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 …

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 …

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 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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Kovakkai Chutney

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

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

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 …

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 …

Surakai kootu / Bottle Gourd Kootu

Surakai kootu ( Lauki Kootu) is a simple kootu and best combo for Vathal kulambu. The sweetness of surakai/bottle gourd balances the spiciness of any south -Indian curry. Surakai /bottle gourd/lauki is rich in water content and often is used in Indian cooking. A wide range of dishes ranging from soups, main course to dessert …

Ragi Dosa

I am back again with another millet recipe. This is no fancy recipe. Those who know to cook with millets and have been doing the same would definitely be aware of this. As far as I know, ragi is one of the very common millets that people have been using, due to its availability as …

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 …

Ridge Gourd Kosthu

Idlis and Dosas are staples for many of us. Finding a right accompaniment for them is a challenge. Coconut chutney or sambar is a classic combo for hot Idlis. However, there are various other options for those. One such kosthu/ sambar varieties that I often prepare with Idlis is the Ridge Gourd Kosthu from the market. This …

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 …

Yellow Pumpkin Kootu

Yellow Pumpkin/ Parangikka is one of the sweet members of the pumpkin family. In the part of the world where I live, this pumpkin is found on anything and everything in the harvest month of October. From what we see, hear and taste, we have had pumpkin in desserts from cakes, pie, and to a …

Mint Chutney

I have been away a while from blogging. It was a much-needed break for me, with so many things running around. I am back again and will be prompt with new and easy recipes as usual. Idli and dosas are the staples of every South- Indian. Choosing side dishes for these elevate these staples. I …

Wheat Rava Dosa

Wheat Rava Dosa

Wheat Rava is one least accepted ingredient in my family. Both the H and LO are not fans of it. There is always a big NO for this healthy ingredient and I rarely stock them up in my pantry. I somehow managed to finish up most of the packet that I bought a long time …

Thuvaram Paruppu Sadam (Urad Dal)

Thuvaram Paruppu Sadam (Toor Dal Rice)

Toor dal rice / Thuvaram Paruppu Sadam is a delicacy that is very popular in the Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of TamilNadu. This one-pot meal is an easy one to make and is an alternative to those days when you want to make sambar, but find no time. Thuvaram Paruppu Sadam need not be confused …

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 …

Brinjal Pirattal

There are some traditional vegetables that bring us their exotic flavors when cooked at the right consistency with mild spices. I always experience that cooking vegetables like okra or brinjal is a little challenging. Might sound a bit weird right? Yes, but too much or less of water added to this will definitely ruin their …

Porikadalai Thogayal

Porikadalai thogayal is a no- fancy recipe. I have been away from blogging for quiet a while and back now, looking for some comfort food. The seek for these simple foods comes after those elaborate feast at family weddings that we had over the last couple of months. One such comfort foods that we had for …

Idly Sambar

Idly Sambar

A very popular Tamilnadu food is Idly. You go to any part of the world or even outside of Tamilnadu, you will definitely start to long for this. While Idly is a staple and all-time favorite for every age group, its taste is definitely elevated with its best friend Sambar. You start two Idlis first, …

Kuzhi Paniyaram

This that time of the year again!! Yup BACK TO SCHOOL!! After that month of vacation, kids are looking forward to the next school year. While they are busy looking for a school, teachers, and friends, the moms are hitting their heads for healthy, quick lunch ideas. If your kid is a first-timer like mine, …

Thenkuzhal Murukku

The Tamil month of Aavani brings in festive flavors to the household, Starting from Krishna Jayanthi, it is continuous to Vinayagar Chaturthi, Diwali, and Karthigai Deepam.  Of all this, Diwali is one funfilled festive that is close to my heart.  When I begin to pen down the Snacks for Diwali, Thenkuzhal is the default recipe …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Vazhaikkai Kola Urundai

The other day when I went for my grocery shopping, some fresh green plantain caught my eyes. I love fresh vegetables. I grabbed two of them keeping in mind making vazhaikkai poriyal. Somehow, I just used one of them only as it was enough for my family. The other plantain was however sitting in the …

