For the last 10 days I have been at war – at war with the twice annual flu-bug! Not nice at all, especially in our heat. But in the end I emerged as the winner – thanks to my Doctor, some antibiotics and of course because of the loving tender care of my husband! 🙂
So here now is the conclusion, as previously promised, of our short ‘sojourn’ in Kovalam.
For our last evening at VIVANTA by TAJ KOVALAM the golf buggy took us right down to the shore of the Arabian Sea to the hotel’s new contemporary restaurant appropriately named “BAIT”, a very rustic looking place befitting its location.
Our table was set not inside the restaurant, but outside, close to the edge of the beach.
The smell of the sea, the crashing of the waves against the huge bollards along this strip of private beach, competing with the soft sound of music coming from the main restaurant, set us into the right mood to look forward to Chef Elangovan’s promised culinary surprise for that evening.
We could hardly wish for a more romantic setting – the tiny flickering lights of hundreds of fishing boats way out at sea, the clear stars above us high up in the sky, candles on our table and all over the garden.
But to top it all, we had a huge full moon shining down on us, sending its silvery light across the water.
It was then that we decided that we will come back here in a few month time – just for a little break again.
Chef, for this occasion, had prepared indeed a very special treat for us. Something, I must confess, I had not come across before on all my travels around the world.
Red Snapper on Mango Wood
Ingredients:
Red Snapper Fillet 300 g
Green chilly 10 g
Salt a pinch
Small onion 5 g
Curry leafs a few
Ginger & garlic paste 1 tsp
Turmeric powder ½ g
Tamarind or lime juice 1 no
Coconut oil 5 ml
Mango wood or
Tamarind wood slab 2 nos
Method:
Make paste out of chilly, ginger, garlic, turmeric and tamarind or lime juice.
Grate the small onions and mix with marinate paste and coconut oil.
Apply the marinate all over the fish, rest for a couple of minutes.
Grill the fish in hot pan on both sides
Place the fish on mango wood slab and bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
Before serving garnish with sprig of curry leafs.
Accompaniment with roast baby potatoes and char grilled vegetable.
This is a truly delicious fish dish, light and delicate in flavour. I will have to go out hunting for Mango tree slabs from a ‘friendly’ timber merchant since I have a feeling that this preparation will be arriving on our table a few times soon.
PS. Since I have been talking about ‘Mangos” here I cannot get a well known song out of my head; a song which I learned whilst living for 3 years out on the wonderful island of Trinidad/W.I. and was made popular in the James Bond Film “Dr. NO”. “……..Underneath the Mango tree me Honey, And me can watch for the moon …..”
Carina
(Photos: CS and JS/Manningtreearchive.com)
Anyone 4 Curry & Other Things 
Oh man, that sounds good. My husband might even eat it . . . if I could convince him to let me make it. He’s the cook at our house . . .
lol Jenny, just dont tell him, send him out to a friend for 1 hour, make this dish (its really easy and quick), candles on table and everywhere for that matter……. etc.this should work. Good luck!
I like that idea! I’ll try it–but after I have finished my term at seminary. Too much on my mind right now. Maybe it can be our celebratory dinner for my having completed my papers. 🙂
Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell Carina, hope you’re back to full health soon x
It looks truly delicious! Sara
That meal must have restored you somewhat. Delicious.
Best,
Conor
Sorry to hear you’ve been so unwell!
Glad to hear you’re better now. The red snapper recipe sounds yum ! In some parts of Kerala, they grind tender tamarind leaves along with the masala marinade. Havent tried it myself – but I hear its good . Stay well !!
Welcome back!!! Try it – it really is delicious. Thanks for the tip!!
Have the flu when its hot outside is really unpleasant, so glad to hear you’re feeling better.
Thank you for your good wishes and yes, I do at last feel better. But so many other people went down with this flu bug.
What a beautiful way to end your vacation, the meal sounds just delicious
Thanks ‘pommepal’ – it was only a tiny tiny break but soooo lovely!!!
Gorgeous pix. (And now that mango song will be bouncing all around my head all day)
Hope you feel better!
Thank you for your good wishes Karen and compliment re my photos. The song?…..oh gosh, you started me off again!!!! 🙂 Listen to THE James Bond Sean Connery. Did you ever hear Harry Belafonte sing this?
This looks yummy!! And interesting!
I’m fighting the flu too Carina! How are you feeling now? 😀
This looks so yummy and flavorful!
Glad to hear you’re on the mend, Carina. Being sick is no fun.
:), no it is not!!! But living in a tropical country you learn to put up with it (the flu I mean). Anyhow, thank you for your good wishes.
Sorry to learn you were down, hope you are now fully recovered. This red snapper dish sounds absolutely out of the world. Did not know about cooking with mango wood and tamarind wood, learn something new, thanks.
Hi Carina, this is wonderful , may you have many more such articles regards Mathew
thank you Mathew – we had such a wonderful time indeed.
Hope you feel better soon. I wanted to go to Kovalam when I went to India but ran out of tine. now you’ve given me a good reason to cone back.
Nothing beats snapper even as simple as olive oil, paprika and touch of pepper. As far as surfing goes, Miami, Florida is great for surfing – if you like 3 foot waves.
Seriously tasty!
I know about feeling wretched! I’ve been battling a Summer cold for the last 10days. Beautiful shots to sooth the cough! 🙂
what beautiful pictures,Carina
Dallas, thank you. You know the funny thing is, our friends from this Hotel arrived last night out of the blue for a very short visit (sadly) and we talked about our visit and that particular dinner by the water and Jo fried fish for them – everybody was happy!!:) 🙂