Anna Zacharria’s Tomato Onion Lunch Salad
This light salad livens a plate of curry and rice you serve it with. Adding a few other vegetables also creates a versatile dinner side dish.
Anna Zacharria’s Mezhukku Chini Chutti (Wok fried potatoes)
These potatoes are both fried and steamed. The result is complete absorption of the flavours of the shallots and the spice masala. Anna always serves these along side her famous Duck Curry recipe but they are great with any curry.
Anna’s Secret Garam Masala
Anna Zacharria’s Duck Curry
I first tasted this Duck Curry in 2014 and dreamed of learning how to make it. It’s got a depth of flavour that comes from deeply caramelized onions, fresh local duck and the lusciousness of coconut cream pulling all these signature flavours of the region together. We are deeply grateful to Anna for sharing her …
Chennamkary
The first time I visited Alleppey in the Backwaters of Kerala, it was to enjoy a houseboat cruise and to take a walk with an elder in the tiny village of Chennamkary. I wanted to learn about the way of life there. It was 2012. Houseboating I spent 24 hours cruising the lakes and channels …
Anna Zacharria
On a small island called Chennamkary deep in the Alleppey District of Kerala, Anna Zacharria, standing about five feet tall, quietly chops at her kitchen counter. Rays of sun fall through the partially shaded window. They highlight white streaks through her long black hair which is pulled back in a loose plait. A few loose …
Pumpkin Tales’ Warm Morning Glory Bowl
This hearty bowl is grainfree and served warm for breakfast. It’s a completely nourishing way to start the day and each time we visited the cheery Pumpkin Tales cafe, Karen had to have it.
Pumpkin Tales’ Pumpkin Soup
This light and lively soup is a reflection of Chennai as a cosmopolitan city with culinary influences as varied as the cultures that make up it’s bulging populace. With its finish of coconut milk, and the Indian people’s love of pumpkins, it fits in perfectly as South Indian cuisine. Use cream instead of the coconut …
Chennai
Chennai had always served as a jumping off point for us. We’d usually land in the wee hours of the morning from an overseas flight and bolt straight south to Mamallapuram like a child to the loving comfort of it’s mother’s arms. We never spent anytime in Chennai because, like children perhaps, we found it …
Chennai’s Charmer – chef Chindi Varadarajulu
Charm It is defined as the power to give delight or, to control or achieve as if by magic. Our friend Chindi Varadarajulu, executive chef and co-owner of Pumpkin Tales in Chennai, is full of charm. Perpetually smiling and caring for others, she’s a bubbling fountain of energy who gives delight to all who know …
Read more about Chennai’s Charmer – chef Chindi Varadarajulu