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 …

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 …

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 …

Urulai Podi Roast

Potatoes are universal favorites. Every cuisine and every family have their own favorite recipes made of this loyal vegetable that is incredibly tasty. From mashed potatoes to bakes and fries, potatoes never let our hands down. They are so versatile that they can prove themselves towards whatever method it is being treated to. Of the …

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 …

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 …

Bittergourd Chips

Vegetables are the heart and soul for every human being, especially the vegetarians. Every vegetable has its own goodness. I agree with this fact and try to incorporate most of the vegetables to our diet. However, there are some vegetables that are in my least likely one’s list. Bittergourd is at the top level in …

Almond-Walnut Chutney

Dry nuts are extensive storehouses of vitamins and minerals necessary for body functioning. There are some dry nuts like walnut and almonds that help in maintaining the good cholesterol in the blood. From beautiful skin and nails to a healthy heart, dry nuts offer numerous goodness. While eating them raw is good, sometimes the H …

Homemade Granola

Gone are the days, where we used to have elaborate breakfast of Idli, chutney, or upma and dosas. We prefer to keep our breakfast lighter, at the same time healthy and rich with proteins. While my H is a fan of those sugar-coated cornflakes, I am really worried about the processed sugar content in it. …

Quinoa Bisibelabath

Bisibelabath is yummy South- Indian delicacy from the Indian state of Karnataka. I have had this for few times while in India. Though it may look like sambar Sadam of Tamilnadu, it definitely tastes different from the proportion of different kinds of spices added to it. Authentically, bisibelabath is prepared with rice and toor dal …

Black Urad dal Dosa

I am back again with another healthy dosa option. Whole black Urad dal is used in Indian cuisine in many ways. One of the popular dishes that are famous throughout the world is Dal Makhani, where the black urad dal is the chief ingredient. In Tamil Nadu, we use this dal for dosas too. It …

Kale Sprouts Sandwich

A sandwich is a quick and hearty one for a breakfast or as a snack. However, loads of butter and other stuff that goes into it is definitely needed to be watched. The mom in me makes to look into the calories of it and make it a healthy one for the family. While I …

Paruppu Podi

Apart from the curry, kulambu, poriyal – kootu varieties that occupy our palette every day, there are some days of the week when the taste buds just need some subtle powders and thokku. One such is the Dal powder a.k.a paruppu podi. Hailing from the southern state of Andhra (O.k. Telengana? – O.K. No comments. …

Oats Uthappam

Oats has become a common food these days. It’s usual to have porridge either with milk and sugar or with buttermilk and salt. I have been taking trials with oats in adapting this fiber-rich grain with an Indian touch. A bit of desi spices along with the goodness of vegetables makes this Oats Uthappam – a …

Omapodi || Diwali Recipes

The blogosphere is full of festive recipes. I love savories over sweets. South- Indian savory list is endless. Some are very spicy and some are very subtle, yet tasty. One such less spicy savory that are kid-friendly and elderly-friendly is – Omapodi. Omapodi is made with gram flour and rice flour with the star ingredient …

MILAGU KULAMBU

The Cold weather around brings in a lot of uninvited guests – cough, cold, strep throat. Also, we look on for hot, spicy stuff to treat our tastebuds. Milagu Kuzhambu is one such version of spicy, traditional remedy for the winter weather troubles.  The combination of fresh spice powder, combined with tamarind juice and garlic pods …

Rainbow Carrot Raitha

There are some tired days when we want a quick fix meal. Although one-pot meal comes in handy, we always want some accompaniment apart from the papadam/ appalam and pickle. One such is the raita. While I was doing my grocery shopping this week, these colorful organic rainbow carrot bags got my attention. I quickly …

Ashgourd / Poosanikkai Rasavangi

Making a two or three-course dish for the lunch is a part of our household. Though variety rice or one-pot meals come in between, people back at home prefer to have a quick fix meal that has a kulambu, kootu/poriyal, and complete off the lunch with curd and pickle. A wee little bit planning makes …

BENGALI BHAJAMUGER DAL

Dal is an integral part of any Indian meal. Whether you come from North, South, West, or Eastern part of Indian, every cuisine has dal included in some form. Bengali cuisine usually consists of rice and fish as their staple food. However, most of them observe at least two or three days of strict vegetarianism …

