Finest Recipes of “Kerala’s leading cookbook author”

 I was fortunate to be the recipient, today, of a new cookbook from Kerala.

Cover of late Mrs. K. M. Mathew’s 

“Finest Recipes” 

The late Mrs. K. M Mathew’s eldest daughter-in-law, Prema, has curated a book of the finest recipes produced by my aunt in her lifetime. 

I have been fortunate in my life to have tasted many of them produced by Mrs. Mathew and then, by what I think is the the only cook in India that I know, her protege Vasu, who received an EU 9000 certificate for  his cooking skills!

In a recent blog entry about a Gujarthi evening I had enumerated the publications of late Mrs. K. M Mathew.

I have been brought up on enjoying the variety of good food from all over the world. 

I love most types of food, various Indian cusines, Chinese, Thai, Fusion, Continental, cordon blue, and "even British” as Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding and Welsh rarebit. 

I am, however, not a fan of fastfoods as the Macburger!

I was introduced to Finnish cuisine by Annikki starting with meatballs and meat loaf and many other exotic dishes, especially various preparations of fish. 

But Annikki became a master cook with her own versions of Indian cooking as Massla Dosai made in a Finnish style with Finnish ingredients.

Annikki ran the first cooking class of Indian recipes in Ylivieska polytechnic, and introduced the first Chinese cooking class in Oulu when she was the Chairperson of the English Club of Oulu!

I was introduced to cooking by Mrs. K. M. Mathew when I left India to study in London when she scribbled some great recipes for me and taught me the basics of cooking.

However, when Annikki married me in 1967, she quickly threw me out of the kitchen, despite my very good skills as producing Roast Lamb, as she found I was not to good at keeping the kitchen clean.

I have been through the new book and I give here the detailed Contents and the items contained in each of the Sub-Sections.

All the best recipes from my experience of Kerala cooking are in the book, especially my very favourite, Karimeen, the masala fried White Fish!

One anecdote tells the story of the hospitality of Mrs. K. M. Mathew.

We were on a trip through Kerala and Mrs. Mathew asked us to stopover at her home in Kottayam. When we arrived she had been called out for some work but she had organised lunch for us with her husband as our host.

The tablespread was fantastic as anything one could hope for was on the table. 

Our eldest son was having a problem and called one of the staff and whispered something in his ear.

This caused a great concern as the staff member went to speak with our host.

My uncle appeared greatly disturbed as he apologised to Jaakko that they had prepared chicken, beef, lamb, and an array of vegetarian dishes but was sorry that he had not included "pork".

We all split our sides laughing as, we as a family do not eat pork as it is forbidden by Annikki's religious belief. 

So we asked Jaakko what he meant to which he replied that all he wanted was a "FORK"!

We used to tease Mrs. Mathew's husband that the enormous circulation of the Malayala Manorama newspaper was because every Keralite housewife bought  the newspaper so as to produce the food which her husband would appreciate! 

A Keralite woman (and Annikki) knows that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach !

I am yet to meet a lady from Kerala who does not know the contribution of Mrs. Mathew to her day to day life, not only with the daily recipes she produced for the newspaper but also for the best selling ladies magazine in India, VANITHA, which is now also published in Hindi.

Annikki and Thangam (Cochin 2014)

Here is a picture of my dear cousin, Thangam, at her boutique “The Weavers” in Cochin and Annikki when we visited her in 2014, our very last visit to India.

The front cover of the new book describes Mrs. K. M. Mathew's standing in the eyes of the New York Times. 

The back cover has a short note expressed from the very heart by the daughter of Mrs. K. M. Mathew, Thangam.

Thank you Prema and Thangam for sending us 

this wonderful gift.

Reflecting on your dietary preferences!

 I found this certificate from 1977.

Annikki won the First Prize in a Bangalore Exhibition cum Cookery Contest on "Wheat, Milk and Milk Products”.

Her entry was a vegetarian cake based on using yoghurt instead of egg. 

It was truly and delicious.

Although we are ”non-vegetarians” this is a very broad term. 

Annikki, on Christian religious grounds, does not eat, pork, prawns, as they are considered, by her religioius sect, as taboo. 

Pigs, crabs, lobsters and prawns are considered as scavengers and, therefore, unhealthy for human consumption. (Other Christians claim that God stated that there is a contrary view in the Bible.)

More clearly the biblical prohibition can be stated as follows;

“ Prohibited foods that may not be consumed in any form include all animals—and the products of animals—that do not chew the cud and do not have cloven hoofs (e.g., pigs and horses); fish without fins and scales; the blood of any animal; shellfish (e.g., clams, oysters, shrimp, crabs) and all other living creatures that ...”

Annikki’s Christian religious order, The Seventh Day Adventists,  are considered among the healthiest people of the world. 

