After leaving The Bangala, as we whizzed along the Karaikudi to Pudukkottai Highway, near the Thirumayam Fort, our driver Murali asked if we’d like to see a small Shiva Temple that he knew about. We had a long day ahead and had really only just got going but how could we say no? We trusted …
Read more about A Shiva Temple near Thirumayam on the Karaikudi to Pudukkottai Highway
What has nerves of steel, lightning fast reflexes, and the focus of a laser beam? If you said a professional driver in India, you’d be correct. There are a lot of stereotypes about India we can bust. The state of the roads and driving may not be one of them. There’s no refuting this stereotype. …
All Indian food goes better with an astringent chutney or pickle on the side. This is a quick and easy recipe for a pickle that can be as hot or as mild as you like. We used one teaspoon of the chilli powder but the recipe from chef Jerry Matthew at Spice Village called for …
There’s so much to like about this dish. Jackfruit is a beloved food of South India and, when in season, locals dice the fresh ripe fruit, combine it with a bit of ghee and jaggery, and boil off the liquid to create a dry jam or veratti that they preserve for future use. A tablespoon …
Paliyakudi is a tribal village in the Idukki district of Kerala. Ammachi is the word for grandmother. Kaada means quail. The people of Paliyakudi were traditionally animal farmers and also existed by hunting, fishing and honey collection. Grandmothers cooked for the family using quail the family raised and spices from the lands surrounding them. Traditionally, …
Read more about Paliyakudi Ammachi Kaada – Grilled Quail with a Mint and Green Chilli Marinade
This recipe is a dish that we tried at CGH Spice Village’s 50 Mile Diet Restaurant. Chef Jerry Matthew kindly shared the recipe. The 50 Mile Diet restaurant’s goal is to serve food grown within that radius from the restaurant. Fortunately, being on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the hotel is located close to an area …
While Westerners tend to think of the word homely as something unattractive in appearance, the British influence in India meant the word was also used to represent something intimate, pleasant and warm from one’s home. Turkeys are large birds native to the Americas but they were brought to India by British landlords and raised for …
Spice Village in Thekkady, Kerala, lies on the fringe of Periyar National Park. I’ve stayed here four times now and each time I do, my attachment grows stronger. The CGH Earth Experience company owns and operates this resort. CGH stands for clean, green and healthy. They walk the talk and living these values has earned …
During our 2016 journey through South India, we had the chance to sit and talk with chef Jerry Matthew about what “local food” means in his corner of South India – Periyar in Kerala. Chef Matthew has been with the CGH Earth Experience group of hotels for 20 years now and is the executive chef …
Read more about Chef Jerry Matthew of CGH Spice Village in Thekkady
Avial is a vegetable stew with many variations. This one is full of local pumpkins, yams, and beans available during Onam, Kerala’s harvest festival.