Masala Khara Buns || Low calorie version

Evening snacks were a great part of our childhood as well now with kids at home. I remember our Appa used to get those jam buns, cream buns, open sandwiches, and Khara buns from the Iyengar bakery when coming back home. of all these, my little brother loved the cream buns while Amma, Appa, and...

Wheat Nankhattai || Diwali Recipes

Nankhattai is a very famous Indian short cookie that is loaded with Indian flavors. The name Nankhattai origins from the words, “Naan” meaning shortbread and Khattai meaning “Biscuit”. Nankhattai is very famous in North India and Pakistan. Nankhattai is made with refined flour / Maida, Sooji, and Besan flour. I am not a great fan...

Eggless Whole Wheat Coconut Cookies

It is that time of the season, where a lot of Baking happens. Cookies and Cakes are a vital part of the holiday season. The flavor of the holiday season sets up with the aroma of vanilla and cinnamon combined with the goodness of butter spreads in the household. Apart from the regular choco-chip cookies, ...

WHOLE WHEAT FOCACCIA BREAD

Focaccia is an Italian Flat bread that is close to the texture of pizza. Focaccia is served along side with pastas, soups or as a sandwich. Focaccia is originally made with all purpose flour which is combined with yeast to result in a porous center and crispy outer layer. There are a lot of regional...

EGGLESS RAGI BANANA CAKE

Ragi / Finger Millet is a popularly known millet to many of us. Ragi has immense amount of goodness with it . Being rich in fibre, it helps in controlling diabetes, weightloss and help reduce cholesterol levels. Ragi is immensely rich in calcium and is a great coolant for this hot summer. From Idli, Dosas,...

BAKED WHEAT METHI MATHRI

Mathri or Mathari is a very famous snack in the North India made during Diwali and Holi festivals. The key ingredients to make Mathri is Maida and ghee which is seasoned with carom seeds, basic spice powders and ton loads of kasoori Methi if you are making a methi Mathri like me. I love the...

French Palmier Cookies

Holidays are all about cookies and cakes. We love cookies over cakes due to their crunchy texture. The Palmier Cookies are delicate and elegant French cookies that can be easily made with puff pastry sheets. This palmier cookie is a perfect one for the holiday season for gifting and exchanges than our usual shortbread cookies....

PIZZA MUFFINS (Low Calorie Version)

Muffins are everyone’s favorite. Mostly sweet muffins are made for breakfast and enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee. I tried this savory muffin which is pizza flavored. Why not pizza for breakfast. Also, I made them with whole wheat flour and used less cheese to make them less calorie and yet, soft and tasty....

Eggless Coconut Banana Cake

Evening Tea/Coffee time is very important for many families, as it is the time every one gets back from work and school. After the early lunch and the travel back from home, a hot cup of tea/coffee with a warm cake will do good until dinner time. We love mildly sweet cakes for tea time...

Eggless Mango Cake

The King is back for his annual visit!!!!!!. There is no Summer time for us without Mangoes. I have hardly seen anyone that dislikes Mango. No wonder it is the King of Fruits. I sneak peek mangoes to any food that we love during summers to enjoy them all before gone. Eggless Mango Cake is...

Tomato Chutney

Tomato Chutney (தக்காளி சட்னி) is a weekly routine for a day in my house to take a break from the regular coconut chutney. My mom makes wonderful tomato chutney and I still remember the days we eat an additional dosa or idli, just for the sake of this chutney. This is my brother’s favorite and he likes...

Pumpkin Chutney

Pumpkin Chutney ( பரங்கிக்காய் சட்னி)After all that Navratri celebration, with yummy foods and fun, let us treat our busily engaged stomach to a simple, colorful and tasty chutney. With the pumpkin season in its peak and we see pumpkin flavor everywhere from the pumpkin latte to the pumpkin spiced hand washes, let us try this...

Upma Kozhukattai

Firstly, a week-long gap in my posts is due to the turmoil of the Chennai floods. Though this post was scheduled to be posted in the mid of last week, I didn’t have an interest in doing that after watching videos and talking to people about the disaster to my wonderful city. How ever, Chennai...

Kovakkai Chutney

Ivy gourd/Kovakkai/ Tindora is a least looked up Indian vegetable. Though it has amazing nutritional properties, it is one of the least liked vegetables. Its amazing properties of balancing the blood sugar levels makes it a diabetic-friendly vegetable. While we always look for different varieties of chutney to replace the regular coconut, onion, and tomato...

Quinoa Dosa

Idli and dosas are the staple food for every south- Indian. These are so noble that they can be served from little children to the age-old. While rice + lentil are the key ingredients of them, it is also to be taken into account the carbos from rice. Over a year, I have been experimenting...

