where recipes are made …
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 …
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 – 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 (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 …
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 …
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 | 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 ( 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 (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(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 ( 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 …
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 …
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/ 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 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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 (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 …
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 …
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 – 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 ( 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
It is sometimes boring to have routine kulambu/curry along with plain rice every day. On such days of boredom and need quick fix meal days, I opt for a variety of rice. South-Indian taste buds are so much imbibed towards lemon rice. Be it in travel or lunch box for school/college/office, Lemon Rice stands first. …
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/ 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 …
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 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 …
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 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 …
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 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 …
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, …
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, …
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 …
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, …
Navratri is all about the season of sundals. In most of the households, the evening snacks during Navratri days are sundal. Ranging from green gram, channa, Kala channa we use a variety of beans for this. Meanwhile, lentils like channa dal and moong dal are also made. Channa dal sundal is usually made on Saraswathi …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Karthigai Deepam is an important festival celebrated at houses and temples all over in Tamilnadu. It falls in the Karthigai Masam of the Tamil calendar. It is to be believed that a constellation of six stars group together to form a pendant shape. Thirukkarthigai is celebrated with lamps placed all over the houses for three …
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 …
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 …
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 / 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 …
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 …
Steamed foods are always a hit in our household. It is less in fat, softer, yet tasty and can be gulped without any guilt 😃. Kozhukattai is one of our favorite steamed foods. We have them as a snack and also sometimes as dinner. The other day, we were back after a tiresome grocery shopping …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Ven Pongal is everyone’s favorite at home. But it also counts for the calories that come with it. Back in childhood, I remember Amma making Pongal for our Saturday breakfast and we have it with Sambar and Vadai that Appa used to get from the Udupi hotel after his morning walks. That piping hot Pongal …
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 …
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 …
Vella Seedai is one of the mandatory deep-fried South- Indian Snack during Krishna Jayanthi. It is one underrated snack because of the labor it goes into making this and also the risk it involves preparing it. Yes, it requires an immense amount of skill and practice to making this most delicious Vella seedai. The proportion …
Kozhukattai is the main neivedhyam for Vinayagar Chaturthi. It is the favorite of Lord Ganesha. Kozhukattai is a simple steamed food with an outer covering of rice flour and an inner filling which may be sweet or savory. In southern parts of India, this is mandatory for Vinayagar Chaturthi. The sweet filling for Kozhukattai can …
Every festival is accompanied by a sweet dessert. In the same way, every Onam sadhya meal has at least two payasam in it. Usually, one of the payasam is made from rice, dal, or a combination of it with the addition of jaggery. If you are looking for a payasam with a combo of rice …
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. …
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 …
Idli and Dosa are staples in south-Indian homes. However, there are some traditional tiffin recipes that are tasty and often appear in the dinner scene in our household. One such recipe is Arisi Upma. Arisi Upma is made from coarsely grounded rice in a rava consistency. Arisi Rava is traditionally cooked in a heavy-bottomed brass …
Every week, while I plan my weekly menu, the one question that arises is what do I make for dinner. It is easy to plan out my breakfast menus as Idlis, dosas, cereal, or Oatmeal are our go-to ones on weekdays. Though we have a routine of soups, phulkas for dinner, the kids get bored …
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 …
