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.

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.

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!!!!

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.

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!!!