It’s all about appetizing meals of Kerala for Suresh Nanda

 

Hi, I am Suresh Nanda and I welcome back to my blog. Here is an article about the appetizing food that I have had the chance to savour during one of my trips to Kerala. It is of one of those places where you would want to indulge in sightseeing and food as well and hence, I am bagging off some of the most mouth-watering meals of Kerala.

When it comes to planning a hassle-free vacation, nothing can beat the aesthetic beauty of Kerala. Lush green environment works as a rejuvenating remedy and not to forget its tangy cuisines are always available in plenty to add to your vacation experience. Irrespective of whether you are an avid vegetarian or a non-vegetarian lover, you will be inundated with countless tangy dishes in Kerala to please your taste buds.
If you are a vegetarian, you should try out the rustic thali known as the Kerala Sadhya.  This platter consists of rice, ghee, pickles, banana, avail, laya uperi and other savouries. Payasam is a dessert that is prepared primarily from coconut milk, fruits and dry fruits. Believe it or not but regardless of how much you are conscious about your diet, you won’t be able to resist from grabbing an extra payasam pie.
Not to forget, there is a decorative platter for non-vegetarian lovers as well.  A combo of fish curry and rice is one of the most preferred meals amongst the many non-vegetarian dishes in the offer.  In addition, coconut made products and fish curry always hit the preference list of international tourists who do not deter from trying the delicacies that Kerala has to offer. Unlike the traditional fish cooking procedure, you will come across a diversified range of fish cooking methods in Kerala. Though its bit strange, fish pickles are known for its delectable taste throughout the world.
So, this is what I can close on my trip to Kerala. It is a place worth a visit to calm your senses and feed your appetite! I will be posting more articles about some of the most lip-smacking dishes that I have had the chance to taste from different parts of our country. To know more, keep scouting through the Suresh Nanda’s foodie diary!

Suresh Nanda’s perfect Pita Bread recipe

 Welcome to yet another recipe contribution on the Suresh Nanda Food blog!

“Pita bread” has and will always be one of my favorites. You can stuff it with your favourite fillings or just eat is plain, as desired. So, here are the ingredients for my favourite pita bread recipe.

Do note that these ingredients make 10 pitas. All you need is 440 grams of bread flour, 264 litres of warm water, 8 grams instant dry yeast and 9 grams salt. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and generously pour 440 grams flour over it and set aside. Now, mix all the aforementioned ingredients in a bowl until the dough comes together and forms into a smooth ball or as desired. You may also use a dough mixer fitted with the dough-hook attachment in case you are too fond of mixing it with your hands.

If using the dough mixer, do so on low speed for about 2 minutes or until the dough comes together and then turn the mixer to medium speed and let it mix for about 8 minutes or until the dough turns into a smooth ball and comes out the bowl with ease. Just ensure that the dough must be smooth but not sticky. Next, place the dough onto a working surface and knead it with your hands for a minute or more, to your desired consistency. Divide the dough into pieces of 75 grams each and roll into balls. Cover the, with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough relax for about 10 minutes.

Next, roll out the dough into a quarter inch thick circle and place it onto the prepared trays. Cover with a plastic film and let it stay undisturbed for about 40 minutes. When ready, heat up a pan, (I use a cast iron pan that works great) and lightly oil it and place the rolled out pita on it. Let it cook on one side for a few seconds and then flip it over. Work the pita as such for a couple of minutes on.

Pav Bhaji with Pumpkin by Suresh Nanda

 
Many a times you have enjoyed pav bhaji on the street, hotels or at home. The flavour and the smell really make me desperate to enjoy pav bhaji at any time says Suresh Nanda. In this chilly winter season I was planning to enjoy hot and spicy pav bhaji with family. As we prepare regular bhaji includes all the basic vegetables like cabbage, onion, tomato, potato, cauliflower and many other vegetables which are available in your refrigerator. But to make more interesting and yummy you can easily try some other vegetable which make it different in taste and gives you more creative ideas to explore in the kitchen……..
This time I tried pumpkin in bhaji, when I was preparing the first thought came in mind was, will it gives amazing taste or it is just waste of time. But when it gets ready it really smells great and marvellous. At time it happen you will not find potato in the kitchen, so pumpkin is the best alternate to use and make it more delicious and tasty.

Ingredients:

Red Pumpkin- 200 g
Pav Bhaji masala- 3 tsp to sprinkle
Oil-3 tbp
Grated Cauliflower- ¼ size
Salt- According to the taste
Paste of Ginger- 2 tbp
Green chillies- chopped into small pieces (3-4)
Chopped Tomato- 4 medium sizes
Puree of tomato-1/2 cup
Green Capsicum- 1
Butter- as per the requirement
Fresh coriander leaves- to sprinkle
Lemon- to sprinkle

Method to prepare:

Heat the oil in the non-stick pan, cut cauliflower in small pieces and sauté till it get soften
Add red pumpkin in the same non-stick pan and mix it well with cauliflower and add salt, green chilli, tomatoes and mix them well. Mix them well till gets marinate into it.
After 2-3 minutes, add tomato puree and mix the entire ingredient well.
Keep all mixture for 3-4 minutes
Add chopped capsicum in a mixture and cook till gets evaporates
Once all the vegetable get mix well and cook add pav bhaji masala, few drops of lemon juice and coriander leaves.
Let it get cook for a while, till the fragrance of vegetable dissolve in the pan.
Slit the pav in two pieces apply butter on both the sides of pav.
Serve hot and tasty pav bhaji
Garnish with coriander leaves, green capsicums and few drops of lemon juice.
*Pav Bhaiji is healthy for health; it gives all the nutrition which are available in the vegetables.