Homemade Granola
Homemade Granola is a mixture of rolled oats, nuts and dry fruits with oil, maple syrup and sugar. It makes a healthy breakfast or a snack or a topping in your ice cream or Greek yogurt. This is a basic granola recipe and it is very easy to make. Make your own cereals with your favorite mixture and mix it with cold or warm milk or munch as a snack. I have added all my favorite ingredients in my Granola. You can also include seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds and other dry fruits such as dates, prunes and berries. If you start making your own cereals or granola bars you will never go back to the store bought ones. Believe me and give it a try!!! Ingredients: Rolled oats – 2 cups Slivered or sliced almonds – 3/4...
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Ericha Kuzhambu (with leftover curries)
Ericha Kuzhambu is more like a thick gravy prepared from the left over sambar, rasam, kootu, kara kuzhambu and other curries. Most of the time we end up with left overs after a party or an occasion or even on a regular day. When you have a left over sambar, rasam or kootu or South Indian other curries, Ericha Kuzhambu is the solution. When you mix all these dishes and cook them it gives a unique taste and also prevents wastage of food. Ingredients: Small red onions (shallots) – 6 or 7 Oil – 2 to 3 tbsp (preferably sesame oil) Mustard seeds – 1 tsp A few curry leaves Left over sambar/rasam/kootu/kara kuzhambu Sambar powder – 2 tsp (adjust to spice level) A little salt (optional) Method of Preparation: Heat a tbsp oil in a pan and add...
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Vazhakkai Chips – Plantain Chips
Vazhakkai or Plantain Chips is an easy to make snack and my mom makes it often for most of the occasions. She is not a huge fan of store bought snacks or food and I have watched her make all different kind of chips and other snacks. Plantain Chips can be served with rice and sambar/rasam/yogurt or as a snack. They are savory and more like potato chips. Try this easy to follow recipe and enjoy your homemade chips. Ingredients: Raw plantain (vazhakkai) – 2 Chili powder – 3/4 tsp Salt – 1/2 tsp (adjust to taste) Curry leaves – 5 to 6 leaves Oil for frying Method of Preparation: Heat oil in a pan or kadai. I used canola oil. Any cooking oil would work. Cut the ends and peel the skin off plantain, cut into halves and...
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Pori Urundai for Karthikai Deepam
Happy Karthikai Deepam to all our readers… Karthikai Deepam is a festival observed in India in the month of Karthikai (tamil month). Temples, houses and streets are lit with rows of oil lamps or agal vilakku and the sky is lit with fireworks. This festival is grandly celebrated in Thiruvannamalai, located in Tamilnadu. It is celebrated for 10 days and on the 10th day Mahadeepam (a huge lamp) is lit on top of the Annamalai hill which is said to be visible around a radius of 40 km. This is perhaps the oldest festival in the history of Tamilnadu. On this day, we make Pori Urundai or Puffed Rice Balls, appam, Neyyappam and share it with our family and friends. A grand feast is also prepared on this day which includes rice, sambar, rasam, kootu, kurry, vada, payasam, appalam,...
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Sweet Potato Fries
These are oven baked Sweet Potato Fries with bursting flavors of sweet, spice and salt. They are very easy to make and healthy when compared to fried potatoes (French Fries). I wasn’t so sure how it would taste until I tried them because fries with sweet potatoes?? But then I was wrong. I really like them. My husband is also a huge fan of these fries because of the Home Fries from Pappy’s, a popular BBQ place in Saint Louis. For crispy fries you can add more oil. I have used olive oil but any cooking oil will work. Enjoy your homemade fries and let me know your comments. Ingredients: Sweet potatoes – 2 Corn starch – 4 tsp Garlic powder – 1/2 tsp Ground black pepper – 1/4 tsp Cumin powder – 1/4 tsp Paprika powder – 1/2...
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Stuffed Mushrooms
Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers!! Stuffed Mushrooms are one of my favorite appetizers. Being a vegetarian, I don’t get to enjoy Stuffed Mushrooms from most of the restaurants here where they fill it with meat. So I have always wanted to try this dish and finally I did it. This is an easy recipe to follow and I was amazed by the results. My husband (GS) and I couldn’t stop ourselves from finishing the whole plate. Good food always brings more joy, isn’t it!! You need a good dry white wine and Marsala wine for this recipe. You can fill the mushrooms the previous night, pop them in the refrigerator and bake them just before serving. Make your family and friends happy with this delicious appetizers and once again, Happy Thanksgiving!! Preparation time: 45 minutes Baking time: 30...
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Boiled Peanuts
Raw peanuts are boiled with salt until tender and then shelled before serving. My mom makes it often and it is a go to snack whenever we go out for a picnic. It is also a perfect snack for movie time. Boiled peanuts with Indian spices and a few crunchy vegetables makes a popular street food in India. Enjoy this simple snack with your family. Ingredients: Peanuts with shell – 500 gram (or 1 lb) Salt – 1 and 1/2 tbsp Water Method of Preparation: Wash peanuts thoroughly to remove dirt. Pressure cook with salt and lots of water (until peanuts are fully soaked) for 3 to 4 whistles. You can also boil it in a pot with salt until peanuts become soft and cooked. You will be easily able to break the shell when it is fully cooked. If peanuts...
