Monday, December 30, 2013

Kovakkai Curry

                                                          Kovakkai is otherwise known as  ivy gourd.It is a commonly cooked vegetable in north and south India.Sometimes it is mistaken with bitter melon and becomes bitter when you buy them.North and south Indians have various recipes for this vegetable.I myself cook it in two varieties.I thought i would share this particular recipe which can be an accompaniment for both rice and chapathis.I add a potato to the curry to give a binding.This is a simple recipe without much of masalas.



Thursday, December 26, 2013

Rawa Dhokla/Gujarathi Snack

                                                                 I never knew we could make dhokla with Rawa.I have only seen the yellow colour dhokla made with gram flour everywhere!!!  when i saw it another blog I tried it out immediately and it came out pretty well.One more variety of snack with rawa!!!.It is simple easy and very tasty.The ingredients and the way of making is very similar to making the normal dhokla.



Monday, December 23, 2013

Pineapple Kesari


                                                       Pineapple is a favourite fruit in our house but not as a fruit!!!ya my kids are not fruit friendly!! yes they like it in the form of pineapple rasam or pineapple kesari!!Those are their two favourite dishes! that is the reason i buy pineapple..This time i bought a full fruit and made pineapple rasam for few days and made pineapple kesari today.It is same way you make rawa kesari but with the pineapple flavour and fruits in it.Those who like pineapple flavour would love it.I have tasted it in most of the South Indian wedding breakfast menus and It is popular in Karnataka too!,



Thursday, December 19, 2013

Sweet Corn Curry


                                                              I love Sweet Corn!!!! whenever i go to movies or to the mall my favourite snack would be Sweet Corn especially with butter.I love anything made with sweet corn sundal,subzi ,bhel or corn chat any one  i just love them!I was looking for a recipe for corn curry and found one in sailu's kitchen.It is a simple recipe and a quick one too because corn cooks really fast!!!The capsicum and the kasuri methi adds a little more flavour to the subzi!!!!



Monday, December 16, 2013

Ven Pongal/Ghee Pongal

                                                                     When i say Ven Pongal I remember Marghazi Masam.Margazhi masam comes between dec 15-jan 14.You get Ven Pongal as prasadam in Vishnu temples daily throughout the month.
It is beleived that Andal observed the paavai Nombu to attain Vishnu as her husband.She used to recite the Thirupaavai(collection of 30 poems)every day througout the month.
Later  it used to  be believed that if young girls observed Paavai Nombu and sang Thiruppavai , they would get good husbands.Apart from this marriage beleif singing Thiruppavai brings more religious connections.
After reciting the poems they would be given hot Ven pongal in Dhonnais(disposable cups made out of palm leaves)as prasadam.It is really popular in vishnu temples.When people are not able to go to the temple they make ven pongal at home for neivedhyam on the first day of Marghazi masam.My mother used to make both sweet and ven pongal for neivedhayam.I am not a big fan of Ven pongal but my husband loves it and my daughter too.


Thursday, December 12, 2013

Khandvi Gujarathi snack Recipe

                                                      Khandvi is a gujarathi snack.The ingredients are similar to Khaman dhokla.I have not eaten as much khandvi as dhokla. Dhokla is a little more healthy and simpler to make.You make khandvi by mixing gram flour with buttermilk,salt and turmeric powder and cooked to a paste and spread on a flat surface and cut into strips and rolled in to pinwheels.It is interesting and tricky to make this one.The paste should be in correct consistency otherwise it will not spread and if it is too watery it will not roll.




Monday, December 9, 2013

Papaya Orange Juice

                                                                 I discovered this juice recently in a another blog.As it was mentioned Papaya is not a favourite fruit for many and me too.This juice is a great way of eating papaya without having to eat it like a papaya.It tastes so good that i was wanting to have one more glass!!!!
I think it is a real great drink to have for breakfast!!!!


Friday, December 6, 2013

Sambar Powder/Sambar podi/Kuzhambu podi

                                                              Sambar powder is a very important powder,masala or podi stored in a Tamil house.It is a basic masala powder used to make our staple sambar,rasam and vathakuzhambu.There are powders seperate for rasam and vathakuzhambu with slight variations but still we can manage with the sambar powder quiet well.
                                                                I am posting this recipe to make at home in a small quantity.Traditionally all the ingredients are sun dried and powdered in a flour mill in large quantities and stored for a couple of months.But now the families are small and the need is also less so this quantity can be made at home in a mixer and used for a month.




