Ada Pradhaman–Kerala

Come and travel with me to Kerala - Called as the "God's Own Country"... Kerala is a coastal state which has the highest literacy rate and lowest positive population growth rate in India. The state also has the highest human development index in the country. Kerala is very popular for the Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, cloves, cumin, Tea and seafood. It is very picturesque and beautiful place with a beautiful coast, many coconut trees and fertile greenery. The Cuisine of Kerala is linked to its richness to its history and culture. Rice and Tapioca are also popular. Coming to today’s recipe, it is a sweet dish made with ada, coconut milk and jaggery.. This delicacy is made during the Onam festival. Onam is a festival of harvest celebrated in Kerala and is celebrated during September. The flavor of coconut milk, jaggery and the aromatic spices are so heavenly. I got this recipe from a few places online… This is like the payasam we make for festivals and marriages. Loved the taste and was so excited to have made this authentic dish..

Goan Style Paneer

Goa is a coastal state of India along the Western region, located along the Arabian Sea and has beautiful beaches and historic sites. Goa is the smallest state in India by size and is the fourth smallest by population. Although it is the smallest state, it has the highest GDP per capita. Goa’s history goes back 20,000 – 30,000 years.. From wiki – “Goa's history goes back 20,000–30,000 years. The rock art engravings exhibit the earliest traces of human life in India.^[9]:p.254Upper Paleolithic or Mesolithic rock art engravings have been found on the bank of the river Kushavati at Usgalimal.^[10] Petroglyphs, cones, stone-axe, and choppers dating to 10,000 years ago have been found in many places in Goa, such as Kazur, Mauxim, and the Mandovi-Zuari basin.^[11] Evidence of Palaeolithic life is seen at Dabolim, Adkon, Shigao, Fatorpa, Arli, Maulinguinim, Diwar, Sanguem, Pilerne, and Aquem-Margaon etc. Difficulty in carbon dating the laterite rock compounds poses a problem for determining the exact time period.^[”The cuisine is highly influenced by the Hindu origin, but has high impact from the Portuguese with their colonization for about 400 hundred years. Seafood is a big part of Goan cuisine. Staple foods are rice and fish with strong spices and intense flavors. I got this recipe from here and made very few changes.. This recipe has its sourness from tamarind, distinct flavor of the coconut milk and delicious taste of paneer..

Thengai Paal Payasam

Thengai (Coconut) Paal (Milk) Payasam is a payasam variety which is made on Aadi pandigai – the first day of the Aadi month which was yesterday this year. A very unique and flavorful payasam which can be done in a jiffy.. Do not boil the thengai paal for long as it may curdle, but cook until the raw flavor goes away. 

Then Kinnam - Vegan Dessert

Then Kinnam is a great desert made from sweet potatoes. I do not know the reason for its name. “Then” means  “honey” and “kinnam” means “small bowl”. I saw this in a TV Show and bookmarked it. Do not boil the thengai paal as it will curdle, but cook until the raw flavor goes away. Original recipe starts with caramelizing 2 table spoons of sugar and then adding the sweet potatoes. I did not prefer that. In fact I liked it without sugar better. The flavor of molasses is sooo good in this recipe!!