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Underneath a lush canopy of green, Kerala is flowing with lakes, canals, delicious cuisine and
exotic drinks. The food you’ll find in Kerala is unlike anything you’ll find in the entire world.
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Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Jews have all left their mark on Kerala's history and its cuisine. In the beginning of the 16th century, the city of Cochin would fill up entire treasure ships full of spices, as Cochin was the main hub of the spice trade.
As Cochin was busy filling the world with spice, other cultures beginning to settle the area were bringing in foods of their own. The Muslim kebab, Portuguese chili and the European potato are all staples of today’s Indian diet.
After you’ve been exploring India for a few days, you might think that you’ve already had a taste of Indian foods, but Keralan cuisine offers a distinct flavor to things you think you’ve already tried.
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Sambar, a delicious vegetable gravy served with dosa or idli, is a popular dish all over India, but in Cochin, you’ll find that the Sambar is unusually sweet. This is the result of the base being made from coconut cream. You can find Sambar on the menu at every meal, but if you have it for breakfast, have it along side of famous Keralan coffee, the beans of which are grown close by.
Coconut will be found in many recipes while you are here. After all, Kerala means “Land of Coconut." With that said, coconut will not be the only fruit you’ll find melting in your mouth.
The area of Kerala is the perfect place to grow pineapples, mangoes, and several other fruits and veggies that you have already come to enjoy. You can’t find these foods any fresher; most of your food was picked that very day.
The many fruits in the area will make a wonderful breakfast before you set out on a sightseeing tour of Cochin, including Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi is massive and full of historical delights.
The Portuguese church of Santa Cruz Basilia should be your first stop in the Fort. The original church was burnt to the ground by the English, but the current structure has been raised in the last century.
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After seeing Santa Cruz Basilia, you will make your way toward St. Francis Church, the first European church in India. On the way, as you walk down Bugher Street, your nose will find the thick, sweet smell of baked breads and cakes. This will lead you down a road adorned by quaint Dutch houses, in search of a café.
After visiting the beautiful St. Francis Church, while on your way to the beach and Cochin’s famous Chinese fishing nets, you will be able to fulfill your tea craving. Sip gourmet teas and chais as the sunlight filters through the glass panes of a teahouse. Indulge your taste buds as you sample some Indian treats, such as Indian rarebit and samosas.
The beaches of Cochin are very tranquil and relaxing, yet still full of character. A stroll along the beach, particularly at sunset, with the Chinese fishing nets and sailing ships in the background, could make the perfect romantic ending to your day. The smell of freshly caught fish being cooked right on the beach fills the air. It is not uncommon to see many locals operating cooking stalls along the coastline.
Kerala is well known for its seafood. Many restaurants will cook the fish for you, spice it delicately and serve it to you. Your mouth can't help but water, as the appetizing aroma begins to fill the air.
Your favorite night in India could very well be on board a houseboat, sailing the Cochin backwaters. While on the boat, your personal chef will see to your every need, all while cooking a decadent dish of traditional Keralan cuisine. This, only following an array of appetizers consisting of Banana Fry, Onion Pakkavada and Potato Bujjy.
The curries prepared for you are quintessential of the area, and are spiced sophisticatedly and abundantly. Your taste buds will morn your departure, and will never forget a lunch of Aviyal or sweet curd. The captivating city of Cochin is a destination your eyes and stomach will never forget.
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Chef of the Month |
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Mr. Amit Ghosh of the Taj Malabar Hotel in Cochin has the courage to introduce new cuisines without sacrificing his guests’ pleasure. The vastness of his training from the Taj Bengal and under the internationally acclaimed Chef Burgess in the UK has left him with a vast knowledge of a variety of dishes. He has the ability to initiate Caribbean, Mongolian, Lebanese and Japanese Cuisine into his menus while still having the reputation for rewarding taste buds with delicious Indian Food. As Cochin is famous for its seafood, you’ll find that his favorite recipes all come from the sea. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may want to try duplicating one of his favorite dishes with the recipes below.
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ETHNIC SPICED LOBSTER ON CURRIED TAPIOCA CAKE
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Serves 4
Lobster meat—70.5 oz (2 kg)
Spice mix
Red chilly—17.6 oz (500 gms)
Ginger-garlic paste—3.5 oz (100 gms)
Vinegar— .85 fl. oz (25ml))
Salt—to taste
1 Egg
Crushed pepper— .18 oz (5 gms)
Coriander powder— .7 oz (20 gms)
Turmeric powder— .35 oz (10 gms)
Chopped garlic— .35 oz (10 gms)
Chopped shallots— .35 oz (10 gms)
Shredded curry leaves— .35 oz (10 gms)
Coconut oil— 1/5 cup (50 ml)
Refined oil— 5.1 fl. oz (150 ml)
Tapioca— 28.22 oz (800 gms)
Crushed chilly flakes—.7 oz (20 gms)
Shallots— 1.4 oz (40 gms)
Mustard seeds—.35 oz (10 gms)
Curry leaves— .35 oz (10 gms)
Coconut oil— 1 tbsp. (15 ml)
Salt—to taste
Method:
1. Boil the red chilly in water to remove impurities.
2. Cool and make a fine paste of the same.
3. Mix in rest of the ingredients and set aside.
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4. Apply the marinade to the lobster meat.
