FOOD -- 6::

‘RAMASSERI IDLI’ MAKES BREAKFAST SPECIAL AT COIMBATORE VIVANTA

BY P S SUNDAR

Among the factors motivating one to enjoy breakfast at Vivanta Surya Coimbatore by Taj is its delicious dish ‘Ramasseri Idli’.

Ramasseri, a village near Elappally in Palakkad of Kerala, not far away from Coimbatore, is famous for its large-size unique-tasting Idli prepared in an exclusive home-style.

“Ramasseri Idli is favourite with guests for its ‘earthy aroma’ acquired from the unglazed clay pots used for steam-cooking.    What makes it doubly special at Vivanta Coimbatore is that this is prepared live at our ‘Latitude’ restaurant by a female cook hailing from the family in the region preparing these Idlis for generations.  To add authenticity, I sourced this cook, Selvarani, to bring this family recipe to our five-star hotel kitchen”, Executive Chef H N Vijayan told me.

“We belong to Chithra Mudaliar family, a Tamil origin in Kerala belt, specialising in ‘Ramasseri Idli’ for traditions.   My husband and I happily moved over to Coimbatore Taj Vivanta more than three years ago to add our contribution to home-style cooking here.   Ever since then, our live counter of ‘Ramasseri Idli’ is highly popular with our guests who even seek the family-style recipe for the same”, Chef Selvarani said.

She specialises in steam cooking ‘Ramasseri Idli’ in two pots of five rings each.  “The slightly salty idli makes delicious dish in mouth when eaten with ‘Molaga Podi’ mixed in coconut oil.  Sambar and chutneys also go well with it”, she details.

  

“We introduced ‘Ramasseri Idli’ to bring unaltered authentic regional dish steam-cooked in home-style.  This is a unique presentation in this region.   Besides, we help to uphold the less-known family-based tradition.  The family now enjoys five-star hotel acknowledgement even as our guests enjoy a traditional dish”, Vivanta General Manager B C Kumar noted.

“We are currently helping interested cooks from Taj’s other properties to learn the nuances of making ‘Ramasseri Idli’ by imparting training through Selvarani”, added Vijayan who has standardised South Indian dishes in most Taj Vivanta hotels in India and Sri Lanka.




(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com).