is by adding Italian herbs to it! The pictures are not great. So, next time I'll buy few herbs and try to take a better picture of these three. 


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Sautéed kappa! Perfect Evening Snack

Sautéed kappa means tapioca (kappa) that has been lightly fried or tossed in oil with spices — usually after being boiled. In Kerala cuisine, "kappa" refers to cassava or tapioca, a staple root vegetable.

Here's what it typically involves:

• Boiled kappa pieces (finger-length)
• Sautéed in coconut oil
• With mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, garlic, shallots, and sometimes grated coconut
• Can be mildly spiced or spiced up with crushed red chili

It’s a simple, flavorful side dish, often paired with fish curry or served on its own as a snack. The sautéing adds flavor and texture after the soft boiling of the kappa.

Apart from these three, I have few more combination in mind. I'll make and share the pics. 

How to Design Menu for your Cafe or chic Bakery?

 Of late I get calls from acquaintances and students asking many a question around starting a restaurant. Some these questions are around the tools and equipment for use in a bakery and also what are the unique yet simple ways to design a menu. 

When I get such calls, I too excited as I feel I can contribute in their journey of starting a biz. However,with bakeries starting in every corner, the bakery biz market is saturated. Unless, the owners come with something unique in their menu or brand positioning, or find an untapped location. 

So, what makes the bakery biz click. 

Here's what I can think of 

1. Location ( Look for parking space, accessible spot) 

2. Set the place without heavy investment

3. Avoid paying high rent

4. Get on board the right chef or baker and assistant ( Give proper training and set the right expectations from them)

5. Learn baking/cooking. Owners should be ready to take charge if chef or assistant is on leave. In short, don't depend everything on the employee or your star rated chef. 

6. Add some unique recipe or give a twist to a recipe ( For example, I recently made two variation out of tapioca ( Kappa as we call it). One was with Italian herbs and another was North Indian flavor using chat masala)

7. Target a specific audience ( Are you catering to millennium crowd, or family folks). So, make the interiors and menu for this audience. 

8. Do the homework ( study similar business and see how they are running. What will be cash flow you'll be expecting)

9. Where are you sourcing your staff? Make sure you get the right staff for serving and in the kitchen. They are your bread and butter! 

10. Know what's happening in your restaurant. Avoid remote management, unless you have a trusted aide to check the daily activities. 

Vattayappam from Square One Homemade Treats

Vattappam 

 Planning to avoid oil fried snack?

If you plan to choose a light and airy snack, then give this a shot (bite)!

It's clalled Vattayappam - Steamed Rice Cake and it's made with fermented rice batter, and then steamed.

One of the best places to have vattayappam is from Square One Homemade Treats ( Pic taken from Square One )

Q: Where do you buy or order vattayappam? Is there any other place to order large quantity for a high-tea?

Btw, what all flavors is it available? Why not try making with Strawberry, Chocolate, or Vanilla or Custard apple flavor. Natural fruit infusion could give it a new found popularity! 😘

Also, I wish it was available at side shacks near to the beach! Steamy Vattayappam and kattan kapi would be a great combo to relish by the sea side! What say! ✨

Probably, someone should prompt places like Old Coffee House at Sanghumugham to start making these.

Vettucadu Beach Story

 

Vettucadu Evening Sight

Tea at EffatahTea Stall

Most weekend, we often have this question on our mind...where to go & spend the evening.

Today, we decided to go to Vettucadu beach. By the time we reached, sun has set and the sky was spectacularly dazzling in shades of orangish hues.

The sight of crowd standing at the beach made me wonder - how to make beach-goers feel more comfortable.

What if beach goers could hire chairs at the beach? After all, its a good idea to sit, lean, relax and gaze at the splashing waves.

Probably, Kerala Tourism dept can initiate a new service. They can by list few beach chair suppliers from this locality (give licence & training). By this initiative, local people can earn extra money and it would be a new service for this dept. What do you think about it?

We had plans to go to Kadaloram Trivandrum a sea food speciality restaurant behind Vettucadu church. But, it was closed. So, we looked for other options to have tea or coffee.

On the way back we spotted a shop, which was selling tea/coffee from a small space inside their house compound. While we stood there for our order, they offered us chairs, which made the coffee time more comfortable.

I always like the concept of starting a small biz or shop from home. And, this was a perfect example of making some extra income using the little space and taking advantage of the road frontage.

The young lady who make tea said that she has plans to add more items. While leaving she gave us handshake which was positively different.