5. Shallow fry / grill on a griddle until done.
Tapioca cake:
6.Boil the tapioca in water with salt and turmeric.
7.Once it is boiled, lightly mash it.
8.Heat coconut oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Allow it to crackle.
9.Add sliced shallots, curry leaves and chilly flakes.
10.Add the mashed tapioca and mix well.
Mould the tapioca on the plate and put the cooked lobster on top. Serve. |
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Serves 4
Ingredients
Fish cubes—17.6 oz (500 gms)
2 Coconuts (Grated)
Chilly Powder— .5 oz (15 gms)
Turmeric Powder— .18 oz (5 gms)
Coconut Oil— 1/5 cup (50 ml)
Raw Mango dices— 3.5 oz (100 gms)
Slit Green Chilies— .5 oz (15 gms)
Ginger Juliennes— .5 oz (15 gms)
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Peeled Sambar Onion— .88 oz (25 gms)
Sliced Red Onion— 3.5 oz (100 gms)
A few curry leaves
Mustard Seeds— .18 oz (5 gms)
Salt—to taste
Method:
1.Wash the fish cubes. Rub the fish with salt, pinch of turmeric and coconut oil and set aside.
2.Grind Grated Coconut, Turmeric powder, Chilly Powder and half of the shallots to a fine paste.
3.Heat half of the oil. Add sliced onion, salt, green chillies and sauté. Sauté until the onion becomes soft.
4.Add the ground coconut paste, the raw mangoes, and little water. Allow cooking on a slow fire.
5.When the gravy is cooked, add the marinated Seer fish cubes and simmer for 5 minutes.
6.Heat the remaining oil, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, sliced Sambar onions and couple of whole red chillies. Fry until onions become golden in colour. Temper the curry and adjust the seasoning.
7.Serve hot with steamed rice or hoppers. |
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Ingredients:
Shrimps—3.5 oz (100 gm)
Chopped onion—3.5 oz (100 gm)
Sliced garlic—1.1 oz (30 gm)
Chopped green chilies—1.1 oz (30 gm)
Ginger juliennes—.88 oz (25 gm)
Curry leaves—.07 oz (2 gm)
Coconut oil—1/5 cup (50 ml)
Chopped tomato—1.8 oz (50 gm)
Kashmiri chilly powder—.7 oz (20 gm)
Turmeric powder—.18 oz (5 gm)
Coriander powder—.35 oz (10 gm)
Fennel powder—.18 oz (5 gm)
Garam masala powder—.18 oz (5 gm)
Dosa batter—3.4 fl. oz (100 ml)
Method:
1.In a pan, heat coconut oil, add ginger juliennes, chopped green chilies and curry leaves. Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown.
2.Add the chopped tomatoes, chilly powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and the fennel powder.
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3.Sauté and cook until well done.
4.Add the shrimps and mix it along with the above mixture
5.Finish by adding a pinch of garam masala powder.
6.Make small dosa on a hot plate. Stuff with the masala and roll into cigars.
7.Serve hot with coconut chutney.
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| Offers from Easy Tours & Taj Palaces and Resorts |
TAJ HOTELS special offer from Easy Tours of India for the month of August 2008:
1. Incredible Royal Escapes (8 nights) – Plan your own itinerary with any number of nights at the participating Grand Palace hotels in Jaipur, Udaipur or Jodhpur with minimum two nights at either Delhi or Mumbai.
2. Incredible Golden Triangle (5 nights) – This package includes stay at Taj Luxury hotels in Delhi, Agra & Jaipur.
3. Incredible Dream Escapes (6 nights) – This package includes stay at Taj hotels in Cochin, Kumarakom, Thekkady & Kovalam.
For details and reservations please click here to email us. |
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| Resort of the Month |
Taj Malabar
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The extraordinary craftsmanship of the Taj Malabar can envied even from the still, soothing backwaters of Kerala. As soon as you step into the lobby, you immediately feel calmed by the dark mahogany wood ceilings and soft lighting. The room's design will remind you of a romantic 1940s film.
The hotel’s pool is a mixture of water and garden. The negative edge pool appears to melt seamlessly into the languid Cochin bay. From many angles, it’s impossible to see where the pool ends and the sea begins. This pool paradise is the perfect place to read a book or bathe in the sun. Whether Enjoying yoga from the poolside in the morning, or a romantic sunset dinner with a loved one, it is a sanctuary of peace.
The restaurants make you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. Whether snacking at the hotel bar, Mattancherry, or sipping an exotic drink and listening to the soothing sounds of a live pianist you, you are guaranteed to be surrounded by luxurious ambiance. |
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The contemporary rooms, with wooden floors and aranmulla mirrors, fashion classic luxury at every corner. Many rooms are a living piece of art. The sculpted archways and Dutch ceiling beams emphasize the height and generous space of the Victorian interiors.