Here are extracts from her book published in 1994  “…for the hour of his judgement is come…” (The Holy Bible Revelations, 14:7).

I eat everything which  I personally do not think disgusting! For instance, rats, snakes, and eels are not very appetising. 

I prefer South Indian Vegetarian cuisine, some of which is common to Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra and Telengana.

 

Masala dosai served with sambar and coconut chutney

 

Vada surved with coconut chutney

 Idlis (rice cakes) served with sambar

Non-vegetarian, eggitarian, vegetarian, and vegan. These are four distinct dietary choices that people make based on their personal, religious, cultural, ethical, and health considerations. 

While each category has its own unique characteristics, they all play a significant role in shaping individual lifestyles and the broader food industry.

Non-vegetarian, as the term suggests, refers to individuals who consume meat and animal products as part of their regular diet. This category includes people who enjoy a variety of meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and seafood. 

Non-vegetarian diets are commonly seen in many cultures around the world, where meat-based dishes form an essential part of their traditional cuisine. 

 

Advocates of non-vegetarian diets often argue that meat provides essential nutrients, such as proteins and essential amino acids, that contribute to muscle growth and overall health. 

 

However, it is important to ensure that the meat consumed is sourced from sustainable and ethical farming practices to minimize environmental impact.

But the word non-vegetarian is stretched by some. Especially in West Bengal in India where they eat fish and call it the “vegetable of the sea”.

My favourite fish dish is the special fried Pearl Spot fish (Malayalam: Karimeen). 

Every time I land in Cochin/Ernakulam, I will go to the Grand Hotel restaurant and order this fish and have my full of it.

When we were little children and came to Cochin by train, we would go to a sea front hotel cum restaurant and order this fish and only then carry on our journey to Kottayam by car.

Here is the recipe  for Masala Pomfret (which is used mored commonly that Pearl Spot fish) from the famous culinary expert of Kerala, the late Mrs. K. M. Mathew.

This is a revised recipe as in the old days her recipe used 9 red chillis, and was one of the two spiciest Kerala dishes, the other being the red chilli curry, usually eaten with steamed tapioca.

 

 

 

It is often thought that India is a vegetarian country. 

 

This map recently published shows this to be false and only 29% of the country are vegetarians.  (Only 3% of the people of Kerala are vegetarians unlike 75% of Gujarathis.)

 

Most eat lamb (mutton), chicken and fish. The majority of Indians do not eat beef as the cow is a religious symbol to some as it provides milk. 

 

It is difficult to understand as the best milk in India comes from the buffalo and not the cow, so why is the buffalo not considered a religious symbol. 

 

But faith is what it is and it should be a personal choice to be respected.

It is also ironical that one of the largest exports from India is beef, and some of the largest exporters are the very people who hold the cow as their religious symbol. 

But such ambiguities exist everywhere in India, which is a patriarchal society which only gives respect to women on paper.

The men in India are the best examples of cowards.  

 

A recent study showed that when it comes to giving human transplants to even close relatives, men will run the 100 metres backwads superfast, under some pretext, and push their womenfolk forward as the donors. 

 

The eggitarian diet is a relatively recent term that emerged to describe a category of individuals who consume eggs but avoid other forms of animal meat. Eggitarians obtain their primary protein and nutrient source from eggs, all while abstaining from meat, poultry, and seafood. 

 

This dietary choice allows individuals to enjoy a range of dishes that incorporate eggs while maintaining a balance between animal protein intake and ethical considerations. 

 

Some eggitarians may choose this diet due to personal taste preferences, religious beliefs, or environmental concerns associated with large-scale livestock farming.

 

Vegetarianism involves the exclusion of meat, poultry, and seafood from one's diet. However, vegetarians still consume products derived from animals, such as dairy and eggs. 

 

This dietary choice encompasses various subcategories, including lacto-vegetarian (consuming dairy but avoiding eggs), ovo-vegetarian (consuming eggs but avoiding dairy), and lacto-ovo vegetarian (consuming both dairy and eggs). 

 

Many vegetarians adopt this lifestyle for a combination of reasons, including animal rights, environmental concerns, and health benefits. Numerous studies have suggested that well-planned vegetarian diets can provide all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals required for a healthy lifestyle, while also reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases.

 

Many vegetarians will avoid eggs during their religious festivals, such as Pongal and Diwali. 

Recently we were invited to a truly wonderful Gujarathi feast by a couple in Oulu, making one wonder with such and array of great vegetarian dishes all over India, why it is necessary at all to be non-vegetarian.

A super Gujarathi vegetarian meal served to us in Oulu.

Veganism is perhaps the strictest form of plant-based diet and lifestyle, excluding all animal-derived products. Vegans not only avoid meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs but also eliminate dairy, honey, and any other products that have an animal origin or involvement. 

