Coconut Rice
Coconut rice is one of the easiest variety rice dish in South Indian recipes. Especially it’s an most famous lunch box dish. I love all types of variety rices like lemon rice, tamarind rice, tomato rice and coconut rice. When we got married, my husband and I discovered that we had varied taste in food. But we found ourselves agreeing on one dish – “coconut rice”. So sentimentally it’s our favorite dish 🙂 . It is so easy to make when you are out of vegetables in your kitchen and wondering what to make for lunch/dinner today. Eat with some potato fry trust me it tastes too good. Ingredients: Shredded Coconut – 1 cup Cooked rice : 2 cups Mustard seeds : 1 tsp Cooking oil : 1 tbsp Urad dal : 2 tsp Channa dal : 2 tbsp...
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Sai Bhaji/Spinach and Mixed Vegetable Curry
Sai Bhaji is a typical Sindhi food. The greens and veggies in it make it a healthy meal choice. I went to my cousin’s place for the vacation. She made this sai bhaji for me and it was very tasty… It is also very nutritious and it is easy to make. So I tried it and it has come out really well. Preparation time: 30 minutes No of Servings: 6-7 Spice level: 3 Ingridients: Channa dal : 200g Cumin seeds : 1 tsp Garlic : 5 cloves Methi leaves : 1/2 bunch Onions : 2(medium size) chopped Tomatoes : 2 chopped Carrot : 1(small cube size) Beans : 10(chopped) Potato : 1(large cube size) Bottle gourd : 200g(large cube size)(optional) Spinach :1/2 bunch Oil : 2 tsp Masala: Turmeric powder : 1/2 tsp Chilli powder : 2 tsp Coriander powder...
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Mint (Pudhina) Chutney
I love to make dishes with mint leaves because it always gives such an mouthwatering flavor to the dishes. And Mint has such awesome qualities like it could be used as a refreshing and a cleansing facial wash. In South India, we call this recipe as “Pudhina Thoghayal”. It goes great with a lot of dishes like Dosa, Idlies, or even with rice and sambhar, rice and vathakuzhambu, etc. Ingredients: Mint Leaves : 1 bunch (separate the leaves from stem) Coriander Leaves : 1/2 bunch Vegetable Oil : 1 tbsp Red Chilies : 6-7 (According to your spice level) Grated Coconut : 3 tbsp Urad dal : 1tbsp Asafoetida : 1/4 tsp Ginger : 1tbsp Tamarind Juice: 1/2 cup Method Of Preparation: Heat oil in a pan add Urad dal and asafoetida, fry them till urad dal turns light...
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Cauliflower Poriyal/Cauliflower Masala Curry
Shriya : “Arthi is one of my best friends and wow, can she cook? The first time I visited her when she moved to the US, she had made dozens of incredible variety of Indian dishes and I ate until my tummy was about to burst. Arthi is passionate about cooking and has gracefully accepted to share her wonderful recipes here with us. Please welcome her in her first SpicyTasty recipe!” I am happy to join hands with my friends to write my recipes in SpicyTasty and my special thanks to them for that. Here is my first recipe, Cauliflower Masala Curry. My mom used to make this and I love this. Preparation time: 35 minutes No of Servings: 4-5 Spice level: 4 out of 5 Ingredients: Cauliflower – 1 (small size) Onion – 1 chopped finely Tomato – 1...
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Araichuvitta Sambar – Lentil Soup (with Jackfruit Seeds/Drumstick)
I am back from my long India vacation. And started my cooking in my favorite kitchen. I had brought some jackfruit seeds from India. So I just made my all time favorite sambar (lentil soup) with my mom’s recipe. This sambar recipe is a very traditional recipe in south India. It’s little different from the regular sambar. If you don’t have jackfruit seeds you can substitute any vegetable. This goes very well with idli, dosa and rice. Trust me it tastes like heaven! Ingredients: Shallots: 7-8(Peeled) Tomato: 1 Oil: 2 tbsp Toor dal: 1/2 cup Mustard seeds : 1 tsp Asafoetida: 1/4 tsp Urad dal: 1 tsp Jack fruit seeds: 1/2 cup Drumsticks : 7-8 nos Coriander Leaves : 2 tbsp (For garnishing) Tamarind paste: 2 tbsp Masala to Grind: Coriander Seeds : 11/2tbsp Channa dal: 1tbsp Cumin seeds...
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Podalangai kootu(Snake Gourd with Lentils)
My mom made this kootu yesterday and it tasted really good and yummy. Kootu is a combo of vegetables and lentils. It’s very easy to make and goes well with rice, vathakuzhambhu, rasam and sambhar. You can make kootu with any kind of vegetables with the same recipe only substituting the main vegetable. After I go home I think this easy recipe is going to make me cook this kootu often. I am learning a lot of new recipes from my mom. Ingredients: Snake Gourd: 2 cups(clean up the seeds inside and chopped into slices) Channa dal : 1/4 cup oil: 2tbsp Onion: 1/2 (medium) Tomato : 1 Ginger : 1/2 tsp Green chilies : 5 Turmeric powder: 1/4 tsp Salt: required to taste Coconut : 1/2(shredded) For Seasonings: Mustard seeds : 1 tsp Urad dal : 1 tsp Curry leaves...
