Wanderberry Tales

Vattayappam is a popular Kerala delicacy, which traditionally was made in households with left-over appam batter. However now, most of the bakeries in Kerala sell packaged Vattayappam. This can never beat the freshly prepared homemade ones.   Vattayappams are steamed soft rice cakes with a perfect blend of coconut and fermented by yeast to make it fluffy. This is definitely on my Easter Menu.You guy's better rethink yours:) Vattayapam usually has cashew nuts and raisins for richness along with a tinge of cardamom. My recipe has a whole lot of dates which gives it the sweetness and of course you may do away with the sugar that you add.  I picked this recipe from my mother-in-law :) Ingredients Dosa Rice/White Rice -1 cup Dates - 40 to 50 - you may reduce or increase as per your choice. Coconut - 3/4 cup grated Cardamom powder -1/4 tsp Boiled rice - 1/4 cup Cashew nuts and raisins -a handful Salt to taste Yeast -1tbsp Water -1 cup Method Soak the ri

Just like the place, Kashmiri Cuisine can also leave you spellbound. While generally known for the rich lamb dishes, Kashmiris pride in their vegetarian delicacies like the Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Kashmiri Rajma and the Lotus stem curry. One such cuisine that is very popular and eaten with equal frenzy across the country is Kashmiri Pulao. What makes Kashmiri Pulao different from the rest is the use of dried fruits and fresh fruits in addition to the vegetables cooked in milk and saffron. Raitha alone is an excellent accompaniment or you may chose to have this with any gravy. It took me two years after my visit to Kashmir to finally try this out and I was lucky enough the very first time. The flavor filled aroma was more than what I could possibly ask for. There you go - Ingredients Basmati Rice - 1 cup Milk - 1 cup Water - 1 cup Saffron Strands - 3-4 Cardamom - 3 Cinnamon - 2 inch stick Cloves - 3 Pepper Corns Cumin seeds Bay leaf - 2 Mint Leaves - 5-6 Gi