9 Cookbooks for Authentic Kerala Cuisine

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Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey through the flavours of Kerala? Get your tastebuds tingling with these nine cookbooks that bring the authentic tastes of God’s Own Country to your kitchen. From classic coconut cuisine to ancient trade-influenced delicacies, each book has mouthwatering recipes and cultural insights. So grab your apron and get ready to savour the spice coast of India like never before!

The Tastes of Classic Coconut Cuisine

You’ll love the rich and aromatic flavours of classic coconut cuisine found in mouthwatering. Indulge your taste buds with traditional recipes like Pazham Pori, Therali, Sukhiyan, Kozhukkattai, Puzhukku, Ulli Theeyal, Vellarikka Kichadi, and others mouthwatering dishes in the stories and recipes of Onam Sadya and discover the beauty secrets of Dinacharya. The language used in this book is warm and lucid, making you want to try these mouth-watering recipes immediately. It’s a must-have for anyone curious about authentic taste and seeking simple and healthy traditional Nair community dishes.

Product Specs:

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 170 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1636401570
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1636401577

Strengths:

• Thorough exploration of traditional Keralite cooking.
• Inclusion of gluten-free recipes.
• Warm and lucid language that captivates readers.
• Authentic taste of Kerala’s traditional cuisine from central Travancore.

Weaknesses:

• Limited coverage on non-coconut-based dishes.
• Lack of visual representation through pictures or illustrations.

Flavours of The Spice Coast

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the flavours of the Spice Coast mouthwatering Spice Coast cookbook. This book is an excellent addition to your collection if you love coastal Indian food. It offers a nice variety of recipes, focusing on Kerala cuisine. From vegetarian dishes to non-vegetarian delicacies, this cookbook has it all. The recipes are authentic and highly recommended by those who have tried them.

Product specs:

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 120 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780143029007
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143029007

Strengths:

• Offers a wide range of authentic recipes
• Highly recommended for Kerala cuisine
• Easy-to-follow instructions

Weaknesses:

• Some recipes may be incomplete or lacking details
• Content could benefit from better organization

Savouring the Spice Coast of India: Fresh Flavors from Kerala

Experience the vibrant and fresh flavours of the Spice Coast in ‘Savoring Spice Coast,’ a delightful cookbook that showcases the delicious culinary traditions of coastal India. This book takes you on a culinary journey through Kerala, introducing you to the rich and diverse dishes that make up South Indian cuisine. With its focus on whole spices, ‘Savoring Spice Coast’ offers a unique perspective on Indian cooking, bringing out this region’s authentic flavours and aromas.

Product Specs:

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060192577
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060192570

Strengths:

• Excellent recipes with well-thought-out instructions
• Visually enticing pictures
• Easy-to-find ingredients in supermarkets
• Provides resources for ordering uncommon ingredients like curry leaves
• Offers insight into religious communities and their cooking traditions

Weaknesses:

• Availability might be limited or overpriced due to being out of print
• No specific weakness mentioned in background information

Aaharam – Sadhya – A Perfect Culinary Legacy from God’s Own Country

Aaharam: Sadhya is a culinary legacy from God’s Own Country that showcases Kerala’s rich and diverse flavours. This cookbook has received positive reviews and recommendations from non-Malayalees who still love an excellent sadya. The step-by-step instructions and beautiful illustrations make it easier for anyone to attempt making this lovely meal. It is also praised for its authenticity and tradition, covering everything needed to assemble a sadhya most authentically. The book also offers variety and coverage, with different culinary dishes of Kerala covered, including some that may be rare or every day. Regarding design and presentation, Aaharam-Sadhya is beautifully produced with delicious food shots and ingredient pictures. Overall, it provides excellent value for money.

Product Specs:

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9357017291
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9357017299

Strengths:

• Easy-to-follow format
• Authenticity and tradition
• Variety of recipes
• Beautifully produced book
• Value for money

Weaknesses:

• Some recipes may require hard-to-find ingredients
• Limited focus on non-Kerala cuisine
• May not appeal to those unfamiliar with Indian cuisine
• Lack of vegetarian options in some sections

Eating with History: Ancient Trade-Influenced Cuisines of Kerala

The ancient trade routes have heavily influenced the diverse cuisines of Kerala, creating a rich and fascinating culinary history. Throughout the centuries, Kerala has been a hub for spice traders worldwide, resulting in a fusion of flavours and techniques that make its cuisine unique. The Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders all left their mark on the food culture of Kerala.

The presence of these traders brought with them new ingredients and cooking methods that were incorporated into traditional dishes. For example, spices like black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves were introduced by Arab traders. The Portuguese introduced chillies and tomatoes, while the British brought tea to Kerala.

This cultural exchange through trade routes influenced the ingredients used in Kerala cuisine and shaped its cooking techniques. The use of coconut milk in curries is believed to have originated from Indonesian influences during ancient trade routes. Similarly, stir-frying was adopted by Chinese traders.

The impact of these ancient trade routes on Kerala’s cuisine can still be seen today. The diverse flavours and ingredients in traditional dishes reflect centuries-old connections with different cultures.

