Idli and Chammanthi

Idli and Coconut Chammanthi

Best part of life are the unexpected gift, help and support. Talking of giving food, my house owner frequently gives me idlies in the morning. Such unexpected breakfast are definitely a source of delight and I give it back to her when I make something new in my kitchen.

Are you a born giver or you can kick start this habit?
So,what's your sharing index? Do you frequently give or you look forward to get gifts from others. If you like cooking or baking, you can start giving a small share to your neighbors. If you're looking for ideas to give, then get it from  giveindia.org.

With love,

Marina. 

Valentine Muffins

Treat Your Valentine with Heart Shaped Muffins
It's another Valentine season! Soon many hearts will explode with first touch of fresh love. Thinking of this romantic season, I baked "Valentine Muffins" for lovers and wannabe lovers.

Give sweet surprises to your Valentine or Valentine(s) with homemade muffins. :)

Would you be interested in Valentine cup cakes?
Call me at Ph # 9379398865 to order Valentine muffin to kindle your valentine.

Get the right impression with the first expression. Be unique as you are and stand apart from other Valentines!

Shine on,

Marina

P.S. Order for chocolate muffins, vanilla or orange marmalade muffins or heart shaped strawberry cake.  Choice is yours!

Baked Fish - Baked False Trevally

False Trevally Grill
Parava in Malayalam or sudumbu in Tamil or False Trevally in English is a very popular fish in Kerala for it's taste. In Trivandrum we rarely buy Parava, b'cos it's very expensive. In Bangalore, I frequently buy Parava as the price is close to Snaper ( Rs 140 -160 a kg for Parava).

Parava Grill
Usually I make Parava kerala curry or just fry it in oil. This time I baked Parava after marinating it in chilly powder, pepper and turmeric powder. Along with the fish, I chopped few shallots and a pinch of few coriander leaves.

Usually I bake in the open tray, but this time I covered the fish in aluminum foil. This seals the flavor and avoids the dryness. As Blue Trevally has soft flesh, you can bake it under 10min. You can marinate this fish with different ingredients or stuff it with herbs for different taste.

Regards,

Marina

P.S: Watch this video on red snapper baking

Kappa Puzhukku / Tapioca Curry

                                                              Kappa puzhukku

Tapioca  The Cuisine of Kerala
Kappa ( Tapioca) is a stable food for Keralities. Kappa and fishy curry is great delicacy in Toddy shops in Kerala. Most of guys ravish the taste of Kappa from toddy shops, and I go envy.

In Andhra its known as  "Karrapendalam", the Kannadigas as "Kolli" and the Tamilians as "Maravallikezhangu". Of all states, Kerala tops in the consumption of tapioca in India.

History of Tapioca in Kerala
Tapioca or Cassava, is a tropical tuber crop from South America. It's said to have reached Indian shores during 16th century.

In Bangalore you can buy Tapioca from many of the Department stores run by Keralites. At Cambridge Layout, Banglore, I buy tapioca from Top N Town department store. Last week I bought 1 Kg kappa to make kappa (Marichinee/ Kizhangu)  puzhukku.

Preparation is kappa is very simple.First peal the outer cover of Kappa. Cut it into 1 inch size chunks and boil till soft (around 15 min) in sufficient water. When it become soft, stain the water.Your kappa is ready.

Ingredients for Kappa puzhukku

1. Tapioca - 2 cups/400gms
2. Red chillie- 4
3. Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
4. Cocount oil- 2 tbsp
5. Garlic- 4 pods
6. Jeera- 1/4 tsp
7. Curry leaves
8. Salt to taste.

This is how I made Kappa puzhukku

• Cut tapioca into small pieces and add double the amount of water
• Cover it and cook for 5-10mts, till it is fully cooked
• Strain the water and smash the tapioca with a wooden spoon
• Grind chillie, turmeric, jeera and garlic to a fine paste.
• Add to the tapioca and boil for some time.
• Heat coconut oil in a pan and add little mustard, curry leaves and  1 red chillie
• Pour this over the cooked tapioca
• Serve hot with meen curry

Kappayum Meenum ( Tapioca with Fish Curry )
You can take Kappa along with different side dishes. The most popular combination prefered by locals is   Fish curry, Beef or with Kanthari Mulaku Chammanthi or Bird’s eye Chilli Chutney. If you ask my choice, I would prefer fish curry.

So, if you haven't tried tapioca then why don't you try this tuber crop ( kappa) this weekend.

Marina

Jam roll/Swiss roll

Jam Roll 

In the Year of Jam Roll 

Most of my fondest childhood memories are related to snacks or food I had after school. One snack that comes to my mind, relates to Jam Roll. We used to buy this soft curly Swiss roll from Jayram bakery at Medical colledge area in Trivandrum.

Now after all these years, I still get fancy of these yummy stuffs. Now I often make it at my place. But, nothing comes closer to the taste I had in those wonder years.

Jam Roll Ingredients:

1. Maida -3/4 cup
2. Baking powder-1 tsp
3. Salt - a pinch
4. Eggs-3
5. Sugar -3/4 cup
6. Cold water -2 tbsp
7. Jam -3/4 cup
8. Lemon extract - 4 tsp
9. Powdered sugar

Steps to make Jam Roll:

• Sift flour, baking powder and salt three times
• Beat egg white stiff but do not let it get dry.
• Fold in 1/2 cup of sugar
• Mix egg yolks and water and beat until foamy.
• Add 1/4 cup of sugar , beating until thick and yellow.
• Add lemon extract
• Fold egg yolk mixture into egg white mixture.and add the flour mixture.
• Take a baking tray of  9"x14"x1" pan with greased wax paper.
• Ppour the mixture and bake in moderate oven for 25 mts
• Turn out on towel dusted with powdered sugar.
• Remove paper and trim the edges
• Mash Jam and spread on cake.
• Roll up wrap in towel and cool.
• Remove towel, sprinkle roll with powdered sugar.
• Slice when cold and enjoy this yummy Jam/Swiss roll

Roll baby roll,

Marina

Note:- You can use cream instead of jam