Mahindra Homestays » ABOUT US

Spices in Indian food

Mahindra Homestays — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 20:00:52 +0000

Spices in an Indian kitchen may very well be referred to as the heart of Indian cuisine. Each spice has its own distinct taste and flavour. However, when combined in the preparation of a dish they come together to create a unique flavour.

We take a look at the use of spices in Indian food.

Most Popular spices

Turmeric is usually used in powder form and adds a strong yellow colour to the food. Although it is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, it is still recommended to use sparingly, as even a little of it goes a long way!

Cumin Seeds are used in both forms; whole as well as powder. It has a distinct aroma and is used quite extensively.

Black pepper is the fruit of the black pepper plant and is used whole as well as split. Rich in a number of vitamins, it is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Pepper is indigenous to India.

Mustard and Coriander Seeds are both used to garnish dishes and are extremely popular in an Indian kitchen.

Red Chilli is a very important spice and is mainly used in the dry form. When grounded into a fine powder and sautéed in oil, it adds a fiery element to a dish. The degree of hotness depends on which part of India the spice originates. The Kashmiri red chilli is the most popular one that used in Indian cuisine followed by the Andhra red chillies.

Cardamom is a sweet spice having a very distinct aroma and is used in many North Indian as well as South Indian desserts.

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices. It is produced in very few regions of the world, Kashmir in India being one of them. Not only is saffron aromatic and delicious but it also adds a beautiful rich colour to the food.

Nutmeg and Mace are mainly used in desserts. Keeping in mind how strong and potent they are, it is strongly recommended to use them both sparingly!

Cloves are dried up flower buds and are a strong and heady spice. It is mainly used in North Indian dishes such as biryani and curry. They are barely used in South Indian delicacies.

Cinnamon is actually the dried bark of a tree. It is added to oil as its getting heated, in this manner the oil gets flavoured and the food gets cooked in this fragrant oil.

Staying on a spice plantation

Many spice plantations open their doors to guests, giving you the opportunity to explore a working plantation and see and taste the fresh spices. Find out more about plantation tours.

Here are some great choices for enjoying the lush green surrounds of an Indian spice plantation.

Pepper County in Thekkady is a modern and immaculate house with a sense of rural seclusion. The house looks out onto spectacular views across hills and plantations, consisting mainly of pepper and cardamom with many other spices and fruits, such as chillies, cashews, cinnamon and jackfruit. The hosts gladly show the guests around and inform them about the various kinds of plantations.
Ambady Estate in Munnar is of about 75 acres in size and is right behind the smoking house that is still used to dry the cardamom from the plantations. Activities here include learning the traditional Kerala style of cooking.
Glenora Homestays in Wayanad is located amidst a massive 90 acre plantation of coffee and betel nut with a whole variety of spices and fruit trees growing on the property. The hosts have been taking care of the plantations for over 40 years now and will take you on a plantation walk to show you and let you taste numerous fresh spices.

Guess the city September Twitter competition

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 06:23:00 +0000

We have another great Twitter contest for you. All you need to do to enter is guess the Indian city based on it’s famous landmarks pictured below!

The competition will run until the 28th September and after that we will pick a winner at random from all the correct entries. The winner can choose to have either a $30 USD or £20 GBP Amazon.com voucher.

Need a clue? The city pictured is a major city in South India in one of it’s prettiest states. Its known for its famous Chinese fishing nets and old Portuguese churches and mansions.

HOW TO ENTER

Follow @indianhomestays (if you aren’t a follower already, you need to follow us so we can direct message you if you are the winner!).
Tweet “My destination guess is for the @indianhomestays Where in India competition http://ow.ly/dxd1T #win”

Please note that this contest is a Twitter only contest.

My destination guess is for the @indianhomestays Where in India competition ow.ly/dxd1T #win

— Mahindra Homestays (@indianhomestays) September 10, 2012

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Entrants must follow @indianhomestays on Twitter.
The winner will be drawn at random from all correct entries received before the closing date.
The winner will be notified via a direct message on Twitter. If we are unable to contact the first person drawn in this way we will select an alternative winner.
The prize is a choice of either a $30 USD voucher or Amazon.com or £20 GBP on Amazon.co.uk depending on your country of residence. No alternatives or prize substitutes can be made.
The contest closes on Friday 28th September and the winner will be notified within 14 days before being announced on The Indian Travel blog, Twitter and Facebook.
The contest is open to participants worldwide subject to the laws and regulations of their country allowing them to enter a competition of this format.
Entrants can tweet up to five entries to be counted for the contest, but no more than one a day.