Semiya Kesari

Semiya / Vermicelli is one kitchen ingredient that I love a lot. Yes, in my household, I am the only one who loves semiya upma. Basically, my H is not fond of Semiya at all. I usually buy the smallest pack that is available in the grocery store just for myself. The least I do …

Podi Uthappam

Uthappam is a weekly visitor in my household. I grind Idli/dosa batter every weekend. After making fluffy soft Idlis, I use the rest of the batter for making dosa and Uthappam. I also pack this for my little one’s lunch box. For tiffin boxes, uthappam is the best choice over the dosa. It remains soft …

Coconut – Sesame Chutney

If you are a South- Indian, Idlis must be your staple food. The taste of any well made Idli raises when it is paired with a delicious Chutney or Sambar. If the tasty chutney turns out to be healthy too, its a bonus. Coconut chutney is an easy one and can be made with a …

Gongura Pachadi

Gongura / Sorrel leaves are an important ingredient in Indian cuisine especially in the regions of Andhra and Telangana. If you visit any Andhra restaurant or mess, the complimentary spice caddy will be filled up with goodies like gongura pachadi, Andhra parupppu podi, and Avakkai. There are also various dishes from Pappu to Gongura mamsam …

Arisi Thengai Payasam

Arisi Thengai Payasam

The Tamil month of Aadi sets the beginning of various festivals in Tamil Nadu. It is customary in our house to celebrate every Aadi velli ( Aadi Friday) very religiously. The smell of agarbathi with flowers and boiling sambar along with a background of devotional songs is what I have grown up watching. My mom …

Spinach Dosa

Dosa is a daily fare in many Indian households. Apart from the regular Idli-Dosa made with rice alone, it is a bonus if we could incorporate some healthy greens too. One such healthy and evergreen hit dosa is this spinach dosa which the kids love. In addition to the rice, I have also added quinoa …

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 …

Kharabhath

Kharabhat is a very famous dish in Karnataka region. Khara means the spicy version that uses Green chili and also the addition of spicy masala powder. It is almost a near cousin of Upma or Uppitu that is famous in South- India. Though both Upma and KharaBhath use similar ingredients, there are also some additional …

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 …

Beetroot Kalyana Pachadi

Beetroot Sweet Pachadi is a must-have dish at the wedding menus. If you are a 90’s kid, you will know of this sweet pachadi that is served in lunch or reception menu at the weddings. Early last month, we did vegetable picking and had lots of beets that were leftover and needed to be preserved. …

Sweet and Sour Papaya Curry

Green Papaya is a fruit that is loaded with nutrients. It is less in carbohydrates and high in folate – a much-needed one for women and young girls. There are some fruits like green papaya that are rich in enzymes before it becomes very ripe.   Green papaya itself has a very mild sweetness to it …

Bhaingan Bhartha

Every meal with a Roti or phulka needs a perfect side dish to go along. If this side dish is going to be healthy with less greasy stuff, it is an added benefit. Baingan Bartha is one of those healthy side dishes that are tasty with less fat in it. Traditionally, Baingan Bhartha is made …

Keerai Molagootal || Spinach Molagootal

Molagootal is one delicacy in Kerala cuisine. It is also popular among the Palakkad Tamils and hence they are famous in Tamil speaking households too. Molagootal can be made with mixed vegetables too. However, molagootal made with fresh greens/ Keerai tastes great. Keerai Molagootal is made with spinach greens, amaranth greens, or purslane greens. The …

Vengaya Chutney | Onion Chutney

When it comes to South- Indian breakfasts, the accompaniments that are served along with Idlis and Dosas are eye-catching to everyone. From the simple coconut chutney to many varieties of vegetable chutney, the chutney always enhances the flavor of the breakfast mains and makes everyone want more of them. While coconut chutney is everyone’s favorite, …

Sesame Chikki / Til ki Chikki

Sankranthi is celebrated in different parts of India during the month of January. It is celebrated as Thai Pongal, Makarasankaranthi, Lohri, Baisakhi in different parts of India. When there is a festival being celebrated, food plays an important role to add up the spirit. Every festival is associated with a particular food recipe. In Maharashtra, …