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Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambu – Spicy Brinjal Curry
Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambu or Kulambu is a delicious South Indian gravy prepared by frying brinjal or eggplant which is then cooked in a tangy and spicy gravy. You can serve it with rice, idly/dosa. Ingredients: Small or medium size brinjal or eggplants – 7 or 8 Small onions or shallots – 8 Tomato – 1 Garlic pods – 4 A few curry leaves Mustard seeds – 1tsp Urad dal – 1 tsp Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp Fennel seeds – 1/2 tsp Methi seeds (Fenugreek) – 1/4 tsp Sesame seeds – 1 tsp Dried red chilies – 4 Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp Sambar powder – 2 tbsp Tamarind juice – 1 and 1/2 cups (extracted from a small lime size of tamarind) Salt to taste Oil – 2 tbsp (preferably sesame oil) Masala to grind: Coriander seeds – 1 tsp...
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Badusha
Wish you all a Happy and Safe Diwali!!! Badusha or Balushahi is a popular sweet dish in India. It is known as Badusha in the south and Balushahi in the north India. All purpose flour or maida is the main ingredient. Badusha is deep fried in oil and dipped in sugar syrup and served. It is easy to make this dish but perfection comes with practice. Sugar syrup and kneading the dough is the key for making this dish. Enjoy your Diwali with this tasty dish. Ingredients: All purpose flour or maida – 2 cups Baking soda – 1/2 tsp Butter or oil – 3 tbsp Yogurt (curd) – 2 tbsp Sugar – 3/4 cup Cardamom pods – 2 Grated nutmeg (jadikkai) – 1/4 tsp Oil for frying Water Method of Preparation: Sift or mix all purpose flour and...
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Ashoka Halwa
Ashoka Halwa or Asoka Halwa is a popular dessert from Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District (South part of India). When you hear the name the first thing that anyone can think of is, why is it named as Ashoka Halwa!! Sorry, even I am on the same page with you… But I can tell you, this is by far the best tasting Halwa I have ever had. My sister lives in Thiruvaiyaru and whenever I meet her I get to taste this Halwa. She knows I am fond of this sweet and she packed me some Halwa flour to make it here. If you are fond of Halwas like me, you should definitely give this a try for this Diwali. The main ingredient of this dish is split moong dal or paasi paruppu. There are different methods of preparation for this...
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Diwali Delights 2012
Diwali is known as the “festival of lights”. This year Diwali falls on Tuesday, November 13. And this year we are planning to bring you recipe videos for some of the sweets and savories that we have posted so far. Here is a list of most recent recipes added to Diwali Sweets and Savories. Malai Sandwich Badam Halwa Coconut Burfi Carrot Halwa Kalkandu Chakkarapongal Nutty Kheer Oma Podi Quinoa Payasam Double Ka Meeta Mixed Nut Brittle Ashoka Halwa Click on each picture for the corresponding recipes and find the rest at Diwali Sweets and...
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Malai Sandwich/Chop
It is Diwali time and on this festive occasion we prepare a lot of sweets and savories and celebrate with our family and friends. Malai Sandwich or Malai Chop is a Bengali dessert made from Paneer/Chenna/Cottage cheese. I have also prepared khoa which serves as a patty. I have used an easy and quick method to prepare khoa. First we make flattened rasgullas, slit them into two halves and make the sandwich with khoa. Enjoy making this sweet for Diwali or any occasion. Preparation time: 2 and 1/2 hours Cooking time: 12 minutes Yield: 15 to 18 sandwiches Ingredients: Freshly made Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) – 2 cups Sugar – 1 cup Water – 5 cups Cardamom pods – 4 Saffron – 5 to 6 strings Rose flavored essence – 1 tsp Food color – red and yellow For Khoa: Butter – 1 tbsp Milk – 1 cup (whole...
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Pumpkin Pancakes
Happy Halloween!! It’s Halloween and here is a delicious Pumpkin Pancake to start your day. Pumpkin in pancakes??? That was my question when I saw a few pins in Pinterest. But then I was so curious to try but wasn’t sure. But it’s Halloween and I wanted to try something pumkin. So that’s how it happened… It’s so easy to make and you can make the batter ahead and refrigerate it for the next day breakfast. It sure is a twist and refreshing from the same old boring pancakes. I added a few spices which goes well with the pumpkin. But I added in less amount since I don;t like it too spicy when it comes to these kind of food. You can serve it with maple syrup or honey or agave nectar or jelly/jam or your homemade...
