Paruppu Thuvaiyal (Spicy Lentil dip)
ST Authors Meet up – Day 1 After a very long time, we (Shriya, Nithu and I) get to spend some quality time together for a week. Wow!! We are really excited… Nithu and I are here sharing the beautiful motherhood moments of Shriya’s life. It’s nice to recollect and cherish our good old memories which will forever remain fresh. Apart from all these, we are very much thrilled and happy to cook and eat our meal together in one kitchen. Our plan is to cook our favorite and specialty dishes every day and share it with you along with our stories. Today we prepared paruppu thuvaiyal, a dip made of pigeon pea which is a delight when served with white rice and Vathakuzhambu. Paruppu thuvaiyal and vathakuzhambu is a wonderful combo and it’s my favorite from childhood. We also...
Read More
Stuffed Eggplant Fry / Kathirikkai Poriyal
When I was young, I wont eat eggplant that much. But whenever my grandma made this stuffed eggplant fry, I would be the first one to finish it . This eggplant fry is a tasty side for sambar, rasam. .. Preparation time : 40 minutes No of servings : 2 Spice level : 4 Ingredients: Small Eggplant / Brinjal – 8 Coriander seeds – 1 1/2 tbsp Bengal gram / Channa dal – 2 tsp Urad dal – 1 tsp Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp Coconut – 3 tbsp Red Chillies- 4 to 5 (according to spice level) Salt – to taste Oil – 3tbsp Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp Curry leaves – a few Asafoetida – a pinch Method of Preparation: Take very little oil in a pan and fry cumin seeds, followed by red chillies, bengal gram,...
Read More
Thakkali Pachadi – Tomato and Yogurt Chutney
Pachadi is a traditional dish in Tamilnadu and Kerala. They serve this pachadi along with milagootal in my in Kerala style of cooking. It is so simple and tasty dish which can also be served with rice and sambar/rasam. There are different types of pachadi and today I am sharing the recipe for tomato pachadi. Here you go.. Preparation time: 10 minutes No. of servings: 4 Spice level: 3.5 out of 5 Ingredients: Tomatoes – 3 Yogurt – 1 cup Fresh or frozen shredded coconut – 1/4 cup Green chili – 2 Mustard seeds – 1 tsp Curry leaves – few Urad dal (white lentils) – 1 tsp Method of Preparation: Grind coconut and green chili to a thick paste. Mix it with yogurt. Heat oil in a seasoning pan, add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add urad...
Read More
Aval Payasam (Beaten Rice Pudding) and Happy Pongal 2011
Wish you all a Happy Pongal!!!!!! It is traditional to make pudding (Payasam) for special occasions like Pongal festival. So I made this aval payasam and it came out really good. If you try it, I hope you enjoy it too. Aval/Poha is nothing but beaten rice. It looks like dry rice flakes. Preparation Time : 30 minutes No of Servings : 4-5 Ingredients: Aval: 2 cups Ghee: 2 tbsp Condensed milk: 1/4 cup Milk: 3 cups Sugar: 1/4 cup (adjust according to your taste) Cardamom Powder: 1/2 tsp Pista (pistachio nuts), cashews, almonds and dry grapes : 1/2 cup Method of Preparation : Heat a tbsp of ghee and fry the poha/aval for couple of mins or till it become light golden brown and keep it aside. Heat a tbsp of ghee and fry all the nuts and...
Read More
Spinach Dal Curry (Version 2)
I love spinach dal a lot and want to have it in different styles. This version of spinach dal is mother-in-law’s recipe. This time when I went to India she made this and I loved it. Without any masalas, I love this simple version of dal spinach. Preparation Time : 30 min No of Servings : 3 Spice level : 2 out of 5 Ingredients: Spinach – 1 bunch Toor dal – 1/3 cup Coconut – 3 tbsp Green chillies – 2 Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp Asafoetida – a pinch Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp Red chilly – 1 Onion – 3 tbsp (finely chopped) Salt – to taste Oil – 1 tbsp Method of Preparation: Pressure cook toor dal for 3 whistles by adding the turmeric powder and asafoetida. Wash the spinach well, wash them and boil...
Read More
Cheppankizhangu curry – Colocasia fry
Colocasia is commonly known as Taro, Cocoyam, Elephant ear, etc. Number of delicious dish can be made from this root vegetable. In Tamilnadu we make colocasia fry, we add it in moru kozhambu (kadhi), sambar, etc. Today I am sharing colocasia fry which is one of my favorite dish. My mom makes it for me and it is the best. Here you go… Preparation time: 30 to 35 minutes No. of servings: 4 Spice level: 3 out of 5 Ingredients: Colocasia – 6 Oil – 4 tbsp Red chili powder – 1 tsp (adjust to spice level) Coriander powder – 3/4 tbsp Cumin powder – 1/2 tbsp Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp Sambar powder – 1/2 tsp (optional) Salt to taste Method of Preparation: Pressure cook colocasia for 15 minutes or till it is half cooked. You can...
