In this lushly illustrated cookbook, an award-winning chef presents the authentic cuisine of his homeland, Kerala
Figure 1 Publishing proudly presents Coconut Lagoon, a collection of 80 easy-to-make recipes designed with home cooks in mind. Kerala, the southwestern region of India, is paradise on earth with its tranquil beaches, lush mountains, and incredibly delicious cuisine. As the birthplace of black pepper, Kerala is hailed as the land of spices. Coconut Lagoon features authentic regional dishes such as mango pickle, dosa, Malabar parathas, biryani, Thrissur-style fish, and banana fritters, as well as more-widely-known Indian recipes that are loved around the world, such as chai, butter chicken, and poori. With a handy section on ingredients, a resource list, and stunning photography throughout, Coconut Lagoon is an indispensable addition to any food lover's library and a delicious tribute to family, food, and home.

Joe Thottungal's profile page

Joe Thottungal is a Canadian chef and the owner of the restaurants Coconut Lagoon and Thali Coconut Lagoon in Ottawa. For five years he worked in hotel kitchens in Toronto and Windsor, and at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ottawa, where he earned his Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC) designation. In 2008, Joe was named Ottawa Chef of the Year by the Canadian Culinary Federation. In 2016, he won top prize at Ottawa’s Gold Medal Plates competition, followed by a silver medal at the 2017 Canadian Culinary Championships. Joe lives in Ottawa with his wife and three children.

"Joe Thottungal takes readers on a delightful culinary journey into the colourful world of Kerala cuisine and celebrates its authentic flavours. Highly recommended." - Vikas Swarup, author of Slumdog Millionaire and High Commissioner of India to Canada

"Chef Joe Thottungal always cooks with passion and love, and he brings the authentic aromas, flavours, and textures of south Indian food to his restaurant Coconut Lagoon. It is the benchmark of Keralan cuisine." - Peter Joseph, chef of Michelin-starred restaurant Kahani

"Coconut Lagoon modernizes Indian cuisine, pushes the boundaries, and creates something truly world class." - Steve Beckta, owner of Beckta Dining and Wine

"Joe Thottungal is a rare talent when it comes to making delicious and exciting food. A Coconut Lagoon book, full of his secrets, will be a welcome addition to anyone's collection." - Marc Lepine, chef of Atelier

"After a concise introduction that poignantly tells Thottungal's life story, the 192-page paperback, which is chock full of mouth-watering photos, discusses ingredients, equipment and basic recipes before sharing 80 recipes for dishes and items served over the years at Coconut Lagoon. Thottungal says he's learned a lot from adapting the dishes for home cooks. 'We're used to doing it by hand. To measure everything, it's another game,' he says. 'It was nice to do it at home and try it with the recipe, and it comes out.'" - Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen