For the love of food and travel

  Christmas celebrations in Kerala are a grand, community-focused affair where the food is as central as the festivities. The true essence of these delicacies lies not just in their ingredients but in the tradition of their preparation. Kitchens in Kerala come alive with the collective effort of grandmothers, mothers, and children weeks before Christmas, preparing batches of these snacks and storing them in large airtight jars.  While treats like Achappam require special molds and Unniyappam a specific pan, the beauty of Diamond Cuts lies in their simplicity, making them one of the most common homemade snacks in Kerala during the Christmas season. In some places it is also known as Pottiyappam and is available in most bakeries across Kerala. It is a diamond shaped deep fried snack coated with cardamom flavored sugar syrup. It used to be a regular snack at home when we were kids. Even without coating in sugar syrup it is a great snack. ...

Plum cakes may be the classic Christmas treat, yet adding kulkuls can bring a delightful twist to your Christmas menu this year. In many Indian Christian households, particularly in Goa, Kerala and Mangalore a cherished tradition is the making of kulkuls. These yummy deep fried, bite-sized pastry are crunchy on the outside and kinda flaky on the inside. The history of kulkuls   are believed by many to have originated from the Portuguese style of sweet making. This was later adapted by Goan Christians into a festive essential during Christmas season. The technique of creating small, curled pastries was likely inspired by the Portuguese practices, but over a period of time, Indian households have made it uniquely their own, incorporating local ingredients and flavours. These little delicacies are fun to make with the family. It takes time to roll each one with a fork, so I got my two teens to join in along with me!! Making kulkuls is definitely a labor of love, but the results ar...