Kerala is not just known for the beauty of its landscape or the diversity in the culture and different forms of festivals and lifestyles. Kerala is also known for its Kitchen which cooks some relishing forms of food which will always be a treat to your taste buds. Here is a list of some must try foods in the gods own country if you are ever planning to visit this place. Also you can check the links below if you are not so lucky to visit Kerala, so that you can prepare this finger licking foods.
Puttu and kadala curry
This is a breakfast staple eaten all over the state. Puttu is a cylindrical steamed rice cake cooked in a mould with grated coconut. It’s usually served with kadala curry, a dish of black chickpeas made with shallots, spices and coconut milk, that can also be served with ripe bananas and grated coconut.
Puttu and kadala curry recipe: https://www.keralatourism.org/kerala-food/puttu-kadala/43
Banana fry
Pazham pori or Ethakka appam are juicy banana fritters tha feature as a traditional tea time snack. They’re available throughout Kerala and are simply ripe bananas coated with plain flour and deep-fried in oil.
Banana fry recipe: http://secretindianrecipe.com/recipe/pazhampori-ripe-banana-fry
Appam with stew
Appam is a Keralan staple made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. It’s similar to a thin pancake with crispy edges. These crepe-like bowls are made from fermented rice flour, coconut milk, coconut water and a little sugar. Ishtu or stew is a derivative of the European stew and consists of coconut milk, cinnamon, cloves and shallots, eaten with appams. The stew may also feature mango pieces, vegetables, chicken or lamb. The addition of aromatic whole spices, ginger and fresh coconut milk enhance the natural flavor of the vegetables. The crucial ingredient is fresh coconut milk, which lends a sweet flavor.
Appam recipe: http://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/appam-recipe-kerala-appam/
Veg stew recipe: http://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/kerala-vegetable-stew-recipe/
Fish molly
A famous Keralan fish stew made with coconut milk, which is a typical Syrian Christian delicacy. The curry is usually prepared in a traditional manchatti (earthen vessel) and stews lightly fried fish in coconut milk, and spices like turmeric, pepper, cinnamon and cloves along with fresh green chillies to give it a tangy taste. The fish (usually kingfish or seer fish) is marinated with oil, turmeric, red chili powder, lemon juice and salt for 30 minutes before being used in the curry.
Fish molly recipe: http://mariasmenu.com/fish/fish-molly
Karimeen pollichathu (fish)
This is one of Kerala’s traditional delicacies. Karimeen or pearl spot fish is a speckled fish commonly found in the backwaters of this state. This is traditionally a Syrian Christian delicacy but has become part of Kerala’s rich cuisine. Pearl spot fish is marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, red chillies, and other ingredients, wrapped and baked in plantain leaves, giving it a unique flavour.
Karimeen pollichathu recipe: http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/2013/11/meen-pollichathu-karimeen-pollichathu.html
Thalassery biriyani
A rice biriyani is the most common dish of the Muslim community. Thalassery sea port was a centre for the export of spices where European, Arab and Malabar cultures came together and influenced the cuisine. Thalassery biriyani uses a unique, fragrant, small-grained, thin rice variety named kaima. The biriyani masala and cooked rice are arranged in layers inside the dish. Meat is cooked with the masala on a low heat and layered with rice before the lid of the container is sealed with dough. Hot coal or charcoal is then placed above the lid.
Thalassery biriyani recipe: http://www.thasneen.com/cooking/thalassery-biryani-recipe-chicken-biryani/
Malabar Parotta with Kerala beef curry
Layered flat bread that originated in the Malabar region called Parotta is made by kneading maida (plain flour), egg (in some recipes), oil or ghee and water. The dough is beaten and later shaped into a spiral with thin layers. The ball is rolled flat and roasted into a Parotta with ghee. This is then eaten with beef curry – pieces of beef simmered in a curry made with tomatoes, onions, garlic and spices like bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns and star anise.
Malabar Parotta recipe: http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/2011/03/flaky-paratha.html
Kerala beef curry recipe: http://mariasmenu.com/spicy/beef-fry-kallu-shappu-style
Kerala prawn curry (chemmeen curry)
This is a signature dish of the state – a prawn curry from the Malabar region made with a blend of fenugreek, black mustard and fennel seeds, coconut milk and green chilli. It also includes a special ingredient called kudampuli (also known as brindleberry) to give it a sour taste, plus it uses marinated prawns, drumsticks and raw mango to give it a spicy, tangy flavour.
Kerala prawn curry: recipe: http://mariasmenu.com/seafood/prawns-curry
Erissery or pumpkin and lentil curry
This is a popular curry in Kerala, made from either raw plantains or sliced yams. It also usually includes slightly sweet pumpkin that has been boiled in water with salt, chillies or pepper, dried lentils, grated coconut, turmeric powder, cumin seeds and garlic, served on a bed of rice. It appears on most menus at religious festivals like Onam.
Erissery recipe: http://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/pumpkin-erissery-onam-sadya-recipe/
Palada payasam
A sweet rice kheer prepared with palada is a delicacy made in almost all Kerala households during the festival of Onam and many other special occasions. There are many variations of it, however, the traditional recipe uses only basic ingredients like rice ada, milk, sugar and ghee. Rice ada is easily available in Indian Kerala grocery stores.
Palada payasam recipe: http://foodviva.com/kerala-recipes/palada-payasam-recipe/
Enjoy the taste of kerala