FOLLOW US AND ENTER NOW

Nine lovely new homestays

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 02:18:45 +0000

We have nine lovely new homestays in locations all across India. We’ve added some exciting new destinations such as Masinagudi, Mount Abu and Kolkata as well as adding new homestays in old favourites such as Agra, Ooty and Coonoor.

With prices starting at Rs. 2300 it’s the perfect excuse to plan your next trip!

Sanjeeva Duplex Home in Kolkata

A modern home in Kolkata’s new town is a pleasant respite from the busy streets of Kolkata. The home-stay gives you plenty of privacy and a great view of the manicured lawns and pool below. There are 2 bedrooms available for guests, well furnished with modern ensuite bathroom facilities.
Find out more about and see photos of Sanjeeva Duplex Home

Sai Home in Agra

Sai Ashram homestay offers guests large rooms which open into a sunny eating area. The rooms are beautifully furnished with AC, a plasma TV and plenty of storage. All rooms have modern tiled en-suite bathrooms. This homestay offers a fantastic base from which to explore the many sights of the city; the famous Taj Mahal is just 1.5 kms away. Your hosts can provide a wealth of information, provide travel assistance and cooking lessons and yoga sessions can be organised on request.
Find out more about and see photos of Sai Home

Coconut Creek in Kumarakom

Located just a short walk from the backwaters, life passes by at an easy pace in the village of Kumarakom. Sitting on the edge of the water gives Coconut Creek a peaceful view and three well equipped rooms will ensure you have a relaxing stay. The air conditioned modern rooms are well equipped and with the hosts main residence a short distance away this property offers a perfect blend of privacy and hospitality.
Find out more about and see photos of Coconut Creek

Cassiopeiea in Kotagiri

Located in Tamil Nadu, Kotagiri is one of the oldest hill stations of the region. Sitting on the edge of the Pristine Valley, Cassiopeia is a small guest house with modern furnishings and stylish touches. You’ll be drawn out onto the balcony offering spectacular views of the tea estates below. Find yourself a spot to spend hours watching the bisons feed in the valley below or just catch up on a good book.
Find out more about and see photos of Cassiopeiea

Ratan Villas in Mount Abu

This homestay in Rajasthan is situated in a sprawling landscape with many seating areas, walking paths, climbing adventures and an endless variety of possibilities for your holiday. Ratan Vilas has 15 well equipped rooms and cottages along with seven seasonal tents. The cottages are perfect for families as they have adjoining rooms with twin beds. The guest rooms which all come with AC are large and sunny, the perfect base for exploring the popular attractions of Mount Abu.
Find out more about and see photos of Ratan Villas

Akhey Vilas in Mount Abu

This homestay which has been handed down through generations of the family has five extremely spacious guest rooms with large en suite bathrooms and separate seating areas. There are plenty of close-by attractions including Dilwara temple and Nakki Lake, both just 3km from the homestay.
Find out more about and see photos of Akhey Vilas

Northern Hay in Masinagudi

Sitting at the edge of the Mudumalai forest in Tamil Nadu it is easy to get your wildlife fix in this beautiful cottage built over a century ago. It is possible to spot a panther, elephant, nimble-hoofed gaur and shy deer along with many other residents of the jungle during your stay. Only a few hours from Bangalore the homestay offers a mix of rooms and cottages, aesthetically done up, blend in well with the serene surroundings.
Find out more about and see photos of Northern Hay

Lymond House in Ooty

Tucked away off the main road, this homestay is the perfect place for a luxury holiday in Ooty. Two suites and three luxury double bedrooms have an enchanting feel with antique furniture and fire places while a small garden offers a relaxing place to sit outside. With delicious food being served in the restaurant at the property you won’t even need to leave the homestay for a truly indulgent break.
Find out more about and see photos of Lymond House

180 Mc Iver Villa in Coonoor

High ceilings, fire places, wooden floors and stunning 180 degree views greet you as you enter this luxury, century old villa in Coonoor. The beautiful, well furnished rooms are matched with splendid modern en-suite bathrooms. Mc Iver is also known for its large spread of organic food in the restaurant run by Chef Pierre Mazou. The restaurant is called La Belle Vie and sources a lot of its fresh produce from local organically inclined farms.
Find out more about and see photos of 180 Mc Iver Villa

Win a holiday in Thekkady in Kerala

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:17:32 +0000

Set in sweeping plantation valleys, backed by mountains of dense forests Thekkady in Kerala is a wildlife lovers dream destination.

