We just returned from a week plus getaway to the far south of India. First a couple days chilling out in a beach cottage in Varkala, followed by several days of meetings on health reform in Kerala's capital of Trivandrum, and then ending with time on the famous Keralan backwaters. Part of the trip mimicked Dana and Alison's trip to the backwaters.
Kerala is a different world from the hurly-burly, smog-filled world in Delhi. Laid back, serene, and absolutely beautiful. And the best education and health care systems in India, with the lowest infant mortality rates, longest life expectancies, lowest incidence of many contagious diseases. That Lefty government structure in Kerala pays some real dividends...
Oh, and the food? Even better in Kerala than the great meals we've eaten in North India! Dipu, the restaurant owner referred to Kerala as his paradise. He also said he would email us the recipe for his dry fried coconut prawns which were incredible (below). We have not stretched our cooking repetoir here but so that would be a first.
Keralan coconut prawns
Family recipe from Dipu at Casa Linda Restaurant, Fort Kochi, Kerala
Ingredients: prawns, coconut, salt, sunflower oil, turmeric powder, chilly powder, black pepper, fresh curry leaves, lime, green chilly, onion, ginger, garlic.
1) take a pan - put some oil, add one big red onion, ginger and garlic crushed - make it golden brown
2)add prawns ,coconut pieces, and turmeric powder (half teaspoon) add chilly powder (if you need more spicy add one greenchilly) and black pepper powder and salt
3) when prawns are cooked (prawns cook for three to five minutes) add lime juice to it and put on some curryleaves.
Your Keralan coconut prawns are ready.
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| Walking path along the Varkala cliffs. The water was clear and perfect swimming temperature. |
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| Groups of 12-20 men haul in fishing net a process that takes 3 hrs. and produces 10 kilos or so of small fish |
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| Our simple cottage... |
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| ...and the view from the porch. |
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| Chinese Fishing Net |
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| Our own boat for an overnight on the Kerala backwaters- the same boat that Dana and Alison stayed on! |
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| A feast -- Kerala style |
That feast looks familiar! And jealous of your stay in Varkala, that looks incredible...
ReplyDeleteYou both look fabulous! I'm so glad you got to experience some respite from the city. What a beautiful place. Your blog posts are amazing, and I am filled with gratitude. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us.
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