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 …
Kesari is an all-time favorite easy to make the sweet recipe. This is very popular in Tamil weddings and at home when there is an unexpected guest or even a quick sweet to satisfy the sweet cravings. My little A loves this Kesari and I remember him asking for yellow-colored Kesari during one of the …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Millets are becoming an essential part of everyone’s diet these days. While millets are available as a whole grain or flour, they are also available as rava or flattened rice /poha. I usually grab a pack of millet Poha during my grocery hauls. Poha upma is an usual affair with them. However, I wanted to …
Urad dal is a very healthy ingredient, rich in calcium and Iron. The health benefits from Urad dal are so much. Urad Dal helps regulate the diabetes, good for cardiac health, good for bones. This Urad dal rice is very famous in the Tirunelveli district of Tamilnadu. It is usually given to little girls while …
Modaks / Kozhukattai / Sweet dumplings are famous Indian sweet dishes that are made during Ganesh chaturthi celebrations. Different varieties of modak are prepared in various cultures. Modaks are made either by steaming or by frying. Commonly the outer covering of the kozhukattai/ Modak are made with rice flour and are steam cooked. Sometimes, the …
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 …
Millets are trending grains these days. Though these super grains are not new to us, we have completely avoided them so far. Also, the misconception that they can be had only as porridges/ gruel had not interested many. However, we can incorporate these super grains into daily affairs like Idli and Dosas. They are not …
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 …
Pearl Millet is one of the fibrous millets. Pearl Millet/Bajra/Kambu is a boon to diabetic patients. Bajra has a very high fibrous content and tends to digest slowly. This will release sugars gradually and hence pearl millet is very diabetic friendly. Pearl Millet is also gluten-free and hence it can be consumed by people with …
Millets are a wonderful substitute for rice and wheat that is consumed widely. Though these wonderful grains are not new to us, they were definitely forgotten for a while. With the internet people are becoming more and more aware of these wonderful grains. While some of them had switched back to millet on a daily …
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. …
Kanchipuram Idli / Kovil Idli / temple Idli is a very famous Idli variety that had its origin in a small town -Kanchipuram, TamilNadu. This is served as an offering in the famous Sri Varadharaja temple and meticulously made in bamboo cases lined with Mandharai leaves. Though it seem to be a regular Idli, this …
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 …
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 …
Milagu Pongal is a very famous prasadham that is offered in Nanganallur Anjaneyar temple. Nanganallur is in the suburbs of Chennai and is very famous for its temples. Though there are many temples in Nanganallur, the Anjaneyar Kovil is very well known and people from different parts of Chennai visit the temple. The majestic Idol …
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 …
Panchamritham is a sweet offering served in Murugan temples. While many temples offer this neivedhyam, the divine PALANI/ PAZHANI MURUGAN temple in Tamilnadu is very known for this. Palani is a pilgrim town in the Dindugul district of Tamilnadu famously known for the Dhandayudhapani temple. The story of the shrine is that Lord Murugan wanted …
Azhagar Kovil is a very small village in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. The name of the village is from the very famous Azhagar/ Kallazhagar Kovil. The main deity of this temple is Sundarabahu Perumal in standing pose ( Nindra kolam). Azhagar Kovil is one of the 108 divya desam as per the Vaishavite …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Barnyard Millet / Kuthirai vali arrisi is one of the positive millet that is a boon to human. Positive millets are those millets that help in curing any health issues or disorders. Hence their consumption is very good for health. The carbohydrate content of this Barnyard millet is low and it is rich in fibre. …
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 …
Keerai / greens are a great source of Iron. It is good to include greens in our diet. Back In India, we can find a variety of greens. However, we can only find a few varieties like Kale, Chard, Moringa, and Spinach. We often make Spinach Dosa, Spinach Molagootal, Andhra Pappu, and Palak Paneer. Sometimes …
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, …
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 …
Whenever we eat heavy meals on a festive day, the next day calls for. a simple lunch. Simple Lunch means it either has some rasam, thogayal, or a flavorful Podi with some ghee or gingelly oil. In our household, I always stock up on dal Powder/ Paruppu Podi and this flavorful Dhaniya podi. This Dhaniya …
Seedai is a favorite snack for the kutty Krishnar. Seedai is many of our favorite snack too. However, to achieve a no-burst seedai, we need more practice and perfection. If you are a beginner who wants to try making Seedai first time this Krishna jayanthi, then this is for you. Maida Seedai is a crispy, …
Modak / Kozhukattai is a favorite prasadam made during the Vinayagar Chaturthi festival. Vinayagar Chaturthi is celebrated in many parts of India and modak/ kozhukattai is offered ,as it is the favorite one for Lord Ganesha. Kozhukattais are made in south India with an outer rice flour covering and an inner filling usually made with …