There are plenty of things to do and see in Thekkady. Ride elephants and take a boat trip through Periyar Wildlife Santuary, home to tigers, elephants, wild boards and hundreds of varieties of birds. A cruise on the lake is a great way to see this unique sanctuary.

In this week’s Homestay Holiday Auction contest we are offering you another chance to win two nights at Kalarickal Heritage Bungalow (pictured below). The sweet smell of cardamom drifts along with the breeze as you enter the pristine white heritage estate of the homestay. This beautiful plantation homestay offers comfortable rooms with modern ensuite facilities.

The holiday includes two nights in a classic room for two adults and a child under the age of eight.

How to take part

To take part all you need to do is bid for the holiday. The winner will be the person bidding the LOWEST unique price!

So, if you are the only person to bid 1Rs, then that is the price you will pay for your holiday!

To enter submit your bid details on our Facebook page. Remember we are looking for the lowest UNIQUE bid. This means that if anybody else bids the same amount as you, you won’t be able to win. Please make sure you bid only in whole numbers, decimal entries will be discounted. There is a limit of three entries per person, anybody making more than three entries will be disqualified.

We’ve had winners walk away with a great holiday for as little as 2Rs so give it a go and you could be the next lucky person heading off on holiday soon! Please note this contest is open to residents of India only.

ENTER NOW

Homestays at half the price; booking dates extended

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:10:32 +0000

Explore India and experience homestay hospitality with a huge 50% saving in some of our most popular locations.

As a festive treat we’ve extended the booking period for our 50% homestay offer. You can now claim your discount for bookings made on any date for stays up to 31st October 2012. We have some fantastic homestays included in the offer so treat yourself to a weekend break, or with such a big discount on offer why not pack your bags for a longer break to discover more of India.

How about the gorgeous Dazzle Dew homestay (pictured above) in Alleppey? This homestay is on offer from just Rs. 750. Alleppey is the gateway to Kerala’s famous backwaters, so take a boat ride along narrow canals to see village life on the water or take a houseboat ride on a traditional rice boat.

Or how about a trip to Jaipur, the beautiful pink city springing from the desert state of Rajasthan. Xxplore the hilltop forts, regal palaces and colourful bazaars. Treat yourself to a stay at the lovely Madhu Pushp Bhawan (pictured above), an enormous house of traditional Rajasthani architecture on offer for just Rs. 2150. Alternatively there are several homestays in Jaipur included in the offer, Blue Skies homestay is on offer from just Rs. 780.

Why not explore some of India’s hillstations, from the white-tip mountain scenery of Nainital or Shimla in north India to the lush green plantations the south like Munnar and Ooty. If you fancy some beach time then old favourite Goa’s palm fringed coastline might take your fancy or head to Mahe, a piece of Pondicherry on the West Coast or the golden sands around Trivandrum in Kerala.

Check out the 50% discount offer and see the full range of locations and homestays included. Don’t delay booking though as availability is limited!

Win a holiday to Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 22:27:05 +0000

We have another great holiday to give away in our latest Homestay Holiday Auction contest where the lowest unique bid wins the trip!

Each week we offer a two night, three day break at one of our special homestay properties. To take part all you need to do is bid for the holiday, and the winner will be the person bidding the LOWEST unique price!

So, if you are the only person to bid 1Rs, then that is the price you will pay for your holiday! Previous winners have won with bids as low as 2Rs!

THIS WEEK’S PRIZE
Take a holiday in Shimla, a popular hill station in Himachal Pradesh.

Strung along a 12km ridge, overlooked by snow-covered Himalayan peaks, Shimla is stunning. Ancient temples and churches are surrounded by a pine-forest backdrop and the central part of town offers an array of coffee shops and restaurants from which you can sit and admire the beautiful surrounds.