Product Specs:

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 204 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9389136261
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9389136265

Strengths:

• In-depth exploration of how ancient trade routes influenced Kerala’s cuisine
• Beautifully illustrated with photographs showcasing traditional dishes
• Includes historical anecdotes and stories behind each recipe
• Offers a wide variety of recipes from different communities within Kerala
• Provides helpful tips and techniques for recreating authentic flavours at home

Weaknesses:

• Some readers may find certain ingredients challenging to source outside of Kerala
• Limited vegetarian options compared to non-vegetarian dishes
• Could benefit from more detailed explanations of cooking techniques for beginners
• Lack of nutritional information for each recipe
• The index could be more comprehensive for more straightforward recipe navigation

Traditional Delicacies of Kerala Foods of India

If you’re interested in exploring the authentic cuisine of Kerala, a terrific cookbook to consider is “Traditional Delicacies of Kerala Foods of India.” This book offers a collection of traditional Syrian Christian recipes from Central Travancore, making it perfect for anyone looking to learn and recreate the flavours of their forefathers. It’s beneficial for young Malayali girls living outside Kerala who may need the guidance of their grandmothers in the kitchen.

While this cookbook does offer a variety of renowned dishes and their recipes, some readers have found that its content and presentation aspect could use improvement. However, one aspect that adds a rare flavour to the book is the beautiful illustrations by Suhita Mitra.

Product Specs:

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 231 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9381576289
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9381576281

Strengths:

• Collection of traditional Syrian Christian recipes
• Useful for young Malayali girls without grandmothers’ guidance
• Illustrations by Suhita Mitra add a unique touch

Weaknesses:

• Limited variety of renowned dishes
• Content and presentation aspect needs improvement

Suriani Kitchen, The: Recipes and Recollections from the Syrian Christians of Kerala

You should check out ‘Suriani Kitchen’ to explore the rich culinary heritage of Syrian Christians in Kerala. This book is a treasure trove of once orally passed heirloom recipes with rich context. I love this book as it has authentic recipes much beloved by Syrian Christian Malayalis (SCM). It reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen and her delicious food. The excellent photos of old SCM kitchens add to the charm of this book. It is truly a godsend for anyone looking to learn authentic mallu recipes. I highly recommend it.

Product Specs:

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143429264
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143429265

Strengths:

• Authentic recipes loved by Syrian Christian Malayalis
• Excellent photos of old SCM kitchens
• A great resource for learning authentic mallu recipes

Weaknesses:

• Lacking pictures, but the author has written snippets of her life and childhood

The Essential Kerala Cookbook

Get ready to explore Kerala’s diverse flavours and culinary traditions with ‘The Essential Kerala Cookbook’. This book is highly recommended by a Malayali reviewer who has learned to cook Kerala recipes from their grandparents. According to the reviewer, the book brings back memories and feels like the recipes have been passed down from their grandmother. They appreciate the presentation and affordable price of the book, as well as its accessibility to non-Keralites. The recipes are well-written and have turned out perfect when tried by the reviewer. However, it is mentioned that some readers may prefer a cookbook with photographs.

Product Specs:

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 300 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780143029502
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143029502

Strengths:

• Provides an excellent introduction to Kerala cuisine and its cultural background.
• Well-written recipes that are accessible to non-Keralites.
• Affordable price with free shipping.
• Bring back nostalgic memories for those familiar with Kerala cuisine.
• Good collection of authentic old recipes.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of photographs may be a drawback for some readers who prefer visual references.

Happiness Is a Stomach Full: Honest-to-Goodness Kerala Cooking

Indulge in the mouthwatering flavours of Kerala cooking with ‘Happiness Is a Stomach Full’, a book that captures the essence of honest-to-goodness recipes. This book is a treasure trove for anyone looking to learn the authentic flavours of Kerala cuisine. With clear and concise instructions, it presents a wide range of dishes commonly cooked in a Kerala kitchen. Including Malayalam names with translations adds more authenticity to the recipes. The beautiful presentation, style, and pictures make this book practical and visually appealing.

Product Specs:

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9789385152764
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9385152764

Strengths:

• Clear and concise instructions.
• Includes Malayalam names with translations.
• Presented with excellent style and pictures.
• Captures the essence of honest-to-goodness recipes.
• Wide range of dishes commonly cooked in Kerala.

Weaknesses:

• No reviews or ratings are available yet.
• Limited information on the author’s expertise or background.
• Potential lack of variety in recipes compared to other books.
• Availability may be limited depending on location.
• Price may be higher compared to other similar cookbooks.

Conclusion

So there you have it, a list of 9 cookbooks that will take you on a culinary journey through the authentic flavours of Kerala cuisine. From the classic coconut dishes to the spice coast’s vibrant spices, these cookbooks will satisfy your taste buds and transport you to the beautiful land of God’s Own Country. So why wait? Dive into these recipes and let your taste buds dance with joy as you explore the true essence of Kerala cooking. After all, as they say, “the proof is in the pudding”!