Monday, December 2, 2013

Baked French Fries

                                                 Everyone loves french fries, it is a universal starter !! I was browsing for recipes and found some healthy baked versions.I immediately tried and it tasted yummy. Besides, when it is healthy, you don't need to ask.You can spice it the way you want.Left to myself,  I would just add salt and chilli powder but to get a restaurant flavour I added few spices like garlic powder and paprika.You could add spices of your own choice!!!




Friday, November 29, 2013

More Chaaru/Thirunelveli Recipe

                                                                More Chaaru is nothing but a simple version of More Kozhambu.It is a very old and traditional recipe from Thirunelveli which I learnt from my Mil.It comes in handy and it is made in the evenings(nights), when there is no sambar or kozhambu left from the morning menu.Those days we ate rice for dinner. Also, they used to make More chaaru when people had fever, as one was not allowed to take plain buttermilk or curd becuase curd because of its cooling effect.So, you warm up the curd into the more chaaru.
It is my husbands favourite recipe as he is fond of traditional food.It is usually made as an accompaniment for Thogayals especially coconut or Thengai Thogayal.It is really simple and easy to make with very few ingredients.




Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Sabudana Vada

                             Sabudana Vada is maharashtrian snack usually had during fasting times.It is a no onion and no garlic recipe.usually the sago is washed or soaked and mixed with mixed with mashed potato,green chilli,peanut powder  and  made in to a patti and deep fried.Depending on the quality of the sago the soaking time is decided.If the sago is small and silky variety it is just soaked for twenty minutes or if the sago is hard and big it is soaked for 5 - 6 hours.It is better you know your sago!!!



Sunday, November 24, 2013

Ras Malai/Easy Sweet Recipes

                                                             I have two tins of Rasgullas in my pantry now.I thought I will make Few Gullas into Ras Malai. My husband's cousins are coming over for lunch and I am going to make it as their dessert. .It is basically Ras gullas soaked in Rabri.you can check out recipe for rasgullas here.I really like this sweet because it is mildly sweet and not deep fried (not too much ghee or oil content).It is a perfect dessert after a heavy meal. You can indulge in it without any guilt. It tastes best when it is chilled. My kids are not very fond of this sweet, let me see if they will be gulping a few!!!!!






Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Penne Arrabiata/Pasta Recipes

                                                               Penne pasta is the most favourite of all pastas to most of the children.Most children are fond of this pasta and I don't know why???My kids are not an exception to this rule.They love penne arrabiata especially in the restaurant in chennai called 'creme centre'.I like only their (creme centre) pasta.I think it suits our Indian tastebud so it is perfect according to me.My kids get really excited when I make pasta at home.Usually when I make pasta it becomes dry with not enough sauce today I made it with lot of care that it has enough sauce.Let us see the recipe...


Friday, November 15, 2013

Neiyappam/Unniappam/Kuzhiappam/Karthigai deepam Recipes

                                                                Neiayyam is a sweet dumpling with rice flour jaggery,coconut and cardamom powder(sometimes with mashed banana).It is popular in kerela and palakkad.It is made during Karthigai deepam  and pillayar chathurthi.However my mother used to make appam with wheat flour,jaggery and banana.I got familiar with kuzhiappam only through my friends.It is healthier because it is not deep fried.



Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Nel Pori/Aval Pori Urundai/Karthigai Deepam Recipes

                                                                 Karthigai Deepam is a festival of lights for the Tamilians. It is celebrated in the month of karthigai.We light lamps (agal vilakku) all over the house, light all the lamps possible in the house, put decorative kolams and place the big kuthuvilakkus on them.
I remember my mother making Pori Urundai in the afternoon.We used to go to the pori kadalai  kadai where they used to make these special Nel pori and aval pori for karthigai. Nowadays, it is available in the supermarkets itself.Some of them make only Nel pori and some othem make both.We make both types in our house.Apart from the pori urundais we make appam,vella adai,uppu adai for neivedhyam.