This week’s auction is for a break at the lovely Vatsalyam Homestay. The has received rave reviews from guests, scoring an impressive 9.6 / 10. Guests are treated and welcomed like family members. The homestay is located close to the city (the central Mall area is minutes away) while being set in the peaceful outskirts where bird watching and walking amongst the fruit trees offer relaxing options for passing the time.

The holiday includes two nights in a classic room for two adults and a child under the age of eight.

HOW TO TAKE PART
To take part enter your bid details on our Facebook page. Remember we are looking for the lowest UNIQUE bid. This means that if anybody else bids the same amount as you, you won’t be able to win. Please make sure you bid only in whole numbers, decimal entries will be discounted. There is a limit of three entries per person, anybody making more than three entries will be disqualified. Please note this contest is open to residents of India only.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO MAKE YOUR BID NOW

WINNER OF A TRIP TO ALLEPPEY

Congratulations to Saha Goutam who won our Homestay Holiday Auction to Alleppey with a bid of Rs. 14. Saha loves travelling and found the contest while browsing the internet for travel inspiration. Enjoy your trip to Alleppey!

Win a holiday to Trivandrum, Kerala

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:16:15 +0000

WIN A GREAT HOLIDAY!

We have another great holiday to give away our latest Homestay Holiday Auction contest where the lowest unique bid wins the trip!

So, if you are the only person to bid 1Rs, then that is the price you will pay for your holiday! Previous winners have won with bids as low as 2Rs!

THIS WEEK’S PRIZE

Take a holiday in Trivandrum, the gateway to some of Kerala’s most famous beaches.

Relax on the golden sands of Kovalam and Varkala, explore ancient temples and grand palaces and indulge in some of the finest seafood cuisine you’ll find in India.

This week’s auction is for a break at the lovely Lakshmi Homestay. The homestay is a blend of modern amenities combined with he essence of traditional Kerala architecture. Famous for it’s delicious Keralan breakfasts and artistic ambiance, this homestay is the perfect retreat for a relaxing break.

The holiday includes two nights in a classic room for two adults and a child under the age of eight.

HOW TO TAKE PART

To take part enter your bid details on our Facebook page. Remember we are looking for the lowest UNIQUE bid. This means that if anybody else bids the same amount as you, you won’t be able to win. Please make sure you bid only in whole numbers, decimal entries will be discounted. There is a limit of three entries per person, anybody making more than three entries will be disqualified. Please note this contest is open to residents of India only.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO MAKE YOUR BID NOW

Valley of Flowers and Hemkunt Sahib Trek, Uttarakhand

Mahindra Homestays — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 22:07:18 +0000

Guest blogger Mridula Dwivedi shares her photos and experiences of a trip to the Valley of Flowers and Hemkunt Sahib Trek, Uttarakhand in Uttarakhand with us.

If you would ask me what my favourite type of holiday is, I would have no hesitation in saying trekking every time. Recently I trekked through Valley of Flowers (3658 meters, 12001 feet) and Hemkunt Sahib (4329 meters, 14202 feet) in the state of Uttarakhand, India.

The Chamoli region is not so easy to reach. I landed up at Haridwar when the Kanwaria Festival was in full flow and for a while I thought I would get stuck at Haridwar! But I managed to get out and reach Rishikesh the same day. From there I took a bus to Joshimath at 4.00 am next day and reached Joshimath at 2.00 pm completely tired. A friend calls this bit ‘bone crunching’ and I completely agree with him.

I took a day’s rest at Joshimath. My guide Sohan Singh Bisht met me at Joshimath and recommended a 7.00 am start for Govindghat by a jeep. The trek starts from Govindghat. Our first stop was Ghangaria (3049 meters, 10003 feet) and it is 13km on foot. Horses are available for hire too. There is a helicopter ride also available in good weather from Govindghat to Ghangaria. None of these options interested me.

The way to Ghangaria is moderately uphill and there are a few flat stretches as well. On the way there are small tea shops that sell light snacks too. We stopped twice to have tea and had lunch on the way. The trail goes along the River Lakshman Ganga and it is a beautiful route. Instead of traffic you can hear the river roar and the tinkling bells of the horses.

A lot of pilgrims walk on this path as the base for the Valley of Flowers and Hemkunt Sahib is the same – Ghangaria. It took me 7 tiring hours to cover the 13 kilometers. I was so happy to reach to my hotel at Ghangaria and attack food! After an early dinner I called it a day as we were headed up to the Valley of Flowers the next day.

