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Foraging at Mount Yaedake
My ascent of Mount Yaedake was truly magical, even as the rain gently enveloped us. With Yasuda by my side, I followed the hill track, embracing the drizzle without an umbrella or raincoat for the first time. This newfound sense of freedom was a welcome relief from the worries I often carried in Singapore. Surrounded by nature's beauty and Yasuda’s delightful company, my concerns about health faded away.
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Awamori in Okinawa
The most traditional way to enjoy awamori is by sipping it from tiny, thimble-sized cups called chibuguwa. It’s important to savor it slowly rather than consuming it in one gulp. Take a moment to appreciate the aroma before your first sip, and enjoy the fragrance again after finishing your cup. Awamori makes a great cocktail base, especially when paired with citrus flavors. It can also be enjoyed as awamori coffee!
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Can’t Forget Goya Spam Onigirazu!
The thick slices of bitter gourd are lightly battered and deep-fried to mellow their bitterness while retaining a satisfying crunch. The egg is cooked in the typical Japanese style—thick and soft. Spam, a beloved staple in Okinawa, is pan-fried until golden and crisp.
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Fat in Roti Prata?
Continuing my post on Roti Prata, making this beloved dish without any fat is quite challenging! Many of us adore prata but hesitate to indulge due to concerns about the fat used, often topped off with more splashes of fat on the griddle. In the 1960s and 1970s, I witnessed roti prata shops using large cans of Vanaspati ghee. What is Vanaspati ghee, you ask? It’s a hydrogenated vegetable oil commonly used in baking and pastry making. It contributes a lighter, flakier texture to pastries, offering a desirable mouthfeel. Additionally, it boasts a longer shelf life compared to traditional butter, making it favorable for baked goods that need extended storage,…
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Pettah Market in Colombo
Cooking at the Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo
Fishery at Wadduwa
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The Roti Prata
Variations in the dough for roti prata now include the addition of ingredients such as eggs, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, custard powder, or margarine, giving the flat, layered bread a unique taste and texture that reflects local preferences. The inclusion of these ingredients has made the dough richer and more appealing to a broader audience.
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Salted Fish – Time honored delicacy
Heavy rains can disrupt drying, causing spoilage. Fishermen often overcome this challenge by using tarps or shelters to protect the fish from rain, ensuring the drying process continues smoothly. This resilience helps maintain the cultural heritage and economic importance of salted fish in any cuisine. Insufficient drying can lead to moisture retention, creating an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold, which can spoil the fish quickly.
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Black Velvet Tamarind
Beneath this intriguing exterior lies the fruit, which captivates with its rich brownish-orange color and a delightfully fuzzy texture, perfectly embodying its name. The flavor profile of velvet tamarind is an exciting mix of acidic, tart, and an enticing sour-sweet taste that tingles the taste buds. During my school days, velvet tamarind was a beloved treat sold in the canteen, greatly cherished by my schoolmates. We would playfully stick out our tongues to show the vivid orange hue left behind after indulging in this fruit.
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Jackfruits of Panruti
As the jackfruit ripens, it transforms into a soft, sweet treat with tropical flavors reminiscent of pineapple, mango, and banana. Ripe jackfruit is used in various desserts like cakes, puddings, and ice cream. Tamil culinary traditions include dishes like Jackfruit Payasam, a creamy dessert with ripe jackfruit, coconut milk, and jaggery, and Elai Adai, a sweet delicacy of rice flour, coconut, jaggery, chopped jackfruit, all steamed in a banana leaf.
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Salt Mines
As you journey along the ECR, you’ll witness sprawling shallow pools filled with seawater gradually transforming into salt crystals. The glistening sight of the sun reflecting off the water is truly mesmerizing. Additionally, mounds of salt covered with canvas can be spotted across the area, symbolizing the productivity and importance of these mines in the region’s economy.
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Meat Feast at Karnivore Kitchen
Kalyan’s speciality is Old Bangalore Naati Oota. This cuisine is influenced by early migrants from Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka who settled in Bengaluru in the early 20th century. The dishes are predominantly non-vegetarian.