Rava Idly

Rava Idly – Yup! You heard it right. Are you getting bored of having routine idly and dosas? Are you looking on for some quick-fix dinner recipes? This one is for you. The marriage of semolina (a.k.a Rava / Sooji) with sour curd without fermentation is a delight to the tastebuds. People who hate sooji...

Garlic Chutney

Idli and Dosa are always a favorite for south Indians like me. However, having an appropriate side dish for it makes you gobble more or less. While coconut chutney is a classic combo always, sometimes, the taste buds ask for a spicy accompaniment. One such spicy and heart-healthy accompaniment is the Garlic Chutney.  I bought...

MoongDal Dosa

Proteins are the building blocks of life. Agreed!!! While there are so many advertisements on protein powders and shakes, why not we try including proteins our way – The Indian way!! This moong dal dosa is inspired by the pesarattu. I follow the same procedure as I do for it. They can be prepared for a...

Barnyard Millet/Kuthiraivali Adai

Millets are the new trends. It is good to know!! However, the sad part is, this is not a NEW thing to our culture. These millets were a part of the healthy and long life of our elders. In ancient days, our grandmoms were so innovative with these millets, that they tried their hands on...

Cabbage Chutney

I have been growing up watching my mom doing chutneys with different kinds of vegetables and even their skins. Those were the days when we would eat coconut chutney, once in a week, while our cuisine is very much popular with the coconut chutney. Trust me she is an awesome cook and loves to explore....

Aloo Gobi Matar

Aloo Gobi Matar (आलू  गोबी  मट्टर ), is an easy fix side dish, made with potatoes, cauliflower and green peas and is suitable for rotis/phulkas or rice. My family loves any version of boiled potatoes rather than the deeply roasted versions. So, I prefer to make this low cal version. With cauliflower available throughout the year...

Tomato Chutney

Tomato Chutney (தக்காளி சட்னி) is a weekly routine for a day in my house to take a break from the regular coconut chutney. My mom makes wonderful tomato chutney and I still remember the days we eat an additional dosa or idli, just for the sake of this chutney. This is my brother’s favorite and he likes...

Green moong Dal Curry

Green Moong dal Curry( मूंग  सब्ज़ी )is a hands-on sidedish when I run out of the vegetables. It so happens I mostly make this for rotis/phulkas on a Friday night or on Saturday mornings before I could rush to the grocery stores. Though I was not a huge fan of this back at mom’s place when...

Pumpkin Chutney

Pumpkin Chutney ( பரங்கிக்காய் சட்னி)After all that Navratri celebration, with yummy foods and fun, let us treat our busily engaged stomach to a simple, colorful and tasty chutney. With the pumpkin season in its peak and we see pumpkin flavor everywhere from the pumpkin latte to the pumpkin spiced hand washes, let us try this...

Mixed Vegetable Salna

Salna (சால்னா)!!!! Yes, you heard it right. It sounds like a non-vegetarian curry, nope I tried to do a vegetarian version of it. Salna is a very famous curry, relished along with parotta, and is popular in the roadside hotels of TamilNadu. Parotta and Salna are made for each other. Though I have not tested...

Upma Kozhukattai

Firstly, a week-long gap in my posts is due to the turmoil of the Chennai floods. Though this post was scheduled to be posted in the mid of last week, I didn’t have an interest in doing that after watching videos and talking to people about the disaster to my wonderful city. How ever, Chennai...

Sauteed Green Beans

This is no fancy recipe. Green beans boiled and sauteed with mild flavors is a commonly found lunch sides in many of the restaurants here. I buy green beans whenever I see them in the market. Usually, beans poriyal or  Paruppu usili is what I make. My Husband was insisting me to try this at...

Kuthi Vangaya Kurra

Kuthi Vangaya Kurra is a brinjal curry popular in the region of Andhra. This gravy is rich in flavor and taste with its smooth paste blending together the south Indian spices and cooked alongside Indian eggplants a.k.a violet brinjals. The same recipe can be followed with green Mirchi replacing brinjal. Though I have tried the...

Quinoa Dosa

Idli and dosas are the staple food for every south- Indian. These are so noble that they can be served from little children to the age-old. While rice + lentil are the key ingredients of them, it is also to be taken into account the carbos from rice. Over a year, I have been experimenting...

Paneer Tikka Masala

Tikka Masala is a most wanted food for many westerners. Go to any restaurant in the US, you are sure to find Chicken Tikka Masala.. Wait!! Wait!! I am not here to share the chicken Tikka masala recipe here. I am a strict vegetarian and have no ideas about how the chicken looks like… Gweekk, except...

Paal Payasam

Paal Payasam(பால் பாயசம்) is a rich and very yummy dessert that can be served for any occasion. Being the auspicious day of Saraswati Pooja, let us make this yummy payasam and get the blessings of Goddess Shakthi. It can be made in a heavy-bottomed vessel or in a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time....