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Mixed Nut Brittle – Mixed Nut Chikki
Mixed Nut Brittle is an easy to make snack which can be prepared with all the ingredients from your pantry. My mom always makes brittle or balls with peanuts and jaggery which we all adore. But I always liked brittle made with sugar. Also when you add more nuts, it is less guilt when you eat your sweet treat. The crunchy caramelized sugar with all the nuts makes my mouth water. It’s kid friendly and you can make it for the Halloween. Ingredients: Almonds – 3/4 cup Cashew nut – 1/4 cup Blanched peanuts (without skin) – 1/2 cup Sugar – 1 and 1/2 cups Ghee – 1 and 1/2 tbsp A pinch of baking soda Method of Preparation: Heat a pan and fry the nuts separately till it is slightly roasted. Do not let it change color. Or preheat oven...
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Nutty Kheer
I named it as Nutty Kheer because it contains all the essential nuts that is used in Indian cooking, almonds, pistachios, cashew nut and chironji. If you have never heard about Chironji before, they are tiny seeds or nuts from a bush called Buchanania lanzan. They are used in Indian cooking for making curries or desserts. They look like lentils but have a flavor of almonds. It is called “Sara Paruppu” in tamil. This easy and flavorful dessert kheer can be made in advance which saves a lot of time when you have a party or a get-together in your house. If you do not have condensed milk, you can double the volume of milk, reduce it to half or 3/4th and add sugar followed by the nuts. I made this for serving my guests during Navratri and it is...
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Peanut Mango Sundal
Sundal is a healthy snack prepared from different kind of lentils or legume which is boiled and seasoned with Indian spices. Peanut Mango Sundal is one of the popular sundal and I made it today as “Navratri neivedhyam”. Adding mango is an option. You can leave it out and follow the rest of the procedure to make plain peanut sundal. But the addition of fresh mango will give a kick to each bite and I just love it. Try this easy recipe for an evening snack or for your kids snack pack (you can reduce the spice in that case). Ingredients: Peanuts (verkadalai ) – 3/4 cup Finely chopped raw mango – 1/2 cup Oil – 2 tsp Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp Urad dal – 1 tsp A pinch of asafoetida A few curry leaves (4 to 5) Dry...
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Channa Dal Sundal
Sundal is a healthy snack prepared from different kind of lentils or legume which is boiled and seasoned with Indian spices. It is easy to make and nutritious. Generally we prepare this as an offering to God called ”neivedhyam”. It is Navratri time and we make different type of sundal almost everyday for 9 days. Today I am sharing the recipe for chana dal sundal which is one of my favorite. I cooked the soaked chana dal in microwave but you can also boil it on stove top or pressure cook it. If you are using pressure cooker make sure the dal is whole and not mashed. Keep checking for more upcoming Navratri special recipes. Ingredients: Channa dal (kadalai paruppu) – 3/4 cup Oil -1 tsp Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp Urad dal – 1 tsp Dry red chili...
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Navratri/Golu Festival and Recipes
Wish you all a Happy Navratri!!! Navaratri or Navratri is a renowned festival celebrated by Hindus in the month of October. Navaratri means “nine nights”. This festival is celebrated for nine nights and 10 days consisting of ceremonies, rituals, fasts and feasts. The festival is dedicated to Durga, the mother goddess who also represents power. Durga annihilated the demon Mahishasura after a relentless battle lasting nine days and nights. The 10th day being Vijayadashami or Dasara meaning Victory celebrated for the destruction of evil. Navaratri is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. During this period Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Sarawathi are worshiped for noble virtue and strength, wealth, wisdom/knowledge. Growing up in the Southern India, I have always known the way we celebrate there. But my friends from different parts of India, have described their way of...
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Green Chutney for Sandwich (Mint and Cilantro)
Cilantro and Mint Chutney is a most common chutney used in various cuisines. The method varies but mint and cilantro being the base for the chutney. It is so simple to make this chutney. If you have it handy in your refrigerator it saves a lot of time when you are in a hurry to whip up a tasty meal. I use it for my grilled cheese sandwich and as a condiment to fried food like samosa, pakora, bajji, for chaat and even for idli/dosa. It is one of the must have things in my refrigerator now. Try this delicious, simple and versatile chutney at home and make your life easy. Ingredients: Mint leaves- 1 cup (leaves only) Cilantro or Coriander leaves – 1 cup Green chilies – 4 Grated ginger – 1 tsp Garlic pods – 4 Grated coconut –...
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Cheese Corn Potato Balls
Cheese Corn Potato Balls is a perfect starter or appetizer for kids and adults alike. It is very easy to make and tastes so good. I had some left over cheese in my refrigerator and wanted to try a new appetizer for a get together. I came up with this recipe after browsing a lot of recipes. I wanted to add both potato and corn with the cheese but was not sure how it will turn out until I made it. It is a big hit and everyone loved it. I used the left over mozzarella and Italian cheese blend in this recipe. You can substitute them with any of your favorite cheese. About the bread crumbs, it is not necessary that you have to use both Italian and panko. Since I had them in the my pantry I...
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