Kerala Recipes
Coconut, curry leaves and spice — the soulful flavors of Kerala
Nadan Kozhi Biryani
A homely Kerala chicken biryani rich with spice and fried onions.
Kerala Fish Fry
Fish marinated in Kerala spices and shallow-fried till crisp at the edges.
Kerala Chicken Stew
Chicken and vegetables gently simmered in mild spiced coconut milk.
Kerala Duck Roast
Duck braised in a dark, pepper-forward roasted masala.
Idiyappam
Delicate steamed rice-flour string hoppers, soft and fluffy.
Medu Vada
Crisp, golden savory lentil doughnuts, fluffy on the inside.
Kaalan
A thick, tangy yam-and-yogurt curry seasoned with coconut and pepper.
Idli
Soft, pillowy steamed rice-and-lentil cakes served with chutney.
Pazham Pori
Sweet ripe-banana fritters in a crisp golden batter — a tea-time treat.
Kozhikode Halwa
The famous glossy, chewy Malabar wheat halwa.
Beetroot Pachadi
A cooling beetroot and yogurt side with a coconut-mustard base.
Manga Curry
Raw mango in a spicy coconut gravy — tangy and vibrant.
Kerala Mutton Stew
Tender mutton in a mild, aromatic coconut-milk stew.
Meen Pollichathu
Spiced fish wrapped and grilled in a banana leaf until fragrant.
Chemmeen Fry
Prawns coated in a tangy chili masala and pan-fried.
Kadala Curry
A spicy black chickpea curry with roasted coconut — perfect with puttu.
Vegetable Kurma
Mixed vegetables in a fragrant coconut and cashew gravy.
Cucumber Pachadi
A refreshing yogurt-coconut curry with crisp cucumber.
Nadan Beef Curry
Beef slow-cooked in a spicy Kerala masala with coconut pieces.
Ada Pradhaman
A luscious Onam payasam of rice ada in jaggery and coconut milk.
Fish Molee
Delicate fish poached in a mild, creamy coconut-milk sauce — a Kerala Christian classic.
Unniyappam
Sweet little rice-and-banana fritters, crisp outside and soft within.
Parippu Curry
A simple, ghee-laced moong dal curry that opens the Kerala sadya.
Kerala Parotta
Flaky, layered griddle flatbread perfect for scooping up spicy curries.
Beef Ularthiyathu
Kerala's iconic beef fry slow-roasted with coconut slivers, curry leaves and black pepper.
Puttu and Kadala Curry
Steamed cylinders of rice and coconut paired with a hearty black chickpea curry.
Appam with Stew
Lacy, soft-centered rice hoppers served with a gently spiced coconut-milk vegetable or chicken stew.
Kerala Prawn Curry
Juicy prawns simmered in a tangy coconut and kokum gravy with curry leaves.
Olan
A subtle, soothing curry of ash gourd and cowpeas in thin coconut milk.
Pulissery
A mildly sweet-sour yogurt and coconut curry gently spiced with turmeric.
Inji Puli
A sweet, sour and spicy ginger-tamarind relish essential to the Kerala sadya.
Ela Ada
Steamed rice parcels filled with sweet coconut and jaggery, wrapped in banana leaf.
Palada Payasam
A creamy festive pudding of rice ada simmered in sweetened milk.
Thalassery Beef Biryani
The famed Malabar beef biryani layered with jeerakasala rice and fried onions.
Erissery
A comforting mash of pumpkin and beans finished with roasted coconut.
Kerala Sambar
A tangy lentil and vegetable stew tempered with coconut oil and curry leaves.
Kerala Rasam
A peppery, tamarind-based soup that soothes and warms in equal measure.
Kozhi Varutharacha Curry
Chicken simmered in a deeply roasted coconut and spice paste.
Kerala Egg Roast
Boiled eggs coated in a rich, caramelized onion and tomato masala.
Kerala Chicken Roast
Chicken cooked down in a dark, spicy roasted-masala gravy until sticky and intense.
Cabbage Thoran
Finely shredded cabbage stir-fried with grated coconut, mustard and curry leaves.
Kappa and Meen Curry
Comforting mashed tapioca served alongside a fiery Kerala fish curry.
Nadan Mutton Curry
Tender mutton in a robust roasted-spice and coconut gravy.
Chemmeen Ularthu
Prawns dry-roasted with shallots, pepper and curry leaves until glossy.
Vegetable Ishtu
A gentle Kerala stew of vegetables in fragrant coconut milk and whole spices.
Kerala Avial
A medley of seasonal vegetables in a coconut-yogurt gravy tempered with coconut oil and curry leaves — the pride of every Kerala sadya.
Malabar Chicken Biryani
Fragrant short-grain jeerakasala rice layered with spiced chicken, fried onions, cashews and raisins — a Malabar wedding classic.
Kerala Nadan Meen Curry
A fiery, tangy fish curry simmered in a clay pot with kudampuli (Malabar tamarind), coconut and fresh curry leaves — the soul of a Kerala kitchen.
Black-Eyed Beans & Long Beans Thoran
A hearty, protein-rich thoran of black-eyed peas and long beans tossed with roasted coconut masala — comforting Kerala home cooking at its best.
Kerala Beetroot Thoran
Finely chopped beetroot stir-fried with fresh grated coconut, green chilies and curry leaves — a jewel-toned, lightly spiced sadya favorite from Chef Tom's own kitchen.