Read More
Simple Fish Fry
This is one of the simplest and easy to make tasty fish fry. It will take only a short time to prepare. I’ve learnt this recipe from one of my good friends Neeru. It tastes crunchy and delightful with the addition of bread crumbs. You can use any type fish for this fry. Spice level : 3 out of 5 No of servings : 3-4 Preparation Time : 1 hour 30 minutes (1 hour for marinating) Ingredients: Fish : 500 gm ( any fish, I’ve used tilapia) Breadcrumbs : 1 cup Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp Red chili powder : 2 tbsp Salt : according to taste Ginger and Garlic Paste : 1/2 tbsp Fish masala powder : 2 tbsp (instead of red chili powder and ginger & garlic paste) Method Of Preparation: Wash and clean the fish. Marinate...
Read More
Cabbage Thoran / Curry
The last vegetable I take from my fridge is cabbage. I am not a huge fan of cabbage. I went to one of my friends place and she had made this cabbage thoran. Thoran is a Keralite dish and it is very tasty. I use almost the same ingredients for my version of cabbage poriyal but I love this thoran. This time definitely cabbage is not the last one from my fridge 🙂 Preparation time : 10 minutes No of Servings : 4 Spice level : 2 Ingredients: Cabbage – 1/2 (finely chopped) Onion – 1/3 cup (finely chopped) Green chillies – 5 to 6 (finely chopped) Ginger – 1/2″ (finely chopped) Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp Coconut – 1/3 cup (grated) Oil – 1 tbsp Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp Salt – to...
Read More
Aloo Bonda
I usually make bhajji when it comes to deep fried snack. I like bondas and that too aloo bonda a lot. I love aloo bonda with coconut chutney. Finally I made it and it was very tasty 🙂 Preparation time: 30 minutes No of Servings: 2 to 3 Spice level: 3 Ingredients: Potato – 1 (large size) Onion – 1/2 (small size)(finely chopped) Green Chilly – 1(chopped) Red Chilli Powder – 1 tsp (according to spice level) Coriander Powder – 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp Coriander – 1 tbsp (chopped) Salt – to taste Gram flour – 1/3 cup Rice flour – 2 tbsp Oil – for frying Method of Preparation: Boil the Potato and smash it. Mix onion, green chilly, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, coriander powder, tumeric powder, coriander and salt Make smooth round shaped...
Read More
Cabbage Kootu (Version 2)
Cabbage kootu is one of my favorite dish. It is simple and tasty and it goes well with both white rice and chappathy. So whenever I make this dish, I make some extra amount to cover for both lunch and dinner. That way your time is saved. Here you go… Preparation time: 30 t0 35 minutes Spice level: 2.5 out of 5 No. of servings: 3-4 Ingredients: Chopped cabbage – 2 cups Split pigeon peas (toor dal) – 1/3 cup Coriander seeds – 1 and 1/2 tsp Cumin – 1 tsp Shredded coconut – 1/4 cup Salt to taste Seasoning: Split white lentil (urad dal) – 1 tsp Mustard seeds – 1 tsp Cumin – 1 tsp Curry leaves – few Green chilies – 4 Dry red chilies – 2 Asafoetida – a pinch Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp...
Read More
Homemade Chocolate Cake
I wanted to make a cake for my husband’s birthday. I was searching for a simple cake recipe and I got this yummy cake recipe from my friend Sajana. I tried this chocolate cake and it came out well. Here is the recipe for an easy and delicious dessert. Preparation time : 45 minutes Ingredients 1: Sugar – 2 cups All purpose flour – 1 3/4 cup Cocoa – 3/4 cup Baking powder – 1 1/2 tsp Baking soda – 1 1/2 tsp Salt – 1 tsp Chocolate chips – 1/2 cup Cashews broken – 1/2 cup Ingredients 2: Eggs – 2 Milk – 1 cup Oil – 1/2 cup Vanilla extract – 2 tsp Water – 1 cup Method of Preparation: Mix all the ingredients 1 in a wide vessel. Beat the eggs and add all other ingredients...
Read More
Nethili Fish (Anchovies) Kuzhambhu
First of all I want to say a big sorry to all my readers for not posting any recipes for a while. I’ve great news to share with you all. We are expecting!!!!! Now that I am past my morning sickness and big trip to India, I am happy to post one of my favorite recipe today. In my recent trip, my mom made this Nethili fish (anchovies) kuzhambhu and it tasted like heaven. When I came back I found some fresh Anchovies in Oriental market. I was so happy and I made this curry out of it. this fish kuzhambhu recipe is a little different from the last one I posted. Ingredients: Nethili Meen (anchovies) :1/2 lb Onion : 2 tbsp Garlic : 4 Tomato : 2 (medium) Oil : 4 tbsp Vadagam : 1 tbsp Curry Leaves...
