Sambar Vada - Do you prefer the sambar dip?

Sambar Vada

 How about tasting this dish - vada dipped in sambar? 
Btw, I bought this dish from Sri Gavuri Nivas at Medical College, Trivandrum. I usually order food breakfast dishes from this hotel or from Hotel Aryaas Pure Vegetarian which is on the opposite side of Medical College Police Station. 

As I stay at Kumarapuram, Swiggy order from these hotels reach more fast and it tastes better! 

Orapam made at Home!

Slice of Goodness - Orapam

 Quite often we make orapam at home. It's not easy as making a cake or other dessert. The process of making orapam involves the task of stirring the pot, and depending on the quantity the time and effort too varies. 

Orapam is a not common and traditional sweet dish from Kerala, cherished by a few families and found only in select regions. 

Made with a rich blend of rice, coconut, jaggery, and ghee, it carries the authentic flavors of Kerala’s culinary heritage. Soft, aromatic, and melt-in-the-mouth, 

Orapam is more than just a dessert—it’s a piece of history passed down through generations. If you ever get a chance to try it, savor every bite!

Btw, orapam can be made with sugar or jaggery. My partner likes it with gaggery as his mom made it with jaggery. However, I prefer sugar.

What's your choice? 

Btw, have you tasted orapam? 

Also, you can check out the orapam recipe on my blog. Here's the link to the orapam recipe. 

Choora Pickle Cut at BlueSea Fish Trivandrum

Pickle Cut ( Vella Choora) Tuna

 If you're looking for fish pickle cut, then Blue Sea Fish usually delivers pickle cut! Check out their daily updates to order fresh fish for your home. 

Bluesea Fish ( Whatsapp # 9633152213, 7593957002)
Vettucadu, Trivandrum

Fish delivery at your home, in Trivandrum

Bluesea Fish, Trivandrum

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. 

About Connemara Market

Connemara Market, Trivandrum – Established in 1857, the Connemara Market, also known as Palayam Market, is one of the oldest and most significant markets in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Named after Lord Connemara, the then Governor of Madras, the market has been a hub of trade for over a century, catering to the city's growing population.

Historically, it served as a key trading center for fresh produce, seafood, meat, and household essentials, attracting merchants and buyers from across the region. Today, the market continues to thrive, offering a blend of traditional and modern commerce, where local farmers, traders, and vendors sell everything from fresh vegetables and spices to electronics and textiles.

 Despite urbanization, Connemara Market remains a cultural and economic landmark, retaining its old-world charm while adapting to the city's evolving needs. 

Few suggestions for our city administrators:

1. Keep a plaque showing the history of this market, few old pictures, picture of Lord Connemara. Also, a QR code which will take to a website ( Trivandrum city website) for more information about the market. The writeup could be written by any professor or any history buffs in the city. Imagine, if a history department of a college is involved in creating a short and long article about this market. 

2. Many areas around the meat stalls are broken down. Probably, it would be reworked, rennovated. Also, a cafe and a clean loo could be opened for public as well as for the vendors. 


Connemara Market Tour!

If you're new to the city, and looking for cooking lessons, then you can get in touch with me for a customized cooking class. Also, I can take you on a short tour to Connemara Market or Chalai Market!

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.