The energy provided by these rooms will fuel your body for the next day’s activities. At Taj Malabar, you can treat yourself to the ancient healing art of Abhyangam, or take the hotel’s luxury yacht, the Cinnamon Coast, out to cruise the backwaters. |
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| News Update |
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| From our Head Office in Delhi |
An increasingly popular destination is the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple. India’s ancient architectural tradition is evident in the beautiful comple  x consisting of pink stone and rare Indian marble. Its vast numbers of domes and pillars don’t harbor a single piece of steel anywhere on the grounds.
This amazing destination is a must-see for any art lover as it is the home to over 20,000 superbly sculpted statues.
Don't forget to visit Mandir, a beautiful monument that holds a larger than life, gold-plated murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Other murties worth laying your eyes on are, Shri Radha-Krishna, Shri Sita-Ram, Shri Laxmi-Narayan and Shri Parvati-Shiv.
Art and architecture combine in the mesmerizing Swaminarayan Akshardham temple. When you gaze out onto the 20 pinnacles exposing the wonders of ancient Indian engineering, you’ll find yourself awestruck to find 500 perfectly created murties resting themselves eternally upon the tops of pillars.
Inside this magnificent structure awaits carvings of Lila Mandapam and Bhakta Mandapam that span an incredible 65 feet in height. You will also find 24 Keshav forms of the Divine; these are based on the ancient Panachratra scriptures.
This temple is an amazing feat in architecture. Upon visiting, it is difficult not to be overcome by the magnitude and shear beauty of this structure.
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| From our Jaipur Office |
 Sound and light show at Amber Fort
Hidden amid rugged hills and a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture, the Amber Fort has a rich historical background and beauty that dates back to its completion in 1592. For the first time, the fort is creating a laser show to entertain its visitors after they have marveled at the historical wonders this site has to offer.
Although it will still take a few months to start the show, it’s worth the wait. Every inch of the fort will be illuminated by lights that illustrate a commentary that gives a tour of the Fort as well as a few tales of the Fort’s history.
Gulzar, a Hollywood filmmaker and lyricist, is presently working on the script for the Fort that, through an hour-long show, will give justice to this heirloom of Jaipur history.
The state government will also be setting up a crafts bazaar at the fort, so that after a tour of the fort’s history, guests can find pieces of local art that they can take home and enjoy.
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From Our Agra Office
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 New Agra-Khajuraho Rail Track to Help Tourists
At the moment, tourists who want to journey from Agra to see the Hindu and Jain temples of Khajuraho must either fly or take a long, five-hour car ride to their destination.
Khajuraho is a destination that should not be forgotten due to inconvenience. Its monuments have been listed as a Unesco World Heritage site and could easily be a favorite destination by any tourist. The art carved on its walls represents India’s amazing heritage.
To make sure tourists reach these timeless spectacles, a new train is being created that will take people from Agra clear to Jhansi. At the same time, the Strachey Bridge in Agra will be repaired to get tourists across the Yamuna River.
This project will be completed in February for those who want to effortlessly make that journey to Khajuraho or beyond. We suggest you don’t miss these temples; these massive, intricate structures had taken centuries to build and are now the cornerstone to any Indian tour. |
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From our Ranthambhore Office |
 Tiger Safari Planned Near Ranthambhore
To keep tigers from clashing in territorial fights, as well as to spread consciousness over the beautiful animals, a tiger safari will be launched near Rajasthan’s Ranthambhore National park. If the proposal is accepted, the safari would put the cats in large enclosures so that they can easily be viewed by the public.
The cats will have plenty of room; the safari would consume an area 70-80 hectares of the sanctuary. While in these enclosures, the tigers would be left to roam freely so that tourists may see the Big Cats as they behave in the wild with a close-up view provided by jeeps and cantor vehicles. |
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| Festival Alerts |
The Pushkar Camel Fair |
The sleepy little town of Pushkar comes alive in the beginning of October as preparations begin for the Pushkar Fair. The fair offers a plethora of unforgettable activities such as horse shows, camel races, cow beauty contests, acrobatics, camel safaris and much more.
Depending on the lunar calendar, the fair can begin in late October or early November. Once it begins, the Pushkar Camel Fair is the most colorful gathering of humanity and livestock on this planet.
Prepare well in advance to visit the Pushkar festival or else decent accommodations and other facilities will be impossible to find. To those who will be attending, the fair’s schedule should be well in mind.
November 7th –November 9th: The Cattle Fair. All of the camel and cattle activities will take place at this time. This is when we most suggest you try to go. The 2nd and 3rd days are filled with various shows, competitions, and anything else that could give you the unique India experience you’re looking for.
November 10th—November 12th: The Cultural Fair. This is when all the government-sponsored and cultural activities take place. Folk dance shows and musical performances will fill the fair. Many of those performances can also be seen throughout the year in the larger cities.
Easy Tours of India would like to take you to the once-a-year festivities and show you the cultural entertainments later on in your tour. By far, the best memories you’ll have will be of highly decorated camels, thrilling horse races, and the local festivities.
November 13th: The Holy Day. This is the day when devout Hindus and other pilgrims will wash themselves in the lake at Pushkar. It is a Hindu belief that washing themselves in the lake will dissolve their sins.
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