Head to Barbeque Nation, Kochi to try authentic mappila dishes

An elaborate non-vegetarian platter without unnecessary twists, complex cooking styles or artificial additives – this is how the foodies describe the delicious 'mappila' dishes served at Barbeque Nation which functions at the Imperial Towers at the north end of MG Road. Chicken – coconut milk soup, roasted chicken and emperor fish roasted in plantain leaf are some of the delectable delicacies served at the swanky eatery. The dishes prepared with fresh ingredients are incredibly light and it doesn't make the stomach feel heavy.

The tender chicken pieces are marinated in vinegar, black pepper, green chillies, and salt before cooking it in double amount of water. Loosened coconut milk is then added into the perfectly cooked chicken. The flame is turned off right before the broth bubbles up. Foodies, who have become fans of this delicious and nutritious soup, stress that it is much better that the soups served at Chinese eateries which are loaded with corn flour.

The Arabs have an undeniable influence on the unique mappila cuisine. The roasted chicken is one of their specialities. Small chicken pieces rubbed with special Arabic masala are marinated in lemon juice, ground green chillies, salt, and pepper. The chicken pieces are marinated for at least three hours, for the meat to suck in all the spicy goodness from the special marinade. These marinate chicken pieces are then cooked on a barbecue stove by controlling the heat to keep it tender and moist. Not a drop of oil is added into this special roasted chicken dish and this is what makes it appealing for those who are health conscious.

The emperor fish, which is fleshy, is wrapped in plantain leaf before roasting it in fresh coconut oil. Though tamarind water and Malabar tamarind water are added, the sourness doesn't overpower the flavours. The special masala prepared with onion paste as its base is loaded with flavours which makes the dish super delicious.

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