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Spicy Macaroni Recipe
This recipe is from my sister’s (Suja’s) kitchen. She made this spicy macroni for her 4 years old son. It’s no secret kids love Macaroni & Cheese like it’s the next best thing to chocolate. But, how do we get them to eat veggies. My sis tricks my nephew by adding a lot of vegetables and spicing up the Macaroni and creating this tasty dish. Spicy Macaroni is very easy to make and it can be made for dinner or even as an evening snack. Ingredients: Oil : 2 tbsp Onion : 1 Tomato : 1 Green chilies : 3-4 (according to your spice level) Garlic : 3 (chopped) Ginger : 1tsp (chopped) Garam masala : 1 tbsp Maggi masala Powder : 1 tbsp(optional) salt : required to taste Vegetables: 1 cup(I’ve added bell pepper, green peas and carrots)...
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Bhindi Masala – Okra Curry
Bhindi Masala or Okra Curry is a delicious Indian curry in which okra or ladies finger is cooked in a curry sauce and served with roti/chapati. I have added bell pepper to this dish which a twist from the original recipe. Ingredients: Okra – 2 lb Chopped onion – 1 1/2 cup Chopped tomato – 1 cup Bell pepper – 1 Green chilli – 2 Curry leaves – 1 string Ginger garlic paste – 1 tbsp Chopped cilantro – 1/2 cup Crushed coriander seeds – 1 tbsp Cumin seeds – 1 tsp Cumin powder – 1 tsp Coriander powder – 1 tsp Red chilly powder – 1 tsp Garam masala powder – 1 tsp Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp Oil Salt to taste Method of Preparation: Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. When...
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Godhuma Rava Briyani/Cracked Wheat Briyani
My mother used to make lot of dishes with cracked wheat. I never got a chance to make anything with cracked wheat myself. Cracked wheat is healthy and you can substitute it instead of rice. If you are in a good diet I would recommend this to eat with sambar, rasam or anything. It is good for health and is low in calories. One of my good friends, Swathika from work, gave me this idea about making briyani in cracked wheat. She had actually made briyani in Rava (Sooji). So I decided to try making Briyani in cracked wheat. Ingredients: Cracked Wheat : 2 cups Onion: 1(medium) Ginger & Garlic Paste: 2 tbsp Tomatoes: 1 Curry leaves: 5-6 Mint leaves: 1/4 cup Coriander leaves: 1/4 cup Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp Oil: 3 tbsp Bay leaves: 2 Cloves: 3 Green...
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Pudhina Puloa/Mint Rice
We have a vegetable garden in our backyard this summer. We planted some mint and they are growing nicely. I made this Mint Pulao from our garden fresh mint. There is nothing like the smell of fresh mint and fresh cilantro from your own vegetable patch.Mint Pulao is one of those items you can whip up quickly yet it has the taste like you spent hours toiling in the kitchen heat making this perfect dish. Ingredients: Mint : 2 cups Coriander leaves : 1cup Garlic : 3 Ginger : 2 tbsp Coconut : 1/2 cup Green chilies : 8- 10(Adjust according to your spice level) Vegetable Oil : 3 tbsp Bay Leaves : 2 Cloves: 3 Cinnamon stick : 1/2″ Onion : 1 (medium)chopped finely water : 3 1/2 cups Basmati Rice : 2cups Paneer : 1 cup (fried)(optional)...
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Jack fruit seeds and Eggplant Curry
When I started writing this recipe I was a little curious about jack fruit seeds calories and nutrient facts. It is 70Kcal/50gm and the nutrient factors are its is a rich source of vitamins like vitamin A, C and certain B vitamins, and minerals like calcium, zinc, and phosphorous. Jack fruit cultivation is pretty popular in most south part of India. My mom used to make a lot of dishes in jack fruit seeds. When I say seeds, remember this is Jack Fruit – the seeds are almost the size of orange slices! But, it tastes so good and I really miss them here in the US. My eldest sister made this recipe she sent me the picture and recipe of this dish. I don’t get jack fruit seeds here, I wish I can get some. Doesn’t the dish...
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Dahi vada – Curd Vada
Dahi Vada is a savory snack from South India. It can vary in shape and size and are made of lentils, gram flour or potato. We have already discussed about medu vada in our earlier post. Dahi Vada is nothing but medu vada dipped in yogurt mixture and served chill. You can serve it as a snack or alongside a meal. Usually, we eat it at the end of the meal. Here you go… Ingredients: For Vada: White Lentil/Urad dal – 250 g Green chillies – 2 Ginger (finely chopped) – 1 tsp Salt to taste Curry leaves – 6 to 7 leaves Vegetable Oil or Canola oil for frying – 2 to 3 cups For the Curd Mixture: Yogurt – 4 cups Green Chillies – 2 Grated Coconut – 2 tbsp Salt to taste Cumin seeds – 1...
