Connemara Market, Palayam

Connemara Market, Palayam, Trivandrum

 Not a great pic, but it shows our good old Connemara market light by the bright flood lights from a pole. 

K P Pathrose Vaidyans Ayurveda Hospital Kumarapuram

Kizhi from Ayurveda Centre

Ayurvedic Hospital ( Front View)

Ayurveda Hospital, Kumarapuram

 Today, I had three German natives for an Indian cooking class. The recipes covered were vegetarian dishes as they were undergoing ayurveda treatment at a place called Linta’s Golden Beach Ayurvedic resort at Kadinamkulam, Trivandrum. 


So, in the 3 hrs, they learned to make vegetable biryani, panner dish, raita, kheer, etc. Another thing which they told me was that most guests who were staying at Linta's Golden Beach Ayurvedic resort were from Germany. That made me thing of the potential of bringing German tourists to different resorts in Kerala for various ayurvedic treatments.

Another resort in Trivadrum which has many German natives is Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation, located at a peaceful and captivatin setting near to Kovalam at Trivandrum. Check their website for more details. 


While they were here for a cooking class, I told them about kizhi and how they can buy these and take it with them. 

Btw, what is a kizhi?

Kizhi (also known as herbal poultice or potli massage) is an ancient Ayurvedic therapy where a warm bundle of medicinal herbs, spices, and oils is used for pain relief, detoxification, and relaxation. Traditionally used in Kerala Ayurvedic treatments, kizhi is excellent for treating joint pain, muscle stiffness, stress, and improving blood circulation.

How to Use Kizhi at Home? 

1️⃣ Prepare the Poultice – Take a clean cotton or muslin cloth, fill it with dried herbs, rock salt, or cooked medicinal leaves, and tie it into a bundle.

2️⃣ Heat It Up – Warm the kizhi in hot herbal oil or dry-roast it in a pan until it's comfortably warm (not too hot!).

3️⃣ Massage Gently – Apply the warm kizhi in circular or tapping motions over painful or stiff areas like the back, knees, or shoulders.

3 Tips for Using Kizhi Effectively

✅ Choose the Right Herbs – For joint pain, use turmeric, ginger, and rock salt; for stress relief, opt for sandalwood, rose petals, and vetiver.

✅ Maintain the Right Temperature – Keep reheating the kizhi in oil or a dry pan to maintain its warmth for maximum effect. Usually pan in kept on a slight flam and on the pan the kizhi is placed. While heating kizhi, avoid getting burned as the cloth used in thin.

✅ Use with an Ayurvedic Oil – Pairing kizhi with warm medicated oil like Mahanarayana oil enhances relaxation and healing.

Benefits of Using Kizhi 🌿

✔ Relieves muscle pain & joint stiffness 🦵

✔ Boosts circulation & detoxifies the body 💆‍♀️

✔ Reduces stress & promotes relaxation 😌

Btw, if you're visiting any Ayurvedic centres in Trivandrum, you can also take a short-break and join for one of my cooking class in Trivandrum. 

I have various classes to choose from and the duration of each class is 3 hrs. 

Ragi Dosa with Egg topping

Ragi Dosa

 Do you have ragi dosa for breakfast?
Which are the hotels in Trivandrum or elsewhere which serves food that's specifically good for people with diabetics?

Wish there was a menu in a hotel which is low carb and the ones which does not spike sugar levels?

Square One Talent Treats Trivandrum

Coffee and Short Eats at Square One Treats, Pattom LIC Road

 One of cafe/bakery spots where I visit regularly is Square One Treats. The usual order is mostly coffee adn sometimes it's cutlet or sandwich. 

One of fav things here is vattappam! However, these days it gets over fast and by the time I visit by 6:30PM it's long over. 

Btw, which is your fav cafe or bakery spot in Trivandrum where you regularly visit? And, what makes a cafe a good spot to revisit for food and conversation. 

Kera Choora ( Tuna) Vinadaloo

 

Tuna Vindaloo

Tuna ( Kera Choora)

My mom's side is from St Andrews near Kazhakootam, Trivandrum. In our family's culinary tradition, we make pork vindaloo. So, here I made an innovative twist on the classic vindaloo using tuna. While pork vindaloo is not traditionally widespread in Trivandrum, its popularity is indeed growing, with several restaurants incorporating it into their menus.​

Restaurants in Trivandrum Serving Pork Vindaloo:

One notable establishment offering pork vindaloo is the High Range Restaurant in Trivandrum, Nirvana and many others which are available on Swiggy app. ​

Simple Tuna Vindaloo Recipe:

Transforming the traditional vindaloo into a tuna-based dish offers a delightful variation. Here's a straightforward recipe to prepare Tuna Vindaloo:​

Ingredients:

• 500 grams tuna, cut into medium-sized pieces​
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped​
• 8 Kashmiri red chilies (adjust to spice preference)​
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder​
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard seeds​
• 2-inch piece of ginger
• 7-8 garlic cloves​
• Kitchen Corner-Try It
• 3 tablespoons vinegar​
• 2 cloves​
• 1-inch cinnamon stick​
• Salt, to taste​
• Oil, for cooking​

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vindaloo Paste: Soak the Kashmiri red chilies in warm water for about 15 minutes to soften them. Drain and grind them along with ginger, garlic, cumin seeds, ground mustard seeds, turmeric powder, pepper powder, and vinegar to form a smooth paste.​
   
   
2. Marinate the Tuna: Coat the tuna pieces with the vindaloo paste and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.​
   
   
3. Cooking: Heat oil in a pan and add cloves and cinnamon stick. Sauté for a few seconds until aromatic. Add the finely chopped onions and cook until they turn golden brown.​
   
   
4. Combine and Simmer: Add the marinated tuna to the pan, gently stirring to mix with the onions. Pour in the thick coconut milk and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the tuna is cooked through and the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.​
   
   
5. Finish: Sprinkle garam masala over the curry, adjust salt to taste, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.​

Serve: Enjoy the Tuna Vindaloo hot, paired with steamed rice, bread, or your preferred side.​

This recipe offers a spicy and tangy flavor profile, characteristic of traditional vindaloo, while incorporating the rich taste of tuna.