Sakkarai Pongal

Sweet Pongal or Sakkara Pongal (சக்கரை பொங்கல்)is a famous sweet in south India, especially Tamil Nadu. This is cooked with newly harvested rice from the field at the juncture of the Pongal/harvest festival, which is predominantly celebrated in all parts of the state with great pomp and show. Marking the commencement of the year to …

South Indian Restaurant Style Paneer Biryani

Paneer is a very favorite ingredient from kids to adults. Biryani is another weekend affair for many including vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Adding the favorite Paneer to Biryani is a great combo. The south-Indian Biryani is usually a bit spicy and has a burst of flavor from the spices. They are also made predominantly with Jeera …

ARACHUVITTA PULI KULAMBU

Every Tamil Nadu meal consists of a many varieties of kulambu, Poriyal, Kootu and pachadi. Of all this, kulambu variety is prepared every day in different households. Kulambu is prepared with tamarind, butter milk or addition of dal. Though Sambar is a famous kulambu variety prepared with dal and vegetable on a tamarind broth, other …

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 …

Mushroom Pepper Masala

Mushrooms are a great source of vitamins. Mushroom Pepper Masala is a very common recipe/dish that is available in many Indian restaurants. It is prepared with Mushrooms on a gravy and topped off with freshly grounded pepper corns. Mushrooms are a large source of proteins if you are a vegetarian. I was not a big …

KARNATAKA STYLE GOJJU AVALAKKI

Aval/ Avalakki/Poha is a very common breakfast ingredient that is used in many different ways It is easy to make and yet tasty too. There are lot of poha versions and every region has their own recipe. This GOJJU AVALAKKI is a very famous breakfast recipe from the state of Karnataka. It is made with …

UDUPI HAYAGREEVA MUDDI

Hayagreeva Maddi is a very famous dessert made with bengal gram/ channa dal and jaggery. It is often confused with the Kamala paruppu payasam or with the Pooranam/ sweet stuffing used to make puli and Modakams. But these are definitely different from both of them. The consistency of this hayagreeva Maddi is more of a …

URAD DAL CHUTNEY

Chutney and Sambar are vital in a South-Indian breakfast. While Idli and Dosa are great breakfast options, the chutneys that pairs up with them, make them more interesting. I make chutney with onion, tomato and vegetables, I also love making them with dals. Refer to Chutneys in the website.One such is this tasty Urad Dal …

BOTTLE GOURD/ LAUKI DOSA

Suraikkai / Bottle gourd is a variety of the squash family and rich in water content. Lauki is very commonly used in Indian cooking to make sambar, stews, kootu, kofta, and stir fry. This vegetable is also aids in weight loss due to the water content in it. It has immense health benefits, relieving stress, …

KESAR RAVA LADOO

It’s that time of the year, where everyone’s home and life are lit up with joy and happiness. Diwali is a time where the family gathers up for the celebration. To add more joy to the celebrations, sweets and savories are prepared and shared. A quick and tasty sweet like this Kesar Rava Ladoo will …

GUJARATI DAL

Dal is an integral part of food in many regions of India. being rich in protein and the comfort it gives, dals are cooked and served in different ways. One such is the Gujarati Dal. Gujarati Dal is made with toor dal/ split pigeon peas along with boiled peanuts. The dal itself has a sweet, …

RUSK HALWA

Halwa is a traditional sweet that can be made with flour, vegetables, and even fruits. How about trying halwa with rusk? For most of us, teatime is not complete without those one or two pieces of rusk. While I got the rusks for this purpose, I had almost half a packet of them, left untouched. …

Thengai Dosai / Coconut Dosa

Coconut is one freshly available food that is loaded with all richness. Coconut is generally considered a healthy form of fat. Being South-Indian, any Poriyal or thoran is not complete without Coconut in it. While I had plenty of grated fresh Coconut, I decided to make this super soft and flavorful coconut dosa instead of …

Inji Kulambu || Ginger Curry

In our household, any medicinal Kulambu is done after the day of heavy feasting to balance the digestive health. One such is this Inji Kulambu / Ginger Kuzhambu. This Kuzhambu is made with fresh ginger pieces grounded with spices and cooked on a tamarind broth. It is finished off with some gingelly oil and jaggery …