The primary reasons people choose veganism are ethical concerns for animal rights, environmental conservation, and personal health. By abstaining from animal-derived products, vegans aim to improve animal welfare, reduce carbon footprints, and promote a cruelty-free lifestyle. While ensuring proper nutrition on a vegan diet may require more careful planning and supplementation, many vegans assert that their decision brings various health benefits, including lower cholesterol levels, reduced risk of heart disease, and better weight management.

 

Non-vegetarian, eggitarian, vegetarian, and vegan diets represent an array of dietary choices with unique characteristics and motivations. 

Each category reflects personal preferences, cultural backgrounds, ethical beliefs, and health considerations. Understanding and respecting these different dietary choices is crucial as it promotes inclusivity and allows for a more diverse and sustainable food culture. 

One persoanl note is that many faiths also have different forms of fasting. 

Christians fast during theperiod of Lent, between Ash Wednesday and easter, as a memory to te fact that CHrist fasted in the wildrenerss for 40 days when he was repeatedly tempted by Satan.

Christians do not actually fast during that period but give up some of their favourite food and the money saved is given to charity.

The Muslims fast during the period of Ramzan, forom morning to evening, somer not even swalloewing therir own saliva.

Other religions do fasting in relation to the religious festivals associated with them, ands most are also associated with some health issues.

Coming back to Annikki's religious sect, they are not only vegetarian, but also do not consume coffee, tea, alcohol or any harmful drugs.

There is a more radical form of Christianity which believes that God will take care oif everything and do not even go to doctors!

Ultimately, the decision to adopt any particular diet and life style is a deeply personal choice that influences not only individual health but also broader environmental and ethical concerns.

Looking Glass: A Glimpse into Annikki's Artful World - Part 3

IIn this part I am going to show you how Annikki used her artistic skill in creating gardens.

KodinnKuvalejti Cover - May 2005

This is the cover of a Finnish magazine which covered the design of the garden she created for her invalid mother who could enjoy it by just sitting at her kitchen window. 

But more about this later, as I will go sequentially through the gardens she created over the last 53 years.

I have over a 1000 photographs that display her talent. I will limit myself to key features about each garden that display her artistic talent.

In England, after we got married, we had a small garden in the front and back of the house. Annikki was busy looking after our two babies that she did not give time to looking after the garden. 

I would occasionally mow the lawn because that was required by the owners of the property. Gardening was not my hobby.

When we moved to a small house on the outskirts of Madras, in India, the property had just been constructed. The ground around the house was in a mess. 

There were a couple of shady trees including an amazing mango tree which yielded mangoes as sweet as alphonso, round as a Romani and each weighing a kilo!

Annikki got to work putting down green grass. She chose one called “blue grass” as it was one which did not need mowing and it was very spongy so the children could play on it without getting hurt. 

While all the others in Madras were sitting in the shade in the afternoon sun, Annikki was busy laying down the grass as she wanted to have the garden as she wanted it. With a few potted plants, the garden was soon a spate of colours

In the back garden she planted a couple of banana plants and grew a few vegetables, but she really had no interest in that. 

Her life was always about colour and beauty.

We did not live here for long and then moved to a villa with a large property. She did not work on the garden except for the immediate vicinity of the house, 

She did get the children tidy up the garden but soon decided it was not too wise as there plenty of snakes, especially cobras in the garden. Also, when little Joanna started carrying  stones around, Annikki found some of the stones had scorpions under them.

If Annikki saw a snake she would call the nearby snake park who would come and catch them to take them to the park as they extracted the venom to prepare the antidote.

In our Velacheri Road Villa.

This garden was large. We had a wood apple tree under which there was a leaky tap. The grass around the tap was green and fresh. The deer from the nearby Governor’s residence would come to our garden at night and we could watch them from our upstairs open balcony. We enjoyed the stag fights that took place regularly near the fresh grass.

When we moved to Bangalore we did not have a garden in any of the houses we lived in, so gardening was not on Annikki’s agenda.

When we moved to Finland, the garden at the  Oulu,  Kampitie house belonging to her parents consisted of plenty of gooseberry bushes in no specific fashion, divided between both gardens of the semi-detached house. 

Annikki’s father had an area where he cleaned his fish and smoked it. Also much of the area was for keeping the wood he collected from the rubbish dump to heat the house, There were a few garden chairs, a hammock and a chair swing, but it was not a very inviting garden and it was rarely used.

After Annikki’s father died in 2001, the onus of looking after her mother, the house and the garden fell on Annikki. 

She cleared out the overgrown bushes. As soon as this was done, the neighbour suggested that a dividing fence should be put up. Being a handyman, he did it quickly and I helped him paint it.

The fence between the two houses in Kampitie, Oulu

After this, Annikki found a couple of large boulders just under the kitchen window which was protruding from under the ground. She called a service which took them out. Annikki asked them to put it next to the house in a corner. She then excavated the ground near the house and by putting a plastic layer she created a beautiful pond. There she introduced fish.