Paal Conjee

Some days, the stomach seeks for comfort food that is light yet tasty. If you are looking for one such or need a change from your routine breakfast favorites, then this Paal congee /Milk porridge is for you. This congee is made of rice + urad dal and mildly flavored with fenugreek and jeera. A generous...

Watermelon Sorbet

We had almost summer-like weather a week before. Something cool and refreshing is what we needed to beat the heat. Ice creams, Juices, and sorbets were on our list. I was running out of some ingredients needed for ice cream and juices were a regular affair in the house, I decided to do this watermelon...

Biscuit Payasam

Payasam and kheers are a part of many Indian festivals. Even if it is a special occasion like a Friday pooja, payasams are offered as prasadam/ offering to the deity. When there is a packet of biscuits that you are bored with eating, transform it to this Biscuit payasam in a jiffy, and enjoy a...

Caramel Payasam

Payasam is an integral part of any occasion and celebration. Every sumptuous meal always has a sweet ending with payasam. Semiya/ Vermicelli payasam is a very easy one to prepare at home. This payasam uses the same ingredients, yet, the process of preparing varies and this payasam tastes very different. Caramel is made from sugar...

Jackfruit Payasam

Jackfruit is one of the very tasty tropical fruit. In India, Jackfruits can be seen in many people’s backyard. Jackfruit is a bit tricky and time-consuming to clean.  However, the taste of the fruit is worth the time spent cleaning them up. This Jackfruit payasam is very famous in Kerala and is called as Chakka...

STRAWBERRY PHIRNI ( 2 IN 1 SERIES )

Phirni is a Punjabi dessert that is made with rice and cooked in milk. The main difference between a Kheer and Phirni is that kheer is cooked with whole rice grain, while Phirni is cooked with grounded rice paste. The consistency of phirni is on a creamier side and it is definitely a crowd pleaser...

GASAGASE PAYASA ( POPPY SEEDS KHEER)

Karnataka Cuisine is different in manyways. Though Rice, Ragi and steamed vegetables are the main ingredients of Karnataka Cuisine, they keep varying as we travel through different parts of Karnataka. Karnataka Cuisine has different cuisines within itself from Udupi cuisine, Davanagere cuisine, Uttar Karnataka Cuisine, Mangalore cuisine to name a few. Gasagase Payasa is a...

SOOJI KHEER

Sooji/ Rava / Semolina is a very easily available ingredient in Indian households. The tradition of making some sweet on the last Friday of every Tamil month is followed in our households. For a Friday Pooja, I made this easy Sooji kheer with simple and easily available ingredients in the pantry. In under 20 mins,...

QUINOA DATES KHEER

Quinoa is one of the popular grain that is widely used these days. Though it originated in the South Americas , it has gained popularity in the recent few years in Indian cooking. It has much more fibre content than rice and hence people are opting for different ways to include Quinoa in daily diet.Quinoa...

Carrot Poriyal

Carrots have always been in the wishlist for everyone at home. With many variations of this carrot curry around, I have my own version that my LO at home love to eat. With a tint of ginger added, it has a unique flavor and taste. Carrots are rich in beta carotenes and are one of...

Rava Kesari

Rava Kesari – a simple, noble, and easy to prepare South Indian delicacy. A quick fix dessert that comes in hand when we have unexpected guests around. Also called sooji ka halwa or sheera in the northern parts of India, this subtle sweet just differs in its consistency, though their ingredients are the same. While KesariAdd...

CHANNA SUNDAL || GARBANZO BEAN SUNDAL

Channa | Garbanzo bean| Chickpea |வெள்ளை கொண்டக்கடலை is a protein-rich dry bean that is highly recommended. Though the Punjabi chole masala is my favorite, I mean to make this sundal every year during Vinayagar Chaturthi and Navratri. We prefer to have this white-colored chickpea over the brown. It is a myth that most of us...

Channa Dal Sundal

Channa Dal Sundal ( கடலை பருப்பு சுண்டல்) is one of the easily made sundal variety for upcoming Navratri season. Remember those days when amma does this sundal for Saraswathi pooja every year. Also, my maternal grandfather loves this sundal. He calls this “Poomparuppu sundal”. He insists that this sundal had to be cooked perfectly soft like...

Kalkandu Pongal

Kalkandu Pongal (கல்கண்டு பொங்கல்)is a simple one-pot delicacy that can be prepared for neivedhyam during the Navratri days. My H likes it very much, though I don’t prepare it that very often, maybe 2 or 3 times in a year. I don’t get the small-sized diamond kalkandu/sugar candy here, but only the rock sugar variety....