Little Millet (Samai) Idly

Incorporating millets have become a practice in my household these days. I try different recipes with them and one such hit recipe is this Samai Idli / Little Millet Idli. I get requests from readers and friends on the availability of millets in the USA. Please try to get them from online( amazon), Trader Joe’s has …

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 …

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 …

Sweet and Lemon Sevai

Sweet and Lemon Sevai

Sevai is a very tasty South – Indian tiffin recipe. When you have a packet of ready-made sevai, your option to make a tasty meal is endless. From Sweet to Savory, Sevai is so versatile that it can be tasty food. Though a ready-made sevai is easy to prepare, we need to know the exact …

Patnam Pakoda

After school snack is always important when there are school going kids at home. Most of the days there is some fruit along with crackers on weekday evening since our dinner time falls over quickly. The scenario is not the same on weekends, especially on a Friday, where the schedule changes over. So Friday snack …

Peanut Rice

Peanuts are a wonderful source of protein and fiber. Peanuts are high in protein, calorie-rich, less in carbohydrates, and make you fill with a handful of them. Peanuts are an essential part of cooking in most of the South- Indian variety rice. It is also our pantry staple. I came across this peanut rice in …

Paal Kolukattai

Paal Kolukattai is a very tasty traditional sweet that has numerous ways of preparation. This is very famous in the Chettinad area of Tamil Nadu and authentically prepared with jaggery and coconut milk. Some people also make it with regular whole milk and sugar or jaggery. This kolukattai is underrated because of its appearance like …

Snake Gourd Kootu

Snake Gourd kootu / Pudalangai Kootu

Gourds are groups of vegetables that include, but not limited to pumpkin, squash, and cucumbers. The gourds may be hard or soft-shelled with seeds in most of them. The gourds are commonly found in South and South-East Asian countries and have an important place in Indian cooking. They are so versatile that it gives immense …

Kambu Pakoda

Pearl millet is also called Kambu(Tamil), Sajje / Sajjalu (Kannada / Telugu), and Bajra (Hindi). Pearl millet / Kambu is one variety of millet that is loaded with good nutrients like Calcium and magnesium along with fiber. Kambu is also a boon to fight against type 2 diabetes. I usually make dosas, idlis, and rotis …

Capsicum Chutney

Being a South- Indian, we love our Idlis and Dosas accompanied by various chutney and sambars. We love our coconut, Onion and tomato chutneys, but do not want to get bored with eating the same. Hence I try my hands on various vegetables and even their skin for chutneys. Not only they taste great, but …

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 …

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 …

Vellai Kari

Vellaikari is a very tangy kulambu/ curry recipe that is famous in the Tirunelveli region. Sambar, Puli kulambu, and Rasam are very common in many households. When we get bored of these kulambu varieties, we make this vellaikari. Vellaikari is made with fresh ground spices without the addition of any Dal Varieties. It is very …

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 …

Pepper Thattai

Thattai is a traditional recipe that is made in Tamil households for Krishna Jayanthi and Deepavali. Thattai can be stored and consumed for two weeks. The right mix of rice flour and roasted gram flour or besan flour and seasoned with pepper or red chili powder for the spiciness. Thattai is also called as Nipattu …

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 …

Vegetable Nilgiri Kurma

There are plenty of kurma recipes in the blogosphere. One of the classic Kurma recipes is the Nilgiri Kurma. Nilgiri is one of the regions in the Western Ghats and luscious in nature. As the name goes by, this Kurma is very luscious and tasty. This Nilgiri Kurma is very famous and uses fresh ingredients …

Nellai Ulundhu Kali

Ulundhu Kali is a very famous and traditional dish in the Tirunelveli region. There are different recipes of this Ulundhu Kali in other parts of TamilNadu too with variation in the proportion of ingredients added. However, the key ingredient in this is the Whole Black Urad dal. My Amma is a specialist in making this …

Aapam (Without Yeast/ Baking Soda)

