Gordon's Culinary Adventure in Southern India

Introduction

• Location: Kannur, India on the Arabian Sea
• Known for: High-quality spices and seafood
• Purpose: Explore local spices and cuisine

Journey Begins

• Arrival at Kannur: Describes the bumpy ride
• Initial destination: Local fish market

Meeting Shri Bala

• Introduction to Shri Bala:
  • Indian food dynasty background
  • Learned from the first-ever Indian cookbook
  • Champion of Southern Indian flavors
• Describes the local fish market
• Importance of fish markets:
  • Spices go out, seafood comes in
• Initial lesson on local spice culture: Bird's eye chili

Spice Hub Insights

• Kannur and Kerala: Leading spice exporters
• Spices: Pepper, cardamom, chilies
• Influence on local cuisine

Culinary Adventure with Harish

• Introduction: Harish as a local guide
• Activity: Drag net fishing
• Experience and challenges of drag net fishing
• Low fish catch: Secondary plan with pre-prepared fish curry

Local Insights and Coconut Lesson

• Local chef's way of using coconut to cool spicy dishes
• Grating coconut with feet technique

Cooking Fish Curry with the Local Chef

• Description of the fish curry prep
• Coconut’s role in balancing spicy curry

Cultural Insights on Spice Usage

• Local custom of eating spicy food to cool down via sweating

Drive to Coffee Plantation

• Journey to Coorg: Coffee, tea, and spices cultivation
• Introduction to the plantation's family

Cooking Pandi Curry

• Preparation of Pandi Curry with expert family cook
• Unique ingredient: Kachampuli
• Importance of bitter limes in cooling

Experiencing Local Culture

• Driving a rally car with Amrith

Final Cooking Challenge

• Task: Cook for a group of female artisan cooks
• Preparation of multiple dishes: Pandi curry, fish curry, rice pudding
• Assistance from Shri Bala
• Explanation of dishes to the women

Feedback and Evaluation

• Positive feedback on fish and dessert
• Critique on Pandi curry: Needs 10% more spice

Conclusion

• Reflection on the learning experience
• Appreciation of the local culinary traditions
• Future adventures