Thursday, November 7, 2013

Gothumai Dosai/Wheatflour Dosa

                                                        Gothumai dosai is a simple dosa variety with wheat flour and rice flour.South Indians who are bored with eating chapathis or phulkas daily will surely consider this option.It is simple to make witheasily available ingredients at home and health too.


Sunday, October 27, 2013

Maida Burfi/Maida Cake

                                                                     Maida burfi or maida cake is one of the easiest sweets in my moms generation.she used to make it so often whenever we had a sweet craving.My grandmom used to put khoa or khoya to soften the burfi.I thought about it and decided to make it with condensed milk.I tried the recipe and it came out pretty well as a soft burfi.The kids loved it and what else do i want???



Thursday, October 24, 2013

Oma Podi/Om Podi/Sev

                                                                Oma Podi is the simplest thenkuzhal variety.My mother and my aunts used to make oma podi and rawa ladoo the first thing for diwali.The omam or the ajwain makes it special.the omam gives a special falovour and taste to the thenkuzhal.Do not add too much of omam as it might taste bitter.Mix the flour in batches otherwise the Omapodi will turn very dark.You can use this omapodi while making mixture too!!!



Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Badam Katli

                                                                       Badam Katli is mine and my daughter's favourite sweet.I decided to make for this diwali.It is very similar to kaju katli except that badam(almonds)have a skin to be peeled so the process is a little longer.Now a days you even get almond powder in some of the countries so if you get it the process can be a little easier and simple.


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Gobi Manchurian

                                                                 Gobi Manchurian an Indo chinese starter and it is most people's favourite!!!!.After all the festival snacks and sweets i wanted to make something different and of course the kids favorite.Long time since i made any starter so decided to make this Gobi Manchurian today.When i bought spring onions kids were curious to know what i was making with it!!



Saturday, October 5, 2013

Pasi Paruppu Sundal

                                                                            It is Navrathri and it is time for sundal recipes.You can check Spicy peanut sundal,Kadalai paruppu Sundal,Greengram sweet sundal and the payasam recipes for a quick reference for Navrathri.Payatham paruppu or paasi paruppu sundal is the most easiest of the sunda.There is no soaking or pressure cooking required.It is really ideal for one of those days when you have not planned or forgotten to soak any bean.It cooks really fast and it is easy to make.




Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Thayir Idli

                                                                  Thayir idli is nothing but Mini Idlies soaked in Yogurt and spices.I tasted this in a south Indian Restaurant in chennai.My friend's Kid used to eat only this when we used to go out for dinner.She could not stand any spicein the food that  so we use to order so"Thayir Idli" for her.It is very simple and you can make it with or without the coconut.Also you can reduce the number of green chillies if you are making for kids.I made this after a long time thinking that kids might not like it but it was  different and so soft and tasty when soaked in curd.It is a good variation in idli variety.!!!you can give it a try!!!





Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Bagara Baingan/Hyderabadi Bagara Baingan Recipe

                                                              I am posting this recipe for my blogging friend and I hope she likes it.I picked up the purple small brinjals y'day when i went vegetable shopping to make this subzi today.     Bagara Baingan is a traditional hyderabadi Brinjal subzi.It is a great accompaniment for Biryani,pulao and Jeera pulao.In the traditional way the brinjals are deep fried and added to the gravy but i have not deep fried them.There is a smoky flavour to this dish traditionally but i have made it in a simple way!!!



Thursday, September 12, 2013

Beans Curry with Moong Dal

                                                                  Beans is a high fiber vegetable to be included in our diet.It is not only fibrous it has lot of anti oxidants to protect us from many diseases.Beans are super healthy,versatile and affordable.When you are picking your beans make sure they are tender and flexible.




Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Tender Pumpkin Thogayal

                                                                    My neighbor sent a Tender pumpkin from his "Farm" I was wondering what to do with the whole pumpkin suddenly this idea struck me to make Thogayal because it was tender.My mother used to make this Thogayal and made it our side dish for adai and dosais.Some people make the thogayal with the seeds and the fleshy part when it is really tender I am making it with the fleshy part alone.It is similar to the onion,tomato or coconut thogayal but Pumpkin Thogayal  is not very common.Like i said you can have it as an accompaniment with idli,dosas and adais.