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Mushroom Dry Curry
Mushroom dry curry is one of my favourite. It is so yummy that will definitely become a fan of it. My friend doesn’t like mushroom but she loved this dish and want to try it. I adapted the steps from Vah Chef and made a few changes to it. Try it out and let me know if you liked it. Here you go… Ingredients: Cut mushroom – 3 cups Chopped onion – 1 cup Chopped tomatoes – 1 cup Ginger garlic paste – 1 tbsp Cumin seeds – 2tsp Garli cloves – 2 Pepper corns- 1 tsp Curry Leaves – 1 strand Green chillies – 2 Red chilli powder – 1 tsp Garam masala – 1/2 tsp (fresh masla – bay leaf, 1/2″ cinnamon stick, 2 cardamom, 3 cloves) Cumin powder – 1 tsp Coriander powder – 1 tsp...
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Cauliflower Dry Curry
I made this cauliflower dry curry for chappathy and it tastes really good. The blend of ginger, garlic, cumin and the masalas adds flavour to the cauliflower and makes it so yummy. This is one of my friend’s recipe who is a wonderful cook and the proud owner of the blog Nalabagham. You can serve it with rotis or rice. Try and let me know how it turns out. Preparation time: 40 minutes No. of servings: 4 Spice level: 3.5 out of 5 Ingredients:- One small cauliflower cut into small florets One Medium Onion – thinly sliced Chili powder – 1 tsp Cumin powder – 1 tsp Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp Vinegar – 1 tbsp Ginger garlic paste – 1 tbsp Any chicken 65 or chicken curry masala – 1 tbsp Lemon juice – 1 tbsp Spring onions...
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Spinach Curry
Spinach curry is one of my favorite of my mom’s recipe. It is simple but tasty dish. You can have it with rice or chappathy. This dish is full of iron and protein as it contains dal. Here you go… Ingredients: Chopped Spinach – 4 cups (Split bean) Moong dal – 1/2 cup Chopped onion – 1/2 cup Tomato – 1 Oil – 1 tbsp Dried red chillies – 4 (adjust to taste) Mustard seeds – 1 tsp (Split white lentil) Urad dal – 1 tsp Cumin seeds – 1 tsp Sambar powder – 1 tbsp (optional) Salt to taste Method of Preparation: Boil 2 cups of water and add the chopped spinach and let it cook for 5 to 10 minutes till it becomes soft Cook the moong dal in pressure cooker or microwave it for 10 minutes....
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Potato Fry
This is one of the easiest potato fry recipe. When I got married and started to learn cooking Potato fry was one of the few recipes that I’ve mastered. I’ve learned this recipe from my husband. He used to make this all the time when he was a bachelor as it is something very quick to make as well as tasty. Also it goes as a great side for plenty of dishes like sambhar rice, Porichakuzhambhu rice. Ingredients : Potatoes : 2 (medium) OIl: 1/4 cup Chili powder : 4 tbsp ( According to your spice level) Mustard seeds : 2 tsp Urad dal : 2 tsp Curry leaves : 5 to 6 Salt : required to taste Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp Method of Preparation : Cut the potatoes in  half and pressure cook them for 2 whistles...
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Okra Fry
Okra/vendakkai fry is most popular side dish in south India. Okra is a love or hate thing for many. Some people love em (me) and some people hate em (hubby). But, if you are looking to convert those who hate it, Okra Fry is probably your best bet. Okra fry would make for a great side dish for a variety of rice dishes. My recipe is a simple and easy version, you can make it spicy and crispy and it will go great with Sambar/Rasam. Ingredients: Okra/Ladies finger : 2 cups (sliced into small discs) to thin circles) Onion : 1 medium Green chilies : 4 Curry Leaves: 6 Salt : required to taste Oil : 3 tbsp Yogurt : 2 tbsp Urad dal : 3 tsp Mustard seeds : 2 tsp Method Of Preparation : Heat oil in...
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Plantain Masala Fry
Plantains tend to be firmer and lower in sugar content than dessert bananas. Bananas are most often eaten raw, while plantains usually require cooking or other processing, and are used either when green or under-ripe (and therefore starchy) or overripe (and therefore sweet). In south India plantain leaves are used like plates for serving food. In Kerala, a food preparation called “Ada” is made in plantain leaves. – (Wikipedia) This is the first time I’ve made Plantain curry after my marriage. I love plantain my mother use to make lots of dishes using Plantain. After my mother-in-law visited us this summer our food habit changed a lot. Finally we are eating a lot of vegetables now  🙂 . She used to make this fry with her own magical touch. I got the recipe from her and it came out...
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