Burfi with Edible Silver

The markets and stalls around Charminar, in the center of Hyderabad, inspired this recipe for Burfi with Edible Silver. Here’s the story. As you may recall, we ate our body weight in Osmania Biscuits from Nimrah Cafe and Bakery. We definitely needed a walk. But, only we went a few steps down the street before …

Charminar-Butter-Cookies-Feature

Charminar Butter Cookies

One bite of these Charminar Butter Cookies and the magic of taste memory kicks in. Let us take you there, to a thriving bakery in a bustling market in the heart of Hyderabad. We were hungry from a morning of touring the vast Chowmahalla Palace. Back out on the streets, as we were strolling past …

Unnakkai - Cotton Pods sit on a white plate.

Unnakkai – Cotton Balls

It’s easy to see why Unnakkai – Cotton Balls are such an instant hit with all who try them. Banana fritters stuffed with coconut? Yes, please. There are some recipes that are hard to replicate at home. This one for Unnakkai – Cotton Balls might be one of them. First, these spindle-shaped treats are made …

Orange coloured Mango Ice Cream sits in a bowl.

Amuu’s Mango Ice Cream

We’d like to thank our dear friend Amuu Menon for contributing Amuu’s Mango Ice Cream to our collection of favourite South Indian recipes. Amuu is a budding chef and her patience and interest during our visit to The Turmerica was commendable.  On our last day, she surprised us with this delicious mango ice cream. Her …

Payasam-with-Ripe-Bananas

Payasam with Ripe Bananas

Payasam is a type of rice or vermicelli pudding common throughout South East Asia. Ranjini Menon’s Payasam with Ripe Bananas at The Turmerica in Wayanad is a Royal Malabar cuisine dessert. What makes it different? Ranjini says since bananas are plentiful in Wayanad, they make a great base for the pudding instead of the usual …

Caramelized-Bananas

Caramelized Bananas

Caramelized bananas may use a French cooking technique, but the bananas themselves are a pure South Indian treat. There are about 20 varieties of bananas indigenous to Kerala. As far as we could tell, in our very serious banana connoisseur fact-finding mission, each is tastier than the one before. Our host at The Turmerica, Ranjini …