She then terraced the land as it was on two levels and threw away a lot of rubbish that her father had collected. 

When that was done she found an old heavy cast iron bathtub had been left behind. She did not panic. She dug a hole in the ground. She then asked me to call my strong muscular friend from Zambia, Kamu, to move the bathtub.

While I was away, Annikki using her Finnish sisu, managed to move the bathtub near the hole and it dropped beautifully in place. It fitted exactly.

Around the bathtub she planned a sandy area with some wooden platforms to put some chairs.

She then took all the waste wood strips her father had collected and built a bridge. 

While she looked after her mother, she worked relentlessly, hammering away till 10 pm, and then working well into the night without a sound. 

At the bottom of the garden she set up a trestle fence and an old wooden door she put it in the middle. Taking a cue from me, she put a green fabric over the door so I could sing the old favourite song “Green Door”! I never revealed the “secret” behind the Green Door to my pestering children! :-) 

As per her specifications I built a shed over the bathtub. Some Thai friends, Unnop and Pailin, of ours made the end pieces making it a Thai flavour.

Annikki crafted everything so beautifully to suit all ages, and especially her mother who could sit at the kitchen table and overlook the whole garden the whole day.

It is impossible to describe the many tens of designs she included in the garden, so I will show you around the garden through pictures and  you can see how her artistic mind worked on every detail.

Front garden Kampitie, Oulu

Back garden Kampitie

Kampitie main pond

Thai pagoda in Kampitie 

Kampitie bridge

Kampitie greenhouse

Annikki releasing her goldfish in summer from her indoor aquarium.

New steps construction to

Kampitie to handle the wheelchair

Annikki submitted a letter to a leading Finnish magazine of how she had created a garden for her invalid mother out of recycled materials.

They did an article about Annikki and her garden which I give below.

Annikki’s garden was not just for summer. She spent the winter making use of snow as a medium of art. The garden a lot of fun for her grandchildren, she even made the first moving ssnowman.

Snowman in Kampitie

Sliding snowman 

Annikki enjoying her working with snow.

Our cat joins Annikki

to enjoy the snow.

Video of first Mobile Snowman from YouTube

Annikki’s humour is infinite like her art. 

After her mother died, there was a huge fight between all the siblings about the property.

Annikki left it to her lawyer but she knew that nothing would come of it.

Annikki’s caustic humour!

Before she finally left the fight, she prepared a huge snow cake in the front of the house with the six siblingsaround a huge snow Cake, knowing with the advent of spring there would be nothing left of the cake as it would have melted away only lining the pockets of the lawyers.

Annikki’s mother passed away in 2008 and by December we moved house to our daughter’s home nearby on Vesaisentie. There was just a bare garden. 

Bare Vesaisemtie garden

Other than a sandpit and a swing, there  was nothing in this garden.

Annikki got to work and created a beautiful haven for the whole family and these pictures show a few different aspects of her creations.

Driftwood in sand  

A cherry tree planted by Annikki.

Our evening tea place in Vesaisemtie

Annikki's coffee corner where she would rest between doing her work.

The Green Door became a silver door!

But this was short lived and we moved house to Sarkkatie with a large garden which was bare.

Annikki got to work and soon created yet another beautiful summer and winter garden.

Annikki relaxing with a pulla and coffee - a rare sight!

Annikki working in her Sarkkatie garden! Always relaxed!!

Snow volcano creation by Annikki.

Snow moon rising in Sarkkatie, a creation by Annikki.

Annikki doing the snow work in Sarkkatie.

Annikki created this snowman at the gate "to frighten" the snow plough driver who deleiberately piled the snow in front of our gate. A touch of Annikki's humour!

Annikki hanging up the bags and bottles to collect the birch sap.

 

Annikki's Newton moment when a drop of birch sap fell on her head while sitting in the garden when she broke a branch! Without damaging a tree she collected bottles of this healthy sap from the birch trees in the garden.

A bird decided to make its nest on one of our cycles, and it was carefully gaurded by Annikki!

Till the winter of 2019 Annikki was still doing the snow work, even as the first stages of dementia set in.

I have limited the photographs to only a few of the thousands I have taken over our 50 years but it is only a very small sample of the work of Annikki in this field of garden design,

Many consider that Annikki walks in my shadow because I am loud and outspoken. This is positively false. 

In the first three parts of this series I have shown  that I cannot even live in her shadow.

Finally our health problems caught up with us. We had to move to an apartment. Our gardening days are over. 

In the next part of this series I am going to show you yet another facet of Annikki’s art. 

I miss all the gardens that Annikki created. Luckily, I have photographed much of her handiwork, as shown above. It has been my pleasure to share this with you. 

Maybe there will be a chance that I can compile a comprehensive book about this subject as every picture has its OWN interesting story..