Friday, August 30, 2013

Focaccia Recipe

                                                                         Focaccia is the most simple bread.It is flat bread with spices and onions but the toppings and the spices could vary from onions to tomatoes,olives etc.Same way you can add spices of your choice like Rosemary,oregano or a spice mix too.To suit my taste i added chilli flakes and onions.(it tastes more Indian)It is a basic bread recipe and perfect for a beginner.




Saturday, August 24, 2013

Uppu Seedai and Vella Seedai For Gokulashtami

Uppu Seedai and vella seedai are the most common snack made for Gokulashtami.It is the same dough made in sweet and salt versions.You can make it a few days before and keep it for neivedhyam or you can prepare the dry flour few days earlier and make the seedais on gokulashtami day.
There has always been a scare about the seedais bursting when put in the oil.There are three tips i learnt from other blogs(which i followed while making the seedais)for the seedais to not burst.First sieve the flour well so that the dough is smooth.Second do not roll them too tightly and the third is to roast the flour well.If you follow all these it might nut burst.
Since Krishna is a baby and likes to eat his snacks in different shapes that you can see in the pictures!!!!




Monday, August 19, 2013

Aamai Vadai/Paruppu Vadai

                                                      Aamai means Tortoise in Tamil Language this vadai resembles the shell of a Tortoise on the outside that is why it is called "Aamai Vadai".Though it is called Aamai vadai it is the paruppu vadai that is made in most of the festive occassions.Starting from weddings,upanayanams and festivals like diwali,pongal to small festivals paruppu vadai becomes  part of the menu.Today being Avani Avittam it is a must in my house.It is made traditionally so there is no onion,garlic or fennel seeds like in "Masal Vadai"which is quiet similar to this Paruppu vadai.




Thursday, August 15, 2013

Kondakadalai Sundal/Kabuli channa Sundal

                                                                        Kondakadalai Sundal is a neivedhyam on pillayar chathurthi,varalakshmi pooja and Saraswathi pooja.It is a healthy and nutritious sundal too.There are two types of this kondakadalai(black and white).You can make the sundal with both and the recipe is the same.
It is very simple and easy recipe.My mother used to make a spicy version of this sundal during Navrathri she used to dry roast channa dal,coriander seeds,red chillies,coconut powder it and then add it to the sundal.





Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Samba Rice Recipe

                                                                              Samba Rice was very  new to me.It is a  rice variety i tasted recently in a temple as prasadam. .I started looking for recipes on the net and could not find much.Finally  found this recipe in Meenakshi ammal's cook book.I think it is very traditional recipe and of course very simple and easy to make.The pepper and cumin seeds in the rice can be really appetizing.I thought I might as well record the recipe and share it with all of you!





Thursday, August 1, 2013

Methi Matar Malai

                                                                        Methi Matar Malai is a rich and creamy north Indian subzi(gravy).As the name says it is a curry with Methi leaves,green peas and cream.It goes well with all the Indian flat breads and pulao.It is a little different from the usual north Indian gravies(curries) which are tomato based and red in colour. Now let us look at the recipe....





Saturday, July 20, 2013

Tomato Jam

                                                                    Tomato Jam it is not very common in the stores. My mother used to make this Tomato Jam at home.Though it is very simple to make she made it  very rarely because we would not eat bread that often in my house!!!Because it was home made and had no onion or garlic in it I remember my grand mom used to have it with pooris,chapathis and dosas because she would never eat the store bought bread or jam.
It is a very healthy and kids friendly recipe because there are no preservatives.I thought it was a very rare recipe and would share it with all of you!!!!!






Sunday, July 14, 2013

Gothumai Adai/Wheat Flour Adai/Sweet Adai

                                                                      I have not heard of this recipe before,until i saw it in chitra's food book.It was really interesting. There are two versions of this adai sweet as well as savoury. The savoury version recipe will follow soon!!!!It requires very few ingredients and quiet  simple and easy to make.It is healthy too!!!It is a treat to people who have a sweet tooth.When i say this i remember that my cousin brother used to have jaggery with curd rice when we were small.I am sure there are lot of people are like that!I too love a little bit of sweetness in food!!!Anyway coming to this sweet adai it is a good variation from the normal chapathis or phulkas we have(one more variety).It is a good after school snack for kids!!!The coconut pieces,cardamom powder and the ghee makes it really yummy!!!!