Turmeric Chutney

Pongal is the time of the year when we can find fresh turmeric roots in the market. While most of the Indian curries have turmeric in the ingredient list, there are only a few dishes that you can make with fresh turmeric roots. Turmeric pickles and Turmeric milk are the most common ones that can …

Drumstick Leaves Thogayal

We need to include healthy foods into our daily diet. Healthy foods need not be always salads and soups. We can make our regular meals incorporating these healthy ingredients to it. One of the plants that have most of its part that is edible is Drumstick/Moringa tree. The leaves, flowers, vegetables can be safely consumed …

Hotel Style Kara Kuzhambu

For a South-Indian, lunch means it has rice, kulambu and a side of poriyal/stirfry and Kootu. While Sambhar and rasam are almost liked by many, KaraKulambu is one that tastes great with a tangy and spicy side . I love the Karakulambu served in hotels as they are flavorful and spicy. The hotel style Karakulambu …

Iyengar Bakery Style Masala Bread Toast

If you are a 90’s kid, you must have definitely tasted this at least one time in your childhood. After-school snacks are also important after a full day at school. During our school days, there was a bakery that we pass through every evening after school. Cream buns, puffs, and many other flavorful goodies would …

Watermelon Rind Halwa

Watermelon is a favorite summer fruit. It is the best thirst quencher during the hot, sunny summer days. After enjoying the delicious fruits, dont throw away this flesh. Instead, make this delicious Watermelon rind halwa. It is so much delicious and kind of tastes like the Kasi Halwa- made with Ashgourd. Besan/Gram Flour acts as …

OMAM KULAMBU || Postpartum Recipes

Indian spices are rich in medicinal values. Every spice has medical benefits to cure cough, cold, indigestion, and congestion easily available in the Indian Pantry. Of these the one spice that aids in indigestion disorder is the carom seeds/ Omam/ ajwain seeds. Omam is very versatile, that it can be even given to little babies …

Tirunelveli Idli Molagai Podi

South-Indian breakfasts are very satisfying and tasty. The main staple breakfast items are Idlis and Dosas with an array of accompaniments including chutneys, sambar and podis. Though I make different types of chutney, my family always wants their Idli molagapodi with their Idlis and Dosas. There are many ways to make the Idli podi. Some …

BUN DOSAI || AVAL DOSAI

Dosai is an emotion if you are a proper south-indian.  There are many varieties of dosa that is available like the paper roast, ghee roast, masala dosa, millets dosai and many more. OF all these, some dosa varieties are famous in certain places like this BUN DOSAI . This dosai is very very soft like …

PAVAKKAI PITLAI KULAMBU

Every South-Indian meal usually has two or three course. Starting off with Paruppu or thogayal or Podi , followed with Kulambu. While Sambar, Kara kuzhambu and Rasam are commonly made, there are some kulambu varieties that are traditionally prepared with freshly grounded masala. One such very flavorful Kulambu is Pitlai. Pitlai is made with bittergourd, …

Orange Rasam

Every South-Indian meal has atleast two course. Usually it begins with sambar and followed by rasam. Rasam is an integral part of any south-Indian full meals. It is made of spices that can soothe the tummy after any heavy meal. While there are many traditional rasam varieties, I have used oranges to make this rasam. …

Karuvepillai kulambu

Karuvepillai is an important ingredient in any southIndian food. Though its presence is very prominent, most of the people throw them away. However, Curry Leaves is a very nutritious and healthy ingredient. It is very rich in Iron and anti-oxidants. After a heavy Deepavali meal, I decided to make a simple, and healthy meal. I …

Pudhina Thogayal

Pudhina/ Mint is a flavorful herb used in many cuisines. It is used in main dishes, gravies, salads, soups, as garnishing. Today i made this very flavorful pudhina thogayal . This thogayal is very appetizing with the bright color and its taste. You can enjoy this thogayal with idli and dosas. This can also be …

Paneer Kali Mirch

Paneer is a favorite for everyone including kids and adults. There are many recipes that can be made with paneer ranging from main course to sides, drinks and starters. Paneer Kali mirch is a very flavorful dish with fresh flavours from Pepper. This is definitely different from the buttery paneer butter masala that is commonly …