Paal Payasam

Paal Payasam(பால் பாயசம்) is a rich and very yummy dessert that can be served for any occasion. Being the auspicious day of Saraswati Pooja, let us make this yummy payasam and get the blessings of Goddess Shakthi. It can be made in a heavy-bottomed vessel or in a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time....

Coconut Ladoo

A sweet beginning for this Diwali. I am sure that everyone around the globe is gearing up for Diwali celebrations. With Diwali around the corner, the busy ladies will be hitting the kitchen to bring out the flavors for their family and friends. It might not be easy for all the moms to make elaborate...

Pottukadalai Murukku

Pottukadalai Murukku is one of the tasty members in the murukku dynasty.:-) The basic ingredient is the rice flour and is combined with powdered roasted gram dal. The color of this murukku is definitely a treat to the eyes. With the addition of roasted gram dal powder, the murukku renders a cream color. They are...

Wheat Appam

We make appam for Vinayagar Chaturthi. I also find some people making it for Karthigai deepam. This year Karthigai deep is celebrated on November 26th, 2015. We usually make pori, payasam, and vadai, along with the man vilakku. Though we do not make appam for this festival, it might be useful for those whose families have the...

Jeera Rice

Variety rice / One pot meal is always very easy to prepare on busy weekdays for lunch. Ranging from our South- Indian lemon rice, coconut rice to the North- Indian pulao varieties, these one-pot meals can be prepared in a jiffy.  One such very simple one-pot meal is the Jeera rice. This jeera rice is...

Brinjal Sambhar| Kathirikkai Sambhar

Sambar (சாம்பார்),- flavour of every south Indian home. This south Indian delicacy is a must-do on auspicious days. The flavour that it renders makes a divinity feel on every south Indian home. There are many ways to make a delicious Sambar and every region in Tamil Nadu follows a unique style. However, the Tirunelveli Sambar...

Vegetable Cutlets

Vegetable cutlets are a favorite snack from kids to adults. I made this a few months back for my LO’s school potluck. I made it less spicy for the children and they liked it. Its an easy snack and can be made ahead and refrigerated. Once we have guests at home, it can be deep-fried...

Rava Kesari

Rava Kesari – a simple, noble, and easy to prepare South Indian delicacy. A quick fix dessert that comes in hand when we have unexpected guests around. Also called sooji ka halwa or sheera in the northern parts of India, this subtle sweet just differs in its consistency, though their ingredients are the same. While KesariAdd...

CHANNA SUNDAL || GARBANZO BEAN SUNDAL

Channa | Garbanzo bean| Chickpea |வெள்ளை கொண்டக்கடலை is a protein-rich dry bean that is highly recommended. Though the Punjabi chole masala is my favorite, I mean to make this sundal every year during Vinayagar Chaturthi and Navratri. We prefer to have this white-colored chickpea over the brown. It is a myth that most of us...

Channa Dal Sundal

Channa Dal Sundal ( கடலை பருப்பு சுண்டல்) is one of the easily made sundal variety for upcoming Navratri season. Remember those days when amma does this sundal for Saraswathi pooja every year. Also, my maternal grandfather loves this sundal. He calls this “Poomparuppu sundal”. He insists that this sundal had to be cooked perfectly soft like...

Kalkandu Pongal

Kalkandu Pongal (கல்கண்டு பொங்கல்)is a simple one-pot delicacy that can be prepared for neivedhyam during the Navratri days. My H likes it very much, though I don’t prepare it that very often, maybe 2 or 3 times in a year. I don’t get the small-sized diamond kalkandu/sugar candy here, but only the rock sugar variety....

Paal Payasam

Paal Payasam(பால் பாயசம்) is a rich and very yummy dessert that can be served for any occasion. Being the auspicious day of Saraswati Pooja, let us make this yummy payasam and get the blessings of Goddess Shakthi. It can be made in a heavy-bottomed vessel or in a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time....

Coconut Ladoo

A sweet beginning for this Diwali. I am sure that everyone around the globe is gearing up for Diwali celebrations. With Diwali around the corner, the busy ladies will be hitting the kitchen to bring out the flavors for their family and friends. It might not be easy for all the moms to make elaborate...

Ribbon Pakoda

Ribbon pakoda/ ola pakoda/ ribbon murukku – All mean the same. I am pretty sure that it has got more such names in different areas of Tamil Nadu. This is an easy snack for this Diwali, provided you have the murukku press with the ribbon pakoda stencil. I know that making murukku is a big...

Pottukadalai Murukku

Pottukadalai Murukku is one of the tasty members in the murukku dynasty.:-) The basic ingredient is the rice flour and is combined with powdered roasted gram dal. The color of this murukku is definitely a treat to the eyes. With the addition of roasted gram dal powder, the murukku renders a cream color. They are...

