Ria's Collection: Rice, Fish Fry & Thoran -A simple lunch at home :)

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Rice, Fish Fry & Thoran -A simple lunch at home :)


This post is all about a quick simple lunch we have at home... my idea of comfort food! :) Almost 90% of Kerala homes has this kind of lunch. A fish fry,thoran/mezhukkuvaratti,rice,papad/pappadaum,curd/moru/sambar & a fruit which is usually our good old 'Poovan' pazham (a variety of plantain available in Kerala). We live on a coastal area...beach is just a 2 minute walk from my house...so fresh sea food is never a problem! Guess that applies to the whole of Kerala :)

So today the show is all about Fish fry,Cabbage thoran,Rice & Papad/Pappadam :)
Kerala Fish Fry:

Ingredients:

Fish (anykind like sardines, mackerel etc) - 4-5 cleaned & slitted
Chilli powder- 1-1 1/2 tbsp ( depending on your spice tolerance level & also the type of chilli powder used. We mix Kashmiri chilli powder + normal red chilli powder so that it has a beautiful colour and is not too spicy)
Turmeric powder- a pinch
Water- enough to make a thick paste with with the above masala
Salt to taste
Curry leaves- 1 sprig
Oil- 4-5 tbsp for frying ( We use coconut oil and we absolutely LOVE it! That brings out the 'Kerala/nadan' taste ! :D )

Method:
  • Make a paste using the powders,salt and water. It should be slightly thick.
  • Apply it onto the cleaned fish.Rub it slightly.
  • Leave it aside for 10-15 mins.
  • Heat oil in a shallow pan, add the curry leaves
I can live on Fish Fry, Rice and Curd :)
It's a simple n easy veggie preparation where in you can sub cabbage for any other veggie :) How about making it simple and nutritious?? Try cabbage & carrot thoran...it's very colourful too! :)

Cabbage Thoran:

Ingredients:
Cabbage - 250 g finely sliced
Onions-1 medium ,finely chopped
Green chillies-2,slitted
Coconut- 1/2 cup grated
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Salt-to taste
Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
Oil-2-3 tbsp ( we use coconut oil)
Water- 4-5 tbsp

Method:
  • Mix all the ingredients except mustard seeds,oil and water well in a bowl.
  • Heat oil, add the mustard seeds, let it splutter.
  • Add the vegetables. Mix well. Let it cook uncovered for 2-3 mins.
  • Sprinkle the water over it. Stir well.
  • Cover with a lic and cook on low flame till done stiring in between.
  • Check for salt ..
  • Serve hot!
The 'thoran' I love the most is Cabbage thoran! I can eat just that...no need of rice :)

This is the speciality of Kerala! No where else will you find people using this fat rice :) But trust me... if you want to get the exact Kerala taste this is a must! And I just cannot have 'kanji' (gruel) with anyother rice! Ah! LOVE YA boiled rice! :*

Rice:
Ingredients:
Boiled rice
Water
Salt

Method :
  • We usually boil rice in plenty of water and drain out the excess so that the starch is removed completely.

Here comes a highly addictive accompaniment to rice! For me I can munch on it anytime!! :P For those who don't know about this crunchy beauty...it's something like a deep fried wafer :D

Pappadum:

Pappadums (store bought/homemade)
Oil

  • Heat the oil and deep fry them.
  • Drain them on paper towels and store them in airtight containers.

Plantains have many varieties like 'Poovan' 'Palayamkodan' etc... I love 'poovan'variety the most!! This is widely eaten after lunch as a dessert...especially by elders!
And have you ever tried having Pazham(plantains) pappadam & neyy( ghee/clarified butter) with a spoonful of sugar?? If not...you are missing a lot in life!!!

  • Just take a few plantains, mash it well.
  • Add a spoonful or two of sugar.
  • Drizzle some hot ghee on it.
  • Crush some crisp pappadum on it and eat it! It's yummmm! :)

I can see many weird expressions now!! LOL!

So how was the lunch? I know there weren't any curries... but how about this , this & this ?? :)
Have a great weekend!! :)

16 Comments:

Jamie said...

Wow! I could eat this everday for lunch! This is what you whip up for a simple meal? Looks fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Yes thats true about kerala..I may prefer a morozhichu koottan or a curry and this is fantastic Ria.

Rachel said...

despitea likeness for other cuisines, nothing can beat the simple meal of rice, papadaum, fish, mor and thoran..good one Ria!

Abhilash Pillai said...

I will agree with you...All malayalees have these items common in their daily lunch...

I prefer a teeyal(konju or ulli) , aviyal, sambaar and pulisheri also added among the others. They add extra taste.

Thanks for this recipe and happy weekend...

Unknown said...

I cant believe you have such an amazing spread almost everyday for lunch!! Can I come live with you :P :P

Suparna said...

HEY Ria,
Tha's simple yet a real feast :) great pics and really mouthwatering dearie :)
ENJOY!!

amna said...

i love this meal too! i have a very similar post on my blog too :)

Chef Jeena said...

I would not know where to start eating this meal, everything looks so so good. You knwo me too....I love that Kerala flavour YUM!

Chitra said...

hmm..thats a nice platter..:) looks good:)

Unknown said...

Love the first pic.Fish fry looks adorable!

saffronapron.blogspot.com said...

that fish fry looks so yumm.Missing home Ria :(

mathew said...

damn it..this pic is making me so hungry..even though i just had my dinner!!;-(

Unknown said...

Hai Ria,

Hope you are doing good...as promised I am in your blogsite..I am going to make your pepper chicken and susy chicken today..

I totally vouch for the pazham,pappadom and neyy...yummy..
We used to have this at our neighbour's house back in Kannur for Onam celebration meal..

And nothing is as comforting as nadan rice meal..
Ohh...I miss a nice 'Sadhya'

Love..
Sumi

Jobin said...

Hello, made the Thoran but substitued cabbage with cauliflower. It was nice and simple.
Thank you.

darkinspiration said...

I was going through this blog now and I saw your combination of ghee, pappad and pazham. so wanted to share another combination, which I guess many would find really odd.

Mash pazham (preferably ripe palayamkodan) to rice, add curd (shouldn't be too sour) and sugar. its really tasty. Howz it???

Gail Fernandes said...

Hey,
This rice is not only eaten in Kerala, but its also eaten in Coastal Karnataka. If you travel to Mangalore or Udupi, you will find the same rice.

Gail

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