Actress Lakshmipriya's love for food and the tale of a burned biryani

Lakshmipriya has charmed both the silver screen and the mini screen audiences with her incredible acting talent and mesmerizing personality. She has recently published a memoir in which the actress speaks about some of the most painful experiences in her life. A self confessed foodie, Lakshmipriya likes trying out different dishes and cuisines and is passionate about cooking as well. Lakshmipriya is thrilled to talk about her genuine love for food and cooking and reveals her favourite dishes.

Unforgettable flavours

For Lakshmipriya, the taste of the humble theeyal, with roasted coconut paste, made by her beloved grandmother is something that she would never forget. The special palada that her aunt in Alappuzha sends for her is another favourite dish. Lakshmipriya says that this is not the regular palada payasam but a delicious snack made with eggs, all purpose flour, milk, sugar, cardamom powder and ghee. This soft snack that melts in the mouth is something that instantly takes Lakshmipriya back to her childhood.

Cooking

“I really love cooking and enjoy it very much. It was only after my marriage that I began experimenting more in the kitchen. Now, I could say that I have become an expert in cooking. I prefer cooking in fresh coconut oil. As I am allergic to wheat, I don’t eat foods cooked using it. So, I eat dishes made with rice for most of my meals. I mostly prefer the local dishes and preparations like the traditional matta rice, boiled tapioca with spicy fish curry and some puliserry,” says Lakshmipriya.

Flopped biryani

Lakshmipriya recalls her hilarious first attempt at cooking biryani. She had even bought a brand new uruli (brass vessel) to prepare her special biryani. She followed the recipe to a tee and even prepared a dum using the all purpose flour mix and hot coals. The recipe book said that the biryani should be cooked on dum for at least 40 minutes. However, she didn’t realize the fact that each variety of rice requires different cooking time. After 40 minutes, to the utter disappointment of the actress, her biryani was all burned up with the rice and the chicken pieces reduced to charred bits. She says with a smile that no one could taste her special and extravagant biryani which she had prepared by adding even the exquisite saffron. However, Laskmipriya was determined to try cooking biryani until it became a grand success. After trying for quite a few times, she understood the nuances of dishing up a perfect plate of biryani. Now, Lakshmipriya is an expert in cooking amazing biryani and her family and friends vouch for that. Lakshmipriya’s tasty biryani has now become a must for all the special occasions and functions in the family.

Dieting

“I can easily put on or lose weight. But, my weight exceeded all limits when I was pregnant with my daughter. From sixty kilos I jumped to a whopping eighty kilos. I was undergoing hormone treatments too at that time. So, that added to my weight woes and it was very difficult for me to shed all those kilos. I started losing weight after I began attending the sessions at the Smart Exarco Wellness Clinic in Kochi. More than work outs, I reduced weight by following a healthy and balanced diet,” reveals Lakshmipriya.

At the wellness clinic, they advised the actress to eat food in smaller portions every two and half hours. Except sweet, she was allowed to eat everything including rice, ghee, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, yoghurt, buttermilk, fish and chicken. Lakshmipriya says that this healthy diet had reduced hair fall and added a youthful glow to her skin as well. “Earlier, I was crazy about work outs and exercises, but now, I am not that interested. Besides, I am not as huge as you see me on screen,” laughs Lakshmipriya.