Monday, July 8, 2013

Vegetable Biryani

                                                                           This Vegetable Biryani is my version (of course i learnt it from my mother)of the biryani.I have made it a lot of times at home and for few parties and who ever has tasted it so far has liked it very much!My  friends love it and so do we. so i thought i will share it with all of you.It is actually my mothers recipe.She was never exposed to the dum biryani so this is how she used to make biryani and here is the recipe.......



Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Vermicelli Upma/Semiya Upma

                                                                         Semiya Upma is a simple and easy breakfast recipe.It  tastes so good that it does not require any accompaniment, so it really comes handy when you are short of time.I make this upma for breakfast,though my kids do not enjoy upmas very much they do eat it for my sake!They do enjoy the vermicelli biryani that i make for dinner sometimes.I have used only onions for this upma.You can add tomatoes,finely chopped vegetables like carrot,beans,peas and cauliflower to make it more healthy and colourful.You can chop these vegetables the previous day and store it in the fridge to use it in the morning(to make it easier).Now coming to the recipe.....





Saturday, June 29, 2013

Hara Bhara Kebab

                                                     Hara Bhara Kebab is a yummy starter and it is my favourite!!!.I tried it in a restaurant and later tried making it home and started making it in my own way to make it as healthy and tasty possible.It is actually a tikki or a patti made with boiled and mashed potato,spinach,boiled peas and some spices to make it tasty.I pureed the blanched spinach so that it is rich in colour and appealing to the eyes.I think it is good idea to include some greens in a starter!!!!coming to the recipe....






Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Avial

                                                                    Avial is a vegetable curry in Kerala style.Though it is a Kerala Dish it has become very popular in Tamilnadu also. Avial is part of every festival menu in Tamilnadu and the Onam Sadhya..My mother used to make avial with onion sambar and potato curry on sundays.I do make it some times but not very often.

Avial is a coconut based curry with a lot of vegetables in it.Since it has lot of vegetables like white pumkin,yam,carrots,beans,potato,brinjals,snake gaurd,broad beans,colocasia,drumstick,raw banana, cooking them evenly and not allowing them to get mushy is a challenge in this curry.Some of the vegetables like yam,colocasia,drumstick,raw banana,beans and carrots take a longer time to cook than other vegetables like white pumkin,brinjal etc.So cooking them in batches and combining them in to a tasty curry could be challenging!!!







Saturday, June 22, 2013

Chili Cheese Toast

                                                                   Chili Cheese Toast is a perfect short eat or a tea time snack.Actually i can even lunch on it( i really like it).All of us like it and it is sometimes a starter order in places like Little Italy(it is a restaurant in chennai).It is very simple and easy to make that even kids can make it on their own because it is most kid's favorite snack!!!!I am sure it will be a great after school snack!coming to the recipe...It is actually nothing but bread slightly baked with a coating of cheese and chilies.





Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Bhel Puri

                                                             Bhel Puri is the king of chat recipes according to me.All the other chat recipes are derived from this main chat.Though the chat recipes originated in the north of India now it is popular all over India and even outside India. The calcutta version of bhel puri is called 'Jhaal Muri',mysore version is called 'Churmuri' and a dry bhelpuri is called 'Bhadang' or 'sukka Bhel'
  Bhel puri is made with puffed rice,sev,potatoes,onions,chaat masala and the two types of chutneys.One is a sweet and tangy chutney with dates,tamarind and jaggery and the other is green chutney with coriander leaves,green chillies and lime juice.



Saturday, June 15, 2013

Curry Leaves Powder/Karuvepillai Podi

                                                                    Curry Leaves powder or karivepillai podi is a dry version of the curry leaves thogayal.It can be stored for a much longer period and it is easy to carry when you are travelling.It is easy and simple to make and it can be used as an alternative to 'dosai milagai podi' so you can have it as an accompaniment for idlis and dosas along with some gingelly oil.
Curry Leaves has enormous benefits and its iron content helps ladies overcome their menstrual problems too.So it is advised to include lot of curry leaves in our diet and when it is consumed like a thogayal or karuvepillai podi you do not throw away the leaves like we do when it is put in sambar or other dishes.



Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Bhindi Fry the south Indian way

                                                                     I have been wanting to make this yummy bhindi fry in a while but  somehow it didn't happen.Yesterday my neighbor uncle sent some vegetables from his farm it was correct quantity for me to do this fry,so i thought let me make it.People usually make this only in weddings and festival menus since it is deep fried.I usually wait for a second serving of this bhindi fry in the wedding.
It is crispy, crunchy and spicy and makes an excellent side for any south Indian gravy like Sambar.




Saturday, June 8, 2013

Sweet Pidi Kozhukattai/Vella Pidi Kozhukattai

                                                                          I already posted the salt version of the pidi kozhukattai. There are not many recipes on the web or books for the sweet pidi kozhukattai or vella pidi kozhukattai but my mother used to make both varieties whenever she makes this kozhukattai.
.Though my mother used to make both sweet and salt kozhukattais I am more fond of the salty version.Salt kozhukattais goes well with some tomato chutney or any other chutneys.The sweet version does not even need an accompaniment.It is real treat to people who like jaggery taste



Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Green Gram Dal Sambar

                                                                      Green gram dal Sambar is a variation from the regular South Indian sambar which is usually with the Tur Dal.I have come across this recipe but never tried it before.I soaked this dal in the morning to make dal (which i make regularly)but somehow could not make it!!!!I just decided to make a sambar with this soaked dal. Needless to say the benefits of green gram dal it is high fibre,protein rich and easily digestible.It is a simple easy and healthy recipe!!!!!





Saturday, June 1, 2013

Atte Ke Halwa/Wheat Flour Halwa

                                                                 Atte Ke Halwa is nothing but halwa made with wheat flour.You will not believe that it is so simple to make!!!.I remember when i was in college One of my Gujarati friends used to make it  so easily.She also mentioned to us that in north india it is made when they were fasting and during pooja times.It is quiet heavy and filling because it is made out of wheat flour,sugar and ghee.So watch out if you are eating in non fasting times!!!!



Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Bombay Potato Curry

                                                                       I think I am in a phase of making simple,easy,tasty,tangy subzi's these days.It is real hot summer and i am sure all of us want to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen.In the process i came across this subzi called Bombay potato curry or Bombay Bataka Recipe posted by Sia of Monsoon spice.I immediately gave it a try and it was yummy!!!To my surprise it is a no onion and no garlic recipe!!!!




Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Gujarati Dal

                                                                    I have been wanting to post this recipe in a long time.Though it is very easy to make it took me so long to post it.It is simple Tur dal cooked in Gujarati style.They call it "khatta meeta" dal because it is a little sweet and spicy.It comes in really handy when you run out of ideas or vegetables!!!!Plain basmati rice with this dal with a dash of Ghee tastes heavenly!!!!





Thursday, May 16, 2013

Thani Kootu

                                                               Thani Kootu is a very traditional and old recipe.This is usually made at home during sumangali poojai."Thani" means "alone" in Tamil, this kootu is made up of gravy without any vegetable and dal that is why it is called "Thani kootu".During this pooja they make five vegetables with the same gravy.Vegetables like Snake guard,cluster beans,chow chow,brinjal, are boiled and combined with the gravy.It is made during Pongal(sankaranthi)festival too.




Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Bean Quesadillas

                                                                       Bean quesadillas very similar to our roti and rajma but prepared in a different form.Kids love it because of the cheese, crunchy vegetables  and of course it is different!!!   It is simple to make too!!!
                  


Saturday, May 4, 2013

Capsicum Rice

                                                                       Spicy Capsicum rice is a different rice variety recipe.It is not very common and frequently made.It is very similar to Vanghi Bath or Kathikkai sadam but with capsicum it is good variation.Do try!!





Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Eggless Mango Muffins

                                                                     I wanted to try something new with these extra supply of mangoes from my neighbor.I was browsing for recipes for mango pudding desserts etc then finally settled down with mango muffins.I always stick to simple eggless recipes.I have not tasted these made with egg.Anyways coming back to the recipe...