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

________________________________________

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.