 |
| POTHI CHORU |
'POTHI CHORU' – PACKAGED LUNCH
Authentic Kerala dishes wrapped in Banana Leaf
A tradition which I couldn't personally experience during my childhood days, but it surely carries my thoughts with the anecdotes of my husband's nostalgic journey into his childhood days, where his Grandmother(Clemmie Thathi) packs these authentic Kerala dishes wrapped in a Banana Leaf on their way back home after a holiday. Though I was unlucky to experience the Pothi Choru Culture during my childhood days, I just remember a day when me & my Aunt(Rathna Chechi)shared Dosa and Thenga Chammanthi wrapped in a Banana Leaf. The memory is so fresh, that I still remember the combined aroma of Dosa, Chutney and Banana Leaf wafting around.
Most of us will have loads of memories related to packaged lunch, maybe while travelling, or during a picnic or the customary lunch box food packed for School/Office etc., Though piping hot food right on your plate is more satisfying for many of us, these packaged lunches are no less compared to taste & when it comes to food packed in Banana Leaves, it is an experience to indulge in.
Most of us will have loads of memories related to packaged lunch, maybe while travelling, or during a picnic or the customary lunch box food packed for School/Office etc., Though piping hot food right on your plate is more satisfying for many of us, these packaged lunches are no less compared to taste & when it comes to food packed in Banana Leaves, it is an experience to indulge in.
'Pothi Choru' which literally means 'Packed Rice', is a set of authentic Kerala dishes combined and wrapped in Banana Leaves. Banana Leaves are slightly burnt(until they slightly wilt) to make it compatible for packing, and then they are literally wrapped in a newspaper. A commonly available packaging item then. This is how our grandmother does – pack them in a Newspaper, so I have stuck on to the idea of packing the dishes in a Newspaper rather than using packing papers. Though this was how a Lunch was packed in olden days, a plethora of meals wrapped in a Banana Leaf, the idea has become a Nostalgia to a lot of us rather than that it was a simple tradition of its own.
 |
| POTHI CHORU |
The number & type of dishes served in this Pothi Choru varies every time. You can get easy with the variety and number of dishes to be packed for a Pothi Choru. Cook and serve to suit your convenience. All which matters is, what you prefer to eat in a Pothi Choru.
I have tried to serve most of the dishes traditionally prepared in the best possible way.
The speciality of this Pothi Choru/ Kerala Style Packed Lunch is -
- mainly the Rice – it is a Kerala Matta Rice, a Rose coloured fibre rich rice grown in Kerala and has a mild nutty flavour,
- all dishes are cooked in COCONUT OIL to make it more authentic.
- Then the flavour and the aroma of the burnt Banana Leaves gives the dish a wonderful flavour serving along its hidden medicinal properties.
All the above method of preparation gives you a total feel of a typical 'Nadan Bakshanam' from 'God's Own Country' in the most traditional way.
For more recipes from GODS OWN COUNTRY - KERALA click here...
Cuisine - Kerala
Menu - Lunch Menu
Difficulty - Medium
Author - SM
Preparation Time - 45 Minutes - 1 Hour.
Cooking Time - 2 Hours -21/2 Hours
For more recipes from GODS OWN COUNTRY - KERALA click here...
Cuisine - Kerala
Menu - Lunch Menu
Difficulty - Medium
Author - SM
Preparation Time - 45 Minutes - 1 Hour.
Cooking Time - 2 Hours -21/2 Hours
This Pothi Choru Menu consists of :
RICE – KERALA ROSE MATTA RICE
 |
| KERALA MATTA RICE |
Kerala Matta Rice - This is an indigenous rice variety grown in Kerala(South India), which is rich in fibre and has a low Glycaemic Index. The nutty aroma from this rice imparts a taste unique to itself. This Kerala Matta Rice is a must-have in a Kerala household and an unavoidable item in a Kerala Sadhya(Banquet).
*Can serve Parboiled Rice/Raw Rice/Basmati Rice. Get easy with the available variety of rice for your Pothi Choru. For HOW TO COOK DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF RICE, click here ...
PICKLE – KADU MANGA ACHAR
 |
| KADU MANGA ACHAR |
Kerala Kadu Manga Achar - This is an authentic Kerala Style Mango Pickle called Kadu Manga Achar, prepared with Raw Mangoes, Garlic, Chillies, Ginger & Curry Leaves.
*Can serve your choice of Pickle in this Pothi Choru. For more PICKLE RECIPES, Click here...
CONDIMENT/CHUTNEY – CHUTTARACHA THENGA CHAMMANTHI
 |
| CHUTTARACHA THENGA CHAMMANTHI |
Chuttaracha Thenga Chammanthi - a thick chutney colloquially called Chammanthi, prepared with roasted Coconuts, Shallots, Dry Red Chillies, Curry Leaves and seasoned with Tamarind & Salt.