I hope her uniqueness will prevail and bring-out beautiful experience in her life.

Coconut Grating Activity

All in a day's work in a Malayalee household!

Walk into a house in the morning and you'll most likely hear the sound of coconut grating coming from the kitchen or work area. Well, this is one task which Malayaliees are very familiar. 

Coconut is used in different ways in our recipes - grated ones used in avial or thoram, coconut milk is used in appam  and coconut bits in beef ularthiyathu. Yes, it's an unavoidable part of malayalee's diet. 

These days most homemaker find it easy to buy grated coconut from super markets or store grated coconut in freezer.

In our house, we usually grate couple of coconut in one go so that it can last a week or more. 

What about you? Do you grate as per use or buy grated coconut? Why do you think our recipes have so much of coconut?

Indian Cooking Class - Kerala Parotha and Chicken Curry

 Indian Cooking Class- Kerala Paratha and Chicken Curry 

Online Student's Work

Can't help but to share these gorgeous looking treats ( ice cream, jam and kulfi) made by Prathima. She did a fantastic work at recreating what she learned in the online Ice Cream making class and Jam & Squash class. Kudos to her!

With summer wave hitting us a bit too early, I feel the urge to make and stock these coolers.

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Other upcoming online class, covers mocktails, and natural gelato ice cream class. The class recording is available for those looking to recreate these at home.

Bol - Flat Rice Bread

 Have you tasted Bol /Pol with Ribbon fish(Vala meen) roast ?

Bol / Pol - Flat bread - rice flour and freshly grated coconut. It is popular in Srilanka as Pol but in Trivandrum it’s known as Bol.

During our childhood days , we used to have it for breakfast along with Stew and for dinner it’s is mostly eaten with Fish Molly, now these are all forgotten delicacies .

So today I tried making bol and vala meen roast (Ribbon fish), tried to bring back some old memories.

Recipe for Bol

Fine rice flour - 1 Cup

Salt to taste

Fresh grated Coconut - 1/2 cup

Water - as required

Method

Take all the ingredients in a bowl and mix together using the water to thick form

Place a pan in the stove and flatten the dough to a thick form and prick it with a fork , cover and cook for 15mts on both sides 

Your bol is all ready to serve along with curry or Jam

#valameen #valaroast #valadrychillie #bol #srilankanpolroti #bolroti #trivandrumfoodies #eattoeat #marinacharles2004 #cookingclassintrivandrum #cookingclassinvarkala

20h

Varkala Trip

We are in love with Varkala Cliff Beach. Another trip on last Friday, this time we took the 5:55am Jan Shadabdi train from Trivandrum Central and reached Varkala by 6:20am

Varkala Beach View from North Cliff

View with a sip

Had a lovely peaceful stroll along the cliff and had some hot steaming coffee.

The day went by peacefully ,were we relaxed at a restaurant at Black Beach. Then we visitedDel mar restaurant and by evening we had tea and took the 4:30 pm train back by 5:30pm.

More details about the trip on my blog

 http://mennas-cooking.blogspot.com. #varkala #varkalacliff #varkalabeach #journey #cliff #beach #lovetravelling #travellingbaker #indiancookingclass #sometingnew #happysouls #lifeisbeautiful

Christmas cake baking

 My grandmother Polly Cruz was famous for her Christmas cake, which she used to bake on the old coal Oven. We would love to eat pieces and even the crumbs of her Christmas cake because of the taste, and she always used her hands to mix it together in a huge pot. I still use her traditional Christmas cake recipe but follow my method of using the beater and oven to do the baking.

When it comes to Christmas Cake there are 3 stages, the first part being cutting the dry fruits and the second part is of soaking the dry fruits in liquor, caramelized sugar and spices for 40 days plus. My mom has a habit of soaking it for a year and final stage is baking the cake.

So Trivandrum City, Are you ready to learn the traditional way of making the Christmas cake this year?

Watch out this space for more details... Coming soon

Indian Cooking Classes Bangalore and Trivandrum

 Memories... 2014 Indian cooking Class at Menna's Indian Cooking Class Bangalore

Croissants Baking class at Trivandrum

Utterly butterly delicious croissants Everyone knows that croissants contain quite a bit(!) of butter - that’s what makes them so delicious and flaky. But have you ever tried to make croissants? If not, you’ll definitely want to join us for a Croissant Class.

#croissant #damishpastry #pattisarie #trivandrumbakingclass #trivandrumdiaries #trivandrumbakers #croisssantbakers