Read More
Cauliflower Fry
I tried this Cauliflower Fry recently and I liked it so much. I got bored of cooking cauliflower in the regular method. My sister make colocasia fry in this method. So I thought I will substitute it with cauliflower. You can also try it with other vegetables such as potatoes and yam. Here you go… Preparation time: 30 minutes No. of servings: 3-4 Spice level: 3 out of 5 Ingredients: Cauliflower florets – 2 cups Besan flour (Chickpea flour) – 2 tbsp Corn flour – 2 tbsp Red chili powder – 3/4 tbsp Cumin powder – 1/2 tsp Coriander powder – 1/2 tsp Star Aniseed – 1/2 oil – 1/4 cup Salt Method of Preparation: Boil water and add the florets and let it sit for 3 minutes. Drain water completely and keep it aside. Mix all the flour...
Read More
Karthikai Deepam and Neyyappam – Version 2
Today is Karthikai Deepam. From Wikipedia: Karthikai Deepam is a festival of lights celebrated by Tamil Hindus on the full moon day of Karthikai month (November/December), which is observed in every home and in every temple. This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and purnima. This constellation appears as a group of six stars in the firmament in the shape of a pendant from the ear. Many legends and lyrical poetry have grown round this star. The six stars are considered in Indian mythology as the six celestial nymphs who reared the six babies in the saravana tank which later were joined together to form the six faced Muruga. He is therefore called Karthikeya, the one brought up by the Karthigai nymphs. Houses and streets are lit up with rows...
Read More
Methi Kootu
My cousin told about making methi kootu using whole masoor. Both methi and whole masoor are highly nutritious. Methi is rich in Iron, Phosphorous, calcium and vitamins whereas whole masoor are essential source of inexpensive protein in many parts of the world for those who adhere to a vegetarian diet. These are also very rich in iron. This kootu is very simple and very healthy. Preparation time : 35 minutes No of Servings : 3 Spice level : 3 Ingredients : Methi Leaves – a bunch (chopped) Masoor dal whole (whole baby lentils) – 1/3 cup Onion – 1/2 (finely chopped) Tomato – 1/2 (chopped) Sambar powder – 1 1/2 tsp (according to spice level) Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp Seasoning vadagam – 1 tsp Oil – 1 tbsp Asafoetida – a pinch Salt – to taste Method of...
Read More
Happy Deepavali
Wish you all a very Happy and Colorful Deepavali… Deepavali or Diwali is a festival of lights. This year it is really special for me because I am celebrating it with my family in India. It was colourful and bright everywhere with the sounds of crackers. I enjoyed bursting all the crackers and Today is a special feast along with different kind of sweets. Everything was so yummy that forgot to count calories…;). Shopping for clothes, sweets and crackers during Deepavali is another wonderful experience (if shopping is done a week ahead…;)). From wikipedia: Deepavali is an important five-day festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism, occurring between mid-October and mid-November. For Hindus, Diwali is the most important festival of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes.Diwali involves the lighting of small...
Read More
Dal poli – Sweet Lentil Pancakes
Poli is one of the popular and traditional dishes in South India. We make this dish for festivals and special occasions. It is a flat bread with sweet filling inside which is called ‘Puran’. There are different types of poli which varies with the types of filling. The one that I am going to share with you is “Paruppu Poli”. ‘Paruppu’ means Lentils. Here I have used Channa dal. Puran or the stuffing is made of lentils and jaggery with the flavor of cardamom and nutmeg. This is stuffed in a dough made of maida or all purpose flour, rolled and cooked over hot griddle with a hint of ghee and then served hot with a small dollop of ghee or just by itself. You need patience and experience to get a perfect texture and taste. hope. After making...
Read More
Tomato Rice (Version 2)
I’ve already posted a Tomato rice recipe. I tried a different version today which is easy to make and one of my favorites too. I got this recipe from my sister and it tastes soo good. Tomato rice is easy and simple to prepare recipe. If you are out of vegetables tomato rice is your best bet. Try this recipe and let me know how it turned out for you. Preparation Time: 45 minutes No of Servings: 3-4 Spice level : 3 out of 5 Ingredients: Tomatoes : 4 (large) Onion: 1/2 (finely chopped) Oil : 1 tbsp Garlic : 3 (finely chopped) Ginger : 1/2 inch ( finely chopped) Green chilies : 4 Red chili powder : 3 tsp Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp Curry Leaves : 5-6 Coriander Leaves : 3 tbsp (chopped) Mint leaves : 2...
Read MoreChristmas Recipes
Recent Comments