Carrot Poriyal

Carrots have always been in the wishlist for everyone at home. With many variations of this carrot curry around, I have my own version that my LO at home love to eat. With a tint of ginger added, it has a unique flavor and taste. Carrots are rich in beta carotenes and are one of...

Vazhaithandu Poriyal | Banana Stem Poriyal

வாழைத்தண்டு (Banana stem) is a fiber-rich vegetable that comes from the very noble banana plant. The versatility of banana is very well known, for every part of it is useful to mankind in some ways. Banana stem is available throughout the year in India, while in the US, I find it very rare. While I...

Green moong Dal Curry

Green Moong dal Curry( मूंग  सब्ज़ी )is a hands-on sidedish when I run out of the vegetables. It so happens I mostly make this for rotis/phulkas on a Friday night or on Saturday mornings before I could rush to the grocery stores. Though I was not a huge fan of this back at mom’s place when...

Coconut Rice

Coconut Rice (தேங்காய் சாதம்) is a very simple and common variety rice made in all SouthIndian households. With many variations from family to family, I follow this version given here. Though I am not an ardent fan of this coconut rice, I make it when I have plenty of fresh coconut at home. I remember those...

CHANNA SUNDAL || GARBANZO BEAN SUNDAL

Channa | Garbanzo bean| Chickpea |வெள்ளை கொண்டக்கடலை is a protein-rich dry bean that is highly recommended. Though the Punjabi chole masala is my favorite, I mean to make this sundal every year during Vinayagar Chaturthi and Navratri. We prefer to have this white-colored chickpea over the brown. It is a myth that most of us...

Channa Dal Sundal

Channa Dal Sundal ( கடலை பருப்பு சுண்டல்) is one of the easily made sundal variety for upcoming Navratri season. Remember those days when amma does this sundal for Saraswathi pooja every year. Also, my maternal grandfather loves this sundal. He calls this “Poomparuppu sundal”. He insists that this sundal had to be cooked perfectly soft like...

Pumpkin Chutney

Pumpkin Chutney ( பரங்கிக்காய் சட்னி)After all that Navratri celebration, with yummy foods and fun, let us treat our busily engaged stomach to a simple, colorful and tasty chutney. With the pumpkin season in its peak and we see pumpkin flavor everywhere from the pumpkin latte to the pumpkin spiced hand washes, let us try this...

Cabbage Peas Poriyal

Firstly, apologies for the delayed posts. Been a while that I posted here. However, I did click some pictures and will be posting here regularly. Cabbage- Peas Poriyal (கோஸ் பட்டாணி பொரியல் )is a simple poriyal and rich in taste. We can see this poriyal commonly in marriages and functions. Cabbage curries bring out a good volume for...

Beet root – Dry fruit Ladoo

You may wonder why I have this post now. Is there any festival or occasion that is lined up? Yes, it is!!! Of late I realized that I am almost with my 25th post in my personal space. Really!!! I am giving a gentle pat to myself and say Go gurl!! For a person like...

Wheat Appam

We make appam for Vinayagar Chaturthi. I also find some people making it for Karthigai deepam. This year Karthigai deep is celebrated on November 26th, 2015. We usually make pori, payasam, and vadai, along with the man vilakku. Though we do not make appam for this festival, it might be useful for those whose families have the...

Carrot Poriyal

Carrots have always been in the wishlist for everyone at home. With many variations of this carrot curry around, I have my own version that my LO at home love to eat. With a tint of ginger added, it has a unique flavor and taste. Carrots are rich in beta carotenes and are one of...

Brinjal Sambhar| Kathirikkai Sambhar

Sambar (சாம்பார்),- flavour of every south Indian home. This south Indian delicacy is a must-do on auspicious days. The flavour that it renders makes a divinity feel on every south Indian home. There are many ways to make a delicious Sambar and every region in Tamil Nadu follows a unique style. However, the Tirunelveli Sambar...

Aloo Gobi Matar

Aloo Gobi Matar (आलू  गोबी  मट्टर ), is an easy fix side dish, made with potatoes, cauliflower and green peas and is suitable for rotis/phulkas or rice. My family loves any version of boiled potatoes rather than the deeply roasted versions. So, I prefer to make this low cal version. With cauliflower available throughout the year...

Vazhaithandu Poriyal | Banana Stem Poriyal

வாழைத்தண்டு (Banana stem) is a fiber-rich vegetable that comes from the very noble banana plant. The versatility of banana is very well known, for every part of it is useful to mankind in some ways. Banana stem is available throughout the year in India, while in the US, I find it very rare. While I...

Ulli Theeyal

Ulli Theeyal(உள்ளி தீயல்) is a coconut-based Kerala dish, that I make when I buy fresh coconut. I have tried this with dry coconut powder and found the difference when it is made with fresh coconut. “Theeyal” means burnt. The taste of this curry truly depends on the level of coconut is fried. Theeyal can be...

