Chefs Dhiraj, Suresh and Chindi at Grande Bay Resort and Spa in Mamallapuram shared this authentic drumstick Sāmbhar soup with us. The fact that we walked their organic garden and saw the drumsticks hanging from the trees just a few feet from where we were cooking the soup made this a truly “mile zero” meal.
Kootu is the Tamil word for “add” and it typically refers to a dal dish with a variety of vegetables added. Each region of South India will add their own favourites. Chef Chindi Varadarajulu of Grande Bay Resort in Mamallapuram likes to add any combination of ash gourd, squash, pumpkin, carrots, potatoes, broad beans, green …
Read more about Vegetable Kootu (dal with mixed vegetables) from the Grande Bay Resort and Spa
We crave dosas, those crispy crepes of bean and rice flour so ubiquitous in the five states that make up South India. Slowly, as more South Indians immigrate to Canada, we are able to find restaurants that serve them here. But what is only an occasional treat here, is a daily routine when we travel …
The first time I took a group to India in 2012, my in-country guide’s name was Prince Charles. He has since become as close as a brother to me. He is not actually a member of the British royal family. Charles is a South Indian who was raised in a small village near Mamallapuram. He …
Meet our friend Mr. N. Jenardhanam Kind, gentle and keenly interested in the circumstances and welfare of others – these are thoughts that spring to mind when I think of our friend Janardhanam. Sitting across from him, whether it be for a dosa (rice and lentil batter crepe) breakfast, a mid-morning dose of strong South Indian …
Read more about Mr. N. Janardhanam and his life in Mamallapuram
Isha’s Ginger Coriander Coffee aka Sukku Coffee is an herbal infusion. It has a positive effect on your prana or life energies. If you’d like to eat and drink food that increases your energy, it’s best to avoid coffee and tea. That’s because they are stimulants that block your ability to receive energy. The caffeine …
Read more about Isha’s Ginger Coriander Coffee aka Sukku Coffee
We are so happy to share this recipe for Isha’s Coconut Buns. It’s an adaptation of one of the more popular tea time treats in Peppervine Cafe at Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. We stopped for a chai break there one day and enjoyed freshly cut wedges of it. They came from huge …
Isha’s Coconut Mango Crisp is a little slice of heaven for me. I was 25 years old the first time I tasted a mango. A Pakistani friend I worked with invited me home to experience his wife’s cooking. I watched transfixed as she pulled dough balls from a warming cupboard and proceeded to roll out …
Isha’s Green Gram Sprout Salad is loaded with nutrition and energy. Sadhguru says that, “when one thinks about food sources, and getting the most bang for your nutritional buck, there’s nothing more concentrated than nuts, legumes and seeds because they contain everything needed to become a healthy, vibrant plant.” Isha fills their menus at workshops …
Sāmbhar is everywhere in South India. Isha’s Sāmbhar Sadham is an especially delicious version. What is it? Sāmbhar is a vegetable and lentil stew. It’s usually enjoyed for breakfast with idli or puttu (rice dumplings or rice and coconut cakes). Sadham is Tamil for rice. With the addition of Sadham to Sāmbhar, the dish becomes …