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. …
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 …
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 …
Pregnancy is an important phase for every women and recovery after childbirth needs to be done cautiously. In early ages, where medical facilities are less and most childbirth was done at home, the diet that was followed postpartum helped in the healing process. Most of the foods given to new moms included peppercorns against the …
Kozhukattai is a quick snack or a fulfilling dinner for us. While we make other sweet variety of kozhukttais for chaturthi, we always make savory kozhukattais for dinner or a quick evening snack. Of the many savory kozhukattai we make, I love this curry leaves/karuvepillai ammini kozhukattai very much. Growing up, curry leaves was not …
Kootanchoru is a very famous dish in the Tirunelveli region. Growing up as a kid, I remember this Kootanchoru made whenever we have family members gather for any family events, or during travel. Traditionally, Kootanchoru is made in a large open pot and cooked on the woodstove. Kootanchoru is often confused with Sambar Sadham which …
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. …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Kozhukattai is a famous South-Indian food that can be had as a snack or a fulfilling dinner recipe. Kozhukattais are very versatile and can be made with any grain from rice, wheat, ragi, or any millet variety. I try to include millets in our family diet regularly, mainly because they are complex carbs that are …
The Masala box is an important one that is available in every Indian Kitchen. Each of the ingredients in the Masala box brings flavor and enhances the taste of the dish it is added to. One of the ingredients seen is Fenugreek which has a bitter taste, yet gives awesome flavors when added to sambar, …
Podis are best companions for Idli, dosa, or rice on a busy day when there is less time to make an elaborate meal. We love our podis and this Pudhina podi has become our household favorite. While we like to add. a spoonful of this with rice and ghee, the kids love to eat with …
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 …
Kozhukattais are specialties from Tamilnadu and this Pidi Kozhukattai is a very traditional one made during Chaturthi in our household. we need the basic ingredients available in the pantry to make this Pidi kozhukattai. Unlike the modaks, they do not require poornam or filling to make them. It is more like a dump-and-go recipe, however, …
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 …
Karamani Vadai (Lobia/காராமணி பயிறு) is an attempt to infuse bean into our diet. I made this vadai last year during the Navratri season. I was a bit hesitant during the process of making this vadai, fearing its outcome. Surprisingly it turned out very crunchy like our normal masala vadai. The kids liked it very much …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
The Indian subcontinent grows about 6000 varieties of rice. While, the world knows much about the Basmati and the Sona masoori rice, there are may varieties like the rajamundhry, thooyamalli, kaatuyanam, kavuni arisi among those thousand varieties. Of these, the black rice, which is commonly called the Kavuni Arisi in South India, is very good …
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 …
Idli is a universally accepted comfort food. It has the right proportion of lentils (proteins and rice ( carbs) for a healthy breakfast. Urad Dal is the main component of the Idli. It is so important to make a perfect Idli. The main deal to get a soft Idli is to master the ratio of …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Vinayagar chaturthi is all about Kozhukattais. All Pillayar loves this simple and easy steamed food. There are many kozhukattais/ modakams made in sweet and savory versions. While making modakam is a bit lengthy process, beginners those who stay way from home can bring a festive feel with this simple savory/kara pidi kozhukattai. It is so …
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, …
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. …
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 …
Deepavali is all about celebration. when theres celebration, theres definitely good food. How about a quick sweet recipe that does not take much time and can be made with easily available ingredients at home? Heard it right! Rava and Coconut are easily available . Add in sugar and a bit of ghee to bring in …
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 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 …
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 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 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/ 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 …
Poosanikkai / White pumpkin / Ashgourd is a vegetable rich in water content. It is usually tasteless and very commonly used in sambar, mor kulambu , kootu. Ash gourd kootu is also made, but many do not like it. If you are one of that kind, then this puli kootu is a must try. …
Breakfast and Dinner Recipes are very hard to think of. After a busy day, everyone wants a hot, and quick dinner recipe.. If you are looking for something like that, then this famous Tamil nadu style Rava Pongal is for you. Rava Pongal is very soft, delicious and quick to make. It is also very …