Coconut Rice

Coconut Rice (தேங்காய் சாதம்) is a very simple and common variety rice made in all SouthIndian households. With many variations from family to family, I follow this version given here. Though I am not an ardent fan of this coconut rice, I make it when I have plenty of fresh coconut at home. I remember those...

Pumpkin Chutney

Pumpkin Chutney ( பரங்கிக்காய் சட்னி)After all that Navratri celebration, with yummy foods and fun, let us treat our busily engaged stomach to a simple, colorful and tasty chutney. With the pumpkin season in its peak and we see pumpkin flavor everywhere from the pumpkin latte to the pumpkin spiced hand washes, let us try this...

Mixed Vegetable Salna

Salna (சால்னா)!!!! Yes, you heard it right. It sounds like a non-vegetarian curry, nope I tried to do a vegetarian version of it. Salna is a very famous curry, relished along with parotta, and is popular in the roadside hotels of TamilNadu. Parotta and Salna are made for each other. Though I have not tested...

Cabbage Peas Poriyal

Firstly, apologies for the delayed posts. Been a while that I posted here. However, I did click some pictures and will be posting here regularly. Cabbage- Peas Poriyal (கோஸ் பட்டாணி பொரியல் )is a simple poriyal and rich in taste. We can see this poriyal commonly in marriages and functions. Cabbage curries bring out a good volume for...

Vazhaikkai Poriyal

Vazhaikkai poriyal is our family favorite. Every household has a different style of this versatile vegetable. My family too has different ways of dealing with this vegetable. Vazhaikkai can be used to make kootu, stir fry, deep fry, roast, etc. My H loves this poriyal and I usually make this for him. This version is...

Vegetable Cutlets

Vegetable cutlets are a favorite snack from kids to adults. I made this a few months back for my LO’s school potluck. I made it less spicy for the children and they liked it. Its an easy snack and can be made ahead and refrigerated. Once we have guests at home, it can be deep-fried...

Rava Kesari

Rava Kesari – a simple, noble, and easy to prepare South Indian delicacy. A quick fix dessert that comes in hand when we have unexpected guests around. Also called sooji ka halwa or sheera in the northern parts of India, this subtle sweet just differs in its consistency, though their ingredients are the same. While KesariAdd...

CHANNA SUNDAL || GARBANZO BEAN SUNDAL

Channa | Garbanzo bean| Chickpea |வெள்ளை கொண்டக்கடலை is a protein-rich dry bean that is highly recommended. Though the Punjabi chole masala is my favorite, I mean to make this sundal every year during Vinayagar Chaturthi and Navratri. We prefer to have this white-colored chickpea over the brown. It is a myth that most of us...

Coconut Ladoo

A sweet beginning for this Diwali. I am sure that everyone around the globe is gearing up for Diwali celebrations. With Diwali around the corner, the busy ladies will be hitting the kitchen to bring out the flavors for their family and friends. It might not be easy for all the moms to make elaborate...

Ribbon Pakoda

Ribbon pakoda/ ola pakoda/ ribbon murukku – All mean the same. I am pretty sure that it has got more such names in different areas of Tamil Nadu. This is an easy snack for this Diwali, provided you have the murukku press with the ribbon pakoda stencil. I know that making murukku is a big...

Pottukadalai Murukku

Pottukadalai Murukku is one of the tasty members in the murukku dynasty.:-) The basic ingredient is the rice flour and is combined with powdered roasted gram dal. The color of this murukku is definitely a treat to the eyes. With the addition of roasted gram dal powder, the murukku renders a cream color. They are...

Beet root – Dry fruit Ladoo

You may wonder why I have this post now. Is there any festival or occasion that is lined up? Yes, it is!!! Of late I realized that I am almost with my 25th post in my personal space. Really!!! I am giving a gentle pat to myself and say Go gurl!! For a person like...

Wheat Appam

We make appam for Vinayagar Chaturthi. I also find some people making it for Karthigai deepam. This year Karthigai deep is celebrated on November 26th, 2015. We usually make pori, payasam, and vadai, along with the man vilakku. Though we do not make appam for this festival, it might be useful for those whose families have the...

Upma Kozhukattai

Firstly, a week-long gap in my posts is due to the turmoil of the Chennai floods. Though this post was scheduled to be posted in the mid of last week, I didn’t have an interest in doing that after watching videos and talking to people about the disaster to my wonderful city. How ever, Chennai...

Vazhaipoo Vadai | Banana Blossoms Vadai

Vazhaipoo Vadai (A.k.a) Banana flower vadai is a traditional Chettinad recipe. the mild flavor of fennel seeds along with slight bitterness from the banana flower makes this lip-smacking vadai. The banana flower is full of nutrients. The medicinal value of the banana flower is such that it can regulate insulin levels in the blood. It is...