Day 2 of the trek started with a breakfast of bread omelet. We were also carrying a packed lunch with us as there is nothing available inside the valley. Valley of Flowers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entry fee for Indian nationals is 150 Indian rupees and all kind of cameras are free except professional video cameras.

River Pushpawati flows through the park and from the entrance gate the valley is 3km away. This path itself is dotted with flowers. The valley then is huge and one day was not enough for me to explore it all. Even in July it was full of flowers. We sat next to the river at the far end to eat our packed lunch. We walked a long way inside the valley and then we had to walk all of that back!

Later once again I went for an early dinner so that I could be fresh for my Hemkunt Sahib walk.

The route to Hemkunt Sahib is well maintained and the NGO Economic Development Committee, Bhuyander plays a large role in keeping both the Valley of Flowers and Hemkunt Sahib clean. The route is 6km all uphill. It was a long trudge for me that I could complete only with the help of tea and chocolates.

When we reached there, the lake was covered in mist that lifted partially for a while and then completely vanished from the view. There is a small temple devoted to Lord Lakshman and we visited both the Gurudwara and the Temple. We had khichdi and tea from the langar and then it was time to head back first to Ghangaria and next day to Govindghat and Joshimath and eventually to my more routine life!

About the Guest Blogger: Mridula Dwivedi is an academic from India who is passionate about trekking and travelling, and these days dreaming about going to Antarctica. She blogs at Travel Tales from India.

If you would like to write a guest post for the India Travel blog sharing your travel experiences and photos please get in touch.

Guess the Indian city competition

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 21:48:39 +0000

We have another great Twitter contest for you. All you need to do to enter is guess the Indian city based on it’s famous landmarks pictured below!

The competition will run until the 24th August and after that we will pick a winner at random from all the correct entries. The winner can choose to have either a $30 USD or £20 GBP Amazon.com voucher.

HOW TO ENTER

Follow @indianhomestays (if you aren’t a follower already, you need to follow us so we can direct message you if you are the winner!).
Tweet “My destination guess is for the @indianhomestays Where in India competition http://ow.ly/cI2nk #win”

Please note that this contest is a Twitter only contest.

My destination guess is for the @indianhomestays Where in India competition ow.ly/cI2nk #win

— Mahindra Homestays (@indianhomestays) August 3, 2012

You might also want to enter our other contests:
Win a holiday with our Homestay Holiday Auction contest (open to residents of India only)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Entrants must follow @indianhomestays on Twitter.
The winner will be drawn at random from all correct entries received before the closing date.
The winner will be notified via a direct message on Twitter. If we are unable to contact the first person drawn in this way we will select an alternative winner.
The prize is a choice of either a $30 USD voucher or Amazon.com or £20 GBP on Amazon.co.uk depending on your country of residence. No alternatives or prize substitutes can be made.
The contest closes on Friday 24th August and the winner will be notified within 14 days before being announced on The Indian Travel blog.
The contest is open to participants worldwide subject to the laws and regulations of their country allowing them to enter a competition of this format.
Entrants can tweet up to five entries to be counted for the contest, but no more than one a day.

FOLLOW US AND ENTER NOW

Win a holiday to Alleppey, Kerala

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 02:49:25 +0000

WIN A GREAT HOLIDAY!

We have another great holiday to give away our latest Homestay Holiday Auction contest where the lowest unique bid wins the trip!

So, if you are the only person to bid 1Rs, then that is the price you will pay for your holiday! Previous winners have won with bids as low as 2Rs!

HOW TO TAKE PART

THIS WEEK’S PRIZE

Discover Alleppey, the gateway to Kerala’s famous backwaters, take a boat ride along narrow canals to see village life on the water or take a houseboat ride on a traditional rice boat.

With it’s interconnecting backwater canals, golden palm-fringed beaches and village life Alleppy is the perfect destination for a relaxing break.

This week’s auction is for a break at the popular Tharavadu Homestay which receives rave reviews from guests. The sprawling home is warm and inviting and you can walk to the beach in just 10 minutes.

The holiday includes two nights in a classic room for two adults and a child under the age of eight.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO MAKE YOUR BID NOW