After all that busy holiday feasts, followed by the busy shopping, the Indian taste buds always demand us for those homemade, traditional, comfort foods. While I know how busy this long weekend would go, I planned this guilt-free, soft pillow-like aapam ahead and left them in my oven to ferment overnight ( Grr.. Mine almost …

Kadhamba Sadham

Kadhambam means ” Variety” in Tamil. As the name goes, this Kadhamba Sadham is made with Rice and toor dal along with an assortment of country vegetables and freshly ground masala paste. Kadhamba Sadham is made during festivals like Navratri and Pongal on the Kanum Pongal day. After an elaborate purchase of vegetables for Pongal, …

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 …

Instant Garlic Pickle

Garlic is one of the very healthy vegetables that are heart-healthy. It is a key seasoning ingredient that is used widely around the world.  A south-Indian meal is not complete without a bowl of creamy curd rice.  A spicy pickle elevates the taste of the curd rice. However, a store-bought pickle is loaded with preservatives …

Chettinad Kola Urundai Kulambu

For a south Indian, everyday lunch comprises rice, poriyal, and importantly kulambu/ gravy/ pulusu or Rasam. This is an important part of the lunch and made with tamarind base or buttermilk base with the addition of dals/vegetables. In Tamilnadu cuisine, Chettinad cuisine is very famous for its unique flavors. There are certain spices and vegetables …

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 …

ORANGE SKIN/ PEEL PACHADI

Orange is an immunity boosting fruit rich in Vitamin C. Orange peel is also beneficial with the presence of immense nutrients in them. The skin of Oranges have fibre and polyphenols that are great against many diseases. The limonene present in orange skin has ant-cancerous properties. Indian food as such make good use of the …

CELERY STALK CHUTNEY

Celery is a water- rich vegetable that is commonly eaten raw alone or as salads. Celery has zero calories and hence it is a part of many people’s diet and in  weight loss. Celery stalks are also added in soups and smoothies. While it is good for health, the flavor of celery is very strong. …

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 …

TIRUNELVELI SODHI KULAMBU

Say Tirunelveli, there are a lot of regional speciality from this district in South TamilNadu. For every one who knows the name of this city, the immediate one is the famous Iruttu kadai Halwa. Thesecond top on this list is Sodhi Kulambu that is unique to this region and cannot be found in any other …

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 …

WATERMELON RASAM

Water melon is a summer fruit that is rich in water content. After coming back from the scorching sunny day, we need to quench our thirst with this water rich fruit. Water melon by itself is sweet and there are a lot of recipes that can be made from it including sorbets, popsicles, drinks and …

APPALA KOOTU || APPALAM KOOTU

Every South-Indian meal has a kulambu, rasam and curd. These are paired up with portal , varuval or Kootu. Though it is not possible to make all these varieties on a single day, there is at least one of them in the lunch menu. We love Kootu as they it makes a complete meal by …

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, …

PULI ILLAKARI KULAMBU

A South-Indian meal has a kulambu, poriyal or kootu along with rice and ghee on a daily basis. Of this kulambu, some of them are made with dal and mostly with tamarind. After delivery, it is suggested that the moms eat healthy to heal themselves as well as foods that help in nursing babies. For. …

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 …

Spinach Murukku

Diwali means there is some deep frying that is mandated. Though sweets are super delicious, I just love the crunchy, crispy savories. From Murukku, thattai, and karasev, the savory list is my preference. How about some vegetable factor added to these crunchy savories for some goodness? Yes, I tried this SPINACH MURUKKU some days back …

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. …

Rail Chutney

Chutneys are the best accompaniment for any tiffin. If you are a South Indian, you will agree to this. A flavorful and tasty chutney can make a wonderful breakfast. A train journey brings a lot of memories. Also, if you have purchased any food packets during travel, you would have tasted this spicy rail chutney. …