Watermelon Sorbet

We had almost summer-like weather a week before. Something cool and refreshing is what we needed to beat the heat. Ice creams, Juices, and sorbets were on our list. I was running out of some ingredients needed for ice cream and juices were a regular affair in the house, I decided to do this watermelon...

PLUMS THOKKU

Plum is one of the stone fruit that is available for a certain season of the year. We love eating them as such, however, when we got a box of plums, we could not finish them. The three of the plums were ripe and I wanted to put them to good use. I decided to...

SUN DRIED TOMATO PICKLE || THAKKALI URUGAI

Tomato is a fruit available throughout the year. Tomatoes are so versatile and they are part of main dishes, appetizers, jams /jellies, and even pickles. Pickles are a major part of Indian cooking and Summer is a season of pickles. I usually make pickles with Mango and Lemon in the summer season. This time on...

MANGO MASALA RICE || MANGA MASALA SADHAM

Mangoes are everyone’s favorite. Be it a fruit or used as. a vegetable, Mangoes are loved by everyone. In Indian cooking, raw mango is widely used in many regions to make pickles, pachadi, sambar, curries, and rice too. I usually make mango sambar, which is our family favorite, and sometimes this rice too for the...

Vellarikkai Kichadi || Cucumber Kichadi

Sadhya Meal is a sumptuous one with at least a minimum of 20 tasty Kerala recipes. When it comes to the flavors, Kerala cuisine uses mild spices that are native to land. The use of coconut oil elevates the taste of any Kerala recipe. Thoran, Kalan, Olan, Puliserry, Eriserry, Pachadi, and Kichadi are a major...

SPINACH RAITHA || KEERAI RAITHA

Raitha is an integral part of any biryanis, pulao, or mixed rice. Raitha can be made from vegetables, fruits, nuts, or a combination of them. While onion, tomato, and cucumber raithas are very commonly made, raitha with greens is a very healthy option if you like to include vegetables in many forms. This Spinach Raitha...

MORU CURRY || No Vegetable || under 15 min Lunch side

Every South-Indian lunch menu has at least two – to a four-course meals. Normally Sambar, rasam, and finally curd is served to finish off a meal. While there are many curd-based dishes, in South-Indian cooking, this morucurry is my favorite. If you have a fridge clean-up day or days without any vegetables at home, you...

Indian Yogurt Parfait

Parfait is a French dessert which means “Perfect”. Originally, thee parfaits are made of eggs, heavy cream and a layer of berries. The American version of it contains yogurt, granola and topped with fruits and nuts. Though these might be like a dessert, it is an easy go breakfast for quicker mornings. The parfait has...

Rose Lassi

Summer is a time when we always feel the need to quench our thirst. apart from water, some cool drinks and juices bring in some sort of freshness to a thirsty throat.  Juices and Drinks are made with fresh fruits, milk, yogurt to cool down the body. Of all the summer drinks, lassi is our...

How to make Sprouts at home

Summer is for fresh and easily digestible foods, that must be filling too. We always love our salads and juices made with fresh vegetables and sprouts and fruits. While the sprouts are very healthy to eat and highly nutritious for all, they are also very highly priced in grocery stores, for a small quantity. Trust...

Kalkandu Pongal

Kalkandu Pongal (கல்கண்டு பொங்கல்)is a simple one-pot delicacy that can be prepared for neivedhyam during the Navratri days. My H likes it very much, though I don’t prepare it that very often, maybe 2 or 3 times in a year. I don’t get the small-sized diamond kalkandu/sugar candy here, but only the rock sugar variety....

Corn Meal Muffins

Muffins are my first trials during baking. Baking is a science that involves the right measure of ingredients and the optimum temperature required to cook them. When it comes to baking stuff, I have always been looking on for substitutes of the egg. As we do not eat eggs, my baking is always eggless. Be...

Eggless Vanilla Cake

Vanilla cake is a classic favorite for many. It is always easy to find recipe cake recipes with eggs against the eggless ones. For an experimenting baker like me, this recipe from Martha Stewart’s collection is a foolproof one. You can always increase or decrease the proportions given here and bake a yummy vanilla cake....

Aval Puttu

Navratri is all about prayers, fun, dance, and leave it not – Food too. Irrespective of our geographical placement, we Indians try to pass our traditions to our family by all these. Food plays an integral part of any festival. Though we have evolved to try new recipes and techniques in our meal each day,...

Mini Jangri

Yaay!!! Hurray !!! Yes, I did it!!!! This sweet dish is my long term wish to prepare, click, and post. Though I prefer savories, there are some very particular sweets that I love for it. Jangri, Gulab Jamuns, Rasagulla, and Rasmalai. I know they are all very sugary and completely soaked up in syrup, yet...

