As I finish making kaalan, my maiden attempt.. can't help writing a few words.. Those who know me, know I can't cook to save my life.. well, the lockdown has forced me to venture into that territory as well :)
Every home has a signature dish, a classic.. ours is Amma's kaalan.. for me, there's no one else who can make this better than her.. I refuse to even taste anyone else's kaalan.. I could be biased.. but I prefer kaalan to taste the way she makes it.. I even hold all the 'sadya' kaalans to disdain, till date..
I guess it is more to do with the memories associated with it.. there was a time when Amma was working in a different city and this is a dish which would stay fresh for a long time, if refrigerated.. she would be home once in a fortnight and make kaalan.. steamed rice, kaalan, some curd and a pappadam.. bliss! My comfort food :)
The smooth creamy texture, the sourness from the curd, the punch of the peppercorns and the flavour of the cumin-coconut-chilli paste.. aahaahaaa! Tried my hand at it, it turned out decent and I stand by my words..
My Amma makes the best kaalan in the world.. hehe..
#nostalgia #cookingathome #keralafood
