Abra-crab-dabra: The Ministry of Crab, Colombo

There is only one dish I’ll get down and dirty for and that is Crab. Bill on the other hand can’t understand all the fuss – but generously indulged me (once again). The Ministry of Crab – think of it as Crab Mecca. It is a strange joint. There’s a pub next door with a […]

Tasty Madurai Treats

When in Madurai there are some culinary delights one has to try; Halwa and jalebi from the Nagapattanam Halwa shop still drawing the crowds 119 years later – Granted it’s an ideal location on the doorstep of the Meenakshi temple. The jalebi is a sweet fried spiral, tasting a little like baklava – but without […]

Kochi #2

Kochi is so very beautiful, so full of amazing tableaux that it could not be contained in one blog. Thus…White ginger sifters, black Santa, Dhobi Wallahs, Ayurvedic massage recipients bearing uncanny resemblances to road accident victims, a Hebrew village, Bolsheviks, Catholics, Dutch Skulls and crossbones.

Dislocated Recipes for Success: Squid Pepper Fry

We had the Squid Pepper Fry in Udipi. It is a culinary poem to the often taken-for-granted-spice – black pepper. I’d suggest purchasing pre-tenderized squid since you’re unlikely to have some rocks nearby upon which to thrash it. Ingredients 250g Squid 1 tsp Ginger grated 3 Green chiles 1 Onion ( chopped) 3/4 tsp Black […]

Masque

Masque is the Secret Tables pick in Mumbai. It is outrageously expensive by any standard but makes one pale in India. The Times of India journalist, Rashmay Uday Singh sums it up perfectly: “We come away with our palates singing and our wallets stinging.” It is a great night, despite this, with inventive and delicious […]

What ? The Last Wat !

Darlings, we’ve Watted you up, we’ve Watted you down, we’ve Watted you all around the town. It’s been grand and it’s been great but the time has come when fate has kicked us in the fleshy rear and booted us from there….all the way over to here. “Here” is Kolkata which is a little like […]

Pad Thai-riffic

You look out for the long winding queue… (the restaurants next door have few diners and, inevitably, long faced restauranters who no doubt dream of slipping arsenic into the bubbling vats or releasing rats and cockroaches into the kitchen) but you can’t miss Thipsamai – and as you can see from the photo above very […]

Hippie Mug Shots

Are there chillies ? There are Chillies ! There ARE chillies ! THERE…..ARE……….CHILLIIIIES !!!!!!!!!!!

Dislocated Recipes for Success – Cha Ca La Vong – Simpson Wong

Cha Ca A surprising Asian pairing of turmeric-galangal-ginger marinated fish with lots and lots of dill. This is the traditional recipe of a classic Hanoian dish. We’ve had a marvelous updated version at Madame Hien’s and another at Pizzas 4Ps (in pizza form). Serves: 4 Timing: About 1 1/2 hours Ingredients 2 two-inch pieces […]

Dislocated Hippies Recipes for Success – Saigon Beef Phở

Phở bò Breakfast of champions, beef or chicken flavoured It took a while for my head to adjust to hot soup in a hot climate first thing in the morning – but it makes a lot of sense. The best joints open at 6am and are closed by 11am. The meat is fresh from the […]