*Can serve Pacha Manga Chammanthi/Chemmeen Podi /Inji Curry/Mulagu Chalichathu or your choice of Condiment/Nadan Chammanthi in your Pothi Choru. For more CONDIMENTS / CHUTNEYS, Click here...
THORAN – CABBAGE THORAN
 |
| CABBAGE THORAN |
Cabbage Thoran- a simple Kerala style Stir-fry prepared with Cabbage and mild seasoning. I have served Cabbage Thoran in this Pothi Choru Menu.
*Can serve your choice of Thoran/Poriyal/Mezhukkupuratti in Pothi Choru. For more THORAN /PORIYAL /MEZHUKKUPURATTI Recipes, Click here...
PRAWN ROAST - KERALA KALLU SHAPPU STYLE
 |
| PRAWN ROAST - KERALA KALLU SHAPPU STYLE |
Prawn Roast – A spicy prawn Roast Recipe prepared in a typical Kallu Shappu Style. This is a version with lots of Onions, Spices and Coconut Oil.
*Can serve Prawn Masala, Chemeen Varattiyathu etc., For more Recipes with PRAWNS/SHRIMPS, Click here...
FISH CURRY WITH RAW MANGOES
 |
| FISH CURRY WITH RAW MANGOES |
Fish Curry with Raw Mangoes - I have prepared an authentic Kerala Fish Curry with Coconut milk and Raw Mangoes for the menu.
Can serve Meen Thilappichathu /Meen Vattichathu / Meen Mulakittathu / Chemmeen Manga Curry or any Fish/Prawn Curry of your choice. For more FISH CURRY RECIPES, Click here...
FISH FRY
 |
| FISH FRY |
Fish Fry - A simple Kerala Style Fish Fry where marinated Fish is shallow fried in Coconut Oil.
For more FISH FRY RECIPES, Click here...
Omelette – A simple recipe prepared with Eggs whisked along with Onions, Green Chillies and seasoned with Salt & Pepper. The Omelette is shallow fried in Coconut Oil for the menu.
OMELETTE
 |
| OMELETTE |
Omelette – A simple recipe prepared with Eggs whisked along with Onions, Green Chillies and seasoned with Salt & Pepper. The Omelette is shallow fried in Coconut Oil for the menu.
HOW TO PACK A POTHI CHORU
 |
| POTHI CHORU |
Once the dishes are ready,
- Wash the Banana Leaves, slightly slice off the Centre Rib of the Banana Leaf from beneath.
- Carefully burn the Banana Leaves on Direct Flame.
- Keep the Banana Leaf over the flame, the idea is to just wilt off the Leaf and not burn it up.
- This way the Leaf becomes easy to handle and doesn't break while packaging the lunch.
- Spread a Newspaper or Packing Paper beneath.
- Place the burnt Banana Leaf over it.
- Serve scoopful of Kerala Matta Rice at the centre of the Leaf.
- Pour Fish Curry with a Piece of Fish and Mango over the Rice, just enough amount you prefer to mix along with the rice.
- Place a piece of Fish Fry over one corner of the Rice.
- Serve few Spoons of Prawn Roast.
- Follow the suit with a spoonful of Chuttaracha Thenga Chammanthi, a smidgen of Kadu Manga Achar and few tablespoons of Cabbage Thoran.
- Place the Omelette alongside.
- Once all the dishes are served close around the Rice, carefully fold the burnt Banana Leaves.
- Fold the Banana Leaves from all the four sides and tightly tuck it in.
- This will look like a packet on its own.
- Now, Cover the Newspaper/Packing Paper over the Pothi Choru Packet.
- Tightly secure it with a Kitchen Twine/Vazha Naaru(thread from Banana Tree).
- Pothi Choru is ready to be served - An eco-friendly Packaged Lunch.
Once you open the Pothi Choru, maybe after a few hours of Packaging, trust me the aroma of the dishes along with the burnt Banana Leaf is an experience to indulge in. A combined aroma of fresh homemade 'Nadan Bakshanam' prepared in Coconut Oil immediately appeases your senses increasing your appetite. The essence, flavours and tastes of all the dishes combined and imparted into the Rice, makes this Pothi Choru a taste attempt to be tried at least once in your lifetime! Even if you are not packing for a purpose(travelling, office/school), just prepare it likewise for a lunch at home and serve it as a Pothi Choru. (That's how I usually do at home). I prepare the Pothi Choru for lunch at home. I pack it up at least 2-3 hours before lunchtime so that the taste, flavour & essence get imparted into the Rice, that way we can cherish the real flavour and get the literal feel of a packaged Lunch - POTHI CHORU!
Enjoy the Pothi Choru and get indulged in your sweet food memories!!!
0 comments