Varutharacha Kallumakaya Curry

One seafood that I simply can't get enough are Mussels. This delicious seafood made in any way makes the most delicious food. This curry, which is a traditional curry was introduced to me by my ummama (grandmother ), when I went to visit India this year. The aroma from the roasted spices filled the air. I immediately went to have a glance to check how the curry is made.

The curry, though it may look complicated, the recipe is very simple and a delicious curry perfect for rice, chappathi or Ari orotti. The spice powders are dry roasted which is then added to the main curry. The main gravy consists of green Mango slices, you may use Tamrind water and/ tomatoes for sourness too. My grandmother said in olden times, tomatoes were not available much or it was a seasonal fruit/ vegetable that was very expensive and hence was not used much in our traditional cooking.

Let's see how thw curry is made,

Ingredients:

• 500 gms Kallumakaya/ Mussels (cleaned*)
• 3 tsp Coriander powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli powder 
• I/2 of one small Green Mango, sliced/ 1/2 of a Tomato 
• 5-6 Shallots
• 1/2 cup Grated Coconut 
• Water, as required for grinding 
• Curry leaves
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric
• Salt, as required 
  
  
  

Tadka:

Instructions:

Notes:

*Clean the Kallumakaya and the water that drains from the clean Kallumakaya is used in the curry to enhance the flavor.

 You may also make this recipe using prawns too 

Do try this recipe and don't forget to share your experience/feedback with me here in the comments or feel free to send me a mail. Also, do tag me at #taystedit if you try out my recipes on Facebook, Instagram etc so that I can see when you make it. ♡♡♡♡

Saffron Golden Lattè 

The perfect soothing drink for winter evenings! This drink has so many health benefits and also helps lower stress level and helps improve sleep quality.

I love to have this drink if I have not cold already or have cough. Do not try this drink if you are already having symptoms of cold, as it may worsen your cold.

This drink helps in protecting against flu and I love to have this either in evenings or right before sleep. Make sure you add honey generously, it is a heart warming drink. Enjoy!

Ingredients: (makes for 1 person)

• 1 cup Full Cream Milk
• Turmeric, a pinch
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 2 pieces Cinnamon
• 1 Cardamom 
• 1 Clove
• 1 small piece ginger 
• 2 tbsp Honey, generously
• 1 tbsp Almonds, chopped
• Saffron, a pinch

Instructions:

1. In a tea pot, pour the milk, add a pinch of turmeric and mix it.
2. Using a steel infuser ball or a small piece of clean cotton cloth or simply use a strainer once the ingredients have simmered well. Add the black pepper, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and ginger and allow it to infuse in the milk.
3. Once comes to a boil, simmer for 2 minutes and pour to your mug and honey generously, mix well.
4. Add chopped almonds for a crunch and a pinch of Saffron and enjoy immediately!

Gai Tod - Thai Fried Chicken 

I am sure once you try this recipe, you are hooked for life! Unlike other fried chicken recipes, that requires you to do complex steps, this one is basic and with minimal ingredients and the results are just crazy. 

You may ask, how can you say that something can get crispy without those extra steps. Well, we have a hero here! It’s RICE FLOUR, such a game changer!  The marinated chicken is coated in the rice flour..and oh boy!! The chicken always turns out so crispy and delicious that I am salivating just while I type this down.

The marination requires very minimal ingredients, I have used basic ones like soy sauce, you may use light and/ dark soy sauce, completely depends on you. Some people use fish sauce and/ oyster sauce for that added umami flavor, but again it’s optional. All ingredients are almost always available in every Asian Kitchen, this is definitely a must try! 

Ingredients: 

• 8 pieces Chicken with Skin on
• 7-8 Garlic Cloves, chopped 
• Coriander roots ( rinsed well and chopped)
• 1 tsp Cumin powder/ cumin seeds 
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce 
• Rock Salt, as required 
• 1/4 cup Water
• 1/4 tsp Red Chilli flakes
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 cup Rice Flour
• Vegetable Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. In a chopper, add garlic, coriander roots, cumin powder, soy sauce, rock salt, and water .
2. Onto the cleaned chicken, add the marinade and add other ingredients like red Chilli flakes and turmeric powder.
3. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
4. Coat the marinated Chicken pieces in rice flour well and deep fry the Chicken pieces in vegetable oil on medium high flame for around 20 minutes. *
5. Serve hot garnished with crispy fried shallots, sweet Chilli sauce and rice. 

Notes: *

Do not flip the chicken immediately after adding the chicken to hot oil. Allow it to stay and then flip after 5 mins, so that the coating stays intact.