Sathumaavu Urundai

I was MIA mode for some time now, due to other priorities in life. I am back into actions with loads of pictures of the recipes that I had cooked and clicked so far during this break. To start off after that festive food, I made this Sathumavu Urundai a.k.Health mix balls for a week’s...

Short Bread Cookies

Today is the official first day of Winter. But don’t ask me, its been snowing crazily over every weekend and we have been making snowman the third time until now. Come winter and here is the holiday season. Holidays call in for baking, and here is a basic foolproof recipe of shortbread cookie. This basic cookie...

Carrot Halwa

Wishing all my readers a very Happy and prosperous New year 2017. The last year had been a wonderful journey for me with respect to my blog. Though my blog had been started a few years back, I became very active in the year 2016. I had written about 40 + recipes last year. Thanks to...

Thiruvadhirai Kali

With a school going kid and a toddler at home who are keeping me on to the toes, blogging had taken a back seat for a year. One of my 2020 new year resolutions was to keep my blog up and going. On this wonderful day of Thiruvadhirai or Arudhra Dharisanam, here comes the first...

Aval Ladoo

This healthy Aval Ladoo is my kids’ recent favorite. This ladoo can be made in a jiffy with simply three ingredients that are available in the pantry. Also, it is very healthy with the addition of dates- a rich source of iron and also a natural sweetener. While having a random phone conversation with mom, she...

Carrot Poriyal

Carrots have always been in the wishlist for everyone at home. With many variations of this carrot curry around, I have my own version that my LO at home love to eat. With a tint of ginger added, it has a unique flavor and taste. Carrots are rich in beta carotenes and are one of...

Brinjal Sambhar| Kathirikkai Sambhar

Sambar (சாம்பார்),- flavour of every south Indian home. This south Indian delicacy is a must-do on auspicious days. The flavour that it renders makes a divinity feel on every south Indian home. There are many ways to make a delicious Sambar and every region in Tamil Nadu follows a unique style. However, the Tirunelveli Sambar...

Rava Kesari

Rava Kesari – a simple, noble, and easy to prepare South Indian delicacy. A quick fix dessert that comes in hand when we have unexpected guests around. Also called sooji ka halwa or sheera in the northern parts of India, this subtle sweet just differs in its consistency, though their ingredients are the same. While KesariAdd...

Vazhaithandu Poriyal | Banana Stem Poriyal

வாழைத்தண்டு (Banana stem) is a fiber-rich vegetable that comes from the very noble banana plant. The versatility of banana is very well known, for every part of it is useful to mankind in some ways. Banana stem is available throughout the year in India, while in the US, I find it very rare. While I...

Ulli Theeyal

Ulli Theeyal(உள்ளி தீயல்) is a coconut-based Kerala dish, that I make when I buy fresh coconut. I have tried this with dry coconut powder and found the difference when it is made with fresh coconut. “Theeyal” means burnt. The taste of this curry truly depends on the level of coconut is fried. Theeyal can be...

Coconut Rice

Coconut Rice (தேங்காய் சாதம்) is a very simple and common variety rice made in all SouthIndian households. With many variations from family to family, I follow this version given here. Though I am not an ardent fan of this coconut rice, I make it when I have plenty of fresh coconut at home. I remember those...

CHANNA SUNDAL || GARBANZO BEAN SUNDAL

Channa | Garbanzo bean| Chickpea |வெள்ளை கொண்டக்கடலை is a protein-rich dry bean that is highly recommended. Though the Punjabi chole masala is my favorite, I mean to make this sundal every year during Vinayagar Chaturthi and Navratri. We prefer to have this white-colored chickpea over the brown. It is a myth that most of us...

Channa Dal Sundal

Channa Dal Sundal ( கடலை பருப்பு சுண்டல்) is one of the easily made sundal variety for upcoming Navratri season. Remember those days when amma does this sundal for Saraswathi pooja every year. Also, my maternal grandfather loves this sundal. He calls this “Poomparuppu sundal”. He insists that this sundal had to be cooked perfectly soft like...

Kalkandu Pongal

Kalkandu Pongal (கல்கண்டு பொங்கல்)is a simple one-pot delicacy that can be prepared for neivedhyam during the Navratri days. My H likes it very much, though I don’t prepare it that very often, maybe 2 or 3 times in a year. I don’t get the small-sized diamond kalkandu/sugar candy here, but only the rock sugar variety....

Paal Payasam

Paal Payasam(பால் பாயசம்) is a rich and very yummy dessert that can be served for any occasion. Being the auspicious day of Saraswati Pooja, let us make this yummy payasam and get the blessings of Goddess Shakthi. It can be made in a heavy-bottomed vessel or in a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time....