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 …

Chettinadu Keerai Masiyal

Green Leafy Vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals. Chettinadu Keerai Masiyal is a very tasty and healthy recipe that can be eaten with rice or served as an accompaniment. They are creamy in texture and mildly spiced making them kids-friendly. This masiyal can be made with any variety of green. The addition of dal …

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 …

Sun-Dried Cluster Beans/ Kothavarangai Vathal

Vathals and Vadagams are very commonly made in India during the summer months. Vathals are usually made with different forms of vegetables like brinjal, ladysfinger, and bittergourd. These vegetables are parboiled in water and sun-dried for -5 days depending on the heat. After completely dried, they are stored in an air-tight container and fried when …

Lemon Idli

Idli is a tiffin for many. But to me, Idli is an emotion. Every day mornings are made bright with these healthy, beauties accompanied by chutney or sambar. It is a staple food at my house and kids love them even in their school lunches. They stay fresh as packed and taste yummy too. As …

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 …

Ennai Vazhakkai Pirattal

The one plant that is edible in any form is the Banana tree. Of this, I love raw bananas very much. Vazhaikkai/ raw banana is used widely in South-Indian cooking from curries, kulambu, avial , poriyal , podimas , kootu and varuval. It is very versatile and blends well with any form of food. I …

Godhumai Rava Payasam

Payasam is an important party. South-Indian meal. Every festive meal in South India usually consists of poriyal, kootu, Avial, Pachadi with a three-course meal of Sambar, rasam, vathal kulambu and thayir . This is usually ended with a tasty payasam. Payasam is usually made with rice, millets, dals, sago, veermicelli, and fruits in a jaggery …

Cabbage Thoran

Every South-Indian meal comprises the main course as rice with any kulambu with a side of poriyal, kootu, varuval and thoran. Of all, I love the thorans. Thoran can be made with vegetables like cabbage, carrot, beans, broad beans, and most green vegetables. The Cabbage thoran that I made the other day is our family’s …

Sathur Milagu Kara Sev || Pepper Kara Sev

Saathur is a small town in the southern part of Tamilnadu. It comes under the Virudhunagar district of Tamilnadu. Saathur is very famous for its cottage industries that are many source of income for its residents. Apart from these cottage industries, Saathur is very famous for its Karasev. If you belong to Tamilnadu, you might …

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 …

Vazhaikkai Puttu / Raw Banana Puttu

There’s one plant /tree that every part is used in cooking and edible is the banana tree. Every part of the banana tree, from the stem, flower, vegetable, and fruit is edible. Raw Banana/ Green Banana is a versatile vegetable that can be made shallow fried, deep-fried, in curries, and roasted.  Of all these, a …

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. …

Spicy Kara Boondhi

It is that time of the year, where we don’t might on the calories. Diwali is an important festival celebrated all over India with great joy. While I try making different sweets and savory every year, there are some standard recipes, that are very special and brings nostalgic memories. One such is the karaboondhi that …

GARLIC KARA SEV

Kara Sev is a variation of murukku which is usually spiced with pepper or red chilli powder along with flavors from different combination of spices. While I love pepper kara sev, specially the thick ones, I also equally love this garlic /Poondu kara sev for it outstanding flavors. The combination of garlic/poondu with omam just …

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 …

Spicy Pori Upma

Pori/ Puffed Rice is usually used in making snacks. During ayudha Poojai, Pori is served along with jaggery and roasted gram. After this, most of the households leave them as such. I tried making a spicy version of this Pori upma with the leftover puffed rice/ pori. The secret ingredient in this recipe is the …

Masal Vadai

Masal Vadai is made with dal and spices. It is very crispy and crunchy outside and soft inside. The Masal vadai is so flavorful with a burst of spices in every single bite. Though it is a very simple recipe, a lot of techniques need to be followed. It is important to get the texture …

Cranberry Garlic Pickle

Cranberry is a super fruit that is very commonly used during holiday seasons. It is made as a chutney or relish for Thanks giving Dinner. The fresh cranberry fruit is available very commonly in grocery stores. It is rich in nutrients and anti oxidants making it a